The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-10-12
EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS OF
NOBLE ACE 1IEVEMENT
History of Richmond College, Recounted by Hon J. Taylor
Elyson Shows the Struggles and Heroic Efforts of the
People to Develop That Great Insttution-Splendd Tri
butte to President Boatwrght

nary deemed it unwise to make the
change.
In 1912 Richmond College was
Chartered for the instruction of youth
in the various branches of science and
literature, and Columbia, valued at
twenty thousand dollars. was trans
ferred by the Virginia Baptist Educa-
ton society 70 the trustees, and has
been the home of the college until its
removal to Westhampton, DR.. Rob
ert Ryland was the first president of
the new institution.
The work Of the college was inter-
rupted by the war OF fSsl-66 A
number of its professors and students
enlisted in the Confederate army. and
the property Was frequently used as
barracks for the troops. The COM
pany of which 1 was member 2nd
company, Richmond Howftzers, was i'm
camp there until it left TO join the
army on the Peninsula where the
Battle of Bethel was soon afterwards
fought on June 10. 1851.
The Federal troops took possession
of the property upon the occupation
ot the city by the army OF the Pcto-
mac, doing much damage for which
in long years after the Federal con-
cress compensated the college by the
payment of twenty-five thousand dol
lars.
The war wrought much njury to
the physical property OF the college,
and destroyed its endowment, but the
interest of its trustees and teaching
corps was unfailing, and the conf
dence and spiri. OF helpfulness of
alumni and other friends was never
greater than when the institution mast
needed their help
Rehabilitation Began
The work % rehabilitation was
soon begun and the cole ge reopened
in the fall of 1866 with seventy mine
students The necessity for an en-
dowment was quickly recognized, and
measures were promptly taken to nut
the college in a sound financial con-
dition. The people gave generously.
and were never more liberal than in
the years Immediately following the
war.
In 1873 the first movern ent for any
very large amount was inaugurated,
when it was sought to raise $780,
9bo for the endowment fund This
was followed by other similar move
ments, the last % which was in 1906.
when We undertook to raise half
million dollars. which was finally Sc
cured on December 81 1913. The
citizens of Richmond have always
been among the warmest friends OF
the college, and without regard to
creed or nationality, gave more than
one hundred thousand of the amount
raised. The college now has assets
valued at si.ss5.so2.lo
The trustees of Richmond College.
inspired by the success of the insti-
triton and recognizing the necessity
for the enlargement of its facilities,
and believe.ng that 1t would be wise
To change its location to some place
where the future OF the college would
be more certainly assured. appointed
committee at its meeting in June,
1908, to consider the question of a
change Of location. This committee
consisted of Geo w. Mcdaniel, f. w.
Bqatwright. A w Patterson, r. RI.
Pitt, c. H. Ryland, T. f. Elliott, A. /.
Montague. and j. Taylor Eilyson.
Recommend Change OF Location.
THE committee reported in Feb
ruary. 1908 recommending that the
college should be moved TO some other
place as soon as practicable. This
recommendation was adopted and the
committee continued with instructions
to recommend site. After consid-
ering many sites, ii was agreed that
the location now occupied was the
most eligible. and II was resolved to
move to Westhampton. We acquired
$50 acres OF land by Gift and thcty-
eight by purchase. naming in all -S8.
at total cost OF eighteen thousand
dollars In trying to settle the ques-
ton of a proper location of Greater
Richmond College there was no mem
her of the committee who rendered
such splendid service as did Dr..