Wichita eagle., 1886-09-24
GARFIELD UNIVERSITY.

The following circular has been issued to
the churches of the Christian denomination
in Kansas;
| 1t is now but little more than three
months since the college committee of the
Christian church of this state determined
upon Wichita as the location for their
school. At that time the only institution
OF learning of higher grade than the public
schools in Wichita was Lewis Academy,
the buildings of which were then in process
of erection, and have just now been finished.
| This school is under the auspices of the
Presbyterians. and opened few DAYS ago
with hattering prospects of abundant sue
! cess. Since Wichita was chosen as the site
| OF the University it has been fixed upon as
the seat of two other important educational
institutions. The Roman Catholics have
located See here, their grounds cornering
on those of the University 1t is said they
will begin bishops residence and school
buildings this fall which are expected to
cost about five hundred thousand dollars.
The other institution referred to is the col
lege Of the Kansas Reform church
for which grounds were secured
near the city only few days ago.
Work is rapidly progressing on the Gar
held University building, the estimated
cost of which is S100, 600 The basement
story of twelve feet two inches in the clear.
showing ten feet above grade, will be of
stone, and the other three stories of brick.
heavily trimmed with stone The building
will present a front Of 233 feet four inches.
and will contain about sixty rooms, includ-
ing chapel with seating capacity of three
thousand and gallery seats for half as many
more As safeguards against fire there will
be three semicircuar fire escapes absolute
ly fire-prOOf, an elevator, and seven places
OF egress from each floor above the base
ment. The foundation walls Of the tower
are twelve feet thick
A late number Of the Wichita EAGLE
says editorialy: 'The foundations are in |
for the largest and most imposing cduca
tional edifice to be found anywhere in the |
west, not excepting the state colleges or !
universities, This institution is the Gar
field University, located by the Christian
church at Wichita. A train load of stone
for its walls is being received daily. A |
thousand barrels of cement have, so far.
been employed in rendering the foundation
immovable and indestructible
The annual State Convention of the
Christian church is to be held in Wichita
this year, October 5-S, and the corner
stone of the University is to be laid with
appropriate ceremonies the last day of the
convention. Distinguished speakers will
be present, and the occasion will be one of
extraordinary interest. Among those who
will deliver addresses are Prof. III. W. Ev-
crest, late president Of Butler University,
and F. ID. Power, ex-chaplain of Congress
and pastor of the Washington church of
which Garfield was an active member.
Hon. Jas. G. Blaine has also been invited
to deliver an address ON the occasion, and
it is hoped that announcement can soon be
made that he has accepted the invitation.
Everybody is invited to be present at
hcse ceremonies The man who witnesses
he laying of this cornerstone will witness
he laying of the cornerstone of an institu-
ion, not for Wichita, not for Kansas, not
or this generation only, but for the gener-
ltions Of a thousand years, and for the
Toung men and women of brightest prom
sc OF all the cities, states and countries
hat most revere the name of Americas
econd martyred President-who was at
he same time patriot, statesman, scholar :
Garfield
A. J. THOMPSON,
Chairman College Committee.