THE SELMA ACADEMY

One of the most famous educational institutions in North Carolina, the Selma Academy, was built in 1880 by John A. Waddell in the oak grove where the home of the late Charlie Waddell now stands on Webb Street. The first principal and teacher of this private institution was Henry Louis Smith of Greensboro, who later served as president of Davidson College and Washington and Lee University. His brother, C. Alphonso Smith, also later taught here. Areas of preparation in the Academy included Primary, Intermediate, Higher English, Algebra, Geometry, Bookkeeping, Ancient and Modern Languages, Music, and Physical Training. Room and board were available for $10.00 per month from the families of Mrs. S. C. Waddell, Mrs. C E. Preston, and Messrs. Henry Hood, Simon Godwin, and John Allen.
A brochure describing the Academy stated that "the new school building is large, well ventilated, and commodious. It is furnished with the Triumph Study Desks," which were "carefully made with a view to obtaining the correct physiological curves of the body:' This school prepared many boys and girls for college work; at the same time it observed the Victorian proprieties of the day including a high plank fence separating the boys' 'and girls' playgrounds.
Although Selma had only 700 inhabitants at that time, the quality and reputation of the school was such that students from adjoining counties of Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and Franklin attended; and the membership at one time reached 100 pupils. Several children from Pine Level and Wilson's Mills walked daily to school.
Among those known to have attended the Academy were: Johnnie Waddell, Herbert Preston, Eddie Edgerton, Miss Leonie Graves, Miss Nannie Richardson, Miss Rosa Waddell, Miss Annie Waddell, Miss Azzie Patterson, Miss Lizzie Preston, George Vick, N. R. Pike, Nelson D. Wells, J. L. Jones, Miss Florence Moore, Vernon Howell, Edwin Moore, Clarence Graves, D. B. Oliver, Ira Rains, Misses Omega and Ida Oliver, Miss Claudia Rains, Miss Dora Vick, Victor and Ernest Graves, Fred M. Hood, Miss Louie Parker, Misses Julia and Mamie Tuck, Sidney and Claybourne Tuck, Misses Annie and Sarah Stancill and Charlie Stancill, and Miss Nancy Hocutt. I n the Raleigh News and 0bserver of June 17, 1922, Editor Josephus Daniels had an editorial, "Selma and the Smiths," in which he paid tribute to the impression made by these two brothers on the Selma community.
From the History of Selma - Centennial Program.