Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-07-11
Agricultural College President
Rev. James Chalmers, E1gin, ILL.,,
Now Head of South Dakota Institution.

:, university. His record for scholarship at
the University at st. Andrews has been
equaled but twice In the history Of hat
venerable institution, now about 500 years
old.
DR.. Chalmers has been four times
abroad for study, and his wife also was
educated In the best universities of this
country and Europe. 1t is said the doctor
is fond OF golf, q circumstance easily
| traceable to his Scotch-Ir.sh parentage.
lie Is rated as a man of exceptionally
good executive ability, having the happy
faculty and good sense of accomplishing
a great deal without any blowing OF
trumpets.
When DR.. Chalmers went abroad with
his family In the spring OF 1897 he left
an educational position paying 5000 a
| year, and on returning two years later, no
educational field presenting itself, he ac-
cepted the pastorate of a little church In
Toledo. o., at a salary Of $500. From small
beginnings this church under his charge
grew 10 be the largest in that city. The
same phenomenal success has followed
him In his work at Elgin. where the MEM
bership has more than doubled since he
assumed charge, now numbering upwards
Of 1900 members.
Though eminently successful as q min
lister. DR.. Chalmers has not been a preach
er from choice, his ambition rather lead
ing hin into educational work. Even In
the pulpit he IL a teacher rather than a
preacher. and TO his natural tact In keep
ing all his subordinates working togeth-
or tremendously, his success both as a
teacher and q preacher is largely due. His
salary at Elgln is 5000 a year, and II
may be thought singular that he would
give up a place for a position at the head
Of an educational institution paying only
$1,000 a year. True, It will be a sacrifice
A. l.. 49, ----
who does not estimate life and It's work
besides. n college or university presidency
has been the ambition Of his life, and
therefore he does not feel that he Is max
ing a sacrifice in this instance.
As indicating somewhat the estimation
held for DIR. Chalmers by the Edinburg
institution, the following verbatim copy
of the communication notifying him Of
honors conferred is given:
University Of st. Andrews, March "a.
lS9S.-Dear Sir: I beg to inform you that
the senatus academicus of this university
ms unanimously resolved to confer upon
you the post and title Of research fellow
In English literature and philosophy. This
honor has very rarely been conferred pom
any one by the four universities of Scot
land. The honor Is as rare as 1t Is high.
L beg TO congratulate you on being the
first American to receive this honor from
the most ancient university In Scotland.
And / have the honor TO be, dear sir, your
most faithful servant.
II. NJ. d. Melkeljohn."
The regents Of education believe that
in securing the services of DIR. Chalmers
they have been peculiarly fortunate. He
is a b~road-minded. highly cultured gen.
tleman, and his excellent tact In meeting
men will enable him to treat the special
fgfG aIn,r Nhn gAyTnRaI GnIaytI1n 1inau at
that institution with that respect and
courtesy essential 10 the best results at
the college. DR.. Chalmers did not seek
the place, but was sought by the regents,
and was elected by unanimous vote Of the
full board.