Audrain County, Missouri - Chapter 17: Hardin College, 1884

Chapter 17: Hardin College

This institution founded in 1873, is located in South Mexico, on five acres of land known as the Seminary grounds, which were pur¬ chased by Ex-Governor C. H. Hardin, in May, 1873, from the school board of Mexico. The price paid for the ground and old Seminary building was $3,500.

Art. 1. The undersigned, their associates and successors, hereby agree to organize themselves into an association, to be incorporated under the name of Hardin College, for the purpose of establishing and continuing an institution of learning for the education of females at the city of Mexico, in the county of Audrain, State of Missouri. This association shall, by its corporate name, have succession for one thousand years. A majority of the board of directors shall be in full fellowship with some Missionary Baptist church of the State of Missouri.

Art. 2. The affairs of said institution shall be managed by a board ef thirteen directors. The board shall, without delay, fill any vacancy that may occur in its body. J. D. Murphy, William Harper, S. H. Craddock, E. J. Gibbs, Thomas Smith, Joel Guthrie, Thomas B. Hill, James Carroll, John M. Gordon, William H. Woodward, Lewis Hord, James Callaway and Charles H. Hardin shall compose for the time being the board of directors.

The Hardin Donation

The first donation of Ex-Gov. C. H. Hardin to the college, amount¬ ing to between thirty and forty thousand dollars in land and wellsecured notes, was made upon the following conditions : -

That the terms of the first article of the "Articles of Association" of said corporation of Hardin College shall never be changed. That said real estate, which embraces five acres and is known as the Semi¬ nary grounds, may be used as a site for the college edifices and build¬ ings, but the same may be sold whenever the board of directors of said college shall see proper to sell the same and purchase other grounds for the purpose. All the other real estate herein conveyed shall be sold as rapidly as prices satisfactory to the board may be agreed on ; and the debts herein transferred, collected as speedily as the board may direct. The amounts due on the debts this day, and the gross proceeds of the sales of said real estate, shall be held and maintained as a permanent endowment fund for said college, which shall be kept at interest or invested in stocks as continuously as pos¬ sible ; and on the third Tuesday in June, in every year, 40 per cent ot the gross earnings of rents, arising from any real estate herein conveyed, and also of the interest, profits, and other proceeds, aris¬ ing from any part of the endowment fund, being at interest, being or invested in stocks, shall be added to and become a part and parcel of the permanent endowment fund of said college, until such endow¬ ment fund shall amount to one-half million dollars, when the said 40 per cent shall be applied annually as herein directed ; as to the re¬ maining 60 per cent, and the residue (to wit 60 per cent) of the gross amount of rents, interest and profits and other proceeds as above de¬ scribed, shall be applied to the payment of the salaries of teachers, and such other purposes as the board may direct. No part of the said endowent fund, nor of the annual accruing 40 per cent as above described, shall be used directly or indirectly, for any other purposes whatever than as specified, nor shall any part or portion of the same, or either of them, nor of the stocks, when any part of such fund shall be invested in stocks, nor of the evidences of loans when any part of said fund shall be at interest, be pledged, mortgaged, or made liable in any form or proceeding whatever, for any debt, inter¬ est or liability of the college.

On the 10th day of June, 1873, the board of directors met and elected permanent officers. This was the first meeting after the circuit court had directed a "certificate of corporation to issue." On the 23d day of the same month, the board again met and adopted the following : -

Whereas, Charles H. Hardin and Mary B. Hardin, his wife, have tendered their deed dated June 10, 1873, to this corporation to cer¬ tain lands, etc., * * * upon certain conditions and trust men¬

Resolved, That this corporation accept said deed, and bind and obligate itself to faithfully fulfill and discharge at all times and in all particulars, the several trusts and conditions and stipulations therein contained.

Through the liberality of the people of Mexico and vicinity, aided by further gifts from the founder of the institution, Charles H. Hardin, enough money was raised to put up the needed buildings, and pur¬ chase additional grounds for buildings and campus.

On the 29th of July, 1873, Prof. A. W. Terrill, then of Mount Pleasant College, was elected president of Hardin College, which position he accepted and filled the same in a most acceptable manner until the close of the college year 1879, when failing health compelled him to resign. The college greatly prospered under the efficient management of Prof. Terrill, during most or all of his term of office.

At a meeting of the college board July 2, 1879, Mrs. H. T. Baird was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Prof. Terrill. She has succeeded beyond the highest anticipations of the friends of the college. The course of study has been extended, and a strict discipline enforced. The four and a half years of Mrs. Baird's presidency have been among the most prosperous years of the insti¬ tution.

In May, 1882, Ex-Gov. Hardin made another gift to the college, which consisted of his check for $18,750. It was his portion of the estate of Andrew Harper, deceased. One condition of the gift is, "that a professorship of mental and moral philosophy, to be known as the ' Andrew Harper Professorship,' shall be established and main¬ tained in Hardin College."

Hardin College is located in one of the most beautiful, healthful and fertile sections of Missouri, surrounded by a community in enter¬ prise and culture second to none in the State ; and so far as can be judged has the brightest future before it.

The present (1884) directors of the college are: Charles H. Har¬ din, William Sim, James Callaway, J. E. Ross, Charles Baker, Lewis Hord, W. W. Macfarlane, T. B. Hitt, William Harper, James Sullinger, W. H. Woodward, J. M. Gordon and J. C. Armstrong.

From the last catalogue of the institution, we learn much of the discipline, course ot instruction, and many other things pertaining to its present condition.

The institution has from its origin, ten years since, enjoyed a liberal share of patronage from the various sections of Missouri and other States. In fact, it has grown so rapidly into public favor that, in the extent and character of its patronage, it now ranks with the oldest female institutions in the West. The reputation so fairly won has greatly increased during the past year. The advantages have also

Hardin College building proper is a new, large and imposing brick structure of three and four stories in height, and has a frontage of 100 feet. It is of impressive, modern style, but was built more with a view to reliability, comfort and convenience than for external show. The four-story structure is occupied as the " College Home," while the three-story apartment consists of a spacious chapel and various recitation-rooms. These rooms are ample for their intended uses, and are well lighted, admirably ventilated and cheerful.

The private rooms for boarders are large, with transoms over the doors and windows that are raised or lowered at pleasure. They are bright and cheerful apartments with a ventilation that could not be improved upon. They are well furnished throughout and present a very inviting appearance to the student when through with the duties of the day.

The board of directors, during the* last summer and fall, greatly enlarged the main building by the erection of awing on the east side of the chapel. This addition is 48 by 76 feet and of four stories height. The erection of this addition makes Hardin College not only the largest female college building in the State, but it is also decidedly the best arranged, most convenient, safest in case of tire, and the most pleasant and cheerful "College Home" for young ladies any wherein the Mississippi valley.

Immediately in the rear of, but detached from the main building, a large two-story brick structure has been erected. The lower story is used exclusively for laundry purposes, while the upper story has been arranged for servants' rooms. As the greatest danger from fire lies in the carelessness of servants, the wisdom of having these apart¬ ments separate from the main building is unquestionably apparent.

The grounds, situated in the southern part of the city, are ample for all purposes, consisting of ten acres of elevated land. From the windows of their rooms students have a magnificent view of the city and a most beautiful surrounding country. To a lover of nature's beauty nothing can be more delightful than the view presented to the eye, let it wander where it may. Throughout the college enclosure beautiful walks have been laid, while the grounds are otherwise orna- merited and adorned with various kinds of flowers, shrubbery, ever¬ greens and forest trees, rendering them, either to look upon or to loiter in, a most charming place. As pleasant surroundings are con¬ ducive alike to physical health and mental vigor, in this particular it is not amiss to state that Hardin College is the queen of Western female schools.

Discipline

The college is made, as far as possible, to possess all the characteris¬ tics of a Christian home ; where all do right because they love the right, and where evil is hated as a deformity of character. Such regulations as are necessary to prevent any diversion of mind from study are promptly and constantly enforced. This end is most readily accom¬ plished by creating in the pupil a hearty love of study.

All such stringent rules as will make college life a drudgery are avoided. Should any case arise, however, in which severity becomes a necessity in order to preserve the good from contamination, there is no lack of decision on the part of the officers of the college.

Health And Exercise

Many students close their college life broken down in health, and are thereby rendered burdensome to themselves and friends for the re¬ mainder of their lives. When the habits encouraged by teachers are the cause of this diseased state of the body and weakened condition of the mind, it is a most wicked outrage. We are confident that, with proper care, in a locality as healthful as Mexico, and with build¬ ings as well ventilated as those of Hardin College, pupils may make an honored record in scholarship, and leave the halls of their Alma Mater not only with well cultivated minds, but with well developed and healthful bodies. The habits of students must be regular. No waste of hours in times of peril to health are permitted. Plenty of exercise in the open air, food of the best quality and well prepared, together with such recreations as are proper and healthful, are pro¬ vided for all the students. If any are so unfortunate as to fall sick, the best of medical aid is procured, and the nursing and watch-care is as constant and tender as if they were in their own home.

For the assurance of patrons, in this connection it is proper to state that in a life work of twenty-five years, most of which time the President has had a large number of young ladies constantly under her control and watch care, there never has been but one death among them ! This, no doubt, is, in a measure, providential ; but it is due, mainly, to that constant vigilance which is no less the price of health than of liberty, and which no one but a woman can or will exercise over her own sex. It would be well for patrons to remember this in the selection of a school for their daughters or wards.

Instruction

In every department of the institution competent instructors are employed. Only wide-awake and energetic teaching is allowed, while all roughness is avoided. There is activity and earnestness. In every recitation the fact that great energy and true culture are harmonious characteristics of woman will be exemplified.

Students who enter Hardin College come as workers. The aim of the founder was to provide thorough mental and moral training for young women. This purpose the President and her faculty aim to carry out. The work in the class-room tends, therefore, to promote independence of thought, and such self-reliance as grows out of a conscious ability to treat with thoroughness the subject in hand.

At the end of each session all the classes are examined in public. The patrons and friends are always cordially invited to attend and par¬ ticipate in these exercises. The examining committee is composed of clergymen of various denominations, teachers, editors, lawyers and others, who are supposed to understand what ought to be expected of college students. There is no special drill for these occasions, and, while all the daily exercises of the college are open to visitors, it is particularly desired by the president and faculty that the public exam¬ inations be attended by the most competent educators. Students are tested upon any subject which they have studied. As far as possible the aim is to make pupils familiar not only with the text-books, but with the subjects upon which the text-books may treat.

Societies - Open Sessions

In connection with the college there are two literary societies, com¬ posed respectively of the senior and junior classes. Each society holds an open session in the college chapel every two months, alter¬ nating one with the other, so as to have an entertainment every month. These the students manage themselves, receiving such instructions from the president as they may need, in order to conduct the exercises with dignity and grace. To encourage industry and habits of making useful the " spare moments," the young ladies make all the necessary preparations for these open sessions when " off duty " from school work. They are thus led out into independent in¬ quiry upon various subjects that they otherwise would never investigate, and gain that self-possession without which an education is wholly useless. To any candid mind the value of these exercises will be apparent upon a moment's reflection.

Course Of Study

Primary Department - First and second terms. - Reading, spell¬ ing, writing, mental arithmetic, geography, grammar (oral) ; conver¬ sational lessons on natural history.

Preparatory Department - First year - First and second terms. - Mental and written arithmetic, grammar and analysis, class drills in penmanship and composition, geography, reading, spelling.

Second year - First and second terms. - Practical arithmetic, nat¬ ural history, grammar and analysis, United States history, Latin (Hark ness), introductory lessons, practical arithmetic, physiology, grammar and analysis, United States history, Latin (Harkness), in¬ troductory lessons.

Collegiate Department - Freshman class - First term. - Elemen¬ tary algebra, higher arithmetic, general history (weekly recitations), weekly class drills in composition and elocution, with analysis of the poets, civil government, Latin (grammar and reader). Second term - Elementary algebra, higher arithmetic, general history (weekly recita¬ tions), weekly class drills in composition and elocution, with analysis of the poets, physical geography, Latin (Caesar, grammar and com¬ position, part first, Harkness).

Sophomore Class - First Term - Plane geometry, with applica¬ tions, rhetoric, higher algebra, English literature, general history (weekly recitations), weekly class drills in composition and elocu¬ tion, with analysis of the poets, Latin (Sallust, grammar, and com¬ position to lesson 50). Second Term - Solid and spherical geometry, with applications, rhetoric, higher algebra, plane trigonometry, gen¬ eral history (weekly recitations), weekly class drills in composition and elocution, with analysis of the poets, Latin (Virgil, grammar and composition to lesson 70).

Junior Class - First Term - Spherical trigonometry, geology, chemistry, general history (weekly recitations), weekly class drills in composition and elocution, with analysis of the poets, Latin (Horace, grammar and composition to lesson 90). Second Term - natural philosophy, logic, chemistry, general history (weekly re¬ citations, weekly class drills in composition and elocution, with analy¬ sis of the poets, Latin (Cicero, grammar and composition finished).

Senior Class - First Term - Descriptive astronomy, evidences Christianity, moral philosophy, mental philosophy, Latin (Plautus, with sight translations). Second Term - Mathematical astronomy, political economy, art criticism, mental philosophy, Latin (Seneca, with original compositions and exercises in etymology).