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SUMMARY
Dr. Seth Smith Mellen, a native of Massachusetts, began in Georgia his great work as a teacher. Later he established a noted school at Pierce's Springs, Mississippi. From this place he removed to Mount Sterling, where he continued his work. The Mount Sterling School was ideal, and Dr. Mellen enjoyed the respect and admiration of both pupils and patrons. In the course of study much stress was placed on English, Latin, Greek, and mathematics. The close of each school year was marked by varied and interesting exercises. Although Dr. Mellen died in 1893, his noble and inspiring work as a teacher and guide of youth is still exerting its influence on education in Alabama.
QUESTIONS
1. Name some of the great teachers of past ages, and tell what they have done. 2. Sketch the early life of Dr. Seth Smith Mellen. 3. Describe his Pierce's Springs school. 4. Give an account of his removal to Mount Sterling. 5. How did he win the respect and admiration of his pupils? 6. Tell of his success. 7. Describe the school at Mount Sterling. 8. How did he teach English? Latin? Greek? mathematics? 9. Describe the closing exercises of his school. 10. Give a sketch of the closing years of his life.
Dr. William LeRoy Broun
CHAPTER XXVIII DR. WILLIAM LEROY BROUN (1827-1902)
1827
1. Sketch of His Life .- Dr. William Le Roy Broun gave to the cause of education in Alabama nearly twenty of the seventy-five years of his life. He was born in Virginia, and educated in her academies and in her University, graduating in the class of 1850. HIe taught first in Mississippi; he was professor of mathematics, 1854-1856, in the University of Geor- gia; then he established Bloomfield Academy, a classical school near the University of Virginia.
Dr. Broun entered the Confederate army at the outbreak of the war, and was made lieutenant of
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artillery. He was a profound mathematician and a - skillful civil engineer. He knew so much about artillery that he was put in command of the arsenal at Richmond with the rank of lieutenant colonel. It was by his orders that the Confederate arsenal was blown up when the Federal troops compelled General Lee's army to leave Richmond.
After the war he again devoted his life to educa- tion. During a period of thirty-five years he filled with distinction positions in the University of Geor- gia, Georgia Agricultural and Mechanical College, Vanderbilt University, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the University of Texas. In 1882, he was elected to the presidency of the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College, and, save for the session of 1883-84, he held this position until his death in 1902.
Such is the outline of the life of Dr. Broun, whose great brain powers and whose work as a teacher made him one of the foremost educators of America. His modest life commanded the love of all who knew him, and his death called forth tributes of praise* from his old friends of the University of Virginia and from the good and wise in all sections of the country. Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi,
*Dr. Charles C. Thach, his successor in the Polytechnic Insti- tute, in a speech at the memorial services in honor of Dr. Broun, said of him: "His was the greatest intellect that I have ever known; absolutely accurate, full of refinement and delicacy, appreciative of the finest shades of culture, yet vigorous, robust, constructive, bold to plan and mark out new lines, and capable of carrying those plans to the most successful issue."
1865
1902
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Texas, and Alabama all have had the impress of his wonderful influence and example, but Alabama enjoyed the closing years of his services when all his powers of brain and soul were at their best.
2. Qualifications for Presidency .- In the Confed- erate service Dr. Broun discovered the general ignorance of men upon scientific subjects. His Bloomfield Academy had not neglected the teaching of chemistry and physics and practical civil engi- neering. He had thus early in life shown his regards for scientific courses of instruction. This great mas- ter also loved the culture and power of Latin, Greek, and other languages. Experience had taught him that instruction in literature should be combined with courses in science. His education was so broad and liberal that he could have successfully filled any chair in the College. He was a good judge of men. In the selection of his faculty he was guided by what he thought of the fitness of the professors, and not by what the professors thought of him. It was fortunate for Alabama that one so well fitted for the broad work of education should have been placed at the head of its school of science.
3. Work as President .- As president Dr. Broun took charge of the College with a firm hand, and under his careful management it was soon recognized as one of the leading scientific schools of America. Soon after entering upon his duties he formed the departments of manual training, electrical engineer- ing, and biology, subjects which never before had been courses in a Southern college. He came into direct personal relations with thousands of young
1882
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men and young women who are now among the most helpful citizens of the country. Many of his stu- dents have gone into professional work in all coun- tries of the world, and have carried with them habits of accuracy in business, the love of truth, and the manliest principles in conduct and thought.
His long connection with the Polytechnic Institute* and his knowledge of the needs of the times com- bined to shape educational work not only in Alabama but throughout the country. Taking charge when money and equipment were wholly insufficient, he planned so wisely and so well that every year showed marked improvement in the great school over which he presided. The legislature acknowl- edged his abilities and wisdom by giving large appropriations to its support. The people of the State showed their confidence in him by sending an ever increasing number of young men to be trained under his guidance.
As a speaker Dr. Broun charmed his hearers by the vigor of thought rather than by the eloquence of words. He was always interesting, but he seemed to be a little embarrassed when rising to address an audience. This embarrassment lasted only for a mo- ment, for his mind acted directly upon the subject before him, and he made it bright with the order of truth. The listener soon became lost in the great thoughts of the speaker, and he never forgot the impressions of the hour.
The discipline that was maintained by Dr. Broun
*In 1889, the name was changed to the Alabama Polytechnic Institute.
T
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appealed to the manliness of young men. With a strong love for human kind, he brought his lofty spirit down to the plane of the students under his control, and through sympathy led them into noble habits of mind and conduct. "Fear God, and work! Take it home to your bosoms, write it on your hearts, make it the rule of your life. Fear God, and work," is said to be the motto with which he closed his last public address.
4. Tribute to His Greatness .- Ever kind and courteous, refined and modest, gentle and strong, Dr. Broun was beloved and honored by all who came into his presence. His memory will not perish among men, and his influence for the good of his age will bear fruit in all coming time. Guided to success by his masterly mind, the Polytechnic Institute is a monument to his greatness.
SUMMARY
William LeRoy Broun, after graduating from the University of Virginia, became a teacher. After serving with distinction during the War between the States, he again entered the teach- ing profession. During a period of thirty-five years he taught with much success in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama; and Texas. His qualifications were such that in 1882 he was elected presi- dent of the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College. Under his guidance it became one of the leading scientific schools in America.
QUESTIONS
1. Sketch the early life of William LeRoy Broun. 2. What services did he render the Confederacy? 3. In what schools did he teach and in what States? 4. What were his qualifica- tions for the presidency of the Polytechnic Institute? 5. Give an account of his work as president. 6. Describe Dr. Broun as a speaker. 7. In what way did he preserve discipline? 8. With what words did he close his last public address? 9. Why should Alabamians honer him?
1
CHAPTER XXIX
REFORMS AND REFORMERS
1. Religious Agencies in Territorial Times .- In territorial times the coming of ministers of the Gos- pel and the establishment of churches were the most powerful and most lasting agencies of reform. Long before Alabama became a State, clergymen were travelling through the country, and holding religious services in private homes and under forest trees.
The Roman Catholics were among the colonists from their first settlement, and their church did more than any other to civilize the early inhabitants and the Indians, and to teach them the truths of Chris- tianity. The population at first was largely of French and Spanish blood, and naturally adopted the Roman Catholic religion, as this was the faith of their fathers across the waters. The rapid influx of English-speaking Americans after the beginning of the Revolutionary War brought a great many Prot- estant settlers, and prepared the way for the estab- lishment of Protestant churches.
2. Lorenzo Dow .- Probably the first Protestant sermon preached to the "Bigbee" settlers was that of Lorenzo Dow in 1803. Dow was an eccentric New England Methodist, and he travelled through the wilds of this new country, preaching at the several settlements as he made his rounds. He sometimes took with him his wife Peggy. Their writings give
1803
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a singular picture of the queer way in which they devoted their lives to the work of spreading the Gospel. They also contain many thrilling and ro- mantic experiences of Mr. Dow and his wife as they pursued their journey through the wilderness from one settlement to the other.
3. Growth of Protestant Churches .- The Metho- dist and the Baptist churches began regular work in Alabama about 1808, and they have outstripped all others in getting the people to become church mem- bers. Their ministers lived among the people, became familiar with their lives, and felt a sympathy in whatever concerned them. Many of these ministers were uncultured, but they were naturally eloquent and possessed of great strength of character. They held protracted meetings in towns and villages, and camp-meetings in the country. On these occasions several ministers would come together, often from distant fields of labor, and would preach from day to day to congregations made up of people who had also gathered from near and far.
The Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and other denominations helped on the great work of Chris- tianizing the people.
The church buildings in the newly-settled country were almost without exception constructed of poles cut from the surrounding forests. As the country developed and sawmills began to convert timber into scantlings and planks, better buildings took the places of the old, and many of these in turn have given way to the magnificent brick and stone churches of to-day. In those humble buildings of
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the long ago the people were taught to believe in God and to respect holy things. This training has made a . people who have done much for the good of the world.
4. Dorothea Lynde Dix .- Miss Dorothea Lynde Dix was born in Hampden, Maine, on April 4, 1802. When a very young woman she taught school She became so much interested in weak-minded people and criminals that she visited Europe in order to study the treatment of prisoners, paupers, and the insane. She became the more interested as she learned how these classes were treated.
When she returned to this country, she went from State to State pleading for the establishment of asy- lums and hospitals. She visited Alabama during the session of the general assembly in 1849 and 1850, and asked for the founding of an asylum for the insane. On February 6, 1852, the general assembly voted to establish the Alabama Insane Hospital, which is now the Bryce Hospital.
Through the efforts of Miss Dix the United States Congress, in 1854, passed a bill by which 10,000,000 acres of land were given for the support of hospitals for crazy folks who had no money. The bill, how- ever, was vetoed by President Pierce.
Miss Dix was superintendent of hospital nurses in the Federal army during the war of 1861 to 1865. She wrote several works, the most valuable of which is Prisons and Prison Discipline. She died on July 17, 1887.
On her recommendation Dr. Peter Bryce was appointed superintendent of the Alabama Insane
Apr. 4, 1802
July 17, 1SS7
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Hospital, which opened its doors for patients on April 5, 1861.
Mar. 5, 1834
5. Dr. Peter Bryce .- Dr. Bryce was well qualified for the high trust of caring for the Insane Hospital. He was born in Columbia, South Carolina, on March 5, 1834, and was educated at the South Carolina Military Academy. He won the Metcalf prize for scholarship and took his degree of doctor of medicine in the University of New York. Ile pursued his studies in Europe, giving special attention to diseases of the mind. He was for short periods connected with the insane hospitals of South Carolina and New Jersey.
Peter Bryce When Dr. Bryce came to Alabama in 1860 to take charge of the Insane Hospital, he brought with him his bride. The war began immediately upon the opening of the hospital. He managed to keep the institution open during the four years of hostilities and to carry it through the troubles of "Recon- struction."
Soon after he took charge, the hospital became noted over the world for its advanced methods of treating patients. Before this time, crazy people were tied and put in straight jackets to make them obey the doctors and the nurses. Dr. Bryce did away with all this. He established a system which
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kept the patients busy with out-of-door work. He won his patients by following the Golden Rule: he did unto them as he would have another do unto him in similar circumstances. He made a study of crazy people who had committed crimes. He tried to find out to what extent they were responsible for their actions; whether they knew right from wrong, and whether they could keep from doing wrong even
Bryce Hospital
when they knew the wrong. His name was foremost throughout the world in notable discussions on methods of controlling the insane, and his hospital was pronounced one of the best and most comfortable in the world. One who knew him well said of him, "Pure in character and conversation, genial in man- ner, and lovable in disposition, he was a man upon whose brow nature herself had written 'Gentleman'."
Dr. Bryce held many posts of distinction in learned
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societies. In his honor the State has named the insti- tution over which he presided so long "The Bryce Hospital."*
Dr. Bryce was superintendent of the Insane Hos- pital from 1861 until his death in 1892. He left his work to be carried on by Dr. James T. Searcy, the present superintendent.
6. Dr. James T. Searcy .- Dr. Searcy is a very able physician and a most admirable gentleman. A visit through the wards with him on his daily round of inspection is a lesson full of instruction. His perfect candor with the patients is one of the things that impresses most. The respect that they show him leaves proof of his just dealings. From his com- ments upon methods of treatment, it is evident that he is keeping himself informed as to what other doctors are doing, and that he is moving ever towards a better understanding of how to improve the condition of the insane. He is keeping the hos- pital among the best in the world.
7. Dr. J. Hal Johnson .- In securing the establish- ment of the beautiful Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Talladega, Dr. J. Hal Johnson did a noble work. The deaf and the blind are in separate buildings, but the two institutions are under one president. This school was founded in 1857, and has grown steadily in numbers and helpfulness .. It is teaching the dumb to talk, and it is educating the deaf and blind to be happy and independent. At present it is under the
1857
*The Mount Vernon Hospital for the negro insane is in Mobile county not far from Mobile. It is a branch of The Bryce Hospital.
.
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charge of Dr. J. H. Johnson, the son of the founder. He has charge also of the School for the Negro Deaf Mutes and Blind.
8. Dr. J. Marion Sims .- Dr. J. Marion Sims was a practicing physician in Montgomery when he began to perform surgical operations that no one else had ever before done successfully. These operations gave so much relief to sufferers that Dr. Sims removed to New York, where he would have a better opportunity to treat greater numbers. For a while he lived in Paris. He won the distinction of being the greatest surgeon in the world. The women and children of this country have reared in New York City a splendid monument to him.
9. Dr. Jerome Cochran .- Dr. Jerome Cochran, for eighteen years the State health physician, ranked among the strong men of the age. Born and reared in Mississippi, it may be said that he was edu- cated between the plow- handles and in the old- field schools. At an early age he acquired the habit of investi- gating things thor- oughly and then draw- ing his own conclusions.
He married Miss Sarah Jane Collins just as he reached manhood, Jerome Cochran and two years later he was graduated from the Botanico-Medical College of Memphis, Tennessee.
1847
Dec. 1, 1834
1
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ALABAMA HISTORY
Not satisfied with the principles and practice taught by this school, he entered the University of Nash- ville, completed the required courses, and obtained appointment to duties in that University.
1865
.During the War between the States he served as physician and surgeon at Marion and Tuskaloosa. "When the bloody strife was over," he settled in Mobile. .
1870
Dr. Cochran went to Mobile poor, unknown, and without friends, but with the confidence that merit would win support in that city of beautiful homes and intelligent citizens. He soon worked himself into favor with the doctors and the public. His articles on health, which were published in the Mobile Register, attracted wide attention. As health officer of the city, he fought with great vigor and success the spread of smallpox and yellow fever.
As secretary of the State Medical Association he studied closely the needs of a strong State medical organization with . thority to protect the health and lives of the people. To this end he drafted the constitution of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama. After being discussed and rejected at several annual meetings of the Association, the con- stitution* prepared by him was adopted in 1873.
*His plan for the organization of the medical profession has no superior in "wisdom of conception, logical arrangement, com- pleteness of detail, abundance of fruit already borne and to be borne." The machinery of the plan embraced: 1st. A College of Counsellors with one hundred members; 2nd. A Board of Censors composed of ten counsellors; 3rd. County Medical Societies.
1873
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REFORMS AND REFORMERS
This constitution committed the doctors to a more special study of the causes and prevention of dis- eases. One of its strong points was the provision for organizing and upbuilding county medical societies; through such societies was expected the principal support of the plan for protecting health. As a result of the work of the Medical Association, each county, city, and town has been given the power by State laws to control in all matters which affect the health of the public, and the people of Alabama have been protected against the introduction and spread of yellow fever and other diseases. The records of the Association are among the most valuable his- torical papers of the State.
Dr. Cochran was born December 4, 1834; he died August 17, 1896. His life was not a long one, but it was full of great good to the country.
10. Prison Reform .- Messrs. Reginald H. Dawson, W. D. Lee, and Dr. A. T. Henley were appointed commissioners to inspect the convict system of the State and to regulate the treatment of convicts by their employers. Before this time there had been no system about the working or the hiring of State prisoners.
These gentlemen carried on their work in a thor- ough manner. They would appear in mines, camps, and other convict quarters without any notice to employers. Thus they would learn the true condi- tions surrounding the State's prisoners. They effected reforms in many ways, compelling better treatment, better clothing, better rations, and a strict regard to health laws. They reduced to a well-
Aug. 17, 1896
1883
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ALABAMA HISTORY
ordered system the former slipshod method of hiring and overlooking prisoners. To them must be traced the origin of many of the methods of prison reform that have given to Alabama a just pride in the kindly treatment of her criminal classes.
In 1903, the State took charge of the convicts hired to corporations. It has contracted to care for the convicts hired to work in the coal mines, and thereby has bettered the conditions of the criminals and pro- duced a larger revenue for the State.
11. Boys' Industrial School and Farm .- Robert Burns truthfully wrote-
"Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn."
Alabama has risen above this charge, and has adopted a practical sys- tem to save wayward boys. Good people have learned that it is wrong to take young boys who have broken the laws of the State and throw them into prison with old offenders who are hardened in crime.
The Boys' Industrial School and Farm was Mrs. R. D. Johnston established to take care of boys who have become disobedient to the laws of home and State. Its careful supervision, firm man- agement, kindly interest, regular employment in school and labor on the farm are intended to develop
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whatever good traits the boys may have. It is located near East Lake.
The establishment of this school is due mainly to the untiring efforts and the great mother sym- pathies of Mrs. R. D. Johnston, of Birmingham, who for some years wrote, spoke, begged, and urged the State to establish a home for the neglected boys of Alabama. Before public assem- blies, State legislatures, and private friends, she pleaded the cause of the boys, "the stuff that men are made of," until the general assembly of Alabama endorsed her plan and gave $3,000 towards creating the home. This amount has been gradually in- creased by succeeding legislatures until now the institution is in a flourishing condition. A goodly number of boys from this school now hold respon- sible positions, and are happy in the discharge of the duties of good citizenship. It stands as a monument to those who have devoted themselves to the holy cause of providing this means of redeeming for use- ful manhood the boys committed to its kindly protection and loving instruction.
SUMMARY
Early settlers in Alabama occasionally received moral and religious instruction from some passing priest or preacher. Of Protestant denominations the Baptists and Methodists were the first to begin regular and active work in Alabama. Among those who have made the people mindful of nobler and better things in life may be mentioned Lorenzo Dow, Miss Dorothea Dix, Dr. Peter Bryce, Dr. J. Hal Johnson, Dr. J. Marion Sims, Dr. Jerome Cochran, and Mrs. R. D. Johnston. Lorenzo Dow was one of the first Protestant preachers to travel through the scat- tered settlements and preach to the people; Miss Dix brought
1899
I
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ALABAMA HISTORY
about the establishment of the Bryce Hospital; Dr. Bryce en- couraged the kindlier treatment of the insane; Dr. Johnson secured the foundation of the Institutes for the Deaf and Blind; Dr. Sims' discoveries changed the practice of surgery through- out the world; Dr. Cochran originated the splendid plan for the protection of public health, and Mrs. Johnston's work caused the establishment of the Boys' Industrial School and Farm. The convict system was reformed by R. H. Dawson and others.
QUESTIONS
1. What religious agencies were there in territorial times? 2. Describe Lorenzo Dow and his work. 3. Give an account of the growth of Protestant churches. 4. Sketch the work of Miss Dorothea L. Dix. 5. Give an outline of the life of Dr. Bryce. 6. Describe the work of Dr. Searcy. 7. For what is Dr. Johnson noted? 8. What made Dr. Sims famous? 9. Give a brief history of the life of Dr. Cochran. 10. What prison reforms were brought about in 1883? 11. What did Mrs. R. D. Jolinston accomplish? 12. What has been accomplished by the Boys' Industrial School and Farm?
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