Commercial
College in Boston, Mass., trying to become more efficient in the work
that was assigned to my hands. Principal Edwards would have to be away
from the school most of the time soliciting means to carry on the work,
but I tried to not leave a stone unturned in accomplishing the work he
left behind. Snow Hill Institute succeeded in inculcating into my life a
love for work, and I am not satisfied unless I have some work to do.

"I worked for Mr. Edwards untiringly until October, 1917. I was married,
however, in July, 1917. I have often wondered where my lot would have
been cast had there been no Snow Hill Institute."

"I was born of ex-slave parents on the Calhoun plantation in Dallas
County, Alabama. I am not quite sure of the exact date of my birth, but
at any rate, as nearly as I have been able to learn, I was born near the
village called Richmond, in the month of May, 1883. My life had its
beginning under the most difficult circumstances. This was so, however,
not because of any wilful neglect on the part of my parents, but as
ex-slaves they naturally knew but little as to the providing for the
maintenance of their family and home. I was born in a one-room log cabin
about 14 x 15 feet square. In this cabin I lived with my mother, father
and the other eight sisters and brothers until providentially I found an
opportunity to enter school at Snow Hill Institute, Snow Hill, Alabama.

"I went to Snow Hill in the year of 1896, and there remained for eight
years receiving instruction at the hand of a loyal band of
self-sacrificing teachers, who not only taught me how to read, write and
to cipher, but in addition they taught me lessons of thrift and industry
which have proven to be the main saving point in my life.

"I completed the prescribed course of study at the Snow Hill Institute
in 1904 and returned home as I had resolved to do, before entering
school there, for the purpose of helping the people of my home
community.

"The Street Manual Training School (Incorporated) at Richmond, Dallas
County, Alabama, was started in 1904 with one teacher, fifteen pupils
and no money. Since that time it has grown to the point where it now has
thirty acres of land, four buildings, and an enrollment of three hundred
pupils. The entire property is valued at fifteen thousand dollars
($15,000) and deeded to a board of Trustees. Among the members of this
board are: Mr. J. D. Alison, President, Mrs. Edwin D. Mead, the Rev. Mr.