1888-1892
GIRL'S HALL IN 1889.—ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ROOM.—McBRIDE DIES JAN. 29, 1892—MRS. McBRIDE.
"Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men."
ERA OF SUPT. McBRIDE
About October 1, 1888 Mr. and Mrs. James F. McBride arrived to take charge of the work as superintendent and matron. Their arrival was the occasion of another joyful meeting on the part of the colored people who came to see the "suptender, and express their great joy over the new start that was to be given the school."
Mrs. McBride at a later date, referring to the appearance of things on the day of their arrival at this, their new home, wrote:
"I can still see how the old log house looked as we drove up; so dilapidated. A broken down porch ran along the front of it, and we had to climb over an old rail fence to get to it. Our first meal was corn bread made with water—without salt—and stewed dried peaches."
When the school opened they were assisted by Miss Carrie Peck, Celestine Hodges and Mary Grundy.
A new era was now inaugurated in the management of the school. Ownership as yet extended only to the farm buildings, which consisted of the old log house, and barn, purchased from Robin Clark, and the new school building. The first effort was now made to utilize two small fields of cleared land and the neighboring timber to raise stock and crops for the local support of the school.