M. D. She was the youngest of four children, and was born a slave in Richmond, Va., October 14, 1864. As a child she was somewhat timid, therefore did not easily become attached to every one with whom she came in contact; showing also in a marked degree the infusion of Indian blood in her veins by the strong manifestation of like or dislike for person or persons. Until she was nine years old she had known very little of any association or companionship outside of the grandchildren of the family whose slave her mother formerly was and with whom she lived until 1873. She was noted during childhood for her clear conception of things, and received unusual care from the white family.
She entered the public schools of the city at the age of nine years. The first year's work was very thoroughly done by the aid of her sister, a few years her senior, who was then in the fourth grammar grade. Lucie was promoted twice every session, always showing an unusual talent for mathematics. Plaving been kept out of school a part of two winters by illness attributed to too rapid growth, it was thought expedient to try a change of climate. Consequently, after having been in the high school only one session, she left Richmond highly recommended for Shaw University at Raleigh, N. C. She graduated from this institution in May, 1883, and went to New York City, where her mother then resided. While in school she won many friends by her sweetness of disposition and ready sympathy, and Uucie Johnson (as she was then known) was a favorite with all her school-mates.
