Campbell College (Kansas)

Local poet, author, journalist, librarian, and suffragist, Elizabeth Barr Arthur described the area in her 1907 publication "Business Directory and History of Jackson County" as situated "on an eminence commanding a fine view of the surrounding country.

[2] The committee reached out to Allen Green Campbell, a wealthy Utah mine owner and a former Jackson County, Kansas, resident who was one of the earliest settlers there.

[1][2] Campbell also contributed an additional $1,100 for the purchase of eleven acres for the campus and in 1880 construction began on "a fine stone building.

[1] Once the construction of the main building was complete, Professor and future president of Campbell College, J. H. Miller, leased the structure and classes began in September of either 1880[2] or 1882.

According to Barr's history, the school "was conducted as a high-class normal college, with four courses of study: classic, scientific, mathematics, and languages.

It is to be hoped there may be perfect unity of action on the part of our people in Kansas if the Holton project goes through Bishop GM Mathews DD presided with dignity and ability.

Later in November the UB Church finalized the purchase pf Lane University in Lecompton and began the process of merging it with Campbell College in Holton.

–– Lane University, which wor (sic: "for") nearly 40 years has been conducted at Lecompton by the United Brethren, will be absorbed by Campbell University of Holton, Jackson County, and out of the merger is to come Campbell College to be located at Holton and controlled by the United Brethren people.

The main reason of a desire for a change by the friends of Lane University was the fact that the railroad facilities offered by Holton were superior to the few enjoyed while Lecompton has been the seat of the institution.

In the courses of study, it is too early, also, to make positive announcements, but it is certain that no radical changes will be made in this respect.

The dormitory now used by the students was built for a pro-slavery hotel, but an election after it was, constructed turned the tide against the interests of that party and it was abandoned.

Crites (the College President) who describes an uncomfortable limbo that the school/church has been in since the death of the school's namesake Allen Green Campbell in 1902.

Crites shares: Campbell College Wins the Suit The news came flashing over the wires September 24 that the decision of the court of California had been reversed by Supreme Court of that State This decision has brought great encouragement to the management and friends of Campbell College.

Our people everywhere will rejoice with us that it is now decided in the last court of jurisprudence in the State California that the will of the late Allen G Campbell stands and that by the provisions of said will the college is sure beyond any doubt of an equity in the estate left by him.

We are now back where we started three years ago in regard to the $100,000 endowment fund with this difference, it has now been established that the college is the legal heir to this amount in the will and that the will is valid.

The great forest trees which line the hillsides afford shade to a natural amphitheater overlooking fine athletic grounds which are being put in condition at no small cost and when completed will be second to none in the state.

President Crites is exceeding the expectations of his most sanguine friends by the able manner in which he is administering the affairs of the College.

The graduates from the city schools are enrolling quite generally in courses at the College, which bears eloquent testimony of the esteem in which it is held by the "home folks."

Brother Slade is the steward of the dormitory, overseer of buildings and grounds, arbiter in all matters of decorum, general plenipotentiary, and sure cure for homesickness.

The YWCA and YMCA are well organized and doing most excellent work as is also the YPCU (Young Person Christian Union).

Crites shared these updates to "The Religious Telescope": The catalogue of 1906–7 is in the hands of the printer and will show for the year ending April 6th an enrollment in all departments of 382.

Some improvements have been made during the year the most attractive of which was the papering of the college chapel and at the same time giving the room a thorough renovation.

It is expected that a large number of the friends of the college from without Holton and the immediate vicinity will attend the various exercises of the week.

We cordially invite alumni, old students, ministers, and friends to attend our closing exercises of the year.

In Barr's 1907 publication, she shared a glowing review of the institution, writing: "In the three years under the new regime the attendance has greatly increased over the combined attendance of both, the course of study enlarged and made standard, holdings added to and improved and it is now entering on a most prosperous future.

The university boasted "four good buildings," sixteen instructors, eight departments, and twelve courses of study including: Education, "the Academy," Music, Business, Public Speaking, Art, and the English Bible.

[1] According to "The Standard Dictionary of Facts" an encyclopedia-type reference published in the year of 1908, Campbell College boasted 16 instructors and 433 students with 4,000 "volumes in library" and $200,000 in value of property (including endowment).

[citation needed] The 1911 edition of Rouff's big book of facts offers: President: Thomas D Crites, D.D.

In 1911, we also find an alternate reference (also by Rouff—but they spelled his name wrong on the cover) and it indicates 16 instructors, 432 students, 3500 books in the library, and $120,000 listed as the value of property including endowment.

The second and last merger of Campbell College occurred when church officials thought relocating and colocating in Kansas City would be advantageous.