Troy University - Palladium Yearbook (Troy, AL)

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EDXVARD MADISON SHACKELFORD President and Professor of Civics No one else ever connected with the Troy Normal School has been so completely identified with its history as Prof. Shackelford, there never having been a day since its establishment that he was not an active member of its teaching force. He was born at Pintlala. llilontgomery County, Ala., Feb. 1, 1803. His primary training was received in the local school. At the age of eighteen he entered the University of Alabama and finished the course in 1885 with the A. B. degree. Three years later his Alma Hater granted him the honorary degree of A. M. ln Sept., 1885, he began teaching in the Troy Klale High School, and continued until that institution was sup- planted by the State Normal College. His after history as Professor of English and Science, English and Civics, and after 1899, as President and Professor of Civics, is set forth in the history of the Institution. He was married to Kliss Rosa Lee Brantley of Troy on the twenty-third anniversary of his birth. Professor Shackel- ford has never held any public position not connected with the school, except that he was Superintendent of the Sun- day School of the First Baptist Church for about eight years.

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-1 'PHE IQAUJADIUM-1912 ff Historical Sketch NTICRIQST always attaches to the genesis of things, especially things of im- portance. It is related that the origin of the State Normal School at Troy was the outcome of a conversation between the late Frank lialtzell, at that Illllk' a Troy editor, and Cyrus D. Hogue, then Secretary of State of Alabama. Haltfell was commenting up the action of the legislature in establishing Normal schools in North, Fast and VVest Alabama, wl1ile the southern section had received no recogni- tion along this li11e. Hogue agreed that this was not right and pledged his influence, as far as it might go, toward seeing that the unjust discrimination should be remedied. From this began tl1e agitation which resulted a year or two later in the establishment of this institution. Briefly told the history is this: The act creating the school was introduced in the House of Representa- tives by Hon. Sidney Klclseod, of Orion, November 15, 1880, and passed upon its final reading February 18, 1887. It was Sent to the Senate without engross- 1116111 and passed that body on the 23d of February. The vote i11 favor of the bill was something more than two-thirds of the legislature. An interesting fact in this connection is that the bill was signed by Thomas Ci. jones, Speaker of the House, and Wvilliam Sam- ford, President of the Senate, both of whom afterwards became governors of tl1e State. Governor Thomas Seay approved the bill February 2oth, 1887. The State's original part in the establishment of the school was modest enough. It was to furnish S3,ooo a year toward maintenance. The building and equipment was undertake11 by the citv of Troy, and approximately 14-11 1,ooo was ex- pended in this way the first year. The site chosen consisted of some five acres of land formerly the homestead of the late VV. Xl. Klurphree. It is commandingly located, facing College Avenue, but the later build- ing of two railroads immediately in front of it, and several industries in the neighbor- hood have derogated from its eligibility. The first decade of the school's life was a veritable struggle for existence. Deeply rooted and thoroughly cultivated prejudice had to be constantly combatted, and every two years witnessed a renewal of the fight before the legislature for the meagre ap- propriation. liut pluck and endurance eventually won. Prejudice and opposition abated as the good work of the school came more and more into evidence. ln ISGS, the appropriation was increased fron1 S3,ooo to :F5,ooo. ln iooo, it became 3i7,3oog in IOOLZ, S1o,ooog in 19o7, ffiI5,0001 and finally in IQI 1, it was raised to lr20,000. These increases not only wiped out the arrearage in the teachers' slender salaries, but 9