Cumberland University - Phoenix Yearbook (Lebanon, TN)

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History, ' 117 ' HILE rummaging in the dusty corners of old Caruthers library I came upon an old leather-bound book, but I could see that from time to time new leaves had been sewed in it, so that it presented a rather unique appearance and at once attracted my attention. On the impulse of the moment I sat down near a window and began to satisfy my curiosity by turning through the book. On the first page I saw a cut of an old ordinary two story, or rather story and a half brick building, about forty by sixty feet in dimensions. I won- dered what it was until I read beneath it these words: Cumberland University ' s First Building, in 1S42, on North Cumberland street, Lebanon, Tenn. Looking on the opposite page I saw the names of the professors of this beginning of Cumberland University. They were Dr. Cossitt, President; C. G. McPherson, Mathematics; Dr. Anderson, Languages. Reading down a little further, I saw where Dr. Lindsey was added as professor in Languages in 1843, and Gen. A. P. Stewart was made professor of Mathematics in 1845, Dr. McPherson having resigned. I turned another page in the old book and saw another picture, but of a far different building. This time it was a handsome brick edifice of three stories, presenting an imposing front. Again was my curiosity excited, and I hastened to read these words under the picture : Cumberland University, 1859, South College street, Lebanon, Tenn. I looked on the opposite page again for explanation and saw the names of the same old professors with a few additions. But I saw that there were two departments, one of Law and the Literary Department. I saw that the attendance in the Literary Department was two hundred and fifty-five. I glanced hurriedly through several pages and caught the drift of the sentences and knew that they were descriptive of the rapid growth of the Literary Department of Cumberland University. But I was somewhat startled by see- ing another picture, and this time it was that handsome building going up in a cloud of smoke and flames. As I read beneath the picture I understood the mystery of this beautiful building burning to the ground : Cum- berland University, the home of the Literary Department, burned during the Civil War. Fuller particulars were given on the following pages, telling how the building had been used as barracks by negro troops, and how the} ' had defaced and looted the building so that the Confederate soldiers who drove them away were so heart-broken that rather than see the proud building so defaced and humbled they burned it to the ground. Those pages further told of the pitiful story of those professors and students enlisting in the army, many of them never to return. And as I turned and turned those pages I saw another unique thing. It was the first catalogue issued after

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Biographical Brevities PROF. A. H. BUCHANAN, LL.D. Professor Buchanan was born at Boonsboro, Ark., June 28, 1828. He graduated from Cumberland University, taking the degrees of A.B., and C.E., the latter in 1853. He has held a position in the United States Coast and Geodetic Sur- vey for twenty years. He was called to the Chair of Mathematics in 1870, which position he now holds. Professor Buchanan has had flattering offers at Yale and other great institutions, but remains true to Cumberland. prof. w. d. Mclaughlin, a.m., ph.d. Professor McLaughlin was born at Bessemer, Ala., March 11, 1847. He graduated from Cumberland Uuiversity, taking the degrees of A. B., A.M., and Ph.D. He was called to the Chair of Latin and Greek in 1870, which position he still holds. PROF. E. E. WEIR, A.M., Ph.D. Professor Weir was born at Ashbysburg, Ky., October 15, 1854. He graduated from Cumberland University, taking the degrees A.B., A.M. and Ph.D. In 1877 he was teacher of History and Mathematics in Bramham High School, Hopkinsville, Ky. Was elected principal of the Huntingdon High School, Huntingdon, Tenn., 1878. Was called to the Professorship of English and Philosophy in Cumberland University in 1880 Later he was given the Chair of Philosophy, which position he still holds. PROF. L. L. RICE, Ph.D. Professor Rice was born in Dixon, Ky., October 14, 1870. He graduated from Cumberland University, taking an A.B. in 1891, and a Ph.D. in 1894. Was teacher in Auburn Seminary, Auburn, Ky., 1893-4; Professor of English Literature in Cumberland University, 1894-6; Assistant Editor of The Cumberland Presbyterian, 1896-8. He was recalled to the Chair of English Literature in Cumberland University in 1898, which position he still holds. PROF. JAMES SMARTT WATERHOUSE, A.M. Professor Waterhouse was born in Murray County, Ga., December 29, 1874. He received the A B. degree from Cum- berland University in 1897. Was Professor of Language and Science in Auburn Seminary, Auburn, Ky., 1897-8; Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biology in Cumberland University, 1898-00, taking the A.M. degree in 1899. He was elected to full professorship in 1900, which position he still holds. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. PROF. W. H. SCHEIFLEY, A.B. Professor Scheifley was born at Rushville, 111., December 25, 1876. He graduated from Valparaiso College, taking an A.B. in 1900. He also received an A.B., from the University of Indiana, in 1901. Was assistant Prof essor of German, Valparaiso College, 1899-00. Tutor in German, Indiana University, 1900-01. He accepted the Chair of Modern Lan- guages in Cumberland University, 1901.

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the war, and it was pasted in the old book. It told of the struggle to renew endowment and to start again the school. The following faculty was given : Dr. McDonald, President ; Dr. Beard, Latin and Greek ; Dr. Buchanan, Mathematics ; Julius Blair, Modern Languages, and N. J. Finney, Teacher. It showed a hundred and twenty- five students, in a rented building. But as I turned, again I saw another two-story building, and under it I read, Corona Hall, Home of Lit- erary Department of Cumberland University, 1877. But I did not stop to read any on this, but hurried on through. Another building caught my eye as I turned. This time it was a very large and handsome brick building, four stories high, with a massive tower in front. It was situated on a prominence overlooking the town. Under the picture I read, Memorial Hall, the Home of the Literary and Theological Departments of Cumberland University, 1896. And here I stopped and looked and wondered at the rapid strides of this school. I closed my eyes and saw pass before me professors who were bent with age and leaning on canes. I saw them as they slowly wended their way towards this grand building. I saw the halls crowded with men on the first floor. I saw a handsome modern library ; I saw departmental apparatus and laboratories. I heard the ringing of electric bells and saw the flashing sunlight playing in the spray of the fountain in front of the building. I heard the clang of a bell as an automobile went whizzing by. I heard hundreds of voices shouting the college yells, and in my reverie I saw the faces of the old professors light up with a happy smile as the crowding mass of students gave way, with hats in hand, to bow and greet with a cheer these brave old men of the Literary Department. I awoke from my reverie with a start, the old book had fallen to the floor, and I arose and went out into the open air, elated and happy, for I knew in my heart that these things are rapidly coming to pass.