While in Atlanta Chas. lived with his uncle and Aunt, Rev. and Mrs. R.R. Harris of Hilliard St. At the time he [in margins: 1906] was about to leave Atlanta he was honored with a banquet and musical program at Butler St. Church, given by the members and friends of that church, where he had given much of his time. His eldest brother Peter James spent the winter season there and was present at the banquet, taking part on the program in the beautiful solo "If I But Knew." And on their return home here in the spring of 1906, they both were soon off for Boston, Peter James had already spent two years in Boston. Two years later Peter came to visit home folks again. He also took a trip to Atlanta and spent a few weeks there with Friends and admirers and on his second return home here his youngest brother Edwin Houston was now ready to leave with him for Boston. [ in margin: 1907] where he has lived since. Paying two visits here to his people - He is now married and yet living in Boston, Peter left Boston this past summer of 1923 to spend some time in Philadelphia. He has also paid several visits to his home folks here, during the twenty years that he lived in Boston. Charles

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spent twelve years in Boston in the interest of music, taking and giving music lessons, and playing for concerts in churches and Halls, and in dance halls. He had lots of experience during his stay there. He also met with many prominent musicians, studied in a mixed class of white and col. at the leading school of music in the U.S. known as the New England Conservatory. He paid three visits home during the twelve years. His first and second trip south, or at his home rather, he was accompanied by the distinguished tenor songster, Roland W. Hayes. Hayes first trip through [in margin: 1912] Augusta spending a day and a night at our house, He was then on his way to his southern birth-place to get his dear mother, Mrs. Fannie Hayes and take her back to Boston. This was my first time to hear the now famous tenor and an honor to have and hear him in my home, as a guest with my son. Hayes and Harris pays another visit [in margin: 1914] and spends a week or ten days, entertains in grand recital at Haines School, Partridge Inn, also renders several selections at the Good Shepherd Chapel, and at Cumming Grove Church, also entertains large guest of tourists and

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southerners at he beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. R. Stearns. Also appears at he Tabernacle Bapt. Church, at Sunday morning service, believe this a large audience of white and colored, home folks and tourists, Hayes accompanied by our Charles in each entertainment at the piano - a financial success and highest compliments.

[in margin: 1915] Harris and Hayes pay another visit to our home for a week or ten days, enroute to appear on program at the Annual Music Festival in Atlanta, with the noted artist, Mrs. Williams, La Cour, & Kemper Harrold, and oh how I would enjoy the rich sweet music, morning and evening, in such classical lines, in my own house from the rich an cultivated voice of Mr. Hayes, with my son, Mr. Harris at the piano. My husband would enjoy the same with smiles and pride over his dear son and friend, and it was also a pleasure indeed to converse with Mr. Hayes. A young man of a rare talent, Christian character, gentle disposition and manners.

Hayes and Harris entertained in recital for distinguished artist (white) in New York City, Bar Harbor Me. and other cities at various dates.

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The memory of this distinguished visitor and artist in my home and home town will linger for years through my life, with the pride and thought of my son as an artist being his friend and accompanied on several programs in the North East and South. Charles was always fond of reading only the best selections by the best and leading composers and authors. He was extremely fond of the Bible. After the conversion of his father, the first book that was bought for the household was a large bible. The children all seemed proud to have this large and wonderful book to look at the beautiful illustrations. But Chas. showed more pride and interest by trying to read it, although at the time they were all to young to read, as their ages were ranging from one to six years. The eldest boy, had just started to school at the age of six.

Certainly this was not he first and only Bible in the home. But being the first one bought by their father, naturally they all were delighted. But Charles was most sincere. Therefore his father turned the good book over to him. And when he was ready for school and had began learning

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to read, he grew more anxious over the bible, and when he was sufficiently able to read well and to understand the readings he began and read this book thro with interest the third time. After which his father advised me to stop him from reading so regular, as the deep subjects might be rather strong and exciting for his brain in connections with his other studies. And even after going north, his work and music studies keeping him pretty busy, most of his time yet he found time with pride and interest to read thro the Bible again and he would write me of what he was doing in that time, which made me feel awful proud to know that though a long ways from home and among strangers, he had not forgotten or laid aside this worthy Book of Books. We used to call him the little Preacher. And up to the present times, and in thro his profession as music teacher he yet remembers and finds time to read the bible. Praise the Lord. In the year of 1917 Chas. was called to Walden College, Nashville Tenn. to take charge of the music department there, he was there only a short time when he was offered more and called to Paine College.

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At his home in Augusta Ga. He was well received and admired in Nashville, and it was to their regret to have him leave and resign the work so early, but as he had been in Boston for twelve years and knowing that his mother and others of the family and friends were anxious to have him at his own home after such long absence, why the call to Paine his own home school, was just the ticket for him to some and spend time among relatives and friends. 1917-1918. The world-war was then on the move, soldiers were everywhere to be cared for and entertained in many ways, Chas. being at his own home, among friends both colored and white, he was called by a committee of members of the Good Shepherd Church, to entertain with music once a week at the Chapel for the soldiers. Here he was surrounded and made welcome by the Yankees and the southerners, at this Church in which his mother and father were married, and where he had worked for four or five years, as the organ pump boy, when he was in school at Paine College. Thro the kindness and interest and efforts of Miss. Mary C.

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Cuthbert, one of the leading ladies of the Church, with his brother. Thos. A. Harris as Sexton, he was called into this work among the Soldier Guest.

He was also invited and entertained musically, at several homes of the whites, during that period of war-time, having more calls than he could answer account of his being principal music instructor at Paine. He taught at this school for two and one half terms. Then later he was called to the M.I. College, Holly Springs Miss. He taught there for two years, later still [in margin: 1922] he was called again never his home, at the A and M State College, Orangeburg, S.C. where he is pianist, organist, instructor and director at this splendid school. Between the closing and beginning of each school term he is generally surrounded with calls to several different colleges and wherever he accepts, it seems a welcome among the people there and a success both to he and the school.

And I am proud to say just here and that he has in print circulars showing and acknowledging the various opinions of music critics, also the Headlines of these circulars, giving

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credit to his mother, as being his first music teacher. While his mother knew but very little of music, yet she is proud to know that she gave him the start in the line of music, and that he has gone on and reached the mark of success at his own home, and many others. And on thro with his profession, he remembers his mother, not only with credit, but to a financial standpoint as well.

During the time of his work at Paine College, he met Miss Eleta Atwater of Durham N.C., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Atwater. She was there in school and the leading soprano singer while there, she finished from the normal course there, also went through one or two years in college course. They continued their correspondence until the 27th of Dec 1922 when they were married, at the Atwater home 612 Carr St. Durham N.C.. Since then they are now stopping at the State College Orangeburg.

(Another proud mentioning.)

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