p. 17 | Special Needs of the Huntsville (Ala.) Colored School

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

Special Needs of the Huntsville (Ala.) Colored School

By George I. Butler

OUR brethren in all parts of the field who take the REVIEW AND HERALD have learned of the sad calamity which occurred at Huntsville, when our building, three or four stories in height, was consumed a few weeks since; one valuable life being lost. The insurance of two thousand dollars we have every reason to expect will be paid. Of the money that has been appropriated from the fifty thousand dollars coming to the South, the five thousand dollars for the Huntsville School will, we trust, in the immediate future be accessible for the erection of buildings to take the place of the one lost.

A meeting of the Southern Union Conference Committee was held four days after the fire. Nearly all the members of that committee were present, and matters were very carefully considered. It was unanimously voted that five new buildings should be erected. None of these will be very large,—one building of two stories, for school purposes solely, with chapel, recitation rooms, office for president, etc.; another, a dormitory for the boys, about the same size; a one-story building for bath and treatment rooms, on a small scale; another for a workshop; and one for dining-room and kitchen. It was thought these could all be built for from five thousand to seven thousand dollars.

Work on the school buildings has already begun. As none of these will be more than two stories high, the danger of death by fire will be obviated, and these being set some distance apart on the school grounds, will add to the beauty of the same, and thus avoid so much loss as one large building would cause, and be more convenient.

The writer requested the business manager to write a list of things that were really needed to supply the wants caused by this calamity. The following list was sent: “A good neostyle, two desks, chairs, anything in the way of carpenter’s or plumber’s tools, a carpet loom, broom-making machinery, charts and maps, a globe of the world, singing books, (both ‘Christ in Song’ and ‘Hymns and Tunes’), reference books (such as encyclopedias and concordances), a piano for the teaching of music. Furniture is much needed, but money had better be sent to supply such wants.”

“Copies of any school-books recommended by the recent educational convention will also be appreciated, in fact, anything that will go to help equip offices, dormitories, recitation and study rooms will be thoroughly appreciated.”

Knowing the interest of our people in this institution, we trust they will try to make up this loss, as far as possible. We feel sure that our people who are so much interested in the Southern work will do this without any urging.

All can see that money will be greatly needed. Though we wish not to make any special appeals for the same in view of the great fund now being solicited, yet if those who feel that they would like to assist in this work of repairing the loss, can send some money, it would be greatly appreciated.

We are happy to say that the school is going right on. Not a single student left. The classes are held in one of the rooms of the old mansion, and all are of good courage. When the new buildings are erected, which will take some little time, they will be far better accommodated and their wants better supplied than they ever have been in the past.

Thanking all whose hearts are interested in this very important branch of the work for their kindness, we shall hope for assistance in this time of need.

GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. S. U. Conf.