The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1912-08-23
INSPFC[S central
ILLINOIS COLLEGES
DR.. MILLAR TELLS OF TRIP
FINDS EDUCATIONAL INSTITU-
TIONS PROSPERING IN
THAT STATE.
(Dr. A c Millar, in Western Meth
odist.}

odist.)
Between August 5 and i3, acting
unler instructions from the Hendrix
board to visit institutions and exam
inc buildings with a view to plans
for our proposed Martin memorial
group, | spent two days in st. Louis
in company with Prof. G. H. Burr,
another member of the committee,
and then visited schools in central Ill
inois. In st. Louis we inspected the
Soidan high school, one of the best
and most modern buildings in the
United States, the Prinipia College of
the Christian Scientists, which has
several good modern buildings, and
Washington University, with it's ex-
pensive, handsome, red granite build
ings. Mr.. w., B. Ittner, one of the
most famous school architects, show
ed us many courtesies.
1t was decided that Prof. Burr
should visit the University of Chica-
go, Northwestern University, Lake
Forest University, and the wonderful
system at Toronto, Canada (all of
which | had seen some years ago. =,
while | examined buildings in Illinois,
One day was spent at Champaign, in
the University of Illinois. was for
tunate in meeting President James
and Prof White, the experimenting
architect, who gave me his time free
ly. They have a number of fine build
ings and are erecting others. The
growth of this university in the last
Is years has been phenomenal. 1t is
now one of our greatest. Its fresh
man chemistry class numbered 900.
Next spent a dAy at Decatur
studying the James Mllikin Univers-
ity, opened only nine Years ago and
enrolling now over LOO students. Its
buildings are new, convenient, beau
tiful, and durable, more nearly ideal
than any others that | have seen.
The campus is remarkably adapted
to its use and very beautiful. Presi-
dent Taylor showed me many cour-
teSies.
Then ! saw the Illinois Wesleyan
at Bloomington and the State Normal
at Normal. Both have buildings from
which ! derived suggestions. The
campus Of the Normal has bewil-
dering variety of trees.
Another day was spent at Jackson
vile, seeing the Illinois Woman's Col
ege, with very excellent dormitory,
and the old Illinois College, with
many small buildings. The Woman's
College, under Doctor Harker, has
had marvellous growth. Although
as yet it has practically no endow-
ment, its buildings have been enlarg-
ed and new ones added, and its in.
come from increased enrolment
meets expenses.
The towns in which all of these
schools are located are beautiful and
we'll kept. Jacksonville, with wide
streets, houses set back in the lawns,
and stately trees, is one of the most
attractive of little cities. When it is
remembered that most of these towns
were located on the treeless prairies,
the possibilities of town building are
seen. We need to do more toward
identifying our Arkansas towns.
Most of the country is very rich
corngrowing land valued at 5000 an
acre, some at $500. Crops looked ex-
tremely good.
Several times | was able to travel
on electric interurban railroads. 1t
is cheaper and cleaner than other
modes of travel, and gives splendid
opportunity to view the country.
The schools have made such pro-
gress in the last quarter of century
that it would discourage an Arkan-
sas school man but for the hope that
the progress may be paralleled in Ar
kansas in the next quarter Of CEN
tury. We have the young people who
deserve advantages equal to those OF
Illinois. We have rapidly develop
ing state, and our people no longer
have right to plead poverty. Let us
rise up and build and give our wor-
thy youth al THAT they are entitled
to, and they will make our state
great.