ORIGIN OF THE JEANES FUND.
In the fall of 1902 I received a letter from Dr. Washington requesting
me to speak at a meeting in Philadelphia in the interest of Tuskegee.
Miss Cornelia Bowen, also a graduate of Tuskegee, was asked to speak at
the same meeting. We both accepted. During my stay in the city Mr. Henry
C. Davis, a trustee of Tuskegee at the time, gave me a letter of
introduction to Miss Anna T. Jeanes, a wealthy woman who seldom gave to
schools as large as Tuskegee and Hampton, but who would, in all
probability, be interested in my school.
In going to Miss Jeanes's home on Arch Street I had many apprehensions
but I found her very cordial and deeply interested in the welfare of my
people. I told her of my struggle to get an education and how, after
finishing at Tuskegee I had returned to my home in Alabama. I described
the condition of the public schools in the rural districts. She gave
keen interest to this part of my story. Finally, she asked me if I was
aiming to build a large school such as Tuskegee or Hampton. I told her
that I had no such idea; that I only wanted to build a school that could
properly care for three or four hundred students, and try as best I
could to help the little schools throughout that section. When I
returned to Snow Hill I found a check from her for five thousand dollars
for the work at Snow Hill.
Each year after this Miss Jeanes gave me from $300 to $2000 for the work
at Snow Hill. Finally, in the fall of 1906 when she had moved to the
home in Germantown which she had established for the aged, I called to
see her. She was then ill and although the nurse said that I could not
see her, after my card had been taken to her, she sent for me. She was
quite feeble, but said to me: "I have been deeply interested in what
thee has been telling me all these years about the little schools. I
would give largely to them if thee thinks that thee could get Dr.
Washington or Dr. Frissell to come to see me." I am sure she was
thinking of the large experience of those men. She said also that she
thought if she would make such a gift as she contemplated, it might
induce other great philanthropists to do as much.
At my suggestion Dr. Washington visited Miss Jeanes who gave $11,000
each to Dr. Washington and Dr. Frissell to be used as they thought best
for the small schools.
I am positive that the Jeanes Fund originated in this way, and I am
proud of the part that I had in this affair and that so many Negro
children can be helped by the fund that is destined to do so much for
the elevation of our people in this country.