The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1902-06-12
Looking Backward From Texas.

home, regular weekly visits. Messages
of JOY, as we'll as those of sorrow and
gloom, and oftimes, as in the last issue,
reflections of the past come to the front.
Closing exercises of Science Hill Insti-
tute forcibly impresses me of the early |
struggles of other days, and delights
me to learn that the name of Science
Hill is still perpetuated.
Once upon time, in the year of 81
or '6S, in a little school-house on the
brow of little ridge, near the spring
at the campground, where the old he
roes of the long-ago met to worship on
appointed time and place, few of us,
one Of whom | was which, inspired
with more enthusiasm than money, or
ganized a literary society, and called it
Science Hill, conceived the idea that
there ought to be some kind of an in
stitution set ON foot for the elevation
and educational advantages Of the little
village Of Brush Creek, and hence pro-
ceeded to launch an enterprise of some
kind. We knew that such boys as Abe
Hoss, Henry Carr, Sam Ponder and a
few others could furnish the wind, and
really that was all any of us had in
stock. We made "rousing speeches,
planned and schemed, appointed differ
ent committees to solicit subscriptions,
secure location and proceed to launch
the enterprise. We subscribed pretty
literally, although the whole gang
could not have raised as much as ten
dollars in q solid week from our entire
membership. Really, there was no
money in our Golfers, the Golfer itself
was wanting. However, Henry Carr
or John Johnson might have had a
stray quarter, and Sam Ponder proba-
bly, could have raised as much as five
dollars, by having due and timely no.
tice, say thirty or sixty days. lobe
Hoss and Adam Bowman might have
raised as much as fifty cents by ped
ding apples to hungry passengers
while the engineer was filling his ten
der from the old wooden tank by the
big hotel. Really, we had no money,
but were we'll supplied with enthusiasm,
a secondary essential. Well, had no
money and but little education, but
was so enthused that / subscribed $50
or $40 and l had to cnt and haul cord
wood and stack it along the railroad
about half way between johnson City
and Carter Station to pay my subscrip-
ton, and while that job lasted, in the
months of July and August, l solilo'
quized thusly, "Pluck and enthusiasm,
the power behind throne-that may
win, but it don't seem that way to me
now" We made our selection as tC
location, went down off the hill, inter
viewed Mr.. Tip Jobe, told him oul
plans, and soon secured our location
We chopped off the fine brush from thu
brow of the hill, took the bearings ant
proceeded, delighted to know that 9th
ers come on later who had money
brains, energy and numerous offspring
and the name we christened is still per
petuated, and many useful men an(
women have gone out from there t,
bless the world with their wisdom ant
goodness; and what was wanting il
: finances in that day, was well supplied
with energy and enthusiasm, and it i
delightful to know that after these Ions
years of weary, johnson City is blessed
with an abundance of energy and ha
never been forced to resort to wind AM
: gas to boom any kind of an enterpris
since Science Hill Male and Femal
Institute" was generated. Washing
ton county boys are still pushing
\ things along.
81 I have just returned from the genera
conference of the M. E. Church, South
at Dallas, Texas. There / found m,
Ifriend, E. G. Reeves, of johnson City
. prominent in that great body, standing
square to the front advocating tina
which he conceived to be right in tn
0 great issues that confronted that angus
s body. also had the pleasure Will
there of casting q vote for DR.. E. Z
Hoss, another Washington county boy
for the highest position in the Metho
dist church, that of bishop. Embre
s is all right, and has forged his way t.
: to the front. Really, he might no
have made the landing had we not fin
ished up the lower south room of Sci
ence Hill Institute so that he coul
preach to us on a certain night. Man
s of us remember to have heard him,
beardless boy, trying to deliver a mes
, sage of love to his many friends VIII
had gathered to hear his feeble efforts
| am proud of his attainments. Wit
best wishes for success and happiness
9 l am truly, B. W. AKARD.