Tuscaloosa-Jefferson County AlArchives History - Schools .....The University Of Alabama 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
L. Hanke lhbham@yahoo.com January 13, 2009, 7:44 pm

ARTICLE FROM THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD, October 21, 1892

"THE UNIVERSITY"

University, Oct. 14. - [Special Correspondence.] -- Last to begin its session, 
but by no means least in its opening, was the University of Alabama.  One 
hundred and fifty sturdy young men from all parts of Alabama, representative 
in their breeding and intellect of southern gentlemen, find themselves within 
our walls, we hope all for weal and none for woe.  On account of the universal 
cry of hard times we were afraid that our opening would not be very promising; 
but contrary to expectation there are more new men here than last year, and 
vey few of the old men have failed to return.  The first week of barrack life 
is generally boisterous and uneasy, on account of the domineering old men and 
the quaking of the "rodents."  But in this, too, this opening has been an 
exception to the rule.  There has not been a single man hazed and only 
cordiality and good will has been shown by the new cadets by the members of 
the older classmen.  This revolution in the experience of new men has been 
brought about by the senior class sentiment, being strongly against such 
unmanly practices.  No anxious parents need have fear for the safety of their 
sons.  Bucking, etc., is a thing of the past here.

The close of last session witnessed the withdrawal from active duty as 
professor of physics and astronomy of Dr. Joshua H. Foster.  Dr. Foster had 
been a professor here since 1841, and under his tutorage have been developed 
some of the most brilliant intellects of Alabama.  He retires to private life 
with the respect and love of all his old pupils, deserving of a peaceful 
autumn to his well-served life.

Prof. John M. Francis has also left us to accept a splendid position with a 
chemical company in Detroit.  We wish him much success.  The vacancies thus 
made in the faculty have been filled by Colonel Edgar and Dr. Pickle, both 
able men in the right place.

Athletics are on a great boom at the university.  Last year we had no foot 
ball team, but this season we are going to have one that will be hard to 
down.  Already there are many applicants for the team, and all the men are 
doing splendid work.

We are trying to arrange a game to be played in Birmingham during the fair.

Two handsome houses are in course of construction near the old observatory, 
one for the occupancy of Colonel Edgar and family and the other for Lieutenant 
Moore.

The trustees were very liberal in their appropriations for university 
property, which will add large to its value, and be a great convenience to the 
above officers.

Everything has settled down to the regular routine, and the patrons of our 
school, and the trustees and faculty, have just cause to be proud of our 
university, and the gentlemanly, courteous behavior and dispatch of its 
students.

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Additional Comments:
University of Alabama Historical partial timeline:

December 18, 1820, the University of the State of Alabama was officially 
established and named.  

1827, Tuscaloosa, the state capital at that time, was chosen as the 
University's home.  

1831, the University opened.

1860, the University became a military school. 

1865, only six buildings were spared by the Union Forces. 

1871, a reorganized University opened to students.

1892, the University's first football team assembled - the "Thin Red Line" 
that later became the "Crimson Tide."  (This is the event mentioned in the 
newspaper article.)

1894, the first women students enrolled, in large part due to efforts of Julia 
S. Tutwiler.

1903, after 34 years of student protest, the military system of organization 
at the University was abandonded.


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