The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-03
+. September 3. 1897
FRIDAY,
THE WATAUGA CLUB.

We are gfaO 10 Hoce lhS
nrospective reunion of this clup. we
proceed upon the assumption, whch can
NOT no denied. that there is serious lack
in our community of practical and accu-
rate information upon the most common
mace subjects which arise for our consic'
Grafton" is the language of the prospect
us issued at the time of its beginning
May, 1884.
Several practical subjects were at once
rroposed for discussion-among them the
feasibility of establishing an Industrial
school at Raleigh. The club soon attract
ed graduates of the Boston School OF
Technology and other Industrial instltu-
tions. who became members. Among
them we remember Arthur Winslow and
the late Will Ell. Kerr. These furnished
some technical information on this sub
ject of which the club stood in need to
nerfect its memorial to the Legislature OF
1885. Costs and estimates were submit
ted. and the Legislature soon saw that
it was dealing with men who had taken
the trouble to inform themselves. This
memorial and the speeches by members
Of the club before the legislative commit
tee on education secured the Act of 1883,
authorizing the Board of Agriculture to
establish the school upon certain condi-
tons. The Board, or majority OF them.
not thinking the conditions had been suf-
fciently complied with, did not establish
the school under the Act Of 1885. A con-
siderable number of prominent gentlemen,
not members of the club, now began to
take interest in the continued agitation.
Conventions of the people were called
in one Of them there were representatives
from forty counties, in another some
from another State-in all great enthusi-
asm and definite purpose. The move
ment became strong enough to secure the
passage Of the Act of 1887, which es-
tablished on firm foundation "the
North Carolina College of Agriculture
and the Mechanic Arts" Of which this
city and the whole State are justly
proud.
The history Of the movement which re-
suited in the establishment of the "a.
and M. College," as it is popularity
called, was read at the laying Of the cor
ner stone, Aug. 22d, 1888, to an audience
Of two thousand representative citizens
from Raleigh and all sections of the State
and from dozen other States. 1t was a
fine idea of the Watauga Club to have
this history written and read on that oc-
casion by one Of it's members in the
presence of hundreds of witnesses who
could testify of it's truth; and while the
name of this club does not appear upon
the corner stone, though so easily deserv-
ing the first place upon it, the method
adopted does not need even the aid OF
stone to perpetuate the facts. "Watauga
Hail." lately erected, shows that the col
lege has not forgotten it's source.
Road and street improvement also re-
ceived considerable attention, and the
first definite estimates Of their costs were
said to have been read in the Watauga
Club. Several Of it's members have
gained distinction abroad-Page, Dabney
Dixon, Winslow and Price. Some OF its
much needed technically trained men
have moved to other States, but theil
places will be supplied by the younger
men coming on, for technical education
10 on the increase.
The revival Of the club and the re-
union at the Fair are both matters Of
public interest.