Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-27
PEOPLES PULPIT.
4 a
of**+%'s'9.a4t**s&
GOING TO COLLEGE IN THE
FORTIES.
(By ]. M. McElroy. D. D.l

Inc academy, once an important in
stltution has been superseded by the
high school and the small college. Sa-
lem academy in southern Ohio came
into existence about 1912, and was for
many years, and is to the present time
very useful and influntial school. A
number of its early students passed
from the academy into professional
study and professional life without
any college diploma. Such was the
case with Bishop Merrill, Judge Yaple
Of Cincinnati and Governor r. w.
Steele of Colorado.
About 1848 some of the young men
became fired with the ambition to go
to college. 1t was something new, and
something not easy of attainment,
chiefly because of the expense. But
1t was something very attractive, lead
ing to inquiry and discussion and ef-
fort A dozen young men coming to-
gether casually, were discussing the
matter, telling their plans and naming
their prospective colleges. Some were,
aiming at Oxford; some, would go to
Delaware; some to Canonsburg, Pa,
and some to Hanover Indiana The
Oldest boy in the group, one Of the
foremost students, listened in silence.
but at length broke out, Boys let me
tell you I'm not going to any Of your
little one-horse colleges. I'll 60 to the
best college In the United States or
to none"
"And where will you GOT"
ITO Yale"
Such speech would have sounded
less strange on the lips of some OF
the others. Most of the boys had some
pecuniary resources or at least pro.
spects, but Coffey had nothing of the
kind. He had entered the academy
five years earlier, and had taught
school every winter in order to sup
port his widowed mother. Now since
the death of his mother he had his
home on farm WITH an older brother.
He had managed to become the owner
Of two youthful horses. These he cared
for assiduously and trained carefully
without telling any one why he did so.
They had been wisely selected, and
were of good stock.
When these should be ready for mar
ket their owner would be ready for
college.
When two years had elapsed, and
eight or more of the boys were already
juniors or seniors in their chosen col
leges. Coffey's time had come. His
two steeds stood bridled and saddled
at the gate. On one of them was placed
the travellers baggage for long jour
ney. Having said good bye to friends
Coffey mounted his horse, and leading
his pack-animal he set his face to-
ward the east bound for Yale college
800 miles distant.
The Journey was successfully ac-
complished. His progress was slow,
for ne must not overtax the stnews OF
travel. Passing through Chillicothe
and GAINESVILLE he traversed the nation
al road through Pittsburg and Johns
ton and across the Allegheny noun.
tains. and at the end of month reach
ed Philadelphia. There he disposed OF
horses and trappings, and buying a
ticket for New Haven, was off for Yale.
Two and half years later ne return
ed to Ohio with well-earned diploma
from the foremost college in the Uni
ted states.
Coffey taught several years in the
south, at Matagorda, Texas, and IN
New Orleans.
Then. after studying law with Sam
uel Galloway of Columbus. he Went
to the state Of Kansas, locating in
what proved to be one Of the largest
cities Of that prosperous common
wealth. He is supposed to be still liv-
ing gray-haired and over 80 years Of
age a we'll known and successful law
yer.
The moral of this true story is this:
Any youny man of good health and
gumption who is ambitious for fine
education, can get it, If he is prepared
TO pay it's price in the way Of exertion.