1879 | contents | 1881
Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 4 - 1880)

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Danville, Ky., June 15, 1880

Board of Trustees met pursuant to adjournment. In the absence of the permanent Chairman, Dr. Yerkes was called to the Chair, and opened the meeting with prayer. Members present: Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., John S. Hays, D.D., Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., William Ernst, Levi L. Warren, Robert Rodes, George W. Welsh, Dr. John W. Scott, Thomas Barbee, Rev. Robert Christie.

Letters given reasons for non-attendance were received from Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, Rev. Heman H. Allen, Rev. John Jones, and Rev. James P. Hendrick & James Barbour.

The minutes of last year were read and approved.

Rev. John A. Boyle obtained leave to offer a memorial in relation to a legacy left by Mr. David Williams to the Presbyterian Church in Hunstsville, and in which the Trustees of Centre College had a contingent interest. The paper was referred to a Committee consisting of Rev. Dr. Hays, Mr. Welsh, and Mr. Rodes, with power to take such action as may to them seem necessary to secure the rights of Centre College in the premises.

The Financial Report was read and referred to Messers Ernst & Cleland.

Upon motion it was ordered, That the accumulated interest on the Scott Memorial Fund reported as amounting to $607.90 be placed to the credit of the General Fund, for the purpose of meeting the ordinary expenses of the College, including the salaries of Professors.

The following resolution, in regard to the Overton farm, was offered and adopted. Resolved, That the note of [blanl space] dated [blank space] and payable one day after date, with interest, be accepted in part payment of the rent due from Mr. Friley. That the action of Doctor John W. Scott in his efforts to secure the balance of the

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rent due be approved, and that the whole matter be referred to him to manage at his discretion; also that the rent be reduced to $300 per annum in future. Further, that Dr. Scott be authorized to make such repairs upon the building as he may deem necessary for its protection and to make it tenantable.

The Board then adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

Wednesday, June 16, 1880

Board reassembled and was opened with prayer by Dr. Cleland. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Dr. John L. McKee had leave to present a report on his Evangelistic and Agency work. Also a second paper touching his work in the College, his salary, and his relations to the Board. Both of these papers were referred to a Committee - Messers Rodes & Ernst.

The Faculty report was read, and with accompanying papers was referred to Messers Christie & Barbee.

The following is the report of the Faculty:

The Faculty of Centre College beg leave to present to the Board of Trustees, and through the Board to the Synod of Kentucky, the following report of the internal condition of the College for the Academical year ending June 17, 1880.

1) Faculty - Since the last report no change has been made in the Faculty, and without serious interruptions, all its members have been in their places and at their work during the year.

2) The annual Catalogue, the Financial Report, and reports on the Scientific Fund, the Museum, and the Library, all of which are herewith submitted to the Board, will furnish detailed information on these various subjects.

3) Degrees - The Faculty recommend for the degree of A.B. the following young gentlemen of the Senior Class - viz.

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Hervey Barbour
Clifton Rodes Barret
James Madison Bell Birdwhistell
Nathaniel Lafon Curry
Richard Patton Dunlap
Frank Fithian
George Adams Joplin
Robert White Knox
Alfred Alcorn Lewis
Charles McAfee Lewis
Henry Thomas Lyttleton
John Patton McCartney
William Thomas St. Clair
James William Skinner
and the certificate upon
William Huston January
Falmouth, Ky.
Louisville, Ky.
Salvisa, Ky.
Harrodsburg, Ky.
Danville, Ky.
Paris, Ky.
Lexington, Ky.
Danville, Ky.
Danville, Ky.
Danville, Ky.
Paris, Ky.
Flemingsburg, Ky.
Danville, Ky.
Maysville, Ky.
 
Maysville, Ky.

4) College Home - The College Home has been in successful operation during the entire year; and its management has, we believe, given entire satisfaction to its inmates. About 16 or 18 students have found a home in it during the year, and these, with two or three families, have kept it well filled.

5) Students - There has been a considerable increase in the number of students the present year. The moral condition of the College has been unusually good, the students have pursued their studies with ordinary diligence, and discipline, especially in its extreme forms, has been rarely necessary.

The Faculty have attempted to carry out the plan suggested last year, of giving to each class a recitation in the Bible on Monday morning. The experience of the year has not presented any reason for discontinuing the plan. It is not wholly without difficulty, but upon the whole it appears to the Faculty, from the short experience to work well.

In the month of April, instead of his ordi-

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nary lectures to the students on the Bible, Dr. McKee conducted a protracted meeting in the 2nd Presbyterian Church. These services, especially in the evening, were attended by almost the entire body of the students. Great interest was manifested in the congregation, and especially among the students. Twenty five or thirty persons were added to the different churches, much the larger number connecting themselves with the 2nd Presbyterian Church. A majority of these were students, either of the College Proper or the Preparatory. A number of others, who had before joined the church, but who had been negligent of their Christian duties, were led to renew their vows of consecration.

Preparatory - The Faculty succeeded in making an arrangement with Prof. Walton, the Principal of the Preparatory Department, by which he agrees to take the sole responsibility of this school. It is to be conducted, as formerly, under the general direction of the Faculty, but he employs his own assistants and receives as his compensation the entire proceeds of the school. This arrangement, as long as it continues, will save annually from $500 to $1000 in the expenses of the College.

Library

Summary of report -  
Number of volumes in Library June 1, 1879 4,296
Number added by donation during year 64
Total number June lst, 1880 4,360
Pamphlets added during year 68

Museum

Number of entries to June l, 1879     2353
Number specimens Entries  
Minerology 69 53  
Zoology 110 62  
Paleontology 109 39  
Archaeology 4 4  
  292 158 158
Total entries to June 1, 1880     2,511

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Scientific Fund

Balance on hand June 1, 1879 $44.68
Received during the year $50.00
  $94.68
Total expenses $165.99
Balance due Prof. Fales $71.31

The Committee to which was referred the Faculty report and accompanying papers beg leave to report,

1) The Faculty Report is full & satisfactory. The reports of Library, Museum & Scientific Funds give clear & detailed statements of the condition of these important branches.

It is gratifying to learn that the number of the students in attendance has been increased during the year, that the order has been good, the diligence commendable, and a work of grace of great importance was experienced during the year. These facts testify in the clearest manner to the industry and fidelity of the members of the Faculty. The total number of the students in attendance during the year is 180 as against 156 in the previous year.

2) In accordance with the recommendation of the Faculty, we recommend that the degree of A.B. be conferred upon fourteen young men of the senior class and the Certificate upon one.

3) It appears that the advantages of the College Home are appreciated, so that it has been occupied to its full capacity.

4) We most heartily endorse the action of the Faculty in the arrangement it has effected with Prof. Walton, with respect to the Preparatory Department and recommend its approval.

The report was adopted.

(Signed) Robert Christie, Thomas Barbee

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The Committee to which was referred the Financial Report, made a report, which was received and adopted and is as follows:

The Committee to whom was referred the Financial Report respectfully report:

We have given to the examination of the subject such care as time permitted. On comparing the list of securities now reported to be on hand with the list as given in 1879, we find that many changes have been made; but in examining the detailed reports of sales and re-investments in order to test the accuracy of the present list, we discovered discrepancies which we are unable to explain, although the aggregate amount reported appears to be correct. We therefore recommend that the present report of the secretary, together with his report for 1879, be referred to the Committee on investments, with instructions to carefully event and list by name & number all the securities belonging to the College - general & special - and report to the Board at its next meeting. We have also examined the vouchers for payments made, and find them to correspond with the entries on the cash account.

(Signed) William Ernst, Thomas H. Cleland

Report of Dr. John L. McKee on his Evangelistic and Agency work

I have preached during the year four hundred times as follows:

Winchester, [Ky.]
Flemingsburg, [Ky.]
Troy, [Ky.]
Tabernacle, Louisville, [Ky.]
1st Presbyterian Church, Lexington, [Ky.]
2nd Presbyterian Church, Lexington, [Ky.]
Baptist Church, Danville, [Ky.]
M.E. Church, Danville, [Ky.]
1st Presbyterian Church, Danville, [Ky.]
Leavenworth, Kansas
Keokuk, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
Lancaster, [Ky.]
Reformed Church, Lancaster, [Ky.]
House of Refuge, Louisville, [Ky.]
New Providence, Mercer County, [Ky.]
New Albany, [Ind.]
Evansville, Indiana
2nd Presbyterian Church, Danville, [Ky.]
45 times
42
28
12
6
6
1
1
1
2
44
27
44
1
2
5
44
22
60

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Free Will offerings

Winchester Church, [Ky.]
Flemingsburg Church, [Ky.]
Troy Church, [Ky.]
Tabernacle Church
2nd Presbyterian Church, Danville, [Ky.]
Keokuk, Iowa
Fairfield, Iowa
1st Church, Lexington, [Ky.]
2nd Church, Lexington, [Ky.]
New Albany, Indiana
Lancaster, Ky.
Evansville, Indiana
New Providence, [Ky.]
 
Travelling expenses
 
Received for collecting
Received of J.P. McMillin - Supplement
 
$75.00
$60.00
$40.00
$110.00
$355.00
$222.00
$55.00
$10.00
$60.00
$107.50
$101.00
$165.00
$5.00
$1,365.50
$137.70
$1,227.80
$220.20
$24.00
$1,472.00

As far as I could, I have carried out the instructions of the Finance Committee in discharging the duties of my agency. Some of the provisions of the Committee are incomplete, and to be determined by the Board. The instructions of the Committee are herewith submitted. I have made an unusual effort to collect all monies due the College. The solicitations for settlement have been made chiefly in person. The Financial Report will show the result. A settlement has been effected with most of those persons who refused to pay on account of the recovery of the bonds. I failed, however, to settle with Mr. J. T. Cooper, & submit, herewith, his own statement of the case. The Executor of Mrs. M. A. Wilson asks the Board to return one percent of her donation to the College for the purpose of keeping in re-

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pair her cemetery lot. See letter of Mr. G. W. Harbison, one of the executors, herewith submitted. Judge F. T. Fox proposes to settle his note to the Trustees of Centre College by selling to the same at the rate of $300.00 per acre, so much of the lot lying south of his residence as may be necessary to redeem his note. The proposition in writing is herewith submitted.

Respectfully submitted, (Signed) John L. McKee

The above report, with other papers were referred to a committee - Messers Robert Rodes and William. Ernst, which submitted the following report, which was received and adopted, as follows.

The Committee to whom was referred the report of Dr. John L. McKee, and the communications made by him accompanying the same, report,

1) The arrangement heretofore made with Dr. McKee, having ceased by virtue of orders heretofore made in regard to his salary, agency, & evangelistic work, we think that in the future the following terms should be observed and adopted by the Board, namely that the whole fund annually accruing as interest from the Vice Presidents endowment, (or whatever is available therefrom) shall be appropriated to paying Dr. McKee's salary from and after 1st of July 1880; but if there be not enough arising from that source, to make $1,000, then he shall be paid from the general fund, a sufficiency to make up the sum of $1,000.

2) In addition to this, Dr. McKee shall have the right to act as an agent of the Board in obtaining and raising subscriptions for the endowment of the Vice President's Chair, until the sum of $50,000 is secured, and thereafter such subscription shall cease, and all subscriptions or donations shall be taken for the general endowment of the College. He is at liberty, likewise,

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to prosecute his evangelistic labors and to secure such free will offerings as may be made to him. Out of these subscriptions and offerings he may retain enough to make up to him the sum of $2,500 in addition to his regular salary of $1,000. But in no case is he to receive more than $3,500 altogether; and if the Vice Presidents fund and the free will offerings and the subscriptions he shall obtain shall make or produce more than said sum, he shall pay the surplus (or it shall be paid) over to the Treasurer of Centre College as a part of its general fund or income. This agreement as to salary and agency and evangelistic work on the part of Dr. McKee shall only exist for one year - subject to the further order of the Board.

3) We submit to the Board that, in view of all the facts presented, the Financial Committee accept from J. T. Cooper $100 in full satisfaction of his subscription.

4) We further recommend that Judge F. T. Fox's proposition be accepted, and so endorsed in writing by the Secretary, Ormond Beatty, and that his proposition be carried into effect and executed by taking the proper conveyance and a surrender, when that is done, of all claim on Judge Fox, for, or by reason of, amount due from him.

5) We advise also that one percent of the amount of Mrs. Wilson's bequest (of Shelby County) when paid, be returned to the Executor for the purpose of keeping her burial place in repair, as requested by Mr. Harbison her executor.

6) We advise also that the balance due from Dr. McKee on his subscription notes to the College be cancelled and that his notes be surrendered on his agreement hereto; and that whatsoever deficit, in the salary now due, may remain, after surrendering the subscription

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notes, and whatsoever deficit there may be hereafter, after exhausting the provisions named in items 1 & 2 above be paid out of the contributions which may be made for that purpose, and from the free will offerings of the churches--provided the income from these sources shall at any time hereafter be in excess of what is needed at the time to complete the salary then due. But the salary is never to exceed $3,500.

That the amount of Mrs. Wilson's bequest, when received, shall be loaned to Dr. Mckee at 6 percent interest per annum, he executing a mortgage to the Trustees therefor (in which Mrs. McKee shall write, releasing all claims of every description thereon) for the house and grounds on which he now resides in Danville, Ky., he paying the cost of executing & recording said mortgage. It is further recommended that Dr. McKee shall keep his said residence & house insured for the sum of at least $3,000; and that the policy shall be taken for the benefit of the Board of Trustees of Centre College in case of loss. We recommend that the Financial Committee be charged with the due execution of the papers named in this report, and of the payment of the monies & of the transfer and delivery of the notes referred to.

(Signed) Robert Rodes, William Ernst

The following report was submitted to the Trustees on the subject of the Scott Memorial Fund.

This fund, the Board will remember, amounted to $6,000, of which $2,500 belonged to the College, $2,000 to the Biddle Memorial Institute and $1,500 to Danville Theological Seminary. It was in the form of a note given by William Maxwell of Ghenoa, Ill. to Ormond Beatty, Trustee, and was secured by mortgage

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on 320 acres of land in McLean County, Ill. Interest at the rate of 10% per annum was paid regularly on this sum until July 1st 1877. At this time notice was given that interest would be paid no longer. Suit was at once instituted to foreclose the mortgage, and the business was intrusted to Messers Stevenson & Ewing of Bloomington, Ill., by whose judgment it was obtained and the land sold, under a decree of the court, and bought in by the Trustee for these Institutions. But the right of redemption survived for 15 months after the sale of the land. Before the expiration of this time, the Trustee, by the advice of his legal counsel, and of such members of the Board of Trustees of the College and of the Seminary as he could privately consult, agreed to surrender his claim upon the land in consideration of the payment to him of the entire sum to which he would be entitled by law at the time, together with the expenses to which he had been subjected in prosecuting the suit. These expenses amounted to $245 over and above what the law allowed. In the final adjustment the Trustee received in point of fact only $116.02 instead of $245. This arose from two circumstances. In the first place the purchaser claimed that it was the duty of the Trustee to pay the tax on the land for 1879, amounting to more than $50 & which had not been included in the estimate of expenses. The remainder was in the form of expenses charged by lawyers, for writing & recording deed etc., etc. connected with the closing of the contract. The money necessary to cover these items of expense was retained by the counsel of the Trustee. The amount actually received is given below.

Cash of Stevenson & Ewing   $2,761.61
Cash of Stevenson & Ewing   $116.02
(over)   $2,877.63

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cash from preceeding page   $2,877.63
1 note of Mrs. Julia S. Scott & M.T. Scott payable (by subsequent agreement on March 1st 1883 $3,000.00  
1 note - on same parties & conditions $2,000.00 $5,000.00
Total amount   $7,877.63
Expense of settlement    
Expense of foreclosing mortgage reported by Att'ys $131.17  
Their own fee $150.00  
Taxes on land 1878 $55.52  
Ormond Beatty's travelling expenses $40.00  
Interest on money borrowed from General Fund to pay expenses $39.00  
Express, telegrams, etc. $3.00 $418.19
Net distributable sum   $7,458.94
Of this due    
Theological Seminary $1,864.74  
Biddle Institute $2,486.30  
Centre College $3,107.90 $7,458.94

In this settlement each institution received the entire principal; and in addition $1,458.94 interest to be distributed proportionally among them.

By the advice of the Financial Committee of Danville, the Trustee has paid to the Agent of the Theological Seminary the entire amount belonging to this Institution, viz. $1,864.74, and he has written to the President of Biddle Institute, the Rev. S. Mattoon, D.D., that he is prepared, upon the execution to him of the proper receipt, to pay over to the Trustees of that Institution the entire amount due it.

By paying over this sum to Biddle Institute, the College will become the exclusive owners of the two notes of Mrs. and Mr. Scott, the one for three thousand, and the other for two thousand dollars. The Financial Committee of Centre College, in Danville, recommended these notes to be held as an investment by the College.

They pay 7% interest per annum, payable semi-annually and are secured by mort-

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gage on 320 acres of land in Illinois for which Mr. & Mrs. Scott have just paid in cash $2,877.63 and executed their notes for $5,000.

When these transactions shall be completed the Trustee sees no reason why he may not pass to the Board these notes, pay the remainder of the cash in his hands, and terminate the trust.

The interest of that part of this fund that belongs to Centre College has not been consumed. It now amounts, as the statement shows, to $607.90. Of this sum $500 is found in the face of one of the notes of Mrs. Scott, which is for $3,000 or $500 more than the principal of the Scott Trust Fund. It would perhaps be well to increase by this amount the principal of this fund and make it $3,000 instead of $2,500.

Respectfully submitted, Ormond Beatty, Trustee

On motion it was Resolved, That the action of the Trustee of the Scott Trust Fund as far as reported be approved, & the Trustee is authorized to carry out the purpose suggested in his report of paying over to the Trustees of the Biddle Institute the portion of the fund due to this Institution.

The degrees conferred by the Board were:

A.B. upon the 14 young gentlemen recommended by the Faculty and a Certificate upon one.

A.B. in course on Joseph S. Moore, Class of 1876
A.B. in course on Thomas E. Cleland, Class of 1877
A.B. in course on Thomas L. Edelen, Class of 1877

D.D. on Rev. James W. Wightmore, President of Ogden College, Bowling Green, Ky.

4 o'clock p.m., Board reassembled.

On motion, the standing committees of the

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preceding year were reappointed, viz.

Financial Committee - Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh & Guy E. Wiseman
Committee on Repairs - John C. Fales, George W. Welsh, Guy E. Wiseman, & Ormond Beatty
Committee of Investments - Levi L. Warren, Edward P. Humphrey, & John B. Temple

Moved and adopted that when the Board adjourns it will adjourn to meet in Danville at 8 o'clock p.m. on Tuesday before the 3rd Thursday in June 1881.

The Collection of the past due notes & interest was committed to the Financial Committee, and they were authorized to continue their arrangement for this purpose with Dr. John L. McKee.

Board then adjourned and was closed with prayer.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

Louisville, Ky., December 29, 1880

The Trustees of Centre College met at the call of the Chairman in the College, 2nd Presbyterian Church, Louisville, on December 29, 1880, at 7 p.m. and was opened with prayer by the chairman. There was present: Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Rev. Robert Christie, Rev. J. W. Pugh, Rev. John Jones, D.D., Mr. John B. Temple, Hon. Tyler T. Alexander, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D.

In the absence of the Secretary, Rev. John Jones was called to act as Secretary pro tem. Letters and telegrams explaining their absence were received from the following gentlemen, viz. Rev. Heman H. Allen, Dr. John W. Scott, William Ernst, Esq. & George W. Welsh, Esq.

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Messers J. W. Pugh, John Jones, Tyler T. Alexander & Thomas H. Cleland, after having the oath of office administered to them, took their seats as members of the Board.

The Chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to consider the condition of the College. A full and free conference was held, all the members expressing their views. Upon motion it was Resolved, That notice be given to Professor de Soto that the Trustees desire him to resign his professorship in Centre College, his resignation to take effect as early as may suit his convenience, not later than the close of the collegiate year.

The Secretary was directed to communicate the above resolution to Prof. Salvador de Soto.

Upon motion it was further Resolved, That Rev. Edward P. Humphrey and Mr. John B. Temple be a committee to confer freely with Rev. Prof. Robert S. Hitchcock and communicate to him the sentiments expressed at this time by the Board.

Upon motion the Secretary by Dr. Ormond Beatty was authorized to pay the expenses of the Trustees present at this meeting who reside out of Louisville.

The minutes were read and approved, after which the Board was adjourned with prayer, by Rev. J. W. Pugh.

John Jones, Secretary pro tem