Miss Irene Smallwood, the present Kindergartner, Mr. Frank P. Laney and Mr. James Smith, both of Washington, D. C., at present, were also associated with Miss Laney in the earlier work of the school.
A large four-story brick building, a wooden building for the industrial work and Kindergarten, one acre of land, three rented cottages, together with radiating Christian influences, constitute Haines School, one of the evidences of the native ability and disposition of the Negro, of the hopeful results of Christian education for the Negro, of Northern devotion to the Negro, and the promise of a fuller development of better things for the Negro eager to be uplifted, and for consecrated hearts, willing to give.
MONTICELLO SEMINARY.
The story of the development of this school is better told when interwoven with the life of Rev. C. S. Mebane, its founder. Rev. C. S. Mebane, A. M., Principal of Monticello Seminary, Monticello, Ark., was born of slave parents in Alamance county, N. C., in the year 1857. At the close of the late war he and six other children with penniless parents witnessed the hardships that confronted those who were thrown out upon the frozen charities of the world. A few years of earnest toil rewarded the once poverty-stricken family with a comfortable living. Having reached the years of manhood he was not content with a common school education, but had a thirst for higher training, and as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made he entered Lincoln University, Chester county, Pa., for the purpose of fitting himself for the ministry. Here he made the acquaintance of the late Mr. W. R. Davenport, of Erie, Pa., who supported him through school in honor of his deceased son, Frank R. Davenport. Having completed his course in school he entered upon the church and school work at Monticello, Ark., in the fall of 1888. Of a self-denying, fatherly disposition, he has often cared for the suffering and unfortunate both with hands and purse. He revised the old organization, infused new life into it, gathered about him the handful of members, selected officers, and began the race to success. A Sabbath School was organized and regularly kept up, and preaching service was at first observed twice a month.
REV. C. S. MEBANE, A. M.
But before the church work was well on footing, he entered the schoolroom; and here the struggle began in earnest.
The school session continues eight months and is divided into four departments: the Primary, Preparatory, the Teacher's and Higher courses.
The boarding pupils live in the "Home" and are taught domestic work in connection with their studies.
The last two years have been the most successful in the history of the school. The enrolment for the first passed the 200 line; and while it may not go beyond that this year on account of "hard times," it has drawn upon larger areas and new territory.