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From A Maine Woman Goes South, letters transcribed by Jean F. Hankins in 2003. This installment contains 14 letters. Historical dates appear with each letter; the article retains the original collection’s publication date.
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, Lee Academy, February 3, 1926
Source: PDF page 97; printed page 91.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 4,1926 Heading: Spelman, Atlanta, Wednesday
Dearest Marmie,
I was ever so pleased this morning to receive a watch bracelet and a lovely ivory soap dish-Winifred's and Moult's Christmas presents...
It seems so good on every day except Tuesday and Thursday to be through at one- thirty. But this is the very first day since my schedule changed that I've come back to my room. I've been either over to the lab or down to the dentist's. He did do quite a lot of my teeth, and it seems to be good work.
... They are operating on Mr. Everingham this afternoon. Marjorie is awfully worried...
I told you, didn't I, that my biggest freshman class in Algebra has been divided. I have only thirteen now, and we have accomplished more than we did for the whole first semester since we made the change. It is my biology, however, that I like especially well. What do you think about my applying for the college biology position next year if I am asked to come back and decide to do so? I should probably have to take a summer course somewhere, but I would get enough more in my salary to cover that expense. That would mean that I wouldn't be home any from the first of August but I would be home both before and after that. Of course there is only a chance of their asking me back-and whether I come or not will depend somewhat on whether or not you come too. I hope so that Marion will come too. I know how Mrs. Cummings and Gordon feel about it. I wish that they could come see the college and the girls, and I think that they would feel differently about it. I've never for one minute been sorry that I came. It's not a very wild life that we lead but we always find some way of amusing ourselves. Of course it is a very "she-ish" place, but Marion wouldn't mind that....
We just heard that Mr. Everingham came out from under the ether all right...
Three of the girls have just been over here in my room-it's evening now. We aren't supposed to have them come over, and when they call I can't very well send them away. Just think of it, some of them haven't been off the campus since September, and they are just crazy to talk to someone besides students about something besides studies.
Have you thought any more about what you are going to be doing spring vacation. I hope that you will plan to go down to John's...
Heaps of love, Your own, Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, February 7, 1926
Source: PDF page 98; printed page 92.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 8,1926
Dearest "Momma,"
(These great big college girls always say "Momma" and "Poppa" yet.)
... This morning I went with two of the girls (teachers) in to the Methodist church. Several years ago the Southern Methodist church which had rather more hidebound beliefs on race and other matters split from the Northern Methodists. This church is a Northern Methodist church so there are quite a few Northern people there.
Tomorrow I get a holiday from teaching. Each year Spelman sends out some teachers from each department to visit the rural schools and I'm going from the High School this year. One of the Junior High School teachers and 1 go with a colored woman who has charge of the work. We won't be able of course to ride with her on the train but we'll be with her after we get there. We will be gone all day long. I think that it will be quite interesting.
Yesterday afternoon we gave a party to the high school girls. I never laughed so hard in my life as I laughed at some of the stunts they put on. They are geniuses at acting. I helped some of them with a stunt in which one girl was a doctor. I overheard them talking later. One of the girls asked the "Doctor,"
"Have you a degree?" "Yes, I have a degree." "What is it?" "B.N." "What is that for?" "Big Nigger."
Friday evening we heard the Morehouse Glee Club. They gave a splendid program. Their musical director is quite a wonder; he has studied abroad for several years....
Lots of love, Your own Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, Colby College, February 7, 1926
Source: PDF page 99; printed page 93.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 8, 1926 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Sweet Potato,
Do you not know that you owe me a letter, and my book of etiquette says that letters should be answered.
I bet you wish today that you were T-out walking around with no coat and the dandelions all blossomed again. We walked into town this morning, and it was wonderful.
Guess what I got day before yesterday! An announcement of Evelyn Marriner and Stanley Estes' engagement. You don't know Stanley, do you. Irma does though. They hadn't met each other when I was there in the fall so that's pretty quick work. She was going around with a most desirable young sheik then and she picked out Stanley! You can't down a good man! I imagine that they will be married soon probably.
We had a social for the girls yesterday afternoon. They looked awfully nice when they got all dressed up. I never laughed harder at some of the stunts they put on. I helped them with one in which one of the girls was a doctor. I heard her talking with one of the girls afterward. The other girl said, "Say, doctor, what's your degree?"
"B.N." "What does that degree stand for?" "Big Nigger."
I'm going to get a day off from teaching tomorrow. They are sending some of the teachers out to visit the rural schools, and I'm going from the High School. Another teacher and I go with a colored superintendent, that is we'll be together after we get there, of course we can't ride together. We take our lunch so it will seem just like a picnic.
You had better persuade Mother to go to John and Sade's [for] spring vacation. That would give her a change, and I think that you would enjoy it too.
Have you begun initiating yet?
Give my love to all the folks. Love to you Jumbo, Sambo.
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, February 9, 1926
Source: PDF page 100; printed page 94.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 10, 1926 Heading: Tuesday Evening.
Dearest Mother,
I wanted to write last night but I was too tired. Right after breakfast yesterday Miss Perry came and she and Mrs. Walker and Anne and I started out. Miss Perry has charge of the colored grade schools in Fulton county. She is colored, of course, but she is white. I liked her ever so much.
The first school which we visited was about two miles out of the city. That was out in Marietta, a part of the city which I had not seen before. As we were riding along in the car, I saw what I thought was a red clay road. Then I discovered that it was water and learned later from Mrs. Walker that it was water pumped in from the Chatahoocee, and is the water which we drink. It was a real bright brick red, and was dirtier than any mud puddle which you ever saw. The water works where they purify it are out there in Marietta. The school there at
Blairtown was a fairly good school. It had two rooms with two teachers, both Spelman graduates. The location was poor but the building was good.
The next school which we visited was one of the best in the county. It is a new building which cost $4000. That is quite a school house considering the fact that the state gives no aid to colored school[s] and the county not much. We stopped there for our lunch. The children were very bright and the teachers were good: from Spelman, A.U., Clark, and Morris Brown.
About half past twelve we took the car again and went out in another direction. We got off the car and started walking up a road. For a while we passed fairly good looking houses. Then the road began to resemble a cowpath. It is just about like all country roads around here, I guess. The country was just about like the clearest part of our Stone pasture road. Now and then, scattered in among the trees, were old shacks where the negroes lived. Then we came out into the clearing where there were two shanties. The first had a bell on it. Miss Perry took us inside. There were no doors nor windows. Up front there was an old box with a piece of black cambric on it, and a few benches. The roof was all frill of cracks, and the walls were all ready to fall in. I supposed that it was some old deserted building, but Miss Peny says that it is the church in which those people have services each Sunday.
The other building was the school house. It was in just about the same condition as the church except that it had doors and windows. The desks were made of old boxes. There were some old pieces of black board hung around on the wall. We noticed later that there was a bird's nest in one corner. We asked the teacher how the birds got in to build and she told us to look around and see. They wouldn't have much trouble in finding a way in. The poor little kids were so glad to see us. When the door opened and they saw that visitors had come they all began to clap. I think, though, that it rather frightened them to see us white people.
The teacher was just about sick with an awful cough. Mrs. Walker and Miss Perry took her classes for the rest of the afternoon, but from what I heard her teach, I think that she must be an excellent teacher. There are over fifty enrolled in the school but she says that she never has an attendance of over thirty-five. Many of them come from more than three miles away and no transportation for colored children is provided anywhere in the state. Some of the children were just getting into school then, at about three o'clock in the afternoon. She said that they came whenever they could. Of course the children were very shabby for those people must be desperately poor. Miss Perry was asking one little girl why her sister wasn't there that day and the little girl said that she had no shoes. Whatever books they have, they furnish themselves. In some classes of nine or ten there were only two or three books. Mustn't it be awful to fry to teach reading to a class of ten or twelve and have only four books in the class and each one of those different? The children were very bright. There is one who will make a Booker T. Washington if he doesn't get discouraged-poor chap. Anne took a picture of them and that pleased them a lot. The teacher told us that during the eleven years which she had taught there only [blank space left] had finished seventh grade.
...I saw by the Lewiston paper which John [Pottle] sent today, an account of the Roland
Hayes concert. I'm glad that he was so well received. The colored people think the world of him... Heaps of love, Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, Lee Academy, February 14, 1926
Source: PDF page 102; printed page 96.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 15,1926 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Dearest Marmie,
It seems as if some of my letters are getting lost in the mail. I'm quite sure that there has been no week since I came down that I haven't written at least two letters. Of course they may have been delayed by the storm-
Friday was a holiday here at school, although, of course, it wasn't in Atlanta. Five of us teachers climbed Mount Kennesaw. We took the car out to Marietta-about an hour's ride, walked about two miles to the foot of the mountain and climbed it. We found a nice place and a lot of wood on top for our fire. We cooked steak, and it was so good. The mountain is an historical place. There was a battle there at the time of the war and the embankments look as if they had only just been built up. It must have been an awful place to fight for, now with the leaves off the trees, one can see down the whole mountain side. There wasn't very much of a chance to hide.
Mr. Everingham was operated upon again that day so Marjorie wasn't able to go with us... they seem to think...that he is going to be all right in time.
I went to a social at one of the Methodist churches with two of the teachers last evening. I met a girl, a teacher at Clark, who has worked at Summit Springs Hotel for several summers. I imagine that Moult may have met her. She said that she used to go to the Tripp Lake dances quite a lot. Her name is Miriam Earls.
I taught Marjorie's Sunday School class this morning. The girls asked me if I would take them walking around the campus on the outside. So I asked Miss Lamson if I might, but she thought that it would be better not to. It is a beautiful day. Spring is really almost here I guess...
It won't be long now before they will begin checking up on who is coming back next year. I'm so much in hopes that there are going to be chances for both you and Marion, and that Marion will decide to come.
Heaps of love to my dear mother, Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Betsy Kemp, Oxford, Maine, February 14, 1926
Source: PDF page 103; printed page 97.
Postmark: Feb. 15, 1926 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Dear Auntie,
I didn't suppose that I'd ever miss the snow, but your letter made me want to bundle up and go out in a real Maine snowstorm...
Lincoln's Birthday isn't a Southern Holiday, but we had it here at school. Five of us teachers climbed Kennesaw mountain and had a picnic up there. On the way out we saw an old slave market. It is quite dilapidated now, but it is a stone building and has bars over all the windows.
Four months from now I will be home.
Much love to you all, Nellie Sam
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, Lee Academy, February 18, 1926
Source: PDF page 103; printed page 97.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, February 18,1926
Dearest Mother,
Your Sunday letter didn't get here until this afternoon this week. Usually it comes Thursday morning.
I feel just as if I had been home last evening. I told you, I think, that Pudge wrote me that her father was coming through in the Maine party. Just as soon as my last class was over yesterday afternoon I began calling the Ansley Hotel. The party was supposed to get there at two o'clock, but the train was very late. When I called just before dinner they weren't there, but during dinner Mr. McDonald called up for me to come down to the Ansley right after dinner. So I took Majjorie with me and we went down. The Ansley is a big hotel. The Maine people had not engaged rooms, so when we inquired of them to check for Mr. McDonald he couldn't tell us where to find him, and he didn't seem particularly anxious to help us. Just as we were wondering how we were ever going to find him, we saw Governor Brewster standing talking with some people. So, when they left and he didn't seem particularly busy, we summoned up our courage and spoke to him. He was very nice when he found that we were Maine girls and sent a man to get Mr. McDonald for us.
It seemed so good to see Mr. McDonald. Pudge is just like him. He had rather expected me to meet him at the train. He said that when he first got off he saw this girl standing there whom he thought might be I, so he went up and asked, "Is this Miss Pottle?" She snapped back, "No, it isn't." He said that he looked again, and she had on about four inches of paint on her cheeks and as much on her lips and he said (in a rather sarcastic tone, I imagine), "No, I guess it isn't."
He asked a policeman about Spelman-he'd forgotten the name. But the policeman, being a white man, didn't give him much satisfaction, but from a porter at the hotel he found out the name of the college so he got me all right. We stayed up at the hotel quite a little while Mr. Bunker, a wealthy old bachelor, fairly shimmering with diamonds, a banker from Bangor, joined us. At about eight o'clock the four of us went down to the train. Marjorie and I felt pretty big stepping out with two gentlemen friends. There were eleven pullman cars, I don't know but what there were more on the train, and an observation car, with chairs, a piano, a radio, victrola, and all the fixings. We had ginger ale, which came from up Rumford way somewhere. Poland Spring water and Maine apples and fruit which Florida people had donated [to] the party.
It was so good to talk to Maine folks about Maine people and affairs. And it seemed so good to talk with white people who really treated you as if you were a human being. Even worse than being looked down upon-they don't treat us that way-is the way the people here try to be so awfully nice to us. Sometimes they try so hard to show us that they don't look down on us that they overdo it. It was good to see someone who was just natural. I'm positive that Maine's the best state and that Maine folks are the best folks in the Union.
Heaps of love to my dearest Marmie. Her Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Estelle Pottle, Colby College, February 19, 1926
Source: PDF page 104; printed page 98.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 24, 1926 Heading: Spelman, Friday
Well old Grumbo,
I'm not a bit poorer than I was before your marks came out. Not one buck do I have to send you. [Nellie had promised Estelle $1 for each A.] Just the same your marks were pretty good. But to uphold the honor and dignity of the Pottle family you had better squeeze in a few A's. You may be a Phi Bete in spite of yourself, Jumbo, old boy. I guess that I'll send fifty dollars towards your next term bill.
I never was so glad to see anybody in my life as I was to see Mr. McDonald Wednesday. Marjorie and I had the best time. We went down to the Ansley, that's a swell hotel, as Mr. McDonald had told us to do, right after dinner. Mr. McDonald had a Mr. Bunker, a rich old bachelor from Bangor, all shimmering with diamonds, for Marjorie, so we each had a boyfriend. We talked with Governor Brewster and other prominent members of the party. Then we went down to the train and they entertained us in the observation car until the train left. It surely was good to see some good old state of Maine folks.
On the 26th I shall think of you all. I shall weep. I want to be there too.
Say tell me about the cider episode when you write again.
John wrote that Leland James wants you to help him team Old Madge during spring vacation. You had better persuade Mother to come down to McFalls [Mechanic Falls] for spring vacation. She needs a change.
It's a shame about Doris Brown's father. Will Doris go home to live now?
How soon does your spring vacation come?
Has True got a Deke pin yet? I like her little notes on the end of your letters.
John wrote that Auntie Elliot had the whooping cough. It's no laughing matter. It might have been serious.
Wish I had you here to take to a show tonight. I'd take you down to Blossom Time.
Write once in a while again Picyune. Love, Sambo
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, February 20, 1926
Source: PDF page 105; printed page 99.
Postmark: Atlanta, Feb. 21,1926 Heading: Spelman, Sunday
Dearest Marmie,
I didn't get up for breakfast this morning so I'm going to be real lazy and write my letter to you in bed.
...Friday night Marjorie and I went to see "Blossom Time." Galli Curci was here but we wanted something a little less highbrow. Nearly all the plays, musical comedies, etc., come to the Atlanta, the oldest theatre in the city. The prices of the good seats downstairs are two or three dollars but we "rush seats," you have to go quite early to be there when the door opens. There is an awful crowd waiting and the minute that the door opens one rushes in and buys the tickets while the others in the party start pushing through the crowd to get seats. They are in the gallery but the ones which aren't too far back are good-and you can see any play they have there for fifty cents in that way. It's the most human crowd I've seen anywhere in Atlanta-mostly young Georgia Tech fellows and girls who haven't the price of the downstairs seats. Everybody eats candy and jokes and it is a nice good natured crowd.
[Summary of the plot of "Blossom Time."]
Yesterday here was another beautiful day and so is today. I am going to get up soon and get ready to go to church. I've taken quite a liking to the Methodist Church here. We went down to a supper Thursday evening and had a very good time. We heard Bishop Hughs speak, too, and he is excellent.
... You were asking in one letter how those negro schools are supported. The white people of course do not help them so almost all of the money the negro people in the town raise among themselves.
Heaps of love, Your own, Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Betsy Kemp, February 21, 1926
Source: PDF page 106; printed page 100.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, February 21,1926
Dear Auntie,
...Last Wednesday during dinner, Mr. McDonald, Grace and Alice's father, called up. The Maine party reached Atlanta about half-past three. I went down to the Ansley hotel where they were staying right after dinner. We went inside, Marjorie Everingham and I, and who should we see there but Governor Ralph O. Brewster. His familiar face looked pretty good to us. During the course of the evening we shook hands and talked with him. Mr. McDonald found us after a while. I don't believe that I was ever gladder to see anyone in my life-or probably won't be gladder to see anyone until I see you home folks in the spring.
They were just beginning the banquet when we got there. Mr. McDonald came out as soon as he could. He said that he was tired and sick of banquets. Everywhere they had been on the trip people had given them banquets. Fried chicken-a whole half of a small chicken-is considered a great treat down here and so they had been given those at most of the banquets. Mr. McDonald said that he had gotten so tired of those "pigeons." They were going to have a banquet for them in Portland when they got home and Mr. McDonald said he was hoping that they would give them some good baked beans.
There was such a crowd around the hotel that Mr. McDonald and a Mr. Bunker from Bangor took us back down to the train. There were fourteen pullman cars on the train, I think. We went into the observation car. In there they had a piano, a radio, a victrola, and eveiything. All Mrs. Brewster's flowers which they had given her in various places were there, too, and there were some beautiful ones. We stayed there until the train went at nine o'clock. It surely seemed good to see some Maine folks.
... I'm going to take charge of one of the halls this afternoon so that the hall mother can go for an automobile ride. Love to you all, Nellie Sam
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, Lee Academy, February 24, 1926
Source: PDF page 107; printed page 101.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, February 24, 1926
Dearest Marmie,
I'm over at Tapley again tonight with Anna. This is exam week again, so we are busy correcting papers, etc. I went down to see Mr. Everingham this afternoon. He seems much better.
Your letter came Monday. It is lovely of the missionary circle to plan to make the pillow cases. I haven't been able to see Miss Tapley yet but I will try to before I mail this letter.
[Written later.] When Anna and I came out of Tapley last night it was pouring. We had no umbrella, so we got soaked. I wish that you could be here today. It is beautiful...
Heaps of love, Your Sammy
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, February 25, 1926
Source: PDF page 107; printed page 101.
Heading: Spelman College, February 25,1926
Dearest Marmie,
Your letter came on schedule time this morning...
I went to see Miss Tapley about the pillowcases this afternoon. She said that the 40 in. cloth or the 20 in. tubing would be absolutely all right. They prefer the bleached material. She said that she thought those made with the seam wear better, but it really made no other difference. She was very much pleased to think that the Lee people were planning to make something for Spelman.
I'm sending the letter which came to me today. Miss Tapley is exceedingly nice. I feel quite complimented to think that they want me back. Whether I come or not will depend on whether you come too. There will be a chance of being hall mother in one hall, I think. But I don't know as you would care to do that. It isn't a bad job. The girls are all out of the hall from eight-thirty to three every day but Saturday and Sunday, so you have your days free. From seven-fifteen until a quarter past nine each night you have them in study hall. That's the worst part of it. You couldn't get off evenings. But I could take your hall for you sometimes. You would have to inspect their rooms, read their mail etc. Marion and I could both get rooms in your hall, I think.
... It's eleven o'clock and the dogs are still barking. They have the awfulI est grade of mongrel curs around here. They howl all night.
It never bothers me unless I happen to be sitting up.
I feel awfully happy to think that you want to see me even if you can't, and I want to see you just as badly. Heaps of love, Sammy.
Nellie Pottle to Annette K. Pottle, February 28, 1926
Source: PDF page 108; printed page 102.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, February 28, 1926
Dearest Ma,
... I heard Sousa and his band yesterday afternoon. The program was very very good. Sousa is a very imposing old man. Sometimes band or orchestra directors act awfully foolishly but he was very calm. Some of his own compositions like "The Stars and Stripes" surely have the march in them when his band plays.
After the concert I went over to A.U. and stayed all night with Ruth. She is expecting her mother down Friday to stay through March. I wish that you were coming too. I presume that March will be our best month.
On the way back this morning I stopped at the Murphys. That is the colored family of whom I think so much. Mrs. Murphy's brother has charge of the big hospital at Tuskeegee. She is very anxious for me to go out to visit the school sometime. They do use the white visitors who come there wonderfully, and I suppose that Tuskeegee is one of the most famous institutions in the world.
Our college girls gave their play Friday evening. For an amateur production it was the best thing that I had ever seen. Miss Munroe did wonderfully well coaching it. I want Marion to come down and put on just as good a one next year-and you to be in the audience watching it.
I don't want very much to go to church this afternoon, but I guess that I'd better. I'd like to hear Mr. Bullen preach a sermon.
I guess that Marion couldn't have written that letter which she was planning to...
Heaps of love, Nellie Sam
Nellie Pottle to Betsy Kemp, February 28, 1926
Source: PDF page 109; printed page 103.
Heading: Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, February 28, 1926
Dear Auntie,
... We didn't have Washington's birthday off. The only holidays that we have here are Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Day, Lincoln's Birthday, and Founder's Day. There wouldn't be very much to do if we did have vacations here, so I had just about as soon have it as it is and get through earlier in June.
I stayed over with Ruth Kemp last night. She is expecting her mother to come Friday. She is going to stay for a whole month.
Yesterday afternoon I heard Sousa and his band. They are wonderfid. I like band music anyway and they are especially good.
I'm glad that ma has really made up her mind not to go back to Lee next year. I have been trying to persuade her not to go back. It's too hard work to do for a very long time. I am trying to persuade her to go down to John's for spring vacation...
I hope that I'll get another letter from you soon.
Love, Nellie Sam
Source and transcription
Original complete PDF, transcribed by Jean F. Hankins, 2003. Original spelling, bracketed notes, and omissions marked with dots are retained. This web edition was extracted from the scanned transcription; consult the PDF when an exact reading is important.