West Virginia Wesleyan College - Murmurmontis Yearbook (Buckhannon, WV)

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A M. POUNDSTONE. EsQ. contributions were in it so larg:e as ex- pected, yet we ha -e made an encouraging couunencenient and reconunend the a]i- ]i(iintnient of the foUowing as a Hoard of Trusters: Revs. A. J. I yda. L. H.Jordan, J. A. FuUerton. Samuel Steele, Iv H. trwuen, L. L. Stuart, H. J. Boatman, and . . R. Rohrbough, ministers; Huns. H. C. .McWhorter. H. K. Lisk, J. C. -Mc- Crew, Cajjt. A. M. Poundstone, B. F. Mar- tin, Judge Samuel Woods, Henry Logan, Xathan Goff, Sr., laymen. The Board thus appointed and their successors, for there were changes made at almost every Conference, spent nuich time in visiting the localities that were eager to secin ' e the Seminary. Hnckhannon, Charleston, I ' arkertburg. Klizab. th. Clarksburg. Salem, Philijipi. and Wheeling were the chi ef com- petitors. Many ministers, who b - their kbors and zeal in behalf of this insti- tution aroused the interest thus causing these places to liecome lively liidilers for it and who thereby did much towards the broad foundation upon which it was startel, may not have their names enrolleil upon the scrolls of honor among men, but they are recorded on the roll kept by the All Wise ( )ne and their faithful work has its reward. It was at the board meeting, Juh- 13th, 1887, that Buckhannon Avas declared the successful contestant. It is not proliable that anyone who took part in tliat meeting will ever liavc it blotted from iiis memory. so inttnse was the inteiest on the subject. The next thing of importance after tin- location was the securing and holding of the interest and influence awakened for the place selected, for it is well to remember that tlie ■• efforts of the friends of the Seminary through- nut the State had not only to arouse the Methodi.st people, but. as in all .Methoilist n- vivals.it became contagious ami otiier denom- inations were awakened and euthiised on the subject and certain local interests seemed for a time to endanger the greatest success of the general denominational prosperity and it took Rev Aseiury Mic ; i ■ H l l

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West Virginia added a star to the natimial flag, the spirit of higlier education sprang into new life, althougli many discouragements re- mained. Tlie leaders in the church went forth with faitli in (iod and with hope inspired Ijy tlic natural resources of the state and its pos- sibilities to conquer in His name. It is well to recall the fact that a very large majority of the philanthropic institutions of this nation are the result of tlie convictions and sacrifices of the ministers of the gospel, and the origin of the West ' irginia Conference Seminary i.s not an exception. The Centennial of Method- ism seemed an opportune time to e .ect a monument commemorating the origin and the success of the church, and the Revs. J. W. Kcgcr. .1. (i. ] ' , ii v. and K. W. Ryan, were ap- pointed as a conuuittee by the Annual Con- ference of 1S76 to receive propositions for a Conference Seminary. The town of IJuck- hannon secure 1 .16, .570. 00 of a subscription the committee b ' a local committee composeil (i. A. Newlon. C. W. Heavener. and C. C. F. Mc- Whorter. This was reported to the ensuing Conference, but as there was onh- one ])ro])osition sul)mitted the suliject of location was deferred. Seven years later the subject of the Centennial of the Organization iif the M. K. Church aroused the Conference again to action, and a committee composed of H(.vs. A. .1. Lyda, .1. W. Webb. S. E. Jones, ]■;. H. Orwuen. Joseph Lee. W. G. Snodgrass. .1. X. Fullerton. Samuel Steele, and (i. H.Wil- liams was appointed to prepare a plan for a ]5roper observance of the occasion. This committee reported recommended a form of receiving the offerings of the jirople for tlie Conference Seminary and for the Ccjnference Claimants ' Fund. This report was adoi ti-d and arrangements made to carry out its ])ro- visions. The following year. 18S-t, the Con- ference being in session at Buckhannon, a b(]ard of trustees was appiiinted for tlie Sciii- iuary Fum ' i — A. J. Lyda. 1 . L. Stuart. 1). 11. K. Dix, T. 11 Hughes, and Samuel Steele. This board made the following report at the ensuing Conference at Charleston: The Rev. S. P. Crummett. Hon. H. C. McWhomer. and tendiM-i ' d the same to of Capt. A. .M. Poundstone.

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alittlotiine for all to acquiesce in the ilccisi(iu of the b mrj. Three days after the location of the Seminary the board met in Buckhannon to select a site for it. They carefully examined the available and suitable land in and about the town of Buck- hannon and on the twenty-ninth day of Aufrust. 1887, they selected the beautiful plateau upon which the Seminary structvu ' e now stands, and purchased from Levi Leonard, 43 acres, 1 rood, and .3 poles at the price of .S.5,.5.57,87. The Annual Coirfer- ence at Parkersburg during October of the same -ear ratified the action oi the board and authorized them to proceed to the erection and furnishing of a suitable building for tlie Seminary, which they did. On September 3d, 1890, the main building was reatly for use, and the school was formally opened, with Rev. B. W. Hutchison, President, and Prof .F. B. Trotter, J. F. Ogden, anil Miss Enmia B. Tavenner. faculty. One month later, the Annual Conference in session at Weston, with Bishop C. 1). Foss, D.l).. LL.D., presiding, went over to Buckhannon, and formally dedicated the building, and thus the West Virginia Conference Seminary was fully and success- fully launched upon the educational sea. fUancing back over the history of the Seminary, we believe we may safely sa - tliat no one regrets any efforts or sacrifices that may have been made for it from its origin to the present time.