Freed-Hardeman Connections
Researching the Restoration Movement in Mississippi and West Tennessee
Spencer Rice
Spencer Rice - Custodian at Freed-Hardeman -- 1907-1946
There was one character on the campus that every one loved. He was a tall heavy weight African-American man named Spencer rice. He was full of fun and always smiling. He was a good mimic, and liked to mimic people, especially Professor Freed who taught penmanship. Once in a while after a good deal of begging, he would take over the class before the arrival of Professor Freed. One morning he was at the board with chalk in hand saying, "clean your pens, uncork your ink stands, one, two, three, curve " and in walked Professor Freed who took it in good stride. All had a good laugh.
On one occasion, finding a group of boys in a storeroom where they were not supposed to be, Spence stepped back where he could not be seen and in a voice for all the world like Freed's said "bro. Hardeman, you go around to the side door and get the boys and we'll be able to catch this bunch." The Students thinking that prof. Freed was about to catch them, became so excited that they began running in every direction. One boy ended up in a big tub of lard.
When students returned to campus, the person they wanted to see was Spencer Rice.
“Spence” had the honor of removing the second spade of dirt in preparation for the erection of the present administration building in 1908.
Tombstone
SPENCER RICE, 1873-1962, A faithful servant, by N. B. Hardeman
DEAN CEMETERY
Located in Henderson, Tennessee. From Main Street (Highway 100) drive north of No. Church Street .3 mile and turn east onto Baughn Street; drive from there .2 mile to Baughn Street Extended and drive .1 mile to this cemetery located on the south side of this street. Entrance is through a gate supported by two tall brick columns, a plaque on the east column reading:
In Memory of MARY C. PHELPS, Sept. 25, 1929-Oct. 29, 1998
This cemetery is maintained by the city of Henderson. It was known for many years as the Jaybird Cemetery and/or simply as the black cemetery of Henderson.
Spencer Rice - Custodian at Freed-Hardeman -- 1907-1946
There was one character on the campus that every one loved. He was a tall heavy weight African-American man named Spencer rice. He was full of fun and always smiling. He was a good mimic, and liked to mimic people, especially Professor Freed who taught penmanship. Once in a while after a good deal of begging, he would take over the class before the arrival of Professor Freed. One morning he was at the board with chalk in hand saying, "clean your pens, uncork your ink stands, one, two, three, curve " and in walked Professor Freed who took it in good stride. All had a good laugh.
On one occasion, finding a group of boys in a storeroom where they were not supposed to be, Spence stepped back where he could not be seen and in a voice for all the world like Freed's said "bro. Hardeman, you go around to the side door and get the boys and we'll be able to catch this bunch." The Students thinking that prof. Freed was about to catch them, became so excited that they began running in every direction. One boy ended up in a big tub of lard.
When students returned to campus, the person they wanted to see was Spencer Rice.
“Spence” had the honor of removing the second spade of dirt in preparation for the erection of the present administration building in 1908.
Tombstone
SPENCER RICE, 1873-1962, A faithful servant, by N. B. Hardeman
DEAN CEMETERY
Located in Henderson, Tennessee. From Main Street (Highway 100) drive north of No. Church Street .3 mile and turn east onto Baughn Street; drive from there .2 mile to Baughn Street Extended and drive .1 mile to this cemetery located on the south side of this street. Entrance is through a gate supported by two tall brick columns, a plaque on the east column reading:
In Memory of MARY C. PHELPS, Sept. 25, 1929-Oct. 29, 1998
This cemetery is maintained by the city of Henderson. It was known for many years as the Jaybird Cemetery and/or simply as the black cemetery of Henderson.