Page 20 - MOST RECENT

to enter the sophomore year at N. C. State.
E arly Negro School 1898
Mr. Thomas Matthews, Principal
Mrs. Cornelia Johnson, Assistant
Kernersville Academy had some outstanding teach-
es. One of them was Dr. E. C. Brooks (a brother-in-
law of the late Zora Sapp Paddison), who later became
a professor at Trinity College (now Duke University),
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Presi-
dent of State College (now N. C. State University in
Raleigh). The late Bern Stafford, a pupil of Dr. Brooks,
said, "He was very smart; possessed a good personality;
and was of college material. He was a teacher of all
his subjects and was a very well-rounded gentleman."
The late Addie Kerner Adkins taught upstairs in the
Academy before the Methodists took over in the fall of
1881. She had been a former student.
One of the earliest teachers was Professor Whitting-
ton. A Professor Ray taught during the 1880's. It was
said that he brought about the beginning of the uplift of
education in Kernersville and surrounding areas. Some
of the other teachers were: Prof. Fetter, who taught in
the 1880's; The Whittingtons; Miss Sallie Kittle, a music
teacher; Miss Sally Browning; a Mr. Ingram; the wife
of Mr. Mewborn, the Principal; Miss Daisy Leake; Miss
Tilla Harmon, a music teacher; Miss Fleta Brown; Miss
Emma Lowery, a music teacher; a Mrs. Hepler; Misses
Emma and Rosa Johnson; Mrs. Zora Sapp Paddison, a
primary grade teacher during 1906 and 1907; Miss
Lizzie Greenfield and Miss Frances Willis.
Some of the Principals were: R. P. Kerner, who was
Principal during the Civil War; Mr. Mewborn; the Rev.
S. R. Trawick; and Prof. H. L. Coble from Randolph
County. Mr. Coble took charge of the Academy in the
1880's. D. P. Robbins, M.D. of Winston-Salem said in
1888 that Mr. Coble "comes highly recommended and
will endeavor to put the school on an elevated plane."
The late Kohler Greenfield was a student of the
Aca"demy. When he was interviewed in the early fifties
he indicated that he studied some of the classical sub-
jects - Caesar, Cicero and Virgil. According to him the
Academy gave students a good preparation for college.
After leaving the Academy he passed the entrance ex-
aminations and another examination which enabled him
16
There were happenings of a lighter vein at the
Academy. Minstrel shows were held and on one occa-
sion Ty Cobb (about 1901), the famous baseball player,
came to town and the school was turned out so the
students could see him.
In January of 1878 an advertisement leaflet of the
Kernersville Academy had the following announcement
of interest:
Good Health and Good Morals, Free from Vice
The Board of Directors have now made
permanent arrangements with the present Prin-
cipal for a term of years. We can, therefore,
say to all, that this school offers superior ad-
vantages. Special attention will be given to
primary as well as advanced studies. Students
prepared for teaching, for business or for any
college.
The curriculum, which is full for a high
grade school, will be thoroughly taught. Aid
will be extended to young men or young ladies
of good character, who may not be able to pay
cash. Ministers' children at half rates, except
board.
Young ladies can board with the Principal
and his family. It will be observed that the low
rates of charges places school privileges in the
reach of all. It is desirable that board bills and
part tuition be paid in advance. The pupils
are required to attend Sunday School and
Church on Sunday. Religious exercises in the
school every day.
In the 1880's the Academy and the building beside
the Methodist Church on Main Street were exchanged.
From then until 1907 the Methodists owned and operated
the Academy. The old school was tom down in 1909.
During much of the time of the existence of the
Kernersville Academy, a small school known as the Tan-
yard Lane Free School was being operated and sup-
ported by county taxation. It was located near the site
of the parsonage of the First Baptist Church and the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Sumter Bowen. Students got
water at the old Tanyard spring. Some of the teachers
Mr. Alexander H. White Mr. Sid Shore
Teacher at Kernersville Academy Teacher at Kernersville Academy