Making Their Beds Before They Could Lie On Them Summary and Analysis

During the early years of the Tuskegee school, Hampton's Treasurer General J.F.B. Marshall, head teacher Miss Mackie and General Armstrong each visited the school. All were impressed with the progress. Teachers were largely recruited from Hampton. The students themselves were willing to endure whatever hardships were necessary. For example, Washington was often unable to sleep for worrying about the students. He got up one night to check on some young men and discovered they were sitting around a fire sharing the one blanket the school had been able to provide for them. Despite the conditions, enrollment continues to grow and students often embarrass Washington by insisting that they carry books and other burdens for him.

Washington notes that he never received a single...