Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 1865 [Begin page 127] State Agricultural College Feb. 22. 1865 The Regular meeting of the State Board of Agriculture was held at the College at nine o'clock. The Board adjourned to meet, at eleven , in the Office of the Secretary of the College, in the Capitol, in Lansing. Met according to adjournment in the office of the Secretary of the Board in Lansing. There were present Messrs Carpenter, Gage, Prutzman, Welch and Abbot. The Secretary was also present: Mr. Gage was, on motion, made President pro. tempore for this meeting. The Board took a recess, for dinner Met at half past one P.M. At the request of the Chairman of the joint committee, of Agriculture and Education the Board had an interview with said joint Committees, in the office of the Secretary of the Board, lasting for about two hours. Afterwards It was [Estimates] Resolved that we consider the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars for each of the two years 1865 and 1866 to be as small an appropriation as will enable the Board to manage the affairs of the Agricultural College creditably ; and that the president of the College be authorized to name that sum to the chairmen of Committees in the present Legislature, having the affairs of the College under consideration. [Gov. Crapo President of Bd] His Excellency Henry Crapo, was on motion elected to be President of the Board. [End page 127] [Begin page 128] [Fairchild] The Committee on Employees, through Mr Gage chairman made a Report nominating George T Fairchild to be an Instructor in the Agricultural at the rate College, at a Salary ^ of ($ 800) Eight Hundred Dollars per annum, from and after the 16th of February 1865, to continue during the pleasure of the Board The Report was accepted and adopted. [Stowe Foreman] The committee on Employees, through Mr. Gage Chairman, made a Report, nominating Mr Charles C. Stowe to be Foreman of the Farm with a salary at the rate of Four Hundred Dollars ($ 400.00) per annum, and board, during the pleasure of the Board, from and after January 18th 1865. The Report was accepted and adopted. It was [Vice Prest. of Bd.] Resolved that H.G. Wells be continued in the office of Vice President of the Board with the same duties which he has hitherto had in that office It was [Berry Resignation] Resolved that the resignation tendered by the Hon. L.G. Berry, of his office as Treasurer of the Board of Agriculture and the Agricultural College be hereby accepted Resolved that in informing Mr. Berry of the acceptance of the resignation voluntarily tendered by him of his office of Treasurer of the College, the President of the College express to Mr Berry our entire satisfaction with the manner in which he has performed the duties of the office. Resolved that the Bond given by the Hon. L.G. Berry be returned to him on receiving the vouchers for the warrants paid by him It was [Mills, Treasurer] [Bond $5000.] Resolved that Joseph Mills be the Treasurer of this Board, from the time that he files with the Secretary a good and sufficient Bond in the sum of Five Thousand Dollars. It was [Funds] Resolved that the sum of Three Thousand Dollars be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the Treasurer of the Board, so soon as [End page 128] [Begin page 129] an appropriation shall be made by the State to the college [Reports] The Reports submitted by the Faculty viz. For Farm Management for 1865 " Garden " Green House were accepted. and laid on the table. [Accounts] The following accounts, were, on recommendation of the Committee on Accounts, allowed; viz To John A. Kerr $ 90.77 w 311 " S. Lansing and Son. blacksmith 49.07 310 " L.G. Gerry, Expenses, 12.00 421 " D.J. Carpenter Aug. 64 Exp & [Kal.?] 37.66 " A.C. Prutzman Nov '64 " 31.80 " J. Gage " " 24.65 " T.C. Abbot – due the college $ 657.27 Sanford Howard, Secretary. State Agricultural College May 31 1865 The Board of Agriculture met for their regular meeting in the office of the President of the College, at 9 o'clock A.M. There were present Messrs Wells, Gage, Prutzman, Rich, Welch, Abbot, and the Secretary. The doings of the last meeting were read and approved. The Report of the Committee on Accounts was presented and accepted. It was Resolved that no charge be made to Dr. Miles for the keeping of his Ayreshire heifer to the present time It was [Funds] Resolved that the sum of Four Thousand Dollars be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the President of the college, to be by him transferred to the Treasurer of the College on his return from his temporary absence. [End page 129] [Begin page 130] It was [Merino] Resolved that the thanks of this Board be tendered to the Hon Jesse Edington, of Brook Co. West Virginia, for the donation to the State Agricultural College , of two Merino Ewes of the Wells and Dickinson stock Resolved that the thanks of this Board be ten- dered to William H. Ladd, of Richmond, Ohio, for the donation to the Michigan State Agricultural College of a Silesian Merino ewe. Recess for dinner was taken It was [Salaries] [Rent] Resolved that the salaries of the Professors, except those whose salaries were raised by the Board at a meeting held in August 1864 be raised twenty five (25) per cent from the first day of April last; and that from and after said date said professors be charged house rent at the rate of One Hundred and Twenty ($ 120.) dollars per annum. It was [Ditch Marsh] Resolved that Dr Miles be authorized to enter into contract with some suitable person or persons, for the construction of a Ditch on the large marsh donated. to the College by the State of Michigan in the township of DeWitt and Bath, commencing at the outlet of the ditch already commenced by the College and contin- uing the same to Park Lake. It was [Monthly Journal] Resolved that Secretary Howard and President Abbot be a committee to ascertain what definite arrangements , if any, can be made with John A Kerr Co., or others, for the publication of a monthly Agricultural Journal, to emanate from the State Agricultural College; and to report to this Board at its next regular meeting . It was [ ? ] Resolved that Twenty Five (25) dollars be appropriated to the purchase of birds eyes and stands It was [Library] Resolved that the List of Books presented by the Faculty for the College Library be approved [End page 130] [Begin page 131] and their purchase authorized, so far as the funds appropriated to the Library permit. The Board took a recess until tomorrow at 9 o'clock A.M. June 1. 1865 The Board met and spent the day in various examinations and discussions relative to the College, the Team members being present except the Secretary , and for a portion of the time Mr Prutzman, as were present yesterday. In the ensuing Session of this date It was [Miles visit East] Resolved that One Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars ($125.) be appropriate to pay the expenses of Dr. Miles in visiting the East for the purpose of Examining farms and farm buildings It was [Green House] Resolved that the Vice President of the Board, the President of the College, and Professor Prentiss constitute a committee to [creat?] the central portion of a Green house on the plan by the Committee submitted ^, with such modifications as they shall determine upon; provided that the expense of building such central portion, shall not exceed the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($ 2000) The following were the Accounts allowed at this meeting of the Board It was [Accounts] Resolved, that the drawing of warrants, numbers 283 to 315 inclusive be approved by the Board. Grove & Whitney $ 251.90 $251.90 [307] C.A. Noble final settlement in full $ 2.22 317 Lansing & Sons, Blacksmithing 42.50 320 T.C. Abbot, covering balance of Act. of Feb. 22. 6.57.27 O. Clute, furniture for College 11.73 321 L. Bercham, 33 rods of Blind, Drain 82.50 322 J.W. Amphlett, furniture for Lee J's office 8.28 325 T.C. Abbot, Advertising Bills pd 145.57 324 Lanford Howard, balance due the College 74.81 " " trenching $45.87, sheep expenses total 115.62 [End page 131] [Begin page 132] No. of warrant Geo. H. Greene 2 2/3 doz chairs $ 28.00 325 L.R. Green " 34.65 326 L. Dodge plow beam and pointer 9.00 327 Danl W. Buck, furniture lumber 110.15 [316] L. Dodge, cultivator plow 67.00 327 T.C. Abbot, payment of bills postage stationery 28.58 328 J.C. Armstrong , furniture for [Botanical?] room 4.91 329 L.S. Rockwell acct cash expenditures as Steward, up to Feb. 2 1865 covering warrant No. 281 L.S. Rockwell to Mar 25th covering warrant 289 " " Apr 14 " " 291 " " " 28 " " 305 & 308 " " May 6 " " 309 " " " 22 " " 313 " " " 29 " " 314 & 315 A.N. Prentiss afc. ti, May 25 incl " " 290 leaving balance due Mr. P. to square afc, op $ 230.27 (total expenditure $373.57. warrants 330 to 335 incl. T.C. Abbot for accounts paid 48.20 [328] M. Miles. Cash afc. as Supt. of Farm to Apr 19, 1865 [illegible in original] warrants 288, 292, 302, 303, 304, with total expenditure of $1045.82 M. Miles, to May 27, [illegible in original] warrants 307 H.G. Wells Expenses of Nov. meeting $ 25.50 Justus Gage " " Feb " 40.25 A.S. Welch " " " " 19.00 A.L. Prutzman " " " " 28.60 Charles Rich " " " " 18.90 Sanford Howard Secretary [End page 132] [Begin page 133] State Agricultural College August 30 1865 Regular meeting of the Board : present Messrs Wells, Carpenter, Gage, Prutzman, Abbot and the Secretary. The Committees appointed to consult with Jno. A. Kerr on the subject of publishing a paper made a Report, which was accepted ( verbal ) The Committee on Accounts reported some Bills and accounts for allowance. [Saturday Work] Resolved that the Faculty have authority to make work on Saturday to be at the option of the Student, or his parents, or guardians, under such regulation as the Fculty shall deem best. [Funds] Resolved that the Board approve the drawing of Two Thousand Dollars from the State Treasury into the Hands of the Treasurer of the Board, made during the last recess of the Board. [Funds] Resolved that the sum of Three Thousand Dollars be drawn from the Treasury of the State into the hands of the Treasurer of the College Resolved that when this Board adjourns it adjourned to meet in Adrian , at the office of the president of the State Agricultural Society, upon the Fair Grounds , the 20th of September next at 4 o'clock P.M. Recess Aug. 31. 1865 [Funds] Resolved that an additional sum of Three Thousand Dollars be drawn from the Treasury of the State into the hands of the Treasurer of the College. [Insurance] Resolved that the President of the College be authorized to obtain the continuance of the Insurance upon the new Barn and Shed at $ 2000.00 and contents at $ 500.00 : and also to procure an Insurance upon the sheep Barn at $ 1200.00. and upon its contents at $ 300.00. [Museum] Resolved that Dr Miles be requested to separate that portion of the Museum belonging to himself, from the portion belonging to the College: placing the specimins belonging to the College in cases by themselves – for the purpose of enabling [End page 133] [Begin page 134] the Board to estimate that portion belonging to Said Dr. Miles [Bull] Resolved that Dr. Miles, and Secretary Howard be directed to make examination and inquiry in Canada with reference to the purchase of a short horn Bull, to supply the place of the short Horn Bull now owned by the Colege, the growing defects of the same rendering it an objectionable animal. Resolved that the President of the [Board?] be authorized to call the November meeting of the Board at an earlier date than the last wednes- day of the month. [Carpeting] Resolved that the Presidents Office be recarpeted, with carpeting or matting. [Accounts] The following accounts were allowed L.S. Rockwell, Boarding Hall [l. accounts?] up to Aug 28 1865 S, H, I or J. Richard Elliott. Lime & Plaster (in Prentiss, bill, $ 8.50 F. Wells 18.90 421 Clute and Brothers. Three Rivers advertising 4.00 Vanderslice and Bro " " " 2.00 State Reform School 9.06 422 Justus Gage (May '65) 25.50 D. Carpenter (Feb, '65) 28.00 H.G. Wells (May) 24.50 A.C. Prutzman (May) 28.60 Sanford Howard Secretary [End page 134] [Begin page 135] Adrian, Michigan Sept 22 1865 The Board met in accordance with a Resolution passed the 30 of August . on the 20 inst. and adjourned for want of a quorum until this day. Met at the Office of the President of the State Agricultural Society , at 11 o'clock A.M. Present. Messrs Carpenter, Gage, Prutzman, Rich, Welch, Abbot and the Secretary. Mr. Gage was called to the chair. [Bull] The Secretary repeated, that in accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, Dr. Miles and himself had made inquiry in regard to a short horn bull to replace the one now on the College Farm, but had found none which in their opinion it was expedient to purchase. [Galloways] The Secretary also made a Statement in regard to Galloway cattle and longwooled sheep and himself examined by Dr. Miles ^ in Canada, in response to which it was [Cotswolds] Resolved that Dr. Miles be authorized to purchase a pair of Galloway cattle (a Bull and a heifer) and a Coltswold ram and two ewes of John Snell of Edmonton C.W. Sanford Howard Secretary. [End page 135] [Begin page 136] State Agricultural College, Nov. 29, 1865 There were present Messrs. Wells, Carpenter, Prutzman, Gage, Abbot and the Secretary . The day was spent in examination of the stock, buil- dings, accounts, by the Committees and members of the Board Nov. 30, 1865 The Board was called to order by Mr Wells, vice President; Mr Rich also having arrived. and being present. The Records of the last two meetings were read and approved . The Committee on Accounts presented certain Bills for allowance . [Employees] [Salaries] Mr Gage, in behalf of Committee on Employees, reported "that the Board now have employed in the Service of the College One Professor of History and English Literature " " " Animal Physiology and Practical " " " Agriculture & Superintendent of the Farm " " of Chemistry " " " Botany Horticulture and Superin- tendant of the gardens " " " Pure and Applied Mathematics " Instructor " Foreman of the Farm , " Steward of the Boarding Hall : that, so far as the Committee are informed the Services of these employees are ably rendered, and satisfactory: and that, so far as their several salaries are concern- ed we have to report in favor of an increase of Salary of the Instructor from $ 800.00 to $ 1000. per annum from and after the 1st day of January 1866 [Prof. Geology & Entom.] "The Committee would further report in favor of the employment of a Professor of Geology and Entomology, so soon as the appropriation for the support of the College will warrant the outlay necessary. "All of which is respectfully submitted (signed) " Justus Gage " Chairman of Com. This Report was accepted, and by a subsequent vote, adopted. [College Paper] The Secretary made a verbal report on behalf of Committee appointed to confer with Jno A. Kerr [End page 136] [Begin page 137] or other relative to the establishment of a paper . The Committee was continued. [Reports] The President of the College presented the Annual Report of the Faculty to the Board, and as accompanying Documents, the Report of the Superintendent of the Farm, and that of the Super intendent of the Gardens all which were read and accepted. The following Resolutions were passed [ R ] [Transfer Warrants] Resolved that the President of the College be authorized to draw, at the end of each quarter, such warrants as may best serve to show the transfer of produce and the [true?] objects of expen- ditures, between the different departments of the College. [ R ] [Contracting Debts] Resolved that no offices of the College shall be allowed to contract debts against the Institu= tion, except by express premission of the President of the College ; and that all debts so made shall be reported in writing to the President of the College within ten days of the close of every calendar month on which they have been con- tracted. [ R ] [Monthly Cash Statements] Resolved that every officer of the College and the chairman of every committee shall report in writing to the President of the College within ten days after the close of each calendar month a cash account of all receipts and expenditures made on behalf of the College [Seed Drill] Resolved that the President of the College remit to P.D.Beckwith of Dowagiac, . so soon as the appropriation for 1866 can be reached, the amount of One Hundred Dollars, the price for his Seed Roller Drill, as per his offer now on file. [Teams] Resolved that the Superintendent of the Farm be authorized to make sale of the small black team of horses together with the harness used with them, and the small two-horse lumber wagon and such other horse or horses as in his opinion can be spared from service during the winter and the sale of which would be a matter of pru- dential economy : - and that the place of the above be resupplied so far as may be necessary at or soon after the commmencement of the next [End page 137] [Begin page 138] school term, by younger or better teams, and new harness and a new and heavier wagon. [Funds] Resolved that the sum of Four Thousand Dollars of the appropriation for 1866 be drawn from the State Treasury into the hands of the Treasurer of the College [Land Sales] Resolved that the Superintendent of the Farm be authorized to sell the S.E ¼ of the N.E ¼ of Sec. 13 and the S.W ¼ of the S.W ¼ of Sect. 13. and the N.W. ¼ of the N.W. ¼ of Sec. 24. in the township of Bath and invest the proceeds in draining the large marsh on Sec 12, 13 and 14, in the township of Bath. [Globes etc] [S. Road] The President of the College presented to the Board certain recommendations of the Faculty, on things referred by them to the Board, relating to the purchase of globes, and repairs : he also presented a petition from people living on or near the South line of the College Farm, relative to the laying out of a road. They were accepted. [Accounts] Accounts were then allowed, as follows, viz. all those covered by warrants numbered 306, 317, 339 336, 337, 338, ^ 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371 372, 373, 374, except one item of $ 537 375, 376, 377, 378, 379 -381, 382, 383, 384, - 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, - 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419 – 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444 -446, 447, 448, 449 and the drawing of the warrants was approved also To Grove and Whitney $ 1054.23 A.J. Viele 11.75 Geo. E. and F.W. Woodard / Horticulturist) 2.50 T.C. Abbot 81.01 L.R. Greene 75.15 Jno. A. Kerr & Co. 149.99 H.G. Wells 24.75 D. Carpenter 24.45 J. Gage 39.85 Chas. Rich 33.35 A.C. Prutzman 33.10 [End page 138] [Begin page 139] Dr. Miles Supt. Acct in full – due Dr. Miles $ 429.70 To Sanford Howard Acct in full Due fm College $ 221.41 The Board adjourned to meet in Lansing in the Office of the Secretary at 7 o/clock PM. 7 P.M. Secretary's Office Lansing Board met according to adjournment : present the same members as in the afternoon. It was unanimously [O. Hosford on Bd. of Ag.] Resolved that Professor [Oramel?] Hosford be and hereby is elected a member of this Board in place of Professor A.S. Welch, resigned. [M.S.] Resolved that the Degree of Master of Science be conferred, hereby, upon Oscar Clute Albert T. Cook Frank Hodgman Charles A Jewell jr Edward M. Preston Vernal L. Beebe and Charles E. Hollister The Board then adjourned Sanford Howard Secretary