USA > Missouri > History of southeast Missouri : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 57
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Another man who won distinction was Rev. John F. MeGerry, professor of nat- ural science. He was especially interested in botany and gathered together in the gar- dens and greenhouses of the college a most remarkable collection of flowers and rare plants. These gardens were one of the show places of the town and were visited by a great many persons.
The students of the college came from
many places in the west. The first students were those transferred from St. Mary's Seminary. They were about seventy-five in number and the average attendance was be- tween one hundred and one hundred and fifty; the greater part of these students com- ing from Louisiana and from the towns of St. Louis and Ste. Genevieve.
Not a great many students were graduated for the examinations required of the appli- cant for graduation were very rigid. The first graduate was Angelo Navarro, of San Antonio. Ile received his degree July 29th, 1847. At the commencement of 1849, Charles Rozier, of Ste. Genevieve, and J. A. Leveque, of Baton Rouge, La., were graduated.
The founding and maintenance of the college in its early years was a matter of very great difficulty. The great flood of 1844, shortly after the transfer of the students to the college, proved a severe trial. A part of the support of the institution was expected to come from the college farm, which lay south of town, and which at the time of the flood was covered with a crop of wheat and corn and vegetables. The high waters, how- ever, covered the farm to a depth of eight to ten feet and entirely destroyed the crops. The fences, too, were swept away, and most of the livestock was drowned. The college itself was too high above the river to be directly injured, but one effect of the flood after it had receded was an epidemic of sick- ness which broke out among the students. More than a hundred persons were sick at the same time, and there were two deaths, both members of the faculty, Revs. H. Raschini and II. Cercos.
Two memorable calamities befell the col- lege in these years. In the winter of 1843- 1844, a steamboat, called the Sea Bird, was caught in the floating ice and tied up by her
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officers below the ledge of rocks in front of the college. She was loaded with 1,500 kegs of powder. On the night of February 4th, the boat was discovered to be on fire, and at about midnight the captain of the boat aroused the people in the college and warned them of the danger which confronted them. They dressed as hurriedly as possible and ran out of the buildings and away from the river toward the west. The last man had hardly left the building when a terriffic ex- plosion was heard. No one was hurt, but all were pretty badly shaken by the force of the explosion. The building itself was consider- ably damaged; every pane of glass was broken. the doors were torn from their hinges and broken into splinters, and every foot of plastering from ceiling and walls was torn down; the roof was lifted several inches, but settled back into place with but little injury. The windows and doors were closed with sheets and blankets until new ones could be secured from St. Louis. The plastering was not replaced until the following summer.
The second calamity which befell the col- lege occurred on the 27th of November. 1850. On that date a tornado of terrific force struck the building. All the outhouses, tailor shop, shoemaker shop. clothes room, baker shop and barns were literally torn to pieces and blown away with the storm. The roof of the college itself was cleared away and not a particle of it was ever found. The walls of the southwest corner of the main building and both gables were blown down. No one was killed except an old colored man who lived in the house in the garden, though several persons were slightly injured. The students were sent away and the college closed for four months, during which time the necessary repairs were made.
On the 15th of June, 1861, at a meeting
of the faculty, it was decided that it was for the best interests of the college to suspend its operations owing to the war. A resolution was passed that the examinations should take place immediately and that the students should quit the college as soon as possible. This action of the faculty was taken because of the great state of excitement then existing in Southeast Missouri. There were companies of soldiers drilling on the streets of Cape Girardeau and there were rumors that the town would be the scene of a battle between the forces of the north and the south. There was strong feeling even among the citizens of the town and it seemed that any attempt to carry on the work of the college would ex- pose its students to danger.
The examinations were held and the usual commencement exercises were dispensed with. Following the examinations the students re- turned at once to their homes, most of them entering the armies of the north or south. About twenty students, however, remained at the college, and most of the faculty. On the 25th of July it was determined by the faculty to send the students who still remained, in charge of the procurator, Rev. F. Guidry, to the college farm. This action was taken be- cause of the rumor that the city was to be attacked by the Confederate troops. The students remained at the farm until August 10th. On this date they were recalled, for it had been decided that it was for the best interests of the college to open session in September as usual. There had been talk of the college buildings being taken by the United States government as a military hos- pital. The college authorities very naturally opposed this and it seemed their opposition would be most effective if the college were in operation.
The session began September 1st, 1861,
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most of the students in theology and phi- losophy returned, but not very many of the college students. At this time Rev. James McGill was president and other members of the faculty were: Rev. Joseph Alizeri, Rev. James Knowd, Rev. J. F. McGerry, Rev. Felix Guidry, Rev. William Ryan, Rev. A. J. Ryan, Rev. T. D. O'Keefe, Rev. P. M. Regan, Rev. J. T. Landry and Rev. T. M. O'Don- oughue.
One member of the faculty, however, did not long remain. This was Rev. Abram J. Ryan. He resigned his place in college and became a chaplain in the Confederate army. Here he devoted himself to his work as chap- lain and to writing poems which have made his name famous. Father Ryan was one of the most noted men ever connected with the faculty of St. Vincent's.
The college continued its operations throughout the war; the attendance was not large but the faculty managed to keep the institution open and the buildings occupied. After the war the faculty were called upon to take the test oath under the Drake con- stitution and upon their unanimous refusal they were arrested and taken to Jackson. Their trial was postponed from time to time, however, to await the decision of another case. The other case was finally determined by the supreme court of the United States, which held that the provisions in the Drake consti- tution requiring the taking of the test oath were unconstitutional. This put an end to the case against the members of the faculty.
The college continued its work after the war but found itself handicapped by a con- siderable debt that had accumulated and also by the necessity of drawing students from different sections of the country than for- merly. Before the war more than fifty per cent came from Louisiana; after the war, Vol. 1-27
however, very few Louisiana students were in attendance. In 1866 Rev. Joseph Alizeri was president and Rev. M. Dyer was vice- president.
Owing to the destruction of one of the buildings of St. Mary's seminary at Perry- ville, the college students at St. Mary's were transferred to St. Vincent's. This indicated a change in the character of St. Vincent's eol- lege, which, since 1859, had heen purely eccle- siastical. Although the theological depart- ment was still continued, classical courses were begun and also commercial courses be- gan to receive attention. From this time until 1893 these three courses of study, theo- logical, classical and commercial, were carried on side by side in St. Vincent's; each course was independent of the other.
The college course continued to be six years in duration and led to the degree of Bachelor of Arts; two years further study entitled a student to the degree of Master of Arts. The curriculum was much the same as that established at the founding of the college in 1844. The same is true of the theological course, which included those subjects which have come to be recognized as standards of those preparing for the priesthood.
In 1868 Anthony Verrina became president of the college. He was followed in 1875 by Rev. J. W. Hickey. President Hickey re- signed in 1884. Among his successors have been : Rev. P. McHale, 1884-1886; Rev. P. V. Byrne, 1886-1889; Rev. F. V. Nugent, 1889- 1893; Rev. J. J. Murray, 1893-1894; Rev. G. H. Dockery, 1894-1896; Rev. J. Linn, 1896- 1898; Rev. E. M. Hopkins, 1898-1900; Rev. J. A. Layton, 1900-1901.
Rev. J. F. MeGerry, who has been referred to as one of the most distinguished able mem- bers of the faculty, died in 1873. He had heen a member of the college faculty for
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thirty years; in fact his services began at the founding of the institution. At the time of his death he was eighty years old and had been a teacher for more than fifty years. He was held in the highest esteem by the trustees of the college, by the members of the faculty and by the students.
In 1871 plans were made for a new build- ing to be erected west of the study hall. The structure was to be 100 feet by 40 feet and three stories high. The first story was to be a gymnasium ; second, an exhibition hall, and third as a chapel.
Since 1902 the college has not had an active existence. There have been several members of the faculty always in attendance at the college and usually some students have taken the courses, especially those in theolog- ical training, but no effort has been made to extend the equipment or to gather a large number of students. This has been due in part to the fact that the Congregation of the Mission, under whose control the college ex- ists, have concentrated their efforts to the upbuilding of institutions in other places. It is the intention at the present time to dispose of the whole college plant and to purchase property elsewhere. The decision to sell the historic buildings and holdings of the college was arrived at because of the fact that the situation is no longer suitable for school pur- poses. In one way it is a most beautiful site, lying as it does, on the bank of the river and affording a most delightful view, but in an- other way the situation is no longer desirable for school purposes; it is on the railroad, and lies at the edge of the factory district of the town; the buildings, while ample, are old and no longer meet the requirements of school work. It is to be hoped, however, that ar- rangements may be perfected by which this college, one of the oldest west of the Missis-
sippi river, may be retained in Cape Girar- deau and may once more secure that position of influence and importance which it once held. The institution at present is in charge of the Rev. Father Thomas Levan.
WILL MAYFIELD COLLEGE
This institution, now situated at Marble Hill in Bollinger county, was organized Feb- ruary 10, 1878, by Dr. W. H. Mayfield and Dr. H. J. Smith. At that time it was known as the Mayfield-Smith Academy, and was located at Smithville in Bollinger county. No effort was made at first to erect a building for the school and it was carried on in rented rooms; there were no endowments and the expenses were met by tuition fees principally and iu part by gifts. There were 22 students at the first ses- sion. In 1879 work was begun for a building, but the work was discontinned and in 1880 the school was removed to Marble Hill. At that time Rev. A. M. Johnson became connected with the school and began the work of raising funds for the construction of a building. The Baptists to whom he appealed had come to feel the need of an educational institution such as he planned and they contributed liberally to the institution. A good building of briek was erected upon commanding situation on the top of a hill in Marble Hill and the work of the school in its new location began. Since that time it has prospered. A dormitory building has been erected, the grounds which are naturally beautiful have been improved, and the courses of instruction strengthened. The present head of the school, Mr. J. H. Hendricks, is succeeding in carrying on the institution with really remarkable success. Much of the credit of the school's prosperity belongs to Rev. W. A. Davault, who has been connected with it for many years and has heen untiring in his devotion to it. The school
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is supported largely by tuition fees and vol- untary gifts.
ELMWOOD SEMINARY
Elmwood Seminary, under the control of the Presbyterian church in Farmington, was established through the work of Rev. James A. Creighton, at one time supply of the Farm- ington Presbyterian church. While engaged in the duties of this position he became im- pressed with the importance of an institution in Southeast Missouri under the control of the church for the education of women. He accordingly prepared plans for the institu- tion and submitted them to the Presbyteries of Potosi and St. Louis in April, 1886. The plans were approved by the two Presbyteries and Mr. Creighton began the work of secur- ing property and buildings for the location of the school. He was successful in securing the property in Farmington known as the Cayce place, and the school was opened in September, 1886, in the old residence on this place. It was conducted in this building for several years, but it became evident that if the school was to succeed to a very great ex- tent a new building must be erected suited to school purposes. The work was undertaken in September, 1889, and the building com- pleted in June, 1890.
This building is 45x80 feet in size and four stories in height, including the basement. Together with the heating, lighting and fur- nishing it cost about $20,000, all of which was contributed, with the exception of $500, by the people of Farmington.
The new seminary which was called Elm- wood, was placed in charge of Rev. A. W. Wilson, who was not only a minister, but also an experienced teacher, and was fortunate at the time in having two daughters to assist him in the work of instruction. Circum-
stances, however, compelled him to resign the position after some years of successful work and he was succeeded by Miss Sallie H. IIolli- day, under whose direction the school had a very prosperous period of growth. Presidents of the institution since that time have been Miss Ilelen Montgomery, Miss Maude Mont- gomery, and Miss Lula May Winn, who is now at the head of the school. The attendance averages about 120 and the school is known for the close attention given to its students and the thoroughness of its work. It fills a dis- tinct place in the educational system of the southeast.
FARMINGTON COLLEGE
For a time an institution known as Farm- ington College was conducted in Farmington by E. F. Jennings. It was established in Sep- tember, 1886, and was under the control of the Franklin Association of Baptist churches. The school was conducted in a two-story brick building which stood on the lot now occupied by the new high school building. This building had been erected in 1883 hy J. S. Gashwiler who erected it and conducted a school until 1886. This Farmington College had a precarious existence for several years. It usually had an enrollment of 75 or 100 students but was never in a prosperous con- dition. The building was destroyed by fire about 1894, was later rebuilt and again was destroyed by fire, and the school finally closed about the year 1900.
MARVIN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE
Marvin Collegiate Institute, an educational institution under the control of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, was organized in 1867 at Caledonia in Washington county. For many years the institute, which was then called Bellevue Collegiate Institute, was oper-
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ated at Caledonia and had a successful exist- ence. As public high schools, however, came to be common through this part of the state it was felt that the buildings and equipment at Caledonia were not sufficient to enable this school to compete with the high schools. There was an agitation for a change of loca- tion. It was felt that since Caledonia was not located on a railroad the school would always be handicapped on that account. Fredericktown offered a building to cost $25,000 and ten acres of land on condition that the school be established at that place. This offer was accepted in 1894 and in Sep- tember, 1895, the school was transferred to the new building at Fredericktown. Since that time the school has been successfully car- ried on. It is not organized as a college and confers no degrees, though it does do a cer- tain amount of college work. The president of the school now is Rev. C. M. Gray. The building is a substantial brick structure, well suited to the purposes for which it was erected, and in addition to this main structure there is a dormitory for girls.
CARLETON COLLEGE
This institution was founded by Miss E. A. Carleton in April, 1854, under the name of Carleton Institute. From 1854 until 1878 it was conducted in the country eight miles north of Farmington. In 1859 the institution was incorporated by the general assembly under the title of Carleton Institute and was given authority to conduct a school and to grant degrees. The institution was successful from the beginning, Miss Carleton herself being a successful teacher and organizer. In 1878 the school was removed to Farmington and installed in its new building December 2nd. This building stands on an attractive site comprising about 16 acres lying just east
of the town. The building itself is a four- story brick of about 30 rooms. It was suffi- cient to house the school until 1884, when an addition 57 feet long and four stories high was made to the main building, which is called the Henry Annex in honor of Henry Carleton, and contains a chapel, library, museum, laboratory and other rooms.
ARCADIA COLLEGE
In 1849 a school was established at Ar- cadia and called the Arcadia high school. It soon acquired a reputation for good work and was well patronized. It was later char- tered by the legislature as Arcadia college. In 1870 a large four-story brick building was erected and the school grew rapidly. It came under the control of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number of years, but was not self-supporting. An effort was made at one time to sell the buildings and plant to the state for the establishment of third normal school afterward located at Cape Girardeau. This attempt failed and the college was finally transferred to the Ursuline Sisters who have conducted it since 1878 as the Ursuline acad- emy. It is pleasantly situated, has a good li- brary of about 1,200 volumes, and is a pros- perous institution.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
. The institution which more than any other has influenced education in Southeast Missouri is the Missouri State Normal school, third dis- triet, at Cape Girardeau. It was the third of the Normal schools established in the state Kirksville was established in 1869, Warrens- burg in 1871, and the act of the legislature which created the third Normal school was approved March 22, 1873. It may thus be
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seen that the three Normal schools are the re- sult of the same forces and the same agitation for improvement of teaching.
This agitation was the result, in large part, of the work of Joseph Baldwin, the founder and first president of the Kirksville Normal school. While we may not withhold from
After the organization of the Normal schools at Warrensburg and Kirksville it was plainly evident that a third school was needed to supply that great section of the state lying south of the Missouri river and east of Jefferson City. Accordingly the legis- lature provided for the establishment of such
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STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
President Baldwin the just credit which be- longs to him for his work in establishing Normal schools in the state, it is very evident that the demand for improved teaching would have eventually led to the organization of schools for the training of teachers. The necessity for such training is too great for a public school system to become very effective without the organization of schools devoted especially to this work.
a school to be located within the bounds of Southeast Missouri. Under the provisions of this act the first step to be taken in the organi- zation of the school was the creation of a board of regents, which was to consist of the state superintendent of schools, the secretary of state and the attorney general, who were to hold a place on the board ex-officio, and four members to be appointed by the governor of the state. Shortly after the approval of the
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act a board of regents was appointed. It was composed of John Monteith, state superin- tendent of public schools; E. F. Weigel, secre- tary of state; H. C. Ewing, attorney general, ex-officio members, and George W. Farrar, of Iron county ; Jacob H. Burrough, of Cape Girardeau; T. J. O. Morrison, of New Madrid county, and Charles C. Rozier, of Ste. Gene- vieve county. The board was organized by the selection of John Monteith as chairman . and E. F. Weigel as secretary.
These officers of the board were elected at its first meeting in Jefferson City September 30th, 1873. This meeting of the board had been called for the purpose of organization and for the reception of bids for the location of the new school. On the following day, October 1st, the board opened and received bids from those communities in the state which desired the location of the normal. Byrd township in Cape Girardeau county, the city of Cape Girardeau and Iron county were the only bidders. Byrd township offered $50,000 in bonds, $14,450 in cash and about 240 acres of land. The bonds, however, were conditioned on the passage of an en- abling act by the legislature. The city of Cape Girardeau's bid included $50,000 in bonds, $6,885 in notes and cash, and lands worth about $10,000. Iron county offered the plant of Arcadia College upon which a valua- tion of $75,000 was placed, and nearly 7,000 acres of land.
After these bids were opened the board heard statements from various interested persons concerning the bids and then by a vote declared that the offer from Byrd town- ship of Cape Girardeau county should be considered no bid, since under the provision of the law creating this school the board could not consider bonds which the township had no authority to issue.
This narrowed the question to a decision between Cape Girardeau and Iron county. At subsequent meetings of the board held in the city of Cape Girardeau and at Arcadia in Iron county, hearings were held on the ques- tion of these two bids. Many citizens of Cape Girardeau, prominent among them being Louis Houck and A. D. Leech, appeared be- fore the board urging the selection of Cape Girardeau and offering to purchase the bonds at various prices. At the meeting held in Arcadia some persons appeared and urged the location of the school there, but a pro- test was received from other citizens of the county urging that the school should not be brought to Arcadia. The matter was decided at a meeting held October 28th, 1873, when, by a vote of four to three, Cape Girardeau was selected as the site of the school.
Having determined that the school should be located at Cape Girardeau, the board took up the question of the particular site in the town. Two offers were made, one by Mr. Fagan of the hill known as Fort A, the other by Mr. Lansmann, of the hill known as Fort B. The board surveyed both these sites and listened to various persons urging one place or the other, and finally selected Fort B as the most suitable place for the school.
At its meeting in St. Louis on October 28th, 1873, the board determined to appoint an ex- ecutive committee with full power to take such steps to establish the school and to em- ploy teachers as might be found necessary. The state board of education and Mr. Jacob Burrough of Cape Girardeau, were appointed as such committee. It was later determined to accept an offer made by the public school of Cape Girardeau to turn over to the Normal school a part of the public school building and to begin a session there. The board em- ployed Mr. L. H. Cheney as principal and
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fixed his salary at the sum of $2,000 per annum. Mrs. Cheney was made an assistant, while Mr. Burrough and Professor Cheney were empowered to select such other assist- ants as were found necessary. The tuition or incidental fee was fixed at $3.00 for each of three terms during the year.
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