USA > Georgia > Bibb County > Macon > Georgia Baptists: historical and biographical > Part 14
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The project for establishing this school originated with Gen- eral John H. Rice, a lawyer of considerable talents and promi- nence. Having made good progress in raising subscriptions for the object, he brought the matter to the attention of the Middle Cherokee Association, which body entered heartily into the project. It was not until the first College building (which was destroyed by fire,) had been commenced, that the Cherokee Baptist Convention was formed, which afterwards had the power of appointing its Board of Trustees, and which adopted the enterprise as its own. I am indebted for these facts to Rev. A. W. Buford. The following facts are gathered from the records of the Trustees :
The charter of this institution before me is not dated, though it is supposed to have been granted in 1853. The names of the corporators, or first Board of Trustees, are: John Crawford, John H. Rice, T. J. Wofford, R. W. Young, D. B. Conyers, G. W. Tumlin, L. Tumlin, Z. Edwards, W. T. Wofford, W. C. Wylly, Elisha King, M. A. Cooper, J. W. Lewis, T. G. Barron, J. Milner, J. Boyle, Ira R. Foster, Farish Carter, E. M. Gault, E. Dyer, G. W. Selvidge, L. W. Cook, W. Martin, S. S. Bailey and William Peck, any seven of whom were to constitute a quorum for the transaction of ordinary business. It provides " that the College buildings and grounds on which it stands shall never be subject to levy and sale under and by virtue of any contract, agreement or promise that said Trustees may make ; and if at any time said College shall be abandoned for the space of three years as a male college, then it shall revert to and become the property of the contributors in proportion to the amount they subscribed."
A new Board of Trustees was elected by the Cherokee Bap tist Convention in 1856, and again in 1859, and it is inferred their election was intended to take place triennially, though nothing definite is said on the subject in the records of the College.
The first Board was organized at Cassville, December 22d 1853, by electing John Crawford, President, John H. Rice, Sec rétary, and James Milner, Treasurer. A committee was ar
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pointed to contract for a college building, the cost of which was not to exceed ten thousand dollars.
In March, 1854, it was announced that Dr. R. H. Patton's farm, adjoining Cassville, containing two hundred and seven acres, had been purchased, for which it was agreed to pay him $4,500 00. Thirty acres were reserved for college purposes, and the balance was laid off in lots and offered for sale. How far they were successful in selling these lots, and what amount was realized on them, are not matters of record.
In June following, a contract for the erection of a College building had been made with Joseph Chapman and Thomas Hawkins, said building to be completed by the 1st of October, 1855, the price to be paid $9,500 00. The Masonic fraternity of Cassville were invited to lay the corner-stone of said building the 4th of July following.
Rev. N. M. Crawford was elected to the presidency of the College, who finally declined the appointment. In August fol- lowing, Rev. Thomas Rambant was elected Professor of Lan- guages, Rev. W. H. Robert, Professor of Mathematics, and Rev. B. W. Whilden, Adjunct Professor, all of whom accepted, and commenced operations February 6, 1856, with forty students.
On the night of January 4th, 1856, the College building, in process of erection, was entirely destroyed by fire. Where- upon the contractors were conferred with and offered an ex- tension of time for the fulfillment of their contract, which was accepted by Mr. Chapman but declined by Mr. Hawkins, who seems to have abandoned the contract. A building was rented in Cassville, in which the College exercises should be conducted during the current year.
Lots contiguous to the College site were donated to the Pro- fessors, on conditions satisfactory to both parties.
Rev. P. H. Mell was elected to the presidency of the institu- tion in July, 1856, but declined the position. Rev. Thomas Rambant was acting as chairman of the faculty.
A plan of scholarship had been adopted, which seems not to have been very successful. Several agents had been operating from the first for raising an endowment, etc., whose success S- had not been commensurate with their efforts. Rev. D. G. Daniell finally accepted an agency, and succeeded in raising, in
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subscriptions, for the education of poor boys, $10,000 00, and for other purposes, $1,560 00. His report to this effect is dated January 13th, 1860. In July of that year it is stated that the assets amounted to $20,777 56, which were in the form of bonds, subscriptions, pledges, etc. The building, land, etc., appear to have been independent of this amount.
Rev. Thomas Rambant was raised to the presidency in No- vember, 1857, and was the only acting president the institution has ever had. Messrs. Robert and Whilden having resigned, their places were filled by Messrs. Collins and Devore, and sub- sequently Rev. Mr. McBryde was connected with the instruc- tion of the College.
The institution having become involved in debt, the Trus- tees found it necessary to give a mortgage upon it. How they did so consistently with its charter, is not apparent to the writer, though it is presumed to have been really so. Want of a sufficient endowment was a continual source of embarrass- ment and annoyance to both Trustees and Faculty in conducting the institution. A college cannot be carried on successfully and efficiently without ample funds.
After adopting and then recinding resolutions on the subject repeatedly, it was finally agreed, in May, 1861, " to procure suitable men to carry on the College for the term of five years, who shall look to the tuition and assets within the control of the Board for the payment of their salaries." President Ram- bant and Professor Collins acceded to these terms, and the Trustees agreed " to furnish two assistants " to aid them in their work.
For aught that appears on their records, this was about the last act of the Board of Trustees. The storm of war had already burst upon our devoted and unfortunate country, and it is pre- sumed the institution, like most other male colleges, was soon suspended for want of patronage. Our young men relinquished the pursuit of literature and science, and went forth to fields of carnage and death, for the protection of their parents and the homes of their childhood from a cruel and unnatural foe. Many of them perished in the fratricidal strife, and though it may seem otherwise to short-sighted mortals, they have not per- ished in vain. " The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the the
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church," and the blood of these martyrs to liberty shall yet cause the tree thereof to grow with renewed vigor and fruit- fulness.
Such an institution could not be permitted to stand within the track of Sherman's conquering legions, and, like many of its sisters, the torch was applied, and, with all its valuable con- tents, it was totally consumed. The burning of literary insti- tutions and churches was a common practice of our enemies during the late war. It has been ascertained that more than one thousand of the latter were destroyed in this way. His- tory will consign the perpetrators of these acts of heaven- daring impiety and vandalism to depths of infamy deeper than human thought can fathom or language describe.
WASHINGTON INSTITUTE.
MALE AND FEMALE.
This institution of learning is located at Linton, Hancock county, about equi-distant from Milledgeville, Sandersville and Sparta. The village is named in honor of Judge Linton Ste- phens, the most liberal contributor towards its endowment, and the school takes its name from the Association which origin- ated and controls it. The site selected in 1857 was in the primitive forest, where there was not so much as a cabin to mark its locality. But such was the energy which character- ized its managers, that early in 1858 the institution was in suc- cessful operation, with more than one hundred pupils. More than twenty residences were soon reared up, some of which are elegant and costly edifices.
Fifteen Trustees were elected by the Association, of which Rev. Asa Duggan was the first President and Col. J. T. Smith, Secretary. Rev. Carlos W. Stephens (recently deceased,) was chosen principal of the school, and Rev. T. J. Adams, assistant. The latter is now associate principal with Ivy W. Duggan, and W. H. Beals is professor of music. At the commencement of he war, the number of pupils was one hundred and twenty- ine. But its numbers were soon reduced by its sons rushing o the field of conflict, some of them, alas! to return no more.
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Their teachers, of course, went with them. Their places, how- ever, were temporarily supplied, and the exercises of the school were at no time entirely suspended. There are now (1866) seventy pupils in attendance, and, notwithstanding the condi- tion of the country, there is much reason to hope it will soon attain its former prosperity. The teachers are men of experi- ence and ability, and they are seconded in their efforts by the Trustees and patrons.
The primary department affords excellent facilities for small children, while the more advanced classes are thoroughly in- structed in the mathematics and classics. The school has the advantage of a well selected philosophical and chemical appa- ratus, musical instruments, etc. The main building is of brick, two stories high, commodious, and well adapted to the pur- poses for which it is intended. It is yet in an unfinished state. The location is remarkably healthy, and the society is good. The institution is a corporate body, and the provisions of its charter are well calculated to protect the village and school from immoral influences. The Board of Trustees are elected biennially by the Association. The success of this enterprise is claimed by its friends as a conclusive argument in favor of mixed schools.
MONROE FEMALE UNIVERSITY.
This institution, located at Forsyth, Monroe county, has been is one of the most successful of its kind in the State. The col-le h lege building was erected for a Botanical Medical College, but At was soon purchased by the citizens of the town for a Femalemal School of high order. The Baptists finally became possesseddies of it, (in 1855, we think.) Rev. William C. Wilkes having beenr. H at the head of it several years previously. The school flour reside ished greatly under his administration. Soon after it was purd a chased, Mr. Richard T. Asbury became a professor ; othe Day highly competent teachers became associated with the gentlefter ta men already named; and for a series of years, and until th Mr. R. commencement of the late war, it was one of the most successtter te ful and prosperous institutions of learning in the State. Fcstitutio some cause, unknown to the writer, the Trustees sold the e tablishment in 1855, to Messrs. Wilkes, Asbury, Candler an
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Turner, " binding them to continue its use as a female school of high grade, subject to the control of the Baptist denomina- tion."
The interest of the foregoing purchasers was sold last year to Rev. S. G. Hillyer, R. T. Asbury and George M. Rhodes, who now have control of the institution. Rev. J. F. Dagg, late President of the female college at Cuthbert, was one of its pro- fessors. With its former prestige, and under such instructors it is hoped it may soon regain its former prosperity.
For many years past, the Baptists have had female colleges un- der their control at several other points in the State-institutions that would compare favorably with any in the land. One was started at LaGrange by that eloquent and eminent divine, Rev. J. E. Dawson, D. D. He was succeeded in the presidency by Mr. Milton E. Bacon, who erected in a commanding locality, a com- modious and imposing edifice; furnished it with a splendid apparatus, musical instruments, etc., employed a corps of com- petent teachers, and, for many years, carried on the school on a magnificent scale. The writer has understood that the build- ing was destroyed by fire during the war.
At Madison, also, the Baptists have a female college of high standing, where hundreds of the daughters of the land have ›een thoroughly educated. Messrs. Browne and Loud were ts teachers for many years, and under them, perhaps, it attained ts greatest prosperity. Mr. Browne is again at the head of it e has few equals in the State.
At Perry, Houston county, the Baptists have established a male college of no mean order. Here, also, hundreds of young dies have been educated into accomplished and elegant women. .r. Holtzclaw, for many years its popular and indefatigable resident, is a graduate of Mercer University, a ripe scholar, id a most successful educator. Upon his resignation, Rev. A. Dayton, of Tennessee, became its President, but died soon ter taking charge.
the Mr. R. T. Asbury, than whom there is not believed to be a osetter teacher in the State, is now (1874) at the head of this Foustitution. It fully maintains its well-earned celebrity.
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BETHEL FEMALE COLLEGE-CUTHBERT.
In the spring of 1851, the author, then residing at Lumpkin, Stewart county, was invited to'a meeting of the executive com- mittee of the Bethel Baptist Association, which was held at the residence of Rev. Thomas Muse, for the purpose of holding a consultation on the subject of establishing a female college somewhere within the bounds of said Association. There were in attendance on that meeting, if he remembers rightly, besides himself, only three others-W. L. Crawford, B. Graves and Thomas Muse. The result of that meeting was reported by that committee to the Association at Benevolence church, Ran- dolph county, the ensuing fall, in the following language :
" The committee have taken under consideration, since your last session, the important subject of erecting a female college or high school, to be the property of, and under the control of lo the Association ; and, finding the denomination and the people generally desired such an institution built up at some eligible ha point, the committee called a Convention of the churches, to lay before them the expediency of taking immediate action ir making efforts to raise funds to accomplish the design. Th Trail unce Lum since for tl Un the As The to elect college employ Convention met in Lumpkin on Friday before the fifth Sabbat] in August last, and highly approved of the project. The passed resolutions commending it to the patronage of the de nomination and the public generally ; and also recommendin conditional subscriptions, payable in four annual installment commencing at January next, be taken for those places desirin its location ; and should the Association approve of the ente prise, to locate the same at its present session. Your committe . have made extensive inquiry, and have reason to believe the such an institution is greatly needed in this section of the Stat and, therefore, recommend the subject to your most prayert titution consideration."
Whereupon, the following preamble and resolutions, offer by Rev. F. F. Seig, were adopted :
" Having had under consideration so much of the report the executive committee as relates to the establishment of female college within the bounds of this Association, heart approving of the action of that committee, fully satisfied of t
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great importance of the subject, and that the time has come for action ; therefore,
" 1. Resolved, That this Association do look upon the cause of female education as inferior to none other.
" 2. Resolved, That we approve of the action of the commit- tee upon this subject.
"3. Resolved, That we agree to adopt this enterprise, and to prosecute it with all the means within our power; and we hereby heartily commend it to the prayers, liberality and pat- ronage of the friends of education generally, and of the denom- ination in particular.
" The amounts of the subscription for the school at the sev- eral places desiring the location were announced. The subject of its location was then taken up, and, after much discussion, Cuthbert, Randolph county, was unanimously selected as its location."
It might be inferred from the foregoing record that Cuthbert had the largest subscription, but that was not so. The largest subscription announced was for Lumpkin. The writer, who then resided at Lumpkin, was in favor of that place, as the railroad then extended no further than Oglethorpe, and it was th uncertain, when extended, whether it would go by Cuthbert or Lumpkin. But "God seeth not as man seeth," and he has long de- since been convinced that Cuthbert is the most favorable site ng for the institution. 0 n
Under resolutions offered by Mr. James Clark, of Lumpkin, the Association proceeded to name the contemplated institution "The Baptist Female College of Southwestern Georgia." Agreed to elect a Board of Trustees. Directed said Board to have the college incorporated, and requested the executive committee to tateemploy an agent for the building up and endowment of the in- erfu stitution. The Board elected were J. H. Campbell, Jas. Clark, F. F. Seig, William Janes, E. W. Warren, R. Q. Dickinson, J. W. fere Wilson, William H. Wade, Joel W. Perry.
The Trustees reported to the Association, in 1852, that they lad purchased forty-one acres of land, within three-fourths of , mile of Cuthbert, on which there was a large house erected or a school building, and other improvements, for which they th ad paid $1,875 00; that they had engaged Rev. Thomas Muse
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as agent for the collection of funds; that Pev. A. T. Holmes was acting as President of the College; Rev. J. H. Luther as assistant; Mrs. Amanda C. Clark as music teacher; and that, owing to the rapid increase of pupils, Miss Mary Wilson, Miss Georgia Pride and Mrs. Bozeman had also been employed as assistants. The college had been incorporated by an Act of the Legislature. They claimed that the location they had secured was one of the most desirable in Georgia; excellent health had prevailed among both teachers and pupils, and, altogether, the prospects of the institution were most flattering. In addition to the buildings already on the premises, they had contracted for another, to comprise rooms for chapel, music, apparatus, etc., for which they were to pay $8,500 00. They had pur- chased three pianos, but had not yet obtained an apparatus, and the treasurer reported $12,500 00 as having been raised. There were ninety-three pupils in the various departments. This was certainly a most prosperous beginning for an institution which, two years before, had not been thought of.
The next year, 1853, the college had one hundred and thirty- eight pupils, two new professors had been secured, the main building was nearly completed, an apparatus costing $600 00 had been purchased, also two additional pianos, and the finances of the college were in a favorable condition. Yet the Trustees complain of opposition, which had manifested itself in the form of a Methodist institution, and which was being raised up in the me town of Cuthbert. The Methodist brethren, no doubt, sawing that, for once, they had been caught napping, and that, unless ort they bestirred themselves, they would soon lose all influence in cho Southwestern Georgia.
In 1854, the Trustees close their annual report thus : "It is ar firmly believed by the Board that the institution is on a firmenher basis than at any former period of its history." By the follow Papac ing year, the College had become involved in debt to the amountBoard of $3,200 00, and a vigorous effort was made during the sessionate of the Association for its extinguishment, which was only par reds tially successful. In 1856 it was still somewhat embarrassed rover me it but in 1857 we find in the report of the Trustees the following "At the last Association your Board reported the institutionark el encumbered with debt. But, as was then stated, some brethrenest a
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of Lumpkin, prompted by a noble generosity, made a strong appeal to the friends of the College to come up and relieve it of this encumbrance. The appeal was not in vain ; and it is : now the good pleasure of your Board to report the Baptist College of Southwestern Georgia OUT OF DEBT." The re- port of this year goes on to state that the institution is steadily advancing, that it had one hundred and twenty-five pupils, that a gracious revival of religion had been experienced, during which twenty-four of the young ladies had joined the Baptist church. The faculty as then constituted consisted of R. D. Mallary, President, Rev. J. F. Dagg, Mrs. R. D. Mallary, Mrs. J. F. Dagg, Miss C. Cleaves and Miss Lucretia Mallary. The ensuing year the institution was visited by another gracious revival of religion, and it is recorded that " the institution was never in a more prosperous condition."
In 1859, the Trustees, in submitting their report, " take great pleasure in congratulating our brethren upon the success of our institution for the last year." Whole number of pupils, one hundred and twenty. Quite a fine state of religious feeling, and many of the young ladies had embraced the Sa- viour. The health of both teachers and pupils was excellent. The Trustees say in their next annual report that the institu- tion is still in a flourishing condition under R. D. Mallary, President, and an able corps of assistants; but that "its in- creasing patronage and growing popularity concur in demand- ng additional arrangements for the accommodation and com- ort of its pupils, and the entertainment of the crowd of visitors vho annually attend its commencement exercises." [The build- ngs thus called for were not erected, in consequence of the It is var, which soon followed.] In 1861 the Board had to report mer ant lion ar- -ed, he resignation of President Mallary, who had served in that apacity six years, and had given " entire satisfaction to the Board and patrons, and to the public generally." Up to that ate the prosperity of the College had been uninterrupted, hun- reds of its pupils had been converted to Christ, and it had roved a blessing to all that portion of the State. But from that me it began to feel the blighting effects of the war, whose Tion ark shadows were even then being cast across its path. The renext annual report of the Board announces that Rev. J. F.
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Dagg had been elected to the Presidency of the College and had accepted. The small pox had broken out in Cuthbert, , causing a temporary diminution in the number of pupils, from the effects of which, however, the institution soon recovered.
Another year of cruel and unnatural war entailed still fur- ther disasters upon the institution. The Confederate Govern- ment had taken possession of its buildings for hospital pur- poses, and Mr. Dagg, the President, found it necessary to use a portion of his own dwelling for the accommodation of his pu- pils. It was the best that could be done under the circum- stances. The patronage, of course, was greatly diminished. In 1865, President Dagg reports to the Board that the College buildings had been restored to him, but that the number of pupils, owing to the financial embarrassments of the country, was quite small as compared with former years. The following year, 1866, the patronage was still small, owing, as the Presi- dent avers, in part to want of boarding accommodations. He had served five years as professor and five as President, and now resigned all connection with the institution.
In 1867 the College was in charge of Rev. T. H. Stout and Miss C. A. Hansell, as associate principals, with Miss Hattie Platt in the primary department, and Miss A. B. Armstrong teacher of vocal and instrumental music.
The plan of this work does not admit of a more extended no- tice of this institution, which is matter of regret with the au thor. He trusts that its future historian may have it in his power to record its renewed and increased prosperity and use fulness, under the fostering care of the younger generation o men into whose hands it is fast falling.
Mr. William B. Seals, who is one of the best educators in the South, (or anywhere else,) is now President of this College Under his management it cannot but be greatly prosperous and useful.
Besides the foregoing institutions, the Baptists have flour ishing schools at Madison, Rome, Dalton and other places.
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