University of Missouri - Savitar Yearbook (Columbia, MO)

Page 19 text:

.Y nm, 2 T, X ' Q , u gd 515 1 ' A A AND THEY GOT READY, AIIXIED, AND FIRED-VVITH SOIVIE DIFFICULTY. X ' ' .J 1 X K YS f K ,4. -,M X . A x 4 P ff ? ' D f D x 'J 1, I tl Vf Q - - QV 'f V A ff A 3 J ': , D fl - I LIBRARY CATALOGING UNDER EARLY OPEN LIGHT K X px,-0' K,

Page 18 text:

I I MARK TWAIN AND FRIENDS RECEIVE LL.D. DEGREES The programs were more public, and the debate sub- jects vvere really the most marked advance in the decade. Arguments were over such topics as Existence of God or Does Money or Women Influence Men More? Besides these vigorous debates, the societies also purchased spit boxes to preserve dignity. This was probably due to the fact that the Baptist Female Col- lege CStephensj and Mary Phelps Institute of Chris- tian Women were admitted to open meetings. A newspaper explained this achievement as a vague reference that the two groups of young people did not live in complete isolation. Mo Pioneer was hard at work again. VVilliam VVilson Hudson was now President, a man of l..athrop's stand- IN THOSE DAYS THEY HATED AFTERNOON LABS. 14 ards. This man worked with Mo. His first accomplish- ment vvas in establishing engineering courses. The most startling achievement, though, was in a surplus of 523,000 derived from an expired bank charter. This became a lifesaver during the Civil VV ar.

Page 20 text:

DERBY HAT Anus DASH-GUIDING PRECEPT EOE TODAYlS ENGINEERS. Hudson died in 1859 and left a University restored to at least the level of Lathr9p's day, but the factional fight for control was still bitter. With stormy competition from private schools, at- tempts were made to reorganize the University. Controversies over this struggle have become interwoven in a confusing man- ner. Back of this movement were animosity and personal ambition, but there was also a sincere effort for the betterment of the in- stitution. A new Board of Curators, elected in 1860, was the strongest and most representative thus far in the history of the University. They evolved a new faculty plan, and placed Benjamin G. Minor in the presidency. The curriculum was broadened, but all the rapid changes in organization 'made what little progress there was vague. Through the early months of 1861 classes went on despite the imminent war. Sixty students enrolled for the fall term, and the University continued to operate, but not for long. Enrollment dropped to 36, classrooms became barracks, the University closed after 21 years. The ground was too hard for Mo to make even a dent with his shovel. Although the University did reopen partially in 1862, there fole lowed five years of desperate struggle for survival. Lathrop be- came president again. He was faced with a debt and 300 soldiers monopolizing the grounds. 16