Centre College Special Collections - Board of Trustees Minutes (1887)

Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 4 - 1887)

Lexington, May 12, 1887

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met pursuant to a call of the Chairman, Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., in the parlor of the Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Ky., May 12, 1887, at 12 noon and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D. The following members were present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. Thomas. H. Cleland, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D., Rev. Claud B. H. Martin, D.D., Rev. J. Blayney, D.D., Rev. Edward L. Warren, William Ernst, Esq., James Barbour, Esq., George Nicholas, Esq., James A. Curry, Esq., Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., William H. Kinnaird.

In the absence of the Secretary, the Chairman requested Rev. Edward L. Warren to act as secretary.

The committee appointed at the last meeting to wait on Rev. William C. Young, D.D., and inform him of his election to the Presidency of Centre College, reported that they had performed that duty. The Chairman of the Board stated that he had received a letter from Dr. Young declining the Presidency. In the absence of this letter, which, in the hands of the Secretary, the Board, in lieu of the reading thereof, accepted a statement of its contents by the Chairman.

After a full discussion of the whole subject of the Presidency, it was moved and carried to go at once to go into the election of a President of the College.

The Ballot having been taken, it was announced that Rev. J. M. Worrall, D.D., of New York City, had received the unanimous vote of the Board.

On motion Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., William Ernst, Esq., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., and Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D., were appointed a committee to

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inform Dr. Worrall of this election.

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That this committee be directed to inform Dr. Worrall that the present salary attached to the President's office is $2,000 per annum from the present income of the College, and the use of the President's House and grounds; and that said Committee inform him that an additional sum of $500 per annum will be secured and paid him until the permanent funds of the College shall justify the increase of the regular salary to $2,500 per annum.

It was moved and carried that the expenses of the members attending this meeting of the Board be paid out of the College treasury.

On motion, James A. Curry, Esq., was authorized to look after the improvements necessary on the Overton Farm in Fayette County, Ky.

The Board then adjourned to meet on Tuesday, June 14, 1887, at 8:30 a.m. Danville.

(Signed) Edward L. Warren, Secretary pro tem.

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Danville, Ky., June 14, 1887

The Board of Trustees met pursuant to adjournment in the session room of the 2nd Presbyterian Church, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D. The following members were present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., L.L.D., Rev. J. McCluskey Blayney, D.D., Rev. William C. Young, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D., Rev. Claud B. H. Martin, D.D., George Nicholas, Esq., Rev. William C. Condit, D.D., George W. Welsh, Sr., Esq., Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., Rev. Edward L. Warren, Rev. Julius W. Walden, James R. Curry, Esq.

The minutes of the last meeting held in Danville, and of the two meetings held in Lexington, were read and approved.

The oath of office was administered by J. A. Cheek, Esq., Notary Public, to Rev. Julius W. Walden, who took his seat for the first time.

On motion, Mr. J. A. Cheek, Treasurer of the College, read his report. This report, bearing the certificate of the Auditing Committee that it had been examined by them and found correct, was received and approved by the Board. See Book of Financial Reports.

On motion, the matter of Mrs. Barret's note for $500 was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Nicholas and Curry.

On motion, Dr. William C. Young's letter declining the presidency of the College was read, and ordered to be put on file.

On motion, a letter from Dr. J. W. Worrall declining the presidency of the College was read, and ordered to be put on file.

On motion, a committee consisting of Drs. Humphrey and Condit, and Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., was appointed to confer together and with other members of the Board touching the presidency of the College, and report the result of their conference to the afternoon session of the Board at 3 o'clock today.

On motion, the report of the Faculty, with accompany-

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ing reports on Museum, Library and Scientific Fund, was read and for the time passed. The report is as follows:

The Faculty of The Centre College of Kentucky desire to present to the Board of Trustees the following report for the year ending June 16, 1887.

The organization of the Faculty remains as last year and all the members have been enabled to do their work, with no interruptions of importance.

The reports on Museum, Library, and Scientific Fund, and a copy of the catalogue for 1886-87 are made a part of this report and herewith presented. They will give all needed information on the points found in them.

The College Home is still in charge of Mrs. Farrand, and has had a fair share of student patronage during the year.

No change has been made in the management of the Preparatory Department. The catalogue gives full information concerning it.

The Board are referred to the catalogue for the number and residence of the students. To this the Faculty can add that they have proved to be exceptionally good in morals; and, with few exceptions, the same may be said of their diligence.

The regular Bible classes and chapel exercises have been regularly conducted. In addition, services were held in the 2nd Presbyterian Church during some three weeks by Drs. McKee and Martin. As the result of these services five members of the College classes united with the 2nd Church and two from the Preparatory Department. Others have joined other churches in the town.

The following are recommended for the degrees stated.

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For A.B. in course: William Luke Clark, Rowland Stafford Dawson, Edward Melville Green, Charles Drury Grubbs, George Nicholas, William Lawson Sumrall, Frank Dillon Van Winkle.

For B.S. in course: Richard Givens Denny, Frank Nelson Lee, Eugene Kerr Wilson.

Certificate on: James Carrol Hamilton, Charles Marlet Mason, James Thomas Vaughan, Clarence Matthews.

The Faculty would also recommend for the degree of A.M. "honoris causa", be conferred on William C. Wile, M.D., Philadelphia, Pa., Editor of the New England Medical Monthly, etc.; and on Rev. S. B. Alderson, Washington C. H., Ohio; and the degree of L.L.D. on Hon. John F. Philips, Class of 1855, Kansas City, Mo.

(Signed) Ormond Beatty

The report of the Librarian shows

Number books in Library per last year's report	5,373
Added during the year	159
Total	5,532

The report on the Museum shows

Number of entries at close of last year	3,028
Number of entries during current year	39
Total entries on Register	3,067

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Prof. Fales' report on the Scientific Fund shows

Balance on hand from last year's report,	$54.13
Appropriation for year 1886-87	$50.00	$104.13
Disbursements, as per accompanying vouchers,		$153.27
Showing amount overdrawn & due Prof. Fales		$49.14

On motion, the Board went into the matter of conferring the degrees recommended by the Faculty. A.B. in course was conferred on the following seven members of the Senior Class recommended for that degree by the Faculty. B.S. in course on the following three members of the Senior Class, in accordance with recommendation of the Faculty. The Certificate on the following four students, in accordance with recommendations of the Faculty.

The honorary degree of A.M. was conferred on Rev. Samuel B. Alderson, Washington C. H., Ohio; and William C. Wile, M.D., Philadelphia, Pa, Editor New England Medical Monthly, etc.

A motion was made and carried that the degree of D.D. be conferred on only two persons at this meeting of the Board. The degree was then conferred on Rev. William Torrance, Greensburg, Ind., and Rev. J. F. McMillan, Burksville, Ky.

L.L.D. was conferred on Hon. John F. Philips, Class of 1855, Kansas City, Mo.; Hon. W. S. Pryor, Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals

A.M. in course was conferred on Dr. Harry J. Cowan, Class of 1881; Rev. James L. McKee, Class of 1884; Benjamin F. Blakeman, Class of 1884; Robert G. McKee, Class of 1884; William A. Tribble, Class of 1884.

On motion, the report of the Faculty was received and approved.

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All the Standing Committee were reappointed for the ensuing year. They are as follows:

Financial Committee: Messrs. Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh, and Robert P. Jacobs
Committee on Repairs: Messrs. John C. Fales, George W. Welsh, and Guy E. Wiseman
Auditing Committee: Messrs. Robert P. Jacobs and George W. Welsh
Committee on Investments: Messrs. Edward P. Humphrey, Edward W. C. Humphrey, William C. Young, and George Nicholas

On motion Mr. Curry was appointed a committee to prepare a resolution releasing Dr. Beatty from liability for all funds and property of the College that may have been in his possession.

The Board then took a recess till 3 p.m.

3 p.m., Tuesday

The Board reassembled.

Dr. McKee appeared and, on motion, read his report of his agency and evangelistic work during the year.

In reference to this report and the accompanying paper read by Dr. McKee, Dr. Humphrey offered the following resolutions which were adopted:

Dr. McKee read a paper reviewing the report of a committee adopted in June 1886 and recorded on pp. 166 & 167 of this book of minutes. Therefore resolved,

First, that this paper be now referred to the committee by which the report was made, to wit, William Ernst, Esq., Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq. with [blank space] in place of Dr. John W. Scott, resigned, with instruction to report to the next meeting of the Board.

Second, that the order discontinuing Dr. McKee's agency be renewed until the next meeting of the Board.

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Third, that the report of Dr. McKee to the Board in regard to his work during the year be also referred to the same committee.

On motion, a committee consisting of Drs. Blayney, Humphrey, and Young was appointed on the continuance of Dr. McKee's evangelistic work, and required to report at the present meeting of the Board.

The Committee of Mrs. Barret's note made the following report, which was adopted:

The Board of Trustees of Centre College holds a note of Mrs. Margaretta M. Barret for $500, dated April 27, 1885, payable ten years after date for salary of Vice President of the College, bearing six per cent interest per annum from date, payable semi-annually, with endowments thereon as follows: December 15, 1885, interest to October 27, 1885, $15; December 15, 1885, paid on principal $85; also paid April 20, 1886 $27.95; October 28, 1886, on principal $25, and on interest $11.25. Present value of note, $358.80.

The Committee finds that of the amounts paid on the note of $201.20, $101.20 remains in the hands of Dr. McKee, not having been paid to the treasurer. We recommend that this amount be paid to the treasurer, and that all future payments on the note be made to the Treasurer in order that the value of the note may be known in the future.

(Signed) James A. Curry, George Nicholas

The Committee on Dr. Beatty's release from liability in regard to College funds & property made the following report, which was unanimously adopted by a rising vote:

Whereas, in the history of the College, and in accordance with the desire of Dr. Beatty to yield and transfer to the proper officers of the trusts and responsibilities heretofore committed to him, it is eminently proper that his self-sacrificing devotion to the interests of the College be suitably acknowledged; and

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Whereas, it is with profound and sincere pleasure that the Board of Trustees has this opportunity to recognize by appropriate action the life-long services of President Beatty, we would therefore recommend the unanimous adoption of the following resolutions:

1. That we hereby release Dr. Beatty from all liability for all funds and property of the College that may have been in his possession, he having accounted to Board for the same.

2. The Board cannot repay Dr. Beatty for his faithful and efficient services, not only in the financial department, but in every part of the College work to which his life has been devoted. It is with unmixed pleasure that we now record our esteem and tender our sincere thanks to Dr. Beatty for the work which he has so cheerfully rendered to the College, and are afforded this opportunity to hear our testimony.

3. In this time and place we would also invoke God's blessing to attend Dr. Beatty in every act of his remaining useful life.

(Signed) James A. Curry

The Committee on the Presidency of the College made a report, advising that no action be taken to supply the vacancy at the present meeting of the Board. The report was received and approved.

On motion, Drs. Martin, Humphrey, and Blayney, and Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., were appointed as a committee of correspondence and inquiry, with a view to finding a suitable person for the presidency of the College.

On motion, it was resolved to request Dr. Beatty to continue in the office of President for the present; and Dr. Young and Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., were appointed a committee to confer with him in regard to the matter, and learn his opinion touching the appointment of a dean of the Faculty to relieve him of some of his duties.

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On motion, Mr. Curry, who has charge of the Overton Farm, was requested to obtain legal advice as to whether it can be sold and the money otherwise invested.

The Board then took recess till 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Closed with prayer by Dr. Yerkes.

9 a.m., Wednesday

The Board reassembled. The minutes of Tuesday's sessions were read and approved.

Prof. Fales' request for an appropriation of $130 a year for his department was read, and on motion it was granted.

Prof. Nelson's request for an appropriation of $20 a year for the Mathematical department was also read, and on motion it was granted.

On motion, a unanimous vote of thanks was given to Dr. McMurtry for his valuable gratuitous course of lectures delivered annually to the students of the College.

The Committee on Dr. Beatty's retention in the Presidency of the College and the appointment of a Dean of the Faculty made the following report, which was adopted.

The Committee appointed to confer with Dr. Beatty and request him to continue to hold his office as President of the College, making such arrangements, should he acquiesce in their request, as will relieve him so far as practicable of some of the more onerous duties of the office, would report

1. That they have had a full and free conference with Dr. Beatty, and that in the spirit of self-sacrifice which has characterized in so marked a degree all his relations with the College, he consents to retain his office, expressing, however, his

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earnest desire that his successor be elected at the very earliest practicable moment.

2. In order to relieve Dr. Beatty as far as possible in the discharge of the duties of the Presidency your committee suggest that Prof. Fales be and hereby is appointed Dean of the Faculty, the duties of the office to be determined by the Faculty and the office to continue until the election of a new President.

William C. Young, Edward W. C. Humphrey

It was moved and carried that the Board, when it adjourns, shall adjourn to meet at Lexington, Thursday, September 22, in the parlor of the Phoenix Hotel at 12 noon.

It was moved and carried that the expenses incurred by the members attending the meeting at Lexington shall be paid out of the College treasury.

The Committee on the continuance of Dr. McKee's evangelistic work made a report which, after some discussion, was at the request of the committee recommitted to them. Mr. Robert P. Jacobs offered the following motion, which was adopted:

Dr. Humphrey requested leave of absence, which on motion was granted.

On motion, Dr. Martin was elected to take the Chair.

Minutes of Wednesday's session were then read and approved.

On motion, the Board adjourned and was closed with prayer by Rev. Edward L. Warren.

The Chairman then announced that the Board stood adjourned to meet in Lexington September 22, in 2nd Presbyterian Church, at 12 noon.

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Time until the meeting of the Board in Lexington, Ky., on the 22nd day of September next is given the committee heretofore appointed on the evangelistic work of Dr. McKee, and also to the Committee to which Dr. McKee's report, etc., was referred to make reports, and Dr. McKee is requested to attend that meeting of the Board. (See minute on Dr. McKee's evangelistic work.)

Ormond Beatty, Secretary

Lexington, Ky., September 22, 1887

The Board of Trustees of Centre College met in the parlor of the Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Ky., September 22, 1887, at 12 noon. In the absence of the Chairman, Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., L.L.D., the Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., was on motion called to the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer. Rev. Edward L. Warren was elected Secretary, pro tem. The following members were present: Rev. J. McCluskey Blayney, D.D., Rev. William C. Young, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, D.D., Rev. Claud B. H. Martin, D.D., George Nicholas, Esq., Rev. William C. Condit, D.D., George W. Welsh, Sr., Esq., James Barbour, Esq., William Ernst, Esq., Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., William H. Kinnaird, Esq., Edward W. C. Humphrey, Esq., Rev. Edward L. Warren, James Curry, Esq.

Owing to the fact that the 2nd Church is undergoing repairs, it was moved and carried that the place of meeting be changed to the Parlor of the Phoenix Hotel.

The minutes of the last meeting held in Danville, June 14, 1887, were read and approved.

The Chairman of the Committee of correspondence and inquiry with reference to finding a suitable person for the presidency of the College reported that the Committee had failed to meet, although a number of letters had been received.

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It was moved and carried that the Board proceed to the election of a President of the College and that nominations be now received.

On motion the letters in the hands of the Committee of Correspondence were read by the Chairman, Dr. Martin.

A number of persons were placed in nomination, and after several ballots had been taken there was no election.

On motion the Board took up other business. The Committee on the paper read by Rev. John L. McKee, D.D., before the last meeting of the Board made their report, which was on motion received.

After a statement by Dr. McKee and a full discussion, the paper was recommitted to the Committee, to which Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., was added, with instruction to report to the next meeting of the Board, and authority to pay Dr. McKee his claim of $600 if they shall find the claim to be just.

Lexington, Ky., September 22, 1887

The Committee on the Evangelistic work of Dr. McKee made the following report which was on motion adopted:

The Committee appointed to confer with Dr. John L. McKee with reference to the discontinuance of his evangelistic services under the auspices of this Board, would report the following stipulations of agreement for adoption:

1. Dr. McKee is not hereafter to be required or expected to solicit funds or students for the College excepting so far as any member of the Faculty is expected his influence in these directions, nor is he to collect moneys due the College, nor has he authority so to do.

2. This Board hereby releases Dr. McKee from all its claims upon him for his time and services, excepting as hereinafter provided, the remainder of his time to be his own to prosecute evangelistic or other work when and where he pleases, without making any account to this body.

3. Dr. McKee shall continue to occupy the Chair

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of the Vice Presidency of Centre College, discharging the duties pertaining to that office, residing at Danville during five (5) months of the scholastic year, and teaching during this time under such schedule arrangements as may be determined by the Faculty of the College.

4. For these services Dr. McKee shall receive as his salary from this Board all and only the proceeds or income of the funds held at this date as the endowment of the Vice President's Chair.

Nothing herein is to be understood or interpreted as affecting the questions pending between Dr. McKee and this Board as to the disposition of the Ray and Barret notes.

To this report is appended the following:

I accept and approve this paper.

(Signed) John L. McKee

The following paper was laid before the Board:

The Trustees of Centre College sold and conveyed to William Cheek three acres of ground lying within the limits of the town of Danville, Ky., on the Harrodsburg turnpike road. The Trustees retained a lien on the property for the unpaid purchase money. This lot of ground adjoins the property of Eliza J. Fox, and in order to straighten the line between the two pieces of property, William Cheek and Mrs. Fox agreed upon a new line; the new line throwing to Mrs. Fox six and two-fifths (6 2/5) perches of Cheek's land, and to Cheek eleven and one-fifth (11 1/5) perches of Mrs. Fox's land. In order to perfect these conveyances and straighten said division line, Cheek was to have the line retained by the College released to the extent only of this six and two-fifths (6 2/5) perches of land. The release of the lien upon the 6 2/5 perches does not in the least invalidate the lien of the College upon the remainder of Cheek's property and the amount of land received by Cheek from Mrs. Fox in exchange for the 6 2/5 perches was almost twice as much as the amount agreed to be conveyed to her. Since the conveyance of the 3 acres of land by the College to Cheek, Mr. Cheek has erected upon the property quite

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a handsome residence and the Danville Planing Mill Co. who held a mortgage upon Cheek's property for materials, etc., furnished for the erection of the house, have already released their lien to the extent of the 6 2/5 perches which Cheek has conveyed to Mrs. Fox, as above set forth; and it is believed by Cheek and others interested in his property that the straightening of the division line is important for his property. And as the College is abundantly secure in their debt without this small fraction, the Trustees are requested to pass an order authorizing someone to release their lien to the extent of the 6 2/5 perches conveyed to Mrs. Fox.

On motion the petition was granted, and Robert P. Jacobs, Esq., was authorized to make the release.

A communication from the Faculty of the College with reference to the admission of young ladies into the College was, on motion, referred to the next regular meeting of the Board.

The Committee on the Overton Farm made a report by producing a copy of Mr. Overton's will. This report was received and approved. The copy of the will is as follows:

I, John W. Overton, of Fayette County and Commonwealth of Ky., do make and ordain this my last will and testament, revoking all others. I commend my spirit to God, who gave it, and my body to the dust in the hope of a glorious resurrection through Jesus Christ my Saviour. I give and bequeath and devise all my property, real and personal, to the Trustees of the Centre College at Danville, Ky., and their successors to be used and appropriated in the following manner, viz. It is my will and desire that my little farm in Fayette County be not sold but rented out as a grazing farm, and one of the best of the farm fields cultivated every four years. I wish the first profits of the farm used

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in making a post and rail fence all around on the outside, and all the live trees left in the woods pasture and said pasture used as a woods pasture alone.... The profits arising from my property, real and personal, is to constitute a fund for the education of poor and meritorious boys for the Christian ministry, and they are to return the amount expended on them if they should not adopt the ministry as a calling. The boys are to be selected from Fayette County, always giving my native neighborhood the preference.... All written and signed by my own hand this ninth day of June, 1851.

John W. Overton

(Died in 1856)

The balloting for a President of the College having on motion been resumed, and resulting in no election, the subject of the election of a President was postponed until the regular meeting of the Board in June.

The minutes were read and approved. After prayer the Board adjourned to meet on Tuesday before the Commencement June 19, 1888, at 4 p.m.

(Signed) Edward L. Warren, Secretary pro tem