Andrew Carnegie, to be used for the purpose of erecting a new
library building. Our first library and reading-room were in a
corner of a shanty, and the whole thing occupied a space about
five by twelve feet. It required ten years of work before I was
able to secure Mr. Carnegie's interest and help. The first time I
saw him, ten years ago, he seemed to take but little interest in
our school, but I was determined to show him that we were worthy
of his help. After ten years of hard work I wrote him a letter
reading as follows:
December 15, 1900.
Mr. Andrew Carnegie, 5 W. Fifty-first St., New York.
Dear Sir: Complying with the request which you made of me when I
saw you at your residence a few days ago, I now submit in writing
an appeal for a library building for our institution.
We have 1100 students, 86 officers and instructors, together with
their families, and about 200 coloured people living near the
school, all of whom would make use of the library building.
We have over 12,000 books, periodicals, etc., gifts from our
friends, but we have no suitable place for them, and we have no
suitable reading-room.
Our graduates go to work in every section of the South, and
whatever knowledge might be obtained in the library would serve
to assist in the elevation of the whole Negro race.
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