• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1936-10-14_Vol05_No02_08

THE WESTERN CAROLINIAN W.Cf.C'S FIRST TRUSTEES WERE NORLE CITIZENS Promoted Pioneer Interests Of Christian Life Here By R. L. Madi.on When Cullowhee High School , ,„ Western Carolina Teachers' I was chartered in 1891, two years after it- beginning, the charter members of its Board of Trustees were: William Wilson, . Daniel D. Davies, K. Hamilton Brown, J. David Co- ward, William C. Norton, Lewis J. Smith, Robert L. Watson, and William A. Henson—all men , haraeter, ability, and public s irit. Their wives also were women of uncommon endowments who nobly seconded ihe efforts of their husbands in sustaining and promoting the interests of the All of the eight self-denial, loyalty, devotion, hospitality, energy, love for home .-• for law- ami i.din-ion. The first three lived oa farms in Iful Cullo- alley; the second three lived on farm . in the lower part of the valley; and the other three, on across the Tuskaseegee River—Mr, Watson, on Weyahut- ta Creek; Mr. Smith, on the river, a mile below the mouth of the Cullowhee; and .Mr. Benson, on Cane Creek. With respect to this territory, the first school building, which stood opposite the site of - the present Bapti t Church, was centrally located. Mr. Wilson, familiarly known as ".'quire" Wilson, was a man of military bearing whether walking or mounted on his horse. He was dignified, business-like, reserved. and a man of few words but sound judgment. He was a liable financial adviser ami rendered the school inestimable service through SSga«i0US advice in times His intert Mr. COX, one of the two survivors of "the original nine," i- a na live of South Carolina and a true . \; oneii! uf "the old school of Southern gentlemen". Scholarly, courteous, versatile, and magnetic One of the most active, intelligent, and useful the board. Mr. Cox onal civil engineer of high rank. He has ably served oid the State in both branches of the Legislature. .Mr. Davies, a native of Wales and a loyal adopted son of Aniori 1 a, a progre Sive pioneer in our mountain region, had able life-history that thrills like the high-lights of fiction. During the most critical days of the school, he served as chairman or vice-chairman of the board and, perhaps, no other member attended more meetings than he. An ideai neighbor, a genial host in his heme, a just judge in federal of fire, a promoter of education ami religion, he will continue to be greatly missed. One of the building ion the College campus is nam ed in his honor "Davies Hall." Mr. Brown, genero public-spirited to the extreme, lie- loved by everybody, was a potent fa. tor in the establishment permanent school at Cullowhee. His land, his work, his team and wag on, his means, hi; every service were at the disposal of the school. lie held back nothing when he though! a good cause needed anything he had. M r. Coward, independent, frank, honest to a penny, Godfearing, unpretentious, but full ot praise-worthy pride, possessing convictions and the courage to assert and maintain them, made an ideal member for the board on which he served so long and faithfully, much of the time as Secre- of tary and Trei e-1 in the school never flagged; he was ready to spend ami be spent for the public good. He served hi county m several public capacities, iy coiiim.s lonership I isliier. Mr. Norton, the othi :il board, vied with efforts to build and perpetuate ::..- ii.M,l. He has enjoyed public confidence and has efficiently -. ,e,i as sheriff and county com- 'ROBERT THE JANITOR' REMINISCES; BOY, ARE THE ALUMNI FACES RED? Mi. Smith, a \at;le- -earred vet- an of the Col federacy, once I ccessfn] teacher, later a merchant, was from early manhood a promoter of education and religion. He was one of the sponsors of the noted Dawson school at East LaPovte. No cl low bee was more diligent, devoted, and helpful in the cause of education. His lonservati- 1 sels, liberality, and tactf 1 ilness the success of the School . Ill 1889, he 1 reditably re district in the State Mr, Wat on, "red a unique character, witty and phil- brave soldier of the 60's, was an anient advocate of d an influential, deli member of the Board. "good liver", and he and hi family produced nearly all the necessities of ljfV on his own farm. He loved the school, was proud of it, and took keen pleasure in serving it. Mr. Henson, "the best sheriff •lac! son County ever had", was a model citizen and devout Christian. Though among the youngest Of the board's personnel, he had no superior in faithfulness and willingness to serve. He did much toward consumating the permanency of our school and deserves equal honor with his distinguished associates on the board. These imperfect sketches of the "Noble Nine" do inadequate justice to them of their unselfish labors. All of them and their devoted wives de .erve to be enshrined fore EXCHANGE is Angeles Junior Collegian pulled these bright ones: He thought he'd surely made a hit When for Iris photograph she !rayed, "Out, when this calls", she wrote on it, And gave it to the maid. To college, to college, To get a diploma, Home again, Home again, Still in a coma. i) sleep, Now 1 sit me down t The lectures dry, the deep, If should quit before I wake, (live me a punch, for gOOdneSS sake. Robert Davis, known to many as simply "Robert the janitor", who has been connected with the school for almost thirty years at one job or another, talks over old times. He recalled when he could take all the girls here in school to Sylva in hacks. (The boys thumbed then, but not cars). The roads were terrible, the mud often reaching the axles of the hack. Many of the alumni of the early days can recall with Robert the three- seated hack which he owned. As an answer to the question what did they do in those days for y fun, Robert replied with a bit of : His last sentence was signifi humor, "Well, they didn't have cant of his associations here. H because the water sup adequate for student building purposes. Having given my word not to tell, I must not repeat some of the interesting sidelights on former students who have children here now, present and former faculty members, and present students. Many of the readers can remember that Robert could hardly for- "Couples get married here now more than they used to," was Robert's belief. (Campusologists, that is an encouraging note fVtr much". He told, week-end camping parties taken on a wagon to Whiteside Mount- tain where they would spend Saturday night and have Sunday School next morning. Time was, acording to Robert, when roads were so bad that coal could not be hauled from Sylva. Students cut wood from the campus hillsides when they were covered with snow and ice. The logs vere then snaked to the boiler room to keep the fires going. Several pieces of furniture main here from those early days. Among them are: desks Dean Bird's desk (Robert hauled it in his wagon from Sylva) and the last one of the teachers' chairs is in the shop room awaiting repairs. He smiled as he remembered when he hauled the "big" safe (the one in the hall Hind's door). He repeated, "That was re-ally a big one in those days". When Davies Hall was built, Robert hauled water from the Tuckaseigt said, ' 'They've been mighty nice to me here. I've never been mad with a student, a faculty member, nor a president of the college. THREE MEN ARE .... (Continued from page one) alarmed by s.vmptons of a physical breakdown, he went to the Se- quatchie Valley, Tennessee, foi test in the mountain air. It was at this time that a school committee looking for a teacher found him and filially persuaded him to tea.b month.' school. Thb instrumental in changing his career, and the would' he medicine man gave up his plan and entered the unpromising pro- Cession of teai hing. After having taught for several years in various communities ot Western Xm th Carolina, Profe sor Madison agreed to undertake a ten months' session starting n August, 1889, at Cullowhee. Eighteen students met that first day—the house was unpaint- ed, unfinished, and unfurnished. The school census of the sparsely settled district showed forty names , and the year's apportionment, of public funds was forty But the enrollment grew until another teacher had to be employed. By the close of the first session, one hundred students had registered. For twenty-three years Professor Madison directed 1 the progress of the school. The the grateful | fj,.st fifteen years it was called hearts of posterity It is surely | the Cullowhee High School. In say, that no cause | 1891 it was chartered. The Nor- .1 School was established in 1893 OCTOBER 14, 1936 - and 1 xpansion. Then March 17, 1920, the Hoard of Di- lectors unanimously recalled Professor Madi on to the presidency of the institution. Three years later, he resigned, and l'i. 11. T. Hunter, an educator of ability and scholarship, vvas chosen president. The Board of Trustees retained Professor Madison on the faculty as teacher of English and foreign languages. Dr. Hunter has continually em- phasized the importance of a larger and wider curriculum, so that under his admini t ration has become much less local in its patronage. Its growth has indeed been phenomenal since Dr. Hunter The institution at Cullowhee has had four names during its pa 1 history—Cullowhee High School, Cullowhee Normal, and Industrial School, Cullowhee State Normal, and Western Carolina Te College. .Most of its friends and Alumni still know it as "Cullowhee". From its earliest has supplie i teachers for North Carolina, besides sending many to other states. We are reapin v the fruits of she Robert L. Madison. He her of education in Jack ■oil County. Our education is budded 011 the fotiml.v his young manhood. "He has been both the Aycock and the Joyner of Jackson County." Not only the county, but the state is indebted to In- service. May he have many more years of public serivce, for he serves the public and not himself; he remains a poor man in this world's goods, but wealthy in the affection of his people. not too much ever had a body of ed by their loyal consorts, that worked together so unitedly and sucessfully to the accomplishment of results so produtive of the general public good. While other fine men and women, not officially connected with the school, contributed much to supplement the work of the board and should not be forgotten, these nine men specified in this brief article assumed and heroically discharged the responsibilities of conducting and maintaining an important educational enterprise, which, now under the blessing of God, has become a permanent institution of learning. with an annual appropriation foi its support. The permanency of the institution was assured before Professor Madison retired. Professor A C. Reynolds was elected president in 1912, and ably managed the affairs of the school for eight years MONUMENT TO BE . (Continued from pas ,0) GRADS TO AID .... (Continued from page one) upon themselves a fee of twenty- five cents apiece for their entrance to the Barbecue. Da;, students are included in the arrangement. Lunch will not be served in the dining hall except for the football players. There will be some who will want to attend Homecoming wbc will not be able to. The privilege is extended to those people of rending any contribution they wish to the Madi on Memorial fund. Many free-will contributions a- 1 ove the ticket charge; have been promised or paid by various members of the faculty and Alumni Association. Contributions such as this will be welcomed to help swell the fund toward the goal of for the mortar, | the remaining six hundred dollars. The marker placed there reads: To Honor Robert Lee Madison who on this site founded August 12, 1889 Western Carolina Teachers College Original board of Trustees Daniel D. Davies, Chairman William Wilton Thomas Cox R. Hamilton Brown J. David Coward William C. Norton Robert L. Watson Lewis J. Smith William A. Henson Dedicated by Alumni and Friend: June 4, 1934 It has been more than , two years since that marker was placed there. The surrounding plot i~, barren and unattractive, feel that it does not show a lack of interest on the part of the alumni but only a little thoughtlessness. Homecoming Day will be an excellent chance to show active interest in Professor Robert Lee MadiSOB and the Alma Mater. LYRIC Theatre SYLVA, N. C. Thurs. and Fri. October 15-16 "YOURS FOR THE ASKING" Geo. Raft-Dolores Costello Barrymore Mon. arid Tues. October 19-20 "EARLYTO BED" Mary Roland Charlie Ruggles Every man a Catamount! Git Thurs. and Fri. October 22-23 "SAN FRANCISCO" Clark Gable Jeanette MacDonald Mon. and Tues. October 26-27 'WHITE ANGEL' Kay Francis Ian Hunter Thurs. and Fri. October 29-30 "BULLETS OR BALLOTS" Edward G. Robinson Joan Blondell MATINEE EVERY DAY AT 3:00 NIGHTS AT 7:00-9:00 COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. 90-92 BILTMORE AVE. Asheville, N. C.

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina Teachers College
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1936-10-14
  • Date digitized: 2017-01-26
• Extent
  • Dimension: 18" x 12"
  • Pages: 8 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1936-10-14_Vol05_No2
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library