Arizona republican., 1904-03-15
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Directors Hold Meeting A Glimpse
 of the Past.

A meeting of the board of directors of the Arizona Wesleyan Universityw held yesterday morning, in which the history of the institution was discussed and plans for future activity were suggested.
 pr. c. H. Adams. president of the board of directors, gave brief history of the inception of the enterprise. At meeting of the Arizona Mission of the Methodist Episcopal church held in the fall of 1888, the ini- tial step was taken by the appointment of a committee to commence the work of organization and to proceed as rap idly as possible. This committee held its first meeting in Phoenix, October 9, 1889. The ma tier was pushed to an early completion. regular articles of in- corporation were prepared ana full board of eleven directors was duly elected
 On October 14. 1890, there was con veyed by G. H. Adams by deed a tract of land of ten acres, located on what was then called the Yuma road, but now known as West Van Buren street. near what IS called Five Points. Acting under the direction of the Ar izona Mission, in 1889. Mr. Adams pro ceeded in an attepcpt to raise funds with which to build the school. Lots were placed at his disposal for sale. and with the proceeds of these sales and cash donations plans were obtain ed in accordance with which the first building was to be erected.
 The great panic which swept nver the country during tie years or IS91-e2-93 rendered it impossible to raise addi- tionaI funds. The plan of proceeding with the building was frequently dis cussed at the meetings Of tce hoard of directors, but owing to the depres ed condition of business over the whole country it was voted from time to time to be inexpedient and impossible to undertake the erection of a school under the financial conditions than prevailing. But the unfalterlng pur- pose of the board had been all the way through these years O. depression to proceed with the building of the uni versity at the earliest date feasible. The board has never wavered in it's de- signs regarding the ultimate goal had in view from the first.
 The Arizona Mission has at all its annual meetings kept the matter be- fore it's membership, and has fully con cured in the course pursued by the board. Last fall at the annual meeting of the mission a new interest was awakened in the enterprise and the general conference collection fer public education was ordered to be taken in al the churches, to be used for the payment of taxes on the University property.
 brighter dGy seems to be dawDtng for southern Arizona. The building of a great reservoir by the United States government has inspired new conf dence in Nhe city of Phoenix and sur rounding country. New railroaGs have been built recently and others are in contemplation. And the mineral de- velonments of the territory are the as- tonishment of the world Under these circumstances Phoenix Will soon he a great city and the population of the territory will rapidly increase to a magnitude of which the most sanguine have never dreamed.
 These improved conditions call for re- newed determination and activity on the part of the board of directors. It is plainly a duty to finish at the earli- est possible date, the work that was planned by this board and which it has kept steadily in view through all the financial depressiOn and discourage ments of the past few years.