USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Bloomington > Historic treasures: true tales of deeds with interesting data in the life of Bloomington, Indiana University and Monroe County--written in simple language and about real people, with other important things and illustrations > Part 15
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Several schools were ordered closed by the state rural school inspector, Le- roy Scales. These were as follows: Buck Creek, Oak Grove and Center, in Washington township; Sandhill, in Bean Blossom; Powell, in Marion; Polly, in Benton. and No. 8 in Indian Creek. The schools were closed because the total attendance at each last year was less than twelve. The law provides that the trustees must provide free conveyances to haul the pupils to other schools where the distance they would have to walk is more than a mile and a half.
Another new law is that a boy or girl must stay in school until sixteen years of age, even if they have gradu- ated from the eighth grade. Hereto- fore they could quit school at the age of fourteen.
Miss Blanche Merry, state attend- ance officer, came to Monroe county and gave final instructions concern- ing the enforcing of the attendance law.
NAME OF "HOOSIER" NOW COMMANDS RESPECT · EVERYWHERE
Oh, yes, I am a "Hoosier," as allowed by those "K-Y'kies" across the stream, Who think they'll lower our spirit proud
When, in defamation, the name they scream.
When we are called a "Hoosier" we naturally feel a rather friendly feel- ing for the person who so honors us. That is, we feel like being pleasant with that person as one feels like do- ing when some stranger calls him by a pet name his family has made use of around home.
We Indianians of today hold the name to be rather a sacred "home name" and are always glad to be called by that, as we are also glad to be recognized as an American when abroad.
Was Once Looked Down On.
"Almost from the foundation of the first American settlement within the Indiana border, the defamation be- gan," says the late David Demaree Banta, '55, in one of his addresses which is published in Indiana Univer-
sity's Centennial Memorial Volume.
"Lawrenceburg and vicinity were settled mainly with men from Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut," Mr. Banta continued, "but not long is it before we find these representatives of the cultured East engaged in a war of epithets with their Kentucky neighbors on the south side of the Ohio.
Kentuckians Screamed "Hoosier."
"The Kentuckians screamed 'Hoo- sier,' the Indianians shouted back 'Al- gerine.' The latter word has been for- gotten-absorbed in 'Corn Cracker', possibly-but 'Hoosier' has stuck.
"Who knows its genesis ?
"No one, nor its meaning. It came from without-that seems certain; and was used at first as an epithet of re- proach.
"It did not need to have a meaning in the beginning-nay, it served the better purpose without meaning for it was enough to cry 'Hoosier,' 'Hoosier!' to make the Indianians, from the Ohio to the outermost verge of the
settlements grit their teeth and curse their tormentors."
Sting Is Gone.
Indiana and her people and their mode of life and sayings were fruit- ful themes of jests and comments un- til after the war of 1861-1864, but from along in the year of 1830-1840 the name no longer hurt. The Indi- anians had begun to conquer the ele- ments that had marked their poverty, and were able to grin in anticipation of victory when "Hoosier" was ap- plied to them.
As our forefathers made progress in education and industry, and sons of Indiana went forth and brought honor to the land of their nativity, the grin of anticipation broadened to a smile of pride when the word "Hoo- sier" was mentioned.
And, today, we may well be proud to even become an adopted child of the great family of "Hoosiers."
JORDAN WRITES POEM ON 70th BIRTHDAY
Dr. David Starr Jordan, president of Indiana University from 1885 to 1891, wrote the folowing poem re- cently. This is the year of his 70th birthday anniversary, and he writes looking back over his three-score and ten.
Registrar John W. Cravens was presented with a copy of the poem which Dr. Jordan sent to many of his friends.
Men Told Me, Lord
(1851-1921)
Men told me, Lord, it was a vale of tears Where Thou hadst placed me, wickedness and woe
My twain companions whereso I might go ; That I through ten and three score weary years
Should stumble on, beset by pains and fears, Fierce conflict around me, passions hot within, Enjoyment brief and fatal, but in sin. When all was ended then should I demand Full compensation from Thine austere hand ; For, 'tis Thy pleasure, all temptation past, To be not just but generous at last.
Lord, here am I! My three-score years and ten All counted to the full ; I've fought Thy fight. Crossed Thy dark valleys, scaled Thy rocks' harsh height,
Borne all Thy burdens Thou dost lay on men With hand unsparing, three-score years and ten.
Before Thee now I make my claim, O Lord ! What shall I pray Thee as a meet reward ?
I ask for nothing! Let the balance fall! All that I am or know or may confess But swells the weight of mine indebtedness ; Burdens and sorrows stand transfiguréd all ; Thy hand's rude buffet turns to a caress, For Love, with all the rest, Thou gav'st me here,
And Love is Heaven's very atmosphere! -- David Starr Jordan.
MAKING MISTAKES
When a plumber makes a mistake he charges twice for it.
When a lawyer makes a mistake, it is just what he wanted because he has a chance to try it over again.
When a preacher makes a mistake nobody knows the difference.
When a judge makes a mistake, it becomes the law of the land.
When a doctor makes a mistake he buries it.
But, when an editor makes a mis- take-Good Night.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
Indiana University Lives Through Adversity -- Citizens Aid Officials -- History Interesting
After the State Legislature had passed an act to establish a Univer- sity in the state of Indiana, in 1838, ten men were apointed as trustees to make the change from Indiana College to Indiana University.
This board of trustees was made up of the following men: John Law, of Knox county; Robert Dale Owen, of Posey county; Richard W. Thomp, son, of Lawrence county; Samuel R. Hosovuer, of Wayne county; P. C. Dunning, James Blair, Joshua O. Howe, Chesley D. Bailey. William Turner and Leroy Mayfield, of Mon- roe county. It may be noted that six of the ten men on the first board of trustees of Indiana University were residents of Monroe county; giving the majority vote, or control to the county.
New Building Erected.
This board of trustees met for the first time in regular session May 24, 1838, and elected Paris C. Dunning of Monroe county, president of the board; and James D. Maxwell as sec- retary. The board of trustees then proceeded to make such changes as were deemed necessary for the con-
version of Indiana College into Indi- ana University.
A new brick building was erected upon the site of what is now known as the old University building (on Bloomington's High School campus), in this year, and the old building, which became later known as the old Seminary building, and still later converted into a residence, was not used as a University building, but was used. as a Female school build- ing.
This new building was really the first building of Indiana University as the school had not been a Univer- sity until this time.
In 1851 the State adopted a new constitution, in which no mention was made of any provision for higher edu- cation. To remedy this omission a special act was passed by the Legis- lature on the 17th of June, 1852 "rec- ognizing" the "college established in 1828," at Bloomington, as "the Uni- versity of the State."
All this time however the Univer- sity had received no money from the State, and its sole source of income consisted of its fees and the money ($6,000 to $8,000 per year) received as interest on the proceeds from the sale of Perry township. During these years, the number of students in at- tendance in the collegiate classes (ex- clusive of members of the Prepara- tory or "Normal" department) ranged from 38 (1841) to 118 (1859), and the
number of graduates from 2 (1853) to 22 (1861).
Destroyed by Fire in 1854.
The "old" University building was used until April, (All Fools' Day) 1854, when it was destroyed by fire, which loss embarrassed the insti- tution very much as not only were the recitation rooms gone, but a valuable library of rare works were burned. (An erroneous belief that this build- ing was razed seems generally accep- ted at this time.)
It is believed that this fire was the work of an incendiary, as evidence gathered at the time, and the strife which seemed to exist during this period in regard to higher education would lead one to accept as a prob- able truth. However, no one was ever prosecuted for the act.
Citizens Raise Funds.
The citizens immediately went to work to raise funds for erecting a new building for Indiana University. They removed a comparatively mea- ger sum from the State, but by popu- lar subscriptions and donations Bloomington citizens raised $10,000, and were enabled to complete the new college building. This building stands on the "old University Campus" in the southern part of the Old City of Bloomington, (the present Junior High school building).
Permanent Endowment.
In the historic year, 1867, the
Old Indiana University Building (erected after fire of 1854), now used as a Junior High School. (Unit in Bloomington's Superior Educational System, as they appeared in 1921.)
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
first legislative appropriation was made. This was an annual appropria- tion of $8,000, an amount that was increased in 1873 to $15,000, and still later to $23,000. This increase in equipment was followed at once by a decided increase in the number of stu- dents, as well as in the general effi- ciency of the Institution. This growth and development continued during the administration of Dr. Lemuel Moss (1876 to 1884), and also during that of Dr. Jordan.
On the 8th of March, 1883, an Act providing for the "permanent endow- ment of the University" was passed by the State Legislature. By this ordi- nance, a tax of one-half cent to be collected annually for thirteen years is levied on each $100 of taxable prop- erty.
"This amount when collected is put in the form of non-negotiable bonds of the State, bearing interest at 5 per cent. This sum collected amounts to about $50,000 each year, giving an an- nual increase of income of $2,000 to $3,000. This fund will amount to about
$750,000 in 1896. It will then yield an income equal to that now received form all other sources."
No donations of money from individ- uals for any purpose had been re- ceived by the University.
Second Fire in July, 1883.
In the late seventies, a fine brick building was erected on the old Uni- versity campus, to be used for scien- tific purposes in connection with the work of the University.
This building was struck by light- ning and completely destroyed by fire which followed, in July, 1883. The loss was estimated at probably : $300,000, as the library consisting of over 12,000 volumes, and the then fa- mous Owen collection of fossils, etc., along with many other valuable ar- ticles were destroyed at the time.
The burning of Science building on the old campus of Indiana Univer- sity, while coming, as it did as a ca- lamity, was really a blessing in dis- guise for not only the University, but Bloomington and Monroe county.
It was after this great disaster that the new site was purchased and the University really began to spread 'forth out-reaching arms of progress, which could never have happened had the old site been retained.
The loss was in part made good by a State appropriation ($43,000), and by a donation ($50,000) from the County of Monroe.
In rebuilding the trustees selected a more eligible site, about a mile from the former location, and on these grounds the work of the University has been carried on since 1885.
Present Site Purchased.
In the same year, 1883, the Trus- tees of Indiana University purchased a tract of twenty acres of land of what was then known as Dunn's Woods, fronting on Fifth street, and made preparations to erect two fine buildings on this site. One of the buildings was planned to be used as the main University edifice, and the
Exceptional action picture of fire scene on Indiana University Campus, showing Bloomington's old "Steamer" fire engine at work-Wylie Hall was the building in this scen e, which has been rebuilt.
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hall
other to be used as a scientific de- partment building.
The tract of land cost the Board of Trustees of Indiana University $6,000, and the estimated cost of the two new buildings planned at that time was $60,000 for each building.
In Indiana University's published account of this incident, as printed in the "History of Indiana University," published in 1890, we find the fol- lowing:
Calamity Follows Prosperity.
"It sometimes seems that calamity follows prosperity. Just one month after the commencement, July 13, 1883, the college building, the corner stone of which Governor T. A. Le- onidas Sexon, laid, July 2, 1873, was a mass of ruins.
"As there had been no one occupy- ing this building for more than a week, there was no way of account- ing for the fire but by a vivid flash of lightning, which occurred about 6 p. m., on July 13, during a heavy fall of rain, which continued the whole night.
"The fire must have been smould- ering in the building until 8 o'clock when the alarm was given. The building was so prevaded by the smoke that no part of it could be en- tered, except the museum, in the low- er story, from which some tables covered with specimens were taken.
"The valuable library of about 13,- 000 volumes (from other sources we learn that there were over 12,000 but not quite 13,000 volumes) was com- pletely destroyed, and also all the physical and chemistry apparatus and valuable collections, together with the library of Professor, later Presi- dent, Jordan.
Firemen Do Good Work.
"Had it not been for the exertions of the firemen, and the heavy rain, the other building, only ten feet from it, must have met the same fate.
"The calamity occurring during vacation, most of the professors were out of town. In the emergency, the resident trustees, professors and some influential citizens, met and discus-' sed the situation.
"About the beginning of August the board of trustees, in a called ses- sion, and with funds in hand, im- mediately proceeded to prepare the old college bulding (the building;". erected in 1854-55) for the tempor-' ary reception of the professors who had lost their rooms and apparatus by the recent fire.
"It was also resolved at this meet- ing of the board to select a new site, removed from the annoyance of the railroad, on which to rebuild the Uni- versity.
"The board, after an examination of various situations, selected a tract of twenty acres, situated on what is known as 'Dunn Wood.' This they. purchased from Moses E. Dunn, Esq., the grandson of the original proprie- tor.
County Commissioners Give $50,000. "About the beginning of Septem- ber the commissioners of Monroe county voted to donate $50,000 to the University, for the purpose of erecting buildings; and this gener-
ous grant and the money received from the insurance companies, the trustees were enabled to immediate- ly make preparations for building.
"Mr. George W. Bunting, of Indi- anapolis, was employed as architect. At the meeting of the board in No- vember, 1833, the plans were sub- mitted and adopted. Three buildings were, at this time, stipulated for.
Ground Broken in 1884.
"On Wednesday, April 2, 1884, the ground was broken. On June 10, in accordance with arrangements pre- viously made, the corner-stone was laid. The day was unpropitious, and so rainy that the addresses were de- livered in the Methodist church, com- paratively few assembling to witness the actual ceremony of putting the stone in place.
"The three buildings were named Wylie Hall, Owen Hall and Maxwell Hall. Wylie Hall, when the main building shall be erected, is intended for the department of physics and Chemistry. Owen Hall is intended for the Departments of Natural Science and the Museum. Maxwell Hall is a wooden structure. On its lower floor are the Chapel, a recitation room and the ladies' room. In the second story are five recitation rooms.
Opened in 1888.
On September 3, 1888, to the grati- fication of all concerned, the students assembled in their new commodius halls, for prayers, lectures and reci- tations."
This progress and advancement of the institution of higher learning has also meant a wonderful progress and growth for Bloomington, as it not alone has advertised the City near and far, but more money has been spent in the town with each year's increase in enrollment at the school.
The chief changes since that year have been an increase in the number of professors and the extension of the elective system in the course of stu- dies. ' With these changes, and the greater income which has made them
possible, has come a decided increase in the number of students. The num- ber enrolled in the college classes in the year 1888-89 was about 300, and the graduating class of 1889 contained 44 members.
Women were admitted to the uni- versity in 1867. A law school was in successful operation from - - to 1877. It was closed on account of adverse feeling in the Legislature. The Indiana Medical College of in- dianapolis had, for a number of years, a nominal connection with the Indi- ana University. This connection, how- ever, included no financial support, and no responsibility of management.
Here was builded the Indiana Uni- versity that we all know. Every one knowns, or should at least, know the story of the growth of Indiana Univer- sity from this stage on. But the little things about us that really mean so much are passed by unobserved.
The Sundial's Story.
Every day hundreds of students pass by the old sundial, but few know and still fewer stop to remember that it once stood on the old campus. The money was donated by the members of the classes of 1870-72. The dial is made of Monroe county stone. The story goes that, when Cyrus Nutt, the third president of the University, was walking across the old campus one dark night, he struck a match so that he could see what time it was by the sundial.
About the Well House.
The Well House is easily the most popular structure on the campus, but how many who drink at its fountains think of the creaking old green pump that used to stand in its place, and how many stop to think that the por- tals were once entrances to the old building. Theorode Rose of Muncie, who is 'now dead, obtained permission to move the old doors. He moved them, designed, and had the Well House constructed, and presented it to the University in memory of the class of '75.
`SACRIFICES OF PEOPLE IN THE PAST PAVED WAY FOR CITIZENS TODAY-WE MUST WORK FOR BENEFIT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
Duty Calls Each Individual to Make Some Personal Effort in Preparing « Memorial for' Heroes of Indiana in Order That Youngsters May Respect Higher Ideals-Opportunities of Present Must Be Used To Benefit Those of the Future.
When we look through the records of Indiana University, and see evi- dences of the struggles some of her students have made in order that hu- manty might be benefitted by deeds worthy of ' sacrafice of time, energy of youth-yea, even to the actual giv- ing of lives-in order that the com- ing generations might be benefitted through their sacrifice, we must stop and ponder.
In the past when Indiana Univer- sity struggled with misfortunes, the people of the state, of the county in which the institution was situated;
and the townsmen of dear old Bloom- ington vied with the graduate of years past in offering aid in rebuild- ing the school.
We Can Do What Others Did.
Indiana University is surrounded by universities that have raised large funds or are now engaged in Mem- orial Fund campaigns. Ohio has
raised $1,500,000 for an athletic sta- dium, as a lasting and useful memor- ial to her heroes. Illinois is now work- ing on a $3,000,000 fund and has al- ready raised $700,000 toward this
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fund from her student body alone. Kentucky is in the midst of a great campaign for a project of the same noble principle; Chicago will soon be- gin a Memorial Fund drive, while Wisconsin and Michigan have gone "over the top" with oversubscrip- tions; Kansas has raised more money than she had set as her goal, and Iowa is all ready to open a campaign for a fund of the same nature.
In our own State, Purdue, our neighbor and colleague in the ad- vancement of the great educational interests of the State, deserves great honor and hearty congratulations for completing a Million Dollar Building Fund, while Notre Dame is now pre- paring for a $2,000,000 drive.
We ask-What, then shall Indiana do ?
The answer that jumps to our lips tells us what we must do-it tells us that Indiana must not take a sec- ondary position in this respect; that Indiana, her alumni and people inter-
ested in the great institution of higher learning, can do what other colleges have done.
Act Now !
Indiana can not wait longer to set up on her campus a lasting and fitting memorial to the men who have offered or given their lives in order that the world might be made a better place in which to live.
In an interview concerning the pro- posed Million Dollar Memorial fund for Indiana University, Mr. William A. Alexander, late of Swarthmore College Faculty, who is a graduate of old I. U., expressed his feelings for Indiana in a few words, which seems typical of the true brotherhood which exists within the hearts of all Indi- ana Alumni, students, friends of the institution and citizens of Blooming- ton, where the old school is established for all time. Mr. Alexander said, in part:
"As you may know, I have recently returned to Indiana, after sixteen
years of service at Swarthmore Col- lege, under the masterful leadership of President Joseph Swain, a gradu- ate of Indiana University and for years its president. Some of my in- timate friends asked why I should want to leave the pleasing surround- ings I enjoyed at Swarthmore. There are many answers to the question, but the answer I find most predominant is this:
"Besides the desire to get back to my people; besides the desire to re- turn to the work of my choice, there stands out one all-pervading purpose, namely, to serve in my small way my Alma Mater, the institution which has done more for me and means more to me than any other.
Heeds the Call.
"So, when I was asked to return to Indiana and do what I could to help raise a Million Dollar Memorial Fund, there could have been no other an- swer than that 'I'll be there.'
"The alumni of Indiana University, heartily supported by the board of trustees," continued Mr. Alexander, "set for themselves by a unanimous vote at the last commencement, the duty of raising a Million Dollar Mem- orial Fund, dedicated to the memory of Indiana men and women who have given or offered their services in the service of their country.
"It was voted that the fund should be apportioned to the following pur- poses: For a Union building, $500,- 000; for an Athletic Stadium, $250,000, and for a Women's Dormitory, $250, 000. The resolution setting forth the plan to raise this Memorial Fund as a gift to Indiana University contains the following declaration of faith:
" 'We believe that the children of the University throughout the coun- try and the world, and all who know her achievements and who honor her memory will enter upon this move- ment with affection for their Alma Mater and with a fixed determination and purpose to accomplish the end in view.'
"I am much pleased that the Alum- ni Association recognized the worth of Iner-collegiate athletics by mak- ing the Stadium one of the great ob- jectives of this campaign. I believe in high scholastic standings for our University; I believe in high moral standards for our Alma Mater; I be- lieve in making adequate provision for a safe, sane and democratic social life of the undergraduates.
"Because I believe in these stand- ards, and in order to make them pos- sible, I believe in inter-collegiate and intramural athletes. The recrea- tional life of undergraduates in the American colleges must be organized.
"We have come to know that the killing of time is a deadly sport. The waste of leisure is one of the most tragic things in American life, today. It is well, therfore, that a great Stadium is to be one of the results of the Memorial Fund Campaign; be- cause, through it we shall announce Entrance drive to Indiana University Campus, as it appeared at 2:02 p. m. to the world our faith in the value of o'clock (the hands of the clock in the Student Building tower will show in the picture), on Christmas Day, December 25, 1921.
inter-collegiate sports, and our de- termination to help the University promote her best interests by proper
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Historic Treasures, Compiled by Forest M. "Pop" Hail
attention to the recreational life of her students and alumni.
"I am much pleased, also, that the fund is to serve as a lasting and fit- ting memorial to the men and women of Indiana who gave or offered their lives in order that the world would be made a better place for us to live in.
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