May 5, 1922 My dear Dr. Pammel:-- In response to your queries of recent date, I beg to reply as follows: 1st. Born at Diamond Grove, Mo., just as freedom was declared, in a little one roomed log shanty on my master, Moses Carvers farm. 2nd. My education was picked up here and there. Mr. and Mrs. Carver taught me to read, spell and write just a little. I went to Neosho, Mo., public school for about nine months, then to Fort Scott town school, for about the same length of time. From there, I went to Olathe, Kans., where I attended the town public school for about two years. Leaving here, I went to Minneapolis, Kansas, where I nearly finished my high school work. From here, I went to Indianola, Iowa, to Simpson College, where I took the College work and specialized in art and some music. From here I went to Ames, Iowa to take a course in Agriculture, persuaded to do so by my art teacher, Miss Etta M. Budd, to whom I am greatly indebted for whatever measure of success that has come to me. Miss Budd helped me in whatever way she could; often going far out of her way to encourage and see that I had such things as I needed. During my six years in College, her interest in me never waned. 3rd. I do not now recall the exact date. 4th. I did odd jobs of all kinds for a number of the professors; such as cutting wood; making gardens; working in the fields; helping clean house; taking care of the green house and the chemical, botanical and bacteriological laboratories.

5th. Came to Tuskegee Institute, and took charge of the Agricultural Department here; kept it about fifteen years, then was given charge of the Agricultural Research work. I have kept this work in connection with the Experiment Station ever since. 6th. I have no words to adequately express my impressions of dear old I.S.C. All I am and all I hope to be, I owe in a very large measure to this blessed institution. 7th. Beardshear, was one of the biggest and best hearted men I have ever known and it was so pleasant and uplifting to come in contact with him. Wilson, the name of Hon. James Wilson is sacred to me. He was one of the finest teachers that it has ever been my privilege to listen to. He taught a Sunday School class in which every student would have enrolled, if they had been allowed. The class grew so large that he conceived a very unique plan to divide it, so he graduated some twenty or twenty-five of us who had been with him the longest and to some, he gave classes. I happened to be one of the ones graduated. We all left him sad and reluctantly. We gave him to understand, in no uncertain terms, that we did not like it at all and out of our love for him, we went, but in less than two months we were all back again. Our displeasure grieved him very much and he said to me, many times that he would never try to divide his class again, no matter how large it got. Being a colored boy, and the crowded condition of the school, made it rather embarrassing for some, and it made the question of a room rather puzzling. Prof. Wilson said, as soon as he heard it, Send him to me, I have a room, and he gave me his office and was very happy in doing so.

Budd, was the father of Miss Etta Budd, heretofore mentioned, and my professor of Horticulture and a man much on the order of Prof. Wilson; kind, considerate, loving and loveable; a great teacher, and he made of his students his personal friends. Everybody loved Prof. Budd. Stanton, Stanty, as he was affectionately called, did all within his power to enthuse, and inspire me in the science of plane geometry; but, having such poor material to work with, his efforts were not crowned with very brilliant success, which of course was not his fault. Prof. Stanton was the finest teacher of Mathematics I have ever seen. He was universally loved by every one who had the privilege of knowing him. Osborn. Prof. Osborn, as we knew him, was an expert teacher of entomology, even in temperament, always ready to help a pupil who was really seeking information. Every one liked to go to his class and witness the ease and perfection with which he could draw insects, apparently with one hand as good as the other. He was also credited with the very rare accomplishment of being able to draw equally as well with both hands at the same time. I never knew him to get thoroughly out of patience but once, and that was with a member of the Sophomore class, with whom he had labored long and hard to enthuse with the beauty and usefulness of his subject. The question was to describe the nervous system of a beetle. The young fellow proceeded thus: The nervous system of a beetle begins with a number of ganglion on either side of the thorax and extends entirely down on either side of the backbone. You will agree with me, I am sure, that his disgust was perfectly justifiable. Many are the favors and kindinesses, I received at the hands of this good man. Miss Roberts was a teacher of rare ability. Her chief delight seemed to be that of helping the backward student. And many, many are the men and women today who rise up and call her blessed, for the help she gave them in more ways than one. I take especial delight in registering as one of that number. Prof. S. W. Byer was also one of my teachers whom I loved very dearly. The thing that possibly impressed me most was, his youthfulness, superior ability as a teacher in the broadest sense of the term. I longed to be, and wondered if I could ever be like him.

Prof. Marston was another very remarkable man, to whom I own much of my success; He was stern, exacting and with all this, the best of all was, that whatever mark he gave you, you may rest assured that you earned it. The success of the students in his particular line are the highest testimonials as to his ability as a teacher. Prof. Curtiss. Every young man wanted to be like Prof. Curtiss when they grew up, if they could; but the standard of excellence was set so high, it seemed well nigh impossible. Prof. Curtiss will never know in this world how much he inspired and helped me as a student; for which I am more thankful than any words of mine can express. Prof. D. A. Kent. Unfortunately for me, I only had Prof. Kent as a teacher for a short time. I would like to see the student with any brains who did not love Prof. Kent, indeed he was not only a good teacher but fatherly and made you feel so perfectly at home in his presence. Prof. H. Knapp, as we delighted to call him was a man of rare accomplishments and worth to every student. His advise was so wholesome, sound and I never in my entire six years at the College knew him to turn a student or anybody else away, without giving them good wholesome and inspiring advice when they needed it. I am now reaping rewards from advice he gave me when I first came to the Institution. Prof. H. Wallace is now Hon. Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The heights to which he has risen testifies more strongly than any words of mine can. No one missed Prof. Wallaces class, if they could help it. He was a born teacher; a man too big in heart, mind and soul to be little in any particular. He, like all of my teachers will never know how much he enthused and inspired me as a student.

Dr. Stalker. While I did not come directly under Dr. Stalker, as a pupil, I would put myself in his way every chance I got. I never found him too busy or too tired to talk with and advise me. He was a man of rare attainments; artistic in temperament; a great student of nature, and a man whose every presence was inspiring and uplifting. Prof. Bennett gave me my start in Chemistry for which I am very thankful. I wish he knew how much he helped a poor struggling colored boy. I am sure the great and good God will reward him accordingly. Miss Doolittle. To Miss Doolittle, one of the best teachers I have ever met, I owe a lasting debt of gratitude. No student missed Miss Doolittle's class unless compelled to do so. Miss Stacey. To Miss Stacey, I owe not only my knowledge of music; but many other useful things to round out my life, which shall always be a cherished and grateful legacy, to me. Prof. Patrick was my teacher of Agricultural Chemistry. His memory is loved and revered by me. He seemed to take special delight in giving me information, both in and out of the class room. Geo. W. Carver Research and Experiment Station