St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-10-18
nlisrrllann.
TILLITSON SEMINARY.

or talk about this young but thrlv-
ing school, and therefore the writer
responds gladly to the request OF
friends to tell them something about
Tillotson, its history, location and
prospects.
1t was established by the American
Missionary Association and opened
for students in January 1881. The
name was given In memory of Rev.
Geo. J. Tillotson of Wethersfeld,
Conn, who was largely instrument
al in purchasing the lot and erecting
Allen Hall which has been the only
building for regular school use until
the present year. During the past
year a new dormitory for the girls
has been erected and now, when this
is finished and furnished, the school
will start on new era of growth
and prosperity.
The city of Austin is one of the
most beautiful and clean in all the
southwest. The general surface is
undula ting, and even billy in some
parts. In arrangement, it partakes
of the spirit Of largeness incident to
being in such a boundless domain.
The natural drainage prevents stag
nant water and the soil is such a
peculiar mixture of gravel, clay and
a most excellent quality OF limestone
that the streets when dry are as
hard as concrete. But little paving
is needed. The corporation has re-
Gently built a dam across the
Colorado river, just above the city,
which is one of the finest and most
extensive pieces of engineering OF it's
kind in the world. 1t has cost about
81, 100000 and is designed to supply
water and power for the city water
works and electric lights. 1t also
forms an artificial lake 25 miles long.
A surplus of about 10000 horse
power of force will be devoted to
manufactures.
The school is located on an
eminence overlooking the Colorado
and we can see the three huge iron
bridges which span the sometimes
roaring torrent, and giving a delight
tul view OF large part Of the city
which nestles among the trees SO thick
~ planted as to create no impression
of a not, dusty, crowded city life.
but rather the cool, free life of a
town in New England or northern
New York.
We have no primary department
but intermediate, grammar normal
and college preparatory. The col
legiate is IN the future and will soon
be needed. TillOtsOn is the only
school of its kind and grade in this
section and it has a large work in
hand to give instruction to the
thousands in this region. We be-
lleve that the training here received
in morals and manners, the wearing
off of the crudities of a wild country
life-for in only too many cases 1t is
wild, is one of the most important
parts of the education given, and this
we supplement with practical in
struction in housekeeping and home
making for the girls, and house
building and furniture making for
the boys. The letters that come
from students of former years who
cannot attend this year show that
the school is taking a strong hold of
the young life of our best cOlored
people. In the city too are heard
only words OF commentator for Til
lOtSOn.
Our location can scarcely be eX-
celled anywhere, north or south and
IF lf tr1ln
quote the words of an old resident
in speaking of Austin;
Austin is situated on the Colorado
river, which at this this point is 42O
feet above sea level. The surround
some points rising to 900 feet or
more above sea level. The climate
in summer is usually tempered by a
breeze from the gulf; the nights are
always cool enough to sleep well.
Malarial troubles are unknown
bronchial, pulmonary and catarrhal
affections, if not too long and deeply
seated, disappear after a compare
lively short residence here. Typhoid
scarlet and other fevers, smallpox
and diphth are alien complaints"
We partake of all the advantages
of climate that are accorded the rest
OF the city.
An article from a missionary, like
a Methodist meeting, is not complete
without a donation.
We have 80 rooms for girls and
ten for teachers without so much
as a window shade for furniture in
any of them. We want SO each tO
furnish the students rooms and $40
for the teachers. Will that furnish
the rooms, you ask ? No of course
not very fully, but times are not yet
tor luxury in missionary work and