Mrs. Hanley Recalls Their Years Here - 1950

In the spring of 1917, Rev. John C. Hanley, D. D., was elected the president of Lees Collegiate Institute, by the Board of Trustees. Dr. Hanley was selected with the hope that he would be able to build it up to a Junior College. He remained eight years, continually working toward this end, but when he left in 1925, the goal had not been reached, but foundation stones had been laid.

When Rev. C. Groshon Gunn, pastor of the Guerrant Memorial Presbyterian Church left to serve as a chaplain in the army. Dr. Hanley filled the pulpit for over a year.

During his term of service at Lees, Dr. Hanley received fine and helpful cooperation from churches, schools, and citizens.

The years of 1917-1920 were years of stress and of strain. The war and the epidemic of flu wrought pain and sorrow.

Dr. Hanley was ever a loyal citizen. He would go to the station to see the boys leave for camps with a sad and yet with a proud heart, for Breathitt never had to draft soldiers. They were volunteers to a man.

Schools and churches were closed during the flu epidemic. Every able person was called upon to care for the sick and the dying. What noble service Dr. and Mrs. Wilgus Bach rendered at their hospital. No rest night or day. Mrs. Cummings was very active, too. As matron at Lees, she was caring for several seriously ill persons, among them Miss Grace King, a teacher at Lees, but she found time to help at the hospital, too.

Dr. Bach was a most loyal Lees graduate. He would come by night or by day, every cheerful, rarely made a charge, said he wished to help his school. Dr. Hanley prized his help and his friendship.

Dr. Hanley was a Kiwanian, though quiet, he enjoyed fellowship with men. He delighted to sing with the men "I'm Working On The Railroad." He was most proud of the past president's pin presented to him by the club. Mr. O. H. Pollard was a most active member of that time.

All during his life in Jackson, Dr. Hanley had two favorite loafing places; Mr June Jett's store and Dr. Riffle's Drug Store.

At Lees, then, the work covered all grades from primary through four years of high school. No college work was done the first year that is, in 1917-18, but there was a first -year college class in 1918-19 and always after, some college work was done, advancing as far as the third year of college. Of course, it was not accredited work, but the students were so well prepared and could take examinations for advance standing in any college. From 1917-1925, Lees had many outstanding teachers. Among them were:

Miss Bertha Redwine, Miss Cleta Hammons, Miss Addie Lyons, Miss Grace King, Miss Eliza Woodside, Miss Julia Vogt, Miss Evelyn Giese, Mrs. Anna Cummings, Mrs. Della Myers, Miss McBride, Mr. James Pollock, Mr. McIlvaine, and Mr. Rogers.

At the school, Dr. Hanley believed in keeping students busy and happy. All work in the dormitory and school building was done by the students. This contributed to a contented and pleasant life.

For diversion there were all kinds of entertainments and social affairs, such as oratorical contests, music recitals, plays, operettas, literaries, and parties.

All holidays were observed with appropriate exercises. No one could surpass Miss Julia Vogt in the beauty of operetta she had her classes give or in thoroughness in work. She could inspire thoroughness in any group. Miss Vogt was at Lees from 1917-1922. A time was set apart every day for worship.

The whole school by departments marched in fine precision and order to the chapel. After the regular devotional period, frequently, certain classes presented a program consisting of scripture from memory, songs, and sketches of Bible characters.

One morning in chapel Dr. Hanley announced a number. Miss Florence Giese, our music teacher at that time, opened her hymnbook to the number, dropped her hands to her lap and said, "Dr. Hanley I cannot play that." The hymn was "Old-Time Religion." She played only classical music. Dr. Hanley replied, "Well, we will sing without the piano," and so he lifted the tune and all joined in heartily except, perhaps, Miss Giese.

In high school Bible in memory work, the student was required to memorize not only the words, but also the marks of punctuation.

A fine piece of work was done by Harold Graves, when he recited perfectly, in clear tones with expression, Paul's "Speech Before Agrippa."

The high school Bible class won first place one year in the district Bible contest.

Eric Pelfrey won 100 percent in a Bible contest.

During the years, Dr. Hanley always stressed "speech," so he had oratorical contests, plays, and Literary Day.

In 1918, the senior play was entitled "Catching Patty."

That same year Nancy Ponder's essay on commencement night was entitled "Looking Toward The Future."

Members of the 1918 class were: William Blake, Mossie Day, Virginia Haris, Eula Hammons, Esther Hurst, Florence Moore, Nancy Ponders, and Willard Harris.

In one oratorical contest John Brown won first place. His subject was, "The Door To Success Is Labeled, Push."

Special mention must be made of the loyal support of the Holliday family during Dr. Hanley's term of office. Mrs. Holliday baked cakes, made candy, furnished flowers, entertained the faculty and students, and both Mr. and Mrs. Holliday helped make the crowd at all events. Dr. Hanley ever appreciated their fine cooperation and friendship.

This sketch of Dr. Hanley's eight years at Lees would not be complete without an account of the fire at Lees about 1922.

It was nearly dusk one spring evening. The Methodists were having a revival meeting. An electric storm was passing. Evidently, a flash of electricity struck a wire running into the fourth floor of the dormitory. Flames came from the dormer window. Pistol shots were heard. The local fire department was on the spot almost immediately, and when the worshippers learned where the fire was from a man they rushed to help.

The fire started on the fourth floor; that fire never got below the fourth floor.

The most remarkable thing was this everything, literally everything was carried out of that building and placed in the yard, and later transferred to the college building for the night, to be returned to the dormitory the next day. Believe it or not, not one thing was permanently lost, except a stuffed pin cushion in the form of a duck that belonged to Miss Nan, the cook. Can this record for care and honesty be matched anywhere?

In the summer of 1917, Rev. Thomas B. Talbot arranged for a conference of Sunday School Workers and Missionaries, to be held at Lees. Rev. Talbot brought able ministers, trained Bible teachers, and experts in women's work. The conference lasted ten days and was a fine venture. The programs were inspirational and instructive. Speakers came from the Lakes to the Gulf. Interest increased and representatives of churches came from all parts of the state of Kentucky.

These conferences were held during Dr. Hanley's years in Jackson, and much of their success was due to his work. The delegates were entertained at Lees, at the hotels, and in private homes.

Two faithful workers during the eight years were Mr. Frank Smith, our fireman; and Willie Nicholas, one of our students. Willie was the first person employed by Dr. Hanley. Just a lad, he came and asked if he could work for his schooling. No one could have been more faithful and respectful than Willie. He did the odd jobs cheerfully and well.

After eight most happy years at Lees and in Jackson, in 1925, Dr. Hanley resigned to accept the presidency of Sayre College in Lexington, Kentucky, where he retired permanently from educational work; though he continued to preach the gospel of Jesus to the time of his final illness in 1949. He died November 28, 1949.