USA > Alabama > Hand-book of Alabama. A complete index to the state, with map > Part 18
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In 1885 one-third of the revenue annually accruing from the tax on commercial fertilizers was granted to the college by the State Legislature as a permanent income for the sup- port of the departments of agriculture and mechanic arts. In 1889-90 this income amounted to $16,556.71.
By an act approved March 2, 1887, known as the Hatch act, Congress, in consideration of the valuable work of the " land grant " colleges, appropriated $15,000 annually " to establish experimental stations in connection with colleges established under the act of July 2, 1862."
By an act of the general assembly, approved February 13, 1891, the college was made the beneficiary of that portion of the grant of money received by the State of Alabama under the act of Congress, approved August 30, 1890, for the more complete endowment of colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts, as is set apart to the State for the education of white students. By this statute $15,000 for the year ending June 30, 1890, and an annual increase of the amount of said appropriation thereafter for ten years by an additional sum of $1,000 over the preceding year, and there- after a total of $25,000 per annum, has been appropriated out of the proceeds of the public lands to the endowment and support of the colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts established under an act of Congress approved July 2, 1862.
The college trust fund, which is held by the State, and for
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payment of interest on which, at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, the faith and credit of the State are pledged, and from the revenue of which the college is, in the main, sup- ported, consists of $253,500, the proceeds of the sale of the land scrip donated to the college by the act of Congress of July 2, 1862.
A most judicious use has been made of the various re- sources put at its command, and to-day there are few institu- tions in the south more adequately equipped for thorough scientific work than the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama.
In June, 1887, the main college building, an elegant structure, with its entire equipment, was destroyed by fire. Fortunately it was partially insured, and, with the proceeds of the insurance and other funds, appropriated by the State, a new and very handsome pressed brick building has been erected. This building is 160 by 71 feet, and contains, ex- clusive of the basement floor, thirty-five rooms. The building is not used for dormitories for students, but solely for the purposes of instruction.
The chemical laboratory, recently built, is a handsome two- story brick structure, 40 by 60 feet, with a rear projection, 35 by 60 feet, of one story and basement.
Langdon Hall * is a two-story building, 90 by 50 feet, the first story of which is appropriated to the wood-working lab- oratory of mechanic arts, and the second story is the audience hall, used for commencement and other public occasions.
Two spacious brick buildings adjoining Langdon hall con- tain the furnace and forge rooms and the heavy iron-working machines of the department of mechanic arts.
Laboratory instruction and practical work are given in the following departments : (1) Chemistry ; (2) engineering, field work, surveying, etc. ; (3) agriculture ; (4) botany ; (5) min- eralogy ; (6) biology ; (7) technical drawing; (8) mechanic arts; (9) physics. The facilities for work in these depart- ments of science and mechanies are especially noteworthy
The college farm contains 226 acres.
* Named in honor of the late C. C. Langdon, of Mobile, who was a trustee of the college for many years.
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Extensive laboratories exist for practical instruction in physics, mineralogy, biology, botany, etc.
A laboratory for the department of electrical engineering has recently been equipped with engines, dynamos and all the most modern appliances for instruction and experiment in the field of electricity.
Instruction in military tactics is given by an officer of the United States army, in conformity with the act of Congress. All the students are members of the college corps of cadets ; but military science is a secondary aim of the college, and it is taught chiefly because such instruction is necessary to carry out, in full, the object of the act of Congress donating the lands to the college, and as a means of organization and gymnastic exercise. The college has no barracks nor dormitories. The the students board with the families of the town of Auburn and are entrusted with a sufficient amount of freedom of action to develop tlie habits of self-direction and self-control. They thus enjoy, too, all the protecting and beneficial influences of the family circle.
The new library hall is one of the largest rooms in the new building, and contains a well selected library of about 8,000 volumes.
The courses of study include the physical, chemical and natural sciences with their applications, agriculture, biology, mechanics, astronomy, mathematics, engineering, drawing, English, French, German and Latin languages, history, political economy, mental and moral seience.
All students are required to study the English language. The Latin, French and German languages are also taught and opportunity to pursue them is offered to students in any course.
There are four degree courses for undergraduates, each leading to the degree of bachelor of science, and requiring four years for its completion, namely : Course in chemistry and agriculture, course in mechanics and engineering, general course, course in electrical engineering.
There are two partial courses, each requiring two years for its completion, namely : Course in agriculture, and course in mechanic arts.
A post graduate degree may be obtained by a graduate of
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this college, or of any other institution of equal grade, by one .. year's residence at the college, spent in the successful prose- cution of a course of study in applied science prescribed by the faculty.
Students who have completed the general course in each department of the school of mechanic arts, and are qualified, can enter upon a more extended technical course in mechanical engineering.
Students who expect to become practical pharmacists can enter upon a special course of chemistry and natural history, and occupy all their time in the laboratories of these depart- ments under the immediate direction of the professors.
Students who have received the degree of B. Sc. in engin- eering, or who have prosecuted an equivalent course of study, can enter upon a special course of mining engineering, requir- ing a residence of one year.
Young men over twenty-one years of age who desire to study agriculture will be permitted, without examination, to enter any class under the professor of agriculture, and will be excused from reciting in any other class, from military duty, and from all other college duties ; but will be under the gen- eral college regulations, and will be required to have their time fully occupied.
They can attend the lectures in argriculture in all the classes, and engage in the practical work at the experimental station, in the field, stock-yard, dairy, garden, orchard and vineyard, etc., and may thus, in one year, acquire valuable practical knowledge of scientific agriculture.
. On February 24, 1888, the board of trustees organized the experiment station as a department of the college, with a com- petent corps of officers.
In conformity with the Hatch act, this department con- ducts original research in the physiology of plants, diseases of animals, the chemical composition of soils and plants, etc., etc.
The college is situated in the town of Auburn, fifty-nine miles east of Montgomery, on the line of the Western railroad.
The region is high and healthful, noted for its general good health and freedom from malaria, having an elevation of eight hundred and twenty-one feet above tide water.
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The health statistics of the college compare most favorably with those of any college in the United States, and every at- tention is devoted to hygiene and sanitary regulations.
Applicants for admission must be of good moral character, and not less than fifteen years of age.
- The expenses of a student are per half session : Incidental fee $5.00, library fee $1.00, surgeon's fee $2.50 and board per month, with fuel and lights, $12.00 to $15.00. Tuition is free.
A uniform of cadet gray cloth is prescribed, which all un- dergraduates are required to wear during the session. The uniforms are made at Auburn, of cloth manufactured at the Charlottsville mills. The suit including cap, costs about $19.00; the dress coat $10.00 to $11.00. It is neat and service- able and less expensive than ordinary clothing.
Any economical student can bring his entire aunual ex- penses, including fees, board, books and clothing, within the limit of $200.
Nine scholarships each yielding $250.00 per annum have been established, one for each department, to promote post graduate work. These are awarded only to graduates.
A scholarship for undergraduates is maintained by the society of the alumni.
The academic year commences in September and ends in June .. It is divided into three terms.
The number of students in the college during the session ending June, 1992, was 255.
For full information and catalogue, address the President, at Auburn, Ala.
ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF.
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This institution, organized and established by an act of the general assembly of Alabama, approved January 27, 1860, is located at Talladega, Ala.
The act incorporated the then State Superintendent of Education, and his successors in office, and four other commis- sioners, to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, under the name of "The Alabama Institution for the 14
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ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF, AT TALLADEGA.
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Deaf and Dumb,"* and gave them all the powers necessary to carry into effect the object of the act, which was, primarily, to afford the means of education to the indigent deaf and dumb of the State. The incorporators were, also, empowered to locate the institution, and purchase a site therefor and to pur- chase or erect suitable buildings, and the act appropriated $20,000 for that purpose, and the further annual sum of $5,000 for the support of the institution.
Under the authority conferred by the act of January 27, 1860, the main building of the institution, with its landed pro- perty, was purchased. This building, which is an imposing and capacious structure, three and a half or four stories high, was erected by Clinton Lodge, No. 28, of Free Masons, and was in use by that order as, " The East Alabama Masonic Female College." The corner stone was laid April 12, 1860, and the original cost $27,000.
December 8, 1863, an act was approved, increasing the an- nual appropriation to $8,000. By an act, approved February 8, 1867, a school for the education of the indigent blind of the State was established, to be conducted within the halls of the institution for the deaf and dumb, and to be under the control of the board of commissioners of that institution, and an an- nual sum of 82,500 appropriated for its support. February 11, 1870, an act was approved consolidating these two schools under the name of the " Alabama Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and. the Blind ;" and the Governor, ex-officio, and three other person to be by him appointed, were added to the num- ber of incorporators, and the annual appropriations for its sup- port increased to $13,000, and an additional sum of $3,000 ap- propriated to buy books, apparatus, and musical instruments, and to make repairs. An act approved December 18, 1871, further increased the annual appropriation to $18,000.
By an act approved February 13, 1879, the annual appro- priation was decreased to 815,000.
February 17, 1885, an act was approved, making it the duty of the board of commissioners to employ a competent teacher of articulation for the institution, to teach orally such of the pupils as may be beneficially taught by that method, and
* The institution was established for the education of both the deaf and the dumb.
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to provide suitable appliances for that purpose, and, also, to appoint an oculist for the institution, and the act made an additional annual appropriation of $3,000 to carry the act into effect.
February 19, 1887, an act was approved, establishing a sep- arate institution for the blind,* and by an act, approved Feb- ruary 28, 1887, the name of the institution was changed to the " Alabama Institute for the Deaf." The act of February 28, 1887, changed also the mode of appropriation for the sup- port of the institute, and appropriated, in lieu of all other ap- propriations, the annual sum of $217.50 for each pupil therein.
February 4, 1889, an act was approved, establishing a mechanical and industrial department in the institute, and ap- propriating $5,000, to erect and equip a suitable building for such department.
Under the act of January 27, 1860, as amended by the sev- eral acts above referred to, the Governor, the Superintendent of Education, and nine other persons, who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, and who hold office for six years, are made a body corporate under the name of "Ala- bama Institute for the Deaf," and constitute a board of trus- tees, having the entire management and control of the insti- tution.
The board appoints from its number a president of the « board, and also appoints a secretary and a treasurer of the board, and a principal for the institution, who, with the con- currence of the board, appoints his assistants. The board fixes the compensation of the principal and his assistants. The powers of the board may be exercised by an executive commit- tee of three.
The main object of the institution is to afford the means of education to the indigent deaf and dumb of the State; but those who are not indigent may be admitted into the institu- tion on paying or securing the payment of all their expenses.
An application for admission must be in writing, sworn to and addressed to the board of trustees, stating the name, age, place of birth and present residence of the applicant, how long he has been a resident of the State, that he is deaf and dumb, and that he and his family are unable to pay his board and tuition.
*See "Alabama Academy for the Blind," pages 207-210.
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If the parents of the pupil are too poor to furnish him with good and sufficient clothing, or he is without parents and is unable to furnish himself with clothing, the probate judge of his county must so certify to the principal, who is required to furnish, such pupil with the necessary clothing, at the expense of such county.
A person not indigent, wishing to enter the institution, must make a written application to the board, stating age, name, residence, and that he is able to pay his expenses while in the institution.
Both males and females are admitted.
Applicants for admission must be at least eight years of age. None under that age will be received without special authority of the board of trustees. The time allowed by law for a pupil to remain in school is eight years, but the board may extend the time.
The school session lasts forty weeks, beginning about Sep- tember 15th.
Parents and friends may visit the pupils at any time.
The pupils are given a practical English education, the course of study being very much the same as that in the com- mon public schools of the State including language, composi- tion, grammar, rhetoric, geography, (physical and political,) mathematics, physiology, anatomy, natural philosophy and mental and moral science. In addition the boys are taught general habits of industry ; they receive special instruction at the following trades : printing, shoe making, cabinet and car- penter work, house painting, vegetable and landscape garden- ing. The girls are taught housework, plain and machine sewing, dress making, cutting and fitting, knitting, crocheting, etc.
The method of teaching is what is known as the "combined" method, by which is meant the use of the sign language, the manual alphabet, as well as oral and aural development.
The French method of signs, the method of the "Abbe Sicord," is employed.
A principal and two male and four female teachers compose the present corps. of instructors.
In its conception, and in fact, the institute is purely educa- tional, and in no sense a "home" or "asylum" for the destitute.
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The number of pupils in the institute at the present time (1892) is males 41, females 46, total 87.
The institute is located in the town of Talladega, in Talla- dega county, in northeast Alabama. No better place in the State could be chosen for the location of a school of this character, Talladega being notably among the healthiest towns in the State-high above the sea, surrounded by mountains, the air is pure and bracing; easy of access, having three lines of railway running into the city, and bringing it within four hours' run of Montgomery and three hours to Birmingham.
Only four deaths have occurred in the institute since 1857, and in each of these cases there existed in the pupil a chronic or hereditary affection before his entrance into the institute.
The property of the institute consists of seventeen acres of land, within the corporate limits of the town, and five substan- tial brick buildings, two, three and four stories high.
The grounds are handsomely improved and beautified, and the front yard, containing ten or twelve acres, is set in grass, and full of fine forest trees-oak, elm, maple, etc .; in the rear, and on either side, are play grounds for the children, also flower and vegetable gardens.
The buildings include a mechanical and industrial school building, and school rooms and boarding accommodations for 125 pupils.
The value of the property is $75,000.
The institute is supplied with gas from the city gas works, and water from the city water works.
The fire protection is ample, there being two double hydrants in the yard, and the school owns its own hose-reel and 500 feet of best three-inch hose, and in term time a fire company, composed of deaf boys, well drilled, gives to all on the place a very satisfactory sense of security from danger by fire.
The institute is now, and has been ever since its opening in 1860, under the control and supervision of Dr. J. H. Johnson, as its principal, who has discharged the delicate and responsi- ble duties imposed upon him in the administration of this most humane and beneficent public work in a manner most credit- able to himself and advantageous to the State.
Full information in regard to the institute will be furnished on application to the Principal, at Talladega, Ala.
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ALABAMA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND.
Prior to the year 1887, the blind of the State were received and taught in the " Alabama Institute for the Deaf," which then bore the name of the "Alabama Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind,"* but by an act of the general as- sembly, approved February 19, 1887, there was established in the State a separate institution for the blind, to be called the "Alabama Academy for the Blind."
The act provided that the institution should be located in the city of Talladega or its immediate vicinity, and should be under the control of the board of Commissioners of the "Ala- bama Institute for the Deaf," and under the management of the principal of the latter institution, and that all its officers . and teachers should be appointed in like manner as the officers and teachers are appointed for the institute for the deaf, and their salaries fixed by the said board of commissioners, and re- quired the board to turn over to the academy for the blind, all books, maps, charts, apparatus and other property in their possession, belonging to said academy.
The act appropriated the sum of $20,000 to be expended by the board of commissioners in the erection and furnishing of suitable buildings for the use of the academy, with a proviso that a suitable site for such buildings should be donated to the State, and made an annual appropriation of 8230 for each pupil, for the support and maintenance of the academy.
By the provisions of the act, all blind persons between the ages of eight and twenty-five years, who are bona fide resi- dents of Alabama, and who are of sound mind and free from offensive or contagious disease, and who are of good moral character, are entitled to admission into the institution, free of charge, for board, tuition, school room expenses and medical attention.
The application for admission into the institution must be made in writing to the secretary of the board of commissioners, stating name, age, place of residence and that the applicant is blind, or that his or her sight is so defective as to prevent the
* See "Alabama Institute for the Deaf," pages 201-206. This name was changed to "Alabama Institute for the Deaf," by an act approved February 28, 1887.
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ALABAMA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND, AT TALLADEGA.
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EDUCATIONAL.
applicant from being successfully taught in the common schools of the State.
The act fixes the period of pupilage at five years, with power in the board to extend it to eight years.
- The "Academy for the Blind" is located in the town of Talladega, just one-half mile east of the "Institute for the Deaf," and on the same street. It consists of six acres of land and three handsome, new brick buildings.
All three of these buildings are comfortably heated by steam, and are lighted by gas from the city gas works. They are also supplied with water from the city water works, and have an abundant supply for all purposes.
Although the place is new, the grounds are beginning to assume shape, and are in good condition. The site is a com- manding one. The drainage is perfect : here as at the Institute for the Deaf, the sanitary conditions are carefully looked after, the best evidence of which is that there has been no case o serious illness since the institution was removed into its new quarters.
The pupils in this academy are given the same course of study, in the English branches, as the pupils in the institute for the deaf receive," while, with the blind, much attention is given to music, as affording the most ready and agreeable means by which a talented blind person can make a living.t
In the Academy there is a mechanical or industrial depart- ment, where the pupils are given trades, by means of which they may become entirely, or in part, self supporting.
The boys are taught mattress making, cane seating, collar making, basket making, piano tuning and repairing, etc. The girls also learn cane seating, in addition to sewing, knitting, crocheting, house cleaning, etc.
The school session lasts forty weeks, beginning about Sep- tember 15th.
The parents and friends of a pupil may visit him at any time.
The number of pupils in the academy at present, (1892) is,
* See page 205.
t Dr. Johnson, the eminent principal of the Academy, in his " Circular of Infor- mation," regarding the academy, says that the idea that all blind persons are musi- cal, is as fallacious as it i- wide spread, and that the proportion of natural musicians among the blind is no greater than among the seeing.
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males, 30; females, 33, total 63. Like the "Institute for the Deaf," this institution is purely educational, in its conception and in fact, and is in no sense a " home " of " asylum " for the destitute.
Full information may be obtained of the Principal, at Tal- ladega, Ala.
THE ALABAMA SCHOOL FOR NEGRO DEAF MUTES AND BLIND.
By an act of the general assembly, approved February 7, 1891, there was established in the State, an institution for the education of the deaf, mute and blind children of the negro race, under the corporate name as above.
The act provided that the school should be located in the city of Talladega, or its immediate vicinity, and should be un- der the control and management of the board of trustees of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf ; that the chief executive offi- cer should be the principal of that institute, who should nomi- nate to the board his assistants, to be confirmed or rejected by the board, and that all the laws now in force, or hereafter en- acted regulating the admission of pupils and the management and control of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf, should be applicable to this school, except so far as such laws might be inconsistent with the present act.
The act appropriated the sum of $12,000 to erect the build- ings necessary for the school, after the site of such buildings had been donated and accepted by the trustees, and the further sum of $6,000 a year for the maintenance of the school, until the number of pupils shall exceed thirty, after which time the school is to be maintained on the per capita plan, as for the academy for the blind.
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