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12
THE BATTALION.
There was no library, no laboratory, no mechanical equip
ments and. in fact, no equipments for any of the departments.
There was no hospital, no gymnasium, no natatorium, no elec
tric lights, no ice plant and no artesian water. Our text books
and our professors constituted our library, nature was our
laboratory, and a few axes and wood-saws were our mechanical
appliances.
Unlike the early student, the young man when he now ar
rives sees before him a happy and contented looking village
with broad, inviting and hospitable walks. Trees of many
growths and shrubbery of infinite variety have supplanted the
broom weed.
Pfeutfer hall. Austin hall, Ross hall, Assembly hall, pro
fessors’ residences, machine shops, electric light and ice plant
and many other smaller buildings have been added to the old
landscape.
He finds too a splendid library, and that the leading depart
ments of the college are well equipped, including the me
chanical department, the chemical department, the veterinary
department, the horticultural department and the department
of cHil engineering.
There is too a faculty more than five times as large as in
the older time. Surely a young man earnestly seeking an edu
cation could hope for it here.
As to those who have yearly passed from its
gates to the active world without, I cite the testi
mony of that distinguished man, ex-Governor
Ross, who says: “We are cheered in the work by
the good report that comes from hundreds who
have profited by the excellent lessons which were
taught them in the institution, and thus secured
nymnaHium g 0 °d reputations and positions in life. A large
in we. number are employed as surveyors and engineers
in the United States geological survey, Mississippi levees,
railway construction, and machine shops and mines of
Mexico; as draughtsmen, architects, superintendents of dairy
and stock farms. Some are physicians and lawyers prominent
in their professions. One at a time worthily fills a place on
the district court bench. Another has recently, after refusing