Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-01-11
THE PASSING OF
REV. EDGAR TUFTS
Great Divine Dies at Banner Elk
Pnenmonia-Foun of Noun
tain Institution.

Rev. Edgar Tufts, who has been
resident of Banner Elk for more
than twenty-five years, died at his
home on Saturday, January 9th, 1928
leaving surviving him, Mrs. Bessie
Tufts, his widow, and one son, Ed
gar Tufts, Jr., and two daughters,
Misses Margaret and Mary Tufts, all
of whom were at home at the time
of his death.
About ten days before his death
Mr.. Tufts contracted cold and
within two or three days thereafter
it developed in pneumonia, and al
though he was constantly attended
be a trained nurse and was under
the care of skillful physicians, and
not being a strong man physically,
he could not withstand the severe
attack and he gradually grew worse
each day until the last moment of
his earthly existence. At the time of
his death he was 81 years of age.
Immediately after Mr.. Tufts
came to this section he became very
much attached to the mountains and
mounatin people. Soon after locat-
ing at Banner Elk he began to or
ganize a Presbyterian Church, and
when few had become members of
the church he undertook to organize
a school, and finding encouragement
N this line, he set about to construct
school buildings. When he found that
the influence of the school was grow
ing more rapidly than the facilities
could then accommodate, he became
very enthusiastic and organized Lees
MacRae Institute. After conducting
this institution of learning with mark
ed success for great number Of
years, the height of his ambition had
not yet been attained. So Mr.. TUFTS
conceived the idea of establishing a
college at this place, not to take the
place of Lees-MacRae Institute, but
a'ith a view of Taintaininy both IN
stitutIols. For quit a Will" he did
not make his purpose known but to
3 limited few Of his closest friand !
and after seeking the consent II
Ex-President Woodrow Wilson, sg
designated the institute as Weodf' v
Wilson Junior College.
A short time before MIR Tufts
was taken sick he spoke to the writ
er about having the Woodrow Will
son Junior College incorporated, and
after he was stricken down with sick
ness he expressed a desire that the
article of incorporation be drafted,
and after they were drafted and
ready to be submitted to him for
his approval and such suggestions as
he might offer, it became apparent
that it would be only short time
until he would pass away they were
never submitted to him. But in lay
ing all his plans he realized that he
was only marking out the trail for
others to follow, and that his work
will continue to live long after his
passing away.
1t was the ambition of M. Tufts
life to plan for the better education
of the mountain girls and boys, and
he was constantly pleading with the
girls and boys to attach themselves
to some church and to lead relig-
ious life. He took great interest in
having Sunday school organizations
and conducted in secluded places; !;
such localities as are remote and in
convenient for the people to attend
points where religious worship is
regularly conducted; and often ar
ranged to have preaching at these
points.
Mr.. Tufts great friendship for un-
fortunate and helpless children has
been clearly demonstrated by the in
terest he took in the organization OF
the Grandfather Orphanage at Ban
ner Elk, and this institution will be
a lasting monument to the memory
of Mr.. Tufts.
Mr.. Tufts was truly great man
and while he as man has been re-
moved from our midst, but his in
f1uence will be felt for generations
to come. He was not only interested
in matters which pertained to the
church and school, but he was al
ways ready to lend a helping hand
to all progressive movements for the
general welfare of the surrounding
country; and with all his other good
traits of character, he was a good,
kind neighbor, and it would be hard
to find his equal.
n OWE