Oakwood University - Acorn Yearbook (Huntsville, AL)

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PICNEE S F. W. Halladayfs astronomy class 1917 Graduating class of 1917 I Early Experiences at Gakwoocl They called them the gay old nineties . Nevertheless, the last decade of the last century was freighted with many movements of far reaching and serious purposes. Not least among them was the construction of the little missionary steamer, Morning Star. The servant of the Lord, Mrs. E. G. White, had borne a deep burden for the colored people of the South since emancipation days. But how to reach them through the almost forbidding situations of those years was the problem. This same burden was picked up by Mrs. Whites son, Elder E. White, who conceived the idea of using a little steamboat with a chapel on its deck from which to preach the gospel of the Three Angels' Messages. To this day, we think of it as a very unique and practical plan, for we had no colored ministers of those years, and for a white minister to find meeting places for colored people in a strange and hostile land was almost unthinkable. Elder White, with the help of friends, built his boat at Allegan, Michigan, floated it down the river to Lake Michigan, had it towed across to Chicago, took it through the Chicago drainage canal and down the Illinois River to the Mississippi. As it stopped at Cttawa, Illinois, a young man became interested, joined the crew, and soon became its engineer. This young man was E. W. Halladay. For several years this floating movable chapel tied up at villages, large plantations, and towns along the lower Mississippi and its tributaries. Its work met with furious opposition in places, and members of its crew could repeat some very stirring experiences passed through by these white messengers to the Children of the Night, but nevertheless churches sprang up and little schools were established. The chains of ignorance and superstition began to give way and school books and Bibles were carried into backward regions, The Entrance of Thy Word Giveth Light. At one time we operated about thirty little mission schools taught by colored teachers who had qualified in a way for the work of teaching. But for more efficient work, a training school had to be established. And so, we now turn to another event in the last decade of the other century. Two ,men, Elder C. A. Olsen, President of the General Conference of Seventhfday Adventists and G. A. Irwin, soon to be president of the General Conference, set about Departing for the canvassing jield I

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,.....,-c..... .,.. Dairy Barn were reported as unconverted. Oakwood was fulfilling its mission of preparing workers. The school management was ever alert for suitable industries. A greenhouse was built under the direction of W. H. Williams. This was the beginning of what grew into a fairsized business of handling bulbs, plants, and nursery stock. On one occasion a whole carload of caladium and tuberose bulbs was shipped to the Hastings Seed Company of Atlanta. The Chase Nursery of Huntsville took much of the shrubbery and plant stock. As much as fortyftwo acres was given at one time to growing bulbs and stock. Shoe cobbling was put in as a very practical line, serving to keep students' shoes in economical repair. A mechanical department taught the use and care of tools. These various industries came into good play in the year of 1906, when the drought was so severe that the ground could not be worked. From a small beginning of two or three students, not used to doing much work for a living, trying to pay their way through a few hours of indifferent labor, Oakwood, in 1906, had grown to a well conducted industrial school. Producefawas still being sold to about S500 worth. More garden produce and less cotton was now the order. Twelve acres of peanuts were planted. Fruit growing was done scientifically. Agriculture and horticulture were of recognized value as school activities. Besides the farm and garden interests, there were other industrial features, such as blacksmithing, carpentry, poultry Riding the plant setter 1908 ia 1g --'T 1 i i 5 5 fig '- 'ixr vi 4. :M , Q '.'..L, limi? i .Nr na, , .. aw. ' ' 'WA-i ,f , , 3- ,A - --1:-r-P , .. .--. Y . . ,..,..-4----,- V ..,.- .,-., ew -asf- . .- . Mg.. L .. .- fag. 11... .. A -, -lei... f? g -. f '-1-2I '! Part of dairy herd 1909 raising, carpet weaving, cooking, plain sewing lessons to good advantage. Bee culture and the sale of honey was included. Considerable fruit was put up for school use, for example, 1600 cans in the season of 1906. The appearance of Oakwood was constantly improving, with the buildings going up and shrubbery planted and landscaping going on. In the earliest days of my visits to the place I have more than once walked out from Huntsville and learned the turns of the road pretty well. The grounds, with its then fourteen line large oaks, from which Oakwood got its name, always loomed in welcome sight as l neared the end of the tiresome walk carrying my suitcase. ln later years the approach by automobile was no less welcome as one could note something new being added. The name of Anna Knight should be mentioned as that of a sound, sensible, and sincere supporter of the school and its interests. Besides her earnest and hard work in pioneering a school by herself, under most difficult conditions, she gave herself unsparingly to Oakwood's progress. As a member of the Board for many years, she by her counsel and influence has contributed much toward the school's welfare. Oonlining this sketchy account to the smaller beginnings of Oakwood, we must leave the bigger things for others to tell. Probably no one person can cover them all. l dare say no one can come anywhere near telling what Oakwood may yet accomplish. Louis A. HANSEN Takoma Park, lviaryland, March, 1946 X T . ru- 's I I1 I XX + 1653931 4 I Q . v r- '1'. i vi I 4 4 . f : EY- .Q E A1527 fl . l! . ,rpg

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. . , - , .... SPEAK Ready for work 1909 P on a mission of seeking a location of such a school. After examining numerous prospective sites in the South, they finally purchased a plantation of 358 acres about five miles northwest of Huntsville, Alabama. It was now 1895. A good valley, healthful climate, central location, good railroads, and a liberal minded people were the inducements for this location. S. M. Jacobs was the central personality about whom the happenings of those early years clustered. He was a thorough hardworking, likable manager, farmer, and school teacher. He proceeded cautiously and conscientiously to make friends for the school among both white and colored. Being industrious, he gathered about him a group of earnest, industrious students. They produced good crops on the land. It was not until March 23, 1907, that I came to Oakwood with my wife and twofyear old boy. We had previously come South in July, 1904. At the time the property was purchased for the Madison School by Professors Sutherland and Magan. The Morning Star was moored into the Cumberland River at Nashville. It was our privilege, with other workers, to have a ride on this boat around the bend in the river from Nashville to the Orphanage Faculty of 1917, Professor Beardsley visiting newly purchased land for the Madison School. This was the last trip the boat ever made. It was soon dismantled. We later moved its boiler to Oakwood to use at the sawmill. Oakwood was twelve years old when we arrived. We found about 70 students in attendance. W. H. Williams had become business manager. Brother Jacobs had been away four years. The farm hadn't been doing well, and the old chapel had burned. But the students were having some good, thorough class work with Professor W. J. Blake as principal. F. W. Halladay was now preceptor. Mrs. Boyd was matron. We united our efforts to build up a stronger work. The conference had Brother Jacobs come over from Graysville for a week to give us the benefit of his experience in handling the work. His timely counsel was much appreciated. Elder Irwin came frequently, spendf ing from one to three weeks at a time. We built a cannery at Oakwood to save and preserve things. We also built a sweet potato house, where were kept large quantities of potatoes. We made sorghum, produced plenty of peanuts, and had extensive gardens. We tried in every way to make the institution serve its own needs, as far as possible, however, we met with some failures. We had our ups and downs but usually more Nupsl' than downs .