lleges.

TOPIC IX.

WILL THE EDUCATION OF THE NEGRO SOLVE THE RACE PROBLEM?

BY BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.

[Illustration: Booker T. Washington.]

PROF. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, A. M.

Prof. B. T. Washington, the founder and principal of the
Tuskegee, Alabama, Normal Industrial Institute, was born at
Hale's Ford Postoffice, Franklin County, Virginia, about
1856 or 1857. At the age of nine he went with his mother and
the rest of the family to Malden, Kanawha County, West
Virginia. Here he attended the common schools until 1872. In
the Fall of that year he left Malden and proceeded to
Hampton Institute, at Hampton, Virginia. His means were
scanty, but he thought he had money enough to reach that
place. Upon his arrival at Richmond, he found himself minus
enough to pay for a night's lodging. He took the next best,
shelter under a sidewalk. Next morning he got employment in
helping to unload a vessel, thus earning a sufficient sum
with which to continue his journey to Hampton. At this
institution the first year he paid his expenses by working,
with a brother helping him some. The two remaining years he
worked out his entire expenses as janitor. Graduating in
1875, he taught school several years at Malden, the place of
his birth. In 1878 he entered Wayland Seminary and took a
course of studies there. After leaving there he was given a
position in Hampton Institute, which position he held two
years, the last year having charge of the Indian boys.
Meanwhile the Legislature of Alabama passed an act
establishing a Normal School at Tuskegee, Alabama. The State
Commissioners applied to Gen. S. C. Armstrong, principal of
Hampton Institute, to recommend some one for principal. He
recommended Mr. Washington, who went at once to Alabama, and
organized the school July 4th, 1881. The buildings then
occupied were a church and a small dwelling house, with
thirty pupils and one teacher. Since that time it has made
such wonderful progress that, to-day, the site of the
institution is a city within itself. Mr. Carnegie recently
donated to the institution $20,000, with which to build and
equip a library. It is aided by friends both North and
South. Mr. Washington is a splendid example of "grit and
determination," and the history of his life