no location was to be attempted until values to the amount of $150,000 were secured. Rev. Orceneth Fisher, of the Texas Conference; Rev. J. W. P. McKenzie, of the North Texas Conference; and Rev. W. G. Veal, of the Northwest Texas Conference, were recommended to the bishop to be appointed agents for the collection of endowment. The convention adjourned with the best and most hopeful feelings prevailing. The agents reported to the several annual conferences in the fall of 1870 that they had utterly failed to secure subscriptions in money or land. The conspicuous reason assigned for this failure was that the people were unwilling to subscribe to an institution not yet in existence, without location or habitation. The agents were of opinion that if location was established at some point, then the church would rally to its endowment. This view had been warmly urged in the debate had on location in the convention. It carried with it a contradiction. If the people would not contribute to a university until a location was made, there was an end of the movement, for it was impossible to locate nothing. It is true two places came before the convention asking for the location. One had a building projected, but already embarrassed by debt; the other offered a building over which hung heavy liabilities. To have located at either point was not to establish a university, but to assume a debt. Indeed, the position of those urging immediate location virtually declared that the church would not contribute to the establishment of a university until the university was established.

The conferences called the convention together at Waxahachie in the following April. Its session was favored with the presidency of Bishop E. M. Marvin, which was a benediction to the movement. Upon its assembly the wisdom of the postponement of the question of location, which had first obtained, was made apparent. Instead of only two, some five competing places solicited the location, offering subsidies greatly in advance of anything previously presented.

Again, however, the question was immediately sprung upon the convention, the same arguments pro and con being urged. The majority of delegates again pronounced for immediate location, but again an appeal to the eighth restrictive rule prevented the disaster of premature decision. In this vote two conferences voted aye, two voted no, and one was equally divided in its vote for some twelve hours, but finally voted no.

The convention reaffirmed the general policy in reference to the endowment and location of the university adopted at the previous session, but declared the following limits, beyond which location was forbidden: "North of the thirty-first degree of north latitude, and between the nineteenth and twenty-second degrees of longitude west from Washington, D. C., including the counties of Bell, Williamson, and Travis." The struggle at this session of the convention was much fiercer and more protracted than at the former Many expressed great alarm, and Bishop Marvin shared the anxiety felt in the matter. But others saw in the struggle much to rejoice over. The university, its endowment and location, were no longer questions of passive acquiescence on the part of the church. The whole matter was becoming a living question, in which many were beginning to feel a deep interest, and in reference to the fate of which many now began to realize a deep concern.

The convention appointed a “board of commissioners of location," consisting o an equal number of laymen and ministers, who, besides being empowered to locate the institution, were authorized to solicit and receive donations for the enterprise in money and lands. They were required to report to an adjourned meeting of the convention, which was afterwards summoned to meet in Corsicana November 1, 1871. The convention reassembled under the presidency of Bishop Marvin, who had remained in Texas during the year. The wisdom of the delay already had in the matter of location, although denied by the impatient ones, was very apparent to those who were willing to move more slowly. Some ten places now appeared, through

delegates or memorials, each presenting their assumed superior claims for the coveted prize. The values now offered as subsidies to secure the location were far in advance of anything deemed two years previously as at all possible to be secured. The increased attendance upon the meetings of the convention, the ardor and earnestness, and, in some instances, warm partisan feeling expressed in the debates, all proved clearly that the matter had now come to be considered one of singular importance to the church in Texas.

The commissioners of location reported that they had given anxious attention to the matter, but had not yet fully settled the point, and asked further time. The report was laid on the table and the commissioners discharged. This action was another outburst of impatience, and while the convention was seething over the matter a proposition of an entirely novel character was submitted. A company of active and prosperous capitalists, members of the church—a majority of them residing in the city of Galveston-proposed to form a joint stock company with a capital of $100,000, of which they were willing to take $50,000, provided the Methodists of the State at large would take the other $50,000. With this money they assured the convention they could purchase an eligible body of land, containing nearly 20,000 acres, toward which an important line of railroad was then pushing. The company from this purchase was to donate ample grounds for college buildings near the center, and every alternate lot and acre of the town to be laid out around the university, and every alternate quarter section of 160 acres of the remaining land. They promised, also, to erect plain buildings for the university and faculty, in which operations might begin and be comfortably accommodated for ten or fifteen years. These gentlemen limited the time of their offer to June 1, 1872, after which, if the church at large had failed to respond to their proposition, it was to be considered null and void. The proposition was most favorably received by the convention. The gentlemen originating the offer were appointed commissioners of location, with instructions that if the scheme failed they were to select from the many places then claiming the location. In that event they were to become trustees of the property accepted in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and to make any and all arrangements for the opening of the university their wisdom should devise, and report their action to the several conferences. The question had been previously raised whether or not the convention had authority to delegate its powers to commissioners, and an appeal had been taken to the bishop, who decided affirmatively.

The commissioners proceeded promptly and generously to act in response to this unexpected call of the convention. The 1st of June the State had failed to respond to their proposal, which was now formally withdrawn. They advertised that they would proceed to locate the university. They declared their purpose to locate at that point which offered a subsidy nearest approaching the original moneyed condition of $150,000—accessibility, centrality, health, and other necessary particulars to be duly considered.

The arrangements for the wise and careful oversight of the property and administration of the proposed institution were subjects of much debate and consideration. Through the wise suggestions of Bishop J. C. Keener the matter received happy solution. He suggested the creation of two distinct boards, one having oversight of the property, the other to have jurisdiction over the internal affairs of the institution. It was determined, therefore, to have a board of trustees of business men who should administer the financial affairs. A working quorum was to be located in Galveston to constitute the executive committee, the rest of the board to be representatives from the several conferences. The board of curators was to be made up of ministers, an equal number to be elected from each conference. To this board was to be committed the supervision of the internal affairs of the institution, involving discipline, the election of professors, conferring of degrees, etc.

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This plan of organization, submitted to the conference in the winter of 1872, under the presidency of Bishop Keener, was adopted, and the curators were appointed. This board met in Galveston December 31, 1872, Bishop Keener presiding, and Rev. F. A. Mood, D. D., was elected regent of the university, with authority to summon a meeting of the board for the further election of professors whenever the emergency demanded.

The board of trustees kept up diligent correspondence with the numerous points competing for the location, by letter or otherwise. They visited in person several places, but agreed quite unanimously that Georgetown, in Williamson County, possessed by far the greatest advantages presented by any of the competing points; while the subsidy offered in buildings, lands, and money was also in advance of all others. Located at the base of the Colorado hills-called mountains-with the beautiful San Gabriel flowing through its northern and western limits, through rocky canyons and over gravelly beds, with the overhanging hills covered with forests, and on the south and east "a boundless contiguity" of rich, rolling prairie, all lying only 25 miles north of the capital of the State, there were offered all the conditions of a desirable location. High and well drained, with no swamp land within 50 miles, there was the assurance of health. The hills, rolling prairie, rocks, and river, offered a beautiful landscape, where you could neither walk nor ride without being charmed. The San Gabriel, with its bubbling springs, offered abundance of pure, sparkling water; the hills on the north and west, crowned with forests, offered fuel, and at their feet were quarries of rock for building. The farms that dotted the prairies offered abundant produce at low prices, and the proximity to the capital anchored it forever near the legislative center of the Commonwealth. The subsidy offered, claimed to have a value of $150,000, was really worth less than half that amount; but, even at that discount, exceeded in actual value the subsidy of any competing point. So Georgetown was formally called upon to present its subsidy in legal and authenticated form.

Meanwhile the competing places, impatient at the delay, and despairing of reaching the amount of subsidy demanded by the commissioners, one after another withdrew voluntarily from the contest; so that on August 21, 1873, when the location was declared, Georgetown remained the only actual candidate for the honor. By this happy combination of circumstances all complaints in reference to the decision of the commissioners were estopped. Upon the reception of the news at Georgetown of the decision of the commissioners there was great rejoicing, the firing of a hundred anvils expressing their great satisfaction at the result.

The subsidy included a plain but capacious stone building, with six large lecture rooms, and a chapel having a capacity to seat over 400 persons. Having these accommodations immediately at hand, the regent advertised the opening of the first session of the institution for Monday, October 6, 1873.

Immediately following the announcement of the location of the university, and before the time of its opening could be properly advertised, adverse circumstances occurred which presented serious obstructions to a propitious beginning. The financial panic, which a short time before began in New York, extended to Texas. The generous friends who had cheerfully and unostentatiously borne all the cost of the movement up to date found themselves unable to assist further. Yellow fever made its appearance at different points in the State. The railroad lines were quarantined, and even the passage of the mails prevented. It was in the face of these embarrassments that the first session opened October 6, 1873. Thirty-three students matriculated, i. e., "young men of the age and attainments requiring the aid of professors to direct their studies," not child pupils receiving passively the instruction of teachers. Their average age was something over 17 years, and they ranked freshman and sophomore.

The curators held their second meeting in the city of Austin, December 13, 1873, and elected as a permanent faculty: F. A. Mood, D. D. (regent of the university), professor of mental and moral philosophy, and for the time being to have charge also of the schools of history and English literature; B. E. Chreitzberg, A. M., professor of ancient languages and mathematics, and H. M. Reynolds, M. D., professor of modern languages.

On the 12th of November, 1884, Dr. Mood closed his useful and successful life, his last service being an address on Christian education before an annual conference in session at Waco. An appropriate monument marks his resting place on the university campus. As shown, his greatest work was the unification and concentration of Texas Methodism (Methodist Episcopal Church, South) upon one leading central institution in the interest of higher education. Before his death the matriculations of students in the university had reached 345, and 360 at the close of the session of 1884-85. About $50,000 in notes had been secured for outfit and endowment of the institution through the financial agent, Rev. H. A. Bourland, and further large amounts have been secured through the agency of Dr. Bourland's successors, Rev. J. H. McLean, Rev. W. M. Hays, and Rev. F. B. Sinex.

The names of the regents in the order of their service are: Rev. F. A. Mood, D. D., elected in 1873; Rev. J. W. Heidt, A. M., D. D., elected in 1885; Rev. J. H. McLean, A. M., D. D., elected in 1891; Prof. R. S. Hyer, A. M., LL. D., elected in 1898.

During Dr. Heidt's administration the "Helping Hall" system was developed with an investment of about $7,000, giving accommodations to some 60 young men at a cost of $8 per month for board and lodging. The hall, which is a benefaction from Mrs. M. A. Giddings, of Brenham, affords a comfortable home at lowest rates to worthy young men of limited means. From the assets of the university about $40,000 have been invested in the construction of a large and elegant building for the accommodation of the young ladies. It has a campus of 30 acres and is known as the "Ladies' Annex." Here young ladies have an elegant home, with competent teachers in art, elocution, and music, while in the academic course they have the same professors as the university has, but mainly in separate classes.

Dr. McLean guided the affairs of the university as regent for six years with marked success, and his name is indissolubly united with the history of the institution, which he has faithfully served as curator, financial agent, professor, and regent. Regent Hyer is a graduate of Emory College, Georgia, of the class of 1880. He has been about fifteen years in service as professor of natural science in the university. The enrollment of students, including the Annex, ranges from 400 to 500 annually. Over 300 are of collegiate grade, and about onefourth of these are young ladies. The remaining students are in the subfreshman and special departments.

The faculty, as presented in the last catalogue, are: Rev. John R. Allen, A. B., D. D., chairman of faculty; C. C. Cody, A. M., Ph. D., professor of mathematics; R. F. Young, A. M., professor of modern languages; R. S. Hyer, A. M., LL. D., professor of natural science; John R. Allen, A. B., D. D., professor of mental and moral philosophy; H. A. Shands, A. M., Ph. D., professor of English language and literature; W. C. Vaden, A. M., professor of Greek and Latin; C. G. Carroll, A. M., assistant in mental and moral philosophy; M. L. Mowrey, principal of commercial school; S. H. Moore, A. B., principal of fitting school; A. S. Pegues, A. M., assistant in fitting school; G. C. White, assistant in fitting school.

C. C. Cody is the secretary and H. A. Shands librarian.
There are a number of lady teachers additional in the annex.

Previous professors were: B. E. Chrietzberg, A. M., mathematics; H. M Reynolds, M. D., physiology, hygiene, and voice culture; Rev. A. A. Albrecht, A. M., modern languages; W. W. Lewis, A. M., mathematics; Rev. N. T. Burks, A. M., mathematics; Rev. P. C. Bryce, A. M., ancient languages; W. P. Fleming, M. D., physiology and hygiene; S. D. Sanders, A. M., M. D., history and political economy; S. J. Jones, Ph. D., history and political economy; Milton Ragsdale, A. M., music; Morgan Callaway, jr., Ph. D., English; S. G. Sanders, A. M., ancient languages; Rev. S. E. Burkhead, A. M., English; C. H. Ross, Ph. D., English; E. R. Williams, A. M., principal fitting school.

The university has about $150,000 well invested in buildings, library, and apparatus, and, in addition to tuition fees, a small income by assessments from the patronizing conferences of the church.

FORT WORTH UNIVERSITY.

This institution was organized under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was chartered as the Texas Wesleyan College, June 6, 1881, under the laws of the State of Texas, and authorized to maintain the usual curricula and departments of a college, and to confer the corresponding degrees. The school was opened in temporary quarters in the midst of the city of Fort Worth, September 7, 1881. After five years of preparatory work it was moved to its present campus of 10 acres in the south part of the city, where generous friends had erected for its occupancy a commodious and substantial building of brick and stone.

At the annual meeting held in June, 1889, the board of trustees secured an amended charter, under the name of Forth Worth University, it being the intention of the founders to ultimately establish a school in this center of the Southwest, where any person can find instruction in any study, and pursue it as far and as long as he chooses. The school of law was organized under the new charter in August, 1893, and its first class met for work September 26 following.