Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1931-09-10

INN ~ " COilliilun lhDOTcE, lilouBil lc
had comfortable estate at his COM
mand. 1t was but a short while until
by his intelligence, skill and courage
he became partner in this business
Many to whom this "Reminiscences
comes have had no trouble in deciding
to whom this reference is made and
what 1t may have to do with Vashon
College.
Had the gift of some famed
eulogist, would attempt to recall to
you the high character OF the rarest
type of manhood I have known. A
real man in all that he thought and
did. Those who knew him have oc-
casion to pronounce themselves bless
ed, for no one could have known
Honorable Miles F. Hatch, the found
er of Vashon College, without recog-
nizlng his wisdom, his modesty, his
generosity, his manly integrity. He
lived actively for his fellowmen. /
have known but few who did 80 much
I rejoice to have known and loved
him.
Before entering the University OF
Illinois Mr.. Hatch, as boy, attended
and graduated from Comstock Mill
tary Academy. This school made q
lasting impression on Mr.. Hatch, as
he related years after to me, and upon
his memory of 1t, after he had be-
come resident Of Vashon Island, he
conceived the idea Of college, located
at some beautiful point on Puget
Sound where students would have an
environment not beset by temptations
too strong for the resistance Of youth
but surrounded by natural conditions
so pleasing and appealing as to
cooperate with their hours of study
and research, as to make their de-
velopment most wholesome and en-
joyable.
Mr.. Hatch sensed the Importance of
such an institution to succeed must
be well and modernly equipped, and
in all his thoughts of 1t, considered
furnishing goodly share of the
necessary funds for its construction,
furnishings and maintenance.
In April, 1892, Professor A. G. Jones,
who had just resigned as associate
president Of Methodist college in
Olympia, was invited by Mr.. Hatch
to his home to discuss his conception
of rural college, and, after several
days of informal conversations, an
agreement was entered into by these
gentlemen whereby, we may say,
Vashon College was really conceived.
Plans for opening the institution
that fall and rough sketch of the
first building were prepared.
The purpose was co-educational,
non-sectarian, but Christian, to cover
full college and normal courses, and a
four year preparatory or academy
course.
1t was agreed to call mass meeting
of the citizens of the Island to secure
community expression as to the de-
STABILITY of the plan. The outcome
was a rousing meeting, strongly laud-
ing this prospect" with many pledges
of financial help to put the college on
the map. The population at that
time was but few hundred and most
of them pioneers, not rolling in wealth,
yet, I rejoice as I think, after a lapse
of more than thirty-nine years, how
those good men and women contribute
ed so generously of their small estates.
Thus Vashon College was no longer a
conception--it had been born and we
needed but to close our eyes to the
giant task of telling the great fir and
cedar trees and removing stumps,
clearing away the second growth for
est on the ten acre plot selected, of
erecting and furnishing the buildings;
then opening them on October 25tli, to
see the faithful old steamer Sophia
unloading between seventy and eighty
happy young people who were that day
enrolled as charter members" of
vashon College.
The Herculean task of getting a
college ready for occupancy within
three months had taxed the ingenuity
and energy of all concerned.
The first building (main building)
was not yet ready for occupancy at
the opening date, so all those splendid,
good-natured, loyal young men and
women accepted living accommoda-
tions in the homes of the dear people
living at Quarter Master and around
Burton, having their meals at the
college, picnicing, clam baking and
hiking about the Island several days
until the plaster dried and inside
finishing went in place. Such loyalty
and devotion was marvellous.
The first board of trustees named
in the charter issued by the State of
Washington, consisted of Miles F.
Hatch, president; Caleb A. Barton,
Thomas McNair and Artemus w. Judd
all Island residents. They are remem-
bered for their untiring services and
fidelity.
I am forced to forego relating a
throng of events in which these men
all stand out prominently as Minute
Men" who did full duty and more. 1
bow in deep gratitude to their memoir
les. Yes, and that noblest of men,
Henry Suffer, did his part and more
to help this new born school into full
stature. Time forbids calling the roll
further.
And that first faculty! Did they
work? Yes. and overtime, and their
work counted. Did 1t? If you doubt
it just ask old DR.. Warner Karshner;
Professor (2) Margaret Henry; Rev.
Artemus Judd; Anna Wallace (Greene)
DR.. Orlando Brewer; DR.. Walter S.
Griswold; billie" Num-; Attorney
Geo. H. Woodruff; Dr. Albert w.
Beaver, President Brown University;
DR.. Chauncey B. Jones; Professor