SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

leave of absence to attend Oberlin College in Ohio, I spent three
years there f but not in succession* When my money would give out I
would come home and the School Board would provide work for me until
I could earn enough to carry me through another term* I finished at
Oberlin in 1873* I extended my work through courses at Normal schools
and Teacher 1 s Institutes. I have taken lecture courses in many col-
leges, notably the University of California in 1922♦ I have taugjit
all grades from the first to the twelfth* My principal work, for the
last 55 years, however, has been high school Latin and English and
Science*
At present I am serving as librarian at the Senior high school
and Junior Gollege. I have twice served as principal of city schools
in Little Rock* First at Capitol Hill. The Charlotte E. Stephens
school at 18th and Maple was named in my honor* I have a book I have
kept for 68 years regarding those first schools, and I'm told it is
the only one in existence* I also have the first monthly report card
ever issued in Little Rock* Mr. Hall (Superintendent of Little Hock
City Schools) has asked me to will it to the School Board.
I could recall many interesting events of those early schools
for the colored race* Old, old slaves came, desiring to learn to
read and spell* They brought the only books they could find, many
of which proved to be almanacs, paper bound novels discarded by
their mistress and ancient dictionaries, about half of which might
be missing*
Yes, madam, I do remember that the emancipated slaves were led to
believe they would be given property and have just what their masters
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