Centre College Special Collections - Board of Trustees Minutes (1871)

Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 3 - 1871)

Danville, Kentucky. June 26, 1871

Board of Trustees met pursuant to adjournment. Members present: Rev. William J. McKnight, D.D., Levi L. Warren, Dr. John W. Scott, Thomas Barbee, Ormond Beatty. As the Chairman of the Board, Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., was not present, Dr. McKnight was invited to occupy the Chair.

The report of the Faculty was read & the report of the Financial Agent was placed in the hands of Messers Warren & Scott.

The report of the Faculty is as follows, viz.

The Faculty of Centre College respectfully submits to the Board of Trustees & through them to the Synod of Kentucky their report for the Academical year ending June 29, 1871 as follows:

First: We desire to express our gratitude that every member of the Faculty, with very rare excep-

Page 215 [view image]

tions, has been permitted to be in his place and at his work during the entire term. The Faculty has also been able to secure the services of Rev. G. Archibald, D.D., who gave through the year instruction to the Senior Class in the departments of Mental & Moral Science, while Prof. Beatty still continued in charge of the department of the Natural Sciences.

With few exceptions the students have been diligent in their studies & made commendable progress during the year.

The following young gentlemen, members of the Senior Class, are recommended for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, viz John Barbour, John A. Cheek, Charles C. Fox, James A. Gardner, Caleb E. Jones, John A. Quisenberry, Alphonse F. Weedin.

One of them, Mr. Jones, proposes to enter upon his Theological course of studies in the Danville Seminary this fall, & possibly two of them. All of them are members of the Church, belonging to three different denominations besides our own.

The accompanying annual catalogue will show that 71 students have been in attendance in College Proper during the year, and in the Preparatory 94 additional; - showing an increase since last year in

College proper	11
In Preparatory	34
Total Increase	45
	148

The large increase in the Preparatory Department rendered it necessary to secure additional instruction there; and Messers B. F. Hudson & Thomas Clark were employed to aid the Principal.

The annual catalogue & Financial Report will fur-

Page 216 [view image]

nish any further information the Board may desire.

Respectfully submitted by the Faculty

A quorum not being present the Board adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.

June 27, 1871

Board met according to adjournment. The same members in attendance as on yesterday.

As there was no quorum, the following orders & resolutions were adopted, subject to ratification by the Board when a quorum shall assemble.

Mr. Beatty made a verbal report from the Building Committee showing the progress of the work on the new College Building. The Committee was directed to press the work to completion for occupation by the 1st of September.

Letters from Messers Humphrey, Ernst & Allen giving reasons for non attendance were exhibited by the Secretary & the fact ordered to be noted in the minutes.

A paper was read by the Secretary showing the amounts & condition of a donation by Dr. John W. Scott & members of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, to the College. The entire paper was directed to be spread on the minutes with the names of the donors & the hearty thanks of the Board to be returned for their great liberality. The following is a copy of the paper:

We the undersigned do transfer to Dr. Ormond Beatty, in trust for the purposes herein specified, the sum of six thousand ($6,000) dollars, invested in William L. Green's note to John W. Scott secured by a mortgage on a farm in McLean County, Illinois, as will more fully appear from the mortgage

Page 217 [view image]

already assigned to said Trustee Dr. Ormond Beatty. We direct that the semi-annual interest shall be regularly collected and of it the sum of fifty two and 50/100 dollars shall be paid to the Trustees of the Danville Theological Seminary for the general support thereof, also the sum of seventy dollars of said semi-annual interest shall be paid to the Trustees of the Biddle Memorial Institute, located at Charlotte, North Carolina, to be appropriated first to the payment of the President's salary & if not needed for that purpose, then to the general support of the Institute. And the balance of said interest amounting to eighty seven 50/100 dollars, we direct to be paid to the Trustees of Centre College, situated in Danville, Kentucky, who are elected by the Synod of Kentucky in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America and whose last meeting was held in October 1870 at Frankfort, Rev. J. P. Hendrick being moderator. This sum is to be appropriated by said Trustees to the increase of the Library, to procuring chemical and philosophical apparatus, & for furnishing a museum of Natural History & other facilities for teaching the Natural Sciences.

And when the principal sum of six thousand dollars shall be paid, we direct our Trustee, aforesaid, to pay to the Trustees of the Danville Theological Seminary to be securely invested by them, and the interest alone to be used for the purpose above specified the sum of fifteen hundred dollars. Also in like manner & to be similarly invested and the interest alone used for the purposes above indicated, we direct two thousand dollars to be paid to the Trustees of the Biddle Institute.

Page 218 [view image]

And whereas the title to the real & funded property of Centre College above mentioned is now the subject of litigation, and efforts are being made to avert it from the control of the Trustees elected by the above mentioned Synod of Kentucky, therefore we do direct our Trustee Dr. Ormond Beatty to hold the remaining twenty five hundred dollars and all interest accruing and to pay such sums over to the Trustees of Centre College for the purposes heretofore indicated when in his judgment the College with its real & funded property are secured to the Trustees elected by the Synod of Kentucky aforesaid; but if the present litigation should result in the transfer of Centre College to the control of another body, or if by compromise the funds of the College should be divided, thus impairing its usefulness, we do hereby empower our Trustee aforesaid to pay over the above mentioned sum of twenty five hundred dollars to some other similar institution under the care of the Presbyterian Church in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, either in Kentucky or elsewhere; and if our said Trustee shall pay over this sum of twenty five hundred dollars, to the said Trustees of Centre College, then we direct the amount to be safely invested and that the interest alone be used for the increase of the Library and other purposes above indicated.

In case our above named Trustee Dr. Ormond Beatty should die, or for any cause decline or fail to act or to execute the aforesaid trusts, then we appoint Dr. Edward P. Humphrey of Louisville, Kentucky, our Trustee and give him full

Page 219 [view image]

power & authority to execute the trust, according to the same provisions which we have required of our aforesaid Trustee, Ormond Beatty.

In case both of these parties should fail or decline to act, then we request and authorize the Synod of Kentucky, above referred to, to appoint a Trustee who shall have full power and authority to execute the provisions of the above trust.

Signed at Lexington, Kentucky. January 2, 1871

John W. Scott	Biddle Institute	$1,000
John W. Scott	Danville Theological Seminary	$1,000
John W. Scott	Centre College	$2,000
Mary S. Dudley, by John W. Scott	Biddle Institute	$200
Louise D. Breckinridge, by John W. Scott	Biddle Institute	$75
C. Snydom Scott, by John W. Scott	Biddle Institute	$25
Lucy W. Scott, by John W. Scott	Biddle Institute	$300
Lucy W. Scott, by John W. Scott	Danville Theological Seminary	$250
Lucy W. Scott, by John W. Scott	Centre College	$250
E. S. Skillman	Biddle Institute	$20
M. S. Skillman	Biddle Institute	$200
M. S. Skillman	Danville Theological Seminary	$100
M. S. Skillman	Centre College	$100
Mary Mason Scott	Centre College	$10
T. & H. Skillman	Centre College	$20
Mr. D. G. Field and son	Centre College	$10
W. H. Ramsey & wife	Centre College	$10
W. R. Phipps	Biddle Institute	$25
W. E. Bush, wife & children	Danville Theological Seminary	$25
W. Lowry & relations	Centre College	$100
W. Lowry & relations	Danville Theological Seminary	$100
W. Lowry & relations	Biddle Institute	$100
F. Bush, wife & daughter	Danville Theological Seminary	$10
F. Bush, wife & daughter	Biddle Institute	$5

Page 220 [view image]

Mrs. J. K. Lyle, Miss Lizzie A. Lyle, & Miss Helen Lyle	Danville Theological Seminary	$15
S. W. Price	Biddle Institute	$50

A report of the committee to whom was referred the report of the Financial Agent for 1870 was read and adopted & directed to be spread on the minutes in connection with the report of the Financial Agent itself. (This report is recorded on pages 209 to 214 of this book)

The purchase of the Baily lot was approved and confirmed.

Authority to employ such additional instructors as might be needed in College Proper & Grammar School during the year was continued to the Faculty of the College.

Mrs. Julia A. Reed's application to be at least partially released from the payment of her note to the building fund was laid before the Board. The Board orders the Financial Committee, upon the prompt settlement of the claim, to compromise on liberal terms with Mrs. Reed.

Prof. DeSoto applied to the Board for the use of two rooms in the old College Building until the Board should find other use to which it would desire to put these rooms. Request granted.

In answer to an application by the two societies for aid in furnishing their Halls the Board directed the Building Committee to have inside shutters made in both Halls and to give in addition, if the state of the funds justified it $50 to each society to be expended

Page 221 [view image]

in filling them up.

Mr. George E. Wiseman was appointed an auditor to examine and audit annually the accounts of the Financial Agent.

The Building Committee was directed to fit up the Old College Building or so much of it as might be necessary for dormitories for students.

The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on [blank space] members of the graduating class. (Their names are found in the Faculty report on page 215 of this book)

Board ordered that tuition in College Proper be raised to the sum of $50 including contingent fee of $5.00 and in the Preparatory including contingent fee for same amount to $40 per annum payable half yearly in advance in both departments.

Board then adjourned to meet in Danville at 7 o'clock P.M. on the 12th day of October next.

0rmond Beatty, Secretary

Danville October 10, 1871

Pursuant to call by the Chairman of the Board, and due notification of the members of the Board, the Trustees met on the 10th of October. Members present Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Chairman, Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, Messers Levi L. Warren, William Ernst, Thomas Barbee, Dr. John W. Scott, 0rmond Beatty.

The Session of the Board was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Hays.

The minutes of the meeting in June when there was no quorum were read and approved and adopted as the acts of the Board except in relation to the tuition in College Proper. As the old rate of tuition in this department

Page 222 [view image]

had been published, both in the catalogue & advertisements of the College it was ordered that no change should be made during the present academical year in this department but that the change occur with the next year.

The following resolution in regard to additional instruction in the College during the year was offered and adopted, viz.

Resolved, That Dr. Archibald be requested to continue to give instruction as heretofore in College classes.

Adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock A.M.

October 11, [1871] 9 a.m.

Board reassembled. The subject of filling the vacant chair in Centre College being left unfinished last evening was taken up and further considered, and on motion Edward P. Humphrey & 0rmond Beatty were appointed a committee to find a suitable person for the Chair of Natural Sciences. Also Dr. John W. Scott was requested to render such committee such assistance as may be in his power. Stephen Yerkes presented to the Board a letter from Heman H. Allen stating reasons of absence from the meetings of the Board.

The business relating to the estate of Mrs. Markee was considered & the act of the Financial Committee in regard to a successor of R. P. Kenney was approved.

On motion 0rmond Beatty was authorized & requested to employ such assistance in the Department of Natural Sciences, as he may consider desirable for his relief during the present year.

Messers Ernst, Warren & Scott were appointed a committee to look into the funds of the College & make provision, if practicable for the salary of an additional professor; and also to inquire if any of the real estate of the College could with advantage be sold.

Page 223 [view image]

An application by members of a secret Society in the College was made to the Board for the permanent use by lease or otherwise of one of the rooms in the New College Building for the purpose of said Society. The Board declined to grant the request upon the ground that two large Halls was as much of the Building as they could devote to such an object.

Resolved that a committee consisting of the Chairman of this Board, the President elect of the College, and the Moderator of the approaching Synod (Dr. Worroll was chosen Moderator) be appointed to make arrangements for the dedication of the new College Building and inauguration of the President elect. The College Faculty are directed to render such aid and advice as lie in their power.

Resolved that $50 from the Building fund be appointed to aid in purchasing an organ which the students of the College are endeavoring to secure for the College Chapel.

Ordered that hereafter, honorary degrees shall be conferred by this Board only by a vote of two thirds of the members present at the time; & the vote shall be by ballot.

Mr. Beatty having asked the direction of the Board as to the disposition of the interest of that part of the Fund given by Dr. Scott and others for increasing Museum, Library, etc. It was

Ordered that the appropriation

Page 224 [view image]

of this fund be left to the discretion of Mr. Beatty under the provisions of the trust which he has assumed.

The report of the Financial Agent was approved and ordered to be put on record.

Ordered that the Chairman of the Board be requested to extend to the members of the Synod an invitation to visit the new College Edifice at such time as may suit their convenience.

The minutes were read and approved; and the Board adjourned to meet at the office of the Financial Agent in Danville at 7 o'clock P.M. on Tuesday before the last Thursday of June 1872.

Closed with prayer.

0rmond Beatty, Secretary

Page 225 [view image]

Report of Financial Agent to the Trustees of Centre College at their annual meeting June 1, 1871.

This report is made up of papers giving Balance Sheet, Cash Account, Theological Fund of Centre College, the Boyle Prize Fund, and the Building Fund of Centre College, and closes the accounts on June 1, 1871.

Since the last report, 101 shares of the stock of the Bank of Kentucky and 40 shares of the stock of the Farmers Bank, belonging to the funds of the College, representing stock to the amount of $14,100.00 have been sold for $13,343.50 and proceeds reinvested in 7 L&F&F&L& Cincinnati Rail Road bonds, 5 Canal bonds, 7 McCrackin County bonds, 2 Jefferson, Madison & Indiana Rail Road bonds & 1 Muhlinburg County bond, representing in all $17,900.00, as shown on page 3 of this Report.

Also 55 shares of the stock of the Farmer's Bank belonging to the Theological Fund of Centre College have been sold & proceeds reinvested in 6 L&F&F&L& Cincinnati Rail Road bonds of $1000 each. See report of Levi L. Warren, September 1870.

The State of Tennessee has paid no interest on her bonds since last report. Interest on Markee Estate is in arrears for several years. The expenditures of the year now closing have exceeded the income collected to date by $853.

The papers relating to the Building Fund

Page 226 [view image]

show that of the original notes there have been collected in principal $1,543.62, of private loans $5,662.30, and of U.S. bonds $23,000.00. Also on page 16 of this report a list of original notes belonging to the Building Fund which have been returned to this office as insolvent, amounting to $1871.00.

Signed Robert A. Johnstone, Financial Agent, June 27, 1871.

[pages 226-231 consist of a detailed financial report for 1871. These pages are available in a typed transcript form (PDF, 3.2 Mb)]

[page 232]

[blank page]

Page 233 [view image]

Louisville, Kentucky. December 22, 1871

Board of Trustees met pursuant to call of Chairman & was opened with prayer by the Chairman. Members present Edward P. Humphrey, Chairman, John S. Hays, D.D., Levi L. Warren, John B. Temple, James H. McCampbell, Ormond Beatty.

The subject of the sale of certain stocks belonging to the College & a change of investment having been considered, the following action was taken by the Board, viz.

At a called meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky, a quorum being present, it was ordered that eight bonds of the State of Missouri belonging to the College, numbers 2160, 5177, 2158, 333, 2864, 3242, 1349, 2154, be sold, and that the Chairman of the Board be and he is hereby authorized & directed to execute a release upon each of said bonds, of any endorsement thereon, to the said College without any recourse upon the College or the Board of Trustees.

The same order, in the same terms was then passed in reference to five Tennessee bonds, viz. numbers 9770, 5233, 4806, 6677, 6678. Also Covington & Lexington Rail Road bonds numbers 454, 455, 456, 778, 779, 780, 781, 945. Upon the execution of said release by the Chairman of the Board, the Secretary was authorized to attest it & have the seal of the Corporation affixed.

The Financial Agent & Treasurer of the College is directed to deposit for safe keeping the bonds & certificates of stock belonging to the College in the Fall's City Tobacco Bank,

Page 234 [view image]

& the members of the Board residing in Louisville & vicinity, or any two of them, are charged with the duty of examining them & reporting to the annual meeting of the Board in June of each year.

The Board then adjourned to meet at the regular time, viz., 7 o'clock P.M. at the office of the Financial Agent in Danville, on Tuesday before the last Thursday in June 1872.

0rmond Beatty, Secretary