The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-28
THE TOWN OF BOYDT0N
4 Place WITH a VERY INTER
LISTING HISTORY.
Randolph Macon College Was First Built
Within One Mile Of That fiace'
Now Colored school.

PCYDTON VA oct. N.-Speci1- inns
town, situated In the centre OF Me@S1h-
burg county. and the county seat mas
many historic associations II was id.H
out and settled about the year l''l' DS
Alexander Boyd, Scotchman. VINO emf
grated TO this country about thal tlihe'
and the town was named "Boydton' III
honor Of him. Old Kandolph-Siacon Col
lege was first built and operated within
one mile OF the town. and, seeing the
struggle the Prince Edward people mace
10 prevent the removal OF the Un.ch The
illogical Seminary from their county, re-
calls the fierce fight the local trustees OF
RandOlph-Macon College made 10 prevent
the removal of that institution from TINS
place to Ashland. and 81 may be OF III
tercst TO some OF its alma matters TO
learn something of the causes which led
TO ITS removal.
The college was built about the year
1893. and was successfully operated until
1861. when the war put stop TO almost
everything like studying. After the war
the college was reorganized with Or. W.
A. smith as president. In a year or two
ir. smith resigned. and at the same time
recommended TO the trustees as b 5 sue
ceesor, a Mr.. Johnson, OF Mississippi,
who was an old graduate OF the college.
The trustees, acting upon the recon-
mendation OF the retiring president elect
ed Mr.. johnson president. The college
did not flourish under Mr.. JohnsOns man
agement. and the college faculty thought
a change ought TO be made Several MEM
bers Of the faculty held meeting 10
devise some plan to build up the college.
In this conference OF the faculty, 10 was
decided that the only way of obtaining
this result was to ask the trustees 20
invite President jefferson Davis, or one
Of the Confederate generals. to become
tho head Of the institution one
of the faculty was delegated 10
see Mr.. johnson. the president. and
ask him If he would consent to take
q second place in the college, and allow
a prominent man TO take his place. Mr..
Johnson replied that he would give way
TO any good man, but made no sugges-
ton as TO who he thought was the good"
man. Soon after this Mr.. Johnson raised
the issue that this location was not
suitable for the college. and wrote. urging
the trustees at a distance to come to the
next meeting of the trustees, as the
question of the removal Of the college
would be raised. There was a full meet
ing Of members OF both the foreign and
local trustees. and a hard fight was
made by the local men TO keep the college
mere but TO no purpose The vote icing
taken, the removal was decided upOu.
ana a new faculty entirely elected.
by this new deal. Mr.. johnson was
ousted from his place. Soon after this
ne started West Oh business, and in
passing from one coach to the other lost
his balance. fell from the ears. and
was killed.
me grounds upon which the old Ran
dolph-Macon College buildings now
stand, many years ago. perhaps i'm the
thlrues, was race track. where many
d uoliar was lost and won. In those days
there were several wealthy gentlemen
In this county, who raised thoroughbreds
ana the sport OF racing was carried ON To
q considerable extent Traces Of the old
race track are still 10 be found i'm and
around the college grounds.
The buildings, some fifteen or eighteen
years ago. We're bought by some northern
people for the purposes Of O. colored in
stitu'e or college, and is now being used
as such.