Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-02-06
OUR SCHOOLS.
Interesting Letter by Judge w.
o. FOrrlst.

sciipt, AdAiHS ouiy ouo VI GWO
mistakes worthy OF attention. One
of these is in regard to Mr..
Holmes salary. I said knew
nothing; you made it read as if I
was knowing. / would do no one
all unkindness. l spoke of re-
port only, every word of which
might be false. Another thing, l
receive many letters, in some of
which, suggestions of either failure
to give dates or inaccuracy, when
attempted. am not writing his
tory; simply "reminiscences to the
value of which accuracy in date
cannot add a farthing.
The deed of foundation for Har-
din College made a corporation,
Gov. Ha, din to be president, with
visitorial powers. This died made
some fifteen of our citizens corpor-
ators and defined their powers as
we'll the full purposes of the col
lege. The corporators named were
of our most influential citizens in
church, social and educational mat
ters; while, of course, they were
personal friends of the founder, bu,
of a better and higher education,
every man of whom was devoted
to the success of the public schools
It seems to me now, that after the
establishment of Hardin College,
it was but day before a main or
middle part of the building was
done and the college opened; yet.
I presume, year intervened.
Prof. Terrill was its first Presi-
dent with very superior faculty
under him and, widely adjusted
curriculum, the college was a pro-
nounced and magnificent success,
and its friends could look forward
to achievements not made by any
institution IN the State. This COL
lege was the pride of the entire
con- munity. From the hour that
the college doors opened,it and the
common schools we're the fastest
and most sympathetic friends.
There were fears that It might be
otherwise. There was no founda-
ton for them. Students (Iadies)
graduated INTO the college. for the
benefit of a broader and more lib
eral curriculum, while girls from
Hardin College graduated to be-
come teachers in the common
schools.
During the ten years just past ]
suppose nearly all of the lady
teachers in the common schools are
graduates of the college and such
has become the value of the repu.
tAtlon as educators of the lady
teachers in our common schools,
that they are sought after by school
| officers in and out of the State,
and procured if higher compensa-
ton or more advantageous induce.
ments can do so. Professional com
mon school excellence is supposed
to have reached its summit when il
commands permanently situation
in our schools.
The first adverse winds which
struck the sails of Hardin College
was the retirement of Professor
Terrlll on account of illness.
Young, ambitious, learned and
equal to any achievement, his
health failed him and the friends
of the college mourned. Then
Mrs. Baird was chosen president,
and being woman of affairs the
college was pushed to the advance
line of such institutions. Her la.
bors continued five years, during
nearly all or quite of which time
Prof. Blanton was at the head O
the public schools and the two in
stitutions remained as a pair o
loving sisters. Gov. Hardin anc
all connected with the college beine
proud of the common schools anc
everybody proud of the college
Prof. Blanton left our schools te
become president of Kirksvillt
Normal School, where he now is
in which field of labor he has haC
eminent success. I regret to Sc.
that in these last years he has be.
come the victim of a worse disease
than ''la grippe" and more likely
TO become fatal to him as an edu
Gator than that hateful disease il
to human life. He has turned po
litical economist, become a Demo
cratic tariff reformer, and vindica
tor of the producer against trusts
railroads, over-production, etc., ,
disease which attacking an educate
is sure to run a short course ant
end fatally.
| I see by the papers that he mad
a very taking speech at Fulton th'
other Saturday on "Why Does No
Western Farming Pay?" from I
political economy standpoint.
| As Burdett uses the phrase, i
does pay, my boy-in fact, it is th'
only thing which is safe and pay
always and all the time. Audrair
county is western farming section
and nothing else. Has not he
farming paid during the past TWEEN
ty years? Has anything else paIt
SO we'll? Has any other slas
grown wealthy SO fast and who's
can,taI ia so seeuraIv invested a