Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-10
WASHINGTON COLLEGE, TENN.


new surroundings may not be with
out interest 10 my Baxter friends and
acquaintance.
This institution Is located in east
Tennessee, Washington Go. 1t Is In
the midst of one OF the best farming
sections IN this part OF the state which
Is almost surrounded by mountains
The view from some Of the hills about
the college is very beautiful and n
more healthful place could have hardly
been selected.
This Is one of the oldest colleges in
the Mississippi valley. 1t was char
tered before the organization of this
state by the Legislature of North
Carolina In 1882 as Martin Academy.
It was chartered us Washington Col
lege July S, 1906. 1t has been in
active operation ever since except for
u short time during the civil war. 1t
has sent forth large number OF in-
fluenlial men. Not few of our con-
gressmen in the past have been cdu.
Gated here and Senator Vance Of
North Carolina is u Washington Col.
lege graduate. 1t is patronized not
only by this part of Tennessee but to
a considerable extent by North Caro-
lima, Virginia and West Virginia.
Though under Presbyterian auspices
it is not sectarian. As expenses are
low here the college has proved an
especial blessing to the poorer classes
of this country. And from such
classes come many of our best neil in
professional and business life.
The present session opens with q
fiattering attendance. We have al
ready as many students as we can &C
comInodate conveniently. We might
Just as well have double the number
if we had room for them. Many
would GLADLY seize the opportunity 1t
VIC were prepared to encourage them
to come.
The buildings were largely destroy.
ed during the war and though the
people were left with little or nothing
they have rebuilt them and the college
is free from debt. And considering
that the country is poor naturally, they
have done nobly. If any of my read
ers have wealthy friends who are in
teresied in helping to forward the work
of higher and christian education in
the south l do not know where such
help would he more appreciated or eff
fective. The people throughout this
mountainous country are TO a great
extent Scotch. Irish and their history
in America shows that II pays to edu-
cate such stock.
Though. this country is poor agri-
culturally speaking, it promises to
develop great wealth from the iron
Which is found in abundance in the
mountain districts. Already the rail-
roads are penetrating them and cap
italists are building immense furnaces,
aud iron and steel works, within
twelve miles from here an English
company has within the last yearspcnt
more than u half million of dollars in
preparing to work up The iron in that
locality. So that there is little question
but that this country is destined ~
have its day. But il may come slowly
as conservatism is stamped OH every
thing in the south.
In addition to my duties as president
of the college preach regularly every
Sabbath. 1t has always been the
policy of the Presbyterian church 10
push the work Of education along with
that OF christianization, thus guarding
against superstition on the one hand
and infdplity on the other. This Is
the method that is being pursued gen.
orally through this country and before
such weapons neither Ignorance, nor
sensuslity, nor cOarseness can stand.
lam well pleased with my new field
of labor.
Later may write something will
reference 10 the saloon in the south.
J',ry firmly las r. COOTER