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J 
 
 H Cohen of 
 
 Love and X>\xXy 
 
 '^^'1^1 "Co the Memory of 
 
 Chose 6one on Before. 
 
 f ^ 
 
Two Copi*»s Received 
 
 FEB 13 1903 
 
 Copydgnt Entry 
 CLASS oo XXc. No. 
 
 COPY 'e.'v 
 
 M. (i\<.\S' 
 
 I-l<A.-i. H. .«-;.. I,. I,. |{. 
 
 For priTatc <ii>tiihutirjtt. 
 
On Vlav J, 1901, at a meeting nt' the Teachers' Literary (composed of teachers of the Public Colored Schools of the Dis- 
 ict of Columbia I, I was requested, bv a \oti-, to participate in the then-talked of public exercises to commemorate the lives of 
 i>nie of our teachers who have gone on before. Having lost my brother since that time I could not take part. I have, therefore, 
 prepared this little token, which I trust will be a source of pleasure to those who receive it. The only pleas offered for its accept- 
 ance are its brevity and sincerity. In the language of Montaigne "I have here made onlv a nosegay of culled flowers, and 1 have 
 brought nothing of nn nun but the string that ties them." 
 
Hon. .Ioh.v NV. Ki>ss, 
 
 I.ATK I'OMM I1S>410N l-^K It. L'., IN OHAKUK OF *4( 
 
 Mm. r^KV\-i.>s ,\. CyKN'issH, 
 
 KOKMKHI.V -I'HI'Si'rKF <>K SCHOOL?^. 
 
 Mis.** Martha liKUi^i^^. 
 
 SUI'KKN' IMOK H. 1*. MoN'r<J«).MKR Y, 
 MkB. KM.MA \'. MON'i'tiO.MKKV. nek Bhov 
 
 .NliSS VJaKV .1. pAT'rKKJSON' 
 MiSH I^AUKA i\ KaKNKV. 
 
 Mks. Ai.K'k Stranok Davis. 
 
 MK>i. SaKAH I-i. <"Or,VIlV. nkk DaffIN. 
 
 rvii^os Ahkv S. Simmons. 
 >Ir. Joseph H. Lucas. 
 
Till', late Iloiiorahlc |i)hn W . Ross was a teacher ot the highest tvpe. He taught men 
 by his exalted life. He was born in 1841, graduated from college in 1862, practised 
 aw in Illinois, served in the State Legislature, practised law in Washington, was a 
 oading lecturer in the Georgetown University, was tor a number of vears a Trustee of 
 rhc Public Schools ot the District, was Postmaster of Washington, and finally reached the highest 
 otfice in the Nation's Capital as I'rcsidcnt of the Board of Commissioners, serving trom 1890 to 
 1902. 
 
 It was during his administration of the Postotiicc that the wav was made possible, through, 
 civil service changes, tor many of our High School graduates to enter that Department as clerks. 
 He was kind to the poor as well as to the rich. For manv vears during his commissionership 
 he had charge of the Public Schools of the District, and he al\\a\s did what he could for the 
 best interests ot the education of the colored race. Having received our diplomas from him 01^ 
 so many ot the commencement occasions, it is highlv fitting that wc offer some xestimonial of oim 
 esteem for his memory. I had the honor to meet this noble character some \ears ago when I' 
 was appointed to the principalship of the Lovejoy School, at which time 1 was verv much bene- 
 fitted, instructed and inspired bv his words. The impressions he left were those of a frank 
 kindly and courteous gentleman. His life was an object lesson tor the American vouth. H( 
 was a model as a Commissioner, and I can wish nothing better tor our citv than that we ma 
 never want for men like him. 
 
Born, I 84 I. 
 Died, 1902. 
 
 Commissioner, 
 District ot 
 Columl-iia. 
 
 HON'. lOHN W. ROSS. 
 
M 
 
 ^^ 
 
 R. Lewis A. Cornish was for ten years a Trustee of our schools, having served under 
 Commissioner Ross, hv whom he was repeatedly reappointed. He was born in 
 N^'ashingtoii in 1S42, where he died November 12, 1902. For man\ years he was 
 a elerk in the Interior Department, which position he held up w his death. He was 
 a true representative ot' his race, knowing them, loving them and sympathizing with them. He 
 loved children and Un thirtv vears was a Superintendent of" the Sabbath School in which h« 
 labored diligentlv tor their moral and spiritual betterment. 
 
 He trequentlv visited our schools and was untiring in his efforts in their behalf. Not a tew 
 ot' the most important steps taken tor their improvement were adopted upon his advice. He 
 asserted and guarded their interests with gentle modesty, but with manly dignity, bowing to no* 
 dictation, and influenced onlv by lotty motives. Despising servility and the "thrift that follows 
 fawning" his highest aim was to do his duty. And to us who knew him long and honored 
 him as a man ofabilitv and integrity, his memory will always be dear. 
 
 d 
 
Born, 1842. 
 Died, 1902. 
 
 Trustee ot Public- 
 Schools, D. C, from 
 1H87 to 1897. 
 
 MR. I-KVVIS A. CORNISH, 
 
"Crutb is proper and beautiful at all times, and it is never in any case 
 more proper and beautiful than when one is speaking of a great public man 
 wSose example is likely to be commended for honor and imitation long after 
 bis departure to the solemn shades.'^ 
 
 -frederiek Oouglaa. 
 
-■-^ 
 
 In our corps troiTi 
 
 1 876 to the time ot h\> 
 
 death, I 899. 
 
 Supervisor ot the 
 
 Ninth Division, Puhhc 
 
 Schools, D. C. 
 
 MH. H. P. MONT(;OMKRY 
 
'*In the elder days of art 
 
 Builders wrought with greatest care 
 
 6ach minute and unseen part." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
In our corps from 
 1864 to 18-8. 
 Died, 1902. 
 
 Principal and Eighth 
 
 Grade Teacher ot the 
 
 Sumner School 
 
 .MRS. KMMA V. MONTGOMERY, ncc BROWN. 
 
"6rcat truths arc portions of the soul of man 
 6rcat souls are portions of eternity." 
 
I n our corps from i 86g 
 
 to the time ot her 
 
 death, iSf;4. 
 
 Principal and Instructor ot 
 
 English L,iterature, 
 
 High School. 
 
 MISS MAR'l' I. PAl TKKSON. 
 
'*6racc was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, 
 In every gesture dignity and love/^ 
 
 — MUton. 
 
In our corps from i 87 i 
 
 to the time of' her 
 
 death, 1901. 
 
 Instructor of History and 
 
 Assistant Principal, 
 
 High School. 
 
 MISS LAURA K. BAKNEY. 
 
''HU are architects of fate 
 CClorking in these walls of time, 
 Some with massive deeds and great, 
 Some with ornaments of rhymc/^ 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
In our corps from 
 1896 to the time of her 
 death, 1900. 
 
 Teacher 
 and 
 Directress of IVlusic. 
 
 \IKS. ALICE STRANGE DA\1S. 
 
"Be noble ! and the nobleness that lies 
 In others, sleeping but never dies, 
 Cdill rise in majesty to meet thine own/' 
 
 —Lowell 
 
In our corps from 
 
 1870 to 1888. 
 
 Died i89<;. 
 
 Principal and Seventh 
 
 Grade Teacher, 
 
 subsequently Instructor ot 
 
 Latin, High School. 
 
 MRS SARAH I,. COI.VIN nee OAFFIN. 
 
*'CClho gives himself with his alms feeds three, 
 Rimself , his hungering neighbor and me/' 
 
 —Lowell. 
 
In our corps from i86- 
 
 to the time ot her 
 
 death, 1902. 
 
 First Grade Teacher 
 
 in the Lincoln 
 
 School. 
 
 MISS ABBY S. SIMMONS. 
 
**fu\{ many a gem of purest ray serene 
 X3bc dark unfatbom'd caves of ocean bear; 
 full many a flcwcr is born to blush unseen, 
 Hnd waste its sweetness on the desert air." 
 
 — Sray. 
 
Joseph II. Lucas and Pupils, Bimey School, A lesson in Nature Study. 
 
 I'luitographed by dirccton ot'the Superintendent of Schools for the Paris Exposition, 1900. 
 
 In our corps from 1894 to the time of his death, 1902. 
 
*Xcll mc not in mournful numbers 
 Life is but an empty dream/^ 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
M 
 
 TRIBUTE. 
 
 l^CH inspiration nia\' he drawn troni the li\'es ot those who have gone on before. In 
 I he past iliere ha\e been nian\ among lis whose nienior\' we esteem. As instructors 
 in our schools thev made indelible impressions upon our minds. And their examples 
 have furnished the members of our corps abundant encouragement and guidance. 
 Our schools can never rise higher than the bright ideals and fond hopes of those whose lives 
 have been spent in them. Therefore we can never be above the dutv of paving the proper 
 tribute of respect to their memorv. As a true lover of virtue delights in contemplating its pur- 
 est models so we delight in extolling the virtues of those who have been among our best repre- 
 sentatives. As a true lover of his coiintr\- loves her friends and benefactors, so we true lovers 
 of education, consider it not (jiiK fitting but a dutv to commend and venerate those who have 
 rendered services in our schocjls. 
 
 The name of Miss Martha Briggs will suggest one who was untiring in her devoticjn to our 
 
schools. vShc loved them and labored faithtulh in them from 1869 to 188;. Her record 
 as a teacher in the grades, her pre-eminent success as the first Principal of our Normal 
 School and her manv acts of love and philanthropv are so closelv identified with the early his- 
 torv of oLir education that it is eminentb." fitting tor us to express here our love and admiration 
 for her. Is there anv wonder that the Commissioners ot the District should have selected for 
 the designation and adornment of one of our buildings the name (;f this noble character.' 
 
 Teaching mav be looked upon as presenting a striking analogy to the other leading professions. 
 A man who aspires to be a ph\sician must make the bod\- the subject of long, minute and ex- 
 perimental studv. He must learn all the different organs and all their different functions. He 
 must learn all the different laws ot the human frame. And it is upon his power to aid and 
 control these laws that his success in healing is considered to depend. A similar conclusion may 
 be drawn as to the teacher. He who practises the teaching art must make the child-mind tht 
 subject of long, minute and experimental studv. Together with knowing the subjects to be 
 taught he must understand mental philosophv, and must be able to make his teaching harmonize 
 
with the laws of mental j^rowili. lie imi.st also possess rieh moral worth in the eomnninit\- 
 w hiih lie serves. 
 
 It we ever had in our corps one \Nho measured up to these requirements, who knew the na- 
 ture ot the human mind and understood how to wake up the sleepv intellect; who knew how to 
 inspire teachers w ith zeal tor the tasks before them and with great confidence in himself', it was 
 that genial and gifted educator, Henr\ P. Montgomer\-, late Supervising Principal of the 
 Ninth Division of our schools. He was in our corps from 1876 to 1899. When I first entered 
 upon m\- career as teacher, about twelve \ ears ago, he was one of the first to take me bv the 
 hand and welcome me. From that da\' to the dav of his death he was often m\' advisor and 
 counsellor. He was a true apostle ot the gospel of learning, evincing a broad and clear know- 
 ledge of all educational questions. No instance can be adduced in which he was actuated bv 
 sinister motives; and it he had an\- one passion stronger than another it was his love for integrit\- 
 and true merit. 
 
 N(j less deserving of" our loving remembrance are the sterling qualities shown in Mrs. Emma 
 
\ . Montgrdmerv, nee Brown. She was the first teacher appointed in the P"'uh]ic Colored Schools 
 of \^'ashington, and was for manv \ears Principal of the Sumner Building. During her entire 
 career she was looked upon as a teacher of marked abilit\-. She was also a faithful and affectionate 
 wife. Her door and heart were alwavs open to the teachers and pupils of our schools for whom 
 she had that kind of s\mpathv which made itself known and felt. She was a woman of strong 
 will and great energy and exhibited all the gifts of a pure and noble nature. 
 
 o 
 
 An\- reminiscences concerning the teachers of our schools would be incomplete which fails 
 to speak of Miss Marv jane Patterson, the first colored woman to hold the position of Principal 
 of our High School, and the first also in America to complete the full college course at Oberlin. 
 She will be remembered particularly for haying laid the foundations in our schools for the higher 
 culture in literature. This she did while in charge of the English Department in the High 
 School. No greater inspiration could be afforded us as members of this corps; nothing could 
 furnish a more impressive object-lesson of perseverance, industry and culture; nothing could more 
 readily teach our bovs and girls how to conquer ignorance by study and to disarm prejudices by calm 
 
reason; nothing could more readilv teach them how to "make their lives sublime" than the con- 
 itemplation of the life of Miss Patterson, who was a model teacher in the highest sense of the word. 
 Having labored in our ranks from 1869 up to the time of her death in 1894, she proved herself 
 to belong to that rare class whose best monument is their lite ot noble deeds. 
 
 o 
 
 Again we turn to the name ot one whose career was a perennial stream ot pure influences. If 
 
 ll were asked to point out a life that was especially desirable tor others to emulate, tor one that 
 
 'was the embodiment ot high ideals, always impressing the voung with the intrinsic value of up- 
 
 1 right character, I should answer by pointing to that worthy and exalted name, Laura F. 
 
 Barney, our late Assistant Principal ot the High School. She was an [nstructor in our 
 
 I High School trom 1872 to 1901. Having charge of the Department of History, her strong 
 
 .point was in Awakening deep interest and enthusiasm in that subject. She connected the 
 
 I lives and elibrts of her pupils with the various characters presented, in such a way as to 
 
 always make them see possibilities tor brighter tutures betbre them. She lived, not tor herself, 
 
 but tor those whom she taught. Those who live for wealth and the things of this world, neg- 
 
lecting the great realities which are eternal in earth and in heaven are following shadows. After 
 life is over all accumulated p()S\Scssions must pass away, except those onlv which have been de- 
 voted to God and mankind. And 1 can freel}' say that we have never had a purer model of 
 this kind of devotion than that exemplified in the life of Miss Laura F. Barne\-. Her memorv will 
 alwa\s remain a precious treasure in the hearts ot the teachers and pupils ot our schools. 
 
 \\'hile reviewing the trulv brave and useful hearts who ha\e gone on before, let us not forget 
 Mrs. Alice Strange Davis. She was a proficient and successful teacher of music in our schools, 
 being Directress from 1896 till 1900; and her svstem and methods have laid the basis for us 
 to build up a bright and lasting record in that subject. Her leading aim was to bring out 
 our strong points along the line of music. There was in her work a marvelous, blending of in- 
 nocent fun, earnestness and enthusiasm. When we commemorate her services \\e but hold up 
 a beacon light of hope tor our voung people; for while directress of music she proved, be\ond a 
 reasonable doubt, that we can produce genius and talent in our schools thoroughlv capable ot 
 directing in educational matters. And when in after vears the historv of our schools shall be 
 
written her claim to rcmcmbraiK-c and distinction will have the fullest and amplest recognition. 
 
 Some years ago there was a teacher in our corps whose character impressed all who knew 
 her. She was Miss Sarah I.. Daffin, afterward Mrs. Colvin. She was successively a teacher 
 in the grammar grades, Principal of the Chamberlain Building, and Instructor of Latin in the 
 High School, being with us from 1870 to 1888. She taught me in the same grade as that ot 
 which J at present have charge, namelv the seventh; and I firmly believe that my education 
 would have ended in the grammar grades had I not been one of her pupils. Her parent-like 
 solicitude has been left as a rich legacv to us all. And as she was so closely identified with 
 the earl\- developments ot our schools, having taught in them for so many vears, it is quite 
 proper tor us to express our love and respect tor her memory. 
 
 o 
 
 It is a source of great satisfaction that before the end of the career of Miss Abby S. Simmons 
 an opportunity was given us, the beneficiaries of her devotion, to tender her a substantial, fitting 
 (and graceful acknowledgment of our esteem. For thirty-five years she accepted social ostracism 
 
and persecution tor the sake of helping to educate our bovs and girls. As an associate and friend 
 to the teachers and patrons of our schools, as well as in her loving and sympathetic attitude to- 
 ward the children, her example was unsurpassed. She was alwavs on the still hunt to find some 
 little act ot kindness that she might do. No thoughtful person of mature \ears desires to live 
 forever in this world, and I have no doubt but that this noble woman came within that general 
 rule. She had accomplished a long life of good deeds. Certainlv I should regard it as a mercv 
 it the finger ot death could be laid upon me the verv dav mv life's work is done, or whenever I 
 become helpless or unable to be of some little service to my fellow man. 
 
 o 
 
 There are moments in the experiences of all when we cannot convev to other hearts the emo- 
 tions ot our own. To me such a moment is the present. Mv teelings are deepened because the 
 obituary has come near to my heart and home. Little did I think last year, at the time of ofi^er- 
 ing the motion in our Literary to set apart a Memorial Day, that my brother who, but a few 
 months ago, stood shoulder to shoulder with me in the ranks, would now be among those who 
 have gone on before and that his name would be added to our memorial list. Although I do 
 
not tccl able at this time to prepare an appropriate eulog\-, yet, duty inspires me with the cour- 
 age to contribute one word as a token of my love for his memorv. He foved children and 
 nature intensely, and was a faithful and efficient teacher. 
 
 All worthy lives teach the lessons ot usefulness and virtue, and help to strengthen the purposes 
 of the thousands left on earth. These lives teach us to look up and press on; thev constantly 
 invoke us to consecrate our lives to service and duty; whenever we dwell upon them thev impel 
 us to renew our vows; they are full of the beautiful lessons expressed in the lines: — 
 
 "So live, that when thy summons comes to join 
 The innumerable caravan which moves 
 To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
 His chamber in the silent halls of death. 
 Thou go not, like the quarrv-slave at night. 
 Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed 
 By an unfaltering trust, approach thv grave 
 Like one that wraps the draperv of his couch 
 About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." 
 
FEB. 13 1903 
 
 Xest we forget. 
 
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