The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1891-06-19
HISTORY OF A SCHOOL.
How the University OF Kansas
Was Established
Its Struggles and Final success-The Men
Who Conceived the Idea and Nurtured
the Enterprfse-Interesting
Sketches.

On the occasion of the cele bratiOn OF
the quarter centennial of the state uni
versity an interesting little volume was
issued entitled Quarter Centennial
History of the University of Kansas,
1SG6-Is91," which contains many inter
.esting sketches written by persons con-
nected with the institution. Prof. Will
son Sterling, assistant professor OF
'3ireek and a graduate of the university,
--sJntrib utes the opening article, which
is historical sketch of the school from
pioneer days to the present time. A
Kansas City Star correspondent COM
piles an interesting article from it.
From this sketch it appears that the
university was thought of as early as
1895 by Amos Lawrence, who at that
time requested Gov. Robinson to spend
some money for him in laying the
foundation OF a school building on the
northern part of Mt Oread-where the
first university building was finally
erected. Mr.. Lawrence's desire at that
time is thus expressed in a private let
ter:
You shall have a college which shall be a
school OF learning and at the same time
monument to perpetuate the memory of
those martyrs of liberty who fell during the
recent struggles. Beneath it their dust shall
rest In it shall burn the light OF liberty,
which shall never be extinguished until It
alIlumines thu whole continent. 1t shall be
called the Free State College," and all the
friends of freedom shall be invited to lend it
a helping hand.
The next year Charles Robinson and
IS. c. Poneroy were made by Mr.. Law
renee trustees of securities worth some
thing more than S12, 900, the income
from which was to be used for the edu-
cation of the young in the new terri
tory. But the original Free State col
1ege" project could not be carried out,
owing to lack of funds; so in 1858 the
.Presbyterians took steps toward the
foundation of a school of high grade.
Subscriptions were asked for in the east
and at home.
charter for Lawrence university
-~vas obtained from the legislature and
en- organization effected, chairs estab-
ished and professors named. Even
complete medical department was in
eluded. The city of Lawrence is
sued deed for the land, but funds
for the institution came slowly
So about this time the Congrega-
tional church of Kansas decided to
establish a college. At a meeting in
June, 1859, it was arranged to establish
I'M ornamental college, in Lawrence
to commemorate the triumph of liberty
over slavery in Kansas. This was to be
under the control of the Congregations
al church. The Amos Lawrence fund
was secured for the new project, and
Hand and promises of money were sub
Ecribed to the amount of $50, 600. The
money did not materialize and the plan
was dropped
The movement of the Congregation
Etlists sPurred on the Presbyterians,
who went to work on a foundation. On
October IS, 1859, they laid the corner
stone with the usual ceremonies. They
became involved in debt and were
obliged to abandon their work.
Here a new party took hold of the
project and obtained charter in 1861
This Vvas under the auspices of the
IsII>is e pal church. But the Episco-
paians succeeded no better than then
or 6ccessOrs.
Tie war put a stop to further pro
&C dings and just as another plan was
being developed the QuantrelI raid re
SRrded the movement for year, wher
81 was revived in the name of the state
Various attempts had been made by
aEhe legislature to establish a state uni
versity and there was a sharp contes
by several towns for the location
Lawrence finally secured it Charlie
Robinson furnished forty acres o
ground, donation fund of SIS. 600 wa
raised by the citizens and Amo
Lawrence gave $40, 600 in cash. None.
was raised from other sources an,
enough was thus secured to erect
building. This building-nov know
as North cOilege-was completed il
70 September, 1866, at a cost of about $50,
900. Seventy-two sections of govern
nent land had been set apart for tn
support OF q state university, but ther
was cash on hand The first az
preparation from the state was in 1866
81, 600 for teachers and IS, 900 for furn
sture and apparatus
On the 10th of July, 1866, the regent
elected the first faculty of the univel
sity. In order to keep the control O
the institution out of the hands of an
one denomination. it was understOo
hat ,
chosen from the same denominatio
until all the leading denomination
should have at least one Representative
in the faculty. r W. Oliver. rector {
Trinity Episcopal church, Lawrenc,
was chosen chancellor; Z J. RicS
Methodist, was made acting presiden
and professor OF bellies lettres an
mental and moral science; D. II. RoI
anson, Baptist, was elected professor
Ianol,aGes. and T. 81. SNOW nrnfassnr .