KING’S MOVE TO THE SOUTH

In 1836, King borrowed $100 (to be repaid in one year for $125) to accept a teaching position to tutor the children of three wealthy families in Louisiana, for an annual salary of $800. The boys were quarrelsome. King would not tolerate such conduct and he disciplined with thrashings. One father offended that William treated his son, as he was accustomed to treating his slaves,removed his son from King's care. However, the other families were pleased with the good education their children were receiving and asked him if he would teach children from other families for the same wage. King's school grew from two to forty, as many as the school would hold!

Due to his reputation for handling difficult students and academic excellence, he was offered the job of Headmaster for Mathews Academy of Louisiana College in 1839. He accepted the position under the condition he had the "power to correct" teachers and pupils.

The Sunday before beginning his work at Mathew's Academy he listened to the words of his predecessor, who in his farewell address preached from the Gospel of Mark, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" This text stayed with William, and he credits it with having a "forceful effect" on his life.

Radical changes that King implemented at Mathews Academy were to create dorms from previously private rooms and confiscating student weapons (bowie knives, pistols, stilettos). In his new position as Headmaster, William acquired a measure of wealth and his social standing was elevated to mingling with the privileged classes.