University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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Dr. Richard Watson jones-An Appreciation. The subject of this sketch is a native of Greenville County, Virginia. Here his people have resided since the early days of the colony, and the members of his family have ever borne an honored part in the aifairs of this ancient commonwealth. Dr. Jones was graduated from the University of Virginia with the degree of Master of Arts. Soon after his graduation his State seceded, and holding, with the best men of the South, that the cause of the Confederacy was a righteous one, he espoused it, and followed without faltering the Stars and Bars for the four years of the Civil VVar. In the service of the Confederacy his worth was appreciated, and he was promoted several times on the field for gallantry, and at the close of the war he held the rank of major of infantry. Many titles have come to him since, but of no other is he more justly proud. The war over, like his noble chief, he turiied from the profession of arms to the all- important duty of instructing the youth of the South, and for forty years has followed this calling with notable success. The first academic position held by him wasthe Pro- fessorship of Mathematics in Randolph Macon College. Later he was chosen President of Martha XVasliington College, lccated at Abingdon, Va. In 1876 he was called to the Chair of Cheinistrv in the University of Mississippi, which position he held, with the exception of four years, until his voluntary retirement in 1905. During the four years of his absence from the University, as its first President, he organized and launched upon its successful career the Industrial Institute and College of Mississippi. He was induced to accept the Presidency of Emory and Henry College, Vir- ginia, in 1888. This position he held for only one year, and in 1889 returned to the Uni- versity of Mississippi, having been chosen for the second time to fill the Professorship of Chemistry. Dr. Jones, during all his years of service here, was a most efficient teacher, and in administrative matters a wise counsellor. His standards were high, and he exacted of his students thorough work, but they ever found in him a kind and sympathetic friend, and no member of the Faculty was more sought by those in need of advice and counsel. But his influence reached far beyond college walls, he was an earnest and active worker in his church, and a frequent delegate to church courts, and a public-spirited citizen, keenly alive to the best interests of the community in which he lived, and of his adopted State. It was a source of keen regret to the Board, the Faculty, the students of the Uni- versity and the citizens of this community when it became known that Dr. Jones had decided to sever his connection with this Institution. After so many years of service D1'. Jones has earned the right to spend the remainder of his life care-free. But inactiv- ity would be distasteful to a man of his nature, and he resigned his position here to accept the Presidency of an important business enterprise in the southern portion of the State. This important position will fully engage his activities, and the friends whom he left in this connnunity wish for him abundant success in this new work upon which he has entered. A FRIEND. 6

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A Retrospection. In the dim, uncertain future, YYhen my locks are white from years That have felt Life,s dreary winter, IVith its pleasures and its tears, May the moments-golden moments- That I spent in idle thought Be forgotten-lost to memory- For when recalled they must be fraught XVitl1 the pangs of dire regret. I would of memory I were masterg XVould that I could e'en forget, As the moments fast and faster Bring to mind the many hours Wasted by me in Life's springtide, XYl1ile I gathered only flowers. 'Yr ii- 6? '35 2 Yet, in this garden of the living, XVhere are fruits and flowers dear, At the feet of a God forgiving I'll offer all I've gathered here. -MARVIN HOLLOMAN BROXVN, '02

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W.. YY DR. R. XV. JONES. '52 1 .- 1' v :W ' 3