University of Southern Mississippi - Southerner Yearbook (Hattiesburg, MS)

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Pioneer Days at Mississippi Normal College It was on the eighteenth of September, 1912, when a certain Country Guy overheard a conversation between two other Coun- try Guys, that ran somewhat after this order: Well, John, when did you get in? Just a few minutes ago, replied John. How do you think you will like this place? asked Bill in an under tone and doubtful ring of voice. Well, said John, to behonest I am somewhat disappointed, and I am thinking of leaving tomorrow for Mississippi College or A. and M. I never dreamed of going to a place where I could walk from one place to another on pine stumps and where I would have to wash my face in an oil barrel. These stumps are something fearful. I saw a lady start from the car line as I came out. She caught her skirt on one of those pine limbs and left something like a yard with it. I wanted to laugh, but I felt so sorry for her, I didn't. I laughed at that red-headed chap over yonder a few minutes ago, said Bill. He came along out there in front of the boys' dormi- tory and stumped his toe on a brick-bat and got started to fallin.' He kept hittin' brick-bats and kept fallin' until he came very near hittin' his head on the freight car out there. I am discouraged myself, but I believe this is the kind of school l need. I am going to stick to it. Let me insist that you change your mind and prove your stickability and earnestness by staying a while at lea.st. I believe things will change up some. Yes, they may change, said John, but I have just been around to get my work arranged and couldn't get a thing I wanted. Mr. Mc- Millin and Mr. Brim were tryin' t-o get me straight, but couldn't. Mr. McMillin pulled the hair on top of his head and Mr. Brim kept adjust- ing his specs,' that didn't do any good so they sent me to see Miss Augustus and Miss Bolton about it. Look yonder, laughed Bill at that lady. She's tryin' to get that mud off of her shoes With a piece of tissue paper. I see no use of gittin' it off as long as it keeps on rainin' since there is no chance to keep out of it. I'm hungry, ain't you? Yes, replied Bill, but I heard President Cook say that we were going to have a reception tornorrow night. I'm glad of it. I hope our waitress will get a big dish full. A big dish full of what? laughed Bill. Of reception, replied John. ill 3 11 if ik ik Well, Bill, I had me a time at that reception the other night, said John. I met Miss - , and she's a peach. I believe I'm going to like this place yet. What d-o you reckon? I've got a date for Sunday p. m. We are going for a stroll. I thought you would like it, said Bill, you got your work didn't you? Yes, answered J-ohn. I'm going to take mathematics. pedogogy. science, and manual training: I had a letter from 'Pa' this morning. He says he don't think I am quite ready for them. He thinks I ought to take Algebra, rules for teaching, physics and paper cutting. I may change my course and take them yet. What do you think about that 'Student Government Associa- tion?' I believe I'll vote for it, said Bill. I don't know yet, If I thought it would work I would vote for it, but I'm afraid it won't do, replied John. Ill :lf is if :is ik John, suppose we go down there and pick up some df that trash. Don't our campus look better? Well I should say it does, said John. What d-o you think of that idea of Mr. Cook's about self-control? I like it myself. I think it's fine, said John. I don't believe I could be mean here if I wanted to. I hear that the people who visit us say that we have the finest student body they ever saw. I lost my hat yesterday, so guess I'll have to advertise toinorrowf Yes Bill, laughed John, I guess you will, as it is our policy to cultivate our own self-expression. ik if Sk lk if Well Bill, I feel just like I used to when I went a fishing ami stood around the pine-knot fire for eight or ten hours. said John

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the above number have been added a Parent Teacher's Association, in- cluding the parents of the practice school children, members of the faculty, and practice school teachers. A Shakespeare Club has been organized. All are making good. Last year fifty-five certificates were issued, sixty-five have already been issued up to date, April 22, 1914. One hundred and nineteen are enlisted to receive certificates and thirty-five enlisted for diplomas by the close of the seventh term. The Normal College enrolled more students the first session than were enrolled by any other of Missis!ippi's institutions for the first session, and it is third in enrollment now. This shows that the col- lege is doing a work that is meeting the needs of Mississippi teachers. Another reason for this enrollment is that the expenses are within reach of the people. During the past session the average cost of board was 58.25 per month in the dormitories and 36.83 per month in the Industrial Cottage. Up to date this year the average cost of board has been 39.00 per month in the dormitories and about 36.30 per month in the Industrial Cottage. There are a great number of boys and girls in Mississippi who are unable to spend a large amount of money on their education, but who vsill eagerly grasp opportunities given them in this school. The Normal College stands for clean, pure, efficient lives. Its pur- pose is to train teachers for the country schools, to fit them to be leaders in the development of every phase of rural life. The cirriculum has been mapped out and the whole system has been organized with reference to this purpose. The Normal College has a bright future before it and every loyal student will do every thing in his or her power to carry the good work on. Never shall we forget the valuable lessons taught us while here. May we ever carry with us that spirif of personal responsibility, Co-operation, and the respects for the other fe1low's rights that have been stressed so much in this institution. M. R.

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earnestly. Do you know I haven't washed my face in about twenty- four hours? I wish they would make haste and get that well fixed, but I heard it would be tomorrow at noon anyway before they would get it fixed. I guess I can stand it if all the others can, said Bill. It strikes me that there is a great iinprovenient in conditions around here that we should be thankful for. You know how we had to do without water last fall, how we had to dodge stumps, and go around tree tops, how we had to get inside of our buildings before dark to keep from break- ing our necks in those ditches, and how dreadful that railroad before our door, and those 'shacks' were. But when I think of such men and women as we have in our faculty and this bunch of boys and girls I forget our present troubles as well as those of the past. Well Bill, said oJhn, confidentally one night, I've got a. pretty good job offered me as a teacher in a, consolidated school in l- County for next year, but I am thinking very seriously of coming back here. I'll be down to your room in a fe wminutes to work some algebra and review our pedagogy. I have passed on every thing so far and think I can pass this time. I guess I'11 go home in a. few days and help 'Pa' on the farm. 1'n1 going to do the same thing soon John, said Bill, I am go- ing to teach at ---. I won't receive a. large salary, but I am going to do my best to help those people some. Good bye old boy, said John, at the station, I am so glad I have had the pleasure of associating with you. G-ood luck. C. S. W. K X