Board of Trustees Minutes Volume 4 1876-1901
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Centre College BOARD OF TRUSTEES MINUTES VOLUME 4 1876-1901 Centre College Archives CC-1 Centre College Records Louisville, Ky. October 20, 1876, 7:30 p.m. Board of Trustees of Centre College met, pursuant to the call of the Chairman, in the Lecture room of the Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church, and was opened with prayer by the Chairman. Members Present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D. (Chairman), George W. Welsh, James Barbour, William Ernst, Rev. John M. Worrall, D.D., Rev. Thomas H. Cleland, D.D., William H. Kinnaird, Levi L. Warren, Hon. Tyler T. Alexander, John W. Scott, M.D., Rev. Heman H. Allen, Rev. Albert B. Simpson, D.D., Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Rev. James P. Hendrick, John B. Temple The Class of Trustees whose term of service expired in 1876 were re-appointed by the Synod viz. Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D., Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., George W. Welsh, James Barbour, William Ernst, Thomas Barbee. To as many of this class as were present and to others who had not been qualified since their last election, the usual oath of office was administered. Dr. Edward P. Humphrey was elected Chairman. On motion a ballot was taken to confirm the election of Dr. Alfred B. Nelson to the Chair of Mathematics; and by the unanimous vote of the members present - 15 in all - the previous action of the Board was ratified and Dr. Nelson was declared to be elected to the Chair of Mathematics, with a salary and duties as previously assigned. In like manner and by the same vote the election of Prof. Hitchcock was confirmed; and the secretary was directed to notify these gentlemen of their election, and to have the usual oath of office administered to them. On motion the claim of Prof. Randolph for a full year's salary was allowed viz. to the 10th day of September 1876. Messrs George W. Welsh and Ormond Beatty reported that they had effected a sale of about 134 acres of land - part of the Williams tract - in Lincoln County for the sum of $700. Their action was approved and they were authorized to sign a title bond, and to take such other steps as may be necessary to complete the sale. The Chairman of the Board (Dr. Humphrey), Dr. John W. Scott and Ormond Beatty were appointed a committee to draw up and present, in behalf of Centre College, a formal application for a share in the estate of the late John C. Green, left for distribution among charitable objects; and to employ such means to secure an interest in the property as in their judgment might seem best. Resolved that if the committee on the Fry property, after a further consideration of the whole matter, deem it expedient that the Board should purchase the whole or any part of said Fry property, then the Board of Trustees do hereby recommend and authorize them to make the purchase; and to include in the purchase of the additional ground if thought best, an exchange in part therefore a portion of the Chenault property or of the old College grounds lying west of the old building. Messrs W. H. Kinnaird and S. Yerkes were added to the Committee which now consists of Ormond Beatty, George W. Welsh, G. E. Wiseman, William H. Kinnaird, and Stephen Yerkes. Upon the adoption of this resolution the ayes and noes were called. The ayes were Barbour, Cleland, Scott, Allen, Yerkes, Hendricks, Temple - 7; noes Humphrey, Ernst, Kinnaird, Warren, Alexander - 5. The resolution was, therefore, adopted. The subject of Dr. McKee's agency was then taken up, and pending its consideration the Board adjourned to meet in the lecture room of the First Presbyterian Church at the close of the session of the Synod on tomorrow morning. October 21, 1876, 1 p.m. Lecture Room of the First Presbyterian Church Board reassembled. After consideration of the subject the seat of the Rev. John H. Nesbit, who had left the bounds of the Synod was declared vacant; and the Board proceeded to fill the vacancy by the election of the Rev. Robert Christie of Lexington, and directed the Secretary to give proper notice to the Synod. Mr. Christie appeared, was qualified, and took his seat as a member of the Board. A petition of certain members of the Faculty asking the Trustees to erect houses for the Professors was laid before the Board. The petition was referred to the committee on the Fry property (see names above) with instructions to present a detailed report to the Board at its next meeting. The subject of Dr. McKee's agency was then considered and the following resolutions were adopted by the Board: Resolved that the Financial Committee be authorized and directed to purchase the Denny note and to hold said note as a part of the permanent endowment of the Vice President's Chair, and with the proceeds of said note to pay the salary of Dr. John L. McKee, as Agent of the Board, as it becomes due, up to July 1, 1877. Resolved further that the Board does not see its way clear to continue the arrangement beyond the 1st of July next, but will rejoice if Dr. McKee shall meet with such success, in the meantime, in procuring funds for the purpose as will justify it in extending the arrangement. Resolved that Dr. McKee in his work as an Agent of the College, and an Evangelist, be warmly recommended to the members of our churches in Kentucky, and that a committee of two be appointed to prepare a setting forth the claims of the College to their benefactions. Resolved that the Board highly appreciates the services of Dr. McKee in the past as an Agent, and hereby expresses its sincere thanks for his diligence and fidelity. Messrs Beatty and Welsh were appointed a committee to prepare the address. Board then adjourned to meet in Danville at the time and place of the regular annual meeting. Ormond Beatty, Secretary Danville, Ky., June 19, 1877 Pursuant to adjournment, the Board of Trustees met in Basement of 2nd Presbyterian Church and was opened with prayer by the Rev. John S. Hays, D.D. Members present: Rev. Edward P. Humphrey, D.D. (Chairman), Levi L. Warren, Rev. Stephen Yerkes, D.D., Robert Rodes, Rev. John S. Hays, D.D., George W. Welsh, William Ernst, John B. Temple. The minutes of the last annual meeting, as well as those of the called meetings held in Danville on August 8, 1876, and in Louisville on the 20 and 21st days of October last were read and approved. The Financial Report was read and referred to a committee - Messrs Warren and Temple. Messrs Ernst and Rodes were appointed a committee to examine the investments and to report to the Board. Mr. Beatty, from the Committee on the Fry property, reported that the Committee had effected the purchase of the dwelling house and out houses of Gen. Speed S. Fry, including 8A, 1R, 31P of ground for the sum of $5,912.50 all of which had been paid except $90; and exhibited to the Board the deed for the same, signed and acknowledged by Speed S. Fry and wife, with clerk's certificate of record in Boyle County office. In part payment of this lot the Committee had sold to Gen. Fry 1A, 3R, 23 1/2P of the Chenault lot at the rate of $750 per acre, amounting to $1,420.31. The difference, viz. $4,492.19 has, with the exception of $90, been paid. The Board approved and ratified the acts of their committee both with respect to the purchase of the Fry lot and the sale of the Chenault lot, and hereby authorize and empower their Chairman, Dr. Edward P. Humphrey, to sign, acknowledge and deliver to Speed S. Fry a title deed to the property which he has purchased as described above. Dr. Humphrey was also authorized and directed to sign, acknowledge, and deliver to Messrs Snow and Toombs a title deed to about 134 acres of land - a part of the Williams tract in Lincoln County, Ky., the sale of which by its committee, Messrs Beatty and Welsh, had heretofore been reported to the Board and ratified by it. The annual report of Dr. John L. McKee as Agent and Evangelist was read and accepted, and is as follows: Danville, Ky., June 17, 1877 Annual report of Dr. John L. McKee to Board of Trustees of Centre College extending from July 1, 1876, to July 1, 1877. I reported to Dr. Beatty, January 5, 1877 as follows: The income and expenditures incident to my agency, not otherwise reported, extending from July 1, 1876 to January 1, 1877. Free will offerings from the churches for preaching. Harrodsburg, for preaching service rendered June 1876 but not paid until after $25.00 the last report was rendered. Paris Church $10.00 Edmonton Church $74.00 Munfordsville $29.30 Lebanon $35.00 Covington $50.00 Oxford, Ohio $70.15 Danville $100.00 Cash of George Denny, Sr., paid on his subscription to Centre College $150.00 Total $543.45 By travelling expenses including horse hire $89.50 Check to Beatty $453.95 $543.45 Since January 5, 1877, I have received the following free will offerings from the churches for preaching: Lexington Presbyterian Churches $200.00 Cumberland Methodist and our own church in Owensboro $316.25 $516.25 Travelling expenses $57.10 Check to Beatty $459.25 $516.25 I make semiannual applications for settlement to all persons owing the College, in person or by mail, unless payments are made unsolicited.