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Danville, Ky., June 14, 1881

Board of Trustees met pursuant to adjournment, and in the temporary absence of the Chairman, Mr. William Ernst was called to the Chair, and the meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Jones. Members present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Chairman, Rev. Robert Christie, Rev. John W. Pugh, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, John B. Temple, Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., George W. Welsh, James Barbour, William Ernst, Rev. John Jones, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., William H. Kinnaird, Levi L. Warren, John W. Scott, M.D.

The oath of office was administered to those members who had not heretofore taken it since their election, viz. Messrs. Barbour, Kinnaird, Warren & Scott.

The minutes of previous meetings were read, amended, and approved.

The report of the Faculty was read and accepted, and with accompanying papers was referred to a committee consisting of Messers. Jones and Kinnaird. This report is as follows:

The Faculty of the Centre College of Kentucky 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 16, 1881.

1. Faculty - The members of the Faculty have all been in their places and performed their allotted work during the year with the exception of Prof. Hitchcock, whose serious illness during the months of October & November and convalescence during December, rendered him unable to attend to his duties. It was considered necessary to employ a teacher in his place, and accordingly Ex-Prof. Randolph was engaged.

2. Catalogue & Reports - The annual catalogue, the financial report, and reports on the Museum, Library and Scientific Fund, all

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of which are herewith submitted, will furnish detailed information on these various subjects.

3. Degrees - The Faculty recommend for the degree of A.B. the members of the Senior Class, viz.

Benjamin Franklin Bedford Robert Letcher Blakeman Logan Wharton Caldwell Joseph Weisiger Caldwell Joseph Abner Know George Welsh Metcalfe Edgar Christian Newlin John Matthew Newman Francis Slaughter Read and for a certificate Ezra Fiddler McKee

Harry Jefferson Cowan Alfred Clay Downs James Francis Greer William Wilson Irwin William McDonald Shaw William Bayard Thomas Benjamin Vincent Tyler William Price Vaughan     William Nicholas Vaughan

4. College Home - The Home has been under the same management as last year, and its success seems to have been satisfactory.

5. Students - The number of students has been about the same as for the year ending June 1880. No flagrant breaches of discipline have occurred, and only a few cases requiring more than an admonition or reprimand.

6. Religious Exercises - The lectures of Dr. McKee, and the regular Monday hour given to each class in the Bible, during the year 1879-1880, have been continued during the last year,

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and it seems to the Faculty with profit to all.

7. Preparatory - The arrangement entered into with Prof. Walton has been carried out without any expense to the College - as agreed upon.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

(Signed) Ormond Beatty, President

The Financial Report was read, accepted, and referred to a committee consisting of Messers John B. Temple and James Barbour. See Financial Report Book.

A motion was then made and adopted "that the Board will proceed to consider the question of the resignations of the Professors of Latin and Greek tomorrow at 11 o'clock."

The Board then adjourned to meet in the lecture room of the Theological Seminary at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Closed with prayer.

Wednesday, June 15, 1881

9 a.m. The Board reassembled and was opened with prayer. The minutes of yesterday were read, amended, and approved. Thomas Barbee appeared and took his seat as a member.

A report of his evangelistic and agency work was made by Dr. John L. McKee, and is as follows:

Annual report of my agency and evangelistic work, commencing June 20, 1880.

I have solicited settlement from all the subscribers to the Endowment Fund of Centre College, except from those who have been in the habit of paying promptly without solicitation. In the large majority of cases the call has been made in person. The Financial Report will show the result. A number of the subscribers live in remote places and cannot be visited without heavy expense. The most of this class have not answered any

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letters. I have preached during the year as follows:

Kingston, Tenn. Columbia, Ky. New Providence, Mercer County, [Ky.] Goresburg, Ky. Caldwell Church, Boyle County, [Ky.] Georgetown, Ky. Nicholasville, Ky. Broadway Tabernacle, Louisville, [Ky.] Frankfort, Ky. Vincennis, Ind. Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville, [Ky.] Danville, Ky.   Total

21 sermons 46 36 1 2 43 42 5 60 42 27 17   342

Free Will Offerings:

Kingston, Tenn. Church Columbia, [Ky.] New Providence, [Ky.] Georgetown, [Ky.] Nicholasville, [Ky.] Broadway Tabernacle Frankfort, [Ky.] Vincennes, [Indiana] J. G. Barret Central Presbyterian Church, Louisville, [Ky.] 2nd Church, Danville, [Ky.] James P. McMillan   Less traveling expenses

$10.00 $55.00 $53.50 $105.00 $110.00 $40.00 $200.00 $110.00 $65.00 $50.00 $160.00 $24.00 $982.50 $82.20 $900.30

Respectfully submitted, (Signed) John L. McKee

At the same time Dr. McKee made suggestions as to the appointment of a Normal School. In view of the suggestion concerning the addition of a Normal Chair to Centre College, it was

Resolved, That the questions involved in this suggestion be referred to the following committee to

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examine and report: Messers John W. Pugh, John Jones, John W. Scott, James P. Hendrick, and Ormond Beatty.

The following resolutions with regard to Dr. McKee's salary were unanimously passed:

Resolved I, that the salary of Rev. John L. McKee, D.D., for the coming year be the income of the Vice President's Fund; 2. the Commission upon collections made on subscriptions now due; 3. that he be allowed to receive the free-will offerings of the churches for his evangelistic services, provided that the whole sum received shall not exceed the sum of $3,500.

II, that a Committee be appointed to examine into the state of the accounts between Dr. McKee and the College, and to ascertain whether anything is due to him or not, and to make a final settlement of the matter, reduced to writing and duly signed by Dr. McKee and by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees; and that this committee have full power to make a final settlement.

This Committee consists of Messers. Ernst, Hays, and Kinnaird.

The Committee upon the report of the Faculty made their report which was accepted and adopted. It is as follows:

The Committee appointed to examine the report of the Faculty and accompanying documents, respectfully report

1. These papers show that all the members of the Faculty have been punctual in their duties during the year without interruption, except in one instance caused by illness; and that the increased attendance of the previous year has been maintained during the past year, indicating substantial progress in public favor.

2. The reports concerning the Library & Museum show that 120 books have been added to the former and 130 specimens to the latter. The thanks of the Board are due to Dr. John W. Scott of Lexington and others, by whose liberality a

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series of Ward's very valuable casts have been presented to the Museum.

3. The financial statement as to the use of the Scientific Fund indicates a judicious expenditure, and serves to show how great is the need of a larger fund. We have examined the vouchers and find the accounts correct.

4. The catalogue of the College shows that of the 87 students in the College proper, 48 come from places outside Danville, and that only four students come from other states. This seems to suggest that it would be wise to cause the advantages of Centre College to be more widely known.

5. We recommend that the degree of A.B. be conferred upon the following members of the Senior class, viz.: See report of the Faculty.

(Signed) John Jones, Chairman

Mr. Levi L. Warren tendered his resignation as a member of the Committee of investment. Upon motion the resignation was accepted and the following minute touching the matter was unanimously adopted:

Resolved

That this Board, in accepting the resignation of Mr. Levi L. Warren, feel called upon to tender to him their unanimous and most hearty thanks for the very valuable and exhausting labors he has bestowed upon the care of the funds of the College. The Board are aware that no minute can express the obligations we are under to Mr. Warren, but they desire to acknowledge his great ability and eminent success in managing the funds.

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to send to Mr. Warren a copy of this action.

Upon motion, Hon. J. B. Kincaid was added to the Committee of investment, and he was appointed the cus-

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todian of the bonds. The Committee was directed to settle with Mr. Warren and to receive the bonds. The said Committee consists of Messers. J. B. Kincaid, John B. Temple, and Edward P. Humphrey, D.D.

The resignations of Profs. DeSoto and Hitchcock were read and, on motion, accepted, and the Secretary was directed to pay their salaries to September 1, [1881].

The names of several gentlemen were presented for the vacant professorships and numerous recommendations were. At one o'clock a recess was taken to 3 p.m.

June 15, 1881.

The Chairman called the meeting to order. Hon. Tyler T. Alexander appeared and took his seat as a member of the Board.

A free conference was held until half past five o'clock. It was then moved and carried, that the further consideration of this matter be postponed until 8 p.m.

The following resolution was adopted. Resolved, That it shall be the duty of every member of the Faculty to attend the daily morning prayers in the Chapel, unless prevented in some way that renders it inconvenient to do so; and that it shall be the duty of the President to report the fidelity of each member in this particular at the annual meeting of the Board.

The matter of right of way for the Kentucky Central Railroad through the Overton farm was referred to Dr. John W. Scott, with power and authority to make any arrangements his judgment may approve.

The committee appointed to examine the financial statement of the College reported as follows:

The undersigned appointed a Committee to examine the financial statement of Centre College submitted by the Secretary of this Board, respectfully report that they have ex [examined]

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said statement and the accompanying vouchers, and compared them and find them correct.

No suggestions occur to the Committee except that the examination of such a statement during the sittings of the Board necessarily withdraws from the deliberations of its sittings two of its members, and from the limited time for such examination makes it somewhat unsatisfactory to such Committee, and does not enable them to give such intelligent attention to the finances of the College as might enable them to make valuable suggestions.

As a remedy the Committee recommends that the fiscal year of the College be made to terminate with the quarter ending March 31, and that the financial statement be made out to that date and submitted to a standing committee on the financial statement to be constituted of two members of the Board on the 15th day of May in each year, who shall prepare and submit a report upon each statement at an early period of its annual session.

It would remedy any inconvenience arising from the date of ending the fiscal year, if the Secretary would submit to the Board a supplemental statement of any changes in the financial affairs of the College, which may be important for the full information of the Board.

Respectfully, (Signed) John B. Temple, James Barbour

Pending discussion a recess was taken till 8 p.m.

The Board was called to order and took up the business assigned to this hour.

It was moved and carried that the consideration of this subject be postponed to July 5 at 8 p.m. in Louisville in the session room of the Chestnut St. Church.

It was moved and carried that the treasurer be authorized to pay an annual sum of $25 toward defraying the expense for music on Commencement Day.

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The report of the Committee to examine the financial statement was taken up, accepted, and adopted. On motion the following persons were appointed the standing committee called for by the said report, viz. Messers. John B. Temple and Tyler T. Alexander.

Rev. Mr. Christie was excused from further attendance tonight.

It was moved and carried that, with a view to obtaining information touching candidates for the vacant professorships, the President be requested to enter into correspondence as he may deem desirable, and also to visit Cincinnati and other places, his expenses to be paid by the Board; and that he report to the Board such information as he may gain in regard to suitable and available persons for the vacant chairs in the College.

The Committee appointed to look into the matter of the William's legacy made an oral report, showing that there will be about $1,100 secured for the use of the College, and that they have a contingent interest and also a mortgage of $4,000 on the school building; and that the business was in the hands of Mr. Alcorn.

The Committee was continued for further report hereafter.

The question of purchasing additional ground from Judge Fox lying adjacent to that already bought of him, and of selling the last mentioned lot, was committed to the local financial committee of Danville.

On motion it was resolved that the sum of $100 be deducted from the salary of Prof. Hitchcock to pay the expense of securing the services of Prof. Randolph during Prof. Hitchcock's illness.

It was moved and carried that the salary of Prof. de Soto for July and August be paid by canceling

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the notes held by the College against him and his wife for the sums subscribed by them to the Endowment Fund of the College.

The following persons received the degree of A.M. in course: Henry H. Grant, 1875; J. B. Dunlap, 1875; Charles F. Beach, Jr., 1877; Marshall B. W. Granger, 1878; William H. Kelley, 1878; Charles E. Kincaid, 1878.

The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred upon Mr. Frank D. Spottswood of Midway, Ky.

The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred upon the Rev. Robert W. Allen of Jacksonville, Ill.

The following local standing committees were reappointed:

On Repairs: Messrs. John C. Fales, George W. Welsh, Guy E. Wiseman
Financial Committee: Messers. Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh, Guy E. Wiseman

The minutes were read and approved, and the Board adjourned to meet in the lecture room of the Chestnut St. Church, Louisville, at 8 p.m. on July 5.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

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Louisville, Ky., July 5, 1881

The Board met pursuant to adjournment and was organized with prayer by Dr. John Jones. The following members were present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Chairman, Rev. John W. Pugh, Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., Rev. John Jones, D.D., Rev. Robert Christie, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendricks, Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., Rev. Heman H. Allen, Tyler T. Alexander, Levi L. Warren, John B. Temple, John W. Scott, M.D., Robert Rodes, William Ernst, James Barbour.

The Board reconsidered its action in regard to the salary of Prof. DeSoto and on motion granted his request to pay his salary to September 1, 1881.

The Board was informed that Hon. J. B. Kinkead declined his appointment as custodian of the funds of the College, and on motion Edward W. C. Humphrey was appointed in his place.

On motion the treasurer was directed to pay the travelling expenses of members of this Board living out of Louisville.

The Board resolved that when it adjourns it be to meet at Danville on the Tuesday before the third Thursday of June, 1882, at 4 p.m.

It was resolved that the Board engage in a season of devotional exercises with reference to the critical condition of the President of the United States.

After this the business for which the Board was called was then taken up, and the Secretary presented a number of names before the Board as applicants for the vacant chairs in the College.

After listening to various testimonials and statements, the Board adjourned to meet in College St. Church at 8:30 o'clock tomorrow morning.

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 6

The Board reassembled pursuant to adjournment. Testimonials in favor of the following persons were read and considered: Rev. John H.

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Hinitt, Rev. Joseph Waugh, John W. Redd, Rev. John Barbour, Prof. J. P. Walton, Prof. W. L. Yerkes, Prof. H. A. Scomp, Prof. Samuel R. Cheek, Rev. A. P. Bissell.

The Board then proceeded to ballot for a professor of Greek. Several ballots having been taken without election, the Board then resolved to ballot for a professor of Latin. After various motions and ballots, Prof. W. L. Yerkes, having received the requisite number of votes, was elected professor of Latin; and in like manner, Rev. John H. Hinitt was elected professor of Greek.

The title of one of the chairs is Greek, English Literature, Belles Lettres, etc.; and of the other Latin and the Modern Languages.

The salaries were each fixed at $1,500 a year payable quarterly, as the other professors are paid. The Secretary was directed to explain the whole matter to the professors elect, and the directions heretofore given to the Faculty are to be sent to them.

It was resolved that in the want of the declinature of either of these gentlemen, the matter be referred to the Faculty.

President Beatty was directed to communicate notices of election to the professors elect.

The Board then adjourned to meet during the session of the Synod in Lancaster next October.

The session was closed with prayer by Dr. Thomas H. Cleland.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

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Danville, Ky., August 4, 1881

Board met pursuant to the call of the Chairman and was opened with prayer by Dr. Hays, who was chosen temporary chairman. The following members were present: Rev. John W. Pugh, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., George W. Welsh, Thomas Barbee, Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., John W. Scott, M.D., Hon. Tyler T. Alexander.

The Board was informed by the Secretary that he had received letters from Prof. W. L. Yerkes and John W. Hinitt declining the chairs to which they were elected. Upon motion these declinations were accepted, and the Board proceeded at once to fill the vacancies thus created.

Upon motion Samuel R. Cheek was nominated as temporary professor of Latin and English, and the Secretary was directed to confer with him and ascertain whether he would be inclined to accept. A favorable report having been made by the Secretary, Mr. Cheek was elected to the chair above designated for one year running from September 1, 1881, to September 1, 1882, at a salary of $1,000 per annum, to be paid quarterly as the salaries of the other professors.

In like manner, Prof. John W. Redd of Virginia was elected to the chair of Greek and German for one year, at a salary to be agreed on by the Secretary of the Board aided by local members of Prof. Redd; the salary, however, not to exceed in any event that paid to the other professors, nor to be less than $1,000 a year.

In the event of the declination of either or both of these gentlemen, the resolution passed at the Louisville meeting, and found on page 81 of the minutes, empowering the Faculty to fill temporarily the vacancies was readopted.

The Faculty was directed to arrange the studies for these departments in connection with those of the other departments.

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It was ordered that the expenses of the members attending this meeting be paid by the Treasurer.

The Board then adjourned to its next regular meeting in June 1882.

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

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