Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-05

WINCH WILLIAM anu NASnIl COlleSt mas |
attained is the way in which it is re-
garded by the other small colleges of
Illinois and adjoining states. At the
time of the opening Of the school in
1908, and for some time thereafter. Viii |
liam and Vashti was regarded by. its
sister colleges with Indifference No |
attention whatever was paid to the col
lege and no comment was made con-
corning its work except TO conjecture
as to how long it would be able TO exc
out an existence. Its athletic tri-
umphs first attracted attention and
then it demonstrated its prowess along
educational lines by splendid showings
in competitive debates and oratorical
contests. Before the school was two
years old il was attracting marked at
tention from other colleges and was
being observed somewhat more critic
ally. Now It is regarded by all of the q
small colleges as a real rival in every
sphere of action.
STANDS Equal TO BEST.
In 1910 Drury academy was placed
on the accredited list with Illinois uni
yersity; in 1911 with the North Central
association of schools and colleges;
and in 1912 with Chicago university. .
The college department has kept pace
with the academy in this particular !
and has received corresponding recog-
milton. In 1911 the college was ad
mitted to the Illinois Athletic associa- ,
ton, and the same year 10 the State /.
Federation of Colleges. Such recogni- ,
ton in the short space of time since
the opening Of the school is unprece-
dented and is the highest possible
proof that the college and academy
have taken their places among the sub
stantial institutions of the state.
The splendid college spirit and feel
ing of LOYALTY that prevails among the
student body can be attributed TO a
great extent TO the friendly interest
the people of Mercer county and of
AledO feel in the institution. 1t is easy
to inspire feeling of loyalty to his
alma mater in the breast of the aver
age student, and with the deep interest
of every citizen of AIedo in constant
evidence this feeling has become as in
tense as that which prevails among the
students Of the oldest universities and
! colleges
One of the chief assets of the college
and one Of the things which will do
more to achieve the final success of
the institution than anything else, is
the city Of Aledo itself Aledo is the
county seat of Mercer county and is
located in the center of one of its fine
prairies. 1t has no large commercial
Industries, and none Of its citizens will
take offense to the statement of the
tact that il is in many respects an
overgrown country village. LIS citizens
are Of the most substantial and desira-
bic type Its merchants are up-to-date
and afford the people of Aledo and the
surrounding country the best trading
facilities that can be found in any city
of its size in the country.
SOMETHING ABOUT ALEDo.
Some years ago the city adopted and
installed a system of sewers, and last
year a local improvement was author
lied which contemplates the paving of
five miles Of its principal streets. A
part of this work was completed last
season and the remainder will be COM
pleted by the month of July of this
year The business part of the city is
brilliantly lighted by up-to-date cleo
trio cluster lights. The last session
of congress appropriated the sum of
$65,0O0 for the erection of a govern
ment building there, which shows that
for a town Of its size q considerable
volume Of business is being transacted
There is every assurance that within
the next year a splendid new public
library will be erected In the city and
opened for the use of its citizens and
the students of the college and public
schools. Five different church denomi-
. nations maintain thrifty organizations
, within the city, all owning valuable
church property. They are the Pres
) byterian, Methodist Episcopal, United
. Presbyterian, Baptist and Catholic.
There have been no saloons in the city
, of Aledo for more than 40 years. The
; city in its makeup, environment and in
r the conditions existing, makes an ideal
, location for an educational institution.
! While the people Of Aledo and Mer-
/ Ger county are endeavoring to make
: this school particularly a county insti
= tuition, students are welcomed from all
sections, and among the present mum.
Der enrolled are boys and girls from
: various other states as well as from al
/. portions Of the state of Illinois. The
\ school offers advantage equal to thai
/ Of any Of the small colleges OF the mid
q die west, and its surroundings are suCf
that it would be hard 10 fiEd a better
+ place 10 send a boy or girl to secure
: that part Of their education which
+ must be secured away from home.
What the people of Aledo have done
q and accomplished for their college
stands almost unparalleled. II il doubt
/. ful if there has ever been a community
Il Of equal size in the United State
E which has with such spirit and witi
J. such unanimity among its citizens don.
: a. much for any public enterprise. Al
e INSTITUTION TINS among sucl