Part 2

{L. Johnson, A. M., 1859-1884. [2]{I. L. Wright, A. M., 1859-1865. {W. T. Gannaway, A. M., 1859 to the present. O. W. Carr, A. M., 1868-1877. Rev. Peter Doub, D. D. 1866-1870. W. C. Doub, A. M., 1867-1873. J. W. Young, 1864-1865. Rev. W. H. Pegram, A. M., 1875, to the present. C. P. Frazier, A. M., 1878-1879. J. D. Hodges, A. M., 1879-1882. Rev. J. F. Heitman, A. M., 1883 to the present. H. H. Williams, A. M., 1884-1885. J. M. Bandy, A. M., 1884 to present. A. W. Long, A. B., 1884-1887. N. C. English, A. M., 1884, to present. J. L. Armstrong, 1887, to present.

[2] Johnson and Wright were Professors 4 years in Normal College and Gannaway 2 years.

On the 7th of November, 1882, Rev. B. Craven, D. D., LL. D., the honored President and founder of the institution, died, and Prof. W. H. Pegram was appointed chairman of the Faculty till the Board of Trustees could meet and elect a President but it was deemed advisable by the Board to continue that arrangement until the close of the scholastic year.

At the Commencement in June, 1883, Rev. Marcus L. Wood, A. M., D. D., a graduate of Trinity of the class of ’55, was chosen President, who assumed the duties of this position on the 5th day of Sept., of the same year, and all fears that the College would not survive the death of its great founder passed away. President Wood was assisted by four Professors, who did all in their power to promote the interests of the College. At the meeting of the Conference, 1884, President Wood resigned and Rev. John F. Heitman was appointed chairman of the Faculty, under whose administration the financial as well as other features of the College were greatly improved. This period marks an epoch in the history of Trinity College. At the same time that Professor Heitman was appointed chairman of the Faculty, H. H. Williams, J. M. Bandy, N. C. English and A. W. Long were elected Professors. The chairman with his corps of instructors infused new life into the College, which has resulted in rapid growth and development.

One special feature of this administration was the establishment of a Preparatory Department over which the efficient and popular Prof. N. C. English still presides.

This period is closed with the election to the Presidency of J. F. Crowell, A. B. (Yale), who entered upon his office at the beginning of this scholastic year.

THE PRESENT.

This is an age of progress in almost every department, but in none more so than in educational affairs. The institution that does not imbibe this progressive spirit will soon be relegated to the shades of antiquity. New methods of teaching and of managing young men have now been adopted in most of the leading institutions of this country. Trinity during the past year has made rapid strides toward the attainment of better methods by which the young men of this State may be able to secure thorough collegiate education. This reform has been as marked in the management of the students as in the methods of instruction. A young man is now put on his honor as to his conduct. He is supposed to possess the elements of true manhood, and it is not considered necessary to have spies to watch his every movement. This tends to make him better behaved than he, perhaps, would otherwise be. Each class has a dean and a monitor, a professor acting as dean and a member of the class as monitor. The monitor reports all absentees from chapel exercises, and the absentees hand their excuses to the dean of their class who presents it to the faculty. The decision of the faculty can be learned by reference to the bulletin board. This method, in the end, saves a great deal of time and trouble. There has been better order during the past year than in almost any other year of the college’s history. The libraries of the two Societies have been consolidated and placed in a more commodious and suitable room. A first class reading-room has been established, and now no student has any excuse for being ignorant of the current news of the day, as the very best newspapers and magazines can always be found on the reading-room tables. One of the most beneficial steps taken by the students of the institution was the formation of a branch of the Y. M. C. A., which has already resulted in great good. The grandest movement, though, that has yet been undertaken by the young men of this institution is their having obligated themselves to do all in their power to raise enough money to erect a new building to be used for the library and the Society halls. This shows the enthusiasm that has been awakened among the students by the wise and efficient work done by the various members of the faculty during this year; it shows that they are heartily in sympathy with all the efforts for the college’s up-building. The curriculum has been improved, having been considerably extended, especially in the departments of English and History. Two well equipped, progressive teachers have been placed at the head of these departments, and the result is that the scholars are more thorough on these two important branches of collegiate education. Heretofore the chairs of History and English have been consolidated, necessarily causing the instruction in each to be rather limited. This is the first year in which Trinity has had a President, since the resignation of Rev. M. L. Wood, D.D. Two new members of the faculty have, of course, added no little towards the means of usefulness of the institution. More students have matriculated here during this year than in any one of the past ten years, which should be a great encouragement to the friends of the college. This school year has been indeed a turning point for the better in Trinity’s career, new fields of thought have been opened up to the students. Every alumnus of this institution should feel proud of what his _Alma Mater_ has achieved during this year under somewhat adverse circumstances, and should rally to the rescue, and show his appreciation by doing all in his power to sustain the “new administration” by getting as many young men as possible to come here next fall.

THE FUTURE.

This has been, indeed, an auspicious year for Trinity. Not only has the year’s work been good and the institution brought more prominently before the public, but there has been work done within its walls that is indicative of a bright future and that can be correctly measured only by the future. The President and Faculty have faithfully labored with an eye to the future, believing that time and experience will prove the wisdom of their course. The curriculum has been revised. It is their object to keep it squarely abreast with the educational demands of the age. The College is now divided into two Departments: the Academic, including the first two years; and the Scientific, including the last two years.

The Academic has three courses: the Classical, the distinguishing studies of which are Greek and Latin; the Modern, distinguished by German and French; and the English, requiring English studies only. Mathematics, English and History are equal in the three. Other studies are not equal, consequently, the conditions for admission to College will not be the same for all the courses, the Classical requiring the most. These conditions will be enlarged from year to year as may be thought best. In this Department, special attention will be given to mental discipline, to methods and to laying such foundations in study as will best prepare students for the more independent work and scientific research to follow.

The Scientific Department is composed of fifteen different schools, and this number may be expanded according to the number of instructors employed. Its characteristic features are the cultivation of all the Sciences, original inquiry and freedom to select from these schools studies, within certain prescribed limits, according to the peculiar taste of the student. This curriculum will lead to four different degrees, according to the selections made from the schools. It is, consequently, varied sufficiently to please all, from the classically inclined to the devotee of science, and full and thorough enough to satisfy the demands which the age is making upon Colleges. Indeed, the general, but constant, aim will be to make the college a more potent and independent factor, through its influence, for moulding public opinion and elevating public life, in religion, in education, in government and in the industries of the country. In order better to do this, and believing that the time has come when there is a wise demand for three _different_ institutions in our national educational system, the Preparatory school, the College, and the University, the authorities have abolished the Preparatory Department heretofore connected with the College, and will give their influence to the up-building throughout the State of first class preparatory schools, which may act as feeders to the Colleges. The lack of such schools has greatly retarded the advancement of education throughout the whole country. College work should begin where that of the better class of lower schools closes, and end where the best Universities take it up. This is the rational, economical plan, and the one that Trinity proposes to follow. Thus each of the three institutions will be better able to do its peculiar work. The College will be relieved and can, in turn, relieve the Universities of the burden of doing College work, and then the Universities can engage their powers in answering the demand for true University work.

This is a general statement of the Faculty’s plan for the future work and management of the College, but they are not alone in the work. They have an active, energetic Board of Trustees to co-operate and assist by action as well as by word. It is the Board’s purpose and determination, so far as in them lies, to make and keep the institution the peer of the best of its kind in the South. Upon them, in a large measure, devolves the financial support and management and, consequently, the success of the institution. To this demand they are ready to respond, and are responding. Every one that has given the subject thought concurs with the late Dr. Craven that “to meet the demand of the times, keep pace with improvements and growth, and hold equal pace with a host of noble competitors, one hundred thousand dollars endowment must be realized at an early day. Her alumni and friends _can_ do the work.” While the endowment has long been delayed, Trinity has done a work without it, of which any institution might be proud. But with this fund partly raised and the rest well under way, we think we see a career before Trinity that will make glad the heart of every Methodist and of every friend of christian education, provided always that he has done his part in consummating the noble work. To do this fully requires only an effort from each one. Then will not every one unite hands with the devoted, self-sacrificing Faculty and earnest Board of Trustees in achieving a work that is to surprise the most hopeful? What say you, reader? or, rather, what will you _do_ toward securing this nucleus of an endowment?

SENIOR CLASS OF ’88.

William Eugene Fink was born in Cabarrus county, N. C., Nov. 2nd, 1862; alternately worked on his father’s farm and attended neighboring schools until eighteen years of age; then joined a ‘trestle-building gang’ on the Ducktown Rail Road, and continued employed in this occupation for one year; returned home and entered North Carolina College January, ’82, where he remained till May 20th, ’83; entered the Freshman Class at Trinity College September 10th, ’83; was out during the session of ’84-’5; returned and entered the Sophomore Class August 25th, ’85. After receiving his diploma, Mr. Fink will rusticate for the summer upon his father’s farm; he will then seek the broad plains of the West, and join the revelries of the ‘coyotes’ and the Indians and the cow-boys.

James Joseph Scarboro, first saw the light in Montgomery county, N. C., July 23rd, 1863; worked upon his father’s farm till 1883, attending the common schools of the community when such were being taught; entered, after 1883 Mt. Gilead High School, and there under the tuition of Prof. R. H. Skeen, remained two years; entered the Sophomore class at Trinity College in August, ’85. Mr. Scarboro proposes to make teaching his life work.

Edward L. Ragan was born March 26th, 1864, at “Bloomington,” N. C.; labored on the farm until 1881, sometimes attending public schools; entered, in 1881, the Preparatory Department at Trinity College; left college in ’82, and sold goods in High Point; re-entered college at Trinity in ’85, this time joining the Freshman Class, half advanced. When Mr. Ragan receives his diploma, he intends to till the soil.

Joseph Amos Ragan was born at “Bloomington,” N. C., Sept. 26th, 1865. He, too, farmed and attended public schools. His principle occupation while on the farm was driving oxen, and he tells some amusing incidents about his “tail-twisting” experience. Mr. Ragan entered the Preparatory Class at Trinity in ’81, but after ’82 dropped out. He re-entered College in ’85. Mr. Ragan has not fully decided as to his occupation after leaving college, but thinks he will teach or read medicine.

William Alexander Barrett, entered this world in Caswell county, N. C., the 2nd or 4th day of February, 1867. Being a Methodist preacher’s son, he has had no fixed home, having lived in nine or ten different towns in North Carolina, but in not one of them longer than four years. The meagre preparation which Mr. Barrett had to enter college was obtained at Statesville Male Academy. He entered the Freshman Class at Trinity College in August of ’85. Mr. Barrett intends to make the law his profession.

Daniel Calhoun Roper was born April 1st, 1867, in Marlboro county, S. C. Mr. Roper being the son of a farmer was brought up as a farmer boy. He attended the schools of his neighborhood until 1881, when he entered Laurinburg High School in Richmond county, N. C. Here he remained until ’84, when he entered Wofford College, Spartanburg, S. C. He was taken sick in the latter part of his Sophomore year, and was compelled to leave college on account of his health. Being attracted by the healthful climate and by the hospitality of the North Carolina people, Mr. Roper came to Trinity in September of ’86 and entered the Junior Class. He will continue to farm, after getting his diploma.

Theodore Earl McCrary has for his birth-place Lexington, N. C., and for his birth-day June 5th, 1867. He worked with his father in the furniture business, and attended various schools in Lexington, the chief of which was that conducted by Miss Laura Clement and the Southern Normal. Mr. McCrary came to Trinity College Jan. 12th, 1886 and entered the Junior Class. He remained away from college during the fall term of ’86 on account of ill-health, but returned at the beginning of the spring term of ’87. Mr. McCrary is as yet undecided as to what shall be his occupation.

John Spenser Bassett was born Sept. 10th, 1867, at Tarboro, N. C. While he was an infant his father moved to Goldsboro, N. C. At the age of nine years he moved to Richlands, Onslow county, N. C., but returned to Goldsboro in a few years and that is now his home. Mr. Bassett attended Richlands Academy; was graduated in ’85 from Goldsboro Graded and High School; then attended Davis School; came to Trinity in August of ’86 and entered the Junior Class. After leaving college, Mr. Bassett will “do anything honorable which affords a support.”

George Newton Raper was born Dec. 15th, 1867 near High Point; worked on the farm and attended the “back-woods” school until Jan., 1883, when he went to Oak Ridge Institute; remained in school there till November of the same year, and then taught a public school for three and a half months; entered the Blair High School at High Point in March ’84, and remained there until June ’85, completing the course in this school; then for a time sold books in Guilford county, and the people of that county still refer to him as “Book Agent;” taught school during the winter of ’85-’86, and entered the Sophomore Class at Trinity College Feb. 3d, 1886. Mr. Raper will teach.

John C. Montgomery was born in Concord, N.C., Aug. 30th, 1868. Concord has always been his home. He was prepared for college at Concord High School under the tuition of Prof. R. S. Arrowwood. Mr. Montgomery came to Trinity College Aug. 24th, 1885 and entered the Sophomore Class. He proposes to read medicine after leaving college. It is his intention to confine himself to a specialty, and he will devote himself to the treatment of the eye.

ANECDOTES TOLD BY OLD BOYS.

_Rabbit vs. Cat._—Formerly it was customary for Trinity boys to have rabbit feasts in their rooms at night. They indulged in this to such an extent one winter season, that it became unsafe to leave a dressed rabbit exposed, for some one would be sure to steal it. A party of students caught a rabbit and left it in their room with the expectation of banqueting on it that night. While they were out, much to their chagrin a second party appropriated the rabbit, and the whetted appetites of party No. 1 had to remain unsatiated. Means for revenge were devised. They obtained a cat, dressed it, and left it in their room, as they had left the rabbit before. Again party No. 2 stole the game. They cooked it nicely and had a delicious feast. Believing they had baffled party No. 1 a second time, they, to carry out the joke more fully, returned the bones to said party. Thereupon, party No. 1 sent them the claws, hide and tail of the cat they had eaten. Shades of departed cats! what a sick set they were! “Mew, mew,” was the only sound heard about the college for two weeks.

_The Joke Turns._—An old student of Trinity once took a newy snipe-hunting. After traveling about five miles from the village, he left him to hold the bag (into which he would drive the snipes), with the intention of returning to Trinity himself, and leaving the newy to find his way home as best he could. Unfortunately for the old student, he missed the road and finally wandered back to the newy who by that time suspected the joke, and found out also that the old student had lost his way. He accordingly compelled the would-be joker to pay him one dollar to conduct him back to Trinity. Tradition says that student never took another newy to hunt snipes.

_The Mutual Aid-the-Stuck-Society._—This was established for the benefit of those boys whose conversational powers are soon exhausted, and who become “stuck.” Each member was sworn to relieve any other member who might be _stuck_ with a young lady on any public occasion, such as commencement, Senior Presentation, at sociables, etc. It was only necessary for him who was _stuck_ to wink at some brother member and he would be immediately relieved.

Quite a number of new boys joined the society. On the first occasion which presented itself for the practical operation of the society, the founders engaged the company of ladies. Apparently they were soon stuck. They gave the wink to their fellow members (the newies) who came gallantly and promptly to their relief. By and by the newies became stuck (really). In vain they winked. No one came to their rescue. The society held no more meetings after this event.

_On the Wrong Scent._—Boys who boarded some little distance from the village used to have a study room furnished them in the College building. The one opposite Prof. Gannaway’s recitation-room was so used. It was supplied with desks, and was often occupied by quite a number. One day, when fun ran riot, the room was “packed,” and T. W. W. climbed upon the top desk of the tower that had been built—presumably to make a speech—but some one kicked out the corner-stone desk, thereby precipitating a combined earthquake and thunder-clap. Prof. G. came to the door, with his specs adjusted to fit the occasion, and asked where that noise was. W. looked the Prof. right in the face and said, “I saw some one run upstairs.” The Prof. started off to find the offender, and everything was in order by the time he returned.

On another occasion, when the President was attending the session of the General Conference, the bell-clapper was taken out and hidden, all the gates were carried off, Frazier’s old mail-hack was taken off and not found for several days. One day we wanted holiday, and asked for it. Professor Wright, who was in charge and had been having the bell rung for a week with a rock, told the boys in the chapel to bring up the clapper, bring the gates, and he would grant their request. So, while a class was reciting, a long, lank fellow, who had been “snipe-hunting” a few nights before, came in with the clapper, the gates were put up, the bell tapped three times (the summons to chapel) and we assembled and had our request granted. These were pleasant days for the boys.

The boy who was wallowed in the snow, between Charles Davis’s and “Uncle” Jabez Leach’s, by his rival, is living in Trinity now.

_The Party._—It was in the winter of 1874 that I got up a party—a sham party, but the boys thought it was real and were in for it. I made out a long list of ladies and opposite their names were placed the boys’ names, but showed this list only to the boys that were to be victimized. It was a very cold night; the ground was frozen. Mr. Coltrain’s house was selected as the place for the party. I got only about ten boys in the trap. These were cautioned to keep it a secret. About $3.50 was collected from them to get refreshments. They each wrote notes to the ladies that had been selected for them, and they like the boys were delighted and accepted. Scroggs and I were to go with some ladies from the country. This was a blind, but at the proper time we started. Some of the boys saw us off. There was a new path just above Prof. Doub’s, about fifty yards from the street. This is the way Scroggs and I went, and we lay down by an oak tree. By and by we heard our boys with their girls, going to the party. I can hear those merry voices now. When they passed, we went back to our rooms. I had arranged for them all to meet at Mr. Coltrain’s at the same hour, and so they did. Gray knocked at the door. There were no lights to be seen anywhere. Still none suspected what was up. Presently Mr. C. came to the door—he was dressed in white—“What is the matter?” Gray answered, “Nothing, we have come to the party” “—What party?”—“J. said there was to be a party here tonight and we were all invited.”—“I know nothing about it. We are all in bed.” Gray and the rest of them discovered my joke. After the boys had taken the ladies home, they came to my room, and with the money I had collected from them I gave them a royal treat to candy and cigars. O, the fun I had over the joke! I venture Gray and Turner have not forgotten it to this day.

Locals.

T. E. McCRARY, _Hes._, } } REPORTERS. W. I. CRANFORD, _Col._, }

Beef! BEEF!! BEEF!!!

Examinations are here. Truly “man was made to mourn.”

It is reported that the Trinity Commercial Bank has “busted” again. However, there have been no excursions to Canada yet.

The Trinity lawyers are having considerable practice now, in these “evil days.”

“Benny” says he had a good time with his girl at Thomasville. He had permission to go on business, and he went.

We have one Senior who—Well, we don’t know whether he will share his commencement honors with some one else or not; but, if there is any sign in noonday-dreams and long strolls, we th-th-think he w-will.