_The Republican_--Springfield, Mass.--Dec. 6, 1902.
The Milledgeville (Ga.) _News_ of November tells the following
interesting story of one of the young colored men connected with
Booker T. Washington's school at Tuskegee, in regard to the work
of which Mr. Washington is to speak in the high school hall in
this city the 10th:--
A case has come to the News which deserves more than a mere
passing mention. The story deals with the prettiest case of loyal
Negro's devotion and gratitude to his white benefactors that we
ever knew of. When we refer to the incident as a story we mean
that there is in it a good subject for a real story with a
genuine hero. And every word of it is true; in fact, there is
more truth in it than we feel at liberty to tell.
About 30 years ago Buck Edwards of this city picked up a very
small and dark-colored boy and undertook, in his language, "to
raise him and make something of him." Mr. Edwards clothed and fed
the boy, and in a general way taught him many things. In return
the boy was bright and quick, and rendered such return as a boy
of his years could. His name was Garner, and in time he came to
be known as Garner Edwards, which name I think he yet clings to.
In the course of human events, Mr. Edwards passed from the stage
of life and went to reap the reward of those who rescue the
perishing and support the orphans. After his death, Mr. Edward's
sisters, Misses Fanny and Laura, continued to care for the boy,
and raised him to manhood. Garner was proud of his family, "and
was as faithful as a watchdog, honest at all times, and a great
protection to the good ladies who were befriending him, and who
were now also alone in the world without parents or brothers.
When Garner grew into manhood he did not forsake the home that
had sheltered him, but insisted that it was his home--the only
home he knew--and that it was his duty and pleasure to aid in
supporting it; and he did come to bear a considerable part of its
expenses.
Garner learned to be a brickmason, and finally moved to Alabama.
He became acquainted with Booker Washington, the great Negro
Educator, and the acquaintance ripened into friendship.
Washington aided Garner in getting work that would enable him to
take a course in the school at Tuskegee and at the same time be
self-sustaining. Here as in all other of his positions, Garner
made a good record and won many honors. In the meantime he did
not forget the folks at home, and his remittances to them were
always punctual. After finishing school he married, but continued
in the employ of the school and Booker Washington and is there
yet.
Sometime ago Miss Laura had a fall and sustained a painful injury
which confined her to her room. As soon as Garner heard of it he
telephoned to Warren Edwards here to provide the best medical
attendance possible, and to supply every want at his expense.
Following the telegraph came his wife, a trained nurse, "to take
care of his white folks," and she is here yet performing every
duty with a devotion seldom witnessed. Garner wanted to come too,
very much, but he sacrificed the pleasure to keep his salary
doing, "because they might need something."
Garner paid the taxes on the old home for years, but in the
meantime he has saved enough to buy him another home in Alabama.
No one of any color could have been more faithful and
appreciative, and such gratitude and devotion as this humble
Negro has shown for his white benefactors is a lovely thing to
behold in this selfish day. It is said that he never once
presumed anything or forgot his place and the respect due to
those around him.[2]
The following letter and list accompanying it explain themselves:
BELOIT, WIS. Dec. 28, 1906.
_Dear Mr. Washington_
In answer to your telegram for names of graduates and former
students engaged in farming in Ala I send the following. I know
there are others especially former students but I cannot now
recall names. I will try to add to the list if possible.
I would say in regard to the Bowen sisters they have about 600
acres of land and look after the cultivation of it and some parts
Cornelia and Katie care for directly actually raising a crop.
McRae farmed last year at Louisville, Ala. the year just closing.
Mr. W. A. Menafee has 200 acres of land at Alexander City. This
he superintendents by two visits each year. Those marked with a
cross farm on their own land. Edwards and Barnes own land at Snow
Hill which they farm by the labor of others. Whether they and Mr.
Chambliss come under the head of farmers according to your idea
you can decide.
I leave January 3 for Denmark, S. C. You can write me there till
further notice.
Yours
(Signed) R. C. BEDFORD
GRADUATES AND FORMER STUDENTS ENGAGED IN FARMING IN ALA. WHOLLY
OR IN PART
*Cornelia Bowen '85 also teaches Waugh, Ala.
J. T. Hollis '85 also teaches Armstrong, Ala.
*Berry Bowen Campbell '84 also nurses Waugh, Ala.
W. D. Floyd, teaches also Hawkinsville, Ala.
Watt Buchanan 1889 farming wholly Montgomery, Ala.
*Enoch Houser 1889 also teaches Antangville, Ala.
William Chambliss 1890 Tuskegee, Ala.
*Davis Henry 1890 Bells Landing, Ala.
*Abner Jackson 1890 Newville, Ala.
John W. Perry 1890 Myrtle, Ala.
Abner Edwards 1890 Salem, Ala.
*J. H. Michael 1890 Mt. Meigs, Ala.
Robert B. Sherman 1890 Sprague Jc., Ala.
*H. A. Barnes 1893 Snow Hill, Ala.
*W. J. Edwards 1893 Snow Hill, Ala.
*N. E. Henry 1893 China, Ala.
Sophia Momen 1894 Notasulga, Ala.
*C. A. Barrows 1894 Snow Hill, Ala.
*S. F. Bizzell, has a store 1894 Hammac, Ala.
E. W. McRae 1894 also teaches Louisville, Ala.
*Moses Purifoy 1894 also teaches Evergreen, Ala.
*J. C. Calloway 1896 also teaches Dawkins, Ala.
Geo. W. Henderson, preacher 1899 Hannon, Ala.
*Martin A. Menafee, Treasurer 1900 Alexander City, Ala.
George K. Gordon, Dairying 1902 Mobile, Ala.