Struggles In The "Lone Star State."
BY A.C. GARROTT.
My home, Marion, Ala., was also the location of the Lincoln Normal Institute, and fortunately I had attended that school for several years. Being next to the oldest of eight children, my parents decided to take me from school in '83, that I might earn something. I had often heard of Talladega College, and wanted very much to enter there, but my father being only a poor carpenter, it was impossible for me to get the means to accomplish my desires.
However, by the aid of Northern friends I entered the above named school, October 2d, 1883. Evenings and Saturdays I worked by the hour to help defray my expenses. Unable to obtain a school, I could be found at the college, during the summers of '84 and '85, working about the buildings or on the farm. The money earned there was used for schooling. During my last year in school I had job work—sweeping and caring for lamps. This work was done early in order that I might have time for study. And each morning, before day, my broom could be heard moving through the corridors. At the close of school, I had paid by work, and a prize gained in speaking the year before, about $52.75. It was agreed that the balance should be paid after leaving school. In a class of ten I received a diploma from the [pg 316] normal department, June 17, 1886. My time during the summer was occupied in working with my father at the carpenter's trade.
Texas was said to have good public-schools, and it was my plan to try the "Lone Star State." I was working to secure means to pay the fare, but father failed in being paid promptly, and this forced me to borrow money for the purpose. Many tried to discourage me in my plan as it was what is sometimes termed as a "wild goose chase." I remarked, though, that if no schools could be found, there were other things to be done—cotton to be picked; wagons to be driven; and ditches to be dug. So the work-clothes were not forgotten when my trunk was packed.
On September 30, 1886, I arrived in Henderson, a stranger to all save one, and with a very small purse. Then commenced my trials. I was in my twenty-first year, but had a young appearance, and the trustees of most schools objected to me for that reason. I walked many miles in search of work, and it was not till the middle of November that my first school opened.
Owing money for schooling, for fare to this State, and for board after coming here, caused me to start far below the surface in pecuniary matters. As I had made large plans, that was quite discouraging.
The school proceeded nicely and a Sabbath-school was organized in connection. The latter was quite small, though there was a large attendance in the day school. At the close of school, March 23, 1887, all expressed a willingness for me to teach the next session, but there was a trouble ahead which changed their views. The question of prohibition was to be decided by the people in August. I am sorry to say the majority of our people were on the wrong side. But most of the teachers and preachers fought with an untiring energy against the saloons. For this act of ours, many refused to give us work. Some even sneered at the "prohib. teachers," as we walked along the streets. Those were days of discouragement as our labor seemed to be in vain.
My summer's work lasted only a month, and being an independent school the returns were quite small, $6.00 only. Having to aid my parents, and a two months' sickness, caused me to be below the surface again at the opening of my school, November 14. This work continued for six months. A Sabbath-school was organized; and, unlike the previous year, outnumbered the daily attendance.