The history of the University falls naturally into two parts, the first being in a sense prehistoric a period of struggles, discouragements and disaster, before any real university work was undertaken. Indeed the whole period from 1851 to the date of the re-organization, 1868, might be wholly eliminated from consideration, were it not for the fact that the forces set in motion, during that period, had their influence upon the University as it finally took shape and developed into the great and useful institution it is today.

The second period extending from 1868 to 1910 falls naturally into two epochs. The first ending with the administration of President Folwell, 1884, and the second covering the administration of President Northrop, extending from 1884 to 1910.

A CHAPTER OF BEGINNINGS.

It is one of the things which we, the citizens of Minnesota, count among our choicest blessings and for which we should be profoundly grateful, that the early settlers of the territory which afterwards became the state of Minnesota, were made up of people who considered good education second only to the fear of God and an honest name. This explains the fact that in 1851, when the whole territory contained less than 10,000 inhabitants, its citizens were already making provision for a future university which should give to every young person within its borders the best education to be

had anywhere. The people of Minnesota were, as a class, law-abiding, and up to 1856 there had never been a saloon in St. Anthony, although at that time it stood third in rank among the cities of the territory.

The beginnings of the University date back to the report of a committee of the house of representatives, consisting of John W. North, Major B. H. Randall and J. C. Ramsey. This committee made a report to the legislature on February 3rd, 1851 in which they said:

"The Committee would therefore recommend the passage of an Act (a Bill for which is herewith submitted) to incorporate the University of Minnesota. Though such an institution should not come to maturity in many years, it may now receive an endowment in lands that will increase in value with the growth of the country, and when wanted will be amply sufficient to erect and furnish an institution commensurate with our wants. *** The Committee therefore respectfully concur in the recommendation of the Governor, that Congress be memorialized for a grant of lands for the endowment of such a University."

The report of this committee, including the act which was submitted and afterwards adopted as the charter of the University, it is believed was drawn by the Reverend E. D. Neill, afterwards chancellor of the University. It is not known what university previously established served as a model for this act. John W. North, who was chairman of this committee of the house of representatives, was afterwards made

treasurer of the University and served in that capacity from 1851 to 1860, although he was never a member of the board.

Governor Ramsey in his message to the legislature the same year called attention to the necessity of an endowment for a university and recommended that the legislature memorialize Congress for an endowment of 100,000 acres of land. The land which Governor Ramsey doubtless had in mind, was a part of the Fort Snelling reservation which it was hoped, the federal government might turn over to the University. For some reason which does not appear, this failed to materialize. The memorial, however, was passed on the 10th of February and on the 19th of the same month, Congress passed an act reserving two townships (46,080 acres) "for the use and support of a university in said territory and for no other use and purpose whatever." The charter of the University previously adopted, provided that the University should be located "at or near the Falls of St. Anthony," and it was also provided that this grant should be and remain a perpetual fund and that the interest alone should be appropriated for the support of the University.

THE FIRST BOARD.

On the 4th of March, of the same year, the legislature in joint session, elected a board of twelve regents, made up of the following named gentlemen:

Isaac Atwater, J. W. Furber, William R. Marshall, B. B. Meeker, Socrates Nelson, Henry M. Rice, Alexander Ramsey, Henry H. Sibley, C. K. Smith, Franklin Steele, N. C. D. Taylor and Abram Van Vorhees.

This board met May 31st, at the St. Charles Hotel, in the village of St. Anthony. On motion of William R. Marshall it was resolved that the board deem it expedient to proceed at once to the erection of a building, and that a subscription paper be circulated to secure the necessary funds for this purpose. Of the $2,500 needed for this purpose, Franklin Steele gave $500 and the remainder was made up in smaller subscriptions.

The secretary was instructed to prepare a

notice, to be published in the various newspapers of the territory, requesting offers of a site for the University. Several liberal offers of land were made at this meeting by W. R. Marshall, W. A. Cheever, H. H. Sibley, and Franklin Steele.

The following is the notice as published in the St. Anthony Express:

"NOTICE.-Land owners in the vicinity of St. Anthony Falls, are requested to make offers of land to the Board of Regents for the purpose of a site for the location of the University of Minnesota. Propositions, in writing, will be received until the morning of the 14th inst., addressed to the secretary.

By order of the Board of Regents.
I. Atwater, Secretary."

The board met again on the 14th of June and a committee was appointed to take steps toward the immediate location of the lands of the congressional grant of two townships.

At this meeting offers of land were received as follows:

W. A. Cheever, Esq., offered five blocks of ten lots each (twelve and one-half acres) for such purpose.

J. McAlpine, Esq., offered twenty acres near the village.

Messrs. W. S. Farnham, C. T. Stinson, R. W. Cummings and H. H. Angell offered sixteen acres near town.

After a careful examination of the various locations offered, upon motion of William R Marshall, it was resolved to accept the offer of Franklin Steele, Esq., "being a part of the green set apart for public purposes, together with six lots in the rear." This was about four acres of land, and was located between what is now known as Central avenue and First avenue South East, and Second street and University

January 27th, 1854, Mr. Steele offered to give the University five acres of land in Tuttle's grove, to be selected by the regents and to erect thereon a building to cost as much as the building then occupied by the preparatory department. This offer was subsequently modified and June 12th, 1855, the regents voted to accept the offer of Mr. Steele to pay into the treasury of the University the amount expended upon the preparatory school building. This sum, it appears was never paid by Mr. Steele but the obligation was assumed by the St. Anthony Water Power company, June 28th, 1856. This obligation was surrendered to the St. Anthony

the maximum cost of which was to be $2,500 and the secretary was instructed to advertise for competitive plans for the building.

William R. Marshall and Isaac Atwater who were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions for the money necessary to build, were successful in raising the desired amount. Before the building was finished, however, a second subscription was necessary.

The building was of two stories with a high basement, and was thirty by fifty feet on the ground. The basement was built up with stone five or six feet above the level of the ground, and was reached by going down two or three

Water Power company, October 14th, 1862, in exchange for notes held by that company against the University, and the Regents agreed to and did, on the 29th day of November, quit-claim the tract on which the preparatory school building was located, to the said company.

THE NEW BUILDING.

It was also decided at the meeting of June 14, to begin at once, the erection of a building

steps. For years this building served as the abode for the "Preparatory department of the University of Minnesota."

An advertisement which appeared in the St. Anthony Express of November 15th, 1851, will give a better idea of the school and what it was expected to do than anything else could.

"UNIVERSITY SCHOOL.

The Preparatory Department of the University of Minnesota will be opened to receive

nual report of the board of regents, will show the condition of the school during the last year of its existence.

"The preparatory department still continues under the supervision of Prof. E. W. Merrill. It is in a most flourishing condition, both as regards the number of pupils and the progress made in the different branches of study.

The influence and usefulness of this department in its general bearings on the educational interests of the territory is already apparent, and is constantly increasing. Teachers have been there qualified and prepared to take charge of our common schools, and young men fitted for the active duties of life.

The whole number of pupils in attendance the past year has been one hundred and seventy, and over one hundred and fifty have been in attendance the present winter term. *** In conclusion, the board are gratified to represent that the prospects of the institution are such as to afford a reasonable assurance that it will soon be in condition to realize the most sanguine hopes which its founders and friends have entertained in regard to it."

During the whole existence of this school, it was no expense to the state. Private individuals paid for the building and furnished all the apparatus that was used. All the books in its library, which was not very extensive, were contributed. Mr. Merrill, who taught this school, came here through a misunderstanding. He understood that he was to be paid by the board, while in reality he only received what he had left out of what he had received from tuition, after paying all the expenses of the school. It was a genuine missionary effort on his part, and too much credit cannot be given him for his successful prosecution of the work of the school.

It is very evident from the notices which appeared in the St. Anthony Express concerning this school that it was held in high esteem by the people of the territory. It was a mistake on the part of the regents that they did not continue it for several years longer, even