University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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year, he was called to the newly established University of Texas as pro- ' fessor of English Literature and Histor}-. Subsequently (in 1888) this I chair was divided, and Professor Waggener retained English Literature j only. For ten years, he was also Chairman of the Faculty, but in 1894, he resigned this position. Later, however, on the substitution of the presi- dency for the chairmanship. Dr. Waggener, at the solicitation of the Board of Regents, consented to act as President ad interim, a position that he filled in connection with his professorship during the year 1895- 1896. It was immediately after the commencement exercises of 1896 that his death occurred at Manitou Springs, Colorado, whither he had gone on account of illness. i The L ' nivcrsity of Texas is indebted to Dr. Waggener. more than to j any other man, for its present condition. The services that he rendered during these thirteen years seem really wonderful, viewing them in the light of the present day, and considering the many difficulties under which he labored. These are aptly summarized in the following passage, from an address by Judge E. J. Simkins at the Memorial Services, held at Austin in October, i8g6: This University was formally opened for the admission of students on September 15, 1883. The Legislature met, and it was not long before its hostility was clearly manifested. .. To the new Faculty, composed of strangers, the sentiment against the University was a revelation. They thought it was doomed. The chairman (Dr. Mallet) became irrevocably fixed in his purpose to leave Dr. Brown v.as then placed in the chair; but he, too, quailed before the tempest, and left the State in August, 1884. It was at this dark hour, when the hopes of this institution were trembling in the balance, that Dr. Waggener came to the front, and caught up the reins that had fallen from nerveless hands. -pjjg results of that summer ' s work were that new chairs were established, vacancies filled, new lines of policy decided upon, and the students of 1884 and 1885 gathered in their new University building under a corps of professors as able as any in the South. « -pjig Nineteenth Legislature was more hostile than the preceding one. ♦ The general hostility took the form of destroy- ing the University. In this contest none took so active an interest as the able chairman of the Faculty. As if by intuition he seemed to know where the opposition was gathering, and at all times the refutation of every charge was placed before the friends of the University. Every emergency found him ready, and when, in later years, the enemies of the University, baffled in their plans and recognizing the futility of their warfare upon it, turned upon Dr. Waggener, personally, they found him prepared. WTien they said and did all that malice could invent or slander dictate, he turned not from his chosen pathway, but moved calmly forward, in apparent indifference, until in the very hour of victory, exhausted nature gave way. The incessant mental and physical labor and worry, the cruel attacks and malicious charges that pierced to the quick a soul brave and proud, but tender and sensitive, were more than he could bear. Rallying from the first sickness of June, 1894, after two short years he laid down a life, sacrificed for the Texas University; and while its friends may glory in its present condition and the grand prospects opening before it, let them not forget that it is largely due, under God, to him who lies out in yonder graveyard, still and silent, awaiting the Master ' s call. » »

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i esilie Waqis mtx. w E hold it truth that there are some immortal dead who live again in in lives made better by their presence. The praise and lauda- tions of mankind rarely reward a noble work while the laborer rives ; but in the end justice will be done. There is a crown of glory that the world cannot give. There is a reward that transcends all others- For the final judgment from the Great White Throne : Well done thou good and faithful servant. will never fail to fall where justice is due. This was the lesson set forth by the Sacrifice on Calvary and the record of its glory is to be found inscribed upon the hearts of men. In the brave and unselfish life of the subject of this appreciation this truth was richly exemplified. Dr. Leslie Waggener was born in Trenton, Todd County, Kentucky, September ii, 1841, and died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, August 19, 1896. His father was Stokley K. Waggener, a merchant who lived In Russellville, Kentucky. His mother was a daughter of Elder Reuben Ross, a preacher of note in the early history of Kentucky and Tennessee. His grandfather, James W aggener, a Mrginian, was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary War. In 1857, Dr. Waggener entered Union University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He remained in this institution for two years, and then entered the Senior Class of Bethel College, graduating in i860. In the fall of the same year, he went to Harvard, and received his degree in 1861. In June of that year, he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served with dis- tinction throughout the War. He was twice wounded, once being shot through the right lu ng at the Battle of Shiloh, and left for dead ; but he was sought out and carried to Corinth by a negro boy whom he had brought from home. He surrendered with Johnson in 1865. In 1867, he married Miss Fannie Pendleton, of Uipland Pennsylvania, daughter of Rev. James M. Pendleton, professor in Union L niversity, when Dr. Waggener was a student there. At the time of his marriage he was principal of the preparatory department of Bethel College. In 1870 he was promoted to the Chair of English Literature in that institution, in 1873 he became Chairman of the Faculty, and in 1875 President, holding both the presidency and the professorship until 1883. In June of that — 5— 1

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PAGE Dedication 1 Foreword Opposite Calendar 12 Board of Regents 15 Administrative Officers 16 The Faculty 19 The Classes 40 Fraternities.. 139 Clubs 183 PAGE Literary Societies 197 Musical Organizations 209 Student Organizations 217 Publications . 233 Final Ball 243 Athletics 249 The Swell Set Magazine 269 Literature 341 Advertisements 407