USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay County, Missouri > Part 15
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greatest master of polemical controversy this state has ever seen. His vigilance provides for all contingencies, except those which no human foresight can foresee. You will do well to rouse yourselves to encounter a sturdier competition than any you have yet imagined". The startled conference heard these words with dismay and adjourned. The Knights of the Round Table dispersed to begin new labors for Boonville among the delegates from the other counties.
At the appointed hour, the convention assembled in the Baptist meet- ing house. The building was densely crowded, the organization was effected without delay. When the credentials of the delegates were pre- sented and passed upon, it was evident that the subscription of no single county was sufficient to constitute a majority of the total capital sub- scribed, and that the final result would depend upon concession, compro- mise, or a change of sentiment or opinion of some delegation. The sum subscribed by Clay County was the largest plurality.
After the formal and preliminary work of organization was completed the president of the convention announced that the nomination of the place for the home of the college was in order. There was a hush of expectancy and there was hesitancy in every quarter. The friends of each place thought proper policy at the beginning was masterly inactivity, and that some advantage might be gained by waiting for others to make the first move. All seemed to wish the beneficial influence of the final word.
The assembled multitude became impatient of the delay and the members of the convention were restive and uneasy. Doniphan's quick perception saw that the time had come to take the hazard of decisive measures. He determined to hesitate no longer.
"He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who dares not to put it to the touch To win or lose it all."
He had applied his powers of observation to the study of the peculiar- ities of every class of the great family of mankind-their humors, their prejudices and their passions, and to all these he knew how to appeal with exquisite propriety. He was master of rhetoric which casts a spell over deliberative bodies, as well as the rhetoric that stirs the masses to
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SCIENCE HALL, WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
1
VIEW OF CAMPUS. WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
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enthusiasm. With these formidable powers he had entered the conven- tion at Boonville. He rose and began the presentation of his place and people with the remark that as no one else appeared to want the college, he wished to make it clear to the convention that Liberty would take it with grateful thanks and would exert its best efforts to deserve the boon and to foster, sustain and upbuild the infant institution. Then followed a careful and discriminating eulogy of his constituency and the eligibility of Liberty as a proper place for planting a great seminary.
The entrant having been broken by Doniphan, the nomination of other places fololwed, with tasteful and appropriate commendations by the several speakers who presented their claims and their merits. At last came the offering of Boonville, which was gracefully and powerfully presented by her most eminent citizen, John G. Miller, whose career in Congress has shed luster upon the name of Missouri.
Just when the balloting was about to begin, Dr. William Jewell, of Columbia, Boone County, proposed to the convention an additional sub- scription of ten thousand dollars to be paid in lands situated in Mercer, Sullivan and Grundy Counties, in the state of Missouri, the subscriber to have the corresponding number of votes on the question of the location of the college and the right to bestow a name upon the new institution. This proposition was earnestly supported by the Boonville delegation and others, but was strongly opposed by General Doniphan and his allies. It was believed that Doctor Jewell was favorable to Boonville as the home of the college. General Doniphan's opposition was most vigorous. He demonstrated the injustice of permitting the votes which represented an arbitrary valuation of unimproved and uncultivated land to weigh against the votes of subscriptions which represented available funds. He kindled in the breasts of his allies the same ardor that burned in his own. The justice of his contention was recognized, his arguments availed with a majority of the convention and the proposition of Doctor Jewell was re- jected.
Then came the balloting upon a choice among the places in nomina- tion. An entente cordiale had long existed between the counties of How- ard and Clay. The territory of the latter was formerly a part of How- ard County and there were close family connections between them. Clay County had the largest subscription list and Howard County the smallest. Under the influence of Doniphan and the ties of friendship and con-
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sanguinity that bound the peoples together, Howard County made com- mon cause with Clay and the two joined made an absolute majority for Liberty and the location was determined. In recognition of this liberality and in evidence of the reciprocal good will and kindness toward each other, the president of the Board of Trustees of the college was for long series of years chosen from among the Baptists of Howard County.
The deliberations of the convention, the discussions and the balloting had occupied the entire day. After the selection of Liberty the meeting adjourned until the morrow at ten o'clock.
After a night of repose, Doniphan arose with mental inspiration fit and ready for the labors of the new day. The work of the convention was to be appropriately closed by naming the college.
Nothing is more useful, nothing more necessary, in the conduct of public affairs than a just discernment of the spirit of our fellow-men. This means that natural private sagacity which is conversant about indi- viduals and enables some men with penetrating eye to look as it were into the heads and hearts of others, and to discover in them the latent principles which constitute their true characters. This human wisdom is of use everywhere and with it the combination of peculiar circum- stances is improved to the best advantage. Doniphan knew Doctor Jewell, he knew that his whole soul was stirred by an honorable desire for literary distinction, and that he aspired to enroll his name among those who have shaped the fortunes of great institutions and guided the course of mighty destinies. He desired that his name should be entered in a great arena as a noble candidate contending for a noble prize. Doniphan determined to contribute to the gratification of this honorable ambition and lay these lofty sentiments under contribution for the welfare and promotion of the new institution which had just been ushered into existence, and found a home on the Western confines of the state. Doniphan prepared a careful, appropriate and tasteful resolution, which recited the labors of Doctor Jewell in the cause of liberal culture, his devotion to the interests of enlightened civilization and proposed that the new seminary of learning should be baptized with the name of "William Jewell College". This resolution, in an early hour of the day, Doniphan privately and con- fidentially carried to the Rev. William C. Ligon, with instructions to offer it to the convention as soon as the session opened. No man was better fitted for the delicate task than Mr. Ligon. His speech was
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effective, tender and devoted, courteous, decorous and sympathetic, and profoundly expressed the sentiments of the convention and the large assemblage.
The motion for the adoption of the resolution was seconded by Gen- eral Doniphan in a manner of surpassing charm and excellence, and in a style wherein the graces of colloquy and the graces of rhetoric were harmoniously blended. At no period of his life was his genius seen to greater advantage. The resolution was unanimously adopted and the name of William Jewell was indelibly stamped upon the educational destiny of the Baptists of Missouri.
Overwhelmed with the gratifying evidence of the devotion of his people and the honors that crowned his life, Doctor Jewell was barely able to make his acknowledgements in the articulate tones of spoken language, but gave visible evidence of an eloquence richer than the righest words. He then and there made the noble gift of the lands he had offered on the first day of the convention. His other benefactions absorbed one- third of his entire fortune, an instance of unrivalled liberality without an antecedent example and without subsequent imitation. He afterward went to Liberty to give his services in the superintendence of the erection of the first large building that crowned the hill. In the midst of his labors, during the canicular days of a Missouri summer, he was stricken with a fatal fever, and consummated his devotion with the princely sacri- fice of his life.
Thus was founded this great school. Thus was established this great college. Thus was planted the great seminary whose seeds are destined to sow vast fields which shall ripen into abundant harvests.
The college entered upon a career of varying fortunes and vicissi- tudes, but in the darkest hour of the gloom that sometimes enveloped its destiny, it was upheld by the faithful hands of heroic men and devoted women. Other chroniclers will tell of the labors of Roland Hughes, Oliver Perry Moss, Elizabeth Trigg Thornton, Wade M. Jackson, Caroline Thorn- ton Moss, and R. E. McDaniel. Everything that could be effected by a courage that rose superior to privation and reverses, by fidelity even to martydom and by a fortitude which death could subdue only by extinguish- ment these indomitable spirits have done and their triumph is here.
Recurring to the story of its birth and baptism and the struggles of its infancy, it is difficult to realize the superb attainments in the arts of
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life and learning which this institution today presents, and in view of its immediate usefulness and influence, the impulse to cast its horoscope can- not be resisted. The progress of knowledge has given birth, of late years to arts and sciences so many and so varied that a man of liberal enlighten- ment finds here ample occupation for his time and talents in the acquisi- tion of such as are most attractive and most absorbing; and without a knowledge of these elegant and refined pursuits a man can scarcely pass muster in the informed circles of society. While there is no popular or royal road to the profound truths of learning and philosophy, the facilities for their acquisition are so great here that it is impossible to defend against the alluring invitation, especially in this new era of intellectual enterprise and vigor, and in this age distinguished above all others for rapid development of the human faculties.
In a region of unsurpassed opulence, in a climate of unrivalled charm, salubrious and invigorating, midway between the oceans and in the heart of the continent, William Jewell College is dedicated to the high pur- pose of opening the youthful mind, purified and imaginative, to the in- fluence of the moral affections, as well as the graceful humanities of en- larging the knowledge and increasing the power of intellectual and physical man, of inculcating the lessons of gentle and ennobling virtue, of presenting lofty precepts and bright examples of liberality and magna- nimity and pure taste, and of inducing men to love goodness, aspire to elegance and improve at once the imagination, the understanding and the heart.
The great and increasing importance and the perenial growth of the institution is attracting a large share of the public interest. It has mounted to a high place among the eminent schools of the land and there is none to oppose the progress of its fame. There is reason to hope and believe that the riches of the harvest will correspond to the splendors of the present promise. Its position of proud distinction is a vindication of the sound and comprehensive views of the President of the Board of Trustees and its extension and its strength is a brilliant monument to the genius, the unrivalled common sense and wisdom that has marked the years of consecrated service rendered by Richard E. Turner in that important position and his successor in the same relation. The enlight- ened plans and patriotic purposes that inform his mind and that of his successor and that of their worthy colleagues in the Board of Trustees
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united with the zeal, the wisdom and energy of the late president of the college. Dr. J. P. Greene and the great executive ability of Dr. D. J. Evans, the present president of the college, and the faculty that sur- round him, give assurance that its facilities and resources will be enlarged and widened until, growing older in years, but fresh in eternal youth, and immortal as the principles that gave it birth, it becomes so famed a seat of learning and influence as to induce to its portals ardent concourses of students, comparable in numbers to those which in former times flowed to Paris and Vienna, Padova, Upsal and Valencia.
The edifice in which were enacted the scenes which have been related still stands in Boonville. The very spot can be identified where the Reve William C. Ligon stood to deliver his panegyric upon the life and char- acter of William Jewell. The seat can be indicated whence rose the tall form of Doniphan to pour the tide of his eloquence upon the ears of the intent assembly, as well as the place occupied by Doctor Jewell, when with faltering accents of sublime emotion, he expressed his gratitude for the action which was to make his name immortal. This was the inaugura- tion of the first great enterprise which the writer of these lines has wit- nessed. The delegation returned to Liberty, they bore themselves with the dignity and moderation of considerable victors. Judge J. T. V. Thompson signalized his generosity by the gift of the land which is now crowned with noble edifices, fraught with Orient spoil and hoarded treasures of the learning of all ages. Doniphan went home, his brow adorned with that truly civic crown which far outshines the coronals of power and laurels of conquest won upon ensanguined fields and which can only be surpassed by those unfading garlands which await the champions of light and liberty, in the loftier realms of mind and thought. Missouri does him appropriate honor. A splendid monument marks his resting place in the beautiful Fairview cemetery in Liberty and the State of Mis- souri has had erected in Richmond, Ray County, a magnificent monument to his memory.
"Her waters murmur of his name, Her woods are peopled with his fame; Her smallest rill, her mightiest river, Roll, mingled with his fame, forever."
William Jewell College was opened to students at Liberty (in the old
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Liberty Academy) January 1, 1850. Dr. E. S. Dulin as principal and professor of ancient languages and Rev. T. F. Lockett as professor of mathematics. This principal served until the close of the session of 1851- 52. By the summer of 1853 the building known as Jewell Hall had ad- vanced so far near completion as to admit of occupancy and use. This building started and almost completed under the direction of Doctor Jewell, is one of the most substantially built edifices in Clay County. The trustees of the college in 1853 called to the presidency Rev. R. S. Thomas, whose administration continued until the summer of 1855, when by rea- son of financial difficulties caused the suspension of the college for two years.
The college reopened in the fall of 1857, under the presidency of Rev. William Thompson, LL. D. President Thompson, as he was called afterward by every one who knew him, was one of the most remarkable men of his day; a learned Scotchman, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh ; a graduate also of the University of Law, he practiced with success in that profession until called to the gospel ministry, where his ability, learning and almost unequaled eloquence shone preeminently. His administration of the affairs of the college continued until 1861, when the advent of the war between the States caused a suspension of the col- lege, although a private school was conducted in the college building, as occasions would permit. On account of the unsettled condition of the country until 1867, it was not deemed safe to reopen the institution, but in June of that year Rev. Thomas Rambaut L'L. D., was called to the presidency. He was an extremely strong man, intellectually, surpassing most men ripe in knowledge and erudition, better fitted possibly by nature and training for the pulpit of a large city church, than to come in contact with the hoiden ways of the average college boy. The college reopened in 1868 with Doctor Rambaut, president; R. B. Semple, Professor of Latin and French; A. F. Fleet, Professor of Greek and German; John F. Lan- neau, Professor of Mathematics; James R. Eaton, Professor of Natural Sciences. Doctor Rambaut resigned as president in the spring of 1874 on account of ill-health.
The office of president remained vacant until the summer of 1892. The affairs of the college were managed by the faculty, acting through a chairman. Professor William R. Rothwell was chairman from 1873 to June, 1883, and Professor James G. Clark from that date until June, 1892.
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Lewis B. Ely, of Carrollton, Mo., had been a zealous friend of the college for many years, had charge of the financial affairs in 1887, and by his efforts had greatly increased the endowment fund of the institu- tion. Rev. W. Pope Yeaman, D. D., who had been chosen chancellor of the college, greatly assisted by Mr. Ely, contributed largely in increas- ing the endowment fund. Mr. Ely was also the president of the Board of Trustees until his death in June, 1897.
Dr. John Priest Greene, pastor of the Third Baptist Church, of St. Louis, was elected president of the college in June, 1892. It has been well said, that "The crowning glory of Doctor Greene's presidency of twenty-seven years is that he has held the college to the prime purpose of its establishment, namely, the thorough literary and scientific train- ing of young men for Christian service," and as his devotion became known throughout the great West, and elsewhere, the number of students greatly increased.
Dr. D. J. Evans, a graduate of Wm. Jewell College, was chosen president of the college, and was inaugurated as such president the afternoon of Friday, October 8, 1920, at the Christian Church, Liberty, Mo. Dr. Evans is a native of Wales.
Faculty of William Jewell College. 1920-1921.
David Jones Evans, A.M., Th.D., (S. B. T. S.), President and Pro- fessor of Biblical Literature.
John Priest Greene, A.M., D.D., LL.D., President Emeritus and Pro- fessor of Practical Ethics.
James Gregory Clark, LL.D., Emeritus Professor of Mathematics.
Richard Price Rider, A.M., Emeritus Professor of Latin.
Harry George Parker, Ph.D., (Harvard), Professor of Chemistry.
John Phelps Fruit, Ph.D., (Leipzig), Professor of English.
Robert Ryland Fleet, Ph.D., (Heidelberg), Professor of Mathematics, and Dean of Arts and Sciences.
William Denny Baskett, Ph.D .. (Chicago), Professor of Modern Lan- guage.
Walter Oliver Lewis, Ph.D., (Erlangen), Professor of Philosophy, and Dean of Biblical Literature and Religious Education.
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John Eustace Davis, A.B., (William Jewell), Professor of Physics.
Raymond Huntington Coon, Ph.D., (Chicago), Professor of Latin.
Lorenzo Dow Weyand, Ph.D., (Chicago), J. E. Franklin Professor of Social Science.
Loren Carey MacKinney, A.M., (Wisconsin), Professor of History and Political Science.
Harry Elias Vick, A.M., (Cornell), Professor of Biology.
Ward Edwards, A.M., (William Jewell), Librarian and Associate English.
Robert Earl Bowles, A.B., (William Jewell), Physical Director.
Julio H. Valdes, Instructor in Spanish.
Millard Spencer Everett, A.B., (William Jewell), Instructor in Latin.
Harry E. Cooper, Director of Music.
P. Casper Harvey, A.M., Associate in English.
Standing Committees of the Faculty.
Athletics : Professor Davis and Bowles.
Catalog Bulletins: Professors Clark, Fruit, Parker and Fleet.
Chapel Attendance: Professor Baskett.
Chapel Exercises: Professors Evans and Lewis.
Curriculum Committee: Professors Baskett, Parker and Weyand.
Faculty Advisors of Student Council: Professors Fruit and Vick.
Fraternities : Professors Coon, Davis and MacKinney.
Religious Activities: Professors Lewis and Baskett.
William Jewell Student: Professors Fruit and Coon.
JEWELL HALL. WILLIAM JEWELL COLLEGE
CHAPTER XVIII
ORGANIZED MEDICINE IN CLAY COUNTY.
By John Joseph Gaines, M.D., Secretary.
FOUNDED IN 1854-SECOND OLDEST IN THE STATE-EARLY MEETINGS QUALIFI- CATION FOR MEMBERSHIP-OBJECTS-MEMBERSHIP FEE-FIRST OFFICERS -INVENTION AND DISCOVERY INVITED-CIVIL WAR-INTEREST-IN THE WORLD WAR-"EVERY MAN A VOLUNTEER"-DISTINGUISHED SERVICE- SERVICE AT HOME-AUXILIARY DEFENSE COMMITTEE-NECROLOGY OF MEMBERS-DOCTOR ALLEN-PRESENT OFFICERS.
The Clay County Medical Association was so named, before the less ponderous word "society" was in general use. It is the second oldest medical organization in the state, being founded in 1854, according to the best available data. It is therefore, in its sixty-sixth year of prog- ress, and yields only to the St. Louis Medical Society in point of age.
When we consider the sturdy parentage of this institution, we are not amazed at its long life. It was born in the pioneer days, when strength of character, and ruggedness of frame were the prime essen- tials of progress. It was a time when "the going was hard" figuratively and literally. Meetings were to be attended monthly, and comprehend- ed a journey over roads that defied the points of the compass, and often challenged the most persistent depth-soundings. But your pioneer phy- sician was no weakling; he smiled at the idea of fatigue, and the mod- ern essential of rest was not thought of, when the star of duty blazed, far out in the distance.
The single qualification for membership in the association, as tersely
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expressed in the first by-laws, was "A reputable physician of Clay County, Missouri." Reputation was the sole requisite. It embodied graduation from an established institution of medical learning, with a character that knew no accusing finger. To "fall from grace" meant charges pre- ferred, calm deliberation, and certain expulsion, if the charges were sus- tained. Probation, or the smearing over, or counsel with the unethical malefactor, were unknown and unthinkable.
The objects of the association were comprehensive: "To constitute a representative body of the regular profession of Clay County, which may advance the interests, and encourage the unity and harmonious action of the profession; to suppress empiricism as much as possible; to restrict the privilege of practicing the profession of medicine to quali- fied graduates; to develop talent; to stimulate medical invention and discovery, and to maintain our rights and immunities as medical men."
In the opinion of the writer, it is doubtful, if there is a preamble in the English language that is nearer Blackstonian in diction than this.
The financial requirement assessed by our founders, was one dollar annual dues from each member: A society with an annual revenue of from seven to ten dollars, probably cut no melons in dividends. But those were days when the silver dollar was oftener singular than plural, and gave more distinction, being viewed in the light of a curiosity, or of a family keepsake.
The first official roster is dim and yellow with age . . It tells us that Dr. W. A. Morton was the first president; no vice-president is mentioned; Dr. Stephen Ritchie was secretary. The charter members were, Drs. J. M. Allen, Joseph Wood, and Drs. Snail, Gorin, Major, Gar- lichs, and Everett. The monthly meeting-place was Liberty, the county seat. It may be said, that, in this early day, the country was infested with conjurers, "yarb-doctors" and other satellites of ignorance and superstition, who were "Jest naterally bawn with knowin' how to cure all kinds of misery"-and it was against such imposters that educated physicians wielded the scimiter and the lance,-and the battle is not over to this day.
Medical invention and discovery were indeed invited. Many a keen and discerning mind, read the suffering face, and analyzed the doubtful symptom ... Many an alert finger searched the wavering pulse, and, at the next meeting of the society, the language of suffering was trans-
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lated into methods of successful procedure. It is to be regretted that the deeds of these noblemen were not chiselled into the imperishable rock, that the record might be a source of perpetual stimulus to their successors.
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