USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II > Part 119
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The trustees requested at their third meet- ing that they be allowed to increase the amount. This was later done, but no increase in interest was allowed, nor were the trus- tees made profit sharers.
Dr. W. S. Wyman has said that the in- vestment of the moneys of the University was a forced loan, because "The University was not made a stock holder in the bank, to share in the profits, if profits there should be, (and the bank did reap large profits)."
The date set by the legislature for the selection of a site was March 22, 1828. When the board convened it was found that three places answered the qualifications and re- quirements as to location, fertility of soil, and health conditions. The names of those places entered were Marr's Field, Childress' place and Faber's place.
After a ballot was taken it was seen that Marr's Field, formerly called Marr's Spring, had been selected by receiving seven votes to the two each respectively of the others. The site selected was part of a level plateau, sit- uated about a mile and a quarter from the town of Tuscaloosa proper, on the Huntsville road. It may be interesting to add it was part of the land originally granted by Con- gress to the institution.
On March 24, 1828, an estimate was pre- sented by Capt. William Nichols, for two blocks of dormitories, one block of professor's houses, a chemical laboratory and lecture rooms.
A tract of land, containing fifty acres, ad- joining those selected, was purchased, in order to prevent "immoral persons from settling on the same," and to be able to use the "su- perior quality of the clay for making bricks for the buildings," and the immense quantity of brush wood which was on this land for burning the bricks. The plan for the build- ings as submitted by the state architect is not preserved; however, there are several records which describe how they were lo- cated. There were four blocks of houses, marked A. B. C. D. on the plan, six blocks of dormitories marked E. F. G. H. I. J. K., a principal building for public lectures, com- mencement hall, library, etc., marked L., also a building for the chemical laboratory and lectures, marked M., and two "Hotels," which were marked N. and O. The estimate ap-
pended reckoned the cost of the buildings at $56,000.00. At an early session of the legis- lature soon after the report, $50,000.00 was appropriated for the "erection of necessary buildings." When completed the plan of the University resembled a square. The "Lands" were divided by the Huntsville road in al- most two divisions. "The southern division was enclosed, and was occupied partly by a vineyard and partly by fruit trees." It was intended that this land should be used as an experiment farm. The buildings of the University were situated on the northern di- vision, and were also enclosed. On the northern side, near the centre, was situated the laboratory, or principal building for in- struction. This edifice was two stories in height, with a large portico in front with six Ionic columns. It was forty-five feet in breadth and ran back seventy-five feet. The interior consisted of six apartments. Three rooms were on the ground floor, the chief of which was the theatre, to be used for lectures on chemistry. The upper floor, which was reached by two "handsome" flights of stair- cases, one on each side of the lobby, consisted of three large apartments, each containing a fire place.
Immediately west of the laboratory were two buildings, so constructed as to accommo- date two families. These houses were in- tended for members of the faculty. A one story hall was situated between these build- ings for use as a recitation hall. The pro- fessors' homes were each three stories in height, each had six apartments and a kitchen, besides out buildings for their use.
Facing each other on the east and west sides were two buildings of equal dimensions, known as "colleges." These buildings were the dormitories of the institution. Three stories in height, ninety-eight feet long from north to south, thirty-six feet wide, they both contained thirty-six rooms, calculated to accommodate forty-eight pupils. Beneath were cellars for the storage of fuel.
"The Hotel" of the institution was a hand- some two story building presided over by a steward. On the ground floor was a dining hall, a room fifty-five feet long and twenty- two feet in breadth, paved with brick, and in the rear of this were two storage rooms for the cooking utensils and supplies. The kitchen was situated near the rear of the "Hotel" and was well constituted for its purpose.
One of the finest building of its type in the south, and the principal one of the university buildings, was the rotunda. This building was three stories in height, was circular, as its name imports, and was surrounded by twenty-four columns. It was divided into three compartments, one above and one be- low, the second story being the gallery of the auditorium. The ground floor was used as a commencement hall, while the library was located in the one above. The rotunda was with great taste and style placed in the center of the area.
The above description has been attempted in order that the respective localities of the
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buildings of the University, before it was de- stroyed by fire in 1865, may be known.
The plan of the trustees included in addi- tion to the above "two additional buildings for professors, on the east side of the lab- oratory, and one 'Hotel' on the same side. being uniform both in style and distance, with small buildings to the west," four addi- tional ones on the east and west sides. These erections were proposed in case a medical de- partment was in the future founded at the University.
While the buildings were being constructed the trustees were busy securing a faculty. It was proposed to pay the professors first appointed $1,500 with certain fees which would bring their salaries up to $2,000. Tutors and assistants were to receive $1,000.
The faculty first selected consisted of John F. Wallis, Professor of Natural History, designated as the third chair; Rev. William Hooper, Professor of Ancient Languages, des- ignated as the first chair. Mr. P. P. Ashe was elected steward, Dr. Phillip Lindsley was appointed professor of moral philosophy, which was designated as the fourth chair, while Dr. Gendon Sattonstall was elected professor of mathematics, the second chair, and Dr. William A. King, Professor of Chem- istry.
Dr. Wallis, who was traveling in Europe, was commissioned to purchase apparatus for the laboratory and also a library. Ten thou- sand dollars was appropriated for that pur- pose. Upon the refusal of Dr. Phillip Linds- ley, president of the University of Nashville, Tenn., to accept the presidency, the Rev. Alva Woods, president of Transylvania University, Ky., was elected in his stead, receiving the entire vote of the board. Mr. Henry Tut- wiler was selected to take the position of Rev. William Hooper as Professor of Ancient Languages.
The University formally opened its doors to students April 17, 1831, Dr. Woods having been inaugurated at 11 A. M. April 12, 1831. On the first day there were only thirty-five boys present, and as the college was in need of a roll, everyone who applied was admitted regardless of his acquirements. There were, however, about ninety-five enrolled when the session closed. Six of those enrolled were ranked as juniors, about twelve as sopho- mores, and the others as "preps." A short time after the arrival of John A. Noe, a senior class was organized. Several months later Rev. Henry W. Hilliard was elected to the chair of elocution and English Literature, which had just been established.
On August 9, 1832, John A. Noe went forth as the first graduate. In 1834 all the college buildings were completed at a cost of more than $100,000.
Dr. Woods' administration as president was marked by many acts of insubordination and lawlessness by the students.
Clarke in "History of Education in Ala- bama" says, "These disturbances of college order seem not to have been due to any neg- lect of duty by the faculty, nor to any want
of executive ability on the part of the presi- dent. The students were largely influenced in their conduct and manners by the environ- ment. The civilization of the State was at that time the civilization of a frontier people. The state had not yet been redeemed from the wilderness. It is not strange that the sons of the pioneers were restless under the wise restriction of college government."
The general assembly passed an act on Jan- uary 17, 1834, for the relief of the purchasers of University lands.
It was provided in this Act that commis- sioners be appointed to revalue the lands which had originally been sold and which had reverted back to the University on ac- count of those buying them failing to meet their notes. The confused condition of the finances and land matters of the University resulted in 1834 in the employment of Hon. Benjamin F. Porter, an eminent lawyer of Tuscaloosa, by the Trustees as agent and attorney. He spent two years in the prepara- tion of a report, which is contained in five folio volumes, and may be found in the ar- chives of the University.
On January 7, 1835, another Act was passed for the relief of "University debtors," entitled "An Act to regulate the collection of University debts." The same legislature passed another relief law which allowed "pur- chasers of any tracts or town lots or their bona fide assignees, whose claims have been forfeited by non payment, to pay out of bal- ance due on the same, together with all the interest due at that time, on or before the 1st day of June, 1836, and to receive a patent therefor." (For further details see Aiken- Digest, p. 655.)
In 1837 the student body rebelled against the college authorities. A large number of students, containing the whole senior class, were either suspended or dismissed. Before the closing of the session many however were reinstated on the promise of good behavior. Owing to the feeling of the students and un- settled conditions, Dr. Woods, by letter of July 5, 1837, signified to the board of trus- tees that it was his intention to resign. To enable the board of trustees to reorganize the University the entire faculty tendered their resignations at the same time.
The faculty was reorganized by the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting in Decem- her, 1837. Dr. Basil Manly was elected pres- ident, and professor of mental and moral philosophy; Richard T. Brumby, M. A., pro- fessor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology; Samuel M. Stafford, M. A., professor of ancient languages; Frederick A. P. Barnard, M. A., professor of mathematics and natural philosophy; Rev. Horace S. Pratt, M. A., pro- fessor of English literature; Arnoldus V. Brumby, tutor of mathematics; Jacob Peason, B. A., tutor of ancient languages. Dr. Alva Woods, retiring president, delivered his val- edictory address on commencement day, De- cember 6, 1837, and president-elect Manly was publicly installed.
On January 29, 1838, the exercises of the University were resumed under the new ad-
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ministration. The faculty met and passed a code of laws for the government of the stu- dent body, which resulted in several out- breaks during the next ten years. In the records of the faculty, Vol. 3, p. 5, it is found that a law was passed requiring both faculty and graduates to wear black silk gowns at commencement. The law requiring students to wear gowns was abrogated in 1843, although the faculty followed the cus- tom until 1851.
During 1839 the University was pros- perous. In January, 1849, the faculty pre- scribed a dress for the students, which they were required to wear at all times. The only change in the faculty was the election of Samuel S. Sterling (q. v.) as tutor of ancient languages. He later became president of Howard College (q. v.).
Dr. Manly, president, delivered the first commencement sermon at the university on the Sunday before commencement day, 1839. In 1840, Prof. F. A. P. Barnard purchased astronomical instruments, which cost two thousand eight hundred dollars. These in- struments are described in the catalogue of 1846 as follows: "An astronomical observa- tory has been erected, and partially furnished with instruments for observation, of a su- perior order. The building is fifty-four feet in length, by twenty-two in breadth in the centre. The west wing is occupied by a transitcircle, constructed by Simms, of Lon- don, having a telescope of five feet focal length, with an object of glass of four inches clear aperture. The limit is three feet in diameter, divided to five minutes, and read- ing by four microscopes to single seconds. The central apartment is surmounted by a revolving dome of eighteen feet internal diam- eter, under which is to be placed an equitorial telescope, now nearly completed, of corre- sponding dimensions. Accompanying the transitcircle is a clock with mercurial com- pensation, by Molyneux of London.
"There is, also, a portable acromatic, by Dolland, of seven feet focal length, and four inches aperture; and reflecting circle by Troughton, of ten inches diameter, reading by three verniers to twenty seconds.
"For observations upon terrestrial mag- netism, a separate structure of stone has been erected, with every precaution to guard against local attraction. The University has imported a declination instrument, and a dipping needle, constructed by Gamby of Paris, in a superior style of finish and ac- curacy."
This building was not destroyed by the Federals in 1865, and still stands on the Uni- versity grounds, containing its apparatus, with additions, of course.
During 1840 a serious outbreak of the stu- dents occurred which caused the faculty on April 22, to suspend exercises and send the students home. In the investigations which followed the insurrection the "Exculpation Law" was first tried.
During 1840 the death of Dr. Pratt, who for a number of years had occupied the chair of English literature, occurred.
Vol. II-41
In 1841 a residence for the president was completed at a cost of $18,000. It is still in use by the president and is a two story brick building with sandstone trimmings.
On May 29, 1842, a disturbance occurred through the firing of a number of arms in the buildings and on the campus. The fac- ulty upon investigation suspended forty-eight students.
The president in his report of 1844 says "that the state of order, conformity to law, and attention to study among the students has been excellent during the year, with a single exception." "The case excepted had reference to an affray among five students, which resulted in the suspension of three of the five, with a request to the board to expel them from the University."
The salaries of the professors during 1844 were reduced by the trustees.
The year 1845 was marked by the com- pletion of the observatory, a third trial of the "Exculpation Law," a college riot, the death of Professor Sims, the failure of an attempt to establish a law school and the creation of the professorship of geology, mineralogy and agricultural chemistry. Prof. Michael Tourney was selected in 1847 to fill this new position.
In 1847 one of the professors was removed for misconduct, a catalogue of the library was prepared, the first systematic geological survey of Alabama (q. v.) was commenced, and Dr. L. C. Garland was called to the chair of English Literature.
On the night of Jan. 2, 1848, disturbances occurred which were serious enough to neces- sitate the fourth trial of the "Exculpation Law," which again failed in hoped for results.
The University sustained a heavy loss in April, 1848, in the destruction by fire of the residences of Professors Dockery and Gar- land.
On February 21, 1848, an Act was passed to liquidate and settle the mutual indebted- ness existing between the University and the State of Alabama. This Act extinguished the indebtedness of the University to the bank, and the fund of the University was declared to be $250,000, "for the punctual payment of the interest on which, at the rate of six percent, per annum, the faith and credit of the State was forever pledged." Henry A. Snow was selected treasurer of the University on the same day.
During the session of 1850-51, the system of written examinations was inaugurated.
On July 8, 1850, the Alabama Historical Society (q. v.) was organized under the "auspices of the trustees and faculty of the University." In 1899, Thomas M. Owen (q. v.) secretary of the society, prepared a report of the Alabama History Commission (q. v.) which resulted in the establishment of the Alabama State Department of Ar- chives and History (q. v.).
The old State Capitol became the property of the trustees by an Act of the legislature of 1851-52 and all the desks, chairs and fur- niture were removed to the University.
The year 1853 was marked by an epidemic
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of typhoid pneumonia, from which four of the students died. Mr. Audre Deloffre was elected to be instructor in modern languages in that year, becoming full professor in 1855, and filling that position until 1865 when the school was destroyed by fire.
In May, 1854, the University suffered serious loss in the resignation of Prof. F. A. P. Barnard, who had been for eighteen years a member of the faculty.
On account of failing health Rev. Basil Manly, President of the University, tendered his resignation to the trustees on April 19, 1855, to become effective October 1, 1855. During Dr. Manly's administration there were two hundred and fifty graduates, and a large number of honorary degrees con- ferred.
Dr. Landon C. Garland (q. v.) was elected to succeed Dr. Manly as president, by the trustees in July, 1855. A number of changes in the faculty occurred during the first year of his administration, chief of which were the resignation of Dr. Stafford, on account of ill health, the death of Prof. Tuomey (q. v.), and the elevation of Messrs. W. S. Wyman (q. v.) and Robert H. Hargrove (q. v.), who had been tutors, to fill pro- fessorships.
The first trial of the elective system took place during 1858-59. The system was fairly tried for many years, but was finally set aside for the system which has certain parallel courses, the liberty being given to choose be- tween courses, but not between the various studies in the departments.
About the time the elective system was being installed, a new hall was completed op- posite Franklin College, and named Madison College.
The legislature of 1859-60 passed an Act which had large influence upon the Univer- sity. It raised the endowment fund from' $250,000, the amount fixed by the Act of February 21, 1848, to $300,000. The state treasurer was directed to calculate the inter- est on $50,000 from February 21, 1848, to February 21, 1860, and pay the amount cal- culated to the treasurer of the University or an authorized agent of the University. It also provided for the establishment of a mil- itary department in the University, and that all students should be placed under military discipline. The fourth section required the governor to commission the president of the University as superintendent of the military department and all the other officers of the department in the military established, with such rank as the governor might deem fit to give them. The governor was also required to furnish such ordnance, arms, equipment and munitions as the University might need.
Quoting from Clarke's History of Educa- tion in Alabama, p. 88, we find the following: "In the Autumn of 1860 the university exer- cises were resumed under the new military system of government and with a most auspi- cious beginning. The number of students was greatly increased. The students them- selves were greatly pleased with the new mode cf government in which they took so
large a part. The academic professors, who had been at first unanimously opposed to the introduction of the military form of govern- ment as a doubtful and hazardous experi- ment were, in less than one month, delighted with the change. It was seen at once that the new discipline was proving itself to be admirably adapted for the young men. By the quietude and good order maintained dur- ing the hours of study, it greatly increased the facilities for study. It promoted the health of the students by developing their physical powers and furnishing moderate ex- ercise during a part of every day. It elevated character by the encouragement of manliness and self control, by restraining from immor- ality, and securing habits of industry, regu- larity, sobriety, and virtue."
The Secretary of War detailed Capt. Caleb Huse, of the United States Army, "to intro- duce the new system." The Board of Trus- tees appointed him Commandant and also professor of chemistry, mineralogy and geol- ogy. James T. Murfee (q.' v.), a distin- guished graduate of Virginia Military Insti- tute, was appointed assistant commandant and professor of mathematics and civil and military engineering.
Alabama seceded from the Union on Jan- uary 11, 1861. The excitement incident to the preparation, of the State for war greatly disturbed the exercises of the University. Many of the students resigned to enter the Confederate army, and those qualified were ordered to military camps as instructors for recruits. No commencement exercises took place in July of that year. Degrees were conferred upon those students of the grad- uating class, most of whom had resigned to go into the army, and upon others pursuing special courses.
On account of the military training offered by the University, it did not close its doors as did many of the other institutions of the South. Col. Huse resigned his regular army commission and went to Europe as the con- fidential agent of the Confederate govern- ment, and Major Murfee was elevated to the position of Commandant. During the session of 1861-62 there were 154 students.
The position of rector of the academic de- partment was created during 1862-63, and Prof. Edward R. Dickson, of Mobile, was appointed. This place was made "on ac- count of the increasing number of students who were not sufficiently advanced to enter any regular class in the University proper."
The year 1863 was marked by the death of Prof. George Benagh, who lost his life by drowning, and the appointment of Benjamin F. Meek as assistant professor of Latin and Greek. In July, 1864, commencement exer- cises were held, for the first time since the opening of hostilities. During 1864-5 Prof. Crawford H. Fay was elected professor of natural philosophy and astronomy, and Prof. Warfield C. Richardson was chosen to the chair of chemistry, mineralogy and geology.
The year 1865 was in all probability the most momentous in the history of the south- land, and especially in that of the University.
Pour Studio
MOBILE BAY, SHOWING SHIPPING IN HARBOR
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With the impending fall of the Confederate government close at hand, the reports that the Federals were on the way to Tuscaloosa, to destroy the factories and foundries, and to burn the University, grew more insistent and exciting. The cadets were on several occasions called out during the last year of the war. The Federal troops reached Tusca- loosa at night. J. G. Cowan, in a very inter- esting article which appeared in the Ala- bama University Bulletin, Vol. 1, No. 1, de- scribes fully the destruction of the University.
The cadet corps was formed shortly after twelve and under the command of Col. J. T. Murfee moved off to meet the enemy who were entering the town in the direction of Northport.
In the clash which followed a number of casualties on both sides occurred. Seeing that his cadets could not withstand the attack of the trained Union soldiers, Col. Murfee decided to retreat. The magazine was hlown up by Major M. C. Burke, who was on leave in Tuscaloosa at the time. Passing out by the place where the Insane Hospital now stands, the cadets started toward Marion, where they were disbanded and told to reach home the best way they could.
The Federals under General Croxton, on the morning of April 4, 1865, set fire to all the public buildings of the University. The home of the president, the house now occu- pied by the Misses Gorgas, and the observa- tory, and the little building in which the University archives are now stored were the only ones spared by the enemy. In a short time, a few hours, the work of nearly half a century had been destroyed, and over three hundred thousand dollars' worth of property was a smouldering mass of ruins.
"The librarian of the University, Professor Deloffre, with the hope of changing the pur- pose of the commanding officer with refer- ence to the destruction of the library, led him thither and unlocked the library doors and showed him the valuable collection of books.
" 'It is a great pity,' said the officer, 'but my orders are imperative. I will save one volume, at any rate, as a memento of this occasion.' He entered and, seizing a copy of the Koran, withdrew from the building and ordered it to be set on fire at once."
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