Lipscomb University - Backlog Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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with wide spreading branches that the ceremony was performed. They went away happy. What did they care for the wet weeds and underbrush—they had gotten ahead of pursuing parents. Incidentally, since that time many a couple has found the campus a convenient place for their nuptials. On the new campus activities kept pace with the program of expansion. There was room for a baseball diamond and courts for tennis and volleyball. And then there was ’’‘no man’s land.’’ No student of these early days could forget that territory where no young man dared to tread. It was dreaded like no man’s land in European warfare. Then there was the old bell-tower. Time was when it was new. Mr. Turbeville, the archi- tect, made an estimate of the velocity of wind required to blow it down. It stood erect about five feet wide and twenty feet high. While peering out into the darknes one stormy night we heard a noise— it was the reeling bell tower. Down came the tower, bell and all. A smaller tower was built; and later the big old elm, south of Harding Hall, was for a while an improvised bell tower. A low frame- work on the north of Harding Hall served as a refuge for the bell too, which continued to resound, but the glory of the original bell tower had passed away. Ward- Belmont’s big bell could be heard on the Bible School Campus as it woke up the young ladies over there, and my guess is that Ward-Belmont students could hear our ‘’Big Ben’’ too. The bell that had assembled the students at Mars Hill was presented to the Bible School by Brother Larrimore, who, though never officially connected with N. B. S., used to refer to it in his kind way as ‘’our school.” Unfortunately the Larrimore bell was cracked, and this historic bell that ought to have been preserved for sentiment’s sake was sold for junk. The bell now pre- served in Brewer Tower, whose solemn tones toll off the years at Commencement and at the fall opening of school, is historic only on account of its connection with the early days of N. B. S. Many of the old students will remember Jack Lewis with ‘‘Waterbury’’ in hand leaving the classroom to ring the bell. Others will re- call ‘’big-footed’’ John T. Smithson making his way to the bell tower through snow and sleet. New buildings, a new campus, and new surroundings infused into all new life; and a new era in the history of N. B. S. began with the opening of the thirteenth session in 1903. When the school first began it was almost exclusively a boys’ institution, but by the thirteenth session one- third of the student body consisted of girls. This was not out of harmony with the wishes of the founders, nor did it run counter to the popular trend in education. The catalogue stated that ‘’mixed schools when properly conducted are much better for both males and females; each has a refining power and strengthening influence upon the other.’ It added ‘The young ladies of the school are not allowed to receive calls from the young gentlemen nor will any association of the sexes be per- mitted out of the class room except in company with the members of the faculty.” A group of faculty members taken in either the first or second year after the college moved to its present location. Front row: D. H. Jackson, E. E. Sewell, O. W. Gardner, S. P. Pittman. Seated: David Lipscomb and Superintendent William Anderson. Standing: J. Paul Slayden, John P. Glenn, Mrs. Effie Anderson, E. I. Holland, and J. S. Word. C. B. Knight, Mrs. Nobel, and Mrs. Tabler were absent from the picture. Rose Brewer and Ruth Bradford pose in the style of dress popular on the campus in 1908. For years girls were required to wear uniforms prescribed by the school. The Bible school girls were always recognized uptown by their blue uniforms in contrast to the different colors worn by girls of other boarding schools in Nash- ville. In order to avoid extravagance in dress and to avoid distinctions, the young ladies were required to purchase uniforms for street-wear and church. The uniform was to be of “‘black or blue material plainly made, without fancy trimmings.’ For spring, the uniform consisted of a white blouse with dark skirt. The cost of the uni- form, including hat, was $15.00.

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A panoramic view of the campus shortly after it was completed. Left to right are Lipscomb’s home, now the sum was turned over to the trustees, who set it aside to be used later in the expansion of the school. The twelfth session was still more encouraging. Dr. Ward in the Gospel Advocate stated that all rooms were filled and that no more girls could be taken, but that rooms would be rented in the neighborhood for boys who would arrive later. During this year 118 were en- rolled, coming from ten states, Canada, and Japan. 30 of these were girls. 24 of the boys were preachers. There were four graduates, all from Texas. At th? closing exercises honorary degrees were conferred upon three former graduates of the school. In November of this session Lipscomb wrote that the school had outgrown its quarters. He stated his pref- erence for several small schools rather than one that was over-grown. He believed, however, that there should be among the brotherhood an institution of higher learning and that Nashville was the logical place for such an institution. The time had come for expansion. His concluding sentence reads: ‘’A valuable and beau- tiful location containing 62 acres of land in the suburbs of the city near the car line is donated to the school and we desire help to finish the needed buildings.” This property was the major part of David Lipscomb’s 73-acre farm located about four miles south of the Public Square, on Granny White Pike. A strip of three acres on the north was given by Oscar F. Noel, Sr., ‘’to promote the cause of education.’ Mr. Noel was a neighbor of David Lipscomb. He had such profound respect for his neighbor that he spoke affectionately of him as ‘Uncle Dave,’’ although Lipscomb was much younger than Noel. In drawing up the deed for his gift, Brother Lipscomb set forth the purpose of the school in words similar to those used in the deed of the Spruce Street property. In February, 1903 Lipscomb wrote concerning the ex- pansion of the school that plans were drawn up and foundations were laid for two buildings on the campus. In soliciting gifts he wrote: ‘Il would encourage all to give but | would prefer this school built up by the small contributions of those having but little...... the school is for the benefit of the common people...... God is not dependent upon the rich to carry forward his work,’ As in former years, Lipscomb cared for the major financial problems of the school and left the rest to the superintendent. Brother Anderson was unable to fine arts building, Avalon Home, the girls’ dormitory, Harding Hall, “Esmond Hall,’ and Lindsay Hall. give his full attention to the school on account of poor health; and, too, his interests were divided since his family continued to live in Maury County. The work was carried on largely by other members of the faculty under the guidance of Dr. J. S. Ward, who served as “business agent.’ THE PERMANENT CAMPUS During the vacation, slow progress was being made on the new buildings. September 22, 1903 was an- nounced as the opening date for the thirteenth year. It was evident that the new buildings would not be ready by that time, but it was decided to begin on the designated date ‘‘ready or not ready.’’ So the school moved southward “‘‘lock, stock, and barrel,’’” from Spruce Street to Granny White Pike just in time for the opening. The boys moved into their new three-story building. Brother Lipscomb himself had built a substantial brick residence just south of the old home. The boys literally kept “‘open house’ for many days since there were no doors or windows. Sheets and quilts served as window panes. Stairways were not completed and boys climbed to the second and third stories by means of ladders. The heating arrangements were crude and unsatisfac- tory. Three large stoves on the first floor with pipes running from floor to floor till they found exit near the roof furnished the heat. Two cisterns furnished the water while the boys with pitchers in hand acted the part of ‘’Rebekah at the well.” | remember that the administration building too was incomplete when we first began to use it for school purposes. Classes recited on half-finished floors. This was a brick structure with auditorium up-stairs and reci- tation rooms on the first floor. While a few were disappointed with the unfinished buildings, the majority of the boys bore the inconven- iences with heroic patience. By degrees the dormitory was completed and we were a happy family bound to- gether more closely because of the hardships we had to bear. There were many things about the campus that re- lieved the monotony of school work. Magnificent sugar maples, elms, and oaks furnished shade for the boys and girls; on the West, a wooded area bounded by the zig- zag rock fence was ample in size for exhilarating walks. One drizzling day, | remember, a couple came to the campus to be married. It was under one of those maples

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The total expenses for young men at the boarding hall for the entire session was $110.00; for young ladies $128.00. A deposit fee of $2.00 to cover damages was charged. There was an extra charge made for bookkeeping, shorthand, — sight-singing, music, elocution, art, and voice culture. The department of the Bible offered four years in addition to a preparatory course; there were five years offered in Greek, five in Latin, six in English, two in mental, moral, and political science, six in mathematics, five in science, two in German, and two in French. In most of the departments a distinction was made between the ‘‘academic’’ and the ‘‘collegiate’’ courses. This was a great step toward standardization. Some interesting features noted in the catalogue under the caption ‘’Requirements of the Classroom” are: instrumental “Daily recitations are required in all classes; the number of recitations per week... must be not less than 15 and not more than 20.” “For every unexcused absence and refusal to recite two per cent is taken from the final grade.’’ “examinations are held daily in connection with the lectures and recitations and at the end of each term. The final examinations are both oral and written.’’ “One hundred denotes perfection and 75 is the low- est that entitles him to regular class standing.”’ Monthly reports were to be given the student and term reports sent to parents or guardians. Under the heading of ‘’Government’’ the catalogue gave its readers to understand that: first of all«..the N: B.S. is not a ‘reform school.’ Willfully disobedient students. ..are not wanted here.’’ “lax discipline and thorough scholarship are incom- patible.’’ The government of the school was to be ‘’mild and persuasive. ..yet firm and decided.’’ ‘The pupils are not burdened with a long list of rules ...they are taught to do right because it is right.’’ “In order that every student may be under constant observation, four members of the faculty will room in the building for young men, visiting the rooms nightly.”’ “Only two young men are allowed to a room. This room they are to keep clean and orderly and ready at all times for inspection.” “Improper language and the use of tobacco in any form in the building or on the grounds are positively forbidden.” Attendance at chapel, daily Bible classes, and “public worship on Lord’s day’’ was compulsory. In the matter of conduct the catalogue declared pos- itively that ‘’students will be dismissed from the school Lindsay Hall, erected in 1903, the major gift coming from the Texas man whose name was given to the building. whenever, in the opinion of the faculty, they are pur- suing a course of conduct detrimental to themselves and to the school.’’ An interesting feature of the catalogue is a descrip- tion of the student’s room and instructions as to what boarding students were to bring which shows a contrast between present conveniences and the inconveniences at the beginning of the twentieth century. ‘’The students’ lodging rooms, said the catalogue, ‘are furnished with iron bed steads, springs, mattress, wash stand (with mirror), table, two chairs, bowl, pitcher, a slop bucket and broom. The young ladies’ rooms have also a dress- er....AIl boarding students should bring with them bed clothing, pillows, pillow-cases, towels, napkins, combs and brushes.’’ Note the absence of rouge, lip- stick, nail polish, anklets, evening dresses, and radios. The catalogue announcing this session tells that the library had increased to 2,000 volumes. A collection of Australian minerals and Japanese curios formed the nuc- leus of a future museum. Lectures were promised during the session. The cata- logue stated that ’’The phenomena of wireless telegraphy and the X-ray (recent scientific discoveries) will be lectured upon and demonstrated before the whole school with very expensive apparatus.” The catalogue for the fourteenth session included pictures of the new buildings and a full description of each. The administration building with auditorium and recitation rooms was the central building. At first the auditorium was known as Harding Hall, but after its enlargement and adornment the name was given to the entire building. The boys dormitory containing 60 rooms besides dining-room and kitchen lay about one hundred yards to the west of Harding Hall. This build- ing was named Lindsay Hall in honor of its most liberal donor, Edwin L. Lindsay of Texas. The name continued until the building was destroyed by fire in 1929. On the opposite side of Harding Hall was Avalon Home, the girls’ dormitory. The Lipscomb farm had been a dairy farm and Avalon was the name of the dairy. This beau- tiful name was applied to the frame dormitory and when the new dormitory was built in 1920, it inherited the old name. Between Harding Hall and Lindsay Hall was an old frame building once used as a tenant house. Until the building was removed this was used for recitations and was known by the students as Esmond Hall. The name