George Woods: A Whittier State School Cadet Part 2

In an earlier post, we were introduced to a Whittier State School cadet by the name of George Woods who attended the school from 1899 to 1906.  George was popular among the boys and staff because of his humor and artistic talent.  The story ended with a lament that there was no information about George after he left the Whittier State School.  I am now happy to report that there is some additional information to share.  Credit for finding this information goes to local artist, historian, and friend of the Museum, Vicki Schramm.  The main source of this article is a lengthy profile of George Woods published in the Los Angeles Times on August 5, 1906 titled, “Life’s Funny Side is His.”

Because of his position in the printing shop, George was often able to interact with visitors to the School.  One day, George met an important visitor, Margaret Murray Washington.  Margaret’s husband was the famous orator, educator, and presidential adviser Booker T. Washington.  Mrs. Washington was a principal at the school that was led by her husband, the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute.  (As an aside, Mrs. Washington had the opportunity to become a highly educated woman because she had been raised by a Quaker couple since the age of seven.)  George, of course, immediately captivated Mrs. Washington and she decided to offer him a spot at the Tuskegee Institute.

George was awarded a discharge from the Whittier State School, which was preferable over a parole because it came with $5 in cash and a suit of clothes.  Additionally, the officers at the school took up a collection in order to give George a little extra money.  Several months had passed between George’s release in May and the article’s publication in August, 1906.  Although George had not written to anyone back at the Whittier State School, Booker T. Washington himself had written twice to say that George was doing well and that they had good hopes for his future.  Let’s hope that George’s story is not at an end.  We will keep searching!