Southwestern University - Souwester Yearbook (Georgetown, TX)

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University Building.

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SALUTATORY. •; 5 £ OR many years the publication of a College Annual has been con- templated by both faculty and students of the institution, but not until the present year has anything of a definite character been attempted. Last fall the Athletic Association took the matter under consideration and after careful deliberation de- cided that the enterprise should be inaugurated. Suitable regu- lations were formed and the present staff elected. We cannot say our task has been easy, or our burdens light, but after much planning and frequent meetings — we hold our business sessions at the Annex- -we have gladly, cheerfully, and hopefully accomplished the work imposed. We trust the reader will find the breezes of The Sou ' wester pleasant, and may many students each Commencement be fanned into a more lively hope for future success, as The Sou ' wester, on airy wings, wafts unto them the record of their college days. We wish to thank especially Misses Thomas, Bowen, Wilcox, Bailey, and Messrs. Johnson, Whittle, Thomas, and Prof. Hardy for valuable aid. All kickers will pleat e report to the Assistant Business Managers, as the Editor-in-Chief and General Business Manager have charge only of the Depart- ment of Compliments. Selah.

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A Short Historical Sketch of Southwestern University. Southwestern university is the successor of four other institutions founded at some time by Texas Methodism: Rutterville College, chartered in 1840; Wesleyan College, of San Augustine, in 1844; McKenzie College, founded in 1841 ; and finally Soule University, founded at Chapel Hill, in 1855. All except the last named succumbed to the Civil War or other causes. Soule University, though apparently killed by the war, nevertheless was revived in 1865, and dragged out a lingering existence for some years. In 1868 the trustees, hoping even yet to enliven the corpse of the old Soule University, invited to its presidency the Rev. Francis Asbury Mood, of South Carolina. It did not require long for Dr. Mood to see that neither for Soule University nor any other school of that sort was there any hope unless he could get all Texas Methodism united to its support. But there lay the difficulty. The brethren of the various conferences were enjoying to only a very modest degree that pleasure which comes from dwelling together in unity. Indeed, while there was not, to be sure, open warfare, the condi- tion could have been designated as one of armed peace, and there were many who were ready to assure Dr. Mood that the status was a natural one and could not be otherwise. But here lay the only chance. Harmony must be secured, and with wonderful tact Dr. Mood went about his task. A less determined, less faithful, a smaller man in any respect would have given the work up. but Dr. Mood kept on, proving the ex- cellence of his diplomatic skill by securing the calling of an educa- tional convention to meet at Galveston in 1870, at which all the conferences were represented. Here the matter took definite shape. It was decided to place at some central town a rmivers- ity which should fitly represent Texas Methodism. Soule Uni- versity was to give place to this new institution. After some two years of discussion, Georgetown was selected as the site of the proposed university, and in 1873 the faculty was elected. It was composed of three members: Dr. Mood, Regent and Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy, History and English Literature; B. E. Chreitzberg, A.M., Professor of Mathematics; H. M. Reynolds, M. D., Professor of Spanish. During the sesssion there were enrolled thirty-three students. From this rather modest beginning the institution, then called the Texas University, began its life. In 1874 Prof. S. G. Sanders was added to the list of professors. In 1876 the name was changed to Southwestern University, on account of the re- fusal of the State Legislature to charter any but a State institu- tion under the former name. It soon became evident that the people of Texas desired not their sons alone, but their daughters as well, to be educated, so in 1878 plans were adopted which resulted in the establish- ment of the Ladies ' Annex. This institution was at first almost 11