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established numbering at least one hundred scholars

[[left margin]] Houston & Sparta [[/left margin]] 
The colored people of both Houston and Sparta are sadly neglecting education, the white give them no encouragement, consequently they are loth to put forth any efforts themselves, A good school might be established at Houston numbering from Seventy five to one hundred scholars, also at Sparta. of about the same size, but much exertion upon the part of the teachers would be required in both places. The colored people say that the white people would break up a school established at either place, I doubt this however, but presume they would not encourage it until by practical illustrations, they were convinced of its benefit not only to the colored people but also to themselves. If public meetings could be held at each of these places, and education advocated by good speakers, it would do much toward allaying the present prejudices.

[[left margin]] Schools in the Rural Districts [[/left margin]]
Educational interests do not prosper very well in the rural districts of this County, a prejudice exists against educating the freedmen which is difficult to overcome. The planter seems deaf to argument – no better illustration can be given than the quotation from Goldsmiths deserted Village "E'en though vanquished he could argue still." There is however one exception, which really does me good to write of; I refer to the school
[[left margin]] Miss Blackmans School [[/left margin]]
taught by Miss Blackman of Philadelphia, on the Plantation owned by Dr Tucker, near Okolona. This School was established in November 1866 and had an average attendance of over Two Hundred scholars; in July last it closed for a vacation, Miss Blackman and her assistants are now North upon a visit but will soon return to reopen the school, From information derived from others I should judge that it would compare 

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favorably with any colored school in the State.

[[left margin]] Former School on Col Gordons Plantation. [[/left margin]]
There was formerly a very good school located on the Plantation of Col Gordon about seven miles from Okolona. This school was broken up by the efforts of some colored people on the place, they claiming that it required too much of the laborers times to the detriment of the crops. Col Gordon intends to take steps toward re-establishing the school.

[[left margin]] Monroe Co Aberdeen [[/left margin]]
At the time this inspection was made Monroe County was a portion of this Sub District although now detached.
At Aberdeen are located two flourishing schools, one conducted by Mr Backenstose (white) and the other by Mr Stewart (colored)

Both schools are conducted under the modern system, and [[strikethrough]] go [[/strikethrough]] rapid advance of inteligence among the pupils is the result.

At least fifty per cent of the scholars in both schools are advanced to the study of arithmetic.

[[left margin]] Location in Rural Districts [[/left margin]]
The majority of Planters in this County entertain liberal views toward education, many have promised to encourage schools. In several instances I received promises of future correspondence relative to the establishment of schools. I feel confident that my visit to this county has done much good.

Mrs Alexander promised to establish a school upon her plantation and have her daughter as a teacher. Also to advise me after it was in operation.

Mrs Fanny Willis has also made arrangements to have a school upon her place which will accomodate from thirty to forty scholars. A teacher has already been applied for through this Bureau