Concordia College - Spire / Concordian Yearbook (Fort Wayne, IN)

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cQg9oRoiA 5 l 1 r-I CD 1 OO LO ...---X3 ANDREW' BAEPLER gggsaggeagaasiigssg H. ... F, agaaomaagagexngegaa rn 'FE5 ':7a2f'DgcrQO,25g Emma D-I. 1-F . 5mgg5HmmWgwwQmgg5CH FD ,....,SO.oD..5H- mr, U14 '555 o '1o5 'Ocn:'U fi' HHS, 5 9,,mgwEfs1 ':-:,oQw,q Q ?'g:?'UlfD,,,,,g3 Cr3 1Z1QCH -12,13-' Ummm ego 'osfwgg-g'g35-fn add 2 iO5mCfOQ,.5'- mv- .-.O Bmw wwrfim 'D C: :U H m W 0-0WHmD ... 'tm 'UQ-gr ,-.fb mfmm D!?5'3f+iii5 D mcns:.:E'w 59 -fzrm,-'1m,,5OworD:5 05179, fD,- trim'-sm,,OrD Q. f-5'rpQJ5 EQQ I1'mf--20.0 S,O00gQ.Q.F w'53-'QOOSW 55':1'39.,..O-,fini aww,-05,5 SF' :jf-D Q, U' 9-H o:::dL UgmE :mmm Oo Hjggqq.-,,.fDC'-s 5mD'Cm-1 '193 'Q.m'1f,,.-t, 52'r'S'Q.V'f7'::,'2.'5' H355-14gN5s9ma.:-H,,,D.H:f+w . Ph ' I 2' -wgasawfwa-,sagem S.-. f .510 mm 5 tmo- mgsca . QH ommmwm gf-M 2 v--1-rggO2D4mrp,..'4 U og ' Z3.9'55coo343I'UP'D 'f- OO-r - A ' 'r-h.... 5 .2 uaoE'1I ?i.vq E Ernayo.-+50 '29, l-,5'::',ti1,.Qrna. HQMBS 22 :PUD-Uqma. :r...,,'7,'cEfm :Q Q4 -Urog-ru QN do Cmggqjtd F+ n: -U .-umm25 1D ,,,.'Z5l4nmf'D IJ Otl2grDQ'fg,y-.1-rfU f-Q FD.-rs' 30277 cr8a'::.:LsE.f-D+55Ev'WQfD5O8',E 'Zim'-:llmoornD'm:Srn9'.Q.l:Sf1. THE OLD LAWNMOWER Page 18 JOSEPH SCHMIDT Pastor Sihler purchased a farm of 9916 acres at the southeast corner of Anthony Boulevard and Pontiac Street. He purchased in addition two horses and a wagon so that the farm could be used to the best advantage for the college. This farm was sold for 350,000.00 in 1911 or 1912. With the Wines estate the purchasers acquired a small brick dwelling of two stories, measuring 14 by 22 feet, with a porch on the west side. To this was added the so-called Wolter House, a two-story brick structure, 20 by 34 feet, and a porch facing the east side. But Prof. Wolter never occupied the home built for him. ln August, 1849, shortly after the property had been purchased, he was suddenly carried away by the plague, the recurrence of which has left a tragic record in the older annals of Fort Wayne. He was temporarily interred under an apple tree on the college grounds. Later, when St. Paul's congregation had acquired its own ceme- tery, his remains were transferred to Concordia Cemetery. The buildings offered poor facilities, even for so small a school. Accordingly, a new building was planned, and it was resolved at the same time to increase the scope of the school's usefulness by accepting students seeking a general education. The Synodical convention of 1852, assembled in Fort Wayne, appointed a committee to confer with the citizens of Fort Wayne Chmit den deutschen und englischen Buergern in und um Fort Wayne D concerning the feasibility of expanding the curri- culum. It was reported that the desire for a school of this kind had been voiced by the English-speak- ing citizens of Fort Wayne. The purpose they had in mind is best expressed in the words of the Synodical proceedings, where the proposed school

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CAQL L G E gg gg gggg g same school: C63 that the combined theological faculties could render the church more effective service by way of publishing printed material and in rendering decisions on policies and problems submitted to them: C79 and that economic advan- tages would accrue from the combination. Three considerations delayed action for some time. These were C17 Whether the convention had the right to act in this matter without consulting the congrega- tions directly: C25 whether amalgamation of the two institutions would not eventually bring about the destruction of the practical seminaryg C37 whether the proposed change would involve a breach of the agreements made with Pastor Loehe and the congregations at Perry County and in St. Louis. Pleas for gaining their consent were sent to Pastor Loehe in Germany, to St. Paul's congrega- tion in Fort Wayne, and to the Altenburg congre- gation. At the same time, the convention com- missioned Dr. Wilhelm Sihler of Fort Wayne to present in a pamphlet the arguments in favor of the change. It appeared before the close of the year in the form of a 'tDenkschrift , consisting of thirty-nine pages. and was sent to all congregations for consideration. The transfer to Fort Wayne was effected in 1861. Professors Saxer, Schick, and Lange, with their families, arrived in Fort Wayne during the sum- mer. The students assembled in St. Louis early in September and were sent here in a special coach by train. There were 78 students, with Primaner August Crull. as Primus Omnium, in full charge. Crull received detailed instructions up to the mo- ment of departure, The train then left St. Louis at noon and arrived at Fort Wayne in the evening llfff lll it I .mln l 9 3 9 -s Q . :rf- '-C,x AUGUST CRULL of the following day, September 9, 1861. There were many annoying delays on the journey: the night was especially tiring for the younger stu- dents. The older boys smoked large quantities of tobacco, known as Killikinick Cwhich some wag had dubbed Kill-me-quick 7, which retailed at fifteen cents per pound. They also kept up a chatter until early in the morning. Two upper classmen stood at guard throughout the night. Thus, hag- gard, hungry, and grimy from dust, the group ar- rived at Fort Wayne and marched out to the college grounds on Maumee Road, which at that season of the year was covered with dust. In Fort Wayne the college fell heir to the phy- sical plant formerly occupied by the practical 'W ev- ,f ' ' ' 'A -.2 -vu '..4--sa H .1 CW , i -asset-.-fa v. ' , - . 'S N1 -' Wt- +'rt1:'f Axawase i..1,.s:-.-3.-ox., A- N. ., , M . , , -. 1 .- Li. PROFESSORS' RESIDENCES Page 17

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COLLEGE g gg g is characterized as one, in welchem sowohl der deutschen als englischen Jugend Gelegenheit ge- geben werde, eine tuechtige und gruendliche Aus- bildung fuer das buergerliche Leben zu erwer- ben. In the convention of 1853 the committee re- ported that the Presbyterians had started a school, but that the interest in and demand for a school as planned still prevailed. Thereupon the commit- tee was enlarged, and. subsequently, the proposed plans were put into operation. The so-called Eng- lish Academy, which also housed the practical sem- inary, was built and dedicated on October 26. 1857. two days after the Synodical convention had ad- journed its sessions here. Most delegates remained for the dedication. This building is still in service and at present is used as the administration build- ing. In 1857, a third educational institution was harbored in the same building. This was the Teachers' Seminary. brought here from Milwaukee in 1857. Later, in 1861, when the college was moved here. this seminary was moved from the English Academy into a house in the city, and in 1863 it was transferred to Addison, Ill. In 1861 the building facilities here for taking care of the college were far from adequate. The transfer was carried out before proper provision had been made. Professors Lange and Schick, with their families, lived in the east wing of the English Academy, while Director Saxer and his family occupied the western wing. And in the center por- tion were the 78 students, their living rooms, bed 1939 W mCr4'C 'O mf-' 'U,...O f-sQ,5.'D'V'E -5gG'fDg::E'1 ro2E1Qd9-3 nD'gf'DmQ, :gzmccd 208255 :f'3:f.'D OtfDmEL'.0 saga? 'J ao'-3,,m 02505 o D.-O DQ-img 452350 figiazic: mgg '.3.:1c:.5'f5. 502250 5 emmse 59,2 0 5252232 rogrnao 3-335 gg-H..-AI! oo-- 33302 L4lQ-v-nw ami., g Ml- 'xi I',, ....!!!!!!:1i i ii::1r' ' ill 'll Illlllp QIEIEISQ . filllmnll' w But the work of the school went on unhindered. Besides the three teachers mentioned, Mr. Klep- pisch, who bore the title of Collaborator, also came from St. Louis and taught the first year, returning to St. Louis in 1862 to continue his theological studies. Prof. W. Achenbach was called in his place in the fall of 1863. He remained with the faculty until 1871. when he accepted a call into the active ministry. At this time Pastor Sihler taught religion and geography. Synod bestowed also on him the title of Praeses, which Dr. Walther held as head of the combined school in St. Louis. Pastor Sihler continued teaching until 1881. Then it was that the title of Praeses fell into disuse. It has not been conferred on any teacher since that time. The students were given military drill immediately after coming here in 1861, under the direction of a Captain Johnson, who had served in the Norwe- gian army. There were no uniforms, no guns: in fact, no equipment of any kind. Yet drill was con- ducted with spirit, as Captain Johnson headed his army, singing Norwegian martial airs in his strong voice as they marched along. The first years at Fort Wayne were blighted by a rumor, which somehow had gained circulation. Z-ff i' ' lla SCHICK HALL, ERECTED 1905 Page 19