In Their Own Words
November 29, 1847
Death of Student and Gifts Recorded
Dr. William N. White, a New York educator who had come to Atlanta to open a school, had opened a small academy with 25 students in October. In his journal he described the death of one of his students, as well as commented on a traditional student gift to teachers, along with one unique gift:
“Little Isaac Humphries, one of my pupils, died last night after an illness of but four days. he was a bright and pretty little fellow, and I shall miss him very much indeed. I dismissed school about three o’clock so that we might attend the funeral. I addressed them for a few moments on the subject of death, and they seemed much affected.
“My little pupils are as docile and affectionate as children can be. I have about a peck of apples from their bountiful donations. I almost always go home with a pocketful, which they lay upon my desk. Herman, a little German, having no apples brought me some cigars… .”
Source: Franklin M. Garrett, Atlanta and Environs: A Chronicle of Its People and Events (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1969 reprint of 1954 original volume), Vol. I, p. 250.
