Smyrna times., 1869-06-30

DELAWARE COLLEGE REUNION. friday last, !
25th inst, was gala day at Newark.
By special invitation the friends of the Col |
lege were asked to gather together and give |
eclat to the attempted reorganization of this
Institution.
June 25th, 1869, Newark Academy was in
corporated. This was followed by the incorpo-
ration of Newark College by two acts of the
Legislature one in 1921, the other on Feb 5,
1888. After the passage of the last named
act, grounds were procured and laid out, build.
ings erected, and under the efficient control of
a board of energetic Trustees and an able Fac
uty the college was organized and successfully
conducted. For a number of years past the
College buildings have heeu deserted. In 1867
the State granted to the College the land scrip
donated by the General Government for the
encouragement of Agricultural and Military
Education, on condition that they should es-
tablish an Agricultural Department. The grant
was accepted, the Governor appointing Is of
the 80 Trustees, and the old Board the remain
ing 10, who, together constitute the present
Board of Trustees Several meetings have
been held and strenuous efforts are being made
to reorganize the Institution on firm basis.
In this laudable effort the citizens of Newark
and the students of the old College fixed upon
the 25th inst, the centennial anniversary.
| On the arrival of the 10 O'Clock train from
|
large number of gentlemen from different parts
Of the State, the citizens who were waiting in
large numbers with vehicles of every kind,
formed in procession, headed by the Newark
Brass Band, and with stirring music escorted
the Governor and company to the College
Campus where ample preparations had been
made for the festival.
The old students of the college met in the
oratOrio, at IL o'clock, a. m, and appointed
IL Il
Secretary. Short and pithy addresses were
made by the Governor and number of the
students, and the walls of the college were
again made vocal with the olden echo.
The Board of Trustees net at IL o'clock il
the Presidents room, and were in session dur
ing the day. Rathmel Wilson President, anC
George e. Evans Secretary. The act Of re
incorporation passed by the last legislature wa
accepted, and much business transacted look
ing to the Immediate repair of the college
buildings, and the early reopening of the col
; lege under new auspices.
Five hundred or more people were assembled
, on the Campus, and listened to addresses from
Hon. Mr.. Purnell, of Baltimore, Anthon!
. Higgins, Esq, of Wilmington, and G. W
n Cruikshank, of ElktOn, editor of the Cecl
3 Democrat, all of whom were students at tn
college in her palmy days.
S The dinner was pleasing feature of the day
$50 people sat down at once to tables sprea
under the shade of the grand old trees, an
n with vigorous appetltes attacked the bounteou
8 store of good things under which the table
T literally groaned. At the head of one tabl
sat the Governor, with the Trustees of the co
lege at the head of the other sat Edward G
! Bradford, Esq, Hon. Willard Salisbury, Hor
y B. t. Biggs, and other distinguished guests
a The people of Newark and vicinity had pre-
pared plentiful dinner for 1000 people, a
though expecting 300 only.
/ During dinner the glee club assembled o
:, the stand, and beautifully rendered " Aul
e Lang Syne."
At night the exhibition at the Academy III
5 der the efficient superintendence of the Prime
g pal, Prof Z. d. Porter, was brilliant success
d 1t is the intention of the Trustees to prOs
It cute the work of recognizing as rapidly
o possible, and they earnestly invoke the heart
cooperation of the people in making NewaI
n College credit to the State, and an efficiel
= = educator of her people-giving special attel
8 ton to the department of agriculture and a
- kindred subjects. Gazette.