The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-11
V M I Semi-Centennial.

walls of sunshine, but the enthusiasm of
the bows is not to be destroyed, nor
cast down, and the Semi-Centennial
ceremonies go ON as outlined on the pro
gram.
At 1890 A. NJ, Col. W. E. Cutshaw,
President of the Alumni Association,
called the meeting to order. After music
by the " M. l. Band, he introduced
Gen. F. H. Smith, Supt. of the v NJ L.,
who read a historical sketch of the Insti-
tute, from it's inception to the present
day When Gen. Smith came to the
front of the stage, there was such loud
and continued applause as is rarely
heard, some of the boys" wildly gesti-
culating, hats waving and loud cheering
amidst the greatest excitement. 1t was
several minutes before Gen. Smith could
read his address. Never i'll the history
Of any institution of learning in this
country has man received such an
ovation, as was given the Superinten
dent, who for fifty years has guided the
destiny of the v NJ l., with fidelity
and devotion unexampled in its con-
stancy and force, and crowned with such
brilliant and lasting success. The house
was crowded with a fashionable and dis
tinguished audience. When Gen. Smith
found opportunity to read his address,
he showed great feeling. He was dis
charging his last duties as Supt. and
the exhibition of love and devotion on
the part of the boys for him, swept the
chords of memory, and filled his heart
with emotions, as he saw before him
those whose lives had been guided by
him through so many successive years,
paying him their tribute of love ON this
Semi Centennial jubilee. During the en-
tire ceremonies, lasting several days,
these demonstrations of respect, love
and admiration for "Old Specs" were
manifested wherever he made his
appearance Gen. Smith said "A little
over so years ago the question was sug-
gested by Col. j. L. l.. Preston, to the
old Franklin debating society, as a sub
ject for debate, SHOULD the State OF
Virginia establish a school at the State
Arsenal, to give instruction to 20 or 30
young men, free of cost, in return for
their services as guards to the 10000
stands of arms stored in the Armory at
Lexington, Va.?" This question was de-
cided in the affirmative, and was the in
ception of the V. NJ. l. The State had
10000 stand of arms, employed guard
of soldiers at an expense of $4,000, had
buildings of very inferior character,
no oh |, %
to the citizens. The question was pressed
by Col. Preston, and in March 1889, the
first bill organizing the V. NJ. l., was
passed. The first Board meeting took
place, May Both, 1889. Col Claudius
Crozet, distinguished citizen Of
France, an Eleve of the Polytechnic
School of France, soldier of Napoleon
in the Russian campaign, Prof. at West
Point, and Chief Engineer of Virginia,
was the first President. Capt. J. F..
Wiley, of the Petersburg Vol. of 1912,
Bernard Peyton, James Dorman, Jas.
Mcdowell Cow, Alfred Leyburn and
J. 7. L. Preston, (the father of the Insti-
tute), were some of the members of the
first board A review of the hardships
attending the organization, the absolute
poverty of Accommodations, and utter
want of Appliances, was rapidly sketch
ed and showed the heroic determination
and fortitude of the projectors of the en-
terprise in overcoming such obstacles.
The Cadet sentinel relieved the senti-
= mel of the old guard Nov. 18th, 1889
F. II. Smith was elected Supt and Prof
of Mathematics. j. T. L. Preston was
elected Prof. of Modern Languages.
In 1910 there were 80 cadets, ~ of
whom were pay cadets The next SEES
sion the number was doubled. Ia 1912
it was determined that State Cadets
should teach two years in some school in
the State Jno. B. Strange was sent tC
Norfolk, W. d. Stuart to Richmond
VIM. Malone to Rappahannock Acad
envy. The good effect of this plan was
at once felt. There was great demand fol
teachers trained and disciplined. From
the Y. NJ. l. have gone out presidents
and professors in colleges and schools
engineers and professional men. Ii
every state in the South its eleves are tt
be found and are sought after in the con
stFuction of works of internal improve
ments and in enforcing the disciplin,
taught them in the schools of the land.
When the war clouds broke over oul
land, new mission was opened to the
v NJ l. 1t became to the South, wha1
West Point was to the nation, and in the
four years of war which followed il
heroically met its duty, and her SON
made a record which is the proud herit
age of the Commonwealth In Ma,
1864, the Cadet barracks, its library, it
chemical and philosophical apparatus
Mess Hall and Hospital, buildings wer
all destroyed by federal troops unde
Gen. Hunter. A scene of desolatiol
marked the spot, where once the beauti
full buildings stood; of material existenc,
there was none, but life was not extinct
Soon the barracks and other building
were restored, apparatus were supplied
The State annuity was increased t.
$4,000, the debt was provided for ant
to-day after so years of toll and labor
the usefulness Of the Y. M. l. has beel
enlarged, and her sons are sought afte
everywhere in all the scientific pursuit
of life. In 1889 it had two professors ant
20 cadets, no means except $4,000 from
the State, no credit and no facilities o
appliances. In 1889 it has 8 professors
1 adjunct professor, assistants; $4,000
annuity, $50 cadets a library of 1929
volumes, and largely increased facilitie
in the chemical ami philosophy depart
ments. Such is the outlined history o
the " NJ Institute for the past fit,
years.
'Ats the close Of Gen. Smiths addres
Got CitshaW called the Alumni to orde
for business. Each class was called, an(
al present were enrolled. We regret w
have not SPACE to give the full list. W.
give, however, sone IF the first classes
and as far rs possible the graduates from
Staunton and Augusta county.
Glass 1912, Col Edmond Pendleton
Lexington, Va; Wyatt M. Elliott, Lynch
burg, Va; DIR. Knight, Nottoway Co
Va.