Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-24

started tho institution had outgrown its
original purpose and in 1S3O it obtained
the power to grant the usual university
degrees and in February Of the following
year the name was changed to Watcrville
College, now dearly cherished in the
hearts of the older alumni.
The first building owned by the coll
le@c was a residence for its president.
Then il 1921 the first dormtory, South
College, was erected. Chaplin Hall
was commenced the next year and 10
years later another building was added
and in five years later the fourth
building. The brick Of which South
College is constructed came from the
second yard to be established in
Watofville. This was conducted by
Peter Crabtrae GctchcH ana was Iocat-
Cd near what is now lower College
;,venue.
With the spirit of its sturdy found
cr5 be- hind it the institution could not
TAIL t7 grow and grow it did. In 1929.
Is wears after its charter had been
granted il owned permanent property
aGgreEIting $4,000 in value, including
library Of l7G0 volumes.
The first class was graduated in 1922
ana consisted Of just two young men.
George panna Boardman and EDhraim
Trip the name Of the first is one to
coniHrn by at Colby. a worthy son of
th' liI institution that opened its doors
first to him. brilliant. noble and gen.
croue. the fame Of her first graduate
is linked with the history of Colby. For
onr year after graduation he served rs
a tutor. From this occupation he went
10 the Andover Theological Seminary
where h. remained for one year as
resident Iiccntiate. From Andover he
went to- India rs q missionary under the
auspices If thn BAPTIST Board Of
Foreign Missions where he labored
with Untiring zeal for six years, dying
at the agc Of but 80 near Tavoy,
Burhma, India, Feb. II. 1891 During
his short service hc founded the Karen
Mission and the benefit Of his short life
can hardly be estimated. \ brilliant.
noble young man. Colby's first gradr-
ate, has been an inspiration to all who
have followed him ut the old college
The second and third classes consist
cd Of but three men but the fourth hal
II. big increase. From that time the
number has steadily increased, now
falling back for Il year or two ana
again jumping forward.
At the start the college had for sun
port the grant of land made by The
General Court Of Massachusetts. AT
the first session Of the State Legislature
Of Maine The Maine Literary ana
Theological Institution was given $1,000
fAg yJy,Sy s,lT
ting $4,000 per year for the same time at
the Same session. This was in 1920.
Then in 1862 Maine gave the college
two half townships Of land. But these
public grants We're but drop in the
bucket for the growing college ana the
STRUGGLES Of the founders and mana
gers of the institution in the early DAYS
70 make both ends meet are never
ending wonder in these days when it's
the fashion for every up-to-date
millionaire to have some institution of
lear ming rs his pet. The millionafres
We're tClerably scarce in those days and
money for higher education was not
gathered 50 easily as at present and it
is the general belief that it comes
rather hard now.
There were days when it seemed as
il nothing could save the old college
days when the Sky was all cloud with
not speCk Of silver lining. But the
men who had set their heart on seeing
Colby take its place among the col
legcs of the country never faitered and
their faith never wavered. If the
struggles of founders ana students of
the older days could be lettered in gold
and placed where all might read, the
cry of no college spirit occasionally
heard now. might lose its strength.
But somehow, they themselves only
knowing all. the founders kept the ma
chinery moving and grinding out well
educated, ambitious, brilliant young
men to take their places in all walks
of life and to bring honor to their alma
mater. BY 1853 the college began to
keenly feel the need of an endowment
fund. An agent, was appointed to So
licit subscriptions but the work was
not very successful.
Colby's brightest day came among
her darkest. In the years from 81 to
"a. when student after student was
throwing aside his books to enlist and