The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1912-12-14

road Wrsek-UniVSrsity Now Run
BY Administrative Committee.
NashvfIle.-The announcement Of the
death Of DR.. George A. Gates, prest
dent Of Fisk university, In this city,
which occurred recently at Winter
Park, Fla, caused sorrow and regret
among the faculty and students, as
well as a distinct shock to the COM
munity. A night letter message from
Mrs. Gates brought the sad news Of
his death.
DR.. Gates resigned from the presi-
dency Of the university early In Sep
TENDER on account Of Ill health, and it
was hoped that rest and relief from
responsibility would improve his con-
dition. The news of his death, there
fore, Is a great shock to the school and
TO his many friends In the city.
While on his way to New York LAST
February to attend a meeting Of the
board Of trustees Of Fisk university
President Gates was seriously injured
In a railroad wreck near Altoona, Pa.
He remained in a hospital in Hunting
don, Pa, for two weeks before he was
able to return home.
He tried to resume his work at the
university, but it was soon discovered
that he was in no condition to assume
charge of the work, and he was given
a leave Of absence, an administrative
committee being appointed to act In
his stead. He meyer fully recovered
from his injuries, and 1t Is believed
that his death is directly traceable to
the shock which he sustained at the
time of the accident
The body was taken to Grinnell, Ia,
where DR.. Gates was president Of
Grinnell college for thirteen years.
When DR.. Gates came to the university
the very great problem confronted him
Of raising an endowment for Fisk, that
Institution being without an endow-
ment and under heavy debt, which had
been accommodating for several years.
His resignation left the school still in
a serious financial condition.
Before being injured DR.. Gates, with
the trustees of Fisk, was carrying on
tireIeSs endowment campaign. Through
his efforts encouragement had been
given by the general education board
by way Of a conditional gift Of 10000
provided total of $4,000 was raised,
to be expended in Improvements and
as an endowment fund, except that
which would be used in paying on the
delinquent debts Of the institution.
Harvey L. Simmons, treasurer Of the
trustee board Of Fisk. has given his
entire time to this campaign, and, with
his help, there has already been sub
scribed $1S1, 900, including the amount
given by the general education board,
and 1T was at this most critical time Of
raising the balance of this fund,
amounting to $4,000, that President
Gates was forced to resign. 1t is said
that a serious situation cOnfronts the
university unless this work which DR..
Gates was carrying on so spiendidly
can continue to a successful end.
DR.. Gates was born In Topsham, VT,
Jan a, 1851 he was educated at
Dartmouth, but finished his studies in
Germany. On his return to America
he entered the Andover Theological
seminary, from which he graduated in
1880, and was ordained In the Congre-
gational ministry. he married Miss
Isabelle Augusta Smith Of Syracuse,
n. z, who survives him
As minister he was pastor at Mont
clair, N. J., and later at Cheyenne.
Wyo. He entered bis career as an ed
ucator when be was made president Of
Grinnel college, at Grinnell. Ia. which
place he held for thirteen years he
was president OF Pomona college,
ClaremOnt. Cal. for seven years, I'm
ishing his work there in 1909, when he
was elected president Of Fisk uniyer-
sfty.
In his work In Nashville DR.. Gates
was very successful, leaving a large
circle Of friends and admirers, who
mourn their loss He was an author
Of ability, "A Foe to American Schools"
being one Of his productions