63

During Chavis' administration as president, the relationship between the college and Kent Home seemed particularly good. Comments to this effect were made under‘three different superintendents of Kent. During Chavis' thirteen years, the Home had nine different superinten— dents. The number of girls in its family gradually increased. There were twelve girls during the l895~l896 year, while during Chavis" last year, l904—l905, there were twenty-five girls in the Home.90 A start” ling event occurred Christmas week, l903m-the Home was partially burned. The insurance covered the loss, and the Missionary Society took advan— tage of the opportunity to remodel as well as to repair. More than oneu half the insurance received was still unspent and served as a balance for the next year.91

During Chavis‘ thirteen years as Bennett president, the long-

awaited second building was erected and used as a boys' dormitory. A

primary building and laundry building were also added. The total num— ber of students increased, more of them studying in the advanced levels than previously. The number of faculty members also increasedo They were very loyal to the school despite a financial situation which had become almost desperate.

The Presidency of Silas A. Peelero The Rev. Silas A. Peeler

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90The above from Woman's Home Missionary Society, Twelfth Afl- nual Report, l892~l893 through TwentymFourth Annual Report, l9OEul905;

and Bennett College, Annual Catalogue, 1900, pp. 8-9, l4, 34=35.

91WOman's Home Missionary Society, Twenty-Third Annual Report, 1903~l90A, p. lOl.