USA > Mississippi > Newton County > History of Newton County, Mississippi from 1834 to 1894 > Part 16
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"The meetings are held in the latter part of July in each year. The exercises consist of the reports of committees on agriculture, horticulture, educational and kindred subjects, which embrace every topic of interest to the people of this State ; also discussions of the subjects with addresses, speeches, orations, declamations, recitations, essays, dramatic entertain- ments, music of various kinds, and prize contests. Distinguished men who have visited and addressed the meetings are : Capt. Put Darden, Master of the State Grange and National Grange; Col. J. G. McArthur, Lecturer of the State Grange; Col. H. O. Dixon, Treasurer of the State Grange ; R. P. Walker, Past Lecturer of the State Grange; Judge H. F. Simrall, of Warren county, present Lecturer of the State Grange ; J. C. Bingham, of Ohio, Master of the National Grange ; Mortimer Whitehead, of New Jersey, Lecturer of National Grange; Ben. C. Harrison, of Alabama, Master State Grange ; Gov. J. M. Stone, Ex-Gov. Robt. Lowry, Senators J. Z. George, E. C. Walthall and A.
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J. McLaurin ; Congressmen Thos. R. Stockdale, Jno. M. Allen, C. E. Hooker, C. L. Anderson, J. H. Beeman, Ethel Barksdale. Others who have addressed these meetings on various subjects are : Gen .- S. D. Lee, President A. & M. College ; Prof. John A. Myers, A. . & M. College; Prof. S. M. Tracey, Director of Experi- ment Station, A. &. M. College ; Prof. Willborn, A. & M. College ; Prof. R. W. Jones, President I. I. & C., Columbus ; Prof. Tom McBeth, President Cooper's Normal College; Prof. Anderson, East Mississippi Female College; Prof. Dickey, Lexington College ; Prof. A. M. McBryde, President Connehatta Institute ; Capt. Joel P. Walker, Meridian ; Col. R. C. Jones, Louisville ; Capt. W. H. Hardy, Meridian ; Col. G. M. C. Davis, Carthage ; Stone Devours, Vossburg; Hon. W. D. Gibbs, Yazoo City ; Hon. George Wilson, Lex- ington; W. W. Stone, State Auditor; Hon. Dabney Marshall, Vicksburg ; Senator W. W. Heidleberg, of Jasper county ; Col. J. L. Power, Jackson.
Some of the farmers who have spoken at the meet- ings of the Union are: J. L. Hardy, J. F. Dearing, D. T. Chapman, A. M. Monroe, Hamilton Cooper, W. H. Martin, M. W. Stamper, J. H. Bassett, W. H. Lang- ford, David Vance, H. H. Vance, J. K. P. Shows, of Newton county ; A. C. Farmer, W. L. Lyle, P. S. McCormick, Green Talbot, C. B. Haddon, G. C. Har- per, of Scott county; W. W. Richardson, Wm. Price, R. T. Trapp, C. A. Lewis, of Neshoba county ; and a great many others from these and other counties, whose names are not remembered.
"The ladies, also, have borne no small part in the entertainments of the meetings. Among those who have taken prominent parts, are : Misses Lizzie Butler, Eva and Ely D. Campbell, Eulah Moorman, Bessie Eastland, Jessie Kirkland, Tressie Talbot, of Scott ;
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Misses Lida Kiney, Jennie Bassett, and Mrs. M. C. Ingram, of Neshoba county ; Mrs. C. C. Stamper, Mrs. Joe Bailey and Misses Rosa Scanlan, Carrie Beattie, Nannie Smythe, Mary Kelly, Bessie McCord, Ruby Logan, Bertha Amis, of Newton; Misses Rochelle Chisholm, Mabel Rives, Lillian Walker, Mittie McLe- more, of Lauderdale, and Miss Lisba Ellis, of Leake. "Prof. J. S. Scott was Secretary for ten years, and died December 23, 1893.
" The Patrons' Union now owns about 120 acres of land and the buildings number over fifty. The value of the whole is estimated at something more than $4000. There are over two hundred stockholders and the num- ber gradually increases. The experiment station was established in 1889, includes about ten acres, and is under the direction of the director of the State Exper- imental Station, A. M. College.
"The annual attendance of the Union has varied -- from about 2000 to 6000. It is the intention to make the institution perpetual, and its benefits and advan- tages increase each year.
"The Teachers' Normal Institute, held on the grounds, and under the pavilion of the Patrons' Union, in June and July, 1893, was considered a great success. Prof. Wickliffe Rose, of Tennessee, was director, with Miss Minnie Holman, Miss Mary A. Callahan, J. G. Dupree, Dabney Lipscomb and J. C. Hardy instructors. The Institute was held four weeks ; from the 17th of June to 7th of July, with a total enrollment of 260 teachers from the various parts of the State. The expense of this Institute is borne by the Peabody Fund, which is now applied to this State as well as other Southern States. This was considered a great success, and elicited much praise from the citizens of the county and those who attended. Prof. Rose closes his report
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to the State Superintendent of Education with the fol- lowing remarks concerning this meeting of teachers : " The physical environments, the untiring zeal and devoted self-sacrificing spirit of the teachers, united with the efforts of instructors to make the Summer. Normal at Lake the most successful school of the kind which I have ever been connected with. AsInow look back upon the work, it seems to me the greatest edu- cational revival I have ever witnessed.
" The exercises of the Patrons' Union on the Sab- bath by no means should be omitted, as great atten. tion is paid to this feature of instruction at all the meetings of the Union. it is always made convenient to remain over on the grounds one Sabbath, and that day is given up to religious exercises. There are gen- erally three appointments to preach, and sometimes four. There is usually a 9 o'clock service, then at 11 o'clock, then at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and again at night. The ministers are selected from the various denominations, and as a general thing the best of order prevails, and good attention given to Sabbath services. Some of the most prominent men who have preached on these occasions are :. Rev. John Hunter, Rev. J. A. Hackett, Rev. J. B. Gambrell, Rev. J. L. Cooper, Rev. C. G. Andrews, Rev. Dr. Bardwell, Rev. R. W. Sims, Rev. T. B. Hollman, Rev. A. F. Watkins, Rev. A. M. McBryde, Rev. Dr. Kerr, Rev. W. B. Lea- vell, Rev. John Chambers, Rev. W. C. Black, Rev. J. M. Kenton, Rev. Irvin Miller, Bishop Galloway, and quite a number of other preachers whose names are not now recollected.
. LITERARY AND SOCIAL ADVANTAGES OF THE UNION.
"The meeting of this body usually occurs about the fourth week of July, and continues for about one
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week. The first days are generally of a business character, getting ready for the exercises, a programme of which has been published for several weeks and distributed through the country. These exercises are very much varied and are usually of a very interest- ing character. On second day, some one appointed as the principal speaker of the day will, after some business connected with the order, address the people upon some subject assigned him, or selected by himself, upon farming or finance, the condition of the country, or any topic upon which his fancy might rest, but pertinent to the occasion. Reports of the various committees will come in for an afternoon hearing, such things as were referred to their investigation a year previous to the present meeting. These reports may be upon various subjects directly bearing on the good of the country-on the production, with least cost and labor, of any given amount of corn, cotton, grasses, peas, potatoes, and all other farm products ; also the use of various labor-saving implements, the introduction of mowers and reapers ; the raising of fruit and the best kinds to produce. Talks from any farmer in the county as to the best way to plant, cultivate and gather a general crop in the county in which he lives ; talks upon any question connected with the farm and stock-rising; any question that any man might wish to ask, would be answered by good authority ; and not only that, but some might differ with the answer given, and a debate might grow out of this question, which would be freely participated in and would throw much additional light upon the subject. As these commit- tees report, they are discussed, and if there are objec- tionable features, they are freely canvassed and some- times the objectionable parts are expunged from the report. From day to day these exercises occupy im-
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portant places in the meeting. Some brother will be called on to give his experience on certain modes of farming, and his speech may provoke another, and sometimes interesting debates are brought out by practical men on various methods and experiences, which prove beneficial to all who give attention. To some this kind of entertainment becomes dull, and then it is the President will call on some young lady, little boy, young man, or any one who might be pre- pared, that would declaim or recite prose or poetry, selected or original. In this way, interspersed with instrumental and vocal music, the morning will be spent, when an intermission of one or two hours are given for refreshment and rest.
"At the appointed time the meeting is again called to order and proceeds to general routine business as heretofore, until the afternoon is over. The night ser. vice is a very entertaining one. Music from the first, both vocal and instrumental, occupy a prominent part in the exercises. As soon as the management could spare the requisite amount of money, a brass band was employed, which was quite an additional at traction to the occasion.
At night the Pavilion is lit up; the piano, organ, violin, harp, guitar, as additions to the brass band, are called into requisition. The program for the evening is probably recitations by young ladies, original or selected compositions by young men, recitations by little girls and boys. In this way the night, until 11 to 12 o'clock, passes very rapidly, and the amuse- ments and entertainments are over.
. "The third day is passed much like the second, only that new subjects are discussed-new speakers each day on some important topic, new recitations by dif- ferent persons, and so passes another day. As a gen-
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eral thing, political topics are not discussed. Some- times, a man well posted on a political subject, or on the needs of the hour, would be called upon to en- lighten the people. No speeches made by candidates ·seeking office in be half of themselves are allowed. It often occurs that charades form a pleasant entertain- ment, by some young school people, and amateur the- atricals by the young ladies and gentlemen of the county and schools, form excellent entertainment for the nights.
"A contest for prize for the best declamation by young gentleman, or best recitation by young lady, or a question to be debated by two young gentlemen, judges being appointed to decide, often elicits great anxiety and good entertainment.
"One of the most striking and enjoyable entertain- ments of the week is the sociable, at which the Pres - ident or some other gentleman, directs, and the young folks are introduced to each other, and allowed to promenade around the grounds and enjoy themselves .in every way that is proper on these occasions, (no dancing being allowed). These things go on from day to day, and from night to night, through the whole week until Sunday occurs, which day is devoted to preaching and the worship of God-as has been de- scribed. The attendance of the people is usually very large on Sunday ; very excellent sacred music, both vocal and instrumental, is dispensed, and thus passes the Sabbath day.
" A day is given to the exhibitors of all kinds of agricultural products, all kinds of garden produc- ductions, fruits-both green and canned-anything in the culinary art, all kinds of quilts, patch-work, em- broidery-all the work of men and the cunning and delicacy of the women's hands can be exhibited, and
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small prizes offered for the best specimens. Much good work by ladies is seen and much is learned by these exhibits. A day is appointed for the display of stock, premiums being offered for the best young stock, for the best display of grown and trained animals. These- things have been a great incentive to many to improve their stock, and take better care of what they had. It has increased the number of good as well as fine stock in the county, until, instead of being a constant buyer of the horses and mules needed, her farmers can spare a large number each year t6 other counties needing them.
" The benefits accruing to the patrons of this Union, and persons visiting it, are very plain to be seen. When the intelligence of any community. comes to- gether, all striving to one great end, and to enlighten themselves, even those who have had no early educa- tional advantages may, by mingling with those who have, bring about a great improvement. For men and women coming to a given point in the county, all using their best efforts to promote the welfare of each other, and all contributing something to make the occasion attractive, cannot fail to be a great source of information, not only to those who are accustomed to such things, but to the crude mass of people who are anxious to learn. The information and educa- tion gained here is large, and forms an important epoch in the lives of those who attend these meet- ings; as a social entertainment it is a great success- People come from the country who feel free and easy -bring their own provisions out in tent or house, leaving the cares at home, for a time. They come to spend a pleasant week in the enjoyment of the society of friends and the free entertainments given by those who have agreed to take part in the programme of
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exercises. There is no doubt of the social and friends- making qualities of the Union ; as to its literary im- provements in the county and the adjoining counties, there is no doubt. No one will deny the great ben- efits accruing to the people as a teacher of the better things to be learned. Not only have men and women become wiser in the accumulation of knowledge in all the branches taught in the great object lessons and practical experience, but have come to see each other with more kindness, more love, more toleration of views and opinions differing from their own, to be more disposed to hear each side of the question, and to decide as the merits, more than for creed or dogmas.
One month after the meeting of the Patron's Union, a yearly camp-meeting convenes on the same grounds. The site was originally a location for camp grounds for the Methodist church, and after it was improved by the Union it was sold by the church to the Union people with the reserved rights of holding religious services at the term designated-that is, a yearly meet- ing. This forms a very convenient point for a camp- meeting -probably one of the best in the State. These meetings are very largely attended and some of the best talent in the State attend and preach to the people. Taking it all together, with a probable addi- tion to the yearly Normal Institute for teachers, makes it one of the most attractive places in the State.
The Normal Institute again met at Patrons' Union in 1894, with a large corps of competent instructors and over 200 teachers. This is considered a great success for this place.
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CHAPTER XXV.
VARIOUS BENEVOLENT AND SECRET ORDERS OF THE COUNTY.
THE benevolent and secret orders of the county con sist of seven Masonic Lodges, located at Newton, De- catur, New Ireland, Connehatta, Pinkney, Hickory and Calvert. These Lodges have between two and three hundred members. The time-honored order of Freemasonry is one of the oldest orders of its kind in the world. It has claimed some of the best men of all ages of its existence as its members. It has among the members that make up the order the very best cit- izens in the county. Newton has, in addition to the Blue Lodge, a Chapter, No. 110, also a Council, called Meridian Council. Decatur also has a Chapter.
The Masonic Order sends no one out looking up recruits to increase its membership. It stands upon its merits and respectability. If any one wishes to join they can make their wishes known to some mem- ber of the order, and after canvassing his character, if considered worthy, he is admitted. This order dis- penses many charities and does much good ; but it is done so silently that few except the beneficiaries are apprised of it. To a casual observer, it would appear that this highly respectable and benevolent order is not increasing in this county as in former years ; but it is stronger in Mississippi than for many years, hav- ing 275 working Lodges and a membership of nearly
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nine thousand. It carries no insurance, as modern orders do, and many times the order that carried the insurance would be chosen when the party joining did not feel able to join both.
The Knights of Honor organized in the town of Newton in the year 1879, and at Decatur in the year 1880. The lodge at Newton has thirteen members, mostly belonging in the county. It pays a benefit of not more than $2000 to-families of deceased members, and it costs an average of $4.50 per month, according to the age of the member. The order at this place, since it was established, has had four deaths, and has paid $8000 to the beneficiaries. The lodge at Deca- tur has had five deaths, and has paid. to beneficiaries $10,000. The average of that lodge of monthly dues is $2.50.
The Knights of Pythias is also an order of the same kind. It was organized in the town of Newton in the year 1884, and has seventy-four members. The amount of insurance is greater in the Knights of Pythias than the Knights of Honor, being $3000. This lodge has lost four members, and has received for those who were entitled to it, $12,000. The amount paid per month by each member is from $2.50 to $4,00, according to the age of the member.
Hickory has a Lodge of Knights of Honor. The Lodge has fourteen members ; average cost to each member per month is about $3.00; death claims paid at Hickory amount to $8,000. They also have a Lodge of Knights of Phythias of about thirty-five members.
While these Orders do not obligate themselves to pay " sick benefits," or to pay expenses for medical attention, nursing, etc., the brethren are always will- ing to render such assistance as special cases may re- quire.
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The amount that has been paid out to relatives of the deceased, in Newton county, is largely in excess of the amounts that have been paid in by the mem- bers. These Orders are not increasing as rapidly as they did when first organized. There is great compe- tition in insurance as in other business, and the old regular insurance companies appear to be getting the larger share.
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CHAPTER XXVI.
FREE SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY-WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO; EDUCATE THE MASSES-HOW THEY ARE ATTENDED-NUMBER OF EDUCABLE CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY, WHITE AND BLACK.
The free schools of the county holds a place in the minds of the people, which is very prominent and justly so too; for much of the prosperity of the county or any country depends upon the manner in which the youth of the same is educated. Prior to the war there was nothing in our State in the way of free schools and but little in the South, usually confined to cities and to endowed schools ; hence the country en . joyed none of these benefits. There were some colleges endowed by private friends or appropriations from the State, but nothing that was a general tax upon the people for the education of the masses. "Two years after the State of Mississippi was admitted into the Union," says Lowry & McCardle's History, "Congress had given thirty-six sections of land to, and in trust for the support of a University, and in 1833 all but half of one section was sold for $277,332.52, and this sum, with $8,400 received for rents, constituted the en- dowment. But no further steps were taken until 1841, when the Legislature met in joint convention to select a location for the College. The places voted for were Oxford, Mississippi City, Brandon, Kosciusko, Louis- ville, Middleton, Monroe, Missionary Station. Oxford
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was finally selected over Mississippi City by a majority of one. Oxford received fifty-eight, Mississippi City fifty-seven. The State continued to use the funds of the University which it held in trust. On a final settle- ment in 1857, the balance due the University was found to be $874,324.49. The State still uses the fund and the annual appropriations to the University is not a donation but payment of interest on the debt.
The Legislature of May 13th, 1871, established a University for the higher education of the colored youth of the State, and appropriated $10,000 per an- num for ten years for its support. This University is in Claiborne county, near Rodney, being the old site of Oakland College, which was bought from the Pres- byterian Synod. It was also given one-half Agricul- tural Land Scrip fund, the proceeds of the sale of 30,000 acres of land which the State secured from the United States under Act of 1862.
The Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Stark- ville, under the management of Gen'l S. D. Lee, was established by an Act of the Legislature in 1878. Its success from the first was apparent, and it has become one of the foremost institutions of the kind in the United States.
In the year 1883 co-education had been established at the University of Mississippi, and twenty-three young ladies matriculated. The following year, while the subject of a dormitory for them was under discussion, Gov. Lowry took a practical view of the matter, and urged the immediate establishment of a College for young women rather than risk the experiment of co- education at Oxford. Accordingly the College known as the Industrial Institute and College was established at Columbus.
" Over three hundred girls were enrolled at the open- 16
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ing session. It was the first State institution in Ameri- ca to be established for the training of women in the industrial arts, and time has demonstrated the wis- dom of its establishment."
The State, aside from making very generous appro- priations for the colored race at Alcorn University, has also established a State Normal school at Holly Springs, and for many years made an appropriation to Tougaloo University, a colored institution, in Madi- son county.
The year 1893 is the twenty-third year of the Free School system in our State and county. At first very little interest was taken in it. By some it was thought . to be an intrusion upon the rights and privileges of the old-time teachers and styles of teaching, and there was but little interest taken in the schools.
The colored people, more than the whites, apprecia- ting some education at no cost, evinced considerable interest in free schools. There was very little care taken in the selection and examination of teachers, and many were allowed to teach who were not compe- tent. In this way a large amount of public money was wasted on incompetent teachers, both white and black. The average salaries of the white teachers for first few years of the public schools was about $50.00 ; it is now, male, $30.00; female, $28.35; and that of the colored teachers a little less, male-$21.10; and female, 17.10; with not enough regard to the latter as to their competency to teach.
Times have very much changed. The annual ex- amination of teachers is a step largely in advance to- wards the right direction in procuring competent teach - ers, and still in some instances this system of thorough examination has been thwarted by incompetent teach- ers securing the aid of others in solving the questions
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propounded for their examination ; though it is now conceded by all that these examinations are right and most of the teachers are agreeing that a thorough test is the proper way. By this means a young teacher, as soon as he proposes to teach, begins to improve his . talent and education, knowing that there is no chance to get first-grade certificate unless the examination can be passed.
This severe test of scholarship, necessary to pass and procure first-grade papers, adds very much to the value of the county teacher ; and when they once stand this examination they continue their studies in order to meet the next, and by such application are sur- prised themselves to know what they can accomplish by study and investigation. The State is largely in- debted to our present worthy State Superintendent of Education, J. R. Preston, for this improvement.
Some extracts from the Mississippi Public School Report, by Superintendent Preston, will doubtless be of interest to the admirers of the free-school system, showing the relative attendance of children in a num- ber of States enumerated.
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