The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-05-04

The fire whistle on Lakeland's mu.
nicipal light and power plant essayet
. new role during the cary hours 0
this morning. Heretofore the bi:
noise has been the harbinger of bat
news but this time the long blast:
that reused most of the people o.
Lakeland from their slumbars, tolt
the good news that Polk county is t,
be the new home of Southern College
Few knew and realized what /;
triumph was registered for those de-
voted men who have served ant
worked unselfishly day and night Il
advance the cause of Lakeland and o
Southern.
The last few weeks have been anX
ious ones for those connected witt
the plans. The original official col
lege committee of the Lakeland
Chamber of Commerce included Pres.
ident c. 0. Pinch and Messrs. A. +
Pickard, o. c. Lanphear, r. B. o Steer
and A. H. DeVane. To the untirins
energy and devotion of Messrs Lamp
hear and Pickard who devoted practi
cally their entire time to the work
belongs the undyng gratitude of the
community. Other members of the
committee have been glad to acknowl-
edge and pay tribute, not overlooking
the fact that the entire committee
worked increasingly toward success.
President Pinch of the Chamber OF
Commerce laid aside business almost
entirely and by vote of the board of
directors, Secretary Holworthy and
his assistant, Miss Denise Franklin,
were authorized to give Southern Col
: lege matters the right of way over
every other thing, postponing the an
nual meeting and the annual election
of officers. Aiding and assisting the
committee in every way possible have
been groups of men and women whu
have canvassed and worked whenever
there was work to do. There is glory
enough and to spare for all who have
had hand in bringing this great
thing to pass.
Early Tuesday morning a large del
egaticn of Lakeland citizens pro
ceeded to Tampa to attend the meet
ing of the board of trustees and the
location committee of Southern Col
lege. this meeting being announced
fer the First Methodist church. Dur
ing the morning session Tampa pre-
sented its proposition. 1t was at the
afternoon session that Lakeland
made know what it proposed to do.
President Pinch of the Chamber of
Commerce made the opening address.
presenting Lakeland's Gains in a
clear and concise manner. He was
followed by Rev. C. Fred Blackburn,
presiding elder of the Barlow district
in an eloquent appeal that proved
most effective Rev. l.. D. Lowe, pas
tor of the First Methodist church OF
Barlow joined in presenting Polk
countys inducements, backing up the
Lakeland delegation in a manner that
won generous good will from every
body.
That gifted speaker, DR.. ]. Edgar
Wilson, editor of The Florida Chris
tian Advocate, stressed the advan-
tages of Lakeland as typical college
town and one in which the college
would thrive and grow under proper
moral surroundings.
The duty of presenting the detailed
and official statement of just what
Lakeland proposed to do for Soutf.
ern, was left with o. c. Lanphear wh>
won laurels for himself by the SIM
pie yet forceful showing of facts and
figures indicating how sincere Polk
county citizens were in subscribing
to and aiding in the raising of the
necessary funds without exacting any
terms from the college.
Later In the day r. n. Black OF
Jacksonville made representations or
behalf of that city to the effect thai
Jacksonville, while not wanting tc
gobb,e up everything In sight, woult
be glad to meet, any requirements o
the college trustees and equal the of
( fers of any other community.
: At o'clock the location committee
went into executive session and at
o'clock the entire board OF trustee;
met, 1t being one o'clock this morning
before the final vote was taken in ia
vor of Lakeland.
Lakeland has felt from the begin
ming that no more attractive PROPOSE
ton could be submitted than that sub
mitted by this city. The site embrace
eighty acres lying between McDon
aid street and Lake Hollings WORT
Drive, both of these thoroughfares be
ing paved. Three beautiful grove
comprise this proposition, owned b
T. ]. Fraley. by @. G. Rogah and Mri
F. v. Cowderly, jointly, and by Pete
Z Peterson, and valued In their order o
$65, 900, $27, 900 and $4,000. These ar
furthermore, conceded to be low FIG
ures, the owners having IN some In
stances refused larger offers.
The net income from these grove
through the years 1918. 1913 and 1872
averaged $4,000 a year as the con
mittee was able to show by oartif