The professors at Arkansas Industrial Univeristy: Richard Thruston

Richard Thruston (b. March 3, 1814; d. September 8, 1885)

South Carolina.  White.
Education: Unknown (M.D.)

Occupation: farmer, physician.

Richard Thruston (often misspelled Thurston) was born in 1814 in South Carolina to unknown parents. He received an M.D. from an unknown college. 

Richard was an early immigrant to Arkansas. By 1840, he had moved to Van Buren County. He would remain in the county for most of his adult life. He first worked as a physician and a manufacturer of medicines such as pills for fever and ague.

Starting in the late 1840s, Richard tried to diversify his professional activities. In 1847, he began operating a steam mill that milled wheat for local farmers. However, within a few years he had sold the mill equipment.

Richard was active in state politics. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1847. In 1849, he received a presidential appointment as a Receiver of Public Moneys at Fayetteville, AR. He received the appointment, in part, because of his support for the Whig Party. The Whigs had gained control of the presidency from the Democrats with the election of Zachary Taylor. Taylor's administration removed many Democrats from appointed positions and replaced them with Whigs like Richard. Richard remained Receiver of Public Moneys until 1852.

Richard was an avid and respected huntsman and horticulturalist. During the 1850s, several hunting trips he took were written up in newspapers. However, it was horticulture that would occupy most of his time. In the 1850s, Richard largely abandoned medicine to run a plant nursery in Van Buren County. The nursery, named Van Buren Nursery, specialized in "Southern Fruit Trees for Southern Planters." By the 1860s, the nursery was home to over 20,000 fruit trees, and Richard also grew small fruits like strawberries and fermented his own wine.

During the antebellum, Richard maintained his household using enslaved labor. In 1840, he owned 3 slaves. This number had increased to 4 by 1860.

Richard did not serve in the military during the Civil War. His thoughts regarding the war and secession are unrecorded, although an article in Confederate Veteran magazine describes him as "one whose views were truly Southern." 

Richard was employed by Arkansas Industrial University during the university's first year (the 1872-72 academic year). He served as Professor of Practical and Theoretical Agriculture and Horticulture for the 1872-73 year and gave lectures on agriculture that attracted not only students but also farmer from the area.  Examples of lecture titles are "The Farm and its work" and "The Garden and Orchard." 

In the summer of 1873 (at the close of the first academic year at the university), Richard gave a public lecture to university students and other community members. In his lecture, he argued for the importance of agricultural and horticultural science. The core concern for a farmer, Richard said, is making his land more productive, for example by reducing the amount of labor needed to grow crops. To do this successfully, a farmer needs to have studied the sciences: entomology to protect crops against pests, mechanics to operate farming machinery, etc. Richard said that many Arkansas farmers engage in "fogyism." That is, they have ignored scientific developments, and they farm using the same methods they used 30 or 40 years ago. Richard felt it was hopeless to get the current generation of farmers to change, but he was hopeful about the future because of the education offered by Arkansas Industrial University. He concluded his talk by calling on the university students to effect "the death and final burial of that ancient and venerable though still stubborn and persistent old ghost of delusion we call Fogyism beneath the subsoil blow of the present and future

Richard's speech was one of his last acts as university faculty. His employment was only intended as temporary, and he left the university after a year. He returned to working on his nursery.

Richard was a well-regarded within Arkansas. His horticultural accomplishments were lauded throughout the state, and one newspaper account called him "a genial, courteous gentleman of the old school."

Richard died in 1885 while living in Van Buren County. 

Sources

9. 1840; Census Place: Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas; Roll: 17; Page: 85.

1. 1850; Census Place: Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas; Roll: 25; Page: 349a.

2. 1860; Census Place: Van Buren, Crawford, Arkansas; Page: 624; Family History Library Film: 803040

2. 1870; Census Place: Richland, Crawford, Arkansas; Roll: M593_51; Page: 234A

3. 1880; Census Place: Maxey, Franklin, Arkansas; Roll: 44; Page: 777A; Enumeration District: 061

4. "Death of Dr. Thruston." September 10, 1885. p.2.

5. "Notice is hereby given." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, AR). September 9, 1848. p. 3.

6. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules

7. "Dr. Thruston." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, Arkansas). July 22, 1843. p. 3.

8. "Farmers, Attend to your interests." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, Arkansas). July 27, 1843. p. 1.

9. "Corporation Election." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, Arkansas). October 23, 1847. p. 2.

10. "Turnpike Road Meeting." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, Arkansas). February 12, 1848. p. 2.

11. "Removal in Arkansas." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, Arkansas). May 26, 1849. p. 2.

12. Washington Telegraph (Washington, Arkansas). May 19, 1852. p. 2.

13. "The Great Match Hunt." Arkansas Intelligencer (Van Buren, AR). April 24, 1857. p. 2.

14. "Van Buren Nursery." Weekly Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). September 27, 1862. p. 2.

15. "Van Buren Nursery." Weekly Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). November 1, 1862. p. 3.

16. "To Agriculturalists." Weekly Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). January 6, 1867. p. 2.

17. Daily Arkansas Gazette (Little Rock, AR). September 12, 1872. p. 4.

18. "The Univeristy." Fayetteville Weekly Democrat (Fayetteville, AR). April 18, 1874. p. 4.

19. Brown, C. Allan. "Horticulture in Early Arkansas." The Arkansas Historical Quarterly 43, no. 2 (1984): 99-124. 

20. "Senator Bowen's Death Recalls War Times." Confederate Veteran. Vol. XV, Mp. 8, August 1907. p. 378.

The professors at Arkansas Industrial Univeristy: Edwin S. Curtis

Edward Styles Curtis
33rd Annual Reunion of the Association & Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy

Edwin Styles Curtis (b. 28 August 1843; d. November 4, 1901)

New York.  White.
Education: U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Occupation: US Army Officer

Edwin Styles Curtis was born in 1843 in Poughkeepsie, NY to John and Jane Carter Curtis. The father John worked as a tin smith.

The son Edwin studied at Eastman's Business College in Poughkeepsie. He graduated from the college and then moved with his family to Red Hook, NY. There he apprenticed to become a tin smith. However, when the Civil War broke out in 1861, Edwin enlisted in the army. He would the spend the rest of his career in the military.

Edwin enlisted in the 48th Regiment New York Volunteers. He was soon assigned to clerical duties and spent 1862 and 1863 working in Major General H. W. Halleck's office. In September 1863, he was honorably discharged so that he could attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from the academy in June 1867.

After graduating from West Point, Edwin was commissioned as a Lieutenant and joined the 2nd Regiment of Artillery. He was first stationed in San Francisco, CA. 

In 1872, Edwin was elected Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the Univeristy of Arkansas. He replaced Henry L. Burnell who had held the position the previous year. Edwin remained at Arkansas until 1875 when he came into conflict with other faculty over jurisdiction and discipline of students. 

After leaving the univeristy, Edwin returned to the U.S. army. He was promoted to Captain and later to Major. 

Edwin died in 1901 while living in Brooklyn, NY. The cause of death was listed as valvular heart disease and tuberculosis. He is buried in Red Hook Methodist Burial Ground.

Edward S. Curtis
From THR via findagrave

Sources

1. 1860; Census Place: Red Hook, Dutchess, New York; Page: 804; Family History Library Film: 803742

2. Census of the state of New York, for 1865. Microfilm. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

3. 1870; Census Place: Red Hook, Dutchess, New York; Roll: M593_928; Page: 163B

4. 1900; Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 23, Kings, New York; Page: 3; Enumeration District: 0395; FHL microfilm: 1241061

5. 33rd Annual Reunion of the Association & Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy. pp. 108-110.

6. New York City Department of Records & Information Services; New York City, New York; New York City Death Certificates; Borough: Brooklyn; Year: 1901. Certificate Number:20188.

7.  History of the Univeristy of Arkansas

The professors at Arkansas Industrial Univeristy: Tom L. Thompson

Tom Lee Thompson (b. May 22, 1849; d. February 3, 1875 )

Ohio.  White.
Education: Iowa State College of Agriculture (B.S.)

Tom L. Thompson was born in Ohio in 1849. Tom was orphaned at a young age, and little is known about his early life. He may have been living in Hamilton County, OH in 1860.

Tom first definitely appears in the record in Fall 1867. At the time, Tom was living in Fayette, IA to attend the Upper Iowa Univeristy. He was a student in the Collegiate Department following Classical track. 

By December 1871, Tom had started studying at Iowa State College of Agriculture (now Iowa State University). He followed the Agricultural course of studied and received his B.S. in 1872. He was a member of the first graduating class.

In Fall 1873, Tom was elected Professor of Theoretical and Applied Chemistry at Arkansas Industrial University. This was a newly created position, and the university first professorship in science. 

Tom's employment at the univeristy was arranged through the influence of Iowa State College President Adonijah S. Welch. Welch had been offered the position of president of Arkansas Industrial University, but he declined the position, and it was instead given to Noah P. Gates. Gates maintained a correspondence with Welch and solicited advice from him.

After his first year working Arkansas University, Tom's duties expanded to include the responsibilities of the Superintendent of Farm. 

Sadly, Tom caught pneumonia and died in 1875. Iowa College President Welch had his remains brought to Ames, IA, and he was buried in the Iowa State University Cemetery. He was the first person to be buried in the cemetery.

Sources

1. 1860; Census Place: Millcreek, Hamilton, Ohio; Page: 86; Family History Library Film: 803980

2. Upper Iowa University Catalogue: 1868.

3. 1870; Census Place: Washington, Story, Iowa; Roll: M593_420; Page: 191A

4. 1870; Census Place: Washington, Story, Iowa; Roll: M593_420; Page: 192A

5. Iowa State Agricultural College: 1871.

The professors at Arkansas Industrial Univeristy: Charles H. Leverett

Undated photo of Charles H. Leverett
From History of the Univeristy of Arkansas

Charles Hendee Leverett (b. November 30, 1833; d. November 12, 1897 )

Massachusetts.  White.
Education: Univeristy of South Carolina (A.B.)
Occupation: teacher

Charles H. Leverett was born in 1833 in Boston, MA to Frederic Percival and Matilda Leverett. The father Frederic was a prominent teacher. He served as principal of Boston Latin School and had published the Latin book The New Latin Tutor. The family was descended from prominent New Englanders. Their ancestors included the governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony John Leverett and Harvard Univeristy Presidents John Rodgers and John Leverett the Younger.

Tragically, both of Charles H.'s parents died when he was an infant, leaving him an orphan at age two. He and his brother Frederic Percival Jr. were then adopted by their uncle Charles Edward Leverett.

The uncle Charles Edward was originally from Boston, but by the time he adopted Charles H., he had moved to Beaufort, SC to serve as principal of Beaufort College. In South Carolina, he also served as an Episcopal clergyman and worked as a planter. He ran Canaan planation (in Beaufort) with the help of about 30 enslaved workers. In addition to the planation, Charles E. also maintained a home in Columbia. 

The son Charles H. attended the University of South Carolina (then South Carolina College) and graduated with an A.B. degree in 1852. After graduating, he worked as a teacher on Wadmalaw Island, in Cheraw, and in Fayetteville, NC. 

During the Civil War, the Leverett family served with distinction. Charles H.'s brother Frederic Jr. was a Confederate army surgeon. Charles H. joined a cavalry unit, although the records of his service are contradictory. A biography published in History of the University of Arkansas states that Charles joined Colock's brigade at the start of the war. The book states that he served with the brigade for three years and was also in Hampton's Legion.

A different account is given by extent war records. Those records document that Charles enlisted at the start of the war (in July 1861), but he first served in Hampton's Legion, rather than in Colock's brigade. Charles' initial enlistment was for one year, but in April 1862, he reenlisted and served in the 3rd Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry. He had enlisted for the duration of the war, but in February 1863, he fell seriously ill (diarrhea and "disease of the right lung") and was discharged for disability. 

After the Civil War, in 1868, Charles moved to Arkansas. He first moved to Searcy, AR and ran a high school. The next year he moved to Washington County to teach at the Ozark Institute (a private school for boys). He remained there until 1871 when he was elected as Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature at Arkansas Industrial University. He was one of the first professors hired.

Charles remained in the university position after Reconstruction and remained there for most of the next 20 years. The one gap in his employment started in 1885. That year, following conflict between the University President and some of the faculty, the state legislature passed a resolution reorganizing the university.  Acting in response to the resolution, the trustees vacated all professorships – including Charles' – in June 1885. The next month, they elected a new faculty. Initially, Charles was elected to his old professorship. However, only a few days later, the trustees reversed their decision and chose to not to reelect any of the former university professors.

Charles returned to the university in 1887. That year he was made an Adjunct Professor of Ancient Languages. He was made a full professor in 1891. Three years later (in 1894), the professorship of Ancient Languages was split into a Professorship of Latin and a Professorship of Greek. Charles received the later. 

Charles appears to have been well-regarded as a professor. An obituary published in The State newspaper said that Charles 

became one of the most successful and capable teachers in the State. Amiable, gentle, and humorous in disposition, scrupulously neat in person and dress, remarkably good looking and standing 6 feet in his stockings, he was a man of striking appearance and with great personal magnetism and a oright [sic] mind, he might well have reaped worldly honors and distinctions, but he was entirely unambitious, satisfied so long as he could gain a sufficiency for his family.

Charles died in Fayetteville in 1897. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery. 

Sources

1.  History of the University of Arkansas. pp. 485-486.

2. 1850; Census Place: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina; Roll: 858; Page: 22a

2. 1870; Census Place: Prairie, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: M593_66; Page: 209A

3. 1880; Census Place: Fayetteville, Washington, Arkansas; Roll: 59; Page: 689C; Enumeration District: 215

3. "A former Columbian." The State (South Carolina), December 13, 1897. p. 5.

The prep students of the Radical University: Beverly Nash

Beverly Nathan Nash (b. Abt. 1860)

South Carolina.  Born enslaved. Black.

Occupation: farmer.

Father's occupation: farmer, state senator.

Beverly Nash was born in South Carolina around 1860 to William B. and Dorcas Nash. Beverly was born into slavery. Little is known about the mother Dorcus, but the father William was enslaved by local South Carolina politician W. C. Preston. Preston had William apprenticed as a barber in Columbia, SC and then employed at a hotel (Hunt's Hotel). During the Civil War, he was the body servant of Tom Prior, a Colonel in Hampton's Legion.  

After the Civil War, the father William became active in politics. He was a delegate to the 1868 state Constitutional Convention and then served as a state senator from 1868 to 1877. He was also a Presidential Elector in 1876. 

The son Beverly enrolled in the preparatory school at the University of South Carolina at some point between February, 1875 and January, 1876. The university closed before he completed the program.

After the university closed, Beverly remained in Columbia and helped out on the family farm. 

Beverly last appears in the historical record in 1883. That year he ran into legal trouble. He was charged with committing assault and battery and highway robbery. In December of that year, an African American woman claimed that she came across Beverly in downtown Columbia (at the intersection of Lady and Main streets). She claimed that he knocked her down and stole her purse.

A trial justice determined that there was sufficient to send the case to a higher court, and Beverly was released on bond. A record of the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings has not yet been found. 

Sources Cited

1) 1870; Census Place: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1507; Page: 152A; Family History Library Film: 553006

2) 1880; Census Place: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina; Roll: 1238; Page: 304B; Enumeration District: 166

3) "Assault and Battery and Highway Robbery." The weekly Union times, December 14, 1883, p. 4.

4) "Timely Warning to Citizens who Lend Their Influence in Voting Away Other People's Property." The Abbeville press and banner, January 25, 1888, p. 4.

The law students of the Radical University: Charles W. Cummings

Charles Wesley Cummings (b. January 11, 1854; d. April 30, 1888)

Illinois.  White.
Occupation: U. S. Storekeeper
Father's occupation: merchant, preacher, professor, teacher.

Charles W. Cummings was born in 1854 to Isabelle and Anson W. Cummings. Census records state that Charles was born in Illinois, although the timeline surrounding his birth is slightly confused. The year before Charles was born (in 1853), Charles's parents married, and his father Anson left Illinois for Rogersville, TN to become president of the Odd Fellows Female College (later the Rogersville Synodical College). Charles's mother may have remained in Illinois to give birth or some of the recorded dates may be erroneous. 

Anson remained in Tennessee for about a year, and then in 1854, he moved the family to Asheville, NC. There Anson became president of the Holston Conference Female College. The Cummings family remained there for most of the Civil War. Around 1865 or 1866, the family moved to Spartanburg, SC so that Anson could become president of the South Carolina Female College. About two years later, the college ran into financial difficulties and closed. Anson remained in Spartanburg, working as a farmer and a merchant.

In 1872, while still living in Spartanburg, Charles was nominated to be a cadet at United States Military Academy at West Point by U.S. congressman Alexander S. Wallace.  However, the nomination was rejected, and Charles remained at home.

Later that year the Cummings family moved again. This time they moved to Columbia, SC because Anson had been made Professor of Mathematics and Civil and Military Engineering and Construction at the University of South Carolina.

The son Charles matriculated at the University of South Carolina in fall 1872. His first year he studied law and mathematics. He was one of the few students to remain at the university after the first African American student was admitted in October 1873. Charles completed USC's law program and received his LL.D. degree in 1874. The next year he passed the state bar. 

Despite his legal training, it is unclear if Charles ever worked as a lawyer. In 1877, he was commissioned as a trial justice to fill the office of a retiring judge. However, the commission was given by Daniel H. Chamberlain during the time of a dispute over who was the legitimate state governor. Chamberlain conceded the election in April. At that time, Charles presumably lost his commission, and it unclear if he ever served. 

Most of Charles's jobs were federal appointments. In 1877, he was appointed as a U.S. Marshall and as an internal revenue storekeeper and gauger for the Treasury Department. He would remain in these position for most of his life. Charles' initial appointments were in Columbia, but he moved to Spartanburg in 1880, to Lowndesville in 1881, back to Columbia in 1883, and then to Liberty in 1885. 

In 1878, some residents living in Pickens County began complaining that U.S. revenue officers were abusing their powers, for example by making unwarranted arrests. The problem was serious enough that the county grand jury appointed a committee to inquire into the allegations. 

The committee received testimony from one resident regarding Charles. The resident said that, in March 1878, he was accosted by Charles and about twenty other men while repairing a fence on his property. The men accused the resident of running an illegal alcohol distillery. He was arrested and carried twenty miles to the town of Walhalla. The resident alleged that the arrest was made improperly. He was only shown an arrest warrant the day after he was arrested. Moreover, the arrest warrant, he said, was forged: the document appeared to be signed by the U.S. Commissioner for the county, but when asked, the Commissioner told the resident that he had never issued such a warrant.

The appointed committee issued a report that substantiated the allegations against the revenue agents. In the report, the committee condemned the revenue agents in strong terms and called on the courts to protect citizens. If the courts did not take action, the committee members said that residents would take extralegal action: "the people will of their own volition devise the means to protect their families and their firesides from insult and oppression."

In 1884, Charles began to experience failing health, and he resigned from his position as U.S. marshal.  He died four years later, while living in the town of Liberty.

Sources Cited

1). Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States. United States: James H. Lamb Company, 1900.

2) 1860; Census Place: Asheville, Buncombe, North Carolina; Page: 245; Family History Library Film: 803889

2) 1870; Census Place: Court House, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1508; Page: 410A; Family History Library Film: 553007

3) 1880; Census Place: Spartanburg, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Roll: 1240; Page: 28B; Enumeration District: 137

3) Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service: 1877, 1879, 1881, 1883, 1885.

4) "Mrs. Isabella Cummings Celebrates 92nd Birthday Saturday." Newspaper clipping dated August 28, 1908.

6) Cummins, Albert Oren. Cummings Genealogy. Montpelier, VT: Argus and Patriot Printing House, 1904. p. 576–587.

6) "The Radical County Convention." The News and Herald [Winnsboro, SC]. October 12, 1876. p. 3.

5) "Revenue Whelps." The Pickens sentinel, July 11, 1878, p. 1.

7) "The Hunted Mountaineers." The Anderson intelligencer, July 4, 1878, p. 1.

8). "Olin F. Cummings."  Wellsville Daily Report, May 28, 1902.  p. 5.

9). U.S. Military Academy Cadet Application Papers, 1805-1866; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M688, 1 roll); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Students of the Radical University: Letters from C. C. Scott, Part 3

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.