FINE PENMEN.
I devote an entire chapter to Penmen, because I regard this art as one
of the special evidences of race progress. The delicacy of the work and
the close application to study required to succeed in it make it doubly
hard to command any considerable attention.
PROF. RICHARD HILL.
[Illustration: PROF. RICHARD HILL, NASHVILLE, TENN.]
Prof. Richard Hill, who is principal of Writing, Drawing and Music in
the colored schools in Nashville, Tenn., has much to be proud of. Mr.
Hill is a native of Nashville; he attended the city schools until he
had gone through the ninth grade. At that time the colored schools
were not carried any higher. In order that he might better prepare
himself for a useful life in the interest of his race, he earned money
by blacking boots on the streets until he saved enough to attend
Gaines High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. At nineteen years of age he
came home, and began teaching in the same room where he himself had
been taught his letters. We feel warranted in saying that Mr. Hill is
the only colored man in the country who has been placed in charge of
Writing, Drawing and Music in so many schools. He has seven buildings,
fifty-six teachers, nearly 4,000 children under his care in the
branches named. In 1893 the _Penman's Art Journal_, of New York, held
a public school writing contest. The colored children in the Nashville
schools were allowed to enter on equal footing with the whites. There
were two prizes offered and I am glad to say that the colored schools
won them both. But we are sorry to say the colored schools have not
been asked to take part in any other contests. _Penman's Art Journal_
said recently: "Superintendent Webb, of Nashville, Tenn., writes us
that 'the winners of the two certificates awarded to Nashville in _The
Journal's_ public school competition, as well as three other pupils
whose names were included in the roll of honor, are pupils in the
colored schools of that city. Richard Hill, Assistant Supervisor of
Drawing and Writing, has charge of the work in these schools, and to
him should be given the credit that, without this explanation, would
naturally be given to me.' This speaks very well for the colored
schools of Nashville and their Supervisor, himself a colored man, and
the only one we know of who occupies this responsible post. He is a
fine writer and skilled in ornamental work. We are reliably informed
that he acquired this skill and knowledge at the cost of great personal
sacrifice, his preceptor being our friend, Lyman D. Smith, the well
known author and teacher, whose methods he closely follows. _The
Journal_ takes pleasure in according this deserved recognition to Mr.
Hill, his pupils and his race."
FREDERIC S. MONROE.
Mr. Frederic S. Monroe, of New Bedford, Mass., is employed as
stenographer and typewriter to the Pairpoint Mfg. Co. (a corporation
with a paid-in capital of $825,000, a weekly pay-roll from $6,000 to
$8,000, employing a force of several hundred skilled workmen), and
engaged in the manufacture of gold and silver plated ware, casket
hardware, fine cut glass, decorated ware and decorated French china.
The company has stores in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and
Montreal; from each of these places as well as from the factory a force
of traveling salesmen are sent out, who cover the whole of the United
States and Canada.
[Illustration: FREDERIC S. MONROE.]
He has held this position for four years, and has given perfect
satisfaction. He resigned a clerkship in the book and stationery store
of Robert W. Taber to accept his present position. Was in the employ of
Mr. Taber for about two years and a half, and prior to that time had
filled the same position with his predecessor in this business, Jas.
M. Lawton, Jr. Was with Mr. Lawton for about twelve years, and for the
last three had entire charge of the book and stationery department,
when he increased the business by the purchase of a music and art store.
So far as the character of the service rendered in these different
positions is concerned, I think the length and regularity of the
employment will speak for him.
Speaking to Mr. Monroe regarding the position he now holds, he said: "I
taught myself stenography as a boy of twenty, and after having mastered
it tried to maintain such proficiency in it as to be ready at any time
to accept a position in which a knowledge of stenography would be a
prerequisite. Have never thought that 'luck' had anything to do with
the opportunities I have had, and rather think they are due to hard
work in making myself competent, and then, when a chance was offered,
to try and be a little more than equal to the demands made on me."
CHAS. J. BECKER.
While traveling in New England a few years ago, I visited New Bedford,
Mass., where I met Mr. Chas. J. Becker. This young man executes some of
the finest penmanship I ever saw in my life. He is employed in one of
the largest and best business colleges in New England. He has held his
present position for five years.
[Illustration: C. J. BECKER.]
Mr. Becker was born in Fitchburg, Mass., in 1858, commenced his
life-work in Chas. B. Dennis's Insurance Office at nine years of
age; at twelve he wrote a good business hand; at fourteen wrote all
the policies and daily reports for that firm--at sixteen his writing
showed up to Mr. Dennis so well, that he sent him to Boston to attend
Kendall's Normal Writing Institution where he took a three months'
course.