Taylor University - Ilium / Gem Yearbook (Upland, IN)

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after the Land Company had donated ten thousand dollars and ten acres of land. Plans were drawn for an administration building, and work was started on the building that we know now as H. Maria Wright Hall. Luther Connelly of Upland dug the first shovelful of dirt and assisted in making the brick for the building. In 1893, before the building was completed, the panic swept the country, making funds difficult to get. A number of responsible citi- zens gave the school financial support through this difficult period. Dr. Reade met the situation by writing books, preaching, and lecturing throughout the country. He wrote a book on the life of Sammy Morris and in this way helped to pay expenses. The administration building was finally finished and the corner stone was laid by Bishop Taylor and Dr. Reade. The school was passing through a struggling period and Dr. Reade did much by his untiring labors, going through the country in the interest of the school. His physical body could not stand up under the load and he became unable to carry on the duties of the school. Then Dr. Ayres and Dr. Shilling did practically all of the work. However, Dr. Reade did not surrender the office as president until his health gave away and death came in 1902 as a release from worry and duty. He is buried on Taylor ' s campus and the university stands as a memorial to his work. For a year and a half Dr. Shilling and Dean B. W. Ayres carried on the duties of president. In 1904 Dr. C. W. Winchester became president and served until 1907, at which time Dr. A. R. Archibald served as acting president until the election of Dr. Monroe Vayhinger in 19(!f8 . I Dr. Vayhinger gave his time, money, labor, and prayers for TaylorA It was not until a few years after he took charge of the school that any one thought of beautifying the campus. Under his direction, a walk ' was laid from Sickler Hall to the administration building, and the date may still be seen on the walk east of Sickler. All of the buildings up to this time were heated separately. Finally, in 1911, a new heating plant was installed on the northeast corner of the campus. This plant after ten years of service was abandoned for the present heating plant. The Sunken Gardens, a gift of the class of 1925, replaced the old heating plant. Also, in the year 1911, Helena Memorial Music Hall was built. The building received its name in honor of Mrs. Helena Gehman who gave seven thousand dollars to be used for the building of this hall. Shreiner Auditorium was named after Mr. Shreiner of Pennsylvania, who also gave money to the school. At this time there was felt the need of a new girls ' dormitory, and Mr. Silas C. Swallow and his wife, whose family name was Robin, gave money for this building and as a result Swallow-Robin Hall was built. The farm was the result of a six thousand dollar gift by Mrs. McGrew, and in 1915 Mr. Campbell also gave sixteen thousand dollars for the purchase of additional land. These first few years of the twentieth century have been important stepping-stones in Taylor ' s history. The student body continued growing, and in 1917 there were three

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T FT€ Cr e m It is probable that from this society our present Philalethean Literary Society was formed. Rev. Samuel Brenton was president of the college from 1853 to 1855 and then Rev. Reuben Robinson was elected. At the beginning of his term, in 185 5, the Fort Wayne Female College and the Fort Wayne Collegiate Institute combined and became known as Fort Wayne College. The rules and regulations of the college were firm and fair but not modern, as the following rules prove: The young ladies boarding in the institution shall rise at the ringing of the bell in the morning, adjust their rooms, and be engaged in study till breakfast. And it shall be the duty of the matron to see that these rules are complied with. Young ladies will at no time be permitted to visit the post-office, nor will any one be permitted to go to town oftener than once a week, and then only in company with some member of the Faculty, or some one appointed by a member of the Faculty. During the Sabbath day, walking on the streets or commons for pleasure, collecting in each other ' s rooms for idle conversation or amuse- ment, as well as all practices prohibited in well bred Christian homes, and receiving visitors are totally forbidden. Each student will be required to have the lights out in her room and to retire, by a quarter before ten o ' clock; and the Steward shall see that the house is closed at ten o ' clock. No young woman shall be permitted to contract debts or buy goods without the written consent of her parents or guardian; and a copy of such permission shall be handed to the President. Professor L. Beers became president and in 1872 Rev. Robinson again was elected president and served in that capacity until 1878. Under the supervision of W. F. Yocum the college was raised to a commanding position among the educational institutions of the state. In this same year there were eight graduates and the enrollment of the college was the highest of its history. In 1878, during the presidency of W. F. Yocum, the Philalethean Literary Society was organized. The members declared themselves Lov- ers of Truth and chose as their colors blue and white. After ten years of serving as president, W. F. Yocum was succeeded by H. N. Herrick. In 1890, because of a financial crisis, the Fort Wayne College sold out and changed its name to Taylor University in honor of Bishop William Taylor, at that time a local preacher of world- wide fame and remarkable accomplishments. The graduating class from the classical, elocutionary, bookkeeping, and stenographic courses had increased to sixteen. Dr. Thaddeus C. Reade, a noted educator, accepted the duties of president in 1891, and with his help the school was brought to Upland

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TnH € g e m hundred and fifty-seven students. With the growth of the student body there was a renewed growth in the activities of the school. During Dr. Vayhinger ' s administration, the Soangetaha Debating Club was or- ganized, and eight years later the Mnanka Debating Club. It should be noted here that the Eurekan Debating Club was born in 1903 and the Eulogonian some time later. The Holiness League, organized in 1895; the Prayer Band in 1899, and the Volunteer Band in 1901 are still among the religious organizations of the school. Although Dr. Vayhinger ' s term as president has expired, he may often be seen on the campus of the school for which he gave so much of his physical and spiritual strength. After thirteen years of building up Taylor, he went back into the work that brings him greatest joy — evangelism. Dr. Paul became president in 1922, and under his administration Magee-Campbell-Wisconsin dormitories were erected. The Maytag Gym- nasium was started and finally finished during the presidency of Dr. Robert Lee Stuart. Dr. Stuart, in the short time he has been in office, has done many things to make a bigger and better Taylor.