It was in what was known as the Black Belt of the South. I found Tuskegee to be a town of about two thousand inhabitants, nearly one–half of whom were coloured. I went by way of my old home in West Virginia, where I remained for several days, after which I proceeded to Tuskegee. I began to get ready at once to go to Tuskegee. There was a great deal of joy expressed among the students and teachers, and I received very hearty congratulations. In substance, these were its words: 'Booker T. At the end of the exercises he read the telegram to the school. Some time afterward, one Sunday evening during the chapel exercises, a messenger came in and handed the general a telegram.

Several days passed before anything more was heard about the matter. Accordingly, he wrote to the people who had applied to him for the information, that he did not know of any white man to suggest, but if they would be willing to take a coloured man, he had one whom he could recommend. I told him that I would be willing to try. The next day General Armstrong sent for me to come to his office, and, much to my surprise, asked me if I thought I could fill the position in Alabama. These gentlemen seemed to take it for granted that no coloured man suitable for the position could be secured, and they were expecting the General to recommend a white man for the place. One night in the chapel, after the usual chapel exercises were over, General Armstrong referred to the fact that he had received a letter from some gentlemen in Alabama asking him to recommend some one to take charge of what was to be a normal school for the coloured people in the little town of Tuskegee in that state. In May, 1881, near the close of my first year in teaching the night–school, in a way that I had not dared expect, the opportunity opened for me to begin my life–work. Frissell, the present Principal of the Hampton Institute, General Armstrong's successor. You should visit Browse Happy and update your internet browser today!ĭuring the time that I had charge of the Indians and the night–school at Hampton, I pursued some studies myself, under the direction of the instructors there.

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Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington