The following letter was written by C. C. Scott to his father during the summer of 1873, after his first year at Howard University. C. C. had graduated from Howard's preparatory school on June 16. 1873. He evidently was spending his summer in Washington DC, working at a hotel.
In his letter, C. C. complains about his professor. The professor, C. C. claimed, made major mistakes when recording grades for students. At the time, classes in Howard's preparatory department were taught by Cyrus Smith Richards with help from James M. Gregory, who served as tutor. C. C. was presumably referring to Richards, although neither he nor Gregory held the title of professor at the time (Richards held the title of principal and instructor).
Richards had started teaching at Howard a few years earlier, in 1871. At the time, Richards was in his 60s and had accepted the position at Howard after having served for decades as principal of the Kimball Union Academy, a college preparatory school in New Hampshire, near Dartmouth College. Richards himself was an alumnus of both KUA and Dartmouth.
It is unclear what brought Richards to Howard University. KUA was progressive on racial issues. For example, the academy started to admit African Americans in the 1840s. However, Richards own political views are not documented in the historical record.
Metropolitan Hotel
East Long Branch
25 July ‘73
My Dear Father:
Yours of the 8th just was received in due time. Day before yesterday made one month since I have been working here. I have been getting on very well considering my dislike for the business. I was hoping to clear about $60.00 but I hardly think I shall make more than 50.00. The second waiter is a very find man also the first waiter except when he takes a little something stronger than water, which I am afraid is very often: at such times he is rather crass and disagreeable. There have been several excursions here. About ten Indians are stopping at a hotel near us, who go out begging almost daily. We have splendid sport here bathing. I went in last night and also this morning. I am kept rather busy here now when I had a family I had a pretty easy time but since they left I have had it harder. My table is for transient boarders and has to be kept set (and I have to remain by it also) from 6 to 10 for breakfast, from 1 to 3 for dinner and from 6 ½ to 9 for supper.
I suppose you have already heard from Mr. Mills and Bob. They paid me a visit Sunday before last and returned the following day.
I have heard twice from Mr. Warren and once from Mrs. W. since I have been here. They were quite well. I shall probably write them tonight. Yesterday and today have been the warmest days I have seen since I have been here.
Pres. Grant drove past here in a buggy yesterday. It has been my good luck with a pretty good set of fellows. No cursing, swearing, gambling or [scuffling?] allowed under penalty of being cowhided. You mentioned about my not giving you an account of our examination. I was so disappointed when our standing in the class was read that I took no interest in anything at all. I was not the only disappointed one but many others. Our Prof either made a gross mistake or else he told a barefaced falsehood, at our second examination he made a mistake in marking out my certificate so I would not receive it and told him so. He then said he would have the mistake rectified but failed to do so though he told me he had. The day before he left I looked at his book and saw that he had not rectified the mistake and told him but he said he had no time to attend to it as he had to leave for England the next day. Some of the fellows cursed him very much. Our examination was very well also our exercises a program of which I sent you. Everything went of [recte off] nicely. I shall endeavor to conclude this letter and send it off tomorrow so good night.
July 28 I hope I shall be able this time to conclude my letter. Today is rather sultry but the sun is attempting to peep from behind the clouds. I was a little unwell this morning and after having given breakfast to six men was compelled to leave the dining room.
One of my boarders came over to see what was the matter with me or whether I was in need of medical assistance. There has been a great fire in Baltimore; also at Maine and other places.
I shall be allright by tomorrow if nothing happens. My regards to friends and family. Time is short so I shall conclude. Excuse my long delay in writing. I hope I shall hear from you soon.
Your Aff. Son
C. C. Scott
In the following letter, C. C. discusses two female students at Howard that had died. One of the students was Minnie Tappan, a Native American that was discussed earlier. The other student was Virginia McLemore. Less is known about her. Howard records state that she was from Montgomery, Alabama. Presumably she was an African American, most likely a freedperson.
Tappan. This is the second lady student we have lost this year. The other Virginia McLemore died last July while teaching at her home in Alabama. I wrote a piece of poetry on the death of each, a copy of which I will send you in this letter if time allows. I suppose you received my postal card.
Your devoted son,
Cor. C. Scott
On the Death of Miss Virginia McLemore
They laid her gently neath the sod
Of her own native land.
Her soul returned unto her god
And joined the Angels’ band.
Her gentle voice we oft shall miss,
Her form no more shall we see.
She is dwelling now in endless bliss
She’s dwelling, Lord, with thee.
But in that spirit land are many
All meet around the throne,
To sing the praises of the lamb
And of the Savior born.
To Minnie
Thou art gone! Oh how we miss thee!
Thou art gone to the land of the bless [recte blessed].
The Savior stands to greet thee,
And thou art, safe at rest.
But oh! How we do miss thee!
No more we’ll see thy face.
But God is ever with thee.
And hath filled the [recte thee] with grace.
With Angels and archangels
And all the hosts above
The praises thou art singing
Of God’s redeeming love.
Thy soul its flight has taken
Up to the “Spirit land”.
Thank God! In Heaven thou’st dwelling
Above with angels’ band.
C. C. Scott
P. S. You had a Minnie once who is dwelling up there?
Howard University
Washington D.C.
27 Nov. 1873
My Dear Mother:
Today is “Thanksgiving day.” I have had a good time and have enjoyed myself very well. But I have just gotten through studying my tomorrow lessons; and it is only ten oclock and I am not sleepy. I thought I would answer your last and Sister Sister Fena's. Doubtless, you have received the box ere this. The expressage was $1.60. As nearly all the things were for Bob, I presume he will pay for the box.
How is Nena? Also Wifie?
Has pa been doing well this year? I think we are going to have it very cold this winter so I thought that as Sister Mattie isn’t home and Sister is not living there you might be able to find a good spare blanket to send for me. I hope you will also send me some Christmas if pa has been doing well this year. But if he is not, I shall have to do without. If you are able to send it, please also make some more of that cold candy and send it for me as I am slightly troubled with cough and cold.
Last Saturday one of our young lady students died; and her remains were forwarded home on Monday. She is the Indian young Miss of whom I spoke some lines ago --- Minnie.
Thanks to Trudy May, Catherine A. Roberts, Orsola Tommasi, Amy Ryz, Nicolas Addington, Mattias Jonsson, and Karen Smith for help in transcribing these letters.
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