USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 66
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The board was made a close organization, with power to fill its own vacancies perpetually. The president of the board was also president of the college, and chairman ex-officio of the executive committee. It was provided that " no debt shall ever be contracted by the corporation, nor shall it have power to mortgage or pledge any portion of its real or personal property ; *
* and no portion of the expenses of any one year shall be carried over to the suc- ceeding year." The power of conferring degrees under this char- ter was vested in the trustees. Horace Mann was appointed president of the new corporation, Artemus Carter, secretary and treasurer, and Horace Mann, ex-officio ; Eli Fay, John Kebler, E. M. Birch, and J. B. Weston, executive committee.
The faculty and the educational policy were continued without change. The financial revolution which was going on without scarcely affected the work within; though every pupil was alive with anxious hope and fear at the prospect, and finally with exul- tation at the successful issue.
The new corporation was thus launched free from debt, a condi- tion it has ever since strictly preserved.
Free from Debt, but without Endowment-Its friends had been so heavily taxed to purchase the property, that it was deemed impo- litie to try at that time to raise an endowment. . In lieu of this, notes were given by friends, for various sums, payable in annual installments for three years-enough to secure an income of five thousand dollars annually outside of receipts for tuition. To these notes President Mann and most of the faculty made liberal con- tributions. Thus the annual expenses for three years were pro- vided for.
Death of President Mann .- The labors of Mr. Mann during these two years, especially towards the close, had been incessant and severe, and his anxiety intense. The successful termination was the un- loading of a heavy burden, and the relaxing of nervous tension. Under the reaction he was taken by an acute disease, and died a triumphant death at Yellow Springs, August 19, 1859. He was buried in the college grounds, and the next year his remains were taken to Providence, Rhode Island, and re-interred by the side of his first wife.
The blow to the college and its friends was a severe one. The hopes of all had been centered in him, as the master spirit of the great work-but now he was suddenly called to leave it. He had
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lived long enough, however, to project much of his spirit into the organic life of the institution. The faculty and students all felt themselves bound to it by a hallowed tic. The spirit of its incep- tion it has been the aim ever to preserve.
Rer. Thomas Hill, D. D., President .- In September, 1859, Dr. Hill was appointed as Mr. Mann's successor, and entered upon his duties January, 1860. He stipulated, as a condition of acceptance, that two thousand dollars a year for three years should be provided for, to meet contingent expenses, in addition to the five thousand pre- viously pledged. This was done. This provision would terminate June, 1862.
President Hill gave his energy and learning to the interest of the college in all departments. The old life of the school continued, but with a gradual abatement of numbers. In 1860 a class of twenty-eight was graduated, (the largest ever graduated in one year,) in 1861 a class of seven, in 1862 of eighteen.
In the spring of 1861, Dr. Hill went to New England to con- mence the work of raising an endowment, to be ready to meet the expiration of the temporary provisions. While there (April, 1861), news came of the bombardment and evacuation of Fort Sumpter. The war broke out and absorbed all thought and interest. Noth- ing could be done for Antioch.
Dr. Hill remained in office until June, 1862. No provisions re- mained to meet the expenses of the college, and the faculty resigned.
During the war, at the request of the trustees, Prof. J. B. Wes- ton assumed the control of the school, and, associating a corps of teachers with himself, continued it on a self-supporting basis. For two years, to June, 1864, some of the college classes were kept up, and provisions made for examinations in others, and one student was graduated each year. The next year the preparatory and Eng- lish classes were continued by Prof. Lewis Prugh and Mrs. A. E. Weston. During these three years, Rev. Austin Craig, D. D., was president of the trustees, with leave of absence; Prof. Weston act- ing president.
Difficulties .- Difficulties breed dissensions; and none are more fruitful than the financial difficulties of associated bodies. Of this Antioch has had abundant experience. The brilliant pictures of the prospective Antioch were so highly drawn that realization was impossible, and disappointment was a foregone fact. Money was called for on scholarships, and to pay accumulated debts. This was
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contrary to the expectations which had been excited. Many in- vested money in town lots, expecting a great city to arise around the college, and a chance to make fortunes by the rise of property. This they failed to realize. Money was solicited and paid on the assurance that the debts would be liquidated; but still they were set at figures higher and higher. Finally, the bubble of scholar- ships burst. It was the wreck of many a bright promise. Amid so many difficulties misunderstandings were inevitable, and some- - body must be the victim of curses.
The increasing contributions of the Unitarian friends of the college, of necessity, led to an increase of their influence. It was natural that the disappointed parties should cast the blame on them. Many non-sectarians are sectarian in their non-sectarianism. It was so among the patrons of Antioch. While with those of both denominations who were willing to work for an institution of high rank, standing on simply a Christian basis, there always existed the best of harmony and co-operation, there were others, especially of the Christians, who wished it more " strictly denominational." This spirit was fanned by some disappointed aspirants, until in the Christian denomination there was a wide-spread dissatisfaction. Many promised liberal contributions to restore the college exclus- ively to its original hands, and many others had confidence of success if this could be effected.
Accordingly, at the meeting of the trustees in June, 1862, pro- positions of compromise were made and accepted. According to these propositions, the trustees representing the Christian denom- ination were to make an effort to raise an endowment of fifty thou- sand dollars in one year. The time was afterwards extended to two years. If they succeeded in this, the Unitarian members were to consent to a change in the provisions of the charter, fixing the de- nominational relations of the trustees, and to resign, leaving the entire ownership and control of the college in the hands of the re- maining members. If the Christians failed in this, they were to allow a like privilege to the Unitarian members.
The two years passed, Prof. Weston, in the meantime, carrying on the school on his own risk and responsibility. The most earnest efforts and appeals were made, and the most favorable terms offered for the payment of the sums that might be pledged ; but the funds did not appear. Scarcely one-tenth of the requisite amount was pledged.
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In June, 1864, the hope of raising an endowment from this source was abandoned, and the work turned over to the Unitarian mem- bers. They stipulated that the provision making any denomina- tional relations, a condition of eligibility to the board of trustees should be entirely removed. This was provisionally agreed to.
June 21, 1865, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars had been secured. The proposed amendment in the charter was unanimously agreed to. The money was paid in and invested in government 7-30 bonds at par. The members of the board from the Christian denomination resigned, but the most of them were re-elected. On the payment of the fund, the following conditions were ex- pressed :
"1. That the interest and net income thereof, only, as the same . accrue, be used towards maintaining five professorships.
" 2. That whenever, and as soon as any clause or article shall be inserted in the constitution or by-laws of the college, or in any way become a rule in the government of the college, which may, in any shape or form, impose any sectarian test for the qualifica- tion of a trustee in the election of trustees, the endowment shall be forfeited to the American Unitarian Association."
Resuscitation .- At this meeting a full faculty was appointed, and it was decided to open the college for the next year, in all its de- partments, on the second Tuesday in September. Hon. A. D. White, now president of Cornell University, was elected president, but being enlisted in the founding of that institution, he did not ac- cept, and Prof. Austin Craig, D. D., was acting president for the year.
In 1866, Rev. G. W. Hosmer, D. D., of Buffalo, N. Y., was elect- ed president. He entered into the spirit of the institution, and sustained it with that ability, wisdom and experience, for which he was already celebrated. In June, 1872, Dr Hosmer tendered his resignation as president, to take effect January 1, 1873, and Prof. Edward Orton was appointed his successor. Dr. Hosmer continued as professor till June, 1873, when he resigned his position. Prof. Orton also resigned in June, 1873, to take the presidency of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College at Columbus. Since that time, Prof. S. C. Derby has been acting president, and is now president pro tempore."
Students and Studies .- From the wide range of studies provided in the college, and the free election offered, the result has been that
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many students have taken advanced courses of study of considera- ble length, who have not completed a regular course and taken a degree. Hence, in proportion to those who have pursued studies in the college classes, the number of graduates has been small.
From the opening of the institution, under Horace Mann, An- tioch has had special success as a fitting school for teachers. Many who took partial courses here, have taken distinguished positions as teachers, as well as in other professions, and in business.
A preparatory department has been connected with the college from the first. Students are here prepared for the freshman class, in a three years' course, and a considerable range of English studies is pursued. The work of this department has received special at- tention. The grade of studies pursued will be seen in the present curriculum, published herewith.
Library, Laboratory, Museum, etc .- The foundation of the library was laid by an appropriation of one thousand dollars, which was laid out under the direction of President Mann, with a special view to the wants of college students. Additions have since been made, with the same object in view. The library now contains about five thousand volumes, for the most part of well selected works.
The department of physics is provided (besides less important instruments) with a four-prism spectroscope, saccharimeter, polari- scope for projection, and Norremberg's polariscope, all manufac- tured by Duboscq, of Paris; an air-pump, frictional electrical ma- chine, Holtz electrical machine, Ruhmkoff coil, Geissler's tubes, Clarke's magneto-electric machine, telegraphic apparatus, etc.
The chemical laboratory is provided with all needful apparatus for experiment and illustration in general chemistry, and with bal- ances and other instruments of precision for analysis. Each student has a separate desk, supplied with water and gas.
The study of astronomy is assisted by use of a telescope of five- inch aperture, made by Alvan Clarke, a prismatic reflecting circle, made by Pistor and Martins, and an excellent marine chronometer. Classes in surveying and engineering have the use of two transit theodolites, engineer's level, and compass.
In the department of natural history is a good collection of typi- cal fossils, and a partial, but yearly increasing, collection of the animal and vegetable productions of the district. These are used for reference by teachers and students in their investigations, in
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which they are also aided by an excellent set of microscopes in the laboratory of natural science.
Funds and Real Estate .- No buildings have been erected since those originally erected. These, and the grounds of twenty acres, comprise the real estate.
The $100,000 paid in as an endowment, and invested in govern- ment seven-thirties, in 1865, were subsequently converted, at a premium, and reinvested on real estate securities, yielding a better income. Last year, $20,000 were added, by bequest of Mrs. Sarah King, of Taunton, Massachusetts. The total endowment now, is $123,000, so invested as to yield a net annual income of between $11,000 and $12,000. There is also a prospective fund of about $40,000, from a bequest of Hon. David Joy, to be devoted to aiding needy students, especially women and students of color. Great credit is due to Hon. Artemus Carter, of Chicago, for the judicious manner in which the funds have been managed.
Present Courses of Study .- As above remarked, Antioch has aimed to advance her standard of requirements along with those of the best colleges in the country. This has been especially done in the requirements for admission, and in the studies which are offered as optional for Greek.
The preparatory course, in the studies of which all applicants for the freshman class are required to pass examination, comprises three years of study, after the requisite English preparation namely : Latin, three years, embracing grammar, first lessons, Cæsar, Cicero's Orations, Virgil, prose composition; Greek, two years, embracing grammar, first lessons, Xenophon's Anabasis, Homer's Illiad, prose composition; Mathematics-arithmetic two terms, algebra two terms, geometry one term; History, one year, namely, Greece and Rome one term, England one term, United States one term; Botany one term; Physiology, one term; Elementary Physics, one term; Elementary chemistry, one term. .
Those who do not take the Greek are required to take Elemen- tary Astronomy one term, Elementary Geology and Physical Geography one term, Zoology one term, German one year.
The undergraduate course for the academic year is as follows :
Freshman year-First term-Greek: Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates, Boise and Freeman's; Greek Prose Composition. Latin : Livy. German (students are allowed to substitute German for Greek during freshman year): Schiller. Mathematics: Tappan's Geometry completed.
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Second term-Greek: Homer's Odyssey; Herodotus, Boise and Freeman's; Prose Composition. Latin: Horace, Odes. German : Goethe. Mathematics : Higher Algebra.
Third term-Greek: Plato and Demosthenes, Boise and Free- man's; Prose Composition. Latin : Tacitus, Germania and Agri- cola. German : Goethe and Lessing. Mathematics: Trigonometry, Elements of Surveying and Leveling (optional).
Sophomore year-First term-Greek (optional for Latin) : Œdi- pus Tyrannus and Antigone of Sophocles. Latin : Cicero, Epistles. French : Otto's Grammar. Analytical Geometry.
Second term-Greek (optional for Latin) : Plato's Apology and Crito, Tyler's; Prometheus of Æschylus. Latin: Tacitus; Histo- ries. French : Otto's Grammar. Calculus.
Third term-Greek (optional for Latin): Demosthenes on the Crown. Latin : Plautus' Captives; Horace's Epistles. Physics : Mechanics of Solids, Liquids, and Gases. Acoustics: Atkinson's Ganot. French: French Writers.
Junior year-First term-Physics: Heat and Light. Chemistry : Barker's. English Literature: Early English Literature.
Second term-Physics : Magnetism, Electricity, and Meteorology. English Literature : Shakespeare, and History of English Litera- ture. History : Hallam's Middle Ages, or Green's Short History of the English People.
Third term-Astronomy : White's Elements. Modern European Literature. Zoology : (Botany on alternate years.)
Senior year-First term-Logic: Psychology. Geology. Politi- cal Economy. Analytical Chemistry (optional) : Eliot and Storer's Qualitative Analysis.
Second term-History of Philosophy. Geology. Modern His- tory : Hallam's Constitutional History of England. Analytical Chemistry (optional) : Fresenius' Chemical Analysis.
Third term-Ethics and Esthetics. Zoology : (Botany on alter- nate years). Constitutional History of the United States. Ana- lytical Chemistry (optional).
The Outlook .- Toward the close of the year 1879-'80, there was much talk about suspending, and the meeting of the trustees was looked for with unusual interest. It was generally understood that the investment of the college funds, though yielding a large income for a time, had proved in the end unfortunate. Property was taken in place of securities, which, by the depression of the times, had
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shrunk in value, so that at one time it would not have brought, on a forced sale, more than fifty per cent .; and besides, so much of this was in an unproductive form, that for some years the income from the rest did little, if anything, more than pay the necessary expenses on this. In the meantime, as $20,000 of the fund was left by a legacy without conditions, the trustees drew from the same to meet the deficit in current expenses, hoping that this necessity would soon cease. At a meeting of the trustees, the question to be decided was, What course shall be taken? It was discovered that the financial affairs were not in such a ruinous condition as had been represented. It was reported that all of the securities could be turned into money in the course of a few years, and deemed policy to have the funds invested so as to be controlled in the State of Ohio. With this view, Mr. Frank Evans, of Cincinnati, was elected treasurer.
As to the policy to be pursued for the coming year, it was the unanimous conviction that no encroachment upon the principal of the funds should be allowed. On the other hand, it was recognized to be a ruinous policy to suspend the school, or suffer it to pass into other hands, even for a short time. President Derby asked leave of absence for a year, which was granted, and a committee appoint- ed to confer with the remaining members of the faculty as to what could best be done. Professors Weston, Chandler, and Claypole (Professor Gilmore is employed and paid by parties outside of the college) proposed to carry on the school, if $2,000 could be assured them besides the income from students.
As a preliminary avowal of policy, a series of resolutions were adopted. They were to the effect-
1. That the property outside of Ohio should be sold as soon as it could be done with advantage, and the proceeds invested in Ohio, in first-class securities.
2. That not less than fifty per cent. of the accruing income should be made a part of the permanent fund, until it is restored to its original amount.
3. That for the ensuing year, and until otherwise ordered, the entire income arising from the endowment fund should be so added, less such sum as may be necessary to keep up ordinary repairs and insurance.
The trustees agreed to guarantee to the professors the free use of the apparatus and buildings, the fees coming from students, and
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the proceeds from the Winn fund and the Austin fund, estimated at $1,350. To make up the remaining $650, a subscription was started, and $460 at once subscribed.
The fall term of 1880 opened with a fair attendance, and it is generally believed that the institution has " come around the curve," and that henceforth its course will be in a prosperous direction.
Present Corps of Instructors .- J. B. Weston, Acting President, and Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature; C. H. Chandler, Registrar, and Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy ; E. W. Claypole, Professor of Natural Sciences and French; Rev. N. P. Gilman, Professor of English Literature and German; Mrs. A. E. Weston, A. M., and Miss Bettie Louden, Assistants.
The normal department is under the charge of Prof. Weston, as heretofore.
CLIFTON.
This village, named from the continuous beautiful cliffs, form- ing some of the finest natural scenery in the west, is situated in the northeastern part, on the Little Miami River, and contains a population of about three hundred. It is the oldest village in the township ; was laid out in 1833 by Robert Watson, surveyor; Tim- othy Bates and Bennett Lewis, original proprietors. Bates and Lewis hailed from New York-the father of the former being- Bates, a noted judge of that state. The land was purchased for General Patterson, who owned the mill on the Little Miami. The propelling facilities were all that could be desired, and in a short time a distillery, saw-mill, and flouring mill were in active operation. These manufactories were taxed to their fullest capacity ; people within a radius of twenty-five miles patronized the same. An old resident informs us, that he saw thirty-five teams awaiting their turn to unload the grain. The surplus flour was hauled to Cincin- nati, and there sold. The inducements offered by the superior water- power, soon attracted the attention of speculators and others, and Clifton bid fair to become a manufacturing and commercial city of much merit. Being located on the Cincinnati, Lebanon and Col- umbus stage route, it was accessible to the outside world.
In 1833, A. G. Kiler, who lived in the immediate vicinity of Clifton, was importuned to remove to Clifton, and engage in erecting houses, by Timothy Bates, and did so. He built fourteen
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houses during the summer, and erected the largest, and most sub- stantial buildings ever built in the place in the following year. The houses were occupied as speedily as completed.
Among those who first settled in Clifton and vicinity, we mention the names of General Benjamin Whiteman, John Knox, Braley, Knott, Baker, Porter, Gibson, Stevenson, Luce, Anderson, and Kemp. The latter lived across the river, and operated the mills. The old house which he occupied is still standing.
Bates and Lewis opened a store several years before the town was surveyed; but immediately thereafter, William Anderson, now living at Yellow Springs, and David Anderson, built a house and stocked it with groceries-the first after the village was laid out. A number of others soon followed their example, and ere long the new village was considered quite a business center. There was a chair factory, several grocery stores, and a number of rum-selling establishments.
The town was incorporated in 1834 or 1835, and officials elected. Bates was the first postmaster; he was succeeded by William. An- derson, appointed under Jackson administration.
A man named Confer, who did the first blacksmithing in the village, was seized with an uncontrollable longing to return to Vir- ginia, his native state, there to spend the remainder of his days. On the day preceeding his departure, General Whiteman brought his horse to the shop, saying to Confer: "Shoe this horse, and I will not have him reshod until you return." Confer replied, that he would never return, therefore the horse must be shod by other hands hereafter. Six months elapsed, and the blacksmith once more returned to the anvil. He had been to Virginia, but the country seemed more barren, and the mountains much higher than before, and he was exceedingly anxious to return to his adopted state. On the day following his return, General Whiteman brought his horse to the shop, and the same hands which placed the shoes six months previous, removed them again.
When the feasibility of building a railroad from Springfield to Xenia was being discussed, an effort was made to have this village on the contemplated route. Timothy Bates supported the scheme with zeal, but became careless and lukewarm. In the meantime, the people in and around Yellow Springs, headed by William Mills, lost no time nor opportunity in their endeavors to secure the road via the latter village, then in its infancy. They were successful, and thus was a new impetus given to Yellow Springs.
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The stagnant water of the mill-dam infected the air with ague, and many inhabitants were stricken down with the disease. Several families purchased lands in the neighborhood and removed thereon, to avoid coming in contact with the infectious atmosphere surround- ing the mill-pond. The lack of railroad facilities, and the removal of some of her most enterprising citizens, was a loss to Clifton, from the effects of which she never recovered.
THE ANTIOCH BONE CAVE.
Mr. Jesse Taylor gives the following account of the finding of a bone cave by him, on the 19th of October, 1878 :
The cave is on the Neff farm, about half a mile from the village of Yellow Springs, and one-fourth of a mile from the Neff House; also, about two hundred yards from the large spring known as Yellow Spring. The entrance is about four feet high and three feet wide, and faces the south. A person can crawl into the cave for about eight feet very easily, but at this point it becomes narrow, and is only about one and one-half feet in width. After passing this narrow place, it becomes larger, and at the end is about five feet in width. It extends into the rock about fourteen feet.
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