The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-03
GEN. R. T. LEE
AS An EDUCATOR.
How He Became President of Wash
ingtOn College,
A MEMORABLE BOARD MEETING.
He Was Notified by Special Messenger
and Came from Powhatan 10 Lex
ington on His Gid War Horse,
Traveller"
A MEMORABLE BOARD MEETING,

LEXINGTON. VA. Feb. 2-Speciai-ln
the absence. last week, OF President VIII
liam T.. Wilson. Professor Alexander L.
Nelson. Of the department OF mathemat-
les and senior member OF the faculty
made the weekly address before the stu
dents Wednesday morning. His talk was
OF a reminiscent character, and was hsn-
~ entertaining some Of the references
10 the early history OF Washington and
Lee. covering period of nearly hair a
century. were facts unknown even 90
those most familiar wi.h the history OF
the University.
or special interest was his graphic de-
scrlption on the meeting OF the Board OF
Trustees on August an. 1860 their pur-
pose being 20 elect a president Tor the
wrecked college. by invitation sac men-
beers OF the faculty were present.
\ DISTINGUISHED BOARD
The members OF the board present were.
Judge John ". Brockenbrough. Ii. H.,
Rector: Rev Horatio Thompson. ID. D.,
Or Alfred Leyburn. Hugh Barclay, Esq,
Captain David r.. Moore Rev william
Brown u u Hon. Francis r. Ander-
SON Major william NJ. Tate, James -.
Davidson. Esq, Colonel Bolivar Chris
tian j. Med. Alexander Esq. Colonel
William Mclaughlin, Major Thomas j..
Kirkpatrick. and William \. Glasgow
ESQ. with Colonel James X. Edmonson
as secretary
The names OF several gentlemen or
ability were discussed. and the NOie was
about 20 be taken tor president, when
toloHct Christian related a mutual con-
versation with n mutual friend OF Miss
Mary Lee daughter Of General Robert
A.. Lee. and himself Miss Lee had sald
10 this friend THAI admirers Of her rather
had pr3ffered him everything needed io;
himself and family, yet no opportunity
had been afforded him whereby he coulo
earn a living.
LEE NOMINATED.
The name of General Lee was put h'
nomination and an others were Win
drawn. He was unanimously elected
president Of Washington College. Would
he accept? The gravity Of the situation
oppressed the members.
tInalv "A motion prevailed that a COM
mitiee Doe appointed 70 convey 10 Eener-
m lee bv letter the action of the irus-
toes and urge his acceptance. II then
occurred that the mails We're unsafe ana
tbot tho visest course would be- TO senn
he letter bv personal representative
M ono was better fitted for that uel-
cate mission than the honoreG rector.
Judge Brockenbr0ugh arose, ana sllnc-
ing down al his wel-worn clothes sala'
they were the best he had. he was WIN
out money To- buy more and that ne
could not appear i'm General Lees pres
erce dressed as he was Finally SUIT
NJ clothes was borrowed. and Judge
Rrockenhrough started on his mission 20
powhafan county. where General Lee
v,,s rosiling on his return. he reported
hat General lee had taken The matter
,,r5e~ consideration. ana on August -'u
a letter was received announcing ms 'c-
o4otance OF the presidency
rfa arrived In lexington SeDlc .nDer lo.n
riding his famous warehouse IIayei.er
.rbu. the foremost man in the SCUM ,n-
..,eetest general Of modern times lhe
rlol IN every soldier who wore the gray,
noo,,ne Inc quiet. unassumins couese
~. siJent. whose great desire wa as M
.e.,a said. 70 train the young men OF me
s,u,b to he loyal citizens OF the on''eu
states