The Lincoln School For Colored Children

EDITOR’S NOTE: In 1881 Crawfordsville School Trustees ordered a school be built at the southwest corner of Spring and North Walnut Streets to serve black students in grades 1-8. Once graduated, the students attended the integrated Crawfordsville High School. This site accommodated the vast majority of black families living in Crawfordsville’s north end. Trustees purchased the lot in September 1881 for $2,000. On Dec. 3, 1881, Hinckley and Norris won the contract to build the building for $6,400. The architects designed a plain two-story red brick structure with playgrounds for all the black children who resided in that area. Lincoln School officially opened in September 1882 with 42 students. When the black population moved to the east end to work in the factories, Linclon Building 1 was renovated into Horace Mann, and Linclon Build 2 was opened on East Wabash Avenue. That building became Lincoln Rec Center and was demolished in 1981. This project began as a project historical research project to honor all those individuals who went to school in separate and unequal facilities as the law dictated.

Wycliffe (various spellings) Smith

1868/1869 – 1932

Wycliffe Smith was born in Kentucky in approximately 1868/1869 to his inferred mother, Ellen, a housekeeper. Nothing is known about his father.

How and why he chose Crawfordsville as his home is unknown, but once here, Wycliffe wasted no time becoming involved in the community. In March 1888, he became the newly formed Republican Lincoln Club secretary. In June 1890, he graduated from Crawfordsville High School as one of 24 graduates. He and classmate Henry L Brown were refused entry into the post-graduation celebrations because they were both Black. By August 1890, he had established himself as a poet and headed to Hoopeston, Illinois, where he had secured a position in a canning factory. Little is known about his work in Hoopeston, but by July 1883, he had returned to Crawfordsville and was elected a trustee of the Bethel AME Church.

By January 1894, Wycliffe had honed his debating ability. The local chapter of the Wayman Literary Club sponsored a debate centering around the question, “Is capital punishment justifiable?” Wycliffe and his partner, GA Drake, won handily. On 7 March 1894, Wycliffe and GA continued on the debate circuit. This time, the Douglas Literary Society of Danville, Illinois, debated the topic “Resolved, that a division of the Negro vote will be a benefit.”

Wycliffe’s life was to take a dramatic turn when in January 1898, the U.S. Steamship Maine sunk. Wycliffe chose to enlist, becoming secretary to Captain Charles (Edwin) Winter of the 161st Indiana Regiment. He served in Jacksonville, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, and Havana, Cuba.

On 7 September 1898, Wycliffe, now a college graduate and law student, penned a letter to his sister. He shared details about the challenging weather conditions, the deplorable living situations of the locals, and that he was suffering from malaria. “It rains here every day and is very disagreeable for about an hour, then the sun comes out, and the air is filled with steam, then before night, it seems impossible to presume that it has rained for months. The mud here is spongy and like rubber; the soil is very poor. The people are impoverished and distressed; some are half-clothed, and some are starving. Their houses are poorly constructed, boarded up with coconut bark, and covered with palm leaves. The upper class is but little better. Window glass is a thing of the past. The windows are covered with iron bars and represent a jail or penitentiary. They keep their pigs, chickens, and horses in the house. No wonder there is so much sickness, for this is certainly a dirty place, and there is always an obnoxious smell. Here and there can be seen breastworks and rifle pits where the Spaniards and Cubans fought. When I am made an eyewitness to so much distress and want, I am hungry and am dying to come home and see you. We are amid coconuts, oranges, lemons, and bananas, and such fruits as these are very cheap. But meat, rice and such are very dear. Cigars are worth three and four for five cents; they are so cheap and plentiful that men and women smoke them. I bought two poll parrots and named one Lou and the other Cora. I’m going to bring several of them home when I come. There is so much to tell that I can’t tell it all now. May God bless America, the paradise of the world.”

By 25 October 1898, the 161st Indiana regiment spent ten long weeks in Savannah, Georgia, after their return from Havana, Cuba. By this time, Wycliffe had earned the status of Major but was sent home ill and unable for duty. The acting chief surgeon of the Seventh Army Corps had diagnosed him with typhoid fever. Once back in Crawfordsville, Wycliffe resumed his community activities, speaking to the Booker T Washington Club. His speech graphically described his experience as a soldier in Cuba.

11 April 1900, Wycliffe decided it was time to marry. The Danville News reported, “Mr. Wycliffe Smith, Porter at the Aetna House, and Miss Louisa Gillick, 407 Harmon Avenue, sprung a surprise on their many friends yesterday when they drove to Covington and were united in marriage. Both are very popular in colored society, and all wish them a happy and prosperous future”. Louisa brought two daughters into the marriage, Hallie and Lorene. The couple settled into Louisa’s home on Hartman Avenue in Danville, Illinois, for several years after.

Wycliffe died in October 1932.