Berea News, June 7, 1907

Dear Editor,

We hope you will favor us by allowing space in The News, for a word from Witherspoon College, "The College among the hills."

We will be glad to have a chance to tell the people of Eastern Kentucky, and also those who, interested in its welfare, dwell in other states, of the noble work performed by this school, which is being so highly commended.

The work at Buckhorn is a mighty transforming influence, it is a leaven, leavening the lump. "Witherspoon College is transforming the county," says the clerk of Perry County, noticing the change of the people, as they came to the county seat, from what they were only a few years ago.

The work is being gratefully appreciated by the people themselves. When one of the older women thought she was about to die she said, "for seventy years I have lived in this place without seeing much to live for, but now that they have come and built up the place I don't want to die." The Lord spared her life and she is today rejoicing in what her eyes do see.

The fall term of six months will open July 8, 1907, in which is included the public school of the Common School District, in which the college is situated.

The yearly "Normal Drill" of six weeks for those preparing to teach in the public schools, closed in the month of May. The enrollment for the six weeks term was the 25th. The frequent drills in Theory and Practice, discussing the method and methods of teaching, were designed to prepare the applicant to deal with the children placed under his care during the common school term in the most effective manner. They were conducted by Prof. W. R. Harris who has had many years experience in school teaching, as well as having been Superintendent of Public Schools in Jessamine County, for several years.

Our winter term of school has fully accomplished what it was intended too, if not more.

With an enrollment of nearly two hundred pupils, wide awake boys and girls, the whole term has proven a profitable and enjoyable term of study.

The dormitories were early overcrowded and many deserving pupils were turned away for lack of accommodations. With plenty of room and sufficient accommodations it is thought the enrollment would have reached four hundred.

But as an institution just beginning what is hoped to be a brilliant future designed to accomplish much for our deserving mountain boys and girls, were are content to grow slowly and firmly, solidating our foundation, illucidating the principals upon which it is founded, rather than overcrowd our buildings, and take in more than we can sufficiently accommodate. We are anxious that the poor boys and girls of the mountains have an opportunity to get an opportunity to get an education, and we expect to add such industrial features as will enable them to "pay their way through school." Prof. Murdock, principal of the school, says that any young man who has an intention to get an education can get it. If he will come to Buckhorn he will get through some way if he only has a will to work and a desire to study.

The institution is established and maintained for the young people of Eastern Kentucky. It is intended to bring a liberal education within reach of the poorest but honest and industrious.

A very low rate of tuition is charged and besides this special arrangements have been made so that board can be had at the refectory or boarding hall for one dollar per week.

Special attention has been and will be given to the spiritual development of character.

No education is complete without a reverent knowledge of god and a firm trust in His divine power. The highest aim of the institution consists in character building. By giving young men and women a taste of better things, we hope to fill them with noble ambitions for a life of useful service.

The teaching forces are the best, and additions will be made from time to time as the growth of the enrollment and attendance demands.

As the school grows and new demands are presented, the work will be enlarged. Industrial Departments are among the anticipated new features of the school work. The time is now upon us when men and women must be "taught to do" as well as "taught to know," or when they must "do" as well as must "know."

This institution could not wish for a better situation to perform wonders, in Christianizing and educating a people so clever, responsive, and possessing such great possibilities of development. Within a radius of twelve miles there are more than fifteen hundred young people of school age, so we see that with proper accommodation the institution could have between five and ten hundred pupils.

Situated in Perry County, on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River among the foot hills of the Cumberland Mountains, we enjoy the calm repose of nature, and the pure mountain air which in spring time brings the sweet perfume of the wild flowers which decorate the hillsides gives to us new life, and makes it a study enticing community.

The location of the school away from railroads and the rough elements of society, make it possible for the student to devote his whole time to studies. He is free from the bad influences and temptations that so often lead you people astray. The highest moral and christian influences are continually brought to bear upon the students that they may develop the highest and purest manhood and womanhood.

Experience proves the mountain students educated out of the mountains do not often return to live in the mountains but seek a livelihood elsewhere.

Those trained in Witherspoon College become christians and go out from the institution to live in the mountains as leaders and teachers. They become the most affective of mountain missionaries elevating their own homes and communities.

It is evident that the young man of today who enters into a profession, either as a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or minister, without a finished education is no so apt to become famous or make a success as the man who after a course in some high grade school, like Berea, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Central, and State Colleges, securing his A. B. degrees is then ready for the best his profession can afford.

It is the aim of Witherspoon College to give such inspiration and help to those who want such an education as will help them to enter the Freshman year in any of the high grade schools mentioned above.

This then is a brief sketch of the work, in which your prayers and interests are asked.

Your Sincerely,

Elmer Gabbard