COLLEGE HISTORY AFTER THE WAR.

THE period immediately succeeding the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomatox was one of the darkest and most discouraging that any civilized people was ever called to face. Virginia had been for four years the battle-ground over which great armies had marched and counter-marched and fought. Every home had felt the torture that "tried men's souls." Widows gathered their fatherless children around them to share the last crust of bread together, not knowing whether even that much could be found to-morrow. For miles along the highways over which the armies had marched, the bare chimneys only, marked the sites where comfortable houses had sheltered happy households. The farmer had his land left—that could not be carried away; but few had any teams to break the ground, and many had not the seed needed to sow the fields. The last cow was in many cases driven away or killed. A noted Federal general had boastfully reported to the general-in-chief that so completely had he devastated the fairest and most fertile section of the State that a crow could not travel over it without carrying his rations with him.

Richmond, the capital city, after withstanding two sieges successfully, had been, in large part, made a bank of ashes. Petersburg, beleaguered so long, was a scarred and battered wreck. Fredericksburg, Winchester, Norfolk, and many other towns, were little better off. Some of the railroads were stripped of their rails—all of them in bad plight and almost without any equipment for business, if any business were to be found. The labor system, which had for centuries been used to cultivate the land and gather the crops, had been at one stroke subverted, and virtually destroyed. None had been found for months afterward to take its place. With the people at large it was a struggle for existence and a fight with famine.

One of the saddest scenes this writer ever witnessed was at Nottoway courthouse. A few days after the surrender at Appomattoax, he was summoned with other citizens of the county to attend a meeting called to confer with the military officers as to the best plans to be devised to prevent suffering among the people. Just as he entered the courthouse, where a number of people were assembled, he saw a venerable man of more than three-score years and ten standing before the officer, with tears streaming down his furrowed cheeks, and heard him say: "Every scrap of meat, every grain of corn, everything in the way of food I had, has been taken from me. I know not where I shall get my meat or bread to-morrow." This man had been for many years one of the foremost men in the county, a Senator in the General Assembly of Virginia, and for many years a Trustee of Randolph-Macon College.

But poverty and penury were not all. The people were humiliated and despondent. Their State, "the mother of States and statesmen," had now the tyrant's heel upon her neck, and was styled "District" (No. 1), a "conquered province"—her governor, first a refugee, then a prisoner. Military satraps filled the seats of judges and magistrates. The ignorant slave was often shown more deference than his former cultured master. Most of the flower of the manhood of the State had died by the sword or disease. The boys and girls of the next generation were growing up without the means of education, and helping to eak out a living for their widowed mothers.

Such, in brief, was the condition of Virginia in the period succeeding the close of the war.

What could the Trustees of the College do under such circumstances as now surrounded them? The endowment gathered at such an expenditure of time and labor was in large part lost. The investments made were in bonds and stocks of more than uncertain value, some not worth the paper on which they were printed. The College buildings, libraries and laboratories had all been impaired and damaged by non-use or abuse. There was no money in hand to repair and refit them. Our own people were too poor to furnish it. Those who had devastated the property, and added injury to insult, could not be expected to restore what they had destroyed.

Nevertheless, it had been but a few months after the surrender before a meeting of the Board was called to be held in Petersburg, August 23, 1865.

At this meeting a quorum was lacking, and the Board adjourned to meet on September 13 following, at the residence of Richard Irby, in Nottoway. This adjourned meeting was held, and a quorum was present.

One of the first matters attended to was the appointment of a committee consisting of President W. A. Smith and four others "to estimate the damage to the College incurred by the occupation of it by the United States troops after the surrender, and in behalf of the Trustees to make application to the proper authorities of the government for payment."

On motion of D'Arcy Paul it was—

Resolved, That all the Professor's chairs be declared vacant.

A provisional arrangement was made to open the College for school purposes, but this arrangement was not carried out.

A further plan was provided for taking care of the College property, and the Board adjourned.

The next meeting of the Board was held at the College July 11, 1866, with eighteen members in attendance. The chairman of the committee appointed at the last meeting to assess and press claim for damages to College, reported that the committee had not been encouraged in their efforts by the military authorities in Virginia.

Judge E. R. Chambers was appointed to prosecute the claim.

It may save time here to say, as has been said before, that this claim was never recognized by the government.

The Finance Committee made a report of the Endowment fund and liabilities of the College:

Bonds of the city of Petersburg and interest, . . . . . . $19,000 Bonds of the State of Virginia, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 ———- (Classed available),. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,000

Bonds Southside Railroad Company, guaranteed by city of Petersburg,. . . . . . .$15,800 Stock Petersburg Railroad Company, 8,000 ———- $23,800 ———- $45,800 ———- Private or personal Endowment bonds, . . . . . . . . . . .$24,900 Legacy of W. B. Jones, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 ———- $25,400 ======= Confederate bonds, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,000 Confederate currency, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,536 ———- $44,536 =======

Leaving out the Confederate bonds, which were worthless, the balance of available and possible assets were $71,200 Liabilities as far as known, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,854 ———- Net assets, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $62,346

This, under all the circumstances, might be considered a favorable showing, and the credit of it is due to the faithful Investing Agent, who also showed his skill and faithfulness by bringing through the war the "Savings and Insurance Company," of which he was president, free from wreck.

The resolution of the Virginia Conference in regard to the removal of the College had been allowed to sleep since the committee's report, in March, 1864. It was again brought forward by the following resolution, offered by Richard M. Smith, Esq.:

"Resolved, That a committee of ——— be appointed to ascertain what accommodations and on what terms and what inducements generally can be obtained for transferring Randolph-Macon College to Petersburg, Richmond, Lynchburg, or any other place, and also the earliest day at which accommodations can be at command, and report to an adjourned meeting of this Board."

This resolution was defeated by a vote of 12 to 6.

The following, offered by Judge E. R. Chambers, was then adopted:

"Resolved, That it is inexpedient and injudicious to change the location of the College."

The ayes and noes on this were recorded, as follows:

Ayes.—William Townes, Sr., C. S. Hutcheson, W. B. Rowzie, William Townes, Jr., William Carter, T. P. Jerman, R. B. Baptist, N. Head. J. P. Moore, O. H. P. Corprew, N. Alexander, E. R. Chambers, L. M. Wilson—13.

Noes.—Richard Irby, D. S. Doggett, R. M. Smith, J. C. Granbery, T. S. Campbell, J. C. Blackwell—6.

Dr. W. A. Smith, at his own request, was excused from voting.

It was resolved to take steps to re-open the College as soon as practicable.

The degree of A. M. was conferred, under the law, on the following: Leroy S. Edwards, Thomas J. Overby, and J. Davidson Blackwell, A. B.'s of former years.

Dr. William A. Smith tendered his resignation as President of the College, to take effect at once. The resignation was accepted by the Board, and resolutions were adopted expressing the high appreciation of him and his work, which had extended over a period of nearly twenty years.

The Board resolved to adjourn to meet again on the 18th of August following to elect a president and three professors. The salaries of these were fixed—Guaranteed, to the President, $1,000; to the professors, $750 each, and, in addition, the tuition fees of the students in attendance.

At the adjourned meeting, August 15, 1866, the following elections were made:

RICHARD W. JONES, A. M., Professor of Mathematics. O. H. P. CORPREW, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages. Rev. JOHN C. BLACKWELL, A. M., D. D., Professor of Chemistry. ERNEST LA GARDE, Professor of Modern Languages.

The election of a President was postponed to an adjourned meeting, and Dr. John C. Blackwell was appointed to act as President until a president should be elected.

At an adjourned meeting held October 16, 1866, on the nomination of William Townes, Sr., Col. Thomas Carter Johnson, A. M. (Class 1842), was elected President and Professor of Moral Philosophy.

The Board then adjourned to meet at the session of the Virginia Annual Conference, November 22, 1866. Colonel Johnson was then a citizen of Montgomery, Ala., practicing law. He accepted the office tendered, but did not take the position until near the close of the year.

At the adjourned meeting held at Norfolk, November 22, 1866, the Board, on motion of Dr. William A. Smith, resolved to establish "The School of Commercial Science" in the College. This was never done.

At this meeting a representative from Ashland, Hanover county, Va., presented a communication from owners of property in that town offering to sell certain property in case the Board should determine to move the College. A committee, consisting of D'Arcy Paul, R. M. Smith and D. S. Doggett, were appointed to investigate and report in regard to the matter.

At the adjourned meeting in December, held at the College, President-elect Johnson appeared before the Board and was formally inducted into office. He was requested to visit the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which had recently adhered to the Southern Church, and endeavor to secure the patronage and co-operation of that Conference; also, to visit Baltimore and other cities with a view to securing financial help for the College.

An overture was also made to the North Carolina Conference with a view to the restoration of former relations and the securing of its patronage.

President Johnson subsequently reported the result of his visit to the Baltimore Conference, and submitted the action of that body, which was as follows:

"BALTIMORE CONFERENCE, M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

"REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON COLLEGES.

"The Committee on Colleges submit the following report:

"Resolved, 1. That the Conference accepts the proposition of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College to give its patronage to said institution and to participate equally with the other patronizing Conferences in its government and privileges, and we hereby nominate four suitable persons to be elected Trustees from this Conference to represent our interests on said Board.

"Resolved, 2. That when a Trustee shall locate, it shall be his duty to resign.

"Resolved, 3. That we will give the full weight of our influence in extending the patronage of Randolph-Macon College."

"(Signed) S. S. ROSZEL, Chairman."

These resolutions were adopted by the Conference March, 1867.

On the recommendation of the Baltimore Conference the following gentlemen were elected Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, viz.: Rev. S. S. Roszel, Rev. John Poisal, Rev. S. S. Register, and Rev. John Landstreet.

At the first annual meeting of the Trustees held at the College, June 25, 1867, after President Johnson had assumed control, eleven Trustees were in attendance.

Ex-President W. A. Smith had gone to Central College, Fayette, Missouri, of which he had been elected President.

The President's report stated that the attendance for the session of 1866-'67 had been in all forty-five students; a large proportion of them were on scholarships. The net receipts from fees were necessarily very small.

The degree of D. D. was conferred on the following: Rev. Nelson Head, Rev. John E. Edwards, and Rev. W. W. Bennett, of the Virginia Conference; Rev. Samuel S. Register, Rev. S. S. Roszel, Rev. John Poisal, and Rev. John S. Martin, of the Baltimore Conference; Bishop Enoch M. Marvin, of the M. E. Church, South, and Rev. Smith W. Moore, of the Tennessee Conference.

The degree of LL. D. was conferred on Bishop George F. Pierce, M. E. Church, South, and Hon. James F. Dowdell and William F. Samford, of Alabama.

The degree of A. M. was conferred on Thomas J. Jarvis, of North Carolina (class of 1860).

REMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE.

The College year, 1867-68, was not a prosperous one. The financial condition of the country was anything but favorable to a successful year. The dissatisfaction with the location of the College had been increasing since 1863. At the annual meeting in 1868 it was to culminate. The President had become convinced that something must be done or the College would have to close its doors. Some who had opposed removal heretofore now favored it.

In the notice for the meeting a special request was made for a full meeting, and the object was generally understood. The meeting commenced its session June 24, 1868. There were present the following: Revs. James Jamieson, H. B. Cowles, Robert O. Burton, W. B. Rowzie, L. M. Lee, T. S. Campbell, Geo. W. Nolley, L. Rosser, J. P. Moore, Wm. Carter, John E. Edwards, J. C. Blackwell, Nelson Head, J. C. Granbery, John Landstreet, and Messrs. N. Alexander, D. Paul, E. R. Chambers, Wm. Townes, Sr., Thos. Branch, R. B. Baptist, J. J. Daly, R. Irby, R. M. Smith, T. P. Jerman, T. M. Jones, T. C. Johnson, C. S. Hutcheson, W. Townes, Jr., and O. H. P. Corprew—thirty in all.

President T. C. Johnson presided, and Professor Corprew was secretary. The feeling prevailed generally that this meeting would decide the question of removal. There was early skirmishing by the opposing sides, and it was some time before the decisive vote was reached and taken.

Finally, the motion of Dr. J. E. Edwards, which was as follows:

"Resolved, That in the judgment of the Board of Trustees for the greater prosperity of the institution, Randolph-Macon College should be removed from its present to a more accessible and eligible location"—was adopted by the following vote:

Ayes.—Paul, Cowles, Burton, Rowzie, Branch, Lee. T. S. Campbell, Irby, Nolley, Rosser, Edwards, R. M. Smith, Jerman, Blackwell, Head, Granbery, Jones, Johnson, and Landstreet—19.

Noes.—Alexander, Chambers, Townes, Sr., Baptist, Daly, Moore, Carter, Townes, Jr., and Corprew—9.

[Illustration: REV. JOHN ELLIS EDWARDS, A. M., D. D., Virginia Conference, M.E. Church, South.]

On motion of D'Arcy Paul, the Board took steps to secure the authority of the constituted authorities for the necessary change of the charter, so as to allow the change of location.

On motion of Dr. J. E. Edwards it was—

"Resolved, That so soon as the gentlemen (Messrs. Branch, Irby, Snyder and Watts) who have purchased the property and premises at Ashland are prepared to make a tender of the same to the Trustees for the use of Randolph-Macon College, free from any encumbrance as to title, and so soon as the legal authority is secured for the transfer of the institution, the Trustees bind and pledge themselves to make the transfer and removal to Ashland; and also pledge themselves further to open the next session of the College exercises at that place; provided the above-named conditions are complied with in time to enable the Trustees to carry out this pledge."

A committee, consisting of D. Paul, R. M. Smith, Drs. L. M. Lee, J. E. Edwards and N. Head, were appointed to secure the legal authority to remove the College to Ashland, and to secure proper title to the property to be used for the location of the College.

The President was authorized to employ an Agent to have the furniture, libraries, apparatus, etc., removed to Ashland.

Thus ended the struggle in regard to moving the College. The majority, while taking this step, which they deemed absolutely necessary in order to carry out the object sought in the establishment of the College, took it with the greatest reluctance. They could not grieve so generous a people as those living in the vicinity of the College without feelings of the utmost regret and pain.

The minority could not see what had been the pride of the community and section taken away, without feelings of sorrow. Many of them had for many years been the strongest and warmest friends of the College, and had often manifested their friendship by generous acts and steadfast devotion to it in adversity and prosperity.

After transacting a few items of business, one of which was the conferring the degree of D. D. on Rev. Robert S. Moran, of the North Carolina Conference, the Board adjourned to meet again in Centenary Church, Richmond, Va., July 29, 1868.

After the adjournment of the Board the opponents to the removal of the College sued out an injunction restraining the Board from taking the step contemplated.

When the adjourned meeting of the Board assembled in Centenary Church, Richmond, July 29, 1868, this action was reported, "whereupon a motion was adopted to appoint a committee to wait on General Stoneman, in charge of the District."

This committee addressed the following communication to General Stoneman:

"RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1868.

"Major-Gen. Stoneman, Commanding General District No. 1:

"SIR,—We are instructed by the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College, now in adjourned session in this city, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, addressed to a previous committee of this Board, touching the interests of the College under their management.

"Since the communication on behalf of the Trustees, to which your letter of the 8th instant was in reply, a contingency then contemplated has arrived. A minority of the Trustees have sued out an injunction restraining the Board from making the contemplated removal of the College, the writ being returnable on the first Monday in August at Charlotte Courthouse for hearing before Judge Marshall. We are advised that the suit will prove very tedious as well as very expensive, and will thus operate very disadvantageously to the interests of the College whatever the decision. We therefore add to the former application made to you in behalf of the Trustees, that you will issue an order protecting us, both from obstruction and from delay, through these appeals to the courts, until such time as the legislative authority of the State, of which you are at present the sole representative, shall be regularly organized and open to the application usual in such cases.

"Very respectfully yours,

(Signed) "J. EARLY, ETC., ETC.,

"Committee."

To this communication General Stoneman submitted the following reply:

"HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT,

"RICHMOND, VA., July 29, 1868.

"GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the commanding General to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date in relation to the subject of the removal of Randolph-Macon College, and in reply thereto, to inform you that authority is hereby given to the Trustees of that College to remove that institution, with all the appurtenances and fixtures thereunto belonging, to such place and at such time as the majority of the Trustees may think proper, this removal to be subject to the conditions set forth in a former letter from these headquarters, dated the 8th instant.*

*This letter is not found in the record.

"I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,

(Signed) "S. F. CHALFIN,

"Assistant Adjutant-General"

"To Messrs. John Early, D. S. Doggett, Richard Irby, R. M. Smith, and others, Committee of the Trustees of Randolph-Macon College."

The owners of the property at Ashland, who had purchased the same for the Trustees, submitted the conditions on which they proposed to turn it over to the Trustees, and the same were, on motion, accepted. This property embraced all the buildings then standing on the thirteen acres, now constituting the campus of the College at Ashland, with some other lots adjacent. Thus the location was provided for the College with accommodations for professors and students, and the way was cleared for the removal of the College to it.

At this juncture President Johnson submitted the following communication:

"RICHMOND, VA., July 30, 1868.

"Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees of Randolph-Macon College:

"The experiment upon which you are about to enter, with my aid and approbation, seems to me to demand that you should have the widest field for the choice of a man to fill the position I now hold. The general troubled condition of the country, excluding many distinguished men from the arena of politics, in which the talent of Virginia and the South has heretofore been employed, and also the returning to this State of many unemployed scholars and literary men, affords you a wide field of selection for this purpose. I feel that in your straitened condition, having to make a new appeal for students and for friends to re-endow your College, you are entitled to every possible advantage in your arduous undertaking. A son of the College, I love her too well, and the church which has founded and supported her in the past, to stand in the way of any possible effort that may give prestige to your labors to put her once more on the high road to prosperity.

"With this view and the kindest wishes to every member of the Board, I hereby resign the presidency of the College.

"Very truly, your obedient servant,

(Signed) "THOMAS C. JOHNSON."

On motion of Rev. J. C. Granbery, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of President Johnson it is due to ourselves as well as to him that we express the high esteem which we feel for him as a Christian gentleman and our admiration of the great zeal and fidelity with which he has discharged the duties of his oflice at a most critical and embarrassing juncture in the history of the College, also our warm appreciation of the disinterested and generous motives which have prompted him to tender his resignation."

On motion of Dr. N. Head—

"Resolved, That in the absence of a Legislature having obtained authority from General Stoneman to do so, the College be removed from Mecklenburg county to Ashland, in Hanover county, Va., and that a session of the College be opened at that place on the first day of October next.

"Resolved, That in deciding to change the site of Randolph-Macon College this Board has been actuated only by the solemn conviction that it was imperatively demanded by the educational interests of the church and community at large, and that the opposition which has been offered to this action by a minority of the Trustees is deeply deplored by their colleagues of the Board, who here now and hereby respectfully request that those members will withdraw that opposition, as injurious to the interests dear alike to all, this earnest and fraternal appeal being prompted and encouraged by the very high esteem and respect entertained for the gentlemen to whom it is addressed by their associates of the Board."

On motion of Richard Irby—

"Resolved, That this Board holds itself in readiness to make such arrangements as will secure to the county of Mecklenburg a High School at the present site of Randolph-Macon College on terms such as may be desired, said school to be a preparatory school to the College."

Preparatory steps were taken to have the College furniture, libraries, etc., removed at once to Ashland.

The Board then proceeded to fill the place of President, vacated by the resignation of President Johnson.

Dr. Landon C. Garland, of the University of Mississippi, was unanimously elected President.

A committee of nine members was appointed, who were authorized, in conjunction with Dr. Garland, to elect the professors of the College; and in the event that Dr. Garland declines to accept the presidency, then said committee shall be authorized to elect another man to be President.

The following were then, on nomination, elected to constitute said committee, viz.: Bishop John Early, Bishop D. S. Doggett, Drs. N. Head, L. M. Lee, J. E. Edwards, L. Rosser, Rev. H. B. Cowles, Rev. J. C. Granbery, and Richard Irby.

Professors Corprew, Jones, Blackwell, and La Garde severally submitted their resignations.

The duty of removing the College and preparing the buildings and premises at Ashland, and making other necessary arrangements, was devolved on the "Executive Committee, which consisted of Richard Irby, Dr. N. Head, D'Arcy Paul, Thomas Branch, and Rev. T. S. Campbell.