Arkansas State University - Indian Yearbook (Jonesboro, AR)

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History of Aggie A resolution was passed in the Washington County Farmers ' Union, in 1906, endorsing the establishment by the Legislature, of a number of agri- cultural schools in the State of Arkansas. In 1907, the Legislature passed a bill, of which lion. C. E. Bush was author, to establish one agricultural school, but the Governor vetoed this bill. The state Farmers ' Union then asked for four schools instead of one. Two years later Hon. J. J. Bellamy, of Lawrence County introduced House Bill No. 2, appropriating $160,000 for the establishment of four agricultural schools. On January 30, 1909, the Agricultural Committee of the House returned the bill with three amend- ments and their endorsement to the revised bill, ' [ ' he bill passed the house on February 4, and the Senate on March 23, and being approved by the Governor on April 1, 1909, it became a law. The first Board of Trustees of the First District Agricultural school ap- pointed by Governor George W. Donaghey were: Hon. J. J. Bellamy, Smithville Hon. C. E. Bush, Antioch Dr. O. X. Hammett, Paragould Mr. W. L. Banks, Smithdale Mr. L B. I .ewis, lonesboro The board met on February 1, 1910, at Little Rock, in joint session with the Boards of the other three schools. Governor Donaghev presided and the Board discussed the proper plans to pursue after which each of the Boards held its first meeting for the purpose of organizing. Alter consideration of the bids of several towns and counties the bid of Jonesboro and Craighead county was accepted. This bid was $40,000 and 200 acres of land. June 11, 1910, the site for the school was selected. At this same meeting Mr. V. C. Kays was elected as principal. School started its first term at 8:00 o ' clock Monday, October 3, 1910. The first girls ' dormitory was the house now owned by Mr. Diamant on South Main street and the boys ' dormitory was the house now owned by George Taylor on Witt and Warner. The rooms above the present City W ater and Light offices, the Carville Plumbing Shop, and Ellis ' Jewelry House were used as school rooms for the first year. It was not till the sum- mer of 1911, that the school was moved to its new quarters. There were not funds enough available in 1911 to pay current expenses, so Mr. Kays and the Board advanced money to continue the school. In 1913 while Senator Joe T. Robinson was governor these deficits were paid. In 1915 Governor George W. Hays vetoed all teachers salaries, and teach- ers received only half salary, and this was secured by loans on the notes of one hundred of the best citizens of Arkansas. In 1917 these deficits were paid and the school was put on a millage basis. Senator Whitaker intro- duced a bill providing that the University, Normal School, and Agricultural Schools be supported by a levy of 1-9 mill for the Normal and each of the four Agricultural Schools, and 4-9 of a mill for the University. In 1921 an act was passed which increased the millage of the Agricultural Schools from L9 to 15-100 of a mill. As the funds have permitted, improvements have been made. Steadily the school has grown in enrollment and interest.

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R. WHITAKER {F$oard oj Trustees R. Whitaker Noble, Ark., President J. A. Blackford Jonesboro, Ark., Vice-Pres. W. S. Banner Clarksdale, Ark., Secretary W. L. Banks Smithdale, Ark. R. E. Lee. Wilson Wilson, A!rk.