History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 42

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: 724

USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II > Part 42

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).

Hay and forage: total, 1,000 acres; 1,724 tons.

All tame or cultivated grasses, 326 acres; 538 tons.

3,452

606

4,058

1840

5,094

753

5,847

1850

6,922

911

7,833

1860

9,893

1,288

11,182

1870

5,835

224

6,059

1880

8,841

520

9,361

1890

10,769

578

11,347

1900

13,716

778

14,494

1910

16,975

520

17,495

1920

22,008

Delegates to Constitutional Conventions .- 1819-John D. Terrell.

1861-Lang C. Allen, W. Stedham.

1865-J. F. Morton, G. M. Haley.

Vol. II-15

Fruits and Nuts.

Orchard fruits; total, 97,983; 48,937 bushels. Apples, 23,026 trees; 14,543 bushels. Peaches and nectarines, 69,886 trees; Pears, 945 trees; 211 bushels. 33,108 bushels. Plums and prunes, 3,535 trees; bushels. Cherries, 428 trees; 37 bushels. Quinces, 133 trees; 16 bushels. Grapes, 9,249 vines; 42,667 pounds.

1,010

Tropical fruits: total, 205 trees. Figs, 184 trees; 2,685 pounds. Oranges, -

Small fruits: total, 2 acres; 1,494 quarts. Strawberries, 2 acres; 1,462 quarts.

Nuts: total, 94 trees; 8,460 pounds. Pecans, 7 trees; 300 pounds.

Labor, Fertilizer and Feed.

Labor-Farms reporting, 771.

Cash expended, $27,338. Rent and board furnished, $22,164.

Fertilizer-Farms reporting, 2,423. Amount expended, $67,757. Feed-Farms reporting, 820. Amount expended, $21,871.

Receipts from sale of feedable crops, $33,193.

Domestic Animals Not on Farms.

Inclosures reporting domestic animals, 170. Value of domestic animals, $19,200. Cattle: total, 326; value, $7,007. Number of dairy cows, 153.

Horses: total, 82; value, $9,865.

Mules and asses and burros: total, 12; value, $1,230. Swine: total, 221; value, $1,097.

Sheep and goats: total, 3; value, $1.

Post Offices and Towns .- Revised to July 1, 1919, from U. S. Official Postal Guide. Fig- ures indicate the number of rural routes from that office.

Bear Creek-1

Hamilton (ch.)-4

Bexar-2

Lumbull

Brilliant-1

Pearces Mills

Guin-3

Texas

Hackleburg-3

Winfield-4

Population .-- Statistics from decennial pub- lications of the U. S. Bureau of the Census.

White.

Negro.

Total.

1830

Wild, salt, and prairie grasses, 268 acres; 304 tons.

Grains cut green, 88 acres; 122 tons. Coarse forage, 318 acres; 760 tons. Special crops:

Potatoes, 181 acres; 12,533 bushels. Sweet potatoes and yams, 590 53,208 bushels.

acres;

Tobacco, 9 acres; 2,989 bushels. Cotton, 23,949 acres; 8,325 bales.

Cane-sugar, 110 acres; 646 tons. Syrup made, 10,727 gallons.

Cane-sorghum, 528 acres; 2,144 tons. Syrup made, 28,839 gallons.

944

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

1875-Thomas D. Nesmith, M. T. Akers. 1901-James P. Pearce.

Senators .-

1819-20-John D. Terrell.

1822-3-William Metcalf.

1825-6-Jesse Vanhoose.

1827-8-Rufus Moore.

1829-30-Rufus K. Anderson.

1831-2-Rufus K. Anderson.

1834-5-Henry Burough.

1837-8-Burr W. Wilson.

1840-1-Burr W. Wilson.

1843-4-Elijah Marchhanks.

1847-8-Daniel Coggin.

1850-1-Elliott P. Jones.

1853-4-Elliott P. Jones.

1857-8-Elliott P. Jones.

1861-2-A. J. Coleman.

1865-6-Elliott P. Jones.

1868-J. J. Hinds.

1871-2-J. J. Hinds.

1872-3-W. H. Edwards.

1873-W. H. Edwards.

1874-5-W. H. Edwards.

1875-6-W. H. Edwards.

1876-7-J. H. Bankhead.

1878-9-W. A. Musgrove.

1880-1-W. A. Musgrove. 1882-3-A. L. Moorman. 1884-5-A. C. Moorman. 1886-7-Geo. C. Almon.

1888-9-Geo. C. Almon.

1890-1-R. L. Bradley. 1892-3-E. B. Almon.

1894-5-E. B. Almon.

1896-7-Walter H. Matthews.

1898-9-W. H. Matthews.

1899 (Spec.)-W. H. Matthews.

1900-01-W. I. Bullock.

1903-William Isbell Bullock.

1907-G. T. McWhorter.

1907 (Spec.)- G. T. Mcwhorter.

1909 (Spec.)-G. T. McWhorter.

1911-E. B. Fite.

1915-W. H. Key.

1919-Riley Kelly.

Representatives .--

1819-20-Silas McBee.

1820-1-James Moore.

1821 (called)-James Moore.

1821-2-Lemuel Beene.

1822-3-John D. Terrell.

1823-4-James Moore.

1824-5-James Moore.

1825-6-George White.

1826-7-William H. Duke.

1827-8-William H. Duke.

1828-9-William H. Duke; James Metcalf. 1829-30-Lafayette Roysden; James Met- calf.

1830-1-Thadeus Walker; James Metcalf. 1831-2-Thadeus Walker; Derrill U. Hollis. 1832 (called)-Thadeus Walker; Derrill U. Hollis.

1832-3-Thadeus Walker; Derrill U. Hollis. 1833-4-George Brown; Derrill U. Hollis. 1834-5-Derrill U. Hollis.

1835-6-Hiram C. May.

1836-7-Joshua Gann.

1837 (called)-Joshua Gann.

1837-8-Joshua Gann. 1838-9-Derrill U. Hollis.

1839-40-Thomas C. Moore.

1840-1-Thomas C. Moore.

1841 (called)-Thomas C. Moore.

1841-2-Joshua Burleson. 1842-3-Leroy Kennedy. 1843-4-John L. McCarty.

1844-5-Leroy Kennedy.

1845-6-Woodson Northcut.

1847-8-Thadeus Walker.

1849-50-Woodson Northcut.

1851-2-Kimbrough T. Brown.

1853-4-William A. Musgrove.

1855-6-Kimbrough T. Brown.

1857-8-Kimbrough T. Brown; Leroy Ken- nedy.

1859-60-Kimbrough T. Brown; William A. Musgrove.

1861 (1st called)-Kimhrough T. Brown; William A. Musgrove.

1861 (2d called)-M. L. Davis; J. W. Logan.

1861-2-M. L. Davis; J. W. Logan.

1862 (called)-M. L. Davis; J. W. Logan. 1862-3-M. L. Davis; J. W. Logan. 1863 (called)-M. L. Davis; Derrill U. Hol- lis.

1863-4-M. L. Davis; Derrill U. Hollis.

1864 (called)-M. L. Davis; Derrill U. Hollis. 1864-5-M. L. Davis; Derrill U. Hollis. 1865-6-John H. Bankhead; Winston

Steadham.

1866-7-John H. Bankhead; Winston

Steadham.

1868-G. W. Haley.

1869-70-G. W. Haley.

1870-1-A. J. Hamilton.

1871-2-A. J. Hamilton.

1872-3-A. J. Hamilton.

1873-A. J. Hamilton.

1874-5-A. J. Hamilton.

1875-6-A. J. Hamilton.

1876-7-W. Y. Bishop.

1878-9-M. T. Akers.

1880-1-J. C. Camp.

1882-3-J. S. Young.

1884-5-K. T. Brown.

1886-7-W. W. White.

1888-9-H. T. Clarke.

1890-1-J. T. Young.

1892-3 -- H. T. Clarke.

1894-5-W. C. Davis.

1896-7-W. C. Davis. 1898-9-W. C. Davis.

1899 (Spec.)-W. C. Davis.

1900-01-G. W. Maxwell. 1903-Charles Pomeroy Almon.

1907-C. E. Mitchell.

1907 (Spec.)-C. E. Mitchell.

1909 (Spec.)-C. E. Mitchell.

1911-W. P. Letson.

1915-E. B. Fite.

1919-Walker W. Hall, succeeded by E. B. Fite.

REFERENCES .- Toulmin, Digest (1823), index; Acts of Alabama; Brewer, Alabama, p. 380; Ber- ney, Handbook (1892), p. 313; Riley, Alabama

President Jefferson Davis

First White House of the Confederacy

Table used by Mr. Davis in his last home, Beauvoir, Miss., said to be that upon which he wrote his "Rise and Fall of the Confederacy."

JEFFERSON DAVIS

Star on portico of capitol marking spot where President Davis stood while making inaugural address.

Bible on which Mr. Davis took oath of office as President of the Confederacy

JEFFERSON DAVIS MEMORIALS

947

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

as it is (1893), p. 52; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 154; Alabama, 1909 (Ala. Dept. of Ag. and, Ind., Bulletin 27), p. 163; U. S. Soil Survey (1908), with map; Alabama land book (1916), p. 110; Ala. Official and Statistical Register, 1903-1915, 5 vols .; Ala. Anthropological Society, Handbook (1910); Geol. Survey of Ala., Agri- cultural features of the State (1883) ; The Val- ley regions of Alabama, parts 1 and 2 (1896, 1897), and Underground Water resources of Ala- bama (1907).

MARION INSTITUTE, Marion Ala. Private · school founded by Col. J. T. Murfee, upon the removal of Howard College from Marion to Birmingham in 1887. The institution was chartered in 1889, and prepares students for college, offers business courses, and has an Army and Navy Preparatory Department, in which students are prepared for examina- tions for the United States Military and Naval Academies.

Upon the removal of Howard College from Marion, in 1887, the buildings and grounds reverted to Dr. W. W. Wilkerson and J. B. Lovelace, Esq., and the premises became their private property. Actuated now, as they had always been, by a desire to do the most good to their fellow men and encouraged hy seeing that a school of high character could be maintained and would be supported by a lib- eral patronage, they generously deeded the entire property to a board of seven trustees, who are self perpetuating, and who are charged in the deed with the duty of main- taining for all time a school of high order and special usefulness.

The inauguration of the enterprise is ex- plained in the following article published in the Marion Standard, August, 1887:

"Col. J. T. Murfee, president of Howard College, has decided not to go with the col- lege to Birmingham, but will remain in Marion. The Howard College buildings have been turned over to him for educational pur- poses and he will employ an able faculty and open on the 4th of October a school of high order to be known as the Marion Military Institute. The same distinctive features of mental and moral training introduced by him and employed in Howard College will be con- tinued. His name at the head is a guarantee that the work will be thorough and practical. This Marion Military Institute will be an academy, like those so celebrated in Vir- ginia and other older states, and for which there is now a rising demand in Alabama. They differ from the mixed high schools throughout the country. They employ in- structors of the same grade as those of the best colleges. They have male pupils only, and have a large teaching force in propor- tion to the number of pupils. They have a full college course of studies as far as through the Junior class. Their great advantages are that they give special assistance to each student, train him in the best method of study, encourage and stimulate him in his work, and give special culture in morals and manners by having the pupils board with the

principal. Besides preparing young men for higher classes of colleges and universities, these academies also pay special attention to preparation for business. They look not so much to giving diplomas as to discovering every deficiency a pupil has, supplying all that is needful, and making out of him the strongest possible man, physically, morally and intellectually, thoroughly prepared for social and business life." (Marion Standard, August, 1887. The date of the paper in which this above article can be found is not known, as the files unfortunately have not been kept.).

The opening, progress and close of the first session gave great encouragement to the friends of the Institution. The opening was auspicious, the patronage increased during the year, and the second term began with more students than the first, a very rare thing in any southern school, and the number that engaged rooms for the second session was so great that the management was assured that the buildings would be well filled.

The first Board of Trustees of the Marion Military Institute consisted of Dr. Wm. W. Wilkerson, President; J. B. Lovelace, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer; Capt. B. F. Ellis, Col. T. G. Bush, Col. O. M. Reynolds, L. L. Lee, Esq., and Col. J. T. Murfee as members. These Trustees, at their first annual meeting, June 12, 1888, rented the property to Col. J. T. Murfee to continue the school on the same plan as that of its first session, and they ordered that a charter for the Marion Military Institute be secured at the next meeting of the State Legislature, giving au- thority to grant diplomas and confer de- grees.

The first faculty and officers of the Marion Military Institute were Col. J. T. Murfee, LL. D., Superintendent, Prof. of Drawing and Engineering; W. G. Brown, A. B., Prof. of English, Ancient and Modern Languages; Major W. H. Caffey, A. B., Commandant, Prof. of Natural Sciences and Bookkeeping; W. B. Saffold, A. B., LL. D., Prof. of Math- ematics; C. L. Williams, Instructor of Teleg- raphy; J. B. King, Assistant Instructor of Elocution.

In 1887 two literary societies, the "Philo- mathic" and the "Franklin," were organized. These two societies had large halls in each wing of the administration building. The present "Jefferson" and "Franklin" societies are the outgrowth of the first two. No frater- nities were allowed, as it was thought that they engendered bad feeling among the stu- dents, and damaged both discipline and scholarship.

Experience has shown that the influence of the young ladies of the Judson College and the Marion Female Seminary upon the young men who were at school in the same town was stimulating, refining and elevating. Marion is justly celebrated for its refinement and morality; and the influence of the com- munity on all students who have been there has been a priceless advantage to them.

The second session opened with large num-

948

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

bers, notwithstanding the deranged condition of social and commercial life, which cut short the matriculation of nearly every other school in the south, and the patronage continued to increase during the session as it had done from the time the school was first opened, being larger each term than it was pre- viously. During the third session the patron- age was so increased that popular opinion was stirred. During this session the first graduate, David Hatton Marbury, went forth into the world to make a name for himself and Marion.

As the school had grown to large propor- tions, and many patrons had approved its modern and practical curriculum and desired that their sons should obtain certificates of having successfully completed their course of studies, application was made, and the leg- islature of Alabama, by an Act approved February 20th, 1889, incorporated the Marion Military Institute, and the school was exempted from taxation, given power to re- ceive donations, to give diplomas, and to confer degrees.

In 1892 the faculty of the Institute was enlarged and changed. Mr. E. B. Anderson, became Professor of Mathematics and Engin- eering; L. D. Scott, Professor of Latin; Major C. B. Slemp, became commandant of cadets, and Dr. C. A. Wilkerson became staff sur- geon.

A classification of the students by states resulted in 1892, in the following:

Alabama-105.

Tennessee-3.

Mississippi-10. Arkansas-1.

Texas-1. Illinois-1.

Georgia-1.

Louisiana -- 1.

Total-124.

In 1893 the superintendent published the "sixth annual catalogue," in which is found a "Registrar" of graduates amount- ing to twelve in number.

Mr. H. O. Murfee, who succeeded his father, while a student in the Institute made the highest records in his classes, having made the honor roll twenty-three times out of a possible thirty.

On March 7, 1893, Marion Military Insti- tute lost one of her best friends through the death of Dr. W. W. Wilkerson, who had been a member of the board of trustees of Howard College and president of the Board of Trus- tees of the Marion Military Institute since that institution had been founded. He was a physician by profession, a gentleman of the old school, and a Christian of the highest rank.

On account of the death of Dr. Wilkerson, a new board of trustees was formed with J. B. Lovelace as President; L. L. Lee, Sec. and Treas., and consisting of Capt. B. F. Ellis, Col. T. G. Bush, Col. O. M. Reynolds, Col. J. T. Murfee and Dr. P. M. Wilkerson, as the new member on the board.

A complete system of water works was in- stalled. New interest was taken in the two literary societies, the professors giving aid when needed. There were five graduates in 1893.

In 1894 the "Honor System," adopted by the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1892, was inaugurated in the Institute and has since then been in successful opera- tion. From this beginning has come the sys- tem of self government which is so vital a part of the system of instruction and dis- cipline of the Institute. All pupils who apply for matriculation must pledge themselves not to become a member of any secret so- ciety, not to have any deadly weapon in their possession, and to obey the laws of the school.

The Institute had made such progress in military, mental, and moral training that in 1896, in the annual catalogue Col. Murfee speaks of it as "a Latin-scientific school doing original work after the manner of Ger- man Gymnasla."

In 1896 the courses of study were arranged as follows: 1. School of sciences. 2. School of English. 3. Bookkeeping. 4. School of Latin. 5. School of French. 6. Schools of Logic and Philosophy.

The ninth year of the Institute closed with a senior class of nine young men. Mr. Walter Lee Murfee, graduated with highest honors, making the honor roll (29) twenty- nine times out of a possible thirty. He also graduated with a perfect military and con- duct record.

A new policy was adopted in 1898 for the two literary societies. The following is an extract relative to them taken from the catalogue of 1898: "There are two literary societies, the Franklin and Philomathic. They embrace all of the student body, and the closest relations exist between their work and the English Department. The effort at expressing one's thought before an audience of fellow students, is one of the most valuable exercises a young man can have. 'The power to conceive grows the struggle to express.' Many of our most eminent public men at- tribute their success in debate to the train- ing they received in college literary socie- ties.

"A friendly rivalry exists between the two societies, and joint debates are often given before them. Both societies occupy commodi- ous halls which are tastefully furnished.

"Large, well selected and growing libraries are connected with each of the societies, and a reading table is maintained by each, well stocked with standard periodicals."

About this time the students began to take a new interest in athletics such as tennis, base-ball, foot-ball and gymnastic sports. In these games the boys learned courage, fair- ness, perseverance and endurance. They were also coached in moral culture, such as obedience, truthfulness, reverence, industry, courage and minor morals. These virtues were cultivated by daily readings and daily talks in the chapel. In fact physical, mental and moral culture were combined.

Aims and Methods of the M. M. I .- The aims and means of the Institute can be found in the following outline.

A. Aims-Subjective, Objective.

949

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

B. Means (1)-For character building. a. Associates. b. Teachers. c. Methods.

2. For physical culture.

3. For mental training. a. Method of

teaching. b. Subject of study.

C. Results.

1. Diplomas recognized by the large univer- sities.

2. P. B. Barringer, Chairman of the faculty of the University of Virginia in a letter to Mr. H. O. Murfee, says, "During the past six years the University has awarded as many academical degrees to graduates of the Marion Military Institute as it has to those from any other college in the country, and academical and professional degrees to more graduates from the Marion Military Institute than to those from any other College or University outside of the state of Virginia."

Inseparable from the life of the school, and incalculable in its influence in that life, is the government. Government has been the problem of the ages. To insure the equal rights and happiness of all has been the effort of statesman from Solon to Jefferson.

Instruction and training in government is a part of the education of every student in the Institute. All matters which touch their common welfare and good name are en- trusted to the immediate control of the stu- dents. A council of the students legislate and adjudicate for the student body. The faculty serve as a superior governing body. The Superintendent is the chief executive.

Constitution of Students .- "The Marion system is of a dual nature: The Superintend- ent and Faculty constitute one branch of the government; the Students, as Councillors, Commoners, and Prefects constitute the other branch.

"The Faculty Government is conducted in accordance with a system of regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees and em- bodying the best elements of English and American Schools: The Faculty and Prefects are the officers of administration.

"The Student Government is conducted in accordance with a written constitution setting forth the form and function of the govern- ment. The Council and Commons are the governing bodies in this branch.

"The motto of the school is 'quality not quantity.' The distinguished Arnold, of Eng- land, when asked what had made Rugby famous, said, 'I have only three rules, the first is to get clear of unpromising subjects; the second is the same, and the third is just like it.' A long experience has shown Marion, that Arnold found the secret of success, and Marion Institute is guided by his three rules."

New Charter of the College .- In order to carry out more fully the purpose and intent of the deed of dedication and to increase the scope and power of the Institute, the Trustees in recent years secured a new char- ter from the State of Alabama; and in the future the Marion Military Institute will be known as the Marion Institute.

After the abolition of the military feature from the curriculum of the Institute practically

the same policies were continued as had been in use at the Marion Military Institute. There was no change in the course of study, nor in the form of self government by the stu- dents, and no further change was made in the "Honor System."

With the new administration new interest has been taken in intercollegiate athletics and many winning teams have been turned out by the Institute. The Young Men's Chris- tian Association has taken its place in the student life and every year delegates are sent to the meeting of the State Y. M. C. A. convention. During the last session about seventy-five young men were members of the Association.

In 1901 the old Institute Forum, the col- lege weekly failed. However, in 1913, it was revived and entered the field of college papers as "The Institute News." The stu- dents at once became enthusiastic in the work and the circulation soon reached two hundred and fifty. The staff consisted of a number of very talented young men, and through their work the paper has become one of the best "prep-school" issues in the State.

When the Franklin and Jefferson Literary Societies became elective in membership, a large number of students were left without any possible chance to receive the training in parliamentary law, and public speaking which these societies had originally been intended to give. To meet the demand of the students for this training, two new clubs were formed. One was named "Pitt" and

the other "Burke," after the two great English orators. There is an annual contest held between the two, in hoth declamation and debate. The honors went to the Pitts the first year (1913), both the gold declamation and debating med- als being won by their representative.

In 1913-14 the military department was re- instated and a crack company was organized. During the period of the World War much interest was taken by students and many of them enrolled in the "Army and Navy Col- lege." Forty-five states and Canada were represented.

Military Department .- The War Depart- ment maintains in Marion Institute a Junior and a Senior Unit of the Reserve Offi- cers' Training Corps. The military staff is drawn from the Army, the Naval Academy, and from leading military institutions. The Marion plan makes the military system of highest efficiency, without sacrifice of aca- demic ideals.

In 1920, Marion Institute, after repeated inspections by officers of the U. S. Army, was selected by the War Department as one of the ten leading military schools of the Na- tion and officially designated an "Honor School." The repeated inspections leading to this designation had view not only to military efficiency, but to equipment, faculty, sanitation, methods, morale,-to all points that go to make up a first-class educational institution. Marion Institute is the only school in the Southeastern Department to achieve this honor.

950

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Army and Navy Department. The Army and Navy Department is distinct and sep- arate from the academic department of Marion Institute, and is devoted to preparing candidates for the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Coast Guard Academy. In recent years, Marion has pre- pared a remarkably large percentage of all Army and Navy appointees of the Nation, and has a record of success in this work that is unsurpassed. During the period of the late war alone, Marion sent more than four hun- dred young men to West Point and the Naval Academy. It is a significant fact that large numbers of high ranking Army and Navy officers send their sons to Marion to be pre- pared for the Government Academies despite the fact that they are stationed at or near the location of all other schools engaged in this work.

Since 1915, Marion candidates have won appointments in every competitive examina- tion as they stood,-from New York, Wiscon- sin, Montana, West Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ne- braska, Iowa, California, New Jersey, Geor- gia, Florida, and other states-and have re- peatedly made 100% of successes on entrance examinations to the Government Academies.

This extraordinary record of success is attributed to the unique method of instruc- tion,-unlimited private tutoring for every cadet. It is worthy of note that Marion is the only school in America which offers complete training for Annapolis and West Point: coaching courses to prepare for en- trance examinations; college courses covering the first year's work in the Academy to in- sure success and high rank after entrance; military training to prepare for office and honors in the military organization; and a comprehensive system of physical training and athletics to prepare for leadership in athletics and for the physical qualifications for en- trance to the Academies.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 42

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: 724

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: 724