University of Nevada - Artemisia Yearbook (Reno, NV)

Page 23 text:

Wi tf mm REGENTS Charles B. Henderson, Chairman. Elko, Nevada. Arthur A. Codd Reno, Nevada. Walter E. Pratt Goldfield, Nevada. James W. O ' Brien Sparks, Nevada. John J. Sullivan Reno, Nevada. 17

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' PHE Constitution of Nevada provided for the founding of a ' University, but no action was taken until March 7, 1873, when an act was passed by the Legislature establishing the University at Elko. The Central Pacific Railway Company donated 21.15 acres of land and the people of the town of Elko erected a brick building at a cost of $18,000. October 12, 1874, a preparatory department was opened with David R. Sessions as principal. The attendance was seven, and the next year sixteen began their work in the institution. In 1878 Mr. Sessions was succeeded by William C. Dovey as principal. In 1881 Mr. T. N. Stone became the head of the school, and in 1883 he was followed by E. S. Farrington, now United States District Judge of Nevada. Then A. T. Stearns, a veteran educator of Nevada, was placed in charge of the institution just before it was moved to Reno. October 4, 1882, Mr. Jules E. Gignoux, a graduate of the University of Freiburg, started the first class in mining and assaying. In 1885 a law was passed moving the institution to Reno, provided Washoe county would pay Elko $20,000 and donate to the Board of Regents $5000 to be used in putting up a suitable building, and this sum with the $10,000 appropriated by the Legislature was the working fund of the board. They bought from J. N. Evans a tract of land for $1250, with the privilege of buying another ten acres for a like sum. A contract was let to the Burke Brothers, for the main building, now known as Morrill Hall, at a price of $12,700. The building was finished February 11, 1886. Prof. J. W. McCammon was engaged as principal and Mr. A. H. Willis of Virginia City was placed in charge of the mining and assaying. Only one floor of the building was in use and it was poorly equipped. 19