Clay County AlArchives History - Schools .....The Bethel Institute 1874
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Linda Ayres http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007674 November 3, 2022, 4:57 pm

It is unknown when the Bethel Institute was incorporated, it is thought the 
Bethel Institute may have been the old The Chulafinnee Academy which was in the 
same general area. 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/history/schools/chulafinnee.txt

In 1874 
Prof H.M. Evans was the principal and Mrs. Julia Smarr was his assistant.

The Montgomery Advertiser
Chulafinnee, Ala., July 19, 1875. Editors Advertiser: 
I had the pleasure, on the 16th inst., of attending the Examination Exercises of 
Bethel Male and Female Institute, situated 4 1/2 miles south of  Chulafinnee, 
and about the same distance North of Delta, Clay County, in proximity to the 
line of this and Clay County, but a little on the Clay side, though we 
"Cleburnites" claim as much share in it as the "Claytonians." 
It is presided over by Prof. H. M. Evans, formerly of Bowden GA college, 
assisted by Miss Julia Smar.

Clay County Watchman Sep 17, 1886: 
Prof. John M. Leveritt's school at Bethel Institute, closed on Friday, the 3rd 
inst., with an exhibition at night.
We have yet to hear of the first complaint, while many pronounced it is the best 
exhibition ever held at the Institute. 
Much of the success is perhaps due to the excellent music rendered by Misses 
Mollie and Mattie Garrison, of Lineville, and Miss Rosa Lee Evans, of Ashland, 
and Prof J. J. Reynolds, Notwithstanding the success of the students in their 
speaker recitations &c the Prof said they were not as good as they would have 
been had his assistant stayed until the close of the school. The Trustees meet a 
few days ago and re-elected J. M. Leveritt and Miss Anna Spikes for the ensuing 
year. This goes to prove that they gave satisfaction, Amans Puello

1887
Prof. J.H. Riddle principal.

1888
Profs W.A. & J.W. Striplin, with 60 students 

1889
Prof Cecil E. Evans principal.

1890
Prof. Lee Holdridge principal.

May 11, 1893, Cleburne Era:
A very good school bell has been bought for Bethel Institute and at the opening 
of the next term of school there will be no reason for tardiness on account of 
not knowing when to start to school.

1894:
Prof J.M. Leveritt principal.

189--1905 Prof. Young Barnhill principal.

1914 
There were 95 white students and 11 colored students.

The Bethel Institute closed after 1924. 

Additional Comments:
If you have ever looked at a census record in Clay, Cleburne or Randolph County 
and you see someone listed in the household as a "student" and you wonder who is 
this person? This person is not related to my family. 
This child was a student at one of the Academies in the county, his or her 
parents were paying tuition to the Academy, plus paying a Christian family in 
the community to broad their child. Families also rented rooms to teachers.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/clay/history/schools/bethelin457gms.txt

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