to the productive endowment as soon as in the wisdom of the board it may seem best. Col. John Boyd, a pioneer of the early days of Texas and a great friend of education, was prominent among those whose liberality and activity in the matter helped to make up the bonus with which to locate and found the university. Dr. J. S. Wills, for some years president of the board of trustees, gave much of his means and influence to the upbuilding of the institution. Judge L. B. Prendergast, second president of the board, was an earnest worker in establishing the university, and Hon. D. M. Prendergast, one of its founders, was a most faithful servitor for a great many years. He was known as a man of wealth, liberal with his means, and in 1892 was the Prohibition nominee for governor of Texas. Capt. T. W. Wade, who has been identified with the university from the start, has given more time and labor to the institution, besides acting as treasurer, than perhaps anyone connected with it. Mr. John Korner is also noted for the length and character of his services, and among others who have done important work in the university's interests may be mentioned H. A. Boyd, J. M. Love, and J. H. Roberts. Rev. W. E. Beeson, first president of the university, was a native of Virginia, graduated at Cumberland University, Tennessee, and for eighteen years was president of Chapel Hall College at Daingerfield, Tex. He spoke of the university as the "child of God," and was ever confident of its success. He died in 1882. His successor, Rev. Benjamin G. McLeskey, was born and educated in Tennessee, and died in 1885. Rev. S. T. Anderson next acted as president one year, when he resigned and went to California, where he died a few years ago. Rev. B. D. Cockrill, now president of the university, has contributed greatly to its success by his faithful and conservative administration. The average attendance is about 250 students. With its corps of 15 professors and teachers, its recently increased and improved apparatus, its buildings, more ample and improved, and an annually increasing patronage, the university is prepared to do very efficient work in liberal education. Its prospects were never brighter. Its entitlement to complete endowment is increasing annually. Its increasing list of well-equipped men and women in high places of usefulness throughout the South and West is one of its recommendations and one of its sources of encouragement. The work it has done stands the test to which high and responsible positions in life put it. Its better equipment promises still better work in future. It has always held to the doctrine of the necessity of the classical curriculum, and it does not yet see sufficient reasons for adopting the elective or short courses of study. It is to be more and more the exponent of thorough and broad culture. The permanent prosperity and happiness of the South demand such institutions. It proposes to keep alive and aggressive in its teaching on all social, economic, political, and moral questions. |