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Among the early Catholic schools in Atlanta was the Atlanta Catholic
Male School conducted by Mr. Patrick Walpole in 1869-70-71.
This school was located at a point on the west side of Broad Street,
north of Hunter, the third building from the corner and south of the
present Rich's Store. According to present numbering it would be about
63 or 65 Broad Street, S. W.
Mr. Walpole's classical training made him an important factor in the
educational field in the days of reconstruction and before the opening
of the Public Schools. Mr. Patrick Walpole came to Atlanta in 1867.
After establishing his school in 1869, its growth and popularity
necessitated additional teachers. He secured as his assistant his
brother, James Walpole. Both Patrick and James Walpole received their
degrees from the Dominican College of Limerick, Ireland. Mr. Mayer,
another professor, taught singing, German and other languages.
His school supplied a complete academic course. Old pupils relate
that their studies were not confined, however, to text books, but the
social amenities were well instilled. During vacation periods, as well
as during the school year, weekly balls and other entertainments were
held. An old Atlanta newspaper of that period, the Daily New Era,
of August 1, 1871, states that a large and brilliant assemblage
attended the exercises given by the Catholic Male School in the City
Hall on the night of July 31, 1871, and that the applause attested
their appreciation.
Some of the outstanding leaders in the development of Atlanta
attended this school. Among its pupils were: Joseph M. Corrigan; John
Burckhardt; James J. Haverty; John Gardiner; John Roach; James
Sullivan; John T. Connolly; C. J. Sullivan; Peter F. Clarke; John
Ryan; Charles B. Crenshaw, and others.
Mr. Walpole was one of the first teachers of shorthand in the South,
and also was one of the first young men in Georgia to employ shorthand
in the State Capitol, where, as Court Reporter, he pursued his legal
studies.
When Patrick Walpole began the practice of law his brother, James
Walpole, took charge of the school.
In connection with the day school Mr. Walpole established a night
school. Here with other studies, shorthand was taught. This was the
first business night school in Atlanta.
These schools were closed when James Walpole went to New Orleans to
accept a position on the editorial staff of the New Orleans Picayune.
Patrick Walpole
The founder of the Atlanta Catholic Male School was born in
Limerick, Ireland, and it was in the Dominican College of Limerick
that he received his degree. Before he made Atlanta his home in 1867
he and his brother James had been engaged in reportorial and editorial
work. A gentleman and a scholar, Mr. Walpole was well suited to
establish a Classical School. The school he founded in 1869 was the
equal of any in the city at that time.
While conducting the school, Mr. Walpole secured an appointment as
Court Reporter at the State Capitol. It was in this capacity that he
became associated with Judge Lochrane, first as an understudy and then
as a law associate. In those days there were few law schools and the
legal profession was approached in this manner. In the pursuit of his
studies he was one of the first Court Reporters to use shorthand.
While associated with Judge Lochrane, Mr. Walpole did all of the
legal and field survey work of the Etowah Land Company and the Bartow
iron Works around Cartersville as evidenced by field and note books
now in possession of Mrs. Otis, his daughter.
Mr. Walpole married in 1875 Miss Mary Gardiner, the eldest daughter
of a family identified with Atlanta's earliest days, and whose members
had for several generations been engineers and builders. Their
daughter is now Mrs. Robert R. Otis and their grandchildren are
Walpole R. Otis of Atlanta and Mrs. Edward H. Oliver of Jacksonville,
Florida.
Mr. Walpole died in Atlanta of typhoid fever in 1879 and old friends
and pupils testify as to his outstanding character and integrity, and
to the fact that his educational efforts were of much benefit to the
community during this period of reconstruction. |
