Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-21
THE CITY OF ATHENS
Center of Learning of South
ern Empire State.
SEAT OF THE UNIVERSITY
Generous Gifts by George Foster
Peabody.
HOME OF JOHN HOWARD PAYNE
Where It Is Supposed Home, Sweet
Home" Was Written-Trying
Double Barreled Cannon.
SEAT OF THE UNIVERSITY
HOME OF JOHN HOWARD PAYNE

Double-Barreled Cannon.
| BY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS
Special Correspondence Of The Star and tn.
| Chicago Record Herald.
ATHENS. Ga. April Is. 1905
! This city is we'll named 1t is the center
| of learning and the seat of the aristocracy
| of the Empire state of tile south. and
whoever comes within the influence of its
atmosphere is uplifted socially, morally
and intellectually. l have not seen them
all, but I am assured by most reliable cit
liens of Athens that no other town in the
| south can compare with it for beauty OF
! location. for classic colonial architectural
display or for the refinement and the cuI-
ture of the population. That statement
may be contradicted by the residents OF
other places. but am repeating the testi-
mony Of the eight or nine thousand people
who live here and they ought to know
| The University of Georgia. chartered 10y
the legislature in 1885, is the Oldest state
educational institution in the United
States. and it was established here in
! 1901. Georsias common schools high
| schools and this university were formed
| into one system more than thirty years
before the establishment of the Uni
rersfty of Virginia by Thomas jefferson.
| The first commencement exercises oc-
CURED here on the campus in May. 1904
| under an arbOr formed of the branches of
! trees
The original site embraced some 630
acres of land. upon which large number
| OF the fine old mansions of Athens. with
their stately pillars and their massive
oaks have since been located. Residence
/ sites were sold off from time to time for
the benefit of the university. This mag
4 sNiH
Milledge. once governor of Georgia from
whom the town of Milledgeville is named
Means Of Support.
The university has faculty of twenty
three professors and thirty-fve other in
structors. and 40S students are registered
in the different departments It's income
from the state in 1906 was $50, s4a 1t has
received gifts from the state and gen.
eral government amounting to $40. 900 and
$I42,o00 from private citizens since 1t was
organized. No tuition is required Of citi-
Gems OF Georgia. but non residents are ex-
pected to pay fees of $50 year.
me nrst endowment was made in 1854
when Dr. William Terrell Of Hancock
county bequeathed $4,000 to the institu-
ton: in 1873 the citizens of Athens raised
$2o.OO6 for the erection of a building and
In 1883 United States Senator Joseph E.
BroWn. war governor of Georgia. placed
In the hands of trustees, who are instruct
ed to use the interest to assist worthy
young men TO secure an education. 1t is
estimated that 500 students will be edu-
Gated with this fund during the first fifty
years OF the Donation an average of ten
students a year. In 1856 the state leeis-
iature accepted grant of land from the
national government under the Morrill,
State College Of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts was added to the departments of the
university.
George F. Peabody's Gifts.
In April. 1902. the Southern educational
conference met in Athens. at which sew
eral hundred Of the most prominent edu-
Gators of the country were present. nota-
bic among whom was George Foster Pea
body. a native Of the state of Georgia.
now residing in New York. who in his
adopted home had gained wealth and
reputation through years Of earnest and
energetic endeavor. Mr.. Peabody con-
ceived a great liking for Chancellor Wal
ter b. Hill. and before the adjournment of
the conference authorized the announce
ment of gift of $4,000 library from
"A Georgian and friend of the univer
Slty, who proved to be none other than
Mr.. Peabody himself,
The gathering of the conference and
gift of Mr.. Peabody marked a new era
and the beginning of new life for the
university. initiating the movement that
has since been achieved in remarkable
the idea of an enlarged campus was born
In the hearts and minds of Mr.. Peabody
and Chancellor Hill. and the plan was
made and details executed almost before
the general public knew what was going
on. Five hundred acres of land adjoining
the old campus were acquired and paid
for through donations of 81, OD from Mr..
Peabody. loan of $4,000 by the Alumni
Society of the university and contribu-
tons aggregating $4,000 from public spir-
tied citizens of Athens. Following this
$4,000 Y. NJ. c. A. hall was erected on
the campus, and the Y. NJ. c. A. of the
state raised fund of $4,000
Mr.. Peabody. however. was not salts
fed. and in 1905 authorized the purchase
of $50 additional acres. which he donated,
making an area OF more than LOCO acres.
the largest campus in the south and one
of the largest in the country.
q Mr.. Peabody has shown a deep interest
In the institution In many other ways.
He employed an engineer to make A thor
ough survey of the property with view
to identifying it in an appropriate man.
ner.
\ chair of forestry has been endowed
bv this generous Georgian. and the State
Normal School has had Its share of his
thOughtfulness and bounty. The campus
extension movement and the improve
nents planned call for an expenditure
require many years to complete
The State College Of Agriculture has
recently been completed and will be form
ally opened next September under the
direction Of DIR. Andrew H. Soule, dean.
Unfortunately. the legislature neglected
to make an appropriation for tn" First
years expenses This was owing to
oversight. rather than intention. and Gov.
Hoke Smith. realizing this fact. bOr-
rowed the necessary funds upon his psr-
sonal credit, and the plans will be car
ried out as proposed believing that the
legislature will reimburse him next ses-
sion
Writing of "Home, Sweet Home"
There is tradition that John Howard
Payne wrote Home. Sweet Home in
Athens. while he was making a tour Of
the south with a theatrical company.
ami what is believed to be the original
manuscript. the first draft Of the poem.
is now in the possession OF an elderly
lady in this city. The lines. as first writ
ten, were considerably changed afterward
and the corrections show that this draft
must have been the first. They contain
also. an endearing expression from the
writer to Miss Mary Harden, his sweet
heart and promised wife.
John Howard Payne was native OF
New York. the son OF a school teacher,
and lett Union College at Schenectady
In ISO9 TO follow the theatrical profess
sion He showed great talent and be-
"a M. vary pOnl,lar an actor before he