a Colored Institute was made president of the
Association, with C. W. Boyd, J. R. Jefferson, Miss Mary F. Norman as
vice-presidents, Miss Clara Thomas as secretary, Miss E. D. Webster as
treasurer, and Mrs. Susie James as historian. Two of the most
prominent persons participating in this meeting were J. McHenry Jones,
then principal of the high school in Wheeling, and J. H. Hill, an
instructor in the West Virginia Colored Institute.

The fourth annual meeting assembled at Montgomery. J. E. Campbell
being absent, Professor C. W. Boyd presided. The meeting to a certain
extent was a successful one. A Thanksgiving sermon was preached by Dr.
C. H. Payne. Dr. H. F. Gamble read a paper on "Science in Common
School Education." The Association took high ground by adopting a
resolution urging a compulsory school law. A committee consisting of
C. W. Boyd, Rev. G. B. Howard, J. W. Scott, John H. Hill, and Byrd
Prillerman, was appointed to urge the State to make an appropriation
for the teaching fund of the West Virginia Colored Institute. Byrd
Prillerman was again elected President and Miss Fannie Cobb was chosen
secretary.

The fifth annual meeting of the Association was held at Hinton. An
important feature of the meeting was the method of entertainment, in
that the citizens of Hinton gave the teachers a free banquet. Still
more significant was the address delivered by Dr. J. E. Jones of the
Richmond Theological Seminary. Byrd Prillerman, the President, himself
delivered an important address giving valuable facts as to the
conditions of the schools of the State, evoking widely extended
comment. The most prominent persons attending were J. H. Hill,
Principal of the West Virginia Colored Institute, G. B. Howard, Miss
Mary Booze, W. T. McKinney, and Miss G. E. Fulks.[33]

The sixth annual meeting was held in Charleston in the House of
Delegates, November 26-27, 1896. This was the largest and most
interesting meeting hitherto held. Welcome addresses were delivered by
C. W. Boyd of the Garnet High School, Mr. George L. Laidley,
Superintendent of the Charleston Public Schools, and Governor W. A.
McCorkle. Responses to the words of welcome were delivered by J. H.
Hill, principal of the West Virginia Colored Institute, Hamilton
Hatter, principal of the Bluefield Colored Institute, and C. H. Payne.
Other prominent persons who attended the meeting were Honorable V. A.
Lewis, P. F. Jones, Colonel B. W. Byrne, Professor A. L. Wade, J. R.