Anxious Days and Sleepless Nights

The coming of Christmas, that first year of our residence in Alabama, gave us an opportunity to get a farther insight into the real life of the people. The first thing that reminded us that Christmas had arrived was the “foreday” visits of scores of children rapping at our doors, asking for “Chris’mus gifts! Chris’mus gifts!” Between the hours of two o’clock and five o’clock in the morning I presume that we must have had a half-hundred such calls. This custom prevails throughout this portion of the South to-day.

Christmas came during our first year living in Alabama. It gave us a chance to learn more about the people’s everyday lives. The first sign of Christmas was the “foreday” visits of scores of children. They knocked on our doors before dawn, asking for “Chris’mus gifts! Chris’mus gifts!” Between two and five in the morning, I suppose we had about fifty such visits. This custom still continues in this part of the South today.

During the days of slavery it was a custom quite generally observed throughout all the Southern states to give the coloured people a week of holiday at Christmas, or to allow the holiday to continue as long as the “yule log” lasted. The male members of the race, and often the female members, were expected to get drunk. We found that for a whole week the coloured people in and around Tuskegee dropped work the day before Christmas, and that it was difficult for any one to perform any service from the time they stopped work until after the New Year. Persons who at other times did not use strong drink thought it quite the proper thing to indulge in it rather freely during the Christmas week. There was a widespread hilarity, and a free use of guns, pistols, and gunpowder generally. The sacredness of the season seemed to have been almost wholly lost sight of.

During slavery, it was common throughout all the Southern states to give Black people a week off at Christmas. Sometimes the holiday lasted as long as the “yule log” burned. Black men, and often women too, were expected to get drunk. We found that Black people in and around Tuskegee stopped working the day before Christmas and took a whole week off. It was difficult to get anyone to do any work until after the New Year. People who did not drink alcohol at other times thought it perfectly proper to drink quite freely during Christmas week. There was widespread revelry and plenty of shooting with guns and pistols, and gunpowder was freely used. The sacredness of the season seemed to have been almost entirely forgotten.

During this first Christmas vacation I went some distance from the town to visit the people on one of the large plantations. In their poverty and ignorance it was pathetic to see their attempts to get joy out of the season that in most parts of the country is so sacred and so dear to the heart. In one cabin I notice that all that the five children had to remind them of the coming of Christ was a single bunch of firecrackers, which they had divided among them. In another cabin, where there were at least a half-dozen persons, they had only ten cents’ worth of ginger-cakes, which had been bought in the store the day before. In another family they had only a few pieces of sugarcane. In still another cabin I found nothing but a new jug of cheap, mean whiskey, which the husband and wife were making free use of, notwithstanding the fact that the husband was one of the local ministers. In a few instances I found that the people had gotten hold of some bright-coloured cards that had been designed for advertising purposes, and were making the most of these. In other homes some member of the family had bought a new pistol. In the majority of cases there was nothing to be seen in the cabin to remind one of the coming of the Saviour, except that the people had ceased work in the fields and were lounging about their homes. At night, during Christmas week, they usually had what they called a “frolic,” in some cabin on the plantation. That meant a kind of rough dance, where there was likely to be a good deal of whiskey used, and where there might be some shooting or cutting with razors.

During my first Christmas vacation, I traveled some distance from town to visit the people on a large plantation. It was sad to see their attempts to find joy in the season, given their poverty and ignorance. In most parts of the country, this season is so sacred and dear to people’s hearts. In one cabin, I noticed that five children had only one bunch of firecrackers to remind them of Christ’s coming. They had divided the firecrackers among themselves. In another cabin, at least six people shared only ten cents’ worth of ginger cakes. They had bought the cakes at the store the day before. Another family had only a few pieces of sugarcane. In yet another cabin, I found nothing but a new jug of cheap, poor-quality whiskey. The husband and wife were drinking freely from it, even though the husband was one of the local ministers. In a few cases, people had found some brightly colored cards designed as advertisements and were making the most of them. In other homes, someone in the family had bought a new pistol. In most cabins, nothing reminded a visitor of the Savior’s coming. The only sign was that people had stopped working in the fields and were lounging around their homes. At night during Christmas week, they usually held what they called a “frolic” in a cabin on the plantation. This was a kind of rough dance. There was likely to be a good deal of whiskey, and there might be shooting or cutting with razors.

While I was making this Christmas visit I met an old coloured man who was one of the numerous local preachers, who tried to convince me, from the experience Adam had in the Garden of Eden, that God had cursed all labour, and that, therefore, it was a sin for any man to work. For that reason this man sought to do as little work as possible. He seemed at that time to be supremely happy, because he was living, as he expressed it, through one week that was free from sin.

During this Christmas visit, I met an old Black man who was one of the many local preachers. He tried to convince me that God had cursed all labor because of Adam's experience in the Garden of Eden. He argued that it was therefore a sin for any man to work. For that reason, he tried to do as little work as possible. He seemed completely happy at the time because, as he put it, he was living through a week free from sin.

In the school we made a special effort to teach our students the meaning of Christmas, and to give them lessons in its proper observance. In this we have been successful to a degree that makes me feel safe in saying that the season now has a new meaning, not only through all that immediate region, but, in a measure, wherever our graduates have gone.

At the school, we made a special effort to teach our students the meaning of Christmas and how to observe it properly. We have been successful enough that I feel safe saying the season now has a new meaning throughout the immediate region. It also has a new meaning to some extent wherever our graduates have gone.

At the present time one of the most satisfactory features of the Christmas and Thanksgiving season at Tuskegee is the unselfish and beautiful way in which our graduates and students spend their time in administering to the comfort and happiness of others, especially the unfortunate. Not long ago some of our young men spent a holiday in rebuilding a cabin for a helpless coloured women who was about seventy-five years old. At another time I remember that I made it known in chapel, one night, that a very poor student was suffering from cold, because he needed a coat. The next morning two coats were sent to my office for him.

Today, one of the most satisfying features of the Christmas and Thanksgiving season at Tuskegee is our graduates’ and students’ generosity. They spend their time in a beautiful, unselfish way, bringing comfort and happiness to others, especially those in need. Not long ago, some of our young men spent a holiday rebuilding a cabin for a helpless Black woman. She was about seventy-five years old. Another time, I remember announcing in chapel one night that a very poor student was suffering from the cold because he needed a coat. The next morning, two coats were sent to my office for him.

I have referred to the disposition on the part of the white people in the town of Tuskegee and vicinity to help the school. From the first, I resolved to make the school a real part of the community in which it was located. I was determined that no one should have the feeling that it was a foreign institution, dropped down in the midst of the people, for which they had no responsibility and in which they had no interest. I noticed that the very fact that they had been asking to contribute toward the purchase of the land made them begin to feel as if it was going to be their school, to a large degree. I noted that just in proportion as we made the white people feel that the institution was a part of the life of the community, and that, while we wanted to make friends in Boston, for example, we also wanted to make white friends in Tuskegee, and that we wanted to make the school of real service to all the people, their attitude toward the school became favourable.

I have mentioned how willing white people in and around Tuskegee were to help the school. From the start, I resolved to make the school a real part of its community. I did not want anyone to feel that the school was a foreign institution dropped into their midst. I did not want them to feel they had no responsibility for it or interest in it. I noticed that asking people to contribute to the purchase of the land made them feel, to a large degree, that the school would be theirs. We wanted the white people of Tuskegee to feel that the school was part of the community’s life. We wanted to make white friends in Tuskegee as well as friends in Boston, for example. We also wanted the school to be of real service to everyone. I noticed that the more we made these things clear, the more favorable the white people’s attitude toward the school became.

Perhaps I might add right here, what I hope to demonstrate later, that, so far as I know, the Tuskegee school at the present time has no warmer and more enthusiastic friends anywhere than it has among the white citizens of Tuskegee and throughout the state of Alabama and the entire South. From the first, I have advised our people in the South to make friends in every straightforward, manly way with their next-door neighbour, whether he be a black man or a white man. I have also advised them, where no principle is at stake, to consult the interests of their local communities, and to advise with their friends in regard to their voting.

Perhaps I should add something here that I hope to demonstrate later. As far as I know, the Tuskegee school has no warmer or more enthusiastic friends anywhere than among white citizens of Tuskegee, Alabama, and the entire South. From the beginning, I have advised our people in the South to make friends with their next-door neighbors, whether Black or white, in every straightforward and honorable way. I have also advised them to consider the interests of their local communities when no principle is at stake. In those cases, I have advised them to consult their friends about how to vote.

For several months the work of securing the money with which to pay for the farm went on without ceasing. At the end of three months enough was secured to repay the loan of two hundred and fifty dollars to General Marshall, and within two months more we had secured the entire five hundred dollars and had received a deed of the one hundred acres of land. This gave us a great deal of satisfaction. It was not only a source of satisfaction to secure a permanent location for the school, but it was equally satisfactory to know that the greater part of the money with which it was paid for had been gotten from the white and coloured people in the town of Tuskegee. The most of this money was obtained by holding festivals and concerts, and from small individual donations.

For several months, we worked steadily to raise the money to pay for the farm. After three months, we had raised enough to repay General Marshall’s loan of two hundred and fifty dollars. Within two more months, we had raised the full five hundred dollars and received the deed to the one hundred acres. This gave us great satisfaction. We were pleased to have a permanent location for the school. We were equally pleased that most of the money had come from white and Black people in Tuskegee. Most of the money came from festivals, concerts, and small individual donations.

Our next effort was in the direction of increasing the cultivation of the land, so as to secure some return from it, and at the same time give the students training in agriculture. All the industries at Tuskegee have been started in natural and logical order, growing out of the needs of a community settlement. We began with farming, because we wanted something to eat.

Our next effort was to farm more of the land so that we could get something from it. At the same time, we wanted to train the students in agriculture. All the industries at Tuskegee began in a natural, logical order, growing out of the needs of a community. We began with farming because we wanted something to eat.

Many of the students, also, were able to remain in school but a few weeks at a time, because they had so little money with which to pay their board. Thus another object which made it desirable to get an industrial system started was in order to make it available as a means of helping the students to earn money enough so that they might be able to remain in school during the nine months’ session of the school year.

Many students could also stay in school for only a few weeks at a time because they had so little money to pay for room and board. So another reason to start an industrial program was to help students earn enough money to stay in school for the full nine-month school year.

The first animal that the school came into possession of was an old blind horse given us by one of the white citizens of Tuskegee. Perhaps I may add here that at the present time the school owns over two hundred horses, colts, mules, cows, calves, and oxen, and about seven hundred hogs and pigs, as well as a large number of sheep and goats.

The first animal the school owned was an old blind horse. One of Tuskegee’s white citizens gave it to us. Perhaps I may add that the school now owns over two hundred horses, colts, mules, cows, calves, and oxen. It also owns about seven hundred hogs and pigs, as well as many sheep and goats.

The school was constantly growing in numbers, so much so that, after we had got the farm paid for, the cultivation of the land begun, and the old cabins which we had found on the place somewhat repaired, we turned our attention toward providing a large, substantial building. After having given a good deal of thought to the subject, we finally had the plans drawn for a building that was estimated to cost about six thousand dollars. This seemed to us a tremendous sum, but we knew that the school must go backward or forward, and that our work would mean little unless we could get hold of the students in their home life.

The school kept growing. After we paid for the farm, began cultivating the land, and partly repaired the old cabins, we turned our attention to providing a large, sturdy building. After thinking about it a great deal, we finally had plans drawn up for a building estimated to cost about six thousand dollars. This seemed like a tremendous sum to us. But we knew the school had to move backward or forward, and our work would mean little unless we could reach the students in their home life.

One incident which occurred about this time gave me a great deal of satisfaction as well as surprise. When it became known in the town that we were discussing the plans for a new, large building, a Southern white man who was operating a sawmill not far from Tuskegee came to me and said that he would gladly put all the lumber necessary to erect the building on the grounds, with no other guarantee for payment than my word that it would be paid for when we secured some money. I told the man frankly that at the time we did not have in our hands one dollar of the money needed. Notwithstanding this, he insisted on being allowed to put the lumber on the grounds. After we had secured some portion of the money we permitted him to do this.

One incident around this time gave me a great deal of satisfaction and surprise. People in town learned that we were discussing plans for a large new building. Then a Southern white man who ran a sawmill near Tuskegee came to me. He said he would gladly deliver all the lumber needed to build it. He wanted no guarantee of payment except my word that we would pay him when we had the money. I told him frankly that we did not yet have a single dollar of the money needed. Even so, he insisted that we let him deliver the lumber. After we had secured some of the money, we let him do so.

Miss Davidson again began the work of securing in various ways small contributions for the new building from the white and coloured people in and near Tuskegee. I think I never saw a community of people so happy over anything as were the coloured people over the prospect of this new building. One day, when we were holding a meeting to secure funds for its erection, an old, ante-bellum coloured man came a distance of twelve miles and brought in his ox-cart a large hog. When the meeting was in progress, he rose in the midst of the company and said that he had no money which he could give, but he had raised two fine hogs, and that he had brought one of them as a contribution toward the expenses of the building. He closed his announcement by saying: “Any nigger that’s got any love for his race, or any respect for himself, will bring a hog to the next meeting.” Quite a number of men in the community also volunteered to give several days’ work, each, toward the erection of the building.

Miss Davidson again began collecting small contributions for the new building in various ways. The donations came from white and Black people in and around Tuskegee. I do not think I ever saw a community so happy about anything as the Black people were about the prospect of the new building. One day, we were holding a meeting to raise money for its construction. An elderly Black man who had lived before the Civil War traveled twelve miles to attend. He brought a large hog in his ox cart. During the meeting, he stood up and said that he had no money to give. But he had raised two fine hogs, and he had brought one to help pay for the building. He ended his announcement by saying: “Any nigger that’s got any love for his race, or any respect for himself, will bring a hog to the next meeting.” Quite a few men in the community also volunteered to work for several days each to help build the building.

After we had secured all the help that we could in Tuskegee, Miss Davidson decided to go North for the purpose of securing additional funds. For weeks she visited individuals and spoke in churches and before Sunday schools and other organizations. She found this work quite trying, and often embarrassing. The school was not known, but she was not long in winning her way into the confidence of the best people in the North.

After we had secured all the help we could in Tuskegee, Miss Davidson decided to go North to raise more money. For weeks, she visited people and spoke in churches and to Sunday schools and other organizations. She found the work quite difficult and often embarrassing. The school was not well known, but she soon won the confidence of the best people in the North.

The first gift from any Northern person was received from a New York lady whom Miss Davidson met on the boat that was bringing her North. They fell into a conversation, and the Northern lady became so much interested in the effort being made at Tuskegee that before they parted Miss Davidson was handed a check for fifty dollars. For some time before our marriage, and also after it, Miss Davidson kept up the work of securing money in the North and in the South by interesting people by personal visits and through correspondence. At the same time she kept in close touch with the work at Tuskegee, as lady principal and classroom teacher. In addition to this, she worked among the older people in and near Tuskegee, and taught a Sunday school class in the town. She was never very strong, but never seemed happy unless she was giving all of her strength to the cause which she loved. Often, at night, after spending the day in going from door to door trying to interest persons in the work at Tuskegee, she would be so exhausted that she could not undress herself. A lady upon whom she called, in Boston, afterward told me that at one time when Miss Davidson called her to see and send up her card the lady was detained a little before she could see Miss Davidson, and when she entered the parlour she found Miss Davidson so exhausted that she had fallen asleep.

The first gift from a Northern person came from a New York woman. Miss Davidson met her on the boat taking Miss Davidson north. They began talking, and the woman became very interested in the work at Tuskegee. Before they parted, she gave Miss Davidson a check for fifty dollars. For some time before and after our marriage, Miss Davidson continued raising money in the North and South. She gained people’s interest through personal visits and letters. At the same time, she stayed closely involved in the work at Tuskegee as the women’s principal and a classroom teacher. She also worked among older people in and near Tuskegee and taught a Sunday school class in town. She was never very strong, but she seemed happy only when she was giving all her strength to the cause she loved. She often spent the day going from door to door, trying to interest people in the work at Tuskegee. By night, she would be so exhausted that she could not undress herself. A woman she visited in Boston later told me about one such visit. After Miss Davidson sent in her calling card, the woman was delayed for a little while. When she entered the parlor, she found Miss Davidson so exhausted that she had fallen asleep.

While putting up our first building, which was named Porter Hall, after Mr. A.H. Porter, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who gave a generous sum toward its erection, the need for money became acute. I had given one of our creditors a promise that upon a certain day he should be paid four hundred dollars. On the morning of that day we did not have a dollar. The mail arrived at the school at ten o’clock, and in this mail there was a check sent by Miss Davidson for exactly four hundred dollars. I could relate many instances of almost the same character. This four hundred dollars was given by two ladies in Boston. Two years later, when the work at Tuskegee had grown considerably, and when we were in the midst of a season when we were so much in need of money that the future looked doubtful and gloomy, the same two Boston ladies sent us six thousand dollars. Words cannot describe our surprise, or the encouragement that the gift brought to us. Perhaps I might add here that for fourteen years these same friends have sent us six thousand dollars a year.

While we were putting up our first building, we urgently needed money. The building was named Porter Hall after Mr. A.H. Porter of Brooklyn, N.Y., who gave a generous sum toward its construction. I had promised one of our creditors that he would be paid four hundred dollars on a certain day. On the morning of that day, we did not have a dollar. The mail arrived at the school at ten o’clock. It included a check from Miss Davidson for exactly four hundred dollars. I could tell of many similar cases. The four hundred dollars was given by two ladies in Boston. Two years later, the work at Tuskegee had grown considerably. At that time, we were so short of money that the future looked doubtful and gloomy. Then the same two Boston ladies sent us six thousand dollars. Words cannot describe our surprise or the encouragement their gift brought us. Perhaps I should add here that these same friends have sent us six thousand dollars a year for fourteen years.

As soon as the plans were drawn for the new building, the students began digging out the earth where the foundations were to be laid, working after the regular classes were over. They had not fully outgrown the idea that it was hardly the proper thing for them to use their hands, since they had come there, as one of them expressed it, “to be educated, and not to work.” Gradually, though, I noted with satisfaction that a sentiment in favour of work was gaining ground. After a few weeks of hard work the foundations were ready, and a day was appointed for the laying of the corner-stone.

As soon as the plans for the new building were drawn, the students began digging out the foundations after their regular classes. They still had not fully outgrown the idea that using their hands was hardly proper for them. As one student put it, they had come there “to be educated, and not to work.” Gradually, though, I was pleased to see that support for work was growing. After a few weeks of hard work, the foundations were ready, and a day was set for laying the cornerstone.

When it is considered that the laying of this corner-stone took place in the heart of the South, in the “Black Belt,” in the centre of that part of our country that was most devoted to slavery; that at that time slavery had been abolished only about sixteen years; that only sixteen years before no Negro could be taught from books without the teacher receiving the condemnation of the law or of public sentiment—when all this is considered, the scene that was witnessed on that spring day at Tuskegee was a remarkable one. I believe there are few places in the world where it could have taken place.

The cornerstone was laid in the heart of the South, in the “Black Belt,” the region most devoted to slavery. At the time, slavery had been abolished only about sixteen years earlier. Just sixteen years before, anyone who taught a Negro from books faced condemnation by law or public opinion. Considering all this, the scene at Tuskegee that spring day was remarkable. I believe there are few places in the world where it could have taken place.

The principal address was delivered by the Hon. Waddy Thompson, the Superintendent of Education for the county. About the corner-stone were gathered the teachers, the students, their parents and friends, the county officials—who were white—and all the leading white men in that vicinity, together with many of the black men and women whom the same white people but a few years before had held a title to as property. The members of both races were anxious to exercise the privilege of placing under the corner-stone some momento.

The Hon. Waddy Thompson, the county superintendent of education, gave the main address. Gathered around the cornerstone were the teachers, students, their parents and friends, and the county officials, who were white. All the leading white men in the area were there, too. So were many Black men and women whom these same white people had owned as property only a few years before. Members of both races were eager for the privilege of placing a memento under the cornerstone.

Before the building was completed we passed through some very trying seasons. More than once our hearts were made to bleed, as it were, because bills were falling due that we did not have the money to meet. Perhaps no one who has not gone through the experience, month after month, of trying to erect buildings and provide equipment for a school when no one knew where the money was to come from, can properly appreciate the difficulties under which we laboured. During the first years at Tuskegee I recall that night after night I would roll and toss on my bed, without sleep, because of the anxiety and uncertainty which we were in regarding money. I knew that, in a large degree, we were trying an experiment—that of testing whether or not it was possible for Negroes to build up and control the affairs of a large education institution. I knew that if we failed it would injure the whole race. I knew that the presumption was against us. I knew that in the case of white people beginning such an enterprise it would be taken for granted that they were going to succeed, but in our case I felt that people would be surprised if we succeeded. All this made a burden which pressed down on us, sometimes, it seemed, at the rate of a thousand pounds to the square inch.

Before the building was completed, we went through some very difficult times. More than once, our hearts seemed to bleed because bills were coming due and we had no money to pay them. Perhaps no one can fully appreciate the difficulties we faced without having gone through the same experience. Month after month, we tried to construct buildings and equip a school when no one knew where the money would come from. During the early years at Tuskegee, I remember tossing and turning in bed night after night, unable to sleep. I was anxious and uncertain about our finances. I knew that, to a large extent, we were trying an experiment. We were testing whether Negroes could build and run a large educational institution. I knew that if we failed, it would hurt the whole race. I knew that people assumed we would fail. If white people started such a project, I knew people would take their success for granted. But in our case, I felt that people would be surprised if we succeeded. All of this weighed on us, sometimes, it seemed, at a thousand pounds per square inch.

In all our difficulties and anxieties, however, I never went to a white or a black person in the town of Tuskegee for any assistance that was in their power to render, without being helped according to their means. More than a dozen times, when bills figuring up into the hundreds of dollars were falling due, I applied to the white men of Tuskegee for small loans, often borrowing small amounts from as many as a half-dozen persons, to meet our obligations. One thing I was determined to do from the first, and that was to keep the credit of the school high; and this, I think I can say without boasting, we have done all through these years.

Despite all our difficulties and anxieties, I always found help in Tuskegee. Whenever I asked a white or Black person for help they could give, they helped as much as they could. More than a dozen times, bills totaling hundreds of dollars were coming due. On those occasions, I asked white men in Tuskegee for small loans to pay our debts. I often borrowed small amounts from as many as six people. From the beginning, I was determined to maintain the school's good credit. I think I can say without boasting that we have done so throughout these years.

I shall always remember a bit of advice given me by Mr. George W. Campbell, the white man to whom I have referred to as the one who induced General Armstrong to send me to Tuskegee. Soon after I entered upon the work Mr. Campbell said to me, in his fatherly way: “Washington, always remember that credit is capital.”

I will always remember a piece of advice from Mr. George W. Campbell. He was the white man I mentioned who persuaded General Armstrong to send me to Tuskegee. Soon after I began my work, Mr. Campbell said to me in his fatherly way: “Washington, always remember that credit is capital.”

At one time when we were in the greatest distress for money that we ever experienced, I placed the situation frankly before General Armstrong. Without hesitation he gave me his personal check for all the money which he had saved for his own use. This was not the only time that General Armstrong helped Tuskegee in this way. I do not think I have ever made this fact public before.

Once, when we were in greater financial distress than ever before, I explained the situation frankly to General Armstrong. Without hesitation, he gave me a personal check for all the money he had saved for his own use. This was not the only time General Armstrong helped Tuskegee in this way. I do not think I have ever made this fact public before.

During the summer of 1882, at the end of the first year’s work of the school, I was married to Miss Fannie N. Smith, of Malden, W. Va. We began keeping house in Tuskegee early in the fall. This made a home for our teachers, who now had been increased to four in number. My wife was also a graduate of the Hampton Institute. After earnest and constant work in the interests of the school, together with her housekeeping duties, my wife passed away in May, 1884. One child, Portia M. Washington, was born during our marriage.

In the summer of 1882, after the school’s first year, I married Miss Fannie N. Smith of Malden, W. Va. We set up house in Tuskegee early that fall. Our house provided a home for our teachers, who now numbered four. My wife was also a graduate of the Hampton Institute. She worked hard and steadily for the school while also managing our home. She passed away in May 1884. We had one child, Portia M. Washington, during our marriage.

From the first, my wife most earnestly devoted her thoughts and time to the work of the school, and was completely one with me in every interest and ambition. She passed away, however, before she had an opportunity of seeing what the school was designed to be.

From the beginning, my wife devoted her thoughts and time wholeheartedly to the school. She shared all my interests and ambitions. But she passed away before she could see what the school was meant to become.