Indiana University - Arbutus Yearbook (Bloomington, IN)

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ROBERT A. OGG, EDWIN CORP., NAT U. YULL, BENJ. F. SHIVELY, Greencastle, Ind. UI-ms. L. HENRY, Bloomington, Ind. Successor: to Dr. Lyons, bouth Bend, Ind. Anderson, Ind. BIO0IH1DgfOI1,11'ld. Woon D. ROBINSON, ISAAC JENKINSON, ROBERT I. I'IAMII.TON, SAIUUEIQR, Lvoxs, Resigned to aecoypt Princeton, Ind. Richmond, Ind. Huntington, Ind. Presidency oi Monmouth Collebe, Bloomington, Ind.

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY -WHAT IT WAS AND IS. all destroyed. But in the face of this almost irretrievable loss the friends of the University were not disheartened. The word -came from the Alumni all over the State, we will, to the last, -stand by our cherished Alma Mater. At the same time that this misfortune befell the institution, the Supreme Court ren- dered a decision for the Trustees of Vincennes University in the controversy over the Gibson county lands which the State hadsold, and appropriated the funds for Indiana University, claiming that the grant of these lands to Vincennes University in 1816 was void by non-use. By this decision, Indiana Univer- sity lost 370,000 These calamities falling almost simultaneously upon the University were enough to discourage all hopes of resuscitation. But the Trustees assumed at once the labor of considering plans for reconstruction and resolved that as soon as 310,000 was subscribed, they would proceed immediately with the erection of a larger and better building than the one des- troyed. This aid was soon assured and the old building now owned by the School Board of Bloomington, standing on the old campus at the south end of College Avenue, is the product of that contribution to the University by its friends in the hour of darkness. , The University atmosphere assumed a brighter hue at once and its student body and popularity increased rapidly. Proba- bly no President of the University ever worked as hard and as faithful as did Dr. Dailey, and to him must be the credit for the successful efforts to rebuild the University and maintain its standing in the State. It was during his administration that Prof. Elisha Ballantine and Prof. Daniel Kirkwood became con- nected With the University. In January, 1859, Dr. Dailey re- signed, and was followed by Dr. Lathrop. The latter was Presif dent but one year and Dr. Cyrus Nutt, of Greencastle, assumed the duties of President in 1860. Dr. Nutt entered upon his duties amid favorable circumstances. In 1860 the number of students in the collegiate department was 99, in 1861, 112 5 in 1863, it reached the minimum of 67 g then gradually rising, till in 1869 the number reached 182. The faculty at this time was composed of Professors Ballantine, Wylie, Kirkwood and VVoodburn, and Judge Bryant. ' An Act of Congress in 1862 created in each State a college for the benefit of mechanical arts and agriculture. A strenuous effort was made by Dr. Nutt and others to locate the new college in Bloomington and combine it with the University. It seemed that they would be successful when disappointment came by the location of the college at LaFayette, as Purdue University

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INDIANA UNIVERSITY -WHAT IT WAS AND IS. During all these years Indiana University had been in the dawn of prosperity, but the administration of Dr. Nutt saw the dawn break into day and the sun shine in all its radiance for the first time. The atmosphere of the institution became per- meated with the gentle zephyrs of a modest nature-women were admitted to the advantages of the University. The Board of Trustees passed a resolution in 1867, making Indiana Uni- versity a co-educational school. In 1870, the collection of the distinguished geologist, David Dale Owen, was purchased by the University. After this pur- chase a new building was determined upon to contain the Owen collection and the Library, and for the use of the Law School. The corner-stone of this new building was laid July 2,1878 Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks delivered the address of the occasion. Dr. Nutt resigned in 1875. His successor was Dr. Lemuel Moss, ex-President of Chicago University. The year following saw the close of the Law School which had been a part of the institution since 1842. Dr. Moss' administration proved an era of prosperity. But as before, calamity followed hard upon prosperity. The building erected in 1873 was destroyed by ure. It was struck by lightning on the night of July 12, 1883, and by morning was a smouldering mass of ruins. The Library of 13,000 volumes, all the physical and chemical apparatus, the valuable Owen collection, and the private library of Dr. Jordan, then a professor, were all destroyed. NVhen the Board of Trustees met after the fire, it was decided to remove the University to a twenty-acre tract east of and over- looking Bloomington. The Commissioners of Monroe county voted a donation of 850,000 to the University, which, with the insurance collected, afforded a basis for reconstruction. The change of location and the work of reconstruction resulted in the completion of three buildings, Wylie, Owen and Mitchel, fold Maxwellj Halls, all of which stand to-day as monuments of the new era. ' Dr. Moss tendered his resignation as President in November, 188-1. The last year of his direction the graduating class numbered 21 from a student body of 143. Dr. David S. Jordan was elected President, and he assumed the duties of his office in January, 1885. He had been connected with the University as Professor of Biology since 1879, and had the best interests of the institution at heart. Through his influence the Uni- versity began to take the dignity of a great modern institution of learning. To him is due the credit of the plan of speciali- zation and elective courses of study. Out of this plan has grown the liberal opportunity for the development of original work in particular courses, which is the character of our present system of elective study. The Law School was re-established in 1889, with Judge David B. Banta as Dean, and opened its first session with thirty students. The addition of the fine new stone building, Maxwell Hall, was made in 1800, increasing greatly the facilities and conveniences for more satisfactory work. The University was called upon to lose Dr. Jordan in 1890. He was offered the Presidency of Leland Stanford, Jr., Univer- sity, in California, and accepted. It was with much regret that the institution saw Dr. Jordan leave, for to him more than any other is due the credit of transforming the.University in name to a University in fact. Dr. John Merle Coulter was chosen to become the new President. He remained with the University but two years, and then was elected President of Lake Forrest University. In looking about for a new President, the Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation of Dr. Jordan and offered Joseph Swain the ofiice. The growth of the University under Dr. Swain's direction need not be mentioned. The transformation of affairs since he took charge is sufficient evidence in itself, and everything seems to indicate that Indiana University's progress in the future may be even more phenomenal. .. W-. n---M