the estates of some free negroes, that
became wealthy. It is interesting to note the following ones.

Tommy Lafon of New Orleans, a dealer in dry goods and real estate, in
1893, left for charitable purposes among his people, an estate appraised
at $413,000.

Mary E. Shaw of New York City, left Tuskeegee Colored Institute $38,000.

Col. John McKee of Philadelphia, at his death in 1902, left about
$1,000,000 worth of property for education, including a provision for
the establishment of a college to bear his name.

Anna Marie Fisher, of Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1911, having an estate of
$65,000 left $26,000 for educational institutions.

The successful achievement of these four free Negroes and their generous
regard for the welfare of their kin-folks, suggest the possibilities of
which they are capable, as financiers and philanthropists, when
circumstances are favorable.

PART II

OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY

"It is said that the Athenians erected a statue to AEsop, (564 B.
C.), who was born a slave; or as Phaedrus phrases it:

"They placed the slave upon an eternal pedestal,"

"Sir, for what the enfranchised slaves did for the cause of
constitutional liberty in this country, the American people should
imitate the Athenians and, by training the slave for usefulness,
place him upon an eternal pedestal. Their conduct has been beyond
all praise.

"They have been patient and docile; they have been loyal to their
masters, to the country, and to those with whom they are associated;
but, as I said before, no other people ever endured patiently such
injustice and wrong. Despotism makes nihilists; tyranny makes
socialists and communists; and injustice is the great manufacturer
of dynamite. The thief robs himself; the adulterer pollutes himself;
and the murderer inflicts a deeper wound upon himself than that
which slays his victim.

"If my voice can reach this proscribed and unfortunate class, I
appeal to them to continue, as they have begun, to endure to the
end; and thus to commend themselves to the favorable judgment of
mankind; and to rely for their safety upon the ultimate appeal to
the conscience of the human race."--John J. Ingalls, U. S. Senate,
1890.

THE NATIVE OAK HILL SCHOOL

1876-1886

CHURCH ORGANIZED JUNE 29, 1869.--SUNDAY SCHOOL IN 1876.--SCHOOL HOUSE,
1878.--OLD LOG HOUSE, 1884.