Rutherford College - Foot Hills Yearbook (Rutherford College, NC)

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FOOT HILLS — i —an HISTORICAL SKETCH 1 11 i THE origin of Rutherford College antedates by several years the great civil strife among the States. The school was begun in order to meet a local need, and was conducted distinctly as a local school until the year 1871. In 1871, after the war clouds had passed away and the soldiers returned to their homes from the contest to regain their lost fortunes, the institution entered upon the second stage of its history. Through the generosity of Mr. John Rutherford, two hundred acres of land were set aside and given to the authorities on condition that the school be made an academy. The offer was accepted, and the sch ool received the name of Rutherford Academy. It continued to be known by this name until 1873, when an additional offer of two hundred acres of land was made on condition that the school be made into a college. The authorities accepted the grant of land, made improvements on the buildings, greatly enlarged the curriculum, and acquired a charter from the Legislature of North Carolina. From that time till the school passed into the hands of the Conference, it was conducted under the charter as Rutherford College. Dr. R. L. Abernethy, a man of strong character and great intellect, had the school in charge from the time of its foundation until his death, which occurred on November 29, 1894. The school was very ably governed under the administration of Dr. Abernethy. He was succeeded in the presidency by his son, Prof. W. E. Abernethy, who managed the school until 1900, when the school passed into the hands of the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church, South. Many useful men were educated under the old regime. The Conference decided to conduct the institution as a secondary school of high order. Dr. C. C. Weaver was chosen President. He continued in control of the school until 1903, when Prof. A. C. Reynolds was elected to the presidency of the college. In 1905, Rev. J. H. West, presiding elder of the Morganton District, was chosen by the Board of Trustees as successor to Prof. Reynolds, to serve until the con- vening of the approaching Annual Conference in November, at which time Prof. Loy D. Thompson was elected to take charge of the school. In December, 1906, Prof. Thompson resigned because of ill health. Prof. W. W. Peele was elected as his successor. In 1909 Prof. Peele resigned in order to enter pastorial work, and Prof. I. B. McKay was elected to take his place. Prof. McKay served two years and Prof. M. T. Hinshaw was elected to succeed him. Prof. Hinshaw re- signed in 1925 and was succeeded by W. F. Starnes. Mr. Starnes served for two years and upon his resignation in 1927, the present incumbent was elected. ¥ [12] 1930