After having had a preliminary sketch of the needed building made,
we found that it would cost about ten thousand dollars. We had no
money whatever with which to begin; still we decided to give the
needed building a name. We knew we could name it, even though we were
in doubt about our ability to secure the means for its construction.
We decided to call the proposed building Alabama Hall, in honour of
the state in which we were labouring. Again Miss Davidson began
making efforts to enlist the interest and help of the coloured and
white people in and near Tuskegee. They responded willingly, in
proportion to their means. The students, as in the case of our first
building, Porter Hall, began digging out the dirt in order to allow
the laying of the foundations.
When we seemed at the end of our resources, so far as securing
money was concerned, something occurred which showed the greatness of
General Armstrong -- something which proved how far he was above the
ordinary individual. When we were in the midst of great anxiety as to
where and how we were to get funds for the new building, I received a
telegram from General Armstrong asking me if I could spend a month
travelling with him through the North, and asking me, if I could do
so, to come to Hampton at once.
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