Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-05-08
SOUTH KENTUCKY COLLEGE.


in IIopkinsville, Ky, a growing and
thriving town of $500 inhabitants,
on the st. Louis and Southern divis-
ion of the l.. II. N. Railroad, about
midway between Evansville, Ind.
and Nashville, Tenn. The 2rganiza-
ton of this institution Of learning
dates back to 80 years ago. IL 1919
the General Assembly Of Kentucky
passed an act authorizing Jno. NJ.
Barnes, Henry j. Sites, Ben. G.
Campbell, Jno. Is. Knight, w. Il.
Bernard, Robert Waddill, Jacob
Torian, |. IL. Caldwell ard w. A
Edmonds to establish in Hopkins
vile an institution for the higher edu-
cation of women aud to "make all
such laws, rules and ordinances nee
e5sary for the government of said
institution as shall not he repugnant
to the constitution or lands of the
United States and of this State" In
accordance with the provisions of
this act, South Kentucky College was
opened Tor the reception OF pupils IN
the autumn of the same year, its first
President being Jno. M. Barnes.
President Barnes filled the position
until his death in 1850, and was sue
ceeded by Enos Campbell, under
whose administration the institution
grew 10 such proportions that it be-
came necessary TO erect new build
ings for the accommodation Of pu-
pills. The Board of Trustees en-
ployed agents to solicit donations for
this purpose. Their appeal met
with liberal response from the
friends of the college; the necessary
money was soon obtained, and the
buildings were erected in 1858, at a
total cost, of ground and building,
of about $4,000. The Institution
continued in successful operation un
til the spring of 1862 when it sus-
pended for time on account of the
occupation of lIopkinSville by the
military. 1t was re-Opened in the
following September, and, since the
war, under the successful admins
trations of Presidents j. w. Goss,
L. A. Crenshaw and X. e. Cave, il
steadily retained its former pros
perity.
During the last 81 years nine
States OF the Union and Mexico have
been represented among its matric-
uales. Its managers can point with
pride and pleasure to the many young
ladies who have been educated with
in its halls, and are now adjoining
society and filling honorable stations
IN life,
But the Board of Trustees salts
fled that the institution, while con-
Quoted On the plan originally adopted,
could not meet the wants OF the
Christian Brotherhood i'll South
Kentucky, and recognizing the de.
mand for an institution of higher
grades, in which parents may rdu-
cate their sons as well as their daugh.
lers, decided, in IL meeting held Nov
u, 1879, TO make change. They
determined to enlarge the faculty, eX.
tend the course of study, raise til,
standard Of scholarship, place the in
slitulium on a level with the best col
legcs for young men, and offer its cd
Vocational advantages to both sexes
In order 10 effect this change it wa
necessary ~ secure an amendment t.
the charter, which was accordingly
done.
|, Subsequent to the amendment o
the charter, at meeting held on thI
; It'll of Feb. 1881, it was determined
to add to the regular college cours,
of study several departments design
J ed to prepare studies for special w
cations, iii accordance with this dc
, termination, the normal and Til
commercial courses were arranged
= and efficient instructors secured TO
, them. On the first Monday in Sep
: TENDER 1881, the institution wa
, opened under the amended charter
= aud extended educational privilege
+ to both sexes. The opening, in pom
of numbers exceeded the eXpecta
ton of many friends Of the college
The faculty under this arrangement
were experienced and eminent edu
Gators with Il. G. Cave as its honore,
President.
On the 9th of Feb. 1854, Con Sun
day., the college buildings were dc
stroyed by fire, with Il less of abUu
$4,000, upon which was $1,000 insul
amce. hundreds of people vlsite
the ruins of this once famous instltu
ton, and many old inhabitants an,
former students aud graduates hear,
of its obstruction with profound sol
row aud regret. Many beautlll
young girls abroad, who graduate
with nigh homors within Its note
walls, are now presiding with dig
nifty over honorable homes.
AT the end of each school yea
happy and interesting events occur
red that gave the institution a wild
reputation. A public exhibitio
would follow the close of its teri
and diplomas he presented to tn
4 graduates which exhibitions wer
4 productive, of great good and interes
n The past history of the oil
South Kentucky College will foreye
be part of the recolections q
i "sweet memory" in the archives {
=, many hearts, of those who were SCI
, out from its noted halls into the VI
- riOus vocati0ns oflite.
-, The destruction of the college WI
:. considered a public calamity, bl
, the energy of its managers all
a friends was evinced in the deternl
nation 10 at once rebuild the institl
ton. The Board Of Trustees met Il
following day and decided to ha'
. another college completed by July
1881. The work OF clearing avs
the debris soon began and the con
, pletion of the college pushed forwal
= under it efficient President Mai. S.
Crumbaugh. When finished it WI
y much handsomcr college than Il
ia old one. The building is $50 fe
5, front, 3 stories high, with two win
( one 80 and the other 100 feet. TAX
" as whole it is u model of beau
is and tastefulness.
t. Taste, energy, experience, ca
rs and money have been expended wit
es out stint to make this structure VIII
S, it is, contessedIy, one of the me
S, complete and imposing editiccs