Southwestern University - Souwester Yearbook (Georgetown, TX)

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i i i £k ' • a ill ilMk Greeting It is with true maternal feeling that we cut the last apron string that binds volume II of The Sou ' wester to our care. We are loathe to launch such an infantile effort upon the voracious waves of this old world ' s criticism. We recog- nize that our result in making a book is short coming, yet deep down in our hearts we are secretly proud of our effort. There are several jokes and also several humorous articles in this number. Go to work and try and find them. If you do, come tell the editor about it. There are several entertaining passages also in this volume. Try to find these. Then if you can ' t, just chew your cud and lose your remarks in the vastness of silence. All and all we have no apology to make for this year ' s annual. It is the best, a mule ' s best, too, that the editors and manager could get out. We are satisfied, are you ? We acknowledge the fruitful efforts of Miss Thomas Mr. Whittle Mr. Fleming Mr. I. L. Sims and all those who lent a helping hand. The Editor. 11

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A Short Historical Sketch of Southwestern University IOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY is the successor of four other institutions founded at some time by Texas Methodism: Rutter- ville College, chartered in 1840; Wesleyan College, of San Aug- ustine, 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, in- vited 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 condition 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, prov- ing the excellence of his diplomatic skill by securing the calling of an educational convention to meet at Galveston in 1870, at which all the conferences were repre- sented. Here the matter took definite shape. It was decided to place at some central town a university which should fitly represent Texas Methodism. Soule University 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 Mathema- tics; H. M. Reynolds, M.D., Professor of Spanish. During the session 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 refusal of the State Legislature to charter any but a State institution 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 establishment of the Ladies ' Annex. This institution was at first almost entirely separate from the University, the only point of connection being that the professor in the University also gave instruction in the Annex. 13