The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-30
THE UNIVERSITY.
Its Organization and the Work it is
 Doing at Present.

Doing at Present Of this great school, the University of Alabama, of which every Alabdmian Is proud, l could not say too much. Of what l shall say in the small space al- lotted me will be devoted towards the hope of having our young men directed hlther and to impress upon them the tact mat every advantage IS offered within the pounds of their own State and that there is no need of going further for an education. 1 spent only a short while at the University Because of the fact that everyoody Was busy and that it was raining hard all the time 1 was there. Dr. Eugene Smith showed me through his wonderful museum and 1t may be said again that it is a most valuable coilec- tion, one that years of labor could not gather together or possibly replace, and l desire to impress upon the State the necessity for providing for its proper care and preservation. The present museum IS crowded to its utmost capacity, and there ought to be separate quarters built for the housing of these connections, to be devoted to this purpose alone. The present space is wholly inadequate for the purpose intended and the means should be provided at once for the cree. ton of a building in keeping with the great importance and value of it's pJp'- pose. Dr. Smith, with suitable buifd- ing, could so arrange all those wonderful and invaluable collections as to. make it unsurpassed if equalled in all the South. and of incalculable value to the cause of future research and investigation.
 Professor Persons also showed me through his Chemical Laboratory and ths splendid equipment they have there. Judge ThorinSton was especially kind and charming wife and daughter. heard ex- presions of regret on every hand that Dr. Wyman had seen proper to resign and the hope was expressed that he might De induced 10 wltnoraw II. or which there now seems to be but very little prospect, !
 Organization.
 The University was incorporated by the General Assembly on December IS, 1891. and located within fifteen miles of the Court House in the town of Tuscaloosa its site was not chosen until March 22. 1928, which is described as level plateau near the place known as Marr's Spring on the Huntsville Road. about a mile and quarter east of the Court House. and the buildings were soon thereafter erected. Rev. Ava Woods. D. D., of the Pennsylvania University of Lexington. kv., was the first President, with Henry w. Hlliard in the chair of English Lit erature, and a full faculty; from 1851 to 1857; Basil Manly, D. D., was second from 1887 to 1S55: Landon c. Garland from 1855 to 1865. On the 17th or 18th of April, 1881. the University opened its doors for che admission of students. The first day fifty were enrolled and before the close of the session the enrolment reached nienty-four, Of these many af- forwards became distinguished citizens of Alabama and other Southern States. Among these may be noted Alexander B. Meek, Burwen Boykih, William R. Smith, George D. Shortridge. Jere Clem- ents, John B. Reed. Walter A. Gren- shaw. John A. Nooe and James D. Webb.
 An act approved February g. 1860. pro- vided for the establishment of military department and placing the students un- der military discipline. The system was in1ugurated at the beginning of the next session. Tn the fall of the same year. The number of students was largely in- creased, the system being very popular with students. Within a month acad- emic professors who had thought the ex- propriety, were delighted with the change. Captain Caleb Hnse. of the United States Army, was the first command ant, detailed by the Secretary of War for that purpose. He was succeeded in a short while by Col. J. T. Murfee. now of Marion. Under the military system the University prospered through the WAT between the States but 1t was pre- of the University later April 3. lseo, Federal cavalry, 1,400 strong, crossed the river from the Northport side. Lea by Dr. Garland and Colonel Murfee, the corps of cadets met them at the top or the hill and fired one or two volleys into them, killing several and woundlng oth- ers Returning to the university they destroyed the ammunition stored tnere
  rion Next day. April {, body Of Fed- eral cavalry. acting under orders burned all of the academic buildings except the astronomical observatory, which was at some distance from the others. There was left the small octagonal bmldlng near the center of the campus. now used as an archiVe room, then as SuaIu room. The Lyceum. the dormitorles, pn9 scientific apparatus, the rotunda ana all of the valuable books and pamphlets that had been accommodating were swept away but the guard room still stands.
 An attempt was made after the surren- der to resume the University wbTk.7 pr. Garland continuing as President with small faculty. But at the time advernseo for opening but a single young man. sen of the late Governor Watts, ap peercd. Shortly afterwards Dr. Garland resigned. and no further attempt was made to resume work until atter the erection of new buildings. work began cn the first of these. the rear or tne present quadrangle. in January. lsSi with pr, w. S. Wyman as one of the contractors This building was approprt- the first President. An aborrive effort was made to reopen the University about 1870 with William R. Smith as Presl- dent. bur little could be done in those unsettled reconstruction days. In the fall If 1871. with a reorganized faculty the University began it's real poSt-bellum career. Con,r,0dore NJ. F. Faury was elected to the presidency, and accepted:
  of the University he withdrew his ac- ctptance The session opened with pr. N T. Lupton as chairman of the faes 1ity. Shortly afterwards he was elected President by the Board of Regents Among the students who presented them selves at the re-opening in 1871 were William G. Bibb of Montgomery. Harry l. Gillian of Tallapoosa. Robert T. Hewitt of Jefferson. Charles J. Brock- way of Sumter Thomas c. McCorvey of Monroe and Emmet O Neal of Lau- dcr,ale. The faculty included amons others Drs. Wyman. Parker and smith, 1t the present faculty. os
 To adapt the University to the changed conditions that surrounded IL ana 10 keep abreast of educational progress throughout the world, was the proolenn that confronted President -Lupton ana hIs colleagues and their successors The problem was the. more difficult 6ecauSe of tne unrest If the period. rom population of ease and culture that nat irllly took to letters. oratory ana poll ties. the south was heginnng 10 discover he er1pire of wealth that had lain dor roa,,t heueath it's feet for ages. From