1896 | contents | 1898
Centre College Board of Trustees Minutes (Vol. 4 - 1897)

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Lexington, Ky., March 18, 1897

Pursuant to a call regularly made the Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky met in the session room of the Second Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Ky., and was opened with prayer by Dr. Blayney. Members present were: Drs. Blayney, Sutherland, Martin, Warren, Waller, Hendrick, Condit, Fulton, Messrs: Humphrey, Curry, Welsh, Simpson, Jacobs, Cochran.

Minutes of called meeting held December 3, 1896, were read and approved as recorded.

The Committee reported that Dr. W. G. Craig had declined the presidency of the College and on motion the report of the Committee was approved.

The following resolution presented by Robert P. Jacobs was adopted:

Resolved that the present committee of three appointed to recommend a President of the College be continued and that an additional committee of five members/p>

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of the Board be appointed by the Chairman as an advisory committee of said first named committee, and that if both of said committees concur in the recommendation of a man for said office then that the Chairman of the first named committee is authorized to pursue the matter so far as to see whether the person upon whom said committees concur will probably accept the office, then that the said chairman is authorized to go so far as to signify to said person that the office will be tendered to him by the Board unless at the time of the meeting of the Board in regular session that there appears some insuperable objection, and at a salary of $3000 per annum and the President's House. Chairman appointed as members of the advisory committee above provided for Dr. W. S. Fulton, Dr. William C. Condit, Dr. Edward L. Warren, Robert P. Jacobs, and John A. Simpson.

On motion the following was adopted:

It is hereby declared that the Board in its action heretofore appointing Prof. John C. Fales Dean of the Faculty is intended to commit to the control of the Dean the management of the College Home and also to exercise all authority usually pertaining to the office of President of the College.

On motion the Dean in connection with the executive committee was authorized to make arrangements for additional instruction for the coming

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year to be reported to the Board at its June meeting.

On motion Mr. Edward W. C. Humphrey was authorized to prepare a paper expressing thanks of the Board to Dr. Samuel A. Mutchmore for his gift to the College Library.

On motion the thanks of the Board was returned to the members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Lexington for the generous hospitality extended to members of the Board during each of the three called meetings held in Lexington.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

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Danville, Ky., June 8, 1897

The Board of Trustees of the Centre College of Kentucky held its regular annual meeting in the session room of the Second Presbyterian Church of Danville, Ky., and was opened with prayer by Dr. Blayney. The members present were: Drs. Blayney, Hendrick, Fulton, Warren, Sutherland, Martin, Waller, Condit, Messrs. Welsh, Jacobs, Humphrey, Curry, Simpson, Cochran.

The minutes of the meeting held March 18, 1897, were read and approved as recorded. The minutes of the Financial Committee were read and approved. The report of the Treasurer for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1897, was read and on motion approved.

The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved that the students are entitled to full standing in their several classes only on the presentation of the Trustees statement of settlement made with him for tuition and fees.

2nd. That the class rolls be revised October 1st and February 1st in each year.

3rd. That each Professor and Instructor be furnished with a copy of this action and requested to comply with same.

On motion by Dr. Martin all students from the Theological Seminary, who are intending to graduate in college are required to pay contingent fee.

A letter from Dr. Mutchmore was read and his reasons for absence were sustained.

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The Faculty report was taken up and the following action was taken:

Degrees were conferred on the following young men as recommended:

Degree of B.L.

William D. Claybrooke
Archie R. Dunlap
Maurice D. Flattery
George J. Holliday
Henry Jackson
George W. Mapp
Henry S. McElroy
William Veron Richardson
Alfred R. Washington
Arthur C. VanWinkle

Recommended by the Faculty of Arts for Degree of A.B.

Elmer H. Bess
Spencer Best
Peyton B. Bethel
Samuel P. Bradley
Hardin Craig
Clarence H. Ferran
Sylvanus M. Gellam
Aylmer B. Gould
George A. Gray
Leslie H. Hudson
Samuel R. Kerr
George W. King
Hugh J. Mann
Robert E. Marrs
Joseph McAllister
Harvey L. Montgomery
Samuel H. Nichols
McKendree L. Raney
Hubert G. Shearin
William B. Stanfield
Huston Taylor
George W. Welsh

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Degree of A.B. continued

Martin N. Welch

Degree of B.S.

Archie R. Cook
Daniel J. Curry
Lucien B. Dickerson
George K. Fisher
Edward Flaig
Hart Goodloe
Thomas A. Hendricks
John D. Jackson
Carl J. McKnight
Carl Mize
Arthur M. Parrett
William H. Smith
Marcus H. Spaulding
Lyne Starling
Alexander G. Sulser

Certificate on:

William Reed Embry

Recommendations about "College Home" were referred to Dean and Executive Committee with power to act.

Present arrangement about the Academy which appropriates $300 as a bonus was continued for another year and an additional appropriation of not exceeding $100 was made for repairs to the building.

Prof. Maurice D. Flattery was employed for the coming year at a salary of $1,000 to be in full of all services as Physical Director, and the recommendation by the Faculty that the Physical Director be required to be present in the Bowling-alley when open was approved.

Mr. Anderson was employed as trainer of the football team at the

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same salary and on same contract as the previous year.

Matter of the Centre College Cento was referred to the Dean and Treasurer with authority to give a bonus of not exceeding $150.

An appropriation of $175 was made for use of the library.

The matter of the privy was referred to the Executive Committee with instruction to abolish the old one and make arrangements for a new one.

The question of janitors and police was referred to the Dean, Messrs. Welsh, and Cheek as a committee, with power to act.

The recommendation of the Faculty about a degree of M.A. was referred back to the Faculty for further consideration by them.

The city ordinance allowing stock sales in Walnut Street in front of the College was referred to the executive committee with direction that they make a protest to the city council on behalf of the Trustees and secure, if possible, a repeal of the city ordinance allowing sales made there.

On motion the following action was taken. It is ordered that John A. Cheek, Treasurer of the Board, is hereby authorized at the expense of the Board to investigate the value of the interest in the parcels of real estate in the city of Chicago, state of Illinois, devised by Dr. William C. Young to the College subject to

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the burden of one half of the mortgage terms which the estate of Dr. Young is liable. And upon the report of the Treasurer to the President of the Board that it is the interest of the College to accept the devise and assume the part of the liability of Dr. Young's Estate on said mortgage debts, the Chairman is directed and authorized to execute all necessary papers to assume the said indebtedness on behalf of the College, and for such purpose, if necessary, to execute, acknowledge, and deliver any deed of trust or of mortgage on the interest in said parcels of real estate devised as aforesaid to the College as required by law.

Report of the Physical Director was taken up and items 1, 2, & 3 were adopted which are as follows:

1st. That all new students be required to take a physical examination within one month from date of matriculation.

II. That all students in Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman classes be required to take at least two hours exercise in gymnasium weekly except when excused by Physical Director, subject to appeal to the Faculty.

III. That a course of lectures in physiology of exercise, personal hygiene and sanitation be added to the required work in this department and that all Freshmen be required to attend.

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An appropriation of $1,000 was made for Prof. Stilwell's department being $500 for each year for two years, and the use of such rooms in the College building as may be assigned by the executive committee.

The following report received from Prof. Stilwell's department was received and recommendations were approved by the Board.

The following improvements have been made in the Physical Department:

1. An electrical laboratory containing an engine, dynamotor, transformers, rheostats, switch-board, ammeters, voltmeters, arc and incandescent lamps, etc.

2. A general physical laboratory containing galvanometers, rheostats, storage batteries, and numerous other instruments for quantative experiments in heat, mechanics, light, sound and electricity.

3. A photometric laboratory arranged with Bunson photometer and a small complete x-ray outfit.

4. A small addition to apparatus used in illustrating lectures on sound and electricity.

5. The city water has been connected to all rooms of the department and all rooms supplied with electric current from electrical laboratory.

Recommendations

1st. That authority be given to the department to collect laboratory fees. This money to be expended by the department in purchasing

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supplies and annual report be given the Treasurer. The following is considered a fair rate:

Elementary Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Physical laboratory
$3.00 per half year
$5.00 per term
$1.50 per term

2nd. That provision be made for the enlargement of the chemical laboratory so that a course in laboratory work can be given to the entire class in connection with the general course in chemistry; also an elective course in analytical work to those wishing to continue the chemistry. Any money appropriated for this purpose shall be used mainly in purchasing apparatus or other appliances. For appropriation see p. 309

On motion it was ordered that no tuition be charged in Post Graduate courses.

On motion Prof. Richard O. Stilwell was elected a full Professor and his salary fixed at $1500 for coming year and $1600 per annum afterwards.

The following action concerning Prof. Fales as Dean was adopted.

Resolved that the thanks of the Board are hereby tendered to Prof. John C. Fales for his wise and efficient administration of the College as Dean of the Faculty and as additional duties and labors were imposed on Prof. Fales while Dean, the Treasurer of the College is hereby directed to pay to Prof. Fales the sum of $250 as expression of our appreciation, and until a President of the College is

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secured Prof. Fales is hereby continued as Dean of the Faculty.

Dr. Blayney from the Committee heretofore appointed presented the following paper concerning Dr. William C. Young which was received and adopted:

In Memory of President William C. Young

William Clark Young was born in Danville, Ky., on the twenty-third day of April 1842. He was the second son of Rev. John C. Young, D.D., a former President of Centre College.

On his mother's side he was the grandson of J. J. Crittenden, the eminent statesman. He was a worthy descendant of a noble ancestry. His education was acquired at Danville, graduating with the honors of his class at Centre College in 1859 and at the Theological Seminary in 1865. After graduating at College & before entering the seminary he spent some time in teaching in the South.

His first pastoral charge was in Covington, Ky. He was ordained at Elizaville, Ky. and installed over the Second Presbyterian Church of Covington in the spring of 1866 where he labored for four years. In 1870 he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Madison, Indiana, and remained there two years & then removed to Chicago, Illinois, to become Pastor of the Fullerton Avenue Church. He labored there six years & in 1878 accepted a call to take charge of

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the new enterprise of the Central Presbyterian Church of Louisville, Ky., where he remained until he was elected President of Centre College in 1888, which office he held till the day of his death. He was chosen moderator of the Synod of Kentucky in 1883 and Moderator of the General Assembly in 1892. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from his Alma Mater, Centre College, and that of L.L.D. simultaneously from the University of Alabama and from Princeton College, now University, in 1892.

Such are some of the more important facts, which like milestones mark the progress of the useful, honorable, growing, successful career of Dr. Young.

In the month of November 1874 Dr. Young married Miss Lucy A. Waller of Chicago, whose long continued ill health, necessitating her residing in a distant city for medical treatment, constituted the great cross of his life. She died in June 1896 only a few months before his own death. During the long years of her illness and the weary months of his own declining strength wasting away from an incurable disease, he bore the burdens the Lord laid upon him with uncomplaining Christian resignation & fortitude.

As a man Dr. Young was most affable and approachable in disposition, gentle and courteous

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in manner, genial and companionable in social intercourse & earnestly and devoted in Christian character. His intellect was clear, keen & alert. His readiness and quickness of apprehension constituted a conspicuous trait of his mind, so that he could never be placed in a position to which he would not rise, and in which he would not acquit himself to his own credit & the gratification & admiration of his friends. His mental tastes ran especially in the direction of literature, in which his equipment was broad & accurate. His mind was a thesaurus of the best things of the best writers in the English language, and his public discourses were illustrations drawn from history & fiction & pertinent quotations of the most beautiful things from the lines of the poets.

As a public speaker Dr. Young was rarely gifted. His delivery was earnest and fiery & at times rose to a degree of burning eloquence that fairly carried his audiences with him. From the day of his election as Moderator of the Assembly Dr. Young became in this respect one of the very foremost men in the Presbyterian Church and could have commanded the most important pulpits of the land; but his heart was in his work for Centre College to which his life was bound by so many & tender ties.

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As an ecclesiastic Dr. Young soon came to rank among the foremost although he had but little taste for the dry details of parliamentary usage & constitutional law, yet his mind was so alert & quick of grasp, that he soon mastered their principles when necessary, and applied them with impartiality. His efficiency as Moderator of the General Assembly at a time of great excitement was a distinct triumph of courage and tact and impartiality. In the latter years of his life he was frequently called into the counsels of the church by appointment on various committees where his services were valuable & conspicuous. He was modest in the assertion of his opinions until he had opportunity for full investigation & was ready to consult with anyone from whom light might be received; but when his judgments were formed he was fearless in stating them, tenacious in his adherence to them and was masterful in his advocacy of them.

As President of Centre College Dr. Young accomplished perhaps the most important work of his life. He came to the office when the College was surrounded by embarrassments and to the day of his death he administered its various and arduous duties with consummate tact and pronounced success. His association with the Faculty

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and members of the Board of Trustees was always of the most cordial character. In his official relation to the College he was firm yet gentle. He commanded the respect and admiration of the students, and winning in a marked degree their affectionate regard, his influence over them was potent and widely beneficial. His desire for their spiritual training and development was earnest and constant & the avowedly dominant motive he had in all his intercourse with them both in the classroom and the incidental association of College life. All the services he rendered in this office and the labors he performed will never be known on earth. His indefatigable efforts were not in vain. He saw the institution grow and expand in strength and usefulness. The number of students increased, its financial condition improved, its position became more conspicuous, its reputation widened, until today its standing amongst the foremost colleges of the land is recognized as perhaps never before. And then in the prime of his intellectual powers in the midst of his growing usefulness while planning & expecting the realization of yet greater things in the near future, he "fell asleep." "He was not, for God took him."

The Board of Trustees puts on record its estimate of our recently deceased President in the following resolutions:

1. We tenderly cherish the memory of Dr. Young as a brother beloved in the Lord, as a high-toned Christian

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gentleman & as a faithful & courteous & influential member of this body.

2. That we testify hereby our high appreciation of the invaluable service he has rendered to Centre College by his laborious, self-denying, self-sacrificing efforts in its behalf.

3. That whilst we recognize the death of Dr. Young as an irreparable loss to our College, we bow submissively and trustfully to the will of Him who has said, "What I do thou knowest not now but shalt know hereafter."

4. That we make record of our profound gratitude to God for giving us, even for so short a time, a President who has been so preeminently blessed in his labor for the furtherance of the interests of higher Christian education in our State.

5. That a copy of this minute be furnished the family of the deceased with the tender of our deepest sympathy with them in a sense of a great common loss.

On motion the matter of Gov. Knott's compensation was referred to the executive committee with power to act.

The Board conferred the following honorary degrees on persons named:

Prof. John H. Halsey
Rev. Donald McDonald
William T. St.Clair
Thomas Lindsey Blayney
L.L.D.
D.D.
Class of A.M.
Class of A.M.

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved that the thanks of the

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Board be extended to Mr. Bell for his drawings, suggesting improvements in the College grounds. Dr. Fulton, Dr. Southerland, and Mr. Welsh were continued as a committee on the grounds.

An appropriation of $30 was made for the Natural Science Department. Messrs. Christensen and Grant, students, were authorized to solicit subscriptions to extent of $40 to pay their expenses to the summer school at Knoxville, Tennessee.

The following proposition from Dr. John L. McKee having been submitted to a committee heretofore appointed, viz.,

Danville, Ky., May 5,h 1897

Dr. John L. McKee submits the following proposition in regard to severing his connection with Centre College, to wit:

I ask that the Board of Trustees of Centre College to allow me to discontinue all instruction in the College with title of Vice President Emeritus in order that I may devote all my time to the evangelist work and as long as I faithfully perform this work I ask the Board to allow me twelve hundred dollars per year out of the income of the Vice President's endowment funds to be paid quarterly at the same times & in the same manner in which the Professors of the College are paid. The first payment of the reduced salary to be made October 1, 1897.

(signed) John L. McKee

The report of the committee on above was adopted and was as

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follows:

The Committee to which was referred the proposition of Dr. John L. McKee as to the severance of his connection with Centre College upon certain conditions respectfully report that the proposition of Dr. McKee contained in the paper filed herewith marked "A" and which is made a part of this report. The Committee recommend the acceptance of the proposition and the adoption of the following report:

Resolved that Dr. John L. McKee is now retired from the office of Vice President and instructor in any branch of study in the College, with the title of Vice President Emeritus; and as long as he shall devote his time to evangelistic work, as stated in his proposition to the Board, he is to be paid the sum of twelve hundred Dollars ($1,200) per annum out of the interest of the Vice President's fund in quarterly payments, such payments to be made at the same time as the payments of salaries to the Professors of the College, the first payment to be made the first of October next. Any services that Dr. McKee may hereafter render to the College are to be considered voluntary and gratuitous on his part.

Respectfully submitted

(signed) Edward W. C. Humphrey, George W. Welsh, Robert P. Jacobs
Danville, Ky.
June 7, 1897

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On motion the salary of the Treasurer of the Board, Mr. John A. Cheek, was fixed at $500 per annum, payable quarterly and 3% on the tuition and fees collected.

The matter of Dr. O. Beatty's will was referred to the Financial Committee with power to act.

The Board took recess until 9 o'clock a.m. on June 9th 1897.

Board met as per adjournment and was opened with prayer.

The employment of additional instruction for the coming year was referred to the Dean and executive committee with power to act.

On motion it was ordered that the next annual meeting of the Board be held in the Y.M.C.A. room of the gymnasium on Tuesday, June 7, 1898, at 9 o'clock a.m.

On motion the Faculty and graduating class were directed to appear on Commencement day during the exercises in cap and gown with display of College colors thereon.

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved that the Board would learn with great gratification that the different members of the Faculty would alternate in conducting the opening exercises of the Chapel.

John A. Cheek, Secretary

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Lexington, Ky., July 8, 1897

Pursuant to a call regularly made the Board of Trustees of Centre College met in the session room of the 2nd Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Ky., and was opened with prayer by Dr. Blayney. There was present: Drs. Blayney, Hendrick, Martin, Waller, Warren, Fulton, Sutherland, Messrs. Simpson, Cochran, Humphrey, Welsh, Jacobs, Kinnaird, Curry.

Dr. Blayney, from the Committee on securing a President, reported the negotiations had with Dr. Henry C. Minton.

On motion the Board proceeded to an election of a President, taking the vote by ballot. Dr. Henry C. Minton of California was unanimously elected. The Chairman of the Board was directed to notify him by telegraph.

The Board having assurance of his intention to accept, Dr. Hendrick offered prayer asking divine approval of the action of the Board.

On motion the salary of the new President was fixed at $3,000 per annum and a house and the Treasurer was directed to pay his actual expenses of removal to Danville.

On motion the words "subject to approval of the faculty" were added to the second recommendation of the Physical Director adopted by the Board at its June meeting 1897.

The Board adjourned.

John A. Cheek, Secretary