USA > Kansas > A history of Methodism in northwest Kansas > Part 2
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It should be said that Brother Rhodes was a zealous and efficient Agent. Considering the discouragements and the small amounts that he was by the most as- siduous efforts able to collect, he did all that any one could be expected to do. Many lots in the town site had been sold for taxes. The Agent bought many tax titles, and by securing quit-claims from the original owners, perfected the title in the name of the Univer- sity. By selling these hundreds of dollars were ob- tained for finishing the building and other important improvements.
The greater part of the floating debt was owed to teachers who had been previously employed, but the largest single claim was for lumber for the college building. That amounted to $1,700 and was held by Mrs. Sells, who lived in what is now known as the Sullivan property. The part the writer had in lifting the floating debt may be learned from the copy of a letter found among old papers some years ago. It reads as follows :
Baldwin City, Kansas, February 14th, 1876. Mrs. Isabell Sells,
Dear Madam:
The proposition I make is this; my father and I own a quar- ter section of land in Otoe County, Nebraska, the north half of the southeast quarter and the north half of the southwest quar- ter, section four, township seven, range nine. If you will ac- cept that piece of land for your claim against this institution,
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we will turn it over to you, in case the other debts including the bonds are paid. Will say, as to the value of land: I asked a real estate man in Nebraska City, a little more than a year ago, what our land was worth. He replied: "I have land in that neighborhood which I am holding at $1,000 per quarter; but the land is worth $800.00 You would receive a good title, there are no incumbrances or back taxes against it.
Signed, W. H. SWEET.
The deed passed and that claim was settled.
Dr. Hall said in his historical sketch that men tithed their property to support the school, but one- fourth of the possessions of the writer went to pay the floating debt.
In June, 1877, C. A. Weaver, whom I had known at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and who had been associated with Mrs. Sweet in the school at Holly Springs, Mississippi, was chosen Professor of Mathe- matics and was retained in that position ten years. In June, 1879, Dr. Denison resigned the Presidency and the writer was chosen to the place. Some of my friends thought me foolish in accepting the position. They said, "So many have tried to build up the in- stitution and have not succeeded, your effort will in all probability result no better." It did indeed seem a hazardous undertaking. A part of the debt had been paid, but there was still enough to seriously embarrass the institution. Those who had in good faith paid their subscriptions, made two years before, were dis- couraged by the failure of others to meet their pledges, and there was no enthusiasm and little faith anywhere. No catalogue or circular had been issued the previous year. While the enrollment of students for the year reached ninety or one hundred, it declined the spring term to thirty-eight.
Bishop Andrews was present at the Commence- ment. As I was returning to Holton the next day, I met him on the street in Lawrence. He shook my
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hand and said: "Well, Brother Sweet, I do not feel I can congratulate you on any thing, except on having an opportunity to do good."
The Trustees, feeling that they must not contract additional debt, and not having any funds with which to pay deficiencies in salaries, declined to be responsi- ble, and passed a resolution to the effect that when the funds from tuition and Conference collections were exhausted, any deficit that might remain should not be a claim against the trustees. Thus the newly chosen faculty were required not only to bear the responsi- bility of running the school, but must take the entire risk of financial loss. The burden that had been mu- tually shared by the trustees and faculty, was now shifted entirely to the shoulders of the teachers. The fixing of salaries meant only that teachers might have so much, if, within certain prescribed limits, they could get it.
The chair of Ancient Languages had been left vacant by the retirement of Professor Weatherby, and Music, which had been taught by Dr. Denison's daughter, was left to be provided for. I was advised not to secure any one for the language department, but merely to employ a student as a tutor. But I felt that if the institution was ever built up, its success must begin in the school itself. Accordingly, upon the suggestion of Professor Weaver, I opened correspond- ence with our former schoolmate and mutual friend, Rev. W. I. Graham, who was then in Iowa. The exact conditions were laid before him, and, strangely enough, he surrendered his charge in Iowa and came to us. An advertisement was put in the church papers for a man to take charge of the Music school. Out of a number of applicants, E. R. Snyder was chosen. Both selections proved fortunate, for both men were strong factors in building up the school.
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An edition of five thousand circulars was issued, and sent to all the Normal Institutes in the state. But apathy toward the school had grown chronic, and in- terest could not be so easily awakened. The fall term opened with an enrollment of about forty, and reached only sixty-two, including music students, that term. The enrollment for the year in the Preparatory and College classes was but seventy-seven. We had adver- tised a music department, but the only instrument owned by the college was a small Mason & Hamlin organ, and there were no funds with which to buy others. I owned a team of black horses, which I dis- liked very much to separate, but driving teams, nor any other material thing, was to stand in the way of the success of the school. One of the horses and a hundred dollars, paid by myself, secured a piano.
Brother Rhodes, our agent, had succeeded in pro- curing several hundred dollars worth of chemical and physical apparatus, and the gentleman from whom the purchase was made had agreed to spend several weeks in the institution, delivering lectures and per- forming experiments. This was a great help and added much to the enthusiasm of the students in the study of the sciences. Their interest was awakened on other lines in other ways; so that it could be truly said that they were as busy as bees, even though the swarm was a very small one.
As the time for the conference session approached, the teachers very anxiously considered the question : "How can the attendance be increased?" After due deliberation, it was decided to reduce the tuition to $10.00 a year, if paid in advance, and that a charge that would raise an educational collection of $10.00 or more might, if they chose, name a student from the charge who should receive the benefit of the col- lection as tuition. As we think of that proposition in
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these times of prosperity, it seems almost incredible that such a thing should have been proposed. And some thought it perilous then; but we had canvassed the ground, and felt that something extraordinary must be done.
The South Kansas Conference met at Ottawa, Bishop Foster presiding. The educational meeting was held Saturday night. Dr. Fry spoke on education, and Professor Graham represented the college. Noth- ing was said of our proposed plan. That was to be presented by myself Monday morning, when the report of the committee on education was made. Before the hour for opening the session I went to the Bishop's room to lay our plan before him, and, if possible, en- list his sympathy and interest for our success. But he had been connected with much larger enterprises, and evidently felt that the thing was too insignificant to be championed by him. He did not oppose the plan. He thought it was as good perhaps as any we could adopt. It might be an improvement. We certainly could not make matters worse.
On our way to the conference room he said to me, "Brother, your school seems to be unfortunately lo- cated, and I think the other conference will take action for its removal." If one can imagine how he would feel if an elephant stepped on him, he can imagine my feelings just then. Fortunately for me, there was special work for the cabinet during that last session of the conference. So, after the minutes were read and approved, Bishop Ninde, who was visiting the con- ference, was called to the chair. He had gone to one of the city churches the night before to hear me preach, and after the service was over had stopped to shake hands with the preacher, and to speak a word of kind appreciation of the sermon. It need not be said that
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the change in presiding officers that morning was ac- ceptable to one person.
But another difficulty confronted me. I was not a member of that conference, and of course had no right to address it, unless invited. When the report on education was read, no one even suggested that I be given an opportunity to speak. Feeling it was then or never, I went forward and took the platform unin- vited. In some way-and I have never doubted that the Lord helped me-I was able in a ten or fifteen- minute address to awaken sympathy for the school, and quite a little enthusiasm for its support. Seventy preachers pledged their charges for at least ten dollars.
The Kansas conference met at Topeka and about the same number of ten-dollar pledges was given. We had proposed that if two hundred pledges were given the plan would be adopted. But the Rubican had been crossed, and the bridges burned, so there was no other way but to go forward.
The school year closed pleasantly and successfully in every respect, except financially. Teachers' salaries were woefully deficient. At Holton I had received $750 and a house. At Baker I received $526 and fur- nished my own house and paid out $230 for piano and printing. Our students had gone home enthusiastic for the school; each one a walking advertisement. Many preachers were sending names of young people, and there was much to encourage. Miss M. M. Ham- mond, a most excellent lady, who had taught in the school for a number of years, was retired from the faculty in June, 1880, and F. J. Baker and wife, grad- uates of Ohio Wesleyan, were elected, he as professor of Natural Science, and she as preceptress and teacher of English.
The next year opened auspiciously. I had said at Ottawa that we hoped for 150 students in the literary
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classes. That would have been an increase of nearly 100 per cent. Imagine our delight when we were per- mitted to enroll two hundred the first term. The cata- logue shows an enrollment of two hundred and forty- seven for the year. Salaries were paid and there was a surplus of incidental funds used for improving the property.
It is sometimes said that the prosperity of an enter- prise often proves to be its embarrassment. This was the case with Baker, at the time of which I now write. The $6,000 of bonds that were still outstanding were owned by a bank in Raway, New Jersey. Soon after the school opened in the fall of 1880 a gentleman came west to look after their interests. The building had been improved, the campus made a pleasing appear- ance, and our halls were fairly well filled with students. The gentleman was pleased with appearances. After looking over the ground, he said to the trustees: "The Methodists of Kansas are back of this, and our bonds are worth their face." Three years before $4,000 would have paid the debt. Now, when $4,000 of the bonds had been taken up, it required $6,000 to pay it.
On account of this, and for other reasons, our heretofore energetic and efficient agent became dis- couraged, and at the next session of the conference he resigned, and Rev. J. M. Sullivan was elected.
In December, 1880, the first edition of the college paper, "The Baldwin Index," was issued. It was small and unpretentious, but contributed to the general suc- cess. Professor Graham was chosen editor, and was relieved of other rhetorical duties. The literary societies appointed associate editors. The first staff were G. B. Norton, H. A. Jones, Eliza Telford; assist- ants, Emma Sullivan, J. S. Simmons and J. W. Divilbis.
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The new agent began his work under very dis- couraging circumstances. The fact that the amount necessary to cancel the debt was greater than before any had been paid needed to be explained over and over again. Sullivan had no bragadocia in his blood. It had been demonstrated that subscriptions taken under the influence of strong public appeal, and the incitement of others giving did not bring satisfactory results. He therefore determined to make a still hunt. Baldwin had provided for the floating debt, and thus met her agreement as to the lifting of the debt; but the additional demands made by the bond holders made it evident that those who had given must give again. So the new agent began his work in Baldwin with the following results: J. M. Sullivan, $200; H. H. Taylor, $200; C. P. Ives, $100; W. H. Sweet, $100; William Plasket, $50; S. D. Anderson, $50; Keifer & Hogan, $50; Sophiah Stevens, $50; U. H. Emick, $50; A. H. Walters, $25; L. B. Bodwell, $25; J. C. Bare, $25; four persons, $100; total, $1,025. Having secured more than one-sixth of the necessary amount in Bald- win, he pressed the canvass at other points, and at the close of the conference year had secured almost enough in pledges to meet the requirement. Senator Plumb sent a check for $500, after Sullivan had started to conference, and on his return found another check for $500 from Mr. Milburn, the wagon manufacturer. These two subscriptions almost completed the neces- sary amount. But the agent had been so quiet as to what he was doing, some grew restless, and secured his removal, and S. E. Pendleton was elected to the office.
Although Sullivan was not permitted to hold office until he had completed the work and cancelled the debt, the credit for the achievement really belongs to him; not only because he had secured in pledges almost the amount needed, but even after he had been removed
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from office rendered efficient service by helping to col- lect what had been pledged. Pendleton held the office until November, when he resigned, the bonds having been taken up.
At the annual meeting of the board of trustees in June, 1882, on motion of J. M. Sullivan, a committee consisting of Rhodes and Tucker was appointed to see that the bonds, when taken up, should be publicly de- stroyed. Accordingly, at a public meeting in the old college chapel, on an evening in the following summer, amid general rejoicing, the bonds were, one by one, committed to the flames by H. H. Taylor. Thus the evidence of debt that so nearly swamped Baker went up in flame and smoke.
The attendance during the next school year was affected by a false report which got into circulation that the college building had been destroyed by a storm. Late in the summer part of the roof was blown off, but that was the extent of the damage, and it was soon repaired. But the report had gone out, and a number of students were turned from us to other in- stitutions. However, we enjoyed a fairly prosperous year. There was a small increase in the enrollment, all the salaries and other expenses were paid, and the trustees felt warranted in advancing the salaries which teachers might receive.
The next school year opened auspiciously. The attendance for the year taxed the building to its utmost capacity ; but we had the gratification of knowing that no one left us on account of our crowded condition.
E. J. Baskerville was admitted to the Senior class and permitted to give instruction in penmanship and elocution. He succeeded well, and organized large classes in both branches. He continued to teach these branches a year after his graduation and organized the commercial school. For a number of years Miss
-
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Amanda Plaskett had taught drawing and painting. She continued her work until 1883, when she retired on her own motion, and Miss Kuhn was elected to the position.
Up to this time all the work of the college had been in the stone building (Science Hall), that part of the upper story west of the stairs being the Chapel. It was now evident that if we were to grow more, we must have more room. The situation was laid before the church trustees and a request made that they grant us the use of the church for chapel exercises and all public meetings. The chapel in the science hall was partitioned. The art school was assigned the north- west room, and the other two rooms were occupied by the literary societies. A part of the basement was finished, which provided recitation rooms for some of the preparatory classes; and a room was fitted up in the mansard story, to which the museum was removed. Not only did additional rooms have to be provided for the accommodation of the school, but the town, not having grown as fast as the school, there was a lack of rooms for the accommodation of the students. Ac- cordingly, I and others of the teachers pooled the money we were able to raise with that of citizens who were willing to join us, and erected four four-room cottages suitable for self-boarding, each of which pro- vided accommodation for from six to eight students.
We graduated this year (1883) a class of nine, the largest number that had been reached up to that time. The enrollment for the year was three hundred and fifty-seven. By action of the trustees, the salaries of the teachers were again increased. Professor and Mrs. Baker retired from the faculty, and C. S. Parmenter was elected professor of natural science, and Miss Ida Ahlborn preceptress and professor of English litera- ture. Dr. H. A. Butts preached the baccalaureate sermon.
:
N
BAKER UNIV
ERECTED DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT SWEET.
:
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According to previous arrangement, a subscription was started on commencement day for Centenary Hall. Quite a considerable sum was pledged, which was in- creased during the summer, through the efforts of the different members of the faculty. During the winter term of the following school year my classes were pro- vided for by the other members of the faculty, and I occupied myself soliciting subscriptions for the new building. My . book shows that the entire amount pledged at the time of the session of the conference in the spring of 1884 was $9,180. This was turned over to the trustees without cost to them. With these pledges in hand, the trustees felt warranted in going forward with the building. The contract for the build- ing was accordingly let to Mr. McKim of Lawrence. He was not willing to go forward with the work unless some individual would give his personal pledge that payment for the work would be forthcoming. Rev. J. M. Sullivan came forward and stood sponsor for the trustees. This was satisfactory to the contractor, and the work was begun. By the commencement the foun- dation was in, and the corner stone was laid on com- mencement day, 1884.
Mr. George Miller of Baldwin took the contract for the super-structure.
The enrollment for the year was four hundred and twenty-five, and a class of seven was graduated. The baccalaureate sermon was delivered by the president. At the meeting of the trustees some changes were made in the teaching force. J. K. Elwell was put in charge of the commercial school and made instructor in penmanship, and Dr. G. W. Hoss, who for some years had been conducting private classes in oratory and English classics, was elected to teach these classes in the college. Allen Buckner was elected financial agent.
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Since the literary societies had been privileged to have halls for their exclusive use, interest had in- creased in their work and a healthy rivalry sprang up not only among their own members ,but they began to compete with members of other schools. Two so- cieties were organized by the ladies, the Clionian and Ælioien. The State Oratorical Society was organized and Baker students joined the list. In the first con- test but three schools were represented, Kansas Uni- versity, The Southwestern and Baker. W. A. Quayle was our representative. The first contest was held at Winfield and the man from The Southwestern was given first place by the decision of the judges; but owing to the great dissatisfaction that was general, the association ordered another contest. This was held at Baldwin. The Kansas University and Baker were the only schools represented. By the decision of the judges the first place went to the University of Kan- sas. Many, however, in the audience were not back- ward in expressing their dissent to the verdict.
The work on the new building was progressing, and by the close of the winter term it was ready for occupancy, and to the delight of the faculty and stu- dents we moved in. The enrollment for the year reached four hundred and seventy-five. The catalogue for Kansas University for that year reports four hun- dred and seventy-one. A class of six graduated and M. S. Terry preached the baccalaureate sermon.
It is safe to say that the school year '84-'85 was the most successful year Baker had experienced up to that time. The career of the institution had been varied and somewhat checkered. Her doors were opened to students in 1858. The war for freedom in Kansas was on. The Black Jack battle, which was styled "the first battle for freedom," was fought within four miles of the site of Baker. It was thus near the
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storm center of the border strife. Nevertheless, her doors were never closed, and considering the newness of the country, and the conditions of the times, the enrollment was highly creditable. The smallest re- ported during those years was one hundred and twenty-nine. That for 1863-64 was two hundred and five, and that for 1865-66 was two hundred and thirty- five. In his report for the year 1867 the state superin- tendent said "Baker University is the oldest living working institution in the state, and has had more pupils than half of the other denominational schools in the state." This success continued until 1869. From 1869 to 1879 the career was checkered. At one time Professor Weatherby was the only teacher left in the school. But he and the chairman of the board rallied other teachers who consented to assist with the classes, and so the school was kept going.
In one respect, however, the outlook for the school had never been more unpromising than at the opening of the fall term of 1879. Heretofore the trustees had been willing to stand with the faculty and share the financial responsibilities. But, as I have previously recited, they now took action freeing themselves of all obligations for unpaid salaries. The citizens of Bald- win had always been loyal to the school, and were gen- erally on hand to show their interest and sympathy on all important occasions. But if any were present at the opening that morning, in the fall of 1879, I can not now recall it. Even Baldwin citizens seemed to feel that at best it was a forlorn hope. I am quite certain that no form of welcome was extended to the incoming administration. Indeed, it was only such an opening as any ordinary public school with forty pupils might have. Had we announced that morning our- selves as prospective rivals of anything, we should have been ridiculed. But when we accepted the situa-
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tion and applied ourselves to our task, doing our own work, and attending to our own business, leaving others to do the same, and saw the institution grow from year to year in numbers, and influence, and ef- ficiency, till at the close of our sixth year we found ourselves leading the state university in the number of pupils enrolled, and holding them a close second in oratory, it was evident that work had been done that could not be derided.
But these things were not the only evidence of success. The music department, which had been be- gun with a little organ and a piano of my own pur- chase, had grown amazingly. Musical instruments galore occupied every available room in the buildings. At that time there was no better music school in the state. Four standard literary societies held exercises each week, which, as institutions for social and literary culture, were not surpassed in the state, while a preparatory society fitted younger students for mem- bership in the standard societies. A college paper had been established which ranked with like papers in other institutions in the state. A lecture bureau was organized in October, 1884, which was sustained by the four college literary societies. Each society elected three persons to represent it in the bureau. The first year they provided five lecturers: Richard Proctor, Dr. Hedley, Bob Burdette, William Parsons and John J. Ingalls. The second year they provided ten enter- tainments, impersonations, musicales and lectures. The lecturers were Dr. C. L. Thompson, Mary A. Livermore, G. W. Bain, Stewart Rogers, Joseph Cook and John Clark Ridpath. When Joseph Cook rose be- fore a packed house of intelligent people, he remarked that Baldwin was the biggest little town he had ever been in. The bureau was wholly self-sustaining and expended that year $550.
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