Centre College Special Collections - Board of Trustees Minutes (1876)

Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 3 - 1876)

Danville, Kentucky June 13, 1876

Board of Trustees met pursuant to adjournment at 8 o'clock p.m. in the basement of the 2nd Presbyterian Church. Members present, Ministers: Rev. John M. Worrall, D.D., Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., Heman H. Allen. Elders: William Ernst, George W. Welsh, John W. Scott, M.D., Levi L. Warren, Robert Rodes, Thomas Barbee. In the absence of the Chairman, Dr. Worrall was chosen Chairman pro tem, and opened the meeting with prayer.

Pending the reading of the minutes, two of the students made application for certain favors to the Board. The reading was then resumed& completed and the minutes of last year approved.

An application was made on the part of the students for permission to attend a hop to take place this evening in James Hall. The following reply was returned.

Resolved that whilst the Board desire to gratify the young men of the College, they deem it inexpedient to modify the present law of the institution in regard to public balls and similar places of amusement, and, therefore, cannot comply with their request.

A communication was received from Gen. Fry in regard to the sale of his property to the College. It was referred to the Financial Committee; and to the same committee was referred a communication from the Board of Trustees of the town in relation to the widening of Main Street, and to the opening of a new street to the East of the College grounds.

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The Financial Report was submitted and referred to a committee of three, viz Rodes, Warren and Ernst. The Board then adjourned to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Closed with prayer.

June 14, 1876, 9 o'clock a.m.

Board reassembled & was opened with prayer by Dr. Worrall. Minutes of yesterday were read & approved. The Faculty report was read & referred to Cleland, Hays & Scott and is as follows, viz

The Faculty of Centre College beg leave to submit to the Board of Trustees & to the Synod of Kentucky the following report for the academical year which will close the 15th of June 1876.

Blessed with health & unimpeded by other cares, every member of the Faculty has been able, during the year, to give his entire time to his appropriate work.

The number of students in the College during the year has been greater than for many years, viz 131 in College Proper & 60 in Preparatory. Although we are compelled to lament more than the usual amount of disorder in the College during the year, demanding more than the usual amount of discipline, and are compelled to confess that some of our students have not, by their diligence and attention and progress, fulfilled expectations of their parents, still our classes have done remarkably good work. As classes we have seldom had them to make better progress than during the year now about to close. Whilst most of the students have exhibited commendable zeal in their studies, we regret that we have

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seen little evidence of the presence of the Divine Spirit among them. No revival of religion among them has gladdened our hearts. Nothing so strengthens the hands & hearts of the instructors as a pervading influence of religion among the students.

The Home has been in operation during the year, but not unaccompanied without difficulties, which the President is requested to present, in more detail, to the Board, with such suggestions as the Faculty would make through him.

Several special & supplementary reports that will be presented render it unnecessary for the Faculty to go into details that will be given more fully in these papers. Reports on the Library, on the Museum & on the Scientific Fund will accompany this report & are made part of same.

The ordinary Financial Report, and the annual catalogue, herewith presented to the Board, will furnish full information upon the topics of which they treat. The report of the Financial Agent & Evangelist will exhibit his work. The Faculty recommend the following seven young men for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, viz Archibald Burton, Frank Jacobs Cheek, William Ridgely Griffith, John Hise Millehan, Joseph Smith Moore, Andrew Bonner Semple, Joseph Henry Skinner.

Report on the Museum

The following statement shows the condition of the Museum at the close of the year 1876 (June).

Number of entries June 1, 1875	1712
Added during year - Fossils	101
Added during year - Minerals	28
Added during year - Shells	170
Total	2011

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This number 2011 indicates the number of separate labels. The number of specimens is much larger, there being many duplicates. Of the 170 zoological entries, 98 embrace a series of shells, several hundred in all, donated by Furman C. Whitaker, Class of 1879. These shells are from the West coast of Florida.

(Signed) John C. Fales

Report on the Library

Number of Books in Library June 1, 1875		4,160
Added during the year by purchase	34
Added during the year by donation /td>	53	87
Total June 1, 1876		4,160

(Signed) John C. Fales, Librarian

Report on the Scientific Fund

1875 June 1 To Balance	$109.10
1875 June 18 General Fund 2 years app.	$100
1875 June 18 Scott Trust Fund	$62.50
1875 September 14 Scott Trust Fund	$62.50
1876 Cash, Dr. Scott	$6.00	$340.10

1875 By sundry accounts, see book	$40.25
1875 November 30 Bill of E. Benjamin	$46.11
1875 November 30 Express on same	$3.70
1876 January 7 Stouts bill	$22.40
1876 January 7 Labels	$1.00
1876 April 4 Express	$1.60	$115.06
Balance June 1, 1876		$225.04

There is on the way from London a Garrett Spectroscope which will cost with freight about $250.

(Signed) John C. Fales

An application for the introduction of gas into the College Building was made by Prof. Fales. The application together with the subject of introducing gas into the

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President's house was referred to the Financial Committee with authority to act according to their judgment.

A letter was received from Professor James C. Randolph tendering his resignation of the Chair of Mathematics. The resignation was accepted, and Drs. Hays & Scott were appointed a committee to draft a suitable minute.

The President also stated that Prof. Robert A. Chenault desired to give up the Chair of Latin, which he had filled during the year. The Board then listened to the reading of testimonials in favor of several different persons who were applicants for the Chair of Mathematics, and upon motion, the subject of the election of Professors was made the order of business for the afternoon session.

A copy of Mrs. Hanna Pike's will was produced & Mr. Beatty was requested to carry it with him to New York, in order to ascertain whether there were any reasonable grounds of prosecuting the claims of the College founded on it, with directions to act according to his judgment in the matter.

A letter was received from L. H. Ralston, Principal of the Preparatory Department tendering his resignation. Referred to Messrs Allen & Scott, with Dr. Beatty associated with them.

A letter from Mr. Read relating to the Williams land was presented, and the whole subject was referred to the Finance Committee with authority to act according to their judgment.

The renting of the Overton farm was committed to Dr. John W. Scott, with full powers.

Board adjourned to meet at 3 o'clock this p.m.

3 o'clock p.m. - Board reassembled.

A report in relation to Prof. Randolph's resignation was presented

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and adopted and is as follows:

Prof. James C. Randolph having tendered his resignation of the Chair of Mathematics in the College, therefore resolved, 1st. That in accepting his resignation we bear our unqualified testimony to the ability and fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of his chair, and to his success in imparting a knowledge of mathematics to those who, from time to time, have been under his care. As a gentleman and a Christian he has commanded our confidence and esteem; and we cheerfully assure him of our prayers for his continued success & usefulness in whatever field of labor his lot, in the future, may be cast; Resolved, 2nd. That the Secretary of the Board be directed to send Prof. Randolph a copy of these resolutions.

(Signed) John S. Hays, John W. Scott (Committee)

An application was made on behalf of the Senior Class for aid in paying for the music on Commencement day. Under the peculiar circumstances, and necessarily heavy cost of the music to so small a class, the Board ordered the sum of $25 to be paid to this object, but on the express condition that it shall not be regarded as a precedent for the future.

The report of Dr. John L. McKee in regard to his work as an Agent & an evangelist was submitted & referred to the Committee on the Financial Report.

The subject of the election of Professors was then taken up & Dr. Alfred B. Nelson was elected Prof. of Mathematics, but as two thirds of the Board were not present, a permanent election could not be made.

Prof. Robert K. Patterson was unanimously chosen for the Chair of Latin & Dr. Scott was appointed a committee to visit Prof. Patterson and to ascertain whether he would accept the

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office, and to telegraph the result of his interview with Prof. Patterson.

The report on the Faculty report was submitted & adopted, and is as follows, viz

1. Every member of the Faculty has during the entire year been at his post,& been enabled to devote his entire time to his appointed work.

2. The number of students matriculated has greatly exceeded that of many years previous — 131 in College Proper, 60 in Preparatory.

3. There has been no special outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the College during the year just closed, but on the contrary rather more than the usual amount of disorder, requiring discipline. This is most deeply to be deplored, especially at such a crisis as this, during this centennial year so signalized in other Colleges by such wonderful manifestations of Divine power. This fact should call forth the profoundest humiliation & earnest prayer to Almighty God for the future religious welfare & prosperity of the College.

4. The progress of the students in literary studies has been very commendable.

5. The Home has been in operation, but not unattended with difficulties.

6. The report shows the increase in the Library, the Museum & the condition of the Scientific Fund.

(Signed) Thomas H. Cleland, John S. Hays, John W. Scott (Committee)

The report on the Financial Report was submitted, adopted & is as follows, viz

The Committee have examined the Financial Report & find it to be correct. There was an omission of one

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item of expenditure of $250 reducing the balance in Bank to the credit of Special Fund by that amount. That omission has been corrected.

The Committee recommend that all the bonds which are in default for interest be sold, whenever they can be disposed of to advantage, and the proceeds invested in safe interest paying securities. The report itself shows the condition and character of the various funds of the College & further specification of them in this report is deemed unnecessary.

There is reported the sum of $638 of principal collected on subscriptions to the Vice-President Fund, the interest upon which is to be applied to the payment of the salary of the Vice-President. The Committee recommend that this be made the beginning of a permanent endowment of the chair of the Vice-President.

(Signed) Robert Rodes, Chairman

Dr. John L. McKee's Report, June 14, 1876

I beg leave herewith to report, that I have prosecuted the work assigned to me, since July 1st 1875, under the general advice of the Committee with which I was to confer. I have made a special effort to accomplish four things, viz to collect the money due the College, to secure students, to preach the gospel, and to obtain additional subscriptions.

1st. Collections - application has been made to all persons in debt to the College, in person or by mail. The Financial Report will show amount of collections. Many of the subscribers have been embarrassed by the hard times, and have not been able to pay. A few persons refuse to pay this subscription, alleging that they only subscribed to protect the College against loss by the robbery, and that the recovery of the Bonds releases them. What shall be done with these cases?

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2nd. New Students - we succeeded in getting a number of new students, who would not have come to Centre College, except through the influence of some such agency. Nearly all of the students thus secured have done remarkably well. In response to our solicitations, many parents have promised to send to our College in the future, who are not able to send during the present year.

3rd. Preaching the Gospel - during the year commencing July 1st 1875 have preached more than two hundred and ninety times as follows: July 1875: Broodwell, Harrison County 21 times; Falmouth 6 times; August, Shelby County 37 times; Maysville twice; Shelbyville 3 times; Augusta once. October - Sharpsburg 26 times. November - Shelbyville 28 times. 1876 - Jan., Stanford 5 times. March & April: Maysville 38 times. April: Augusta 28 times. May: Lancaster 16 times; Flemingsburg 9 times. June: Harrodsburg 30 times. During the year, at Danville 37 times, New Providence 1, in Boyle County 2. In addition, assisted in organizing or conducting five Sabbath School county conventions. In all the protracted meetings except one, there were additions to the churches; in Shelbyville a powerful revival of religion which pervades all the churches in the town.

4th. Additional subscriptions - the people are so much depressed by the financial condition of the country, the committee thought it best to make no public effort to secure additional subscriptions at present. We did what we could to prepare the way for good collections in the future, and there is reason to hope for something liberal after a while. Mrs. Mildred A. Wilson of Shelbyville, Kentucky, gave a note for $4,000 payable by her executors. She had given a similar note for $1,000 in September 1873. Mr. Adam Hanna of Shelby County made a cash subscription of $500.

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This case is more worthy of notice because Mr. Hanna is a member of the M. E. E. Church, South. Brother Heman H. Allen's influence was the chief instrumentality in bringing out this, and some other cases of liberality in Shelby County. Received as a free will offering from the churches to which I preached as follows: Broodwell Church $19; Olivet $58.70; Shelbyville $10; Sharpsburg $31.50; Maysville $100; Augusta $43; Lancaster $34.50; Flemingsburg $15; Danville $320 - in all $631.70. Add subscription of Mrs. Hanna $500 makes total of $1131.70. Harrodsburg [amount not shown] per [unclear word]. Handed Prof. Beatty Hanna's subscription $500. To Prof. Chenault $75. Travelling expenses, including horse hire, $146.75 - total $721.75. All of which is respectfully submitted. Squared by two notes, one for $209.95, the other for $200.00.

(Signed) John L. McKee

The Committee to whom was referred the report of Dr. McKee respectfully state that they have examined the same. It appears that but little has been accomplished during the year for the reasons stated in the report, in obtaining new subscriptions or in collecting old ones. The principal work done by the Vice President outside of the College classes, was evangelistic, which appears to have been greatly blessed to the churches with which he labored, and to the awakening increased interest in the College. In answer to the question what shall be done with those who refuse to pay their subscriptions on the ground stated in Dr. McKee's report, your Committee recommend that legal advice be taken as to the legal value of the plea, and if it should be regarded as an insufficient defense, to request again the parties to pay and if they still refuse payment, or to make some satisfactory arrangement, then to place the notes & claims in suit.

(Signed) Robert Rodes, Chairman

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Upon the recommendation of the Faculty, the degree of A. B. was conferred upon the following young gentlemen of the Senior Class, viz Archibald Burton, Frank Jacobs Cheek, William Ridgely Griffith, John Hise Milliken, Joseph Smith Moore, Andrew Bonner Semple, Joseph Henry Skinner. The degree of A.M. in course upon William H. Weeden, Class of 1863; Rev. William J. Lapsley, Class of 1864; George Moore, Class of 1870; James E. Gardner, Class of 1870; Alexander G. Drury, Class of 1865, and upon William Ayres, William. J. Hendrick, Matthew T. Scott, Jr., John B. Worrall, & John W. Yerkes, all of the Class of 1873. The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred upon the Honorable J. C. Underwood. The degree of Ph.D. on Prof. Jason W. Chenault, Class of 1861. The degree of L.L.D. on Honorable Nathen Green, Chancellor of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee. The degree of D.D. on the Rev. W. E. Jones, Hostsville, Pennsylvania, and the Rev. P. S. VanNest, Centralia, Illinois.

Recess to 8 o'clock p.m.

8 o'clock p.m. Board reassembled.

Report in regard to Preparatory, was submitted and adopted and is as follows:

The Committee appointed to confer with Prof. Ralston in regard to his resignation as Principal of the Preparatory Department beg leave to recommend (1) that his resignation be accepted; (2) that his proposition to take exclusive charge of the Preparatory Department, subject to the general control of the Faculty, without any guarantee of salary from this Board, be referred to the Faculty with full power; (3) that the arrangement be continued for one year.

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The Standing committees were continued, viz
Financial Committee: 0rmond Beatty, George W. Welsh, George E. Wiseman & Thomas Barbee
Committee on Repairs: Welsh, Barbee, & Wiseman
Committee on Investments: Levi L. Warren, Edward P. Humphrey, John B. Temple

The Committee to which was referred the subject of introducing gas into the College building and into the President's house are authorized & empowered to act according to their judgment.

The Financial Committee reported that under the authority of the Board granted last meeting, they had sold the property of the College on 4th Street and south of Green Street, & which was recently used as a carpenters shop, for the sum of $1,000, one half of which was paid and a note due next October taken for the remainder. The sale was approved & confirmed & Dr. Humphrey, the Chairman of the Board, authorized to make a conveyance when the remainder of the purchase money shall be paid.

Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. Prayer by Dr. Worrall.

June 15, 1876

Board reassembled and was opened with prayer. Minutes were read and approved.

Authority is given to the Committee to which was referred the subject of opening & widening the streets to act in the matter according to their judgment.

In preparing a new edition of College laws, the Faculty are directed to have such changes introduced as will make them conform to the existing orders in regard to tuitions, terms, etc. Also in Chapter V, Section 2 to add the word "suspension" to the list of punishments. The order of last year in relation to the employment of a teacher for the

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sub-Freshman class was renewed.

The College Home is committed to the Faculty of the College for their management.

Recess till 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Board reassembled.

A telegram was received from Dr. Scott stating that Prof. Patterson would answer next week. Ordered that Prof. Beatty be directed to inform Dr. Scott that Prof. Patterson can have the Chenault house at a rent of $100 per annum.

Minutes read & approved. Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock p.m. in the Basement room of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Danville on Tuesday before the 3rd Thursday in June 1877. Closed with prayer.

0rmond Beatty, Secretary

Danville, Kentucky August 8, 1876

Board met pursuant to call of Chairman. Members present, Rev. John M. Worrall, D.D., Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, John B. Temple, William H. Kinnaird, Dr. John W. Scott, George W. Welsh. Dr. Cleland was chosen temporary Chairman & the meeting was opened with prayer.

Upon motion the Board resolved to enter upon the election of a Prof, of Latin etc. to fill the vacant chair. Testimonials recommending different persons were read, and after a free interchange of views among the members, the Board proceeded to ballot for a Professor. Whereupon the Rev. Robert S. Hitchcock was unanimously

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elected, receiving nine votes - the entire number of the Board present - to the Chair of Latin, Belles Lettres, English Literature, etc.; and Dr. John W. Scott was appointed to notify him of his election.

The work expected of Dr. Hitchcock shall be equivalent to that required of the other Professors, & his salary shall be equal to theirs.

Adjourned to the regular annual meeting in June 1877.

0rmond Beatty, Secretary

July 7, 1864. Certificates of two scholarships, issued to David A. Sayre, to be used by him & his kindred in favor of any poor and worthy young man nominated for same.