PROF. J. R. REYNOLDS.

J. R. Reynolds, elected principal of Gilbert Academy

J. R. Reynolds, recently elected principal of Gilbert Academy, Baldwin, Louisiana, was born near Madison, N. C., February 12, 1870. He was influenced to attend Bennett College, at Greensboro, N. C., one of the schools of the Freed men's Aid Society, by one of the students who lived near his home. He entered Bennett College, January, 1889, and was assigned to the fourth grade of the English Department, graduating from the college course with the class of 1895, having taught as assistant teacher during the last three years of his college work.

After serving for five years as principal of the Reidsville City school, he accepted the position of head of the mathematical department of Wiley University, where he has served successfully for the last twelve years.

When President Dogan was finishing the beautiful girls' dormitory, erected at a cost of $30,000, he desired it to be modern in every respect, heated by a private plant, and lighted by electricity. The city refusing to extend their wires out to the campus, Professor Reynolds took up the task of installing a private lighting plant.

He had no experience with electricity except some work in bell fitting, but soon after he spent several summers in the North studying the subject, besides taking a course in electrical engineering from a department of the Armour Institute.

An experimental plant was first installed, which showed the possibilities of a private system. And although the city finally extended their lines out to the campus and wired the buildings, yet the rates were so high that a plant was installed which lighted the buildings and grounds for a few years. The rapid growth of the school rendering this plant inadequate, a complete system was Installed which for six years has given splendid satisfaction.

In the year 1910 the engineering department of Wiley University being requested to execute a lighting contract for Boley, Oklahoma, Professor Reynolds took a group of his students and installed a system which lights the entire city and is a great success. It is the first and only complete commercial electric light and power system, in the United States owned, installed, and operated by- colored men.

Professor Reynolds will have ample opportunity at Gilbert Academy to work out his industrial bent and to develop the industrial possibilities of that institution, and we bespeak for him marked success in this new field of labor.

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