Central University Records, 1873-1904 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Kyle Beeler

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Collection Overview

Title: Central University Records, 1873-1904

Primary Creator: Central University (Richmond, Ky.) (1874-1901)

Extent: 3.36 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 05/31/2002

Subjects: Central University (Richmond, Ky.)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Although Central University consolidated with Centre College at Danville in 1901 and ceased to exist in Richmond, several of her influential graduates from Madison County desired to continue higher education activities at Richmond. They vigorously pushed for the Kentucky General Assembly's passage of the Normal School enabling legislation in 1906. These citizens also were directly instrumental in Richmond and the physical plant of Central University being selected as the site for one of the recently approved state normal schools. Therefore, Eastern Kentucky University's heritage can rightfully be traced back to 1873 and the establishment of Central University.

Eastern Professor of History Jonathan Truman Dorris devoted considerable time to locating any information he could secure on Central University while researching and writing the history of Eastern. In 1934 he published an article in the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society on the history of old Central. Dorris collected numerous documents on Central University through the years and donated many of them to the Crabbe Library. He also had permission from Centre College officials to copy the minutes from the Board of Curators of Central University.

Interest in Central University's history was revived again in 1974 when Eastern celebrated the centennial year of higher education in Richmond. By 1977 the newly created University Archives began gathering documents on Central University. The Archives copied all existing Central University records in the Crabbe Library and received donations of several previously unknown University publications. In 1979 the Archivist contacted Centre College librarian, Mr. John May, and inspected their archives files for documents on Central University. Unfortunately, the archives was not organized, but the Archivist uncovered a number of documents that were not in Eastern's archives. Permission was granted to copy those records. Several years later Centre received a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to process and catalog all of its archival records. Mr. John Le Doux, project archivist, processed the archives and graciously permitted Eastern to photocopy or microfilm any newly uncovered Central University materials.

The information on the University's official history can be gleaned from a fine set of publications - the catalogs and yearbooks. However, the records from the office of the chief executive officer, the Chancellor, are very incomplete. Hardly any documents from Chancellor Breck's administration have survived, and only the latter years of Chancellor Blanton's tenure are adequately documented, especially the Robb cheating controversy case.

Note: This collection was reprocessed and combined with material from the Townsend Collection.

Biographical Note

Central University was founded as the result of a split of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky into Northern and Southern branches. While the Presbyterian Church had split into two branches in 1861, principally over the issue of slavery, the Church did not split in Kentucky until 1867. The branches both claimed control of Centre College in Danville, and it finally took a Federal court in 1871 to determine that the Northern branch controlled the institution. A group of concerned members of the Southern Synod met in 1872 and formed the Alumni Association of Central University. Members included Alumni of Centre College as well as other prominent leaders of the movement. The Alumni Association offered to cooperate with the Synod in establishing a university.

At a meeting of the Alumni Association in Louisville, in February 1873, an effort to provide synodical control of the University was defeated. Central University received a charter from the State Legislature on March 3, 1873. The charter placed the government of the University in the hands of those who had endowed it and who would later become its graduates and whom the Alumni Association might thereafter elect.

The Association called for an endowment of $150,000 but received pledges for $220,000. Anchorage, Kentucky was selected as the site for the University, but when the citizens of Richmond and Madison County pledged $101,000, the school opened there on September 22, 1874 with a total of 224 students and one newly built classroom building. The original college organization consisted of a College of Letters and Science, a College of Law, and a Preparatory Department in Richmond, and a College of Medicine, in Louisville.

In 1886 a College of Dentistry was opened in Louisville. And in the 1890s three associated institutions opened: Jackson (S. P. Lees) Collegiate Institute (1890) in Breathitt County, Hardin Collegiate Institute (1892) in Elizabethtown, and Middlesboro Collegiate Institute (1896).

The Alumni Association appointed the Board of Curators, which served as the trustees. Eventually, in 1884 the Southern Synod took over direct control of appointing the Board of Curators in exchange for the Church's financial support. The University itself was headed by a chancellor. Robert Levi Breck served in that capacity from 1874 to 1880. He was succeeded by Lindsay Hughes Blanton, who served until the consolidation with Centre College in 1901.

Almost from the outset, Central University had financial problems. The original endowment was in promissory notes and pledges, a large number of which went uncollected due to the Panic of 1873. Another important endowment drive was hampered by the Panic of 1893. Enrollment was also a problem. It dropped every year of Brecks chancellorship, and the school never graduated a class larger than 25. The University itself became co-educational in the 1890s, with women first graduating in 1896. However, the enrollment and financial problems led directly to the consolidation with Centre College. Prominent Madison Countians bitterly fought the consolidationists, but were outvoted. Finally on July 16, 1901 the merger between the schools took place. The new institution would be located in Danville and known as the Central University of Kentucky. An act of the State Legislature in 1918 changed the name back to the Centre College of Kentucky.

Subject/Index Terms

Central University (Richmond, Ky.)

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: May, John (Centre College), Dorris, Jonathan T. (Eastern)

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Folder 1: Oversize Materials],
[All]

Box 1

Barcode: 31234014052532

Folder 1: General Correspondence/Speeches, 1878-1898: Contains correspondence primarily to/from L.H. Blanton. There are numerous items that are related to an account held with the Presbyterian Church of the United States as well. Also included are items of correspondence to/from various people, and there are a lot of items regarding monetary payments.
Folder 2: General Correspondence/Speeches, 1899-1901: Contains correspondence primarily to L.H. Blanton as well as others. Also included is account statements, letters from banks, letters from law offices, and letters from other universities/academies. There are also speeches/statements.
Folder 3: General Correspondence/Speeches, 1901-1939: Includes an address, correspondence, and a telegram.
Folder 4: Railroad Regulation Address, 1884: Small, printed booklet containing an address to the students of C.U.
Folder 5: "United We Stand, 1890: Manuscript of an oration presented to the students of C.U.
Folder 6: "In Memoriam: Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine Blanton", 1902: Book of remembrance for L.H. Blanton's wife, Elizabeth.
Folder 7: Epiphyllidian Constitution/By-Laws, 1890: Constitution and by-laws for the Epiphyllidian literary society.
Folder 8: Misc. Literary Society Files, 1877-1888: Invitations and programs for gatherings of the literary societies.
Folder 9: Theta Nu Epsilon Charter, 1898: Charter for the Theta Nu Epsilon fraternity's new chapter at C.U.
Folder 10: Fraternity Information, 1883-1994: Various articles of information to include correspondence, publications, and biographies of notable characters involved in C.U./EKU fraternities.
Folder 11: Dr. James Venable Logan, 1908-1965: A memorial booklet for Dr. Logan as well as other pieces discussing the unveiling of his portrait in 1965.
Folder 12: List of Notable Characters, 1874-1901: A listing of trustees, curators, etc. for the university.
Folder 13: Biographical Documents, 1903-1961: Various publications and articles presenting biographical information over characters such as L.H. Blanton.

Box 2

Barcode: 31234014052540

Folder 1: Robb Case Files, 1898-1900: Documents, correspondence, and testimonies pertaining to an expulsion case brought upon a young man accused of cheating.
Folder 2: C.U. Fact Booklet, 1900: Loose papers containing facts about C.U.
Folder 3: The Students' Hand Book, 1896-1900: Two copies of student hand books from Central University. These documents explain traditions, history, and organization of the university. They also include information about Richmond and the surrounding area.
Folder 4: Historical Articles, 1934: Contains two pieces which examine the historical background of Central University.
Folder 5: Associated Institution Files - S.P. Lees, 1892-1901: Contains notes, a letter of authorization for L.H. Blanton to absolve Lee's debts, and correspondence.
Folder 6: Associated Institution Files - Hardin, 1899-1901: Contains correspondence and financial statements.
Folder 7: Associated Institution Files - Middlesboro, 1896-1900: Contains correspondence, financial statements, an inventory list, and a contract.
Folder 8: Associated Institution Files - Law, 1900-1901: Contains an announcement which includes a historical note, faculty listing, courses of study, expense list, and a list of the graduating class of 1900.
Folder 9: Associated Institution Files - Medicine, 1900-1901: Contains correspondence and a newspaper clipping.
Folder 10: Board Meeting Minutes, 1873-1901: Book containing a compilation of board meeting minutes.
Folder 11: Alumni Association Minutes, 1873: Loose papers containing minutes from the alumni associations meetings.
Folder 12: List of Graduates, 1874-1901: List of graduates.
Folder 13: List of Graduates, 1874-1901: List of graduates.
Folder 14: List of Non-Graduating Students, 1875-1902: List of students who did not graduate.

Box 3

Barcode: 31234014052524

Folder 1: Central University of Kentucky Record, 1906: This document is a register of the living alumni of Centre College, The Central University, Centre College of CU, and the College of Law. Names of alumni are drawn from as far back as 1839 and extend to 1905.
Folder 2: Commencement/Baccalaureate Programs, 1877-1899: Programs for commencement ceremonies and baccalaureate activities.
Folder 3: "The Atlantis", 1886-1877: Contains photo-copied and original issues of the student newsletter.
Folder 4: "The Atlantis", 1888: Contains photo-copies of the student newsletter.
Folder 5: "The Atlantis", 1889: Contains photo-copies of the student newsletter.
Folder 6: "The Atlantis", 1890-1898: Contains photo-copies and original issues of the student newsletter.
Folder 7: Catalogs, 1874-1881: Contains original and photo-copied issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 8: Catalogs, 1881-1886: Contains original and photo-copied issues of Central University catalogs.

Box 4

Barcode: 31234014052516

Folder 1: Catalogs, 1886-1891: Contains original and photo-copied issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 2: Catalogs, 1891-1894: Contains original issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 3: Catalogs, 1894-1896: Contains original issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 4: Catalogs, 1896-1898: Contains original and photo-copied issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 5: Catalogs, 1899-1900: Contains original and photo-copied issues of Central University catalogs.
Folder 6: Catalogs, 1902-1903: Contains an original issue of a Central University catalog.
Folder 7: Central University of Kentucky Record, Jan 1906: Register of the Living Alumni.
Folder 8: Consolidation Files, 1901-1907: Contains newspaper articles, correspondence, and other files relating to the consolidation of Central University and Centre College.

Box 5

Barcode: 31234014052508

Folder 1: Legal Documents, 1886-1901: Contains various legal documents and contracts.
Folder 2: Tuition Account Book: Tuition account book reflecting payments and balances.
Folder 3: Tuition Account Book: Tuition account book copy reflecting payments and balances.
Folder 4: Tuition Receipts, 1885-1900: Tuition receipts.
Folder 5: Ledger - Student Accounts, 1874-1884: Copy of student account ledger.
Folder 6: Ledger, 1880-1881: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 7: Ledger, 1880-1883: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 8: Ledger, 1883-1884: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 9: Ledger, 1895-1896: Ledger containing financial balances.

Box 6

Barcode: 31234014052490

Folder 1: Ledger, 1896-1897: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 2: Ledger, 1897-1898: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 3: Ledger, 1897-1899: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 4: Ledger, 1898-1899: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 5: Ledger, 1899-1900: Ledger containing financial balances.
Folder 6: Ledger, 1900: Ledger containing financial balances.

Box 7

Barcode: 31234014052482

Folder 1: Donation/Subscription Lists, 1880-1885

List of donations and subscriptions along with the amount.

Folder 2: Misc. Financial Documents, 1880-1901

Contains miscellaneous financial documents, statements, and receipts.

Folder 3: Photographs, 1879-1901

Item 1: Faculty, 1882

Faculty photo.

Creator: 8x10

Item 2: Senior Class, 1879

Senior class photo.

Creator: 5x4

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 3: Football Team, 1892

Photo of C.U.'s league championship football team.

Creator: 8x10

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 4: J.S. Wittmeier

Photo of J.S. Wittmeier in uniform.

Creator: 5x7

Item 5: Central University Mandolin Club, 1894

Creators:: Schlegel, Louis

Item 6: O.W. Butler, 1885

Photo of O.W. Butler.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 7: Jas Simpson, 1885

Photo of Jas Simpson.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 8: W.R. Welch, 1884

Photo of W.R. Welch.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 9: Young Man in Uniform, 1884

Photo of a young man in a military-like uniform.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 10: Orville A. Kennedy, 1884

Photo of Orville A. Kennedy.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 11: Graham Smith, 1884

Photo of Graham Smith.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 12: R. Tate Irvine, 1884

Photo of R. Tate Irvine.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 13: R.L. Marimon, 1884

Photo of R.L. Marimon.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 14: Chas G. Crooks, 1884

Photo of Chas G. Crooks.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 15: C.H.R. McElroy, 1884

Photo of a young man named McElroy.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 16: Commissioned Officers, 1999-1901

Photo containing nine young men in uniform who received their commission as officers.

Creator: 8x10

Item 17: Walter Bucky, 1884

Photo of Walter Buky.

Creator: 5x7

Physical Description: J.L. Schlegel

Item 18: P.F. Barbour, 1884

Photo of P.F. Barbour.

Creator: 5x7

Item 19: Senior Class, 1901

Senior class photo.

Creator: 8x10

Item 20: Central University News Staff, 1897-1898

Creator: 8x10

Item 21: Rankin Mason, 1879

This image is also part of the composite numbered 1984A002-002.

Creators:: Schlegel, Louis

Item 22: J.B. Paxton, 1879

This image is also part of the composite numbered 1984A002-002.

Creators:: Schlegel, Louis

Item 23: Central University Preparatory Department Class Photo, 13 Nov 1894

Folder 4: Cream and Crimson, 1895

This document is a small booklet containing information about Central University. It is a year book of sorts, and it contains a great deal of information about the university, its organizations, and important people of the past.

Folder 5: Memorabilia

Murad cigarette card featuring a young person from C.U. doing shotput.

Folder 6: Misc. Files, 1880-1894

Contains a newspaper clipping, an address, a program for an alumni meeting, hand-written notes, and a photo of buildings on campus.

Folder 7: Ephemera, 1874-1964

Contains a copy of the college song, miscellaneous newspaper articles, a founders day program, a photo of J.S. Wittmeier, a listing of names, and other items.

Box 8

Barcode: 31234014052797

Item 1: Endowment and Donation Ledger, 1886-1900

Folder 1: Oversize Materials

Item 1: Diploma, 30 Jun 1898: Hospital School of Medicine of Central University, Diploma of Robert Allison Bass.; Barcode: 31234014052805
Item 2: Page from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1885-12-05: Includes a short article titled "What Kentucky is Doing for Higher Education" with woodcuts of the University Building, Memorial Hall and the Hospital College of Medicine at Louisville on the other.
Item 3: Central University Buildings, Richmond KY, 1885: Plate from Perrin's 1885 History of Kentucky. Three images on one plate showing the University Building, Memorial Hall, and the four cottages, what was then know as faculty row.

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Box 8],
[Folder 1: Oversize Materials],
[All]