The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1907-06-06

'use representative, ~ tne commencement ex.
ercises OF the Kentucky Military Institute
May e9th i9o7.)
Mr. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLE.
1t is good to be with you here to.
d.y.
Is is like turning back the leaves
OF time FOR retrospection.
After quarter OF a century re.
turn TO my Alma Mater to give an
accounting of the talents entrusted
to me. While they have not been
Increased and multiplied as l would
wish to report. lam strengthened
by the thought that they have not
been wholly buried.
The summons to this pleasant
duty awoke In me fond memories Of
the long ago, when q callow youth
forsook his country home t. learn 3
trade, and later accepted the call to
apply that trade In exchange for an
education. OF the arduous tolls,
lightened by pleasant associations,
for three years, when his labors we're
rewarded by class honors, doubly
appreciated because OF the splendid
personnel of those bright, manly,
talented young gentlemen composing
the class.
As stand you now, so stood we
then and received our diplomas from
the hands OF Governor Luke P.
Blackburn, a talented statesman
and scholar and as q knightly a gen.
tlemen as ever bore lance In rest or
drew sword In a righteous cause, a
noble character who has long since
gone to his reward.
At the close OF that day we
went our way into the outside world
by "the long paths that each must
tread alone," to put into practical
the lessons and theories
learn In this primitive world. The
frosts OF these twenty-five winters
have whitened our hair and the scars
OF conflict are many, but our hearts
are as young as they were on that
memorable occasion.
have always been proud that l
was a graduate OF the old K. M. l.,
With Its history OF splendid achieve
ments and traditions.
The Kentucky Military Institute
was founded In 1S45, at the old
Franklin Springs, In Franklin Coun.
~, KY, by Col. Robert T. P. Allen,
graduate OF West Point, man OF
wonderful energy, possessed OF fine
Executive ability; distinguished ed
icator. 1t was peculiarly a south.
'rn school, successful In q marked
iegree, both In attendance and re.
'ults. Many Of It's graduates won
10 private life and Others
'ecame famous In the great war be.
ween the sections.
For the years during and follow
Dg the close Of that STRIFE the school
1as closed. Col. Allen returned from
'exas In the late sixties, and re-
'pened lis doors, which proved o
reat boon to young men who had
ngaged In that sanguinary conflict
nd had to prepare themselves to
leet the adversities which attended
be Lost Cause" The school pros
cred under his management and
hen he grew old, his son Col. Robert
}. Allen, OF high character and |
trong analytical mind, assumed the I
elm and guided 1t safely many 6
ears, until over taken by sickness {
nd financial misfortunes. 9
That was the darkest hour In the
Istory OF the K. M. l. and the hearts {
many old cadets bled at the g
lought that 1t, with all Its possibil- 6
les for good to humanity In educa
ng the youth OF the land. vas to be {
ut. q
1t was then that Col. G. W. Fowler, {
graduate OF the school and q mem. b
" Of the faculty under Col. Allen, d
'termined to make an effort to d
we the old institute. He was well n
ted by ability and training for the &
ork. Col. Fowler conceived that q
remove to new environments
ould enthuse new life into the enter 81
ise. In casting about for a suit t,
Die location bis choice fell upon this c,
autiful spot, an Ideal place on q
1ich to begin and build up this "
eat work. %