The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1906-04-25
Major Burnam's "reminiscences Beginning In 1880
Early History Of Madison County
CharminglY Portrayed for the
Readers OF the climax.
REMINIsCENcE No. 2.

tNoTE-Last week the Climax began a series
of historical articles from the facile pen of our
distinguished tOwnsmsn, the Hon. Curtis F.
Burnam, who has promised to supply us with
data from his accurate personal diary and I'M
Improbable memory concerning the early
and later history of Madison county, never
before published. Last weeks "reminiscences
dealt with the churches of Richmond from
1880 to date. Readers should preserve these
articles for future reference They have much
to do with the ancestral history of the leading
families Of the community OF today, and with
those of others now residents of other states,
but who will shortly attend the Home-Co
ing celebration here in June.-Ed Climax.
The first public Office ever held was
that of Commissioner of Common
schools for Madison county. l held
this position by appointment from Rev.
DR.. Ryland T. billiard, in 1913, he being
then State Superintendent. The school
system was then in its infancy in Ken
lucky, but gradually growing in
strength and public esteem, having the
support of many able advocates, among
whom the most earnest were Hon. VIM.
F. Bullock, of Louisville, Cassius NJ.
Clay ana Rev. DR.. R. j. Breckenridge.
L held the office OF Commissioner
about two years, visiting a number of
schools, organizing others, examining
teachers and similar work, but finding
my business as a lawyer steadily grow
ing, L resigned it, and was succeeded
by Gen. Green Clay Smith, who was
an enthusiastic and able worker in the
cause, accomplishing great and good
results, and in so doing laying the
foundation of his future fame. This
system, fostered by the labors of DR..
billiard, DR.. Breckenridge and other
eminent superintendent, continued
with varying fortunes until our own
present age, when, 10y reason of large
State and National revenues, it has
grown into splendid proportions, and
become ingrown in the affections and
confidence of the people. Its perma-
nency is now made secure by constitu
tional law, and its improvement assured
by Normal Schools for teachers of all
the children of the State of both races,
white and cOlored. "Let those be
teachers who themselves excel"
THE MADISON SEMINARY.
1t may he remembered by those who
We're present at the dedication of the
Caldwell Institute, that l addressed
the assembled audience, giving an ac
count of the origin, the history and the
management of that school property
from its foundation in the year 1919
The names and work of its trustees
and OF the teachers employed therein
were enumerated, and it would be al.
almost idle repetition to go over these
matters again. The address was pub
lished in one or more of the city papers
but outside of the files OF those papers,
1 doubt if two copies could be now
found. But i: may be well enough TO
suggest that the school lot was dona-
ton from Robert Caldwell, and Its first
endowment fund was the grant of two
square miles OF land in Pulaski county.
the gift of the State. Its first instructors
were eminent scholars educated at the
best Eastern colleges. and from its walls
went forth into the outer world. MANY
men, illustrious in every walk and way.
In this list could be named Senators
aud Representatives in Congress, Gov
ernOrs, Judges of the National and
State Counts, Foreign Ministers, and
Ministers of Religion. besides those
who in private life signalized the train.
ing Of youth by the development of
manly virtues. This. Madison Semi
narv, now Caldwell Institute, was at
one time made an arm of Central Uni
yersity, and that brings me to con-
sideration OF that institution.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY.
In the year 1896. there was division
a the Presbyterian Church In this