Wichita eagle., 1886-10-17
IT'S A UNIVERSITY
Planted on College Hill by the Ger
man Reformed Church.
The City Donates Beautiful site and Buildings,
While the Church Raises an Endowment
Fund.-Wichita the Athens Of the
Southwest as Well as the
Commercial Center.

About three months ago, Rev. d. Z.
Shuey, Of the German Reformed church,
was ir this city. He is engaged in mission
ary work in Kansas Nebraska and Colorado.
While here meeting was called at Mr. N.
F. Niederlanders office, which was attended
by himself and number Of the prominent
citizens of the city. The object was to dis
cuss the propriety of the German Reformed
church locating a university in this city.
The task seemed herculean one to all who
were present, but despite that fact it was de-
cided to further investigate the question.
The first meeting resulted in adopting reso-
lutions relating to the organization, and
notice was given that q board of trustees
would be elected at the next meeting consist
ing of prominent members of the church,
and a few Of the leading citizens of the city.
A subscription paper was set in circulation
and at first led to moderate success Mr.
Fees gave the enterprise substantial encour-
agement by donating twenty acres of land
on the summit of College Hill, near two miles
southeast of the city. 1t commands, per-
haps, the most comprehensive view of the
city and valley of any point on the hill: 1t
is in every particular suitable for the loca-
tion of an Institution of learning.
The liberal support extended by Mr.. Fees
was quite sufficient to lend courage to the
most doubling Of those who were aware of
the enterprise The funds Of the subscrip-
ton paper were increased and new impetus
impaired.
The committee appointed to take the mat
ter in charge lost no opportunity to get in
the good work. As yet it was an experiment,
a thing of possibilities, but the prize was of
such value there was no time for discour
agement..
A number of meetings were held and re-
ports of the different committees submitted
and plan of procedure discussed and all
worked for the grand consummation Of the
task. 1t was not until three weeks ago that
those who had been connected with the af
fair were able to make definite proposition
Rev. Shuey attended a meeting held at that
time and it was agreed to give grounds and
with an endowment fund. Rev 5huey said
he believed he would be able to raise the latter
and expressed himself as well pleased by the
offer made by the city. He said he would
go to Pennsylvania and attend
the meeting of three synods for the purpose
Of imparting the news to them and raise the
necessary money. A letter was received in
the city a few days ago from him stating
that he had attended the meeting of two OF
the synods and the money asked from each
had been voted almost unanimously. The
bird which he referred to will meet in Phila
lelphia this week, and he writes that he is
not at all alarmed but that the remainder of
5he money will be voted
As the matter stands Rev. Shuey writes
nat the question may be regarded as set
led The church will furnish the endow-
nent fund agreed upon, and now the con-
lecting link is a few thousand dollars yet re-
naming to be raised by Wichita.
With few days of average Wichita gen
,rosity this amount will be raised and another
will be located in this city This |
will be commenced Immediately with in
creased vigor. Those who are inclined to do
nate to educational institutions will be given
IN Opportunity to do so. The subscription
paper is in the hands of Mr. J. d. Hutchings
At Niederlander's Office
Those who have taken this matter in hand
nave moved very quietly all along the route
They have sounded no trumpet or sought |
publicity, but have adopted the characters |
.ic German method of moving slowly but |
surely.
The plan of the building has not yet been de |
.ided upon, but sufficient money viii be APP
,ropriated for it to make it one of |
he best in the state and it is |
proposed to supply it with all the conven- |
ences and modern appointments and make it |
n every particular first-class.
OF course but little is now known concern |
ng the extensiveness of the course of study !
But with the endowment fund agreed upon a |
aculty consisting of several members can
,e employed, which calls for an extensive
1t is not without reason to sus-
rease which will extend the educational
ABILITIES.
The church in this state is not largely rep
esentei, but liz the eastern states it is very
trong, and additional funds from there
an well be expected. From the beginning
he institution starts out under highly favor
ble auspices. 1t is placed upon a sound
nancial basis. and it cannot in the first few
ears suffer as many similar institutions in
heir infancy. Its life will not depend upon
he number of students in attendance 1t is
hus protected from the dangers that often
INES prove fatal to similar institutions
COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.
lha Sedgwick County Teachers Associa-
of he u;vh |