The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-05-29
PAST OF DAKOTA UNIVERSITY
Continued from page B..

'bb' Wv obi T. Saii'S
the commission appointed by the
Conference to pass upon the results
Of the winters work. They met in
the basement OF the Barber build
ing. After n careful and painstak-
ing investigation they pronounced
the assets secured. The guarantees
given by twenty Of the leading bust
ness men OF Mitchell, more than
sufficient, and relieved the painful
suspense which had existed since the
fire by unanimously awarding the
institution to Mitchell. If in the
ol,icc Of the Bowdle bank the college
had its first inception, it IA in
the basement of the Barber building
tNHt 1t was born again, a striking
Illustration Of our theology that an in
d~ividnal is never fully alive and
standing squarcly upon his feet I'M
til he has passed the second birth.
The crisis passed, the months were
not many before the present struct-
urc, which though 0 completed,
''f' iN'', ~ NNN'lttiSlI. lS Wi
ference was Il little slow to believe
fully in the restoration of the
school, but in the report Of 1891, we
lind this language: 1T is with pro-
found thanksgiving to our Heavenly
rather that we record the apparent
fact that Dakota University having
passed through the otdeal OF fire has
come forth permanent, bright,
strong, vigorous ana prosperous"
The term apparent fact indicates
a doubt, still lingering in the minds
or the Conference, but since then
that doubt has passed away.
In 1891 DR.. Brush resigned the pre-
Sidency OF the University to accept
the United States Counselship to
Florence, Italy. During the years Of
DR.. BruSh's connection with the Da-
kota University, this noble. large
hearted, thoroughly trained man &C
complishad wonders. To his indom-
liable energy and untiring devotion
Is largely due the final victory which
the Board OF Trustees achieved over
what seemed to be insurmountable
obstacles. There were other noble
men in these early days who labored
with DR.. Brush, some of whom. like
himself, have passed to their reward,
while Others still remain to enjoy the
success Of later years.
Prof. Charles O. Merica,o the fac
ulty Of the Iowa Wesleyan University,
was chosen successor to Or. Brush.
Owing to the sudden failure of his
health his successful presidency lasted
but one year. Upon his resignation
Prof. l., 4. Stout, who was then
Ser wing with distinguished ability in
the Normal department of the school,
was chosen to act as president tenn
porarily.
In June, 1892, Dr.. ". /. Graham
WAS chosen president Of the Univer-
sity. He at once began planning for
the liquidation Of the debts still re-
manning, the Improvement of the
property, the strengthening of the |
faculty and al increased patronage
OF the school. His success In each
Of these departments of labor is an
assured fact Of later history. His
.Ess saaesss ii financial matters col
minated in 1895. when by the CO.
operation Of DR.. Payne. Of blessed
memory. the entire indebIedness.of
over 5000 was provided for. BY
his excellent judgment in the selee-
uon Of his faculty DR.. Graham has
Strengthened the various depart
menss, making the Institution Sec
ond as an educational force to none
in the state
While in all departments supeaio7
work has been done it is especially in
the line Of competitive orasoTy that
the college has won a wsll-earne3
aIsa permanent distinction. Its Sue
cess i'll this branch touches q tender
chord In Cur " memory,
We are glad 70 note that in the
as16 Of aGssssss8cS the Scfsaa has at
raaned q front rank ana that it is
provided with a well equipped gym
raSQg aU6 E spacious asAlseic /
grounds.
The Effort row being made to con- ]
plets s rew 6o-aieoy and Science
Hall IS evidence supreme OF the per
gaa2esacg ana prosperity Of the irssi-
sasSoa.
The Old days Of TRIAL and hardship
- =
still fingers among Us. They have
laid deep tfas foundation upon which
rests The present prosperity and the
fa1acs hope 81 the school Those q
caansa ana bore cur part IN tire carry I