History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I > Part 30

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Throughout its entire history the college had kept pace with progress, had regularly provided additions to its material equipment,

148

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

and had in every way improved the efficiency of its teaching. However, in order to meet the demand for still larger professional op- portunity, it was decided by the authorities to again reorganize, and the entire property was tendered the University of Alabama for use as a graduate school of medicine. It occupied this relation to the University from October 1, 1913. It closed its doors as an independent institution with the completion of the session of June, 1915. An alumni asso- ciation is organized among the graduates.

The following served as deans, namely, Dr. W. H. Johnston, Dr. B. Leon Wyman, and Dr. Lewis C. Morris. The last named continues as dean of the graduate school of medicine. Others, serving at various times as members of the faculty, or as lecturers and demonstra- tors are: Dr. J. H. McCarty, Dr. J. D. S. Davis, Dr. B. G. Copeland, Dr. W. E. B. Davis, Dr. L. G. Woodson, Dr. R. M. Cunning- ham, Dr. J. C. LeGrand, Dr. R. A. Berry, Dr. W. R. Luckie, Dr. J. D. Heacock, Dr. G. C. Chapman, Dr. G. F. Broun, Dr. E. H. Sholl, Dr. J. W. Sears, Dr. A. B. Burke, Dr. Thomas D. Parke, Dr. Dyer F. Tally, Dr. W. B. Fulton, Dr. Edgar A. Jones, Dr. Mack Rogers, Dr. George A. Hogan, Dr. W. M. Jordan, Dr. Robert Jones, Dr. N. G. Clark, Dr. W. P. McAdory, Dr. John L. Worcester, Dr. J. S. McLester, Dr. W. H. Wilder, Dr. N. P. Cocke, Dr. A. F. Toole, Dr. W. T. Berry, Dr. F. G. Grace, Dr. Hardee Johnston, Dr. E. P. Hogan, Dr. John F. Hogan, Dr. H. Levy, Dr. E. S. Casey, Dr. Robert Nelson, Dr. C. W. Shropshire, Dr. J. H. Edmondson, Dr. Charles Wheelan, Dr. H. Swedlaw, Dr. R. C. Woodson, Dr. E. P. Solomon, Dr. W. R. Ward, Dr. L. G. McCollum, Dr. W. C. Gewin, Dr. Kenneth Bradford, Dr. M. A. Copeland, Dr. Mortimer H. Jordan, Dr. A. R. Bliss, jr., Dr. E. Lawrence Scott, Dr. C. E. Dowman, jr., Dr. Farley W. Harris, Dr. W. G. Harrison, Dr. H. S. Ward, Dr. K. W. Constantine. Dr. Walter F. Scott, Dr. A. H. Olive, Dr. S. H. Welch, Dr. W. H. Sanders, Dr. P. M. Kyser, Dr. J. C. Anthony, Dr. Bernard McLaurine, Dr. H. A. Mckinnon, Dr. A. E. Cowan, Dr. G. W. Rogers, Dr. W. E. Drennen, Dr. J. Ross Snyder, Dr. H. P. Shugerman, Dr. George Lotterhos, Dr. W. L. Thornton, Dr. Russell Callen, Dr. H. M. Ginsberg, Dr. T. K. Lewis, Dr. G. S. Graham, Dr. R. C. Mc- Quiddy, Dr. C. C. McLean, Dr. John Edmond- son, Dr. J. D. Dowling, Dr. W. B. Smith, Dr. George A. O'Connor, Dr. Chalmers Moore.

Department of Pharmacy .- With the open- ing of the college a department of pharmacy was organized, including a two years' graded course of instruction in the theory and prac- tice of pharmacy, materia medica, botany, physics, inorganic and organic chemistry, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and toxicology. A separate faculty in part was organized. The courses were so developed as to lead to the degrees of graduate in phar- macy, bachelor of science in pharmacy, doctor of pharmacy, and pharmaceutical chemist. The students of the department of pharmacy are organized into an alumni asso- ciation.

REFERENCES .-- Acts. 1896-97, pp. 1186-1189; Catalogues 1894-1914.

BIRMINGHAM MINE SAFETY STATION. See Mine Safety Station.

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY. See Libraries.

BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY, LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY. A public utility cor- poration, chartered June 13, 1901, under Ala- bama laws, as a consolidation of the Bir- mingham Railway, Light & Power Co., Birmingham Gas Co., and the Consolidated Electric Co .; capital stock authorized and outstanding-$3,900,000 common, $3,500,- 000 preferred, total, $7,400,000; shares, $100; funded debt, $15,184,000; property in Alabama-a street railway system consisting of 61 miles of single track, 44.54 miles of double track, and 3.97 miles of barn and storage tracks, making a total of 154.05 miles; 1 power station, of 17,700 kilowat rated capacity, and 6 substations; a gas plant with 197.99 miles of mains, and average an- nual production of 410,884,300 cubic feet. It obtains electric current, under a long-term contract, from the Alabama Power Co. (q. v.); owns and operates the entire street rail- way, gas, electric light and power, and steam heating business of Birmingham and all the principal nearby towns. All franchises, with two or three unimportant exceptions, are per- petual; and it is controlled by the American Cities Co., which owns 98.11 per cent of the common, and 79.16 per cent of the preferred stock; offices: Birmingham.

REFERENCE .- Poor's manual of public utilities, 1916, pp. 830-833.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF PHARMACY. See Birmingham Medical College.

BIRMINGHAM, SELMA AND NEW ORLEANS RAILWAY COMPANY. Chartered by legislative act of February 23, 1866, as the New Orleans & Selma Railroad Co. It was organized by Gen. W. J. Hardee, J. W. Lapsley, R. M. Robertson, Gen. John T. Mor- gan, M. M. Creagh, Eugene McCaa, Dr. James R. Jones and C. C. Huckabee, for the purpose of constructing a railroad "from New Orleans to Selma, by the most practicable route, or to connect with the Alabama Mississippi road, as the company may elect;" capital stock, $1,000,000. On December 22, 1868, the charter was amended so as to change the name of the company to the New Orleans & Selma Railroad Co. & Immigration Associa- tion; to increase the capital stock to $10,000,- 000, which might consist of money, lands or other property; to exempt all lands owned by the company, whether acquired by gift, grant or otherwise, from taxation so long as held by the company and for five years after their sale to immigrants, but section 5 of the act provided that the lands should not be exempt from taxation for school purposes.

In his Selma, p. 113, John Hardy says: "Immediately after the war in 1867, Dr. R.

149

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

M. Robertson and others obtained a charter from the State Legislature for this corpora- tion, through the State of Alabama, in the direction of the city of New Orleans, with the most remarkable and valuable privileges that could be given by the Legislature. The act exempts all the real and personal property of the corporation from State and county tax- ation. Books of subscriptions for stock were opened in 1868, and the necessary amount of stock was taken in a few days, and an organ- ization effected by the election of Wm. M. Byrd, R. M. Robertson, B. M. Woolsey, John Hardy, A. B. Cooper, Alexander White, and Charles Hays, as Directors. The Directors elected Wm. M. Byrd, President, and P. D.

Barker, Secretary and Treasurer. Major Robertson, with a good corps of engineers, made a locating survey to Rehobeth Church, in Wilcox County, forty miles from Selma, and a preliminary survey to the Bigbee River in Clark County. The county subscribed $140,- 000 of stock, and issued bonds for the same. A contract was entered into with P. Hawkins Duprey, for the construction and equipment of the first twenty miles, which contract was soon complied with. Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars of first mortgage bonds were issued and endorsed by the State, and thus this important work to Selma's in- terest is permitted to slumber. There are trains running tri-weekly on the road, to Martin's Station, twenty miles from Selma. This road brings to Selma, every season, over 10,000 bales of cotton, and if completed to the Bigbee River, we predict it would in- crease this to 30,000 bales. F. G. Ellis is the Superintendent, and James Allen, En- gineer, M. A. Smith, Road Master. The repairing of machinery is done at the Selma, Rome and Dalton shops, and the rolling stock is mostly furnished by the same road."

On November 16, 1886, the Birmingham, Selma & New Orleans Railroad Co. was chartered under the general laws of the State and purchased the property of the Selma & New Orleans Railroad Co. & Immigration Association. Its capital stock was $200,000 in shares of $100 each, with the privilege of increasing it to $1,000,000. The new com- pany added nothing to the length of the road and sold it on April 22, 1902, to the Louis- ville & Nashville Railroad Co., which ex- tended it to Linden during the next year and to Myrtlewood, its present terminus, on August 10.

REFERENCES .- Railroad Commission of Ala., Annual reports, 1889, et seq .; Poor's manual of railroads. 1872 et seq .; Acts, 1865-66, pp. 236- 243; Ibid, 1868, pp. 424-427.

BIRMINGHAM SEMINARY. See Loulie Compton Seminary.

BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE. An institution for the education of young men, property of the two Methodist Conferences of Alabama, located at Owenton, in greater Birmingham.

"At the session of the North Alabama Con- ference, held at Tuscaloosa in November,

1896, it was decided to hegin the enterprise of establishing a college for men within the bounds of this Conference. On February 3, 1897, a committee met in the First Methodist Church of Birmingham for the purpose of considering a site for the proposed college. After careful consideration of various offers and inducements for the location, the com- mittee agreed with unanimity that the col- lege should be located in Birmingham. Among the inducements offered by the city, was a splendid property, 56 acres well suited for the campus. In the fall of 1897, the foundation for the first building was laid. In April, 1898, Rev. Z. A. Parker, D. D., was elected president, and a faculty was duly chosen and organized. The Conference then surrendered its interests in Southern Univer- sity, and on September 14, 1897, in the pres- ence of a great congregation of people, the North Alabama Conference College ( later named Birmingham College) opened its doors for students. Additional land was bought. Several dormitory cottages with all modern conveniences were built. During the sum- mer of 1911 there was erected, adjacent to the excellent athletic field, a spacious gym- nasium, which has heen equipped with dress- ing rooms, hot and cold shower baths, and various apparatus. In 1916,. a three-story science hall, modern in every respect and equipped for the effective teaching of sci-

ence, was opened for use. At the session of the Conference held in 1912 subscriptions amounting to $85,000 were secured for the purpose of erecting other buildings and for endowment. This amount was, within two or three years, increased to more than $200,000.

For 20 years the two colleges were main- tained by the Methodists of Alabama. Then, on the 30th of May, 1918, through their appointed commissioners, the two Confer- ences, manifesting a splendid spirit of Chris- tian unity, consolidated these institutions under the name of Birmingham-Southern Col- lege. With no loss of time from the regu- lar work at either place, the consolidation was effected.

Resources .- (1) Land. The College owns at Owenton 68 acres of land donated as fol- lows:

16 acres occupied by present buildings do- nated by the late R. W. Owen.

15 acres adjoining the above on the south- west, donated by the late Col. T. G. Bush.

15 acres east of the College, separated from Owenton tract by public road, donated by the late Robert N. Greene.

Five acres northwest of College, adjoining Bush tract, donated by the late Paul H. Earle.

18 acres north of main building, purchased of the Walker Land Company in July of 1909.

Six lots south of main building, with one residence of 11 rooms on same, extending campus to Eighth Avenue, were purchased from Frank W. Brandon in October, 1919.

It will be seen from the above that the College has 68 acres in a body. There is no

150

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

more beautiful property around Birmingham than these College Highlands. The main building occupies the middle one of three hills, from each of which the whole city of Birmingham and Jones Valley, from Boyles to Bessemer, a distance of 20 miles, lie in plain view.

(2) Buildings. The main building is of red pressed brick, three stories high and cov- ered with slate. It contains a chapel 70x60 feet, a study hall, two society halls 40x20 each, and seven recitation rooms. In this building all High School work is conducted.

There are four modern dormitory build- ings equipped with steam heat, electric lights, sanitary connections, hot and cold water, bath rooms, etc. These buildings are being erected on a plan that permit of constant en- largement to meet the growing necessities of the College.

During the summer of 1911 a gymnasium 40x80 feet was erected. It is equipped with dressing rooms, hot and cold water, baths, sanitary connections, and with a marked floor providing most excellent facilities for basketball. The list of apparatus comprises athletic horse, parallel bars, horizontal bars, basket-ball and baskets, flying rings, travel- ing rings, spring boards, mats, dumb bells, etc.

A new science hall was opened in Septem- ber, 1916. The building is three stories in height, fireproof, and equipped with all the latest facilities and apparatus for efficient instruction in the sciences. This building is the second unit of a group which will form the first quadrangle of the scheme, already adopted by the Board of Trustees, which looks to an artistic arrangement of all build- ings on the campus. All work in the college department is now done in this new building.

The College has at present two residences on campus for the use of the faculty, the two being valued at $12,000.

(3) Endowment. Birmingham-Southern College has now a productive endowment of $110,000, and an unproductive endowment of about $100,000, consisting of bona fide sub- scriptions in process of collection and in real estate.

(4) The Good Will of the Alabama Con- ference and of the North Alabama Confer- ence. This is a real asset. Indeed, it is a substantial endowment, for the Conferences levy on their members an annual assessment of $20,000 for the maintenance of the College.

In addition to the three dormitories al- ready on the campus, another three-story brick dormitory will be completed by early summer.

Loan Funds .- Through the consecrated generosity of friends of Christian education the following loan funds have been estab- lished in the College:

The Amanda Martin Fund, for the aid of young men preparing for the ministry, by Mrs. Amanda Martin.

The Ann B. Betts Fund, similar in purpose to the Martin Fund, by bequest of the late Mrs. Ann B. Betts.

The Banks Memorial Fund in memory of Newton B. Banks, for the aid of candidates for the ministry.

The A. S. Andrews Scholarship Fund, by the Union Springs Methodist Church, in memory of their former pastor, Rev. Dr. A. S. Andrews, to offer scholarships to worthy young men. (Not yet available under the terms of the gift.)

The Wilson Scholarship Fund, for the es- tablishment of loan scholarships for minis- terial students, by Mr. C. H. Wilson, of Cof- feeville, Ala.

The Scarborough Memorial Fund, for the aid of needy and worthy students, preference being given to applicants who are preparing for the Methodist ministry, by Mrs. Julia E. Scarborough, in memory of her son, Robert S. Scarborough.

The J. D. Flowers Fund, for the benefit of ministerial students, by Mr. J. D. Flowers, of Dothan, Ala.

North Alabama Conference Loan Fund. The North Alabama Conference has accumu- lated a very substantial fund to be loaned on approved security. By the help of this fund a number of our best students have heen kept in college who otherwise would have been compelled to drop out.

Special Fund. During the year 1917, a friend, whose name is withheld at his request, generously donated $300 as a Loan Fund.

Bryant Flournoy Cumming Memorial Scholarship Loan Fund. In memory of their son, Bryant Flournoy Cumming, a former student of the College, who lost his life in the recent war with Germany, Rev. and Mrs. J. B. Cumming have donated to the institu- tion $1,000 to establish the Bryant Flournoy Cumming Memorial Scholarship Loan Fund.

Margaret Johnson Loan Fund. In the early part of 1919, through the bequest of Mrs. Margaret Johnson, an estate ranging in value from 20 to 30 thousand dollars was added to the Loan Fund resources of the Col- lege, $12,000 of which is drawing interest at the present time.

The Susan Henry Puckett Scholarship Fund. A Fund established in memory of their mother by the children of Mrs. Susan Henry Puckett. This fund provides two scholarships of $70.00 each, which pays the tuition and matriculation fee of the recipi- ents. These scholarships are available for worthy and needy students other than young ministers and sons of ministers.

Scholarships .- The Eva Comer Scholarship in English, established in 1912 by Gov. B. B. Comer, LL. D., in honor of his wife, is awarded annually to the best student in the department of English during the session. This scholarship is in amount the income from $500.

District Conference Scholarships. Through the beneficence of the various District Con- ferences of the Alabama and of the North Alabama Conferences, quite a number of scholarships are available for the session of 1919-1920. Each of these scholarships is worth $75.00, and may be enjoyed only by an

151

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

earnest, ambitious student living within the bounds of the District offering the scholar- ship. No student who is financially able to go to College without such aid should apply for one of these scholarships. Application should be made to the Presiding Elder of the District.

U. D. C. Scholarship. A scholarship is awarded annually by the U. D. C. of Alabama. The Association selects the beneficiary, sub- ject to the approval of the faculty. This scholarship is worth $50.00.

Medals .- Freshman Medal. The College gives a medal to that member of the Fresh- man class who excels in declamation at com- mencement.

Sophomore Medal. For the best declama- tion by a Sophomore speaker at commence- ment, the College offers a medal.

Junior Medal. A medal is offered by the College for the best oration by any Junior speaker at commencement.

Inter-Society Oratorical Medal. A medal given by the two literary societies of the Col- lege to that student who shall excel in oratory in a contest at Commencement.

The Straiton Ready Debater's Medal, given by John A. Straiton, of Greensboro, Ala., for that student who shows greatest proficiency in extempore debate.

. Trustee Medal. The Trustees of the College offer a medal to that member of the Senior class presenting the best original essay.

Comer English Medal. $500 has been given to the College by the Hon. Braxton Bragg Comer, the interest of which shall pro- vide annually a medal for that student of the College who has excelled in English.

Johnson Medal in Philosophy. A medal is given by James W. Johnson, D. D., to that student who shall have excelled during the year in Philosophy.

Scholarship Medal. The president of the ·College offers a medal for the highest grade in scholarship during the session.

Porter Athletic Cup. A silver cup is given by the Porter Clothing Company to the best all-around athlete.

Robertson Athletic Medal. A medal is given by Mr. Hugh W. Robertson, formerly pro- fessor of English in this institution, to that student who shall have proved during the year to be the best all-around athlete.

Student Activities .- Glee Club. One of the College organizations that contribute to the pleasure and interest of student life is the Glee Club. Concerts are given in and about Birmingham, and one or more trips of about a week each are taken over the State.

Young men who have singing voices and who like to sing, may find in this organiza- tion opportunity for much pleasure as well as for something of musical culture.

Greek Letter Fraternities. There are char- tered chapters of several fraternities, whose purpose is to foster the best in the social life of their members and to bind them together in bonds of friendship more intimate and deeper than they might otherwise experience. While these are secret orders, their activities

are subject to the rules and regulations of the College.

Literary Societies. The students conduct two literary societies-the Clariosophic, with which was joined the Eumenean of Birming- ham College, and the Belles Lettres, with which was joined the Robert E. Lee, of Bir- mingham College. Each of these societies has an honorable history. The Clariosophic of Southern University traced its origin to a mother chapter founded at Oxford University in 1820. The Belles Lettres was established at Southern University in 1859. To remove today from their places of leadership in church and state those men who acknowledge their debt of gratitude to the Robert E. Lee, Belles Lettres, Eumenean, or Clariosophic Society, would cause a loss of wisdom and power from which neither church nor state could recover in many years. These societies continue to offer a training ground for intel- lectual leadership. While one must be hon- ored with an invitation before membership is opened to him, no student with serious purpose will be neglected. Regular weekly meetings are held in well-adapted and nicely furnished halls. There is constant practice in parliamentary tactics, declamation, oratory, debate, and various literary exercises. Dur- ing the year and at commencement public. exercises are held.

Athletics. Birmingham-Southern College promotes every kind of wholesome athletics demanded by a college of this kind. The idea that young men need physical development under the best conditions is carried out in every year of the college work. All stu- dents are provided for.

A commodious gymnasium is arranged for basketball, and provides ample room for all kinds of indoor exercise. In connection with the main floor are shower baths and dressing rooms and lockers in sufficient number to meet the need of the students.

Munger Field is located near the gymna- sium and offers an ideal place for all out- door sports. No better field can be found. It was fashioned so that the permanent grand- stands give perfect view of every contest. Mr. R. S. Munger, of Birmingham, donated the completed field to the College at a great cost, and after him it takes its name.

Alumni Association .- The Southern Uni- versity and Birmingham College have each a well-organized Alumni Association. Each of these Associations has had for its pur- pose the cultivation and perpetuation among its members of feelings of attachment to one another and to Alma Mater.

These Associations, at their first oppor- tunity since the consolidation of Southern University and of Birmingham College, came together in a joint meeting on June 2, 1919, during commencement, and organized the Alumni Association of Birmingham-Southern College, carried out the regular Alumni Com- mencement program, and set themselves in their usual loyal way to the task of foster- ing the interests of Alma Mater.

152

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Honorary Degrees Conferred .-

1866

Marvin, Enoch M., D. D., St. Louis, Mo .; Bishop, Methodist Church, South.

Anderson, William H., D. D., Minister, Little Rock, Ark.

1867

Lee, Nathaniel H., D. D., Minister, Virginia. Fitzgerald, Oscar P., D. D., Minister, Nash- ville, Tenn .; Bishop, Methodist Church, South.

1869

Campbell, C. D., D. D., Minister, Missis- sippi.

Redford, A. H., D. D., Minister, Nashville, Tenn.

Andrews, Allen Skeen, D. D., Minister, Union Springs; President, Southern Univer- sity, 1870-75, 1883-94.

Finney, Thomas Y., D. D., Minister, St. Louis, Mo.

1878

Du Bose, J. W., A. M., Birmingham.

1879

Keener, John Christian, LL. D., New Or- leans, La .; Bishop, Methodist Church, South. Morgan, John Tyler, LL. D., Selma; United States Senator from Alabama.

Blue, O. R., D. D., Minister, Greensboro.

Moore, John S .. D. D., Oxford, Ga .; Pro- fessor in Emory College.

1886

Bounds, E. M., D. D., Minister, Washing- ton, Ga.

Black, W. C., D. D., Minister, Meridian. Miss.

Seay, Thomas, LL. D., Greensboro.

1887

Bonnell, John F., Ph. D., Oxford, Ga .; Professor in Emory College.

1888

Andrews, Allen Skeen, LL. D., Minister, Union Springs; President, Southern Univer- sity, 1870-75, 1883-94.

Cameron, J. D., D. D., Minister, Mississippi. Chapman, M. B., D. D., Minister, Author, St. Louis, Mo.

Phillips, J. H., Ph. D., Superintendent City Schools, Birmingham.

Rankin, Charles Y., D. D., Minister, Cal- ifornia.

1889

Gregory, John D., D. D., Minister, Tusca- loosa.

Mason, James M., D. D., Minister, Mont- gomery.

Newman, James W., D. D., Minister, De- catur.

1891

Allen, John R., D. D., Georgetown, Texas; Professor Philosophy, Southwestern Uni- versity.

1893

Hawkins, V. O., D. D., Minister, Trinity.

Hosmer, Samuel Monroe, D. D., Minister, Brundidge; President, Southern, 1899-1910.

Keener, John Ormond, D. D., Minister, Greensboro; President, Southern University, 1894-1899.

Moore, Warner, D. D., Minister, Ripley, Tenn.

Lamar, Andrew Jackson, D. D., Minister, Nashville, Tenn .; Publishing Agent, M. E. Church, South.

1900

Peterson, Francis Marion, D. D., Minister, Montevallo; President, Alabama Girls' In- dustrial School.

1901

Dobbs, Samuel L., D. D., Minister, North Alabama Conference.

Frazer, John Stanley, D. D., Minister, Ala- bama Conference.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756