The age-herald., 1902-01-24
Grand Old Man Drops Dead at the Feet of Grand-
 daughter
BLOOM OF SORROW OVER
 CLASSIC LITTLE TOWN
pr. Broun Was 75 Years Old and Has Been President of Alabama Poly technic School for Twenty
 Years-Funeral Saturday.

Auburn, January 2S.-(Special)-Dr. William LeRoy Broun. president of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute died this morning at o'clock. His death was en- tirely unexpected, and his friends could hardly believe the sad news. He had been little unwell for a few days, but had attended to his college duties as usual and spent the day at his office yesterday. This morning he arose and dressed at the usual hour and was preparing to leave his room when he fell dead at the feet of his granddaughter. Miss Ordway, who had just entered.
 The news of his death was soon known throughout the town, and business was practically suspended. The faculty of the institute met at 10 o'clock at the call of Dr. Smith. senior member of the fac ulty.
 After officially notifying the Governor and the board of trustees by wire of the death of President Broun a commit tee was appointed to provide a suitable floral offering, and all college exercises were ordered suspended until Monday.
 pr. Brouns wife died some years ago. but he leaves several children. His daugh- ter Miss Bessie. lived with him; his other children. pr. LeRoy Broun of New York Mrs Ordway of Murfreesboro, Tenn, and Mrs Fred Fulghum of Birmingham, are expected tomorrow. and the funeral ar engagements will not be made until after their arrival.
 The Funeral Service.
 e~The funeral services will probably be conducted in Langdon Hall Saturday, and many prominent men from this and other States will probably be present. His re- mains will be inferred here beside his wife
 Energetic to Last.
 Dr. Broun has been president of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute for nearly twenty years. and the high position which it now takes among the educational in- stitutions of the country is largely due to his wisdom, sagacity and executive ability. Although 75 years of age at the time of his death and apparently some what feeble, Dr. Broun was constantly at his desk during office hours and dis charged the many and varied duties of his position with consummate skill and ability. One of the oldest members of the faculty is authority for the statement that Dr. Broun has not failed to attend morning chapel exercises at the college more than four or five times In the last fifteen years.
 The news of his death will sadden the hearts of the many hundred alumni of the institution over which he presided, who will remember him not only as their friend and adviser, but also as a gentle man of the highest personal character and true Christian.
 A Foremost Educator.
 He was one of the foremost educators of the country, and from time to time he had been prominently associated with the leading educational institutions of the South.
 In recent years he was conspicuous for the great work he accomplished as a pioneer in the field of technical educa- tion. Since 1884 he has been president of the Alabama Polytechnic Institute. and under his wise and progressive guidance this institution had been developed into a highly successful and widely known col lege of applied science This institution will stand as monument to his name, and his death will be an immense loss to the cause of southern and national edu- cation He was native of Virginia, born in Loudon County in 1927. and distin- ruished master of arts of the University of Virginia, where he was fellow stu dent and an intimate friend of a group of prominent southerners, including Dr. J. A. Broadus, William Wirt Henry and Prof. Frank Smith of the University of Virginia, and others. In 1859 he married Miss Sallie J. Fleming, of a prominent family in Virginia.
 Advised Arsenal Blown Up.
 He perhaps gave the last order in Rich mond directing the blowing up of the Confederate arsenal.
 Broadly rounded in the principles of ed ucational science, he always planned wisely and was the first to establish and to develop several new branches of scien- tific education in the south, such as man. uaI training, electrical engineering and biology.
 Built Present Structure.
 The college at Auburn burned in 1897, ], and 1t. was under the direct supervision of Dr. Broun that the present magnificent $ edifice and seven laboratories were built and most of the trees planted on the campus. Through his personal endeavor all branches of the college were enlarged and improved It Is thought that some one now con nected with the institute will be elected president to fill out the unexpired term.
 The State has sustained a heavy loss in the death of this famous educator and Auburn has lost one of it's most beloved citizens.
 Biographical Sketch.
 William LeRoy Broun M. A. Ph. D.. ILL. D., president of the Alabama Poly technic Institute, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1927. He graduated