Hulda May (Culbert) Carscallen - The China Years - Part 4

In part 3, The Carscallens had reached the end of their second furlough. They arrived back in Chengtu, China on 17 June 1922. Two members of the family stayed behind in Canada to attend school: Charles Newton Carscallen and his sister, Kay. 
 

The Carscallen family c1922 during their second furlough in Canada. Seated: Hulda May and Helen. Standing, left to right: Alice, Kay, Charles Rupert & Charles Newton. Photo courtesy of Betty (Carscallen) Marmura.

By this time, Hulda May was the Librarian at the West China Union University (W.C.U.U.). Concerned that “few Chinese students have the reading habit,” she organized a university book club. She said that Chinese students were “given to textbook worship” so she hoped to interest them in a wider choice of reading than the books on their curricula.

She was also busy working on a project for teenage Chinese girls, organizing a Student Conference for Girls at the Y.W.C.A. in Chengtu.

For years, Hulda May and her associates had been trying to find answers to the problem of higher education for women in China. Finally, the funding came through and a new College for Women opened in 1924. West China Union University became the first co-educational institution in China’s interior, thanks to the efforts of Hulda May and her colleagues.

Hulda May joined the Drama Society and took part in plays. Following in her footsteps many years later, her daughter, Helen Carscallen would become a professional actress with the Stratford Festival, and be nominated for an ACTRA Award.

In 1924, Hulda May wrote of a reason to celebrate:

Picnic supper on Dickinson’s lawn to celebrate the arrival of the thoroughbred cows.[1]

This was an important event as some ill health in the community was attributed to a lack of sufficient wholesome milk.

Hulda May continued to teach, and Charles was Dean of the Faculty of Theology at W.C.U.U., teaching in both the Theological College and the Arts Department. 

In January 1926, Charles was elected Vice-President of West China Union University.

Hart Memorial College, West China Union University, Chengtu. Credit: United Church Archives.

In 1926, the political situation was worsening in China and many foreigners felt in danger. On 7 June 1926, a horrible incident occurred. The wife of Rev. William Edward Sibley (born Edith Harrison) was a member of the missionary community and a native of Nelson, Manitoba.

 

Source: Vic in China, Victoria University, Toronto

Mrs. Sibley had just stepped into the streets of Chengtu to do a bit of shopping. She was beheaded by a crazed assassin with a large knife. This tragedy was a loss to the entire community including Hulda May who had been a visitor at Mrs. Sibley’s home and had known her well. Following the tragedy, Mr. Sibley spent the night at the Carscallen's home and dined with them in the days that followed. They remained friends for life.

The political situation, labour unrest, and anti-foreigners sentiments soon saw missionaries start to leave the country.

In October 1926, Hulda May and Charles resigned from the University. The decision had not been reached because of conflict in the country but because of Charles’ poor health. 

The Carscallens had accomplished great achievements during their 20 years in China. They helped to establish a successful university; Hulda May was involved in the creation of a women's college and she actively furthered women's education; and the University library's good reputation was largely due to her efforts.

Now, it was time to move on.

On 20 October 1926, the Carscallens bid farewell to China forever and returned to Canada.

A biographical sketch of the Carscallens published in 1920.

To be continued, here…

Footnotes:
[1] Eula C. Lapp, China Was My University. Agincourt, Ont.: Generation Press, 1980, 94.