Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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pleted in January, 1904. This is the first year in wliicli we reap the benefits of the increased income, and the advantages oft ' ered by the Physics Building are being realized at this time. In order that an idea may be gained as to tlie anidunt of money necessary to keep an institution the size of Purdue in good standing, even with the strictest economy, this estimate of I.HU income is given. Interest on Endowment Fund $ 17,000 Proceeds of Educational ' I ' a.x ( estimated ) . . 140,000 From United States ( Morrell Fund) 25,000 From Miscellaneous Sources, Tuition, Etc. . 52,000 Total $234,000 It is impossible for an}- body of people tliat has never ex- ))erienced a like disaster to understand what the students of Purdue underw-ent during the calaniit - of 1903. On October the thirty-first, students and friends from Lafavette prepared to witness the annual game of foot4)all between Purdue and Indiana University, The special train, carrying the team and a thousand loyal supporters, was wrecked on the outskirts of Indianapolis. The first coach. carr ing the team, was com- pletely demolished. Seventeen of its occupants lust their li es and not one escaped serious in- , jury. All felt that words were not sufiicient to express our feelings. Inorderthat we might give substantial evidence of tlie high respect in which we held those brave boys who gave up their lives on that never-to-be- forg-ottcn day, the lemorial Gynmasium Fund was begun. Great hopes are centered in tliis building. It will l)e designed to minister to the piivsical and social needs of the University and it is certain that it will serve to draw .Mumni and students more closelv together, for in this effort we have all jdined hands and attempted to erect a suitaljle monument to our dead. The hour glass of our student da s is running low. and the future is 1)efiirc us. As we leave at this, Purdue ' s Thir- tieth Commencement time what mav we not predict for her? Looking backward, her path has been rough and strewn with difficulties. Ahead, we see nothing but .glory and success awaiting her. She has made a prominent place for herself in the world of technical engineering. Ma}- she ever keep to this ascending path, and ma ' her wa ' ever become more smooth. Mech. nic.- l Building 19

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Ill- liail ]il;ici-il I ' linlin- ii a hnn f.ninilalinii aiiil 1m her stink ' nls li.- will I ' vcr stand as nni.- wlm knew imi i1k- wunl lail. 1 )ui - in;; llii- fXtciulod illiu-ss il I ' rcsick-iU Smart. ic,-rrcsiilrnt W. !• . Sliinc liad adf |iiatcly tilled the pusitiiin as cliiet ' execu- tive and tliiTi ' sccnu-d to l)e mUliini; nmre litlini; than that he slintdd l)c chosen as President Smart ' s successor. 1 le was lor- nially elecle l July sixth. l ' ' ()(). and is still ser iii.i; in that capacity. The last live years have easily heen the j, ' reatest in the history of the Lniversity. The years of trials a n d hardships which had ffone hefoie were ste])- pinj.; stones to the fu- ture when I ' nrdite w o n I d stanil as a school alile to cope with the hest of its kind. Since I ' XX). the enrollment has nearly ijonliled itself and for the first time in the history of the lniversity. this year marks an attendance of over fifteen lunidre l stmlents. I ' or nearly ten years the I.eirislatnre had evidently for- (.jotten the existence of I ' nrdne. hut in l ' ' l)l it was re,ili ed that the I ' niversity had far ontj;rown its hnildinij ca])acity .ind in that vear there was ai)]iropriated S ' i ' lIK ' for the erection nf an .Atjricultnral I ' .iiildin ;. in uhieh the liilTrrent hranclus of the . j;ricnllnr;d ( ' i nrse nn ' j hl he hnui ht to; elluT. At tlu- St II M I r.rii.MiNi: same time I ' nrdne was made the trustee for a $10,000 annual fund for the i ' arnier ' s Institute. In l ' «)l. the erection of a Chapel and Auditorium was made possihle through the good will of Mrs. Eliza I ' owler. which she generously manifested by presenting the University with $70.(1)0. Later. Mr. James Powder added $5,000 to be used in the constructing of .-ui organ. P ' or some time the seating- capacity of the old Chapel had proved in- sufficient and there was not in anv of the build- i u g s a room large enough to accommo- date the wdiole student body. The erection of Eliza Fowder Hall not only fulfilled this long felt want but it g-ave to Purdue a hall of beauty which will ever stand as a monu- ment to its donor. The new Auditorium was first used for I ' o m - mencement I ' .xercises in I ' lO.i, and was dedicated May fomih. l ' l()4. In l ' Hl, the Legislature increased the annual ap]n )pria- tiou for maintenance from one-twentieth of a mill to one-tenth of a mill ou .-dl tax.ilile pvopert in the state. They also ap- ].riate l .Sr. IKH) I ' or .i central heating plant and $60,000 for ,-1 rinsics building. W ork on the lu ' ating plant was begtm im- mediately lifter the appropriation was received and it was com- IS

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