Mercer County, Illinois - Chapter 33: Miscellaneous, 1914

Chapter 33: Miscellaneous

The Mercer County World's Columbian Exposition Club was organized in Aledo, March 31, 1892, by Mrs. Marcia Louise Gould of Moline, Illinois, president of the Illinois Woman's Exposition Board. The club was composed almost entirely of ladies of Aledo and vicinity, who met to plan an exhibit of Mercer County products to be placed in the Illinois Building at the World's Fair, Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Lallie Connell, Aledo, Illinois, presided at the meeting, explaining its object, and it was voted to organize. Mrs. Clarence Brock, Aledo; Mrs. Hugh Grazier, Viola, and Mrs. Flora B. Winger, Aledo, were appointed a nominating committee. They reported Mrs. Lallie Connell for president; Mrs. Frances Byers, vice president, and Mrs. Delia Harr, secretary. Mrs. Connell asked to be released. Mrs. Byers was appointed president; Mrs. Robert Dool, vice president, and Mrs. Harr, secretary; adopted by a rising vote.

Mrs. Byers took the chair and a membership roll was made, resulting in a membership of sixty-seven ladies, signing the constitution and paying a membership fee of twenty-five cents, each.

Mrs. Gould further explained what an interesting exhibit should consist of, and plans were discussed for the same. After many meetings in which various plans were spoken of the club decided to make a carved wood cabinet and fill it with Indian relics and other articles of special interest to be found in Mercer County. Mrs. Brock was appointed to interview Miss Alice E. Hall of The Art Institute in Chicago and learn the expense of such a cabinet. Miss Hall was later engaged to come to Aledo and superintend a class which should do the work on the cabinet. Twenty ladies took the lessons, beginning February 18, 1892, meeting and doing the work in the G. A. R. Hall in what was then the Richey Building, on the ground where the courthouse now stands. The wood used in the cabinet is red southern gum, which is fine grained and takes a high polish. The design is flattened octagon, five feet high. The feet are eight in number, six inches high, arching in shape, and carved in scroll work. Two panels are of wood carved in relief. One of these is an elaborate pattern of wild roses, with over lapping leaves and stems, and is the work of Mrs. Hortense Moses, formerly of Aledo, now of Portland, Oregon. The other panel is an equally beautiful and elaborate design in maple leaves, stems and twigs, and is the work of Mrs. Ella Graham Reynolds of Aledo. There are six glass panels, two of which are doors. The frames of these panels are carved at the top with wreaths of wild roses in incised work. The bevels at the top and bottom are of conventional pattern in over lapping leaves. The roof of the cabinet is pointed. Eight rafters carved in scroll work to match the feet lead from each panel to a point in the center and terminate with a cone of closed leaves at the top. Miss Hall remained with the club five weeks, until the work on the cabinet was finished and ready for putting together. This important part of the work was done most perfectly by Mr. Gustaff Bjorkman of Aledo. Those who belonged to the class and assisted in carving upon the cabinet are the following: Mrs. Hortense Moses, Aledo; Mrs. Ella Reynolds, Aledo; Mrs. Clarence Brock, Aledo; Mrs. Delia Harr, Aledo; Mrs. Melissa Fleming, New Boston; Mrs. Abbie Morey, Aledo; Mrs. Orpha Lorimer, Aledo; Mrs. Sallie Love, Millersburg; Mrs. J. C. Mitchell, Aledo; Mrs. Alice Willits, Aledo; Miss Neta Durning, Aledo; Mrs. Cora David, Aledo; Miss Fanny Bay, Aledo; Miss Katie Porter, Aledo; Miss Maggie Gilmore, Aledo; Miss Alice Young, Rock Island; Miss Pearl Love, Aledo; Frank C. Coningham, Aledo; Robert Danford, New Boston; J. F. Henderson, Aledo; all of whom worked upon the cabinet, except Mr. J. F. Henderson, Miss Alice Young and Mrs. Delia Harr. A floor was fitted in the cabinet to slope from a high central part especially designed to display the Indian relics. Mrs. Sarah M. Tudor suggested that specimens of the Aledo artesian well soils be sent as it was the deepest well in Illinois, being 3,1 16 feet in depth. Accordingly 100 vials filled with the various strata were properly labeled and sent. There was a long list of very fine articles placed in the cabinet, which is too voluminous to enter here. These were shipped to Chicago on April 13, 1893. Mrs. Mary L. Chowning was then secretary and received the following letter: "I am glad to be able to inform you that the exhibit from Aledo has arrived today. The cabinet has been opened and is very handsome. Very truly yours, Mrs. L. D. Bayley. April 27, 1893. Office superintendent." Mrs. Byers and Mrs. Morey went to Chicago and placed the exhibit in the cabinet according to the plans made for it, where it remained until November, 1893, a credit to Illinois, and much admired during the World's Fair. Since that time it was kept by the club for fifteen years in the club room of the courthouse, and for the past four years at the home of Mrs. Ella Reynolds. After the cabinet was finished a debt of $70 still remained. By an act of the club, August 7, 1893, Mrs. Mary Chowning and Mrs. Orpha Lorimer were a committee to correspond with state officers to secure, if possible, the amount from the state fund appropriated for such purposes. This was granted and the cabinet became the property of the club, to keep or dispose of as they might decide to do. The first work of the club being finished, no other meetings were held until February, 1895, when the president, Mrs. Byers, called a meeting at her home to consider the securing of a room in the courthouse in which articles of historic and special interest might be kept with the cabinet, and to be known as the Columbian Club Room. Mrs. Abbie Morey, Mrs. Florence Wells and Mrs. Clarence Brock were appointed bv the president to secure the same if agreeable to the Board of Supervisors of Mercer County. Mrs. Orpha Lorimer was elected secretary. While this committee was pursuing the necessary course to obtain the consent of the board for a room in the courthouse, the club voted to read and study at weekly meetings, held on Saturday afternoons, some good and instructive history. Mrs. Flora Winger and Mrs. O. J. Lorimer were appointed to plan a program, which was the beginning of the study and reading which has continued for nearly twenty years. Miss Mabel Pepper was then the instructor in general history at the Aledo Academy under Prof. J. R. Wiley, and at her suggestion to Mrs. Flora Winger that the Barnes' General History would be a good foundation for further study, it was decided to use that text book, which was the backbone, so to speak, of the literary and historical work done by the club for three years following, and no better choice could have been made then this which was offered by one in every way capable of making a wise selection. Miss Mabel Pepper is now Mrs. John W. Weeks, of Punta Gorda, Florida. The club met at various homes every Saturday, reading the history and adding such literature as increased the interest in the periods studied.

On April 27, 1891;, the committee on rooms reported a permission to use for historical relics and as a permanent home for the club, the free use of the librarv room in the courthouse. The cabinet was at once taken there and for fifteen years it was an object of much interest to many visitors. On May 4, 1895, the first meeting of the club was held in the beautiful room granted the club as the only county organi- zation whose object it was to preserve interesting relics of Mercer County. This brought forth many articles of interest from various parts of the countv, presented or loaned to the club for exhibition in their room. Such a mark of approval by the Board of Supervisors of Mercer Countv has ever been appreciated by the club as one of its greatest honors. As an expression of the thanks they felt, the club decided to hold a public reception of all who cared to come to see the room on July 4, 1895, as a great celebration had been planned for that day and a large number of people were expected here. This proved a verv pleasing part of the program of the day and the room was visited bv many people, who registered their names in a book which is still one of the treasures of the club. A large rug and chairs were bought for the room, and it was decided to prepare a souvenir book for the fourth anniversary of the club. This book contains fortv pictures of members of the club at that time, a cut of the cabinet, and 340 of the many quotations given each week at the call of the roll. It was believed that this souvenir would recall to members the pleasant and profitable hours spent together in an earnest desire for self-improvement.

How well it has performed that task is more fully realized as the years pass on. Twelve of those faces have passed from earth to heaven. Fourteen dwell in far away states. Fourteen remain in Aledo and vicinity, and all but one are still members of the club. The club list contained at that time eighty-four names, thirty past members, most of whom were charter members. The souvenir was March 31, 1896, and was the work of a number of committees dividing the work into groups. Mrs. Delia Harr, Mrs. Tilla Gregory, Miss Alice Sponsler, Mrs. May I. Whitham, Mrs. Clarence Brock, Mrs. Hortense Moses, Mrs. Mellie Eames, Mrs. Mary McKinney, Mrs. Flora Graham and Mrs. Flora Winger being the members of the committees. Mrs. Mary McKinney presented the club with a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary at the fourth anniversary, which was much appreciated for many years. When a new one was bought this was presented to the Mercer County Jail by the club, believing many prisoners would be glad to make use of some such help to put in their time of waiting. The reading done by the club then, as now, was of the highest standard of literature, as the list of books and selections show on the records. At the fourth anniversarv meeting Mrs. Mary Byers read an interesting paper, relating to her experience as president for four years, with a summing up of the work done, and expressed her hope of future usefulness for all time to come; that the Columbian Club should ever be an aid in any good work Aledo should undertake. Mrs. Mary McKinney gave an able address on "Our Club Emblem, The Maltese Cross," one well worthy of being printed and preserved in the cabinet. Mrs. Clara Ingmire gave a "Parody on Tennyson's Dream of Fair Women;" Mrs. Harr, a paper of "The Souvenir," which was very interesting and witty. Since then the anniversary day has always been fittingly observed.

The next meeting was an important one, April 4, 1896. Mrs. Byers announced that William Marsh, Sr., had offered his valuable collection to the Columbian Club. His generous offer was accepted and Mrs. Morev, Mrs. Winger and Mrs. Bvers appointed a committee to confer with Mr. Marsh, the sheriff and board of supervisors as to the placing of the collection in the club room of the courthouse. Action was taken and the collection was accepted.

The club kept open house for the Soldiers' Reunion of August, 1896. On October 9th of the same year they served meals during a political rally, McKinley Day at the city hall, clearing the sum of $6v90. This money paid for three handsome cabinets which were placed in the club room and Mr. Marsh, himself, arranged in order the properlv labelled specimens, working many days in the club room, sometimes assisted bv a few of the ladies who would write labels for him, but more often he would go alone and work for hours. Visitors from far and near came to see the specimens and hear his interesting account of them. In April, 191 2, it was voted to present the great collection to William and Vashti College. Mr. Marsh and the committee of supervisors agreed with the ladies of the club that the college was a worthv and fitting institution of learning and deserved such a valuable present as this.

For almost six years Mrs. Byers was president of the club, ever faithful and efficient, building so well that its growth has been of a nature to command the respectful attention of the public generally throughout Mercer County. On September 4, 1897, she asked to be released from the responsible position of president. This was granted at her repeated request and Mrs. Flora B. Graham was a worthy successor and never has an unworthy president occupied the chair. In this and in all the membership the club has been most fortunate. Those early days of hard work and much planning were full of untried plans, which experience only might pronounce wise or unwise. In all the plans for the good of the club Mrs. Byers was ably assisted by many and especially bv her husband, A. M. Byers, president of the Farmers National Bank of Aledo. For many years she was also assisted by Captain and Mrs. L. B. Morey.

These four considered the welfare of the club from every standpoint and it is believed they have builded an association which will continue to be a credit to the ones who worked hardest and spent more time and money than anv others to make the club what it has been and still is in Mercer County.

In 1898 the club joined the State Federation. For many years the work of the club was chiefly self-culture, and adding to the collection of Mercer County relics, which they still own. Many social events gave pleasure to members and friends. Four years ago Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Tudor and Mrs. Sarah Eshbach proposed the plan of establishing a Free Public Rest Room under the management of the Columbian Club. All business men favored the plan. The club appointed a Civics Committee of ten ladies who have solicited the necessary funds ($.500) a year, and have made up by their own subscriptions and efforts any lack of funds for that purpose, adding much needed convenience to Aledo's well equipped business interests. This is daily found to be the greatest benefit, averaging an attendance of more than two hundred out of town people every month. Often on Saturday from sixty to seventy-five out of town people make use of this public benefit. Committees of all kinds make frequent use of its comfortable rooms. A library of over three hundred books are on its shelves. It is an institution Aledo is well proud of and dear to members of the Columbian Club. This little start for a public library has been helpful in efforts now being made for a splendid new Carnegie Library.

When the William and Vashti College was built an endowment fund was a necessity. The club responded to the appeal and awoke to find themselves famous, having given the generous sum of $2,400 to the fund. This was done largely through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Minnie Carroll whose enthusiasm awoke a corresponding willingness to sacrifice, if need be, for the college Aledo has just reasons to feel proud of. This has been the latest great work of the club, but they are earnestly engaged in many ways to be helpful all the time to the college, the new library soon to be, and the rest and reading rooms.

They have long been a member of the State Federation. Miss Lizzie Winders and Mrs. Martha Mathews assisted on committees at the recent General Federation in Chicago. The club emblem of the Maltese Cross, and the national colors of red, white and blue remind them of their privilege as Americans, and their hopes of future usefulness by a little self-sacrifice that others may be benefited by them. This is the aim of the club - To get all the good

1892-7: Miscellaneous and General History, Mrs. Mary Byers; 1897-9: European History, Mrs. Flora Graham; 1899-1901 : American History and Literature, Mrs. Mellie Fames; 1901-02: Illinois- English Literature, Mrs. Letitia Boyd; 1902-03: Shakespeare, Mrs. Letitia Boyd; 1903-04: Shakespeare, Miss Alice Sponsler; 1904-05: Current Literature, Miss Alice Sponsler; 1905-06: Washington Irving and George Eliot, Mrs. Emma Mardock; 1906-07: Miscellaneous, Mrs. Lenore Finch; 1907-08: Miscellaneous, Mrs. Fannie Stein; 1908-09: Miscellaneous, Mrs. Harriet McArthur; 1909-10: Africa and Africans, Mrs. Alice Willits; 1910-11: Italian Art and Artists, Mrs. Minnie Hollembaek; 191 1-2: Bible, American Art and Artists, Mrs. Minnie Hollembaek; 1912-3: Todav and a Little of Yesterday, Mrs. Minnie Carroll; 1913-4: United States and Germany, Mrs. Jennie Morgan; 1914-5: Illinois and Pan-American Exposition and South America, Mrs. Margaret Venable.

County Fair Of 1914

The County Fair of 1914 was fully up to the standard of excellence set by those of previous years. On Thursday there were present nearly eighteen hundred automobiles; it was found necessary to park the surplus in other portions of the grounds. The new administration building reflected much credit on the society. Numerous special trains were run on the railroad to accommodate the crowds, not only here but from outside of the county, that wanted to see the fair. The paid admissions on Thursday aggregated in round numbers 15,000. The best time made on Thursday was 2:15' 4 in the 2:15 trot and 2:12^ in the 2:15 pace. The biplane flights of C. L. Wiggins were witnessed by the entire population and all the visitors. He dipped, darted, spiraled, Dutch rolled, tangoed, turkey trotted, and chased a cloud up 1,500 feet. Baseball games were played in the mornings.

On Wednesday there were five starters in the 2:30 trot; the best time made was 2:21^' In the 2:11 pace for a purse of $350. the best time was 2:12^4. Society Leader was winner. In the 2:25 pace there were six starters, Kellerville Kid winning, the best time being 2:14*4. The horse, John Morris, won first money in the 4^ furlong dash against a field of seven.

animals were shown as follows: Duroc Jerseys, 113; Poland Chinas, 81 ; Hampshires, 66; Berkshires, 23; Chester Whites, 17. It is probable that more fine Mercer County horses were exhibited than ever before. The Bridgford Pony Farm exhibited eleven animals this year.

The corn show was the finest and largest in the history of the fair. L. A. McCormick, who for eight years has had this exhibit in charge, pronounced the display superior to those of other years. Other competent judges declared the display to be a record maker. Mr. McCormick placed the corn crop of 1914 in his portion of the countv (the northern) at 80 per cent, a showing unexpectedly good. At this fair it was apparent that alfalfa had become a staple crop in the county.

The poultry exhibit was unusually fine, varied and comprehensive. The varieties shown were never more numerous. In addition to chickens there were shown geese, ducks, turkeys and pigeons. Over one thousand birds were shown.

Central or Floral Hall had a larger number of entries than ever before; the display of textile fabrics was especially fine. The horticultural exhibit was not up to the standard.

Among the conspicuous exhibits were the following: Duroc Jerseys by Bigelow & Son ; although they competed against nine herds they secured nine ribbons; B. M. Gilmore, Chester Whites; J. M. Nesbit & Son, big type Poland Chinas; J. S. Rader & Son, Cotswold sheep; Warwick Bros., Shropshire sheep; Bistline & Kistler, Shropshires; Kiddoo & Son, Shire horses; F. E. Sherer, Chester Whites;

G. E. Close & Sons, Berkshire and Championship prizes in hogs; E. C. Wilson, Poland Chinas; W. E. Huffman, big type Chester Whites; S. S. Lane, Poland Chinas; R. H. Whitsitt, Chester Whites; Ira Dodson & Son; J. F. Hyett, Poland Chinas; C. H. Armstrong, Jersey cattle; Mrs. C. C. Willits, white Holland turkeys; W. N. Ralston, Partridge Wyandottes ; Bowers Brothers, white Wyandottes ; Mrs. J. M. Strong, white Plymouth Rocks; Gid Jackson, Duroc Jerseys; S. S. Lane, Poland Chinas; J. M. Bay, short horns. (The publishers were compelled to go to press before the fair had closed and thus this account is cut short.)

William And Yasi

if his town had not been made the butt of some crude joke as to its location on the map, its railroad facilities or its means of communication with the outside world. Those conditions are now changed and the same people who were then in the habit of twitting the people of Aledo in a friendly way are now prompt to express their admiration, for the many things that Rock Island's neighboring city has accomplished. The city has moved to the front in every respect, but one of its accomplishments has been so notable and has attracted such attention that it is worthy of more than passing notice.

For the last three or four years the people of Rock Island have heard flattering reports from the school located at Aledo, known as William and Vashti college. Attention was first attracted to the school by reason of its successes in all departments of college activity. The interest thus attracted caused the people of this section of the state to take more particular notice of the institution, and it was discovered that the citizens of Aledo and Mercer county through their enterprise, devotion and determination had in less than five years accomplished what it has taken other communities similarly situated generations to bring about. While Aledo has shown much enterprise in various lines and has now become known as one of the most progressive cities of its size in the state, its greatest accomplishment is what it has done for this college. Everyone is interested in a story of achievement, and The Argus presents to its readers the interesting story of the founding and establishment of this college as a portrayal of public spirit that may well be emulated.

No doubt many who have heard of this school have wondered as to the origin of its name. The school was founded by William Drury, a long time resident of Mercer county, and was named by him in his will as William and Vashti college to commemorate the memory of himself and his wife, Vashti Drury.

By the will of Mr. Drury the school was to be located in that city or town of Mercer county which would offer the largest bonus for its location. The city of Aledo, having offered more than any other locality in the county, secured the school. The purpose of Mr. Drury was to found a non-denominational school where the student could not only secure a complete classical or scientific education, but where he could also secure such practical instruction as would fit him for some particular employment.

Mr. Drurv died leaving a considerable estate. By his will he provided that his wife should have the use of all of his property during her lifetime and at her death, after paying some specific bequests ir should go to the founding of this school. Mrs. Drury saw fit after some consideration to decline to accept the provisions of the will, and as there were no children, under the law, she was permitted to take one-half of the estate. That necessitated an immediate division of the estate and permitted the portion going to the school to be used at once.

The will provided that certain of the officials of Mercer county and of the city of Aledo should constitute the board of trustees. After reducing the estate to cash the board had a little over $100,000. It was deemed wise to invest all this money in ground, buildings and equipment, which was done. A campus of about 16 acres was acquired and the main college building, a boys' dormitory, a gymnasium, a heating plant and residence for the president were erected. After constructing these buildings and equipping them and providing for all necessary apparatus the money in the hands of the trustees was exhausted, and the board had on its hands a thoroughly equipped plant, but was without any funds in the way of an endowment and with no means of paying expenses except by such tuition as might be paid by prospective students. The situation was not at all encouraging, but in September of 1908 the college was opened with Thomas J. Davis, of Indianapolis, as president. Mr. Davis, together with the board, has selected a strong faculty to work with him, and the first year witnessed the enrollment of about 200 students in all departments.

It was soon discovered that in order to sustain the standard established by the school it would be necessary to have other revenue than that furnished by the tuition alone. Under the provisions of the will of William Drury the personnel of the board changed rapidly, and for that and other reasons affecting the legal status of any gifts which might be made to the institution, it was decided to incorporate under the laws of Illinois. This was done, and a permanent board of seven representative citizens of Aledo was selected and now manages the school.

One of the first things undertaken by the new board was the raising of an endowment fund. It was estimated that with an endowment of $200,000 the school could be put on a permanent footing and be assured of a perpetual existence. It was determined to start the endowment campaign by raising $100,000 in the city of Aledo and Mercer township, in which that city is located. As the city of Aledo contains something less than 2,500 inhabitants and does not boast of any men who would be rated as wealthy, it will be seen that this was a big undertaking. In the summer of 191 1 a vigorous campaign was prosecuted bv the board of trustees together with Dr. Frank C. English, who had then succeeded Professor Davis as the president of the college, and something more than $100,000 was raised, principally in the city of Aledo. Over 750 persons subscribed to this fund so that practically every family in Aledo was represented and now feels that it has a financial interest in the school. This was one of the objects sought to be obtained by the board of trustees, as it was thought that no firmer or more lasting friends could be secured for the institution than those who had contributed to this fund. The board of trustees at once inaugurated a campaign to raise the remaining $100,000 in Mercer countv outside of the city of Aledo, and considerable progress has been made toward that end.

A great deal of credit is due to President English for the success of the endowment campaign and for the fine spirit which prevails not only among those closely connected with the school but among the citizens generally of Mercer countv. Dr. English was employed in the spring of 191 1, coming from the city of Cincinnati, where he had been president of the Cincinnati training school. Prior to that time he was president of Moore's Hill college, Indiana. He is a graduate of Baldwin university where he took his bachelor's degree, later receiving his master's degree from Ohio Wesleyan university. He did graduate work in the University of Cincinnati and later received his degree of doctor of divinity.

Since the opening of the school the trustees have acquired a building for the conservatory of music, and during the coming summer it is proposed to erect a girls' dormitory, the plans for its erection being now under way.

Carrying out the idea of Mr. Drury, in addition to the regular college course, which is equal to that found in any small college, there has been established a department of music, a business department, a department of agriculture and a normal department. In addition to these there will be instituted next year a course in domestic science.

The attendance has steadily increased since the opening of the school until now there are about 300 students enrolled in all departments. A preparatory course is run in connection with the college and under the same management.

Perhaps no better conception can be given of what this school has accomplished than to use the language of Dr. Nathaniel Butler of Chicago university, when he visited the institution a little over a year ago in response to a request for recognition of the school on the part of Chicago universitv. After having visited the school and becoming familiar with the situation, Mr. Butler said : "I came here expecting to find a feeble school asking for recognition as a last resort, but instead of that I have found a new, vigorous, up-to-date institution asking for recognition because it feels it would thus secure a larger sphere of usefulness. There is no question, at the rate it is going, but that it will continue to be recognized, because people must and will recognize that which is being done well. I will state frankly that the personnel of the student body and the character of the institution is far ahead of anything I had expected to see."

Anyone who had simply heard of the institution and knew that it had begun operations as recently as 1908, and that without any endowment fund whatever, would naturally feel as Dr. Butler did before he went to Aledo, but the most casual investigation will convince anyone of the correctness of Dr. Butler's statement.

The students of the college are provided with all that goes to make college life desirable and profitable. The customary literary societies flourish, a Young Men's and Young Women's Christian association, the glee club, the oratorical societies and the press club are all well attended and excite a lively interest.

The institution is justly proud of the record it has made in athletics, not only because of the victories it has won, but because of the fact that its athletics have always been conducted on the highest possible plane, and the standard of eligibility for participation in athletic contests is of the highest. In order to participate in any intercollegiate contest a student must carry at least 12 hours of college work and be in good standing in all the work carried. From the first, athletics have been encouraged and the faculty has had close oversight and supervision of all the teams, one of the professors having charge of football, one of baseball and track and one of basketball. Athletic relations have been sustained with such schools as Augustana, Hedding, Lombard, Knox, Monmouth, Bradlev, Illinois Wesleyan, Iowa Wesleyan, Millikin, Illinois college, Shurtleff, Lake Forest, Armour institute, etc., and the showing which has been made is one in which every friend of the school may take pride. The success of the school on the athletic field is particularly gratifying for the reason that many of the best athletes who have represented the school have been boys who were born and raised in Mercer county, and many of them would have been unable to attend college and thus have an opportunity of participating in college athletics were it not for the fact that this school is located in Mercer county.

The athletic teams for the present year have all been strong. This is especially true of the football team which played eight games and won them all by decisive scores, thus acquiring the undisputed title of state champions. The prospect for football for the coming year is very encouraging. In basketball the team captured six out of ten games of the regular schedule, winning all of the games on the home floor.

The baseball team for the coming year promises to be as good as, if not better, than any in the history of the school, which considering the triumphs of the teams in the past, is speaking well for it. This year the baseball team will meet such teams as Augustana, Lombard, Hedding, Bradley, Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin and Illinois.

Many individual stars have been developed in track work in the past and some unusual work is expected from among the 300 students enrolled this year. Track meets will be held this year with Augustana at Rock Island, Bradley at Peoria, and the state meet at Peoria, May 24. The athletic spirit in the college is of the best and the slogan has always been, "Honorable defeat is preferable to stolen victory."

The athletic field on the campus is well drained and has a splendid baseball diamond and football field and a one-fifth mile track with 120-yard straightaway. The gymnasium is equipped with physical apparatus, baseball cage and a basketball floor 45x74 feet of playing space with a 22-foot ceiling. These facilities together with tennis courts afford the best there is in the way of recreation and physical exercises.

One proof of the unusual success which William and Vashti college has attained is the way in which it is regarded by the other small colleges of Illinois and adjoining states. At the time of the opening of the school in 1908, and for some time thereafter, William and Vashti was regarded by its sister colleges with indifference. No attention whatever was paid to the college and no comment was made concerning its work except to conjecture as to how long it would be able to eke out an existence. Its athletic triumphs first attracted attention and then it demonstrated its prowess along educational lines bv splendid showings in competitive debates and oratorical contests. Before the school was two years old it was attracting marked attention from other colleges and was being observed somewhat more critically. Now it is regarded by all of the small colleges as a real rival in every sphere of action.

Stands Equal To Best

schools and colleges; and in 191 2 with Chicago university. The college department has kept pace with the academy in this particular and has received corresponding recognition. In 191 1 the college was admitted to the Illinois Athletic association, and the same year to the State Federation of Colleges. Such recognition in the short space of time since the opening of the school is unprecedented and is the highest possible proof that the college and academy have taken their places among the substantial institutions of the state.

The splendid college spirit and feeling of loyalty that prevails among the student body can be attributed to a great extent to the friendly interest the people of Mercer county and of Aledo feel in the institution. It is easy to inspire a feeling of loyalty to his alma mater in the breast of the average student, and with the deep interest of every citizen of Aledo in constant evidence this feeling has become as intense as that which prevails among the students of the oldest universities and colleges.

One of the chief assets of the college and one of the things which will do more to achieve the final success of the institution than anything else, is the city of Aledo itself. Aledo is the county seat of Mercer county and is located in the center of one of its fine prairies. It has no large commercial industries, and none of its citizens will take offense to the statement of the fact that it is in many respects an overgrown country village. Its citizens are of the most substantial and desirable type. Its merchants are up-to-date and afford the people of Aledo and the surrounding country the best trading facilities that can be found in any city of its size in the country.

Some years ago the city adopted and installed a system of sewers, and last year a local improvement was authorized which contemplates the paving of five miles of its principal streets. A part of this work was completed last season and the remainder will be completed by the month of July of this year. The business part of the city is brilliantly lighted by up-to-date electric cluster lights. The last session of congress appropriated the sum of $65,000 for the erection of a government building there, which shows that for a town of its size a considerable volume of business is being transacted. There is every assurance that within the next year a splendid new public library will be erected in the city and opened for the use of its citizens and the students of the college and public schools. Five different church denominations maintain thrifty organizations within the city, all owning valuable church property. They are the Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, United Presbyterian, Baptist and Catholic. There have been no saloons in the city of Aledo for more than 40

While the people of Aledo and Mercer county are endeavoring to make this school particularly a county institution, students are welcomed from all sections, and among the present number enrolled are boys and girls from various other states as well as from all portions of the state of Illinois. The school offers advantages equal to that of any of the small colleges of the middle west, and its surroundings are such that it would be hard to find a better place to send a boy or girl to secure that part of their education which must be secured away from home.

What the people of Aledo have done and accomplished for their college stands almost unparalleled. It is doubtful if there has ever been a community of equal size in the United States which has with such a spirit and with such unanimity among its citizens done as much for any public enterprise. An institution thus founded among such ardent friends will necessarily attain the highest degree of success, and The Argus predicts for William and Vashti college of Aledo a brilliant future.