wn of Demopolis, in the western part of the
State of Alabama, January 17, 1877. My uncle was a wheelwright, and I,
at an early age, was led to desire to become an artisan such as my uncle
was. I interceded with him and became the "handy boy" around the shop in
which he worked, and picked up much useful information; but there was
nothing progressive or directly helpful in the work I was permitted to
do. I also did some little work in blacksmithing while in the shop.

What to me was a fortunate circumstance was the meeting with a chance
acquaintance who was returning from Tuskegee Institute for his vacation.
This young man told me most glowing stories of the Tuskegee Institute.
He was so enthusiastic that he imparted much of his enthusiasm to me. He
himself was taking instruction in the wheelwrighting division, and could
give at first-hand the information I most desired. The whole Tuskegee
plan was outlined to me: how I could learn my trade, and at the same
time get book instruction; how I could earn by labor enough to carry me
through school while securing to myself the advantages mentioned. I had
had to learn by seeing others do, and it was now pointed out to me how I
could "learn by doing," and that was the thing I wanted. I had been used
to being kept from the use of tools and everything that would really
help me to learn wheelwrighting; the only chances I ever had being to
"knock about" the shop, occasionally having some worthless job, with
cast-off tools to work with, entrusted to me.

The upshot of it was that I decided to go to Tuskegee, and carefully
saved as much of my wages of $2.50 per week as I possibly could, so as
to purchase clothing, books, and those incidentals insisted upon by the
school that each student must have. I wrote to the school, and received
a letter from Principal Washington admitting me should I find myself
able to meet the requirements stated as follows:

No person will be admitted to the school as a student who can not
pass the examination for the C Preparatory class. To enter this
class one must be able to read, write, and understand addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division. Applicants for
admission must be of good moral character and must bring at least
two letters of recommendation as to their moral character from
reliable persons of their communities.

_The Day-School._--The Day-School is intended for those who are
able to pay all or