Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-12
CHICACO'S PIONEER COLLEGE
Notable Development Of the Nsrthwsutsrp
University in Half 4 Osntury.
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW PRESIDENT
what the University H. Doing I'm
Behalf OF Higher Education
Instructive story of n Pro-
gressive Institution.

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For the seventh time in it's history Of
half a century the Northwestern university
Of Chicago is about TO install a president
In office. Since the resignation Of DR..
Henry Wade Rogers In 1899 the affairs OF
the university we're managed by a tenn
porsry president while the trustees can
vassed the country for a man possessing
the necessary business tact and educa-
tional qualifications for the responsible
position. After two years Of earnest con-
sideration the trustees last January chose
Prof. Edmund j. James at that time a
member Of the faculty Of Chicago univer-
sity. The exercises Of inaugurating the
new president will begin Sunday next, oc-
tober 10. and continue throughout the fol-
lowing Monday and Tuesday.
President James is one Of the youngest
educators chosen to direct the affairs Of the
university. A native Of Illinois. just past
~, he has achieved distinction as an edu-
Gator at home and abroad, and enjoys in
the meridian Of life the unique honor Of
being called TO the presidency Of his alma
mater.
The institution which President James
will direct was the first university estab-
lished in the vicinity OF Chicago. Fifty
one years ago, when the Northwestern was
chartered by the legislature OF Illinois,
there was but one college, a state institu-
ton, in the whole state, and beyond I'LL
nois there was no school OF greater pre-
tensions than the primitive high schools
Of the sos. The absence Of facilities for a
college education in or about Chicago
prompted q number of far-sighted citizens
TO lay the foundation Of what has become
one OF the great educational Institutions
Of the central west. Although conducted
under the auspices OF the Methodist Epis-
copal church, theology forms the lesser
part OF the curriculum. The purpose Of
the founders to make the institution a uni
versity in fact as well as in name has been
followed to this day, and its lfulhllment is
shown in the establishment Of fine profess
sional schools during the first half century
OF its existence. The medical school be-
came a department Of the university in
1859. the law school in 1878, the school of
pharmacy in 1887. the dental school in 1888
and the school Of music in 1896.
Location aud surroundings.
The Northwestern is located in Evanston,
a town named after John Evans, one Of the
founders OF the university. Building and
grounds occupy a delightful spot on the
shore of Lake Michigan, two miles north of
the city limits OF Chicago. Nature has done
much for the campus Of Elk
tending for three-fourths OF a mile along
the lake, covered for the greater part with
a dense growth or virgin Uak trees, aud
raised just far enough above the water to
give good drainage and an unobstructed
view, 1t has become famous for its beauty.
When the university was founded Evans
ton did not yet exist as a village. But the
advantages Of the natural situation. the
attractions offered by the college and the
influence exerted by collegiate work, has
drawn about the campus a population OF
10000 people of exceptional culture and re-
hnement. By an amendment to the uni
versity charter. approved in February. 1855,
no intoxicating liquor can legally be sold as
a beverage within a limit Of four miles from
the campus. This provision OF the charter
has been so rigidly enforced that the open
sale Of liquor has been unknown in the his
tory of Evanston, while its Illicit sale has
been continually and severely repressed.
How the Buildings Are Grouped.
AS one enters the campus from the south
west the first building to appear is Uni
verslty hall, a capacious structure OF chaste
architecture, erected in 1868. Here are to
be found the Offices OF the president and
registrar and the class rooms used by the
departments OF Latin, Greek, mathematics,
history, English literature. English Ian
guage, French, botany, geology and zoology.
A few rods to the southeast stands Fayer-
weather hall. a modern building. occupying
a ground space OF IL. 800 square feet and
devoted entirely to the uses OF the depart
ments Of chemistry. physics and mineralogy.
Immediately in the rear OF Fayerweather
hall and in direct connection with 1t is a
power house, where a fine modern equip
ment Of gas engine. dynamos, etc, provides
power for various physical experiments, for
technical work and for lighting the campus
and the college buildings.
Directly east OF Fayerweather hall is Fisk
hall, a pretentious building. erected In 1888
and devoted to the uses OF the academy OF
Northwestern university.
LIfe-SavinE Crew.
Still east Of Fisk hall and on the very
verge Of the lake stands a building pecu-
liarly related to the university and one that
is representative of a history Of which
Northwestern's sons and daughters are
Justly proud. In 1876 the federal govern
ment established here a regulsr life saving
station. The site was provided by the
university trustees on the condition that,
40 far as suitable men might be found,
the crew. below the captain. should be
selected from the students. The building
was erected In 1877 and was removed to
it's present site, nearer the lake, in 1898.
From the day OF its foundation to the pres
emit, the career Of the Evanston life saving