Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Adele Smith to Harriet Anna Yancey, April 15, 1925

Education--other | Holidays, birthdays and celebrations | Music and the Arts | Place--Hampton, VA | Place--New York | Segregation, racism and race relations

Adele Smith tells Harriet Yancey, her future mother in law, about her preparations for graduation. She also mentions the Tuskegee endowment campaign fund and Billy Sunday's refusal to speak to an integrated audience.

To: Mrs. Harriett A. Yancey
916 Grant Avenue
Plainfield, N.J.
From: B. Adele Smith
Hampton Inst.
Hampton, Va
Postmark: Hampton Institute VA
April 16
[missing text]

April 15, 1925

Dear Mrs. Yancey,

You can't imagine how surprised I was to receive those lovely little handkerchiefs from you. I assure you that I highly appreciate your kind remembrance of me. I'm going to save the white one and use on my graduation day.

I am well at present, but somewhat tired; because we are quite busy preparing for Anniversary which is the 23rd and 24th of this month. I wish so much that you could be here, for, during this time we have so many interesting

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speakers who give us so much helpful information concerning social life.

I guess you have heard of the Hampton Tuskeegee endowment Fund campaigne which has been going on all winter. About two weeks ago two very radical articles were written concerning this campaigne by a white man. For a while, we felt as if some serious trouble would be the outcome. Our principal took such a noble stand that now things seem to be quiet. Just about the same time Billy Sunday was expected to address the student body, but when he came over he was not willing to speak

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to the colored and white together so the school refused him the opportunity of speaking at all.

This coming Friday night we are expecting the smallest symphony orchestra in the world from New York.

I received the sweet little Easter card. It happened that we had to go to school, so it didn't seem much like Easter to me.

I do hope that you are happy and enjoying the best of health these spring days.

I received a letter and also an Easter card from Roger Saturday.

Lovingly,
Adele.

P.S. I shall love to hear from you at any time when you have the chance to write.

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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