White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-06-10

they will come from far and near to set
tie around this University to educate their
children.
Mr.. B. A. Seaver, being called, read
the subjoined
Statement Of Facts in relation to the Town Of
i Highland, DOniphan County, Kansas Terri
tory, deposited within the Cornerstone Of
Highland University, Tuesday, Nay nth,
1858.
This town site was selected in Deem
Der. 1854, as literary point, by Col. j.
P. johnson, Commissioner TO establish
the 4oth parallel between the Territories
of Kansas and Nebraska, and james NJ.
Irwin, Esq, assisted by the knowledge
and experience of Rev. S. NJ. Irwin, who
has been for twenty years missionary
in this vicinity, to the Sac and Iowa In
dians.
On the first selection Of the site, moth
ing further was done than to make pre-
liminary survey of the town, and drive a
few stakes, as it was found that the site
would fall on the lands Of the Iowa In
dians, not subject to presumption. Their
not being able to secure the title, occa-
stoned a delay until March 10th, 1857,
when a company was formed of the fol-
lowing persons for that purpose: John
Bayless, of New York Colonel J. P.
johnson, of Illinois; S. NJ. Irwin, Of
Kansas Territory and H. N. Seaver, Of
New York. Since which time the follow
ing gentlemen have been added to the list
of proprietors: G.. S. Rice, Virginia
Ozias Bailey, of Illinois. The title to the
tract vas secured at the sales Of the Iowa
Trust Lands, at Iowa Point, on June 9Th,
1857.
At the first meeting of the Company,
the following gentlemen were elected
officers: Gen. John Bayless, President
Col. j. p. johnson, Secretary; Rev. 8.
NJ. Irwin, Treasurer. The first buildings
erected in town. by private individuals
were, one by MeSsrs. Stevenson & De
Vine, and now used by them as a store
house, and dwelling by Sylvester Bone,
steel. Soon after the Company erected O
large and conmodious brick hotel, which
has recently been completed and opened
by MeSSrs. Hubbard.
At the date of this paper, there are
about sixteen houses erected, and one
hundred inhabitants resident in the town.
The drawing of the lots for the first time,
took place yesterday, { May 10th, 1858, }
at the Company's store house, occupied
by E. A. PoulGt d Co.
One year ago this present month, a
school was opened for the first, in the old
log cabin on Main Street, by Professor
VIM. McGookin. He was succeeded
by Rev. James Campbell. As the school
increased in numbers, it was found that
the cabin was too small, consequently a
larger and more suitable building was
erected by Rev. S. NJ. Irwin, assisted by
citizens living in the neighborhood, who
have even taken deep interest in the
enterprise.
Through the efforts of Rev. Curtis
Graham, one of the Representatives of
Doniphan County, in :he Territorial Leg
islature, at the session of 1857-'5S, a
Charter for Highland University was
procured, and the following gentlemen
named as the first Trustees.
Rev. James Campbell, Kansas Terri
tory, President Hon. Walter Lowrie,
of New York Rev. G. Graham, of Kan
sas Rev. G. Van Rensselaer,, D. D., of
New York Rev. S. NJ. Irwin, of Kansas;
Gen. John Bayless, of New York; G.
NJ. Hubbard, Esq, Kansas. The board
Immediately resolved to erect one wing of
the University building to be 60 feet
front, by 40 feet deep, and three stories
high, to be completed this year. This is
the east wing of the building, the whole
of which when completed, is to be one
hundred and eighty feet in length, and
four stories high.
These buildings are on large and ample
grounds, donated by the Town Company;
who have given in addition, forty eight
lots in the town, and twelve hundred
dollars in money to which donation one
member has added Sixtyfour other lots.
The citizens of the vicinity and surrsR-
ding country have shown their interest in
our enterprise, by subscribing some two
Thousand dollars towards carrying forward
this work. With these means and pledges
in hand, on the first of this month, the
ground was broken by, james Rawlins,
contractor for the stone work, and prepa-
rations made for the laying of the corner
stone at this time.
AS it has become an axiom in the his
tory of our country, that military posts
grow mp into large and important COM
mercial points, so may we not have an
example in this case, that mission,
established at an early day, by benevolent
men, for the propagation of civilization
and Christianity. among a savage people,
shall never lose its influence, but remain
nucleus around which will gather all
the elements of Educational enterprise,
and become an active agent for spreading
high hearted and noble refinement
among the pioneers of the Far West.
From the courtesy shown the Building
COMMITTEES of the University, by the able
and gentlemanly editors Of the "Iowa
Point Enquirer" and White Cloud
Kansas Chief" and of other Northern
Kansas papers, it makes it our duty to
bear this testimony to, and deposit this
record of their generosity and kindness
by their constant and anxious solicitude
for the cause of progress in the West,
they have shown that they are not forget
full of the interests Of the young and rising
generations.
The citizens of our neighboring towns