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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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. H. Connell writes to Lee regarding the debt that the agricultural department owes. He tries to defend himself by saying that the two of them had already discussed the matter but concludes by saying that there would be no problem with the department paying off the debt if they cannot come to any other resolution. April 13, 1892.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A series of letters regarding the butter coming from A and M College. The first letter written by E. F. DelBondio notes that they would not like anymore butter shipped to them because it is too sticky and has a strange taste. Connell then tries to defend the quality of the butter while King sends note that there is an insufficient amount of butter compared to the amount that is being sold. J. F. Montgomery and J. F. Ware then write to defend themselves saying that they know very little about butter and even if they did that they are not allowed sufficient time in the dairy to care to the matter. May 21, 1892, May 23, 1894, May 24, 1894.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Professor Gulley writes to recommend W. C. Welborn as Chair of Agriculture for A and M College. June 30, 1891.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to L. N. McKale acknowledging his resignation as foreman of the farmers due to the issue of unpaid debts on behalf of the farm department. December 26, 1891.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. H. Connell writes to Lee first admitting that the contents noted in his report were incorrect. He goes on to explain why by saying that the cattle and mules have been getting out because of gates that were left open and that the butter has not been superior since Mr. Ware has taken over. November 30, 1891.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
In two letters, between R. C. King and S. D. Lee, they discuss the issue that some of the department heads at the college are purchasing things on the college's account that have not been cleared by anyone. He draws attention to the fact that the inability to pay these debts does not reflect poorly on whoever has charged them but on the college as a whole. Lee writes back to let him know that this matter will be brought before the board of trustees and mentions that there needs to be some way to record these purchases to avoid this happening in the future. September 28, 1891.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
D. McLaren writes to Lee regarding a new gravel pit and gravel that is to be delivered to the college. February 16, 1891.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to Burkitt informing him that he is unhappy about the article and that the issue is going to be taken to the board of trustees. March 14, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Petition sent by the attorneys of the plaintiff regarding the readmittance of a student who has been suspended regarding fraternity affairs.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. White sends a list of furniture bought by McDowell from Evans and includes a price list.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. R. White writes to Lee regarding the ongoing dispute about the secondhand furniture. March 13, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes regarding a letter that was sent from W. B. McDowell to Mr. Watson that cannot be found now.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. L. Hutchinson writes to Lee and explains his fees for work in the laboratory. June 5, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Bass writes to Lee telling him of his small and uncomfortable living situation. June 9, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. M. Kenwood writes to Stone to say that he will not be present at the meeting of the board of trustees for fear that he will not be chosen for the position. June 14, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A letter that is to be sent to all parents requiring that all students stay at the college until commencement is finished.
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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.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
The members of the SAE fraternity write that the chapter that they have belonged to have been exterminated and that the charter has been sent back.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
F. A. Weddell and T. A. Griffin write to Stone regarding a dispute over furniture in their dorm room. March 18, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Frank Burkitt writes to Lee regarding an obvious dispute between the two. He defends himself and says that the matter will be taken before the board of trustees. March 19, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Magruder writes to Lee to say that he would like to take some vacation time off but wants to know if it would affect his pay. June 7, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Francis Burkin writes to Lee regarding a dispute going on between some roommates over the furniture in their room. She writes that she believes the boys have been ripped off by the college representative and that he should be punished for his unjust actions. March 21, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. H. Evans explains the discounted price and secondhand furniture he sold to the roommates. March 13, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A. M. Griffin writes to Lee on behalf of his son who says he will not apologize for what he said and is still upset because of how he was not treated fairly in the purchase of the furniture. March 19, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to Frank Burkitt, the author of the article, and asks for details before he presents the matter to the board of trustees. March 7, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Series of letters regarding whether the fraternity has paid for the suspended students expenses or fees.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
List of committees that are appointed to select speakers to represent the senior and junior class at commencement.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to W. D. McDowell regarding the article Burkitt wrote about the secondhand furniture sold to the boys. Lee writes that it makes the college look bad to have things like this written and he is trying to get to the bottom of the situation. March 22, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A list of all furniture bought between the three boys, Weddell, Griffin, and Mc Dowell from Evans to furnish their college room.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Weddell and Griffin send a list of furniture bought by J. S. McDowell. March 13, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
T. J. Watson. The furniture salesman, writes to Lee defending himself and ensuring him that he did not take advantage of the students by selling them overpriced used furniture. March 13, 1890.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Fred Branch writes to Lee asking that his salary be raised from $30 a month to $40 a month since he doesn?t work in the summer and needs to be able to support himself through those months. June 3, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
Notice from S. D. Lee regarding a mistake made between Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Watson. June 10, [1889].
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
D. L. Phank writes to ask when the earliest dates of examinations begin. June 17, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
B. M. Walker writes to Lee that the house he has moved into has no cistern. September 16, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
B. M. Walker, a math professor, has just moved into a professor residence and writes to Lee regarding the repairs that need to be made or that were unfinished when he moved in. September 16, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A. Gully and T. Watson write to Lee explaining a mistake made on a financial report regarding cattle. June 10, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A. Gully writes explaining that the mistake involving the cattle on the expense report was not due to a loss of cattle but to a miscount. June 15, 1889.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. Price writes to Lee his excuse for why he has done poorly in algebra and states that he will do better in the future. The professor responds by saying that although Price does try in class he does not accomplish much. He also notes that Price was too immature to be admitted as a freshman and should have attended the preparatory school first. December 6, 1888.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
H. M. Street writes regarding a payment he just received and writes about a horse that he thinks is necessary for the college to keep to be able to give the farm proper attention. October 25, 1888.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. D. Lee writes to Mocking regarding money and papers a student was to sign before he left. June 30, 1897.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A. H. Jayne writes to Lee commenting on N. D. Culloy's excuse for his poor grade in geometry. He says that one day in class he asked him to come to the board and explain a problem when he was not able to do it Culloy lost his temper with the professor and it eventually led to him receiving poor marks and being forced to move home because he did not study. January 19, 1884.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. M. Magruder writes to Lee explaining that all of their lessons in geometry have been too long recently making it difficult for the students to retain the information. He notes that he has done well earlier in the month and his professor responds with his grades listed. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
S. A. Morris writes to Lee attributing his poor grades in math to the fact that he has only been called on to recite three times for the month. Professor Jayne states that the reason his marks are low is because he is unable to write out the explanations on the board as well as give the correct answer. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
A student, F. C. Black writes to Lee explaining his low grade in geometry are due to his teacher being unjust. His teacher, A. H. Jayne, then responds and explains each of Black's grades and says that if he can prove he deserved over a zero on his last assignment it will be corrected. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
D. Rowland writes to Lee questioning his poor grade in geometry and notes that he does well in all of his other classes and has tried as hard as he can in geometry. The professor Jayne responds and does agree that he puts effort into the class but notes that does not show what knowledge he actually has of the subject. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. H. Baird tries to get an explanation as to why his grades are so low in geometry. He states that he has studied more in this month than ever before and does not understand why he received a zero for an exam that he studied directly from the book in preparation of. Professor Jayne responds by explaining the reason he has a zero on the exam is because he missed every question. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
B. F. Cochran writes to Lee asking why his grades in class are so low when he thought that he had made good marks every time he was called up. The professor responds by explaining that although he did answer the question correctly he did not write out the demonstration and was therefore given a zero for the assignments. December 6, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. P. Fresennis writes to Lee citing his poor grade in algebra to his inability to understand the teachers explanations. The teacher, A. H. Jayne responds to this explaining that the student had nine marks and that the fact the he cannot understand the professors explanation is a poor excuse for doing poorly in a class. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. M. McCutheon writes to Lee stating that he has studied more in geometry than anyone else in the freshman class and hopes that this will help Lee understand his low grade in geometry. His teacher responded by saying that he thinks that is a poor excuse and it was because of the students idleness that he was sent home. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
W. R. Spencer writes to Lee regarding his low grades and eventual dropping of his algebra class. He says that the teacher would not allow them to get help from anyone and that he would make them come up to the board to attempt to work the problem knowing they did not know how to work it. Professor Jayne responds by saying that the student did not apply himself faithfully and that is the reason he was forced to drop the class. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
J. H. Wellborne and H. A. Foster complain to Lee that due to being ill and missing class it has caused them to have poor grades in math class. They want to explain to him why their grades are low in hopes that he will understand and they also ensure him that they will do better in the future months. December 5, 1883.
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Stephen D. Lee Papers
The address from President Stephen D. Lee regarding the opening of A and M College on October 6, 1880. Includes information regarding classes, board, fees, etc. October 6, 1880.
