Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

Page 14 text:

V LX- A memory of the years none by; The goal of m my an evening tramp; Fair ( ' aster I si anil, most dear to all Who love the hills , the creek , the camp .

Page 16 text:

W. Y. Morgan, Hutchinson, Chairman B. C. Culp, Beloit C. M. Harger, Abilene C. B. Merrtam, Topeka G. S. Spencer, Sedan E. W. Evans, Wichita M. G. Vincent, Kansas City Mrs. J. S. Patrick, Satanta W. E. Ireland, Yates Center Hays Teachers College HE history of Hays Teachers College, preceded by fifty years of JL struggle for possession of the plains, has not always been a story of uninterrupted progress. We are now harvesting where brave pioneers have sown. The annals of the past contain the names of many men who have written the stirring history on these Western Kansas Plains. Their names and romances are the priceless traditions of this School. Old Fort Hays was one of the line of military posts established soon after the Civil War to protect construction camps of the Union Pacific Railroad and the pioneers who had pushed their way westward. It was first located on Big Creek about fifteen miles southeast of the present location and it was then called Fort Fletcher. A disastrous flood destroyed the Post in June, 1867. There are many visible marks of this old fort that can still b e seen. The building foundations, rifle pits, and barbecue ovens are easily traced. After the destruction of this fort a higher site was selected where two buildings still remain, about one mile south of the present city of Hays. Hays was founded in 1867 and its industrial and social interests were intimately bound up with the life of the Fort. The Fort Hays Military Post was abandoned in 1889 and various plans were suggested for the disposal of the land comprising the reserva- tion. Homesteaders realized its value and were anxious to file on it, but the far-sighted pioneer saw a better future for this ground and suggested that it be used for public purposes. Finally in March, 1900, an act was passed by congress granting the land to the state to be used for a State Normal School, an experiment station for the Agricultural College, and a public park. The Normal School was started in 1902 with William S. Picken as principal and two teachers. Since that time the faculty has increased to fifty-seven members. Dr. William Alexander Lewis succeeded Picken in August, 1913, and is still guiding the destinies of Our School. Page 13