The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-11-02
Noteworthy Anniversary Of
Gustavus Ado1phus.
Won SCHEELE rs ORATOR
k
Exercises for the College to Continue
Tomorrow.
MANY ATTEND IN SPITE OF RAIN
DR., Andreen, New President of Aug.
ustana College, to Speak
on Sunday.

Special to The Journal
st. Peter, Mimi, Nov. 2.-The quarter
centennial celebration of Gustavus
Adolphus college of this city is now in
progress. Prominent clergymen from all
over the northwest are here, drawn
largely by the presence of Bishop Won
Scheele, the distinguished Swedish pre-
late, who bears credentials as the envoy
extraordinary of the King of Sweden, and
whose mission to this country was partly
to participate in the celebration Of the
colleg at this place which bears the name
of an illustrious Swedish monarch.
Bishop Won Scheele and party arrived
here from St. Paul over the Omaha road.
Despite driving rain they were met at
the station by the college faculty and a
large delegation of citizens. The party
proceeded to the college, where all dem
onstrations were dispensed with at the
request of the bishop. Without an intro
duction he began his lecture to the stu
dent body and visitors. His subject was
''The Place of Religion in the Spiritual
Development of Man.
The festivities will continue on Sun
day, and much is expected from the
speakers secured for that day. DR.. J.
Fremling of Hastings, president of the
Minnesota conference, will deliver the
morning sermon. In the evening DR.. G.
Andreen, lately installed president of the
Augustana college, Rock Island, ILL.,, will
deliver the principal address. He is also
expected to speak in the morning in the
English Lutheran church. This is DR..
Andreen's first visit 20 Minnesota.
History of the school.
In May, 1862, the Swedish Lutheran
church at Red Wing appropriated $40
towards fitting up its old parochial school
house as an academy. This was the first
specific donation towards establishing an
institution Of learning within the boun-
daries Of Minnesota conference. DR.. E.
N0reilus, now president of the Augustana
synod of North America became the first
teacher and eleven persons attended dur
ing the first term.
In 1863 the institution was moved to
East Union, Carver county, where soldiers
of Company H, Ninth regiment, Mime
sofa volunteers, bought piece of bottom
land for a schoolhouse location. DR.. A.
Jackson, who had been compelled to flee
from his field of labor in Kandiyohi coun-
ty because of the Sioux Indian outbreak
was chosen principal and teacher.
The school continued in East Union
from 1853 to 1876, and it was then de-
cided to move 1t to some city. An open
ing presented itself in Minneapolis. It
was proposed to make the academy an
adjunct of the state university
In the meantime other places bestirred
themselves to raise bonus and secure
the school. st. Peter and vicinity raised
$4,000, which brought the school to this
place. The main building was dedicated
Oct. 81, 1876, and work commenced imme-
diately. Professor ]. P. Nyquist of Chi
cago was chosen the first president. which
position he held till the spring of 1881
when the present incumbent, DR.. M. WahI-
strom, assumed control. The first grad
uating class was sent out in 1890. Since
then the B. A. degree has been conferred
upon 125 persons.
Last year the attendance was over $50
in all departments. Up to 1885 there were
only preparatory classes, the first college
class being organized in the fall of 1885.
A school of commerce and a conservatory
of music were organized in 1887, and a
normal school in 1893. Last spring more
than fifty graduates were sent out. twenty
of these being from the college. In 1876
the faculty consisted Of less than half
a dozen teachers. to-day this body num-
bers more than twenty members.