MSU Founders Documents
In 1878 the Governor John Marshall Stone established a Board of Trustees whose mission was to establish an Agricultural and Mechanical College for the state of Mississippi. This digital collection contains materials relating to the establishment of Mississippi A&M (later Mississippi State University) and the presidencies of its first two administrations. In 1862, the United States Congress passed the Morrill Act, which allowed for the creation of land-grant institutions whose purpose was to educate young Americans in the Agricultural and Mechanical Arts. Following the Civil War, Mississippi established two land-grant institutions, Alcorn A&M in 1871 (an agricultural college for African-Americans) and Mississippi A&M in 1878. In establishing Mississippi A&M the Board of Trustees, led by Governor John Marshall Stone and Professor David Phares, elected former Confederate General Stephen Dill Lee as the first President of the Institution.The materials in this collection represent the earliest documents from Mississippi State University. The Board of Trustees Minutes cover the initial establishment of the University in 1878, the selection of Starkville as the site for the College, the purchase of land from William Bell, the selection of Stephen Dill Lee as President, the construction of buildings on campus, and the establishment of the College's rules and regulations and the opening of the College in 1880.The Stephen D. Lee Papers contain correspondence both to and from General Lee with parents, students, Board members, and faculty from 1880 to 1899. Also included in this collection are materials on the creation of an Agricultural Experiment station, Committees, faculty salaries, and student petitions.Following the resignation of General Lee, Governor Stone was selected as the second President of Mississippi A&M. He took over in 1899, but unfortunately died less than two years into his tenure. The John Marshall Stone Papers contain correspondence both to and from Stone with parents, students, Board members, and faculty from 1899 to 1900. Also included in this collection are materials on Committees, faculty salaries, and student petitions.
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John M. Stone Papers
T. R. Leavell writes to Stone informing him that he and Mr. Jones will be at the college after Christmas and hope to find everything going well. December 19, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
In a series of letters to Stone regarding his sons battle with the measles F. A. Jordan asks that his son be excused from school then asks for him to be readmitting after he is well. September 14, 1899, January 4, 1900, January 30, 1900, March 5, 1900.
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John M. Stone Papers
In a series of four letters to Stone, the Jackson family writes in regards to their family member being sent home. In the first, H. Z. Jackson writes to Stone asking for another chance for his nephew. He ensures him that he will not break the rules anymore and if he does he asks to be notified. In the second letter, H. Z. Jackson himself writes to Stone an apology letter for his behavior and asks to return in December. In the third, Mrs. Lillie Jackson apologizes on behalf of her son and in a fourth she asks that Stone keep and eye on her son back at the college. She says that his classmates tease him about being sent home and that he wishes to return home due to embarrassment and harrassment. December 12, 1899, December 13, 1899, January 3, 1900.
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John M. Stone Papers
Mrs. M. E. Joyce writes to Stone requesting a catalogue be sent so her son, who wishes to help pay his way through college, can see what the expenses will look like. October 16, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
J. C. Hopper writes to Stone asking for permission for his son to withdraw from college. September 25, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
E. R. Hopkins writes to Stone in three letters regarding his son who is a student at the college. In the first letter, he asks Stone to excuse his son from field work as he has decided to study at the mechanical college. In the second, he says that he agrees with Stone not to let his son be excused from field work and in the third he asks that his son be excused to come home for Christmas holidays.
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John M. Stone Papers
E. J. Hilliard writes to Stone requesting a catalogue because his brother would like to attend the college. September 14, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
The U.S. Department of Agriculure's Editor and Chief sends a letter to Stone regarding information that is to be useed in the yearbook of 1899. He asks questions regarding the colleges library and asks for Stone's reply. October 23, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
In a letter to Stone, C. W. Call asks for permission for his son Frank Wall to be able to come home for Christmas holidays. December 18,1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Fly and Hobson Grocers writes to Stone regarding the complimentary barrell of Pelican flour they have sent him complementary. They say that he will find it the best flour on Earth and that if he likes it they would like to furnish the college with it. December 22, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
F. M. Abbott writes to Stone regarding the sale of a number of bull calves . He also mentions the upcoming visit of Mr. Wilson to the A and M College. May 17, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Wilmer Atkinson Company requests a catalog, circulars, personal statements and photographs for Farm Journal regarding the A and M College. October 18, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Mrs. A. S. Armstrong hopes that the College will remain open during Christmas break and that her son, Harvey C. A. Fleming, can remain. December 8, 1899. In a follow up letter, Mrs. Armstrong thanks Stone for sending a report on Harvey's progress and she hopes for improvement. January 19, 1900.
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John M. Stone Papers
J. Elizabeth Ball writes to Stone requesting that her son, Harrison E. Ball, remain at the College during the Christmas holidays. She also requests that he be enrolled in a Mechanical course. December 5, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Transcript-Gov. Stone, Let my son John come to Meridian at once. B. R. Barnett. December 22, [1899]
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John M. Stone Papers
Percy Bell, Superintendent of Education in Washington County, Mississippi, writes to stone on behalf of Mr. J. J. Shepherd of Pettitt, Mississippi, whose son wishes to enter the College in January 1900. He is requesting information on tuition deferments and dormitory fees. November 27, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Frank Burkitt writes to Stone requesting the admission of his son Horace to the College. He states that Horace is not a good student and needs the discipline of living in the dormitory under strict rules. November 25, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Mrs. L. A. Burris writes to Stone asking him to look after her son, Earle Burris, as it is his first time away from home and she worries about outside influences on him. September 19, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
C. H. Campbell writes to Stone request that his son, Charles, be allowed to drop English History as the course is taking up too much of his time which could be devoted to other studies. October 5, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
F. R. Carloss writes to Stone requesting his son be admitted to the Prepatory Department for the next session. November 3, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
A series of letters from Samuel S. Caruthers to Stone. In the November 17, 1899 letter, Caruthers apologizes for his brother's (R. S. Caruthers) actions in removing items from the laboratory and taking them to his room. Caruthers explains that their parents are dead and he is his brother's guardian. He offers to settle all of his debts. In the November 27, 1899 letter, Samuel writes that his brother had returned home after an unsuccessful attempt to join the army. His brother said that students are always taking things from the lab back to their rooms. Samuel promised to send his brother back to the College. In December 5, 1899 Samuel sends a money order for ten dollars. In February 6, 1900, Samuel sends a money order for twelve dolalrs and fifty cents.
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John M. Stone Papers
H. R. Chilton writes to Stone requesting that his son, H. S. Chilton, be allowed to room with his friend John S. Carroll. August 15, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
In two letters, R. F. Conner writes to Stone regarding his son, who was dismissed from the College. In the October 30, 1899 letter he acknowledges that his son was ill and that he would like for him to return to the College. In the January 11, 1900 letter he ask that his son, W. M. Conner, who had returned to the College, be allowed to withdraw on account of weak eyes.
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John M. Stone Papers
A series of letters from the Cook family. On October 20, 1899, T. L. H. Cook asks that his son, T. L. come home. On December 20, 1899, T. L. Cook writes to Stone apologizing for leaving the College to go help his father. On December 27, 1899, T. L. H. Cook asks that his son be allowed to withdraw from the College to help out in his business.
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John M. Stone Papers
A series of letters from John R. Dinsmore, Trustee of the College, to Stone regarding the complaint of two students who were forced to change rooms in the dormitory. He tells Stone that he is investigating in order to protect the good name of the college. November 28 and 29, 1899, December 4, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
In two letters, W. G. Deles writes to Stone requesting that his son be allowed to work in the Mechanical shop rather than the field and that his son be allowed to come home for Christmas. September 29, 1899 and December 14, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
James Edmonson requests that his son, Eddie Edmondson, be allowed to return home for the Christmas holiday. December 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
B. F. Kilpatrick writes to Stone regarding the cose of board and tuition before he sends his son to college at A and M. September 26, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
G. Kohler writes in reply to Stone saying that he has sent a twenty dollar check to Mr. King so that his son may be in better standing in his class. November 3, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Patrick Larkin of Texas writes to Stone asking for terms and qualifications for entering the college. October 14, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
S. S. Ledbetter asks Stone to let his son come home Saturday morning to Sunday evening as he has no special duties to perform. October 27, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Mrs. T. J Ramsey writes to Stone asking him to talk to her son as he has recently lost his father. She then asks him to find him some studies that interest him more because he is asking to come home and she would not like for him to do that. October 28, 1899, November 2, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
A. T. Roane sends a letter to Stone by his son who wishes to start school at A and M that term. October 2, 1894.
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John M. Stone Papers
C. A. Ruff writes to Stone asking if he can come to school to work in the shops and study just that. He wishes to not have to take any literary classes and would like to work in the shop and outside of the school to be able to pay off his expenses for college. December 19, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
In a memo sent by Stone, he gives permission for Miss Rome to be absent from class. May 17, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
Mrs. J. H. Stevens asks Stone to extend her sons leave as he is still very sick at home with the measels. December 28, 1899. December 30, 1899.
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John M. Stone Papers
H. L. Whitfield asks Stone to send in information for the biannual report to the legislature. September 1, 1899, September 4, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
R. C. King writes to Lee about the shortage of funds for the mechanical account. He says the reason for this is because the lights in the electric plant were run all night from November to December. January 19, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to the governor in regards to a statement the governor had made about anyone being able to give students permission to leave. Lee corrects him by saying the only person who has power to give permission to leave is the president. December 19, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
B. W. Kilgore writes announcing the resignation of the stenographer and typewriter for the department, Pickard. July 24, 1899. July 18, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
James Whitokre submits his senior thesis outline and application for graduation. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Irwin Dauey Sesswood submits his thesis and application for graduation. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
M. B. Bacol submits his thesis and application for graduation. March 24, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Committee selected by the students writes to Lee and faculty requesting that they be given ten days for Christmas holidays. November 24, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Bacob, Rogers, and Thayer ask that they be given special consideration for the work they missed last year while serving in the armed forces. January 2, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
G. H. Alford writes to Lee informing him that he expects to stand The Civil Service examination on April 11th. He notes that he needs to study until that date and asks to be excused from all duties except examinations of military until after April 10th. March 31, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Robery Clifton Nickle submits his application for graduation. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
List submitted by J. H. Connell of all things destroyed by fire and their value. November 23, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A. B. Corodeie submits his thesis and application for graduation. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. J. Call submits his thesis and application for graduation. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
James Wales Cassell submits his senior thesis and application for a diploma. February 17, 1899.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Passed on January 9, 1898, the rules for which classes may compete for the President's Medal. January 9, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. F. Goreuflo asks to be excused from memorizing his third term address as long as it will not impair him from receiving his junior scholarship. May 30, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
E. L. Dukate asks to be excused from memorizign his last term address due to him giving an address on the presentation of the Magruder Medal on the same day. May 30, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
The members of the sophomore class write to the faculty asking to be excused from having to memorize their third term address due to their work this term being too crowded. May 29, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
The four students who are to be considered for the Alumni Medal write to the President and faculty asking for them to select a subject for debate. March 7, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
H. A. Gamble writes to have permission granted to him and the Young Men's Christian Association to put papers in the parlors. January 24, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Alford, Armistead, and Watson write to ask that Mr. Brown be excused from writing and delivering his third term address. May 16, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Magruder , on behalf of the committee on courses of study, suggests some changes to be made regarding the junior debate and the committees that are used to choose the student competing for a scholarship. May 23, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Magruder on behalf of the committee sends a report suggesting that there be a hour limit for students competing for a scholarship. They also write that they cannot think of any work at the college that would be suitable for the women who attend and who are trying to compete for the same scholarship. He concludes by saying that they believe the college to be behind in the development of minor industries. May 8, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Walker, Hubert, and Kilgore, all part of a committee, write regarding the President's Medal. They include qualifications for receiving it as well as when it is to be announced. December 18, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Eugene E. Adams writes a recommendation letter for Ellwin C. Roberts and also confirms that he served five terms in the district. August 29, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
E. J. Gray writes a recommendation letter for Ellwin C. Roberts for a teaching position. August 29, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
B. M. Walker and committee suggest that the college adopt the plan for the junior and senior classes. They also suggest that the recitation period be shortened to 55 minutes and that chapel exercises be put at the close of the second hour. November 28, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Magruder sends a report to recommend that a general certificate be granted to all students who have taken and completed all freshman and sophomore classes. Also that a department certificate be granted to students who have taken and completed work in certain departments. February 21, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. B. Montgomery writes to C. B. Lampkin advising him to dismiss unpleasant memories associated with his college days. August 11, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A series of letters between S. D. Lee and C. E. Ard regarding a check to the Meridian bank and discrepancies in the fire code. June 17, 1897.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. L. Stinson submits an outline of his thesis and an application for graduation. January 24, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Stephen Lee, of the senior class, submits his application for graduation. January 24, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
O. M. Lawrence submits his application for graduation with the understanding that he must pass book keeping and drawing before commencement. January 24, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
M. H. Brama submits his application for graduation and notes that he has not passed the book keeping class but says he is getting lessons from the teacher in the afternoons to make it up. January 22, 1898.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. E. Garrison submits his application for a diploma at the next commencement ceremony. January 24, 1897.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
C. W. Lancaster submits his thesis and application for graduation. January 11, 1897.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. S. Butler and J. A. Loch submit their application for graduation. January 11, 1897.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to King about his friends from Georgia that are to be arriving soon. July 2, 1897.