Central Methodist University - Ragout Yearbook (Fayette, MO)

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I i professor of English and Modern Languages in Hendrix College in Arkansas, and finally called to his Alma ltlater he served in succession as principal of the Academy, assistant professor of English and ltlod- ern Languages, and full professor of lllodern Languages. He was married in 1887 to Bliss Lalla T. Saunders, who entered fully into the spirit of his work and by helpful companionship gave him strength and courage to the end. v Health failing last year, he was granted leave of absence in hope of recovery. Remaining quietly in his home until January, he then went to St. Louis for special medical advice, but gradually sinking he came to Columbia, the home of his brother-in-law, Dr. E. A. Allen, and on lllarch 2, 1903, fell asleep. A Students, colleagues, and friends, in Tennessee, Arkansas, and ltlis- souri, where he was abundant in labors, realize that one of the truest, noblest, purest spirits that earth has known, having faithfully served his generation, having interwoven his life in theirs, has found the Christian,s home and awaits their coming. 4 ' WD 'X X

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English, won ample recognition and was adopted by strong schools. As a teacher of English and Modern Languages in secondary school and in college' he ranked deservedly high. He had all the qualifica- tions of ga great teacher. He knew his sub ect thoroughly. He pre- sented it enthusiastically and forcibly. He loved his students and in- spired them with confidence in himself and interest 'in their work. So patient, so helpful, so tactful was he that the indifferent student was stimulated, the weak student strengthened, and the good student car- ried to the mountain top. . A A diligent student, and accurate scholar, a strong writer, and an in- spiring teacher, William H. Key was first and above everything else a noble man and a Christian gentleman. Tender and gentle as a woman he was the embodiment of true courage. With keen insight he an- alyzed character and understood motive. With his delicately sensitive nature he felt the injury without harboring momentary resentment. The soul of honor, he inspired others to respect him and to raise their moral standard., Sympathetic but not effusive, he bound ,men-by the genuineness of his interest. By judicious criticism he helped his stu- dents and friends to ust conceptions of themselves. By discriminating praise and recommendation he secured merited recognition for others without seeking it for himself. A Deliberately refusing tempting of- fers, he stood by his friends at the post of duty. Deeply philosophical and rigidly exacting in his demands upon the evidences of religion, he satisfied himself concerning the foundations of Christian faith and then rested implicitly on the living Christ. Tolerant of others he held himself firmly to a high standard of creed and life. . During the last year with the shadow of death daily drawing nearer he was cheerful and took a wholesome interest in the world about him. VVhen a few months before the end he was informed of his physician's opinion that his malady was incurable, he calmly expressed his readi- ness to go, but loving his friends and his work he resolutely fought the destroyer and with any vantage ground would have won. A braver fight for life I have never seen. When the final summons came he lay down as if for pleasant slumber and his ripened soul came into its inheritance. A ' I Born in 1855, near Fulton, Callaway county, securing his educa- tion in local schools and in Central College and Johns Hopkins Uni- versity, receiving the A. lVI. degree from Central, he was engaged in teaching, in Tennessee before finishing his college course, later in Neosho Collegiate Institute, then seven years as vice-president and 1 7 A

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nl rs, N Msn Nw, f 'mm sum M E Q 'FIG ' 'I B '-.,,, m lx? l 4 5 we-1 H cribure to me memory of william 5. Ka BD H. P. lUEll'l'QIl WWW ,--- a fellow -alumnus of Central College, and as one ,gi - few words concerning our fallen comrade, Prof. lf Eg William H. Key. I would that I had the gift of Q6 D 3 eloquence that I might pay a iitting tribute to his S J . memory. Professor Key was one of the iirst men I met on entering Central College. I soon learned to admire him for his scholarly attain4 ments and for the interest he manifested in the spiritual welf are of us younger boys. - He was looked upon by all of us as one worthy to be followed both as a student and a Christian gentleman. As a- student he was one of the most thorough and pains- taking Central College has ever had. And throughout his career ,as a teacher he continued to be the same diligent student in his search for the deepest truths of life. He was the compose-r of many 'poems of merit and the author of a text book on English Grammar. As teacher of Science in 1886 at Neosho Collegiate Institute, I became associated with Prof. Key and Prof. Dlillar. It was here I came to have a truer appreciation of Prof. Key as a teacher, 'student and friend. Not only with the students but also among-the citizens he awakened an ardent interest in the best English authors. He, to- gether with- other members of the faculty, organized a Literary Club which met regularly at the Institute building. Prof. Key succeeded in inspiring in his pupils and in all with whom he came into intimate contact, a love for the highest and best in literature. b IIow well I remember the long walks we used to take down by the pure limpid waters of Shoal creekg or over the hills that skirt the valley in which the little city of Neosho it situated, till reaching the shade of some monarch oak, we seated ourselves to read from Tennyson or VVordsworth, Shelley, Keats or Burns. In the companionship and un- ' . . S ,, A who ,knew and loved him well, I wish to say a 2 , . 5' ' 2 19 I