BAXTER SEMINARY - HISTORICAL NEWS 1920's

BAXTER SEMINARY
Historical News
-BAXTER TENNESSEE-

Historical News - 1950's   1940's   1930's   1920's   1910's   1900's         Recent News - 2020's   2010's   1990's   1980's             1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9    

ALUMNI

BRIEF HISTORY

CAMPUS

CLASS PHOTOS

FACULTY

FEATURES

I BELIEVE CARD

MEDIA-BOOKS

MILESTONES

HISTORY in the NEWS

STUDENT

TITANIC BIBLE

THE UPPERMANS

VETERANS

1920's News

1920

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (January 15, 1920 - Putnam County Herald)

The school is still progressing at Baxter.  We are coming to the top.  We have pupils to enter every day and have more enrolled than ever before in the history of Baxter Seminary.  Still having new boarders in the dormitory, we had two pupils from Sparta to enter school here this week, Herbert and Clara Keathley.

Some people think we don't have a boy’s basket ball team here.  We do have one and play ball with other teams, sometimes we get beat, but we can play the city school team at Cookeville and beat them, the scores being 24 to 29 in favor of Baxter.

The principal high school teacher, Mr. Charles Coleman, went to Nashville, Wednesday to attend the State Teachers’ Association.  - Photos of the Uppermans from the Baxter Seminary Highlander

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (March 25, 1920 - Putnam County Herald)
Bonnie Lassies, the last number of the Lyceum course, were here Monday evening and gave a splendid entertainment.  They drew the largest crowd of the numbers.  During the war they were connected with the Red Cross headquarters, Atlanta.

Two children of Rev. J. W. L. Sandusky are very low with pneumonia.   They and their father are students of Baxter Seminary.

After the snow, sleet, and rain the sun shine is pleasant to the home girls.

Joe Puckett, just returned from the army, visited his brother, Luther Puckett of Baxter, Monday night.  We are very sorry that Veera Puckett had to quit school on account of sickness.
THE HOME GIRL

1921

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (February 24, 1921 - Putnam County Herald)

Here I come with the school news from Baxter.  Our school is progressing nicely under the management of a most efficient faculty.

The week just closed was one of prayer.  There were several who accepted Christ as their personal Savior.

We have three literary societies weekly, so you see we have a large bunch of boys and girls who are preparing for public life in the future.

The boys of the Athletic Club are longing for the time to some when they can get an indoor basket ball court, so they can play when it is raining and muddy outside.

All schools of any standing give news items to the local papers, so let's get busy and tell each other what is going on in our respective schools.

A large number of young people went to Gentry's Bluff, a short while ago, and had a most enjoyable trip.

Miss Ella Maxwell left school last week to teach in Alabama.

The editor of the Herald was a visitor at our school last week.

Arnold Lee is now attending the school here.

Several of the boys are riding to school from their homes.  This is a good idea, boys, if you want an education.  We invite you to come to Baxter Seminary.

Misses Vada and Pearl Swallows have had visitors from Algood for the week-end.

Dr. Seaton, of New York, called on the school Friday, Feb. 11.

M. G. Hunter was in Cookeville, Monday.

Mm. Shanks, of McEwen is visiting here.

A large crowd attended church at this place last Sunday and Sunday night.

A handsome new rug has been purchased and placed in the music room.

The Academic students have had some fine work done on their room, and it looks very nice.
NEWS BOY.

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (February 24, 1921 - Putnam County Herald)

The Baxter Seminary, with Prof. P. R. Broyles, president and a strong faculty behind him, is one of the best and most thorough educational institutions in this section of the state.  This institution has been taking care of all grades of Baxter's fast growing school population, although it is supposedly only a Training School for Rural Leadership, and as such is designated by the M. E. Church from which it receives an endowment in the form of an annuity.  The Seminary is splendidly organized as a preparatory school for young men an women, and the equipment which is already commodious is being added to all the time.  The Boy's Dormitory which has recently been built on campus, is now being occupied, and when completed with the brick veneer finish, will be a decided acquisition to the plant.  The Girl's Dormitory is in the main building.  The buildings are modernly equipped from a sanitary standpoint and everything is kept in exemplary condition.  The enrollment of the school is now about 430.

Baxter citizens hope to have a new city school building before the year is out, and when this is done the congestion at the Seminary will be greatly relieved and all departments can then be reorganized.

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (Setember 21, 1922 - Putnam County Herald)

Three new students were enrolled Monday, making the total enrollment 90 ahead of last year.

There was a matched game Thursday noon between the first volley ball team of the 5th grade, and the 2nd team of the 6th grade.  Each team won a game.  Friday noon there was two games between the Academy volley ball team and the grammar school team.  Both games were won by the latter.

The first baseball team will soon be ready to challenge another team for a game.

The girls' basket ball teams are also getting in good practice for some games.

Pres. Broyles made a statement in chapel last week which every student in the school should be proud of.  He said this is his sixth year here and the deportment this year is better than it has ever been.

A committee is getting ready for the meeting of the central Tennessee conference at the Methodist Church.

The revival meeting at the Christian church closed Wednesday night.  There were ten additions to the church

    BAXTER SEMINARY IMPROVEMENTS  (December 1, 1921 - Putnam County Herald)

The cornerstone for the new additions to the Baxter Seminary was laid yesterday, with impressive ceremonials, participated in by a number of officials and witnessed by a large assembly of citizens of Baxter and vicinity.

The work of brick for the new Boys’ Dormitory is progressing most satisfactorily, and it is expected that this splendid edifice will be completed in time for the young men boarders of the school by Jan. 1.  It has been used as class rooms during the past few months, but the work of completion so far as the brick work is concerned, had not been attempted until a few weeks ago, as a sufficient fund for this purpose had not been raised.  However, the progressive citizens of Baxter, with the assistance of some Northern capital, have had a drive on during the month of November, and it is gratifying to know that the campaign has been a wonderful success, and the $10,000, or thereabouts, had been secured, with the exception of $700 and this will be forth coming ere the holidays arrive.

Baxter Seminary is one of the best schools in the Upper Cumberland section, and for the past two or three years has rapidly forged ahead under the management of its efficient president - Prof. P. R. Broyles, who has a fine corps of instructors and one of the best communities behind him that could be found anywhere.  The educational situation has been well looked after, especially when the handicaps which they have had to deal with are taken into consideration.  The people of Baxter are imbued with the spirit of progress which knows not defeat.

The Ladies Air Society of Baxter raised more than $40.00 last Thursday for the benefit of the dormitory fund, by serving a dinner to the public.

    BAXTER SEMINARY  (December 8, 1921 - Putnam County Herald)

Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock the school assembled at the Boys’ Hall to witness the laying of the corner stone.  The service was opened by singing "America", after which prayer was offered by Rev. B. W.Blessing.  Short talks were given by Prof. Coleman - Prof. Patton and Pres. P. R. Broyles.  The service was closed with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," after which the corner stone was placed in the wall.

The most interesting basket ball game of the season took place Friday, between the Baxter team and the Gentry High School team.  There was some hard playing on both sides, but both teams could not be victorious, and when the game was over the Seminary students and teachers were glad to know the score was in favor of their team.

1922

    BAXTER SEMINARY NEWS  (January 19, 1922 - Putnam County Herald)

School opened Jan. 2, with a large number of new students.

Nearly 100 new ones have reenrolled since the holiday, many of them having been teaching during the fall, and are now in school for more training along their line of work.

A beginners’ class was organized in Home Economics; also in agriculture and other High School subjects. A social for the new students was given at the Boy’s hall just after school opened for the new term.

A forward movement program will be held at the M. E. Church, beginning Tuesday at 2 p.m. until Wednesday p.m.  There will be a number of prominent speakers present, including Dr. Dunlap representing the committee on Conservation Advance.  Dr. Richards, a returned Missionary from Africa; Mr. Simmons, a noted layman of Methodism, Dr. Martin, Area Secretary, Dr. Burnett, representing the Board of Home Missions, and Dr. Smith, representing the Board of Education.

    NEW ICE CREAM ESTABLISHMENT  (April 6, 1922 - Putnam County Herald, Cookeville, TN)

Maloney and Alloway are preparing to furnish Cookeville and surrounding towns and communities with pure ice cream during the coming season in such quantities as may be desired and at prices more reasonable than it has been possible to get cream heretofore.  This new and enterprising firm are now putting in an equipment large enough to supply the needs of this section and are taking every precaution to have a sanitary ice cream factory.  The freezers will be run by electricity and in fact everything will be modern and up to date.

Ice cream will be furnished families or firms in quantities from one quart to five or ten gallons or more.  The new concern hope to be in a position to fill orders by April 15th and they cordially invite the public to call at their place of business in the Scott block, on Cedar street and inspect their plant.  Don't have your cream shipped from a distance when you can get it fresh and pure right here at home.

    CHARILIE HUGHES, THE BAXTER BUGLER  (May 2, 1922 - The Putnam County Herald)

Charlie Hughes, who later will go on to radio and national media fame as the Baxter Bugler, begins his 31 year daily ritual of climbing a 20 foot pole in his year at dawn and playing the horn he ordered from a Sears and Roebuck catalog.


Charlie Hughes' bugle in the Baxter Depot Museum*

    BAXTER SEMINARY PRESENTS TWO PLAYS DESPITE THE WEATHER  (December 14, 1922 - Putnam County Herald)

The low, dark, undecided clouds arose Tuesday morning as soon as the play was announced.

The students of Baxter Seminary under the persevering efforts of Prof. Coleman, planned to give a play Friday night, but the storm made such a treat impossible.  When Profs. Coleman and Broyles came out frankly and said the play would be given rain or shine, Dame Weather decided to be nice, too.

Dressed up people in a dressed up way Came to the Seminary to witness a play, which was given in a room with a new dress on.

The chapel has been undergoing a transformation period for the past four weeks.  The oak colored ceiling and brown border harmonizes with the buff walls in perfecting the transformed appearance.

No wonder the players behaved so nicely.

The two one-act plays which were given afforded amusement and entertainment the full hour.  If you were not there you failed to meet "My Son Arthur."  Too bad. The audience was glad that had (sic) a mind of his own and used it in choosing a life companion.  Sorry you didn't meet "My Son Arthur."  Perhaps he will come again for your especial benefit.

The second play, "Whiskers," was a clever comedy, dramatic in quality.  This play kept the audience in suspense as to what would happen next. Before, between and after acts, the High School talent was further manifest in songs and readings.  The audience came in good humor, expecting.  They left satisfied that the evening was well spent.

One more thing before you go,
Baxter Seminary wants to grow;
Won't you do your bit to make it so?

1923

    BAXTER SEMINARY CLOSING EXERCISES  (April 12, 1923 - Putnam County Herald)

April 13, 7:00 p.m. - Program by Academic Department.
April 14, 7:00 p.m. - Program by graduates of Agriculture and Home Economic Departments.
April 15, 11:00 a.m. - Baccalaureate Sermon
April 18, 7:00 p.m. - Program by Grammar Grades.
April 19, 7:00 p.m. - Senior Play.
April 20, 7:00 p.m. - Commencement Address; Awarding - Certificates and Diplomas.

    DR. HARRY L. UPPERMAN COMES TO BAXTER  (June 12, 1923 - The Putnam County Herald)

Dr. Harry Upperman is sent from Pennsylvania to Baxter with orders to shut down the financially failing Baxter Seminary.  Instead, he convinces the international General Board of the Methodist Church that the school can be saved and under his leadership, it slowly becomes a successful educational institution.

    BAXTER SEMINARY CAMPUS IS LIGHTED  (October 11, 1923 - Putnam County Herald)

Baxter Seminary now enjoys a system of lighting for night use on it’s walks and campus, through the courtesy of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Westmoreland, NY.  Pres. Upperman had served as pastor of that church a few years before coming to Baxter, and the people of Westmoreland wrote and asked if they could help in the work here.  The same church has promised another gift later in the year.

1924

    YOUNGEST UNIVERSITY HEAD TO SPEAK HERE  (Saturday, January 12, 1924 - The Daily Record - Long Branch, New Jersey)

Rev. Dr. Harry L. Upperman, President of Baxter Seminary, Baxter, Tenn., said to be the youngest head of any Methodist university in America, will speak four times in Monmouth County tomorrow, the first at the morning service of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, Rev. F. A. DeMris, pastor, and at the session of the Sunday School, and twice during the evening at Asbury Church, this city.  Dr. Upperman will address the Young People's Society at 7 o'clock and again at the evening service.

Dr. Upperman, it is said, has a special message for the young people.

    NOTED WORLD WAR VETERAN BAXTER VISITOR  (March 10, 1924 - Putnam County Herald)

An interesting visitor to Putnam county is Major Harry Webb Farrington of Asbury Park, NJ, who comes to Baxter today to be the guest of President Harry L. Upperman of the Baxter Seminary.  Major Farrington is a poet of no little note in the east, and is known throughout the United States for his poem, ‘Rough and Brown’, written during the World War, depicting Christ as working and fighting hand in hand with the soldiers to make the world free of sin.  Major Farrington is the only American to have been made a major in the French army during the war, and it was he who had so much to do with the Italian army’s efforts to dislodge the Germans, for Major Farrington was connected with both armies.  Major Farrington is a graduate, and an honor graduate of the following institutions: Dickinson Seminary, Syracuse University, Boston University.  He is an ordained Methodist minister and is now lecturing and preaching in the city of NY.

Major Farrington has been of great help to Baxter Seminary.  Through him the library at the Seminary has received 2,000 books as a gift, and other volumes are on the way to the school at this time.  He has been instrumental in raising some money for the Seminary, and while President Upperman was in the north recently he stayed at the home of Major Farrington and through him received opportunity to speak in behalf of the school.  Major Farrington will be here all during the week, and in the evenings he is planning to give recitals and readings for the Seminary and the people of the community.  He has expressed a willingness to visit the schools throughout the state, and will do all he can on his way to St. Petersburg, FL, where he is to lecture during the present month.  During the week a dinner will be given in honor of Major Farrington at the Seminary, and the people are all invited to hear him in the evenings.

    COMMENCEMENT WEEK AT BAXTER SEMINARY  (April 10, 1924 - Putnam County Herald)

Baxter Seminary will have its commencement week beginning next Sunday, and closing the following Friday April 18.  On Sunday morning at 10:45 o'clock Rev. H. P. Keathley, superintendent of the Baxter Tullahoma district, will preach the baccalaureate Sermon, at which time the senior class will attend in a body, as well as those ranking certificates in the home economics and in agriculture departments.  The school will assemble according to classes and all of the people of Baxter and community are cordially invited to attend this service.

On the following Wednesday evening at 7:00 o'clock the commencement address will be delivered by Dr. Arol A. Brown, president of the University of Chattanooga, and the diplomas and certificates will be awarded.  Addresses will be given by the salutatorian and valedictorian of the class of 1924.

On Monday, April 14, the home economics agriculture departments will present their annual play, on Tuesday the 15th, the academic department of the seminary will present its annual play, and on Friday evening April 18 the senior class will present the senior play.

The music department of the seminary will give the annual music recital on Thursday April 17. 

On April 12 the commercial department will present its play for the benefit of the department and on the 11th the glee club concert at 7:00 p.m., tickets 25 cents and 35 cents.

These days are of much interest to the student body of Baxter Seminary and they wish to welcome all of the people of Baxter to the seminary and the affairs.

    BAXTER SEMINARY IS GIVEN SCHOLARSHIPS   (July 6, 1924 - Nashville Banner)

Baxter, Tenn., July 5 -Special-
Baxter Seminary opens Aug.18, with prospects for a good school year.  President Harry L. Upperman of Baxter Seminary has recently returned from a trip throughout the North and East and some of the central states.  He saw many business men, spoke more than thirty times in the interests of the seminary and returns encouraged not only with the financial backing given and promised in the near future, but with the backing of many influential leaders in the educational world.   A scholarship for four years was secured from Syracuse University by the president for one student graduating from the seminary... and another scholarship to be granted from the University of Chattanooga, and the president has several other scholarships to bestow.  A number of prizes are in hand to be awarded each commencement to students for good work as judged by the faculty, in English, mathematics and other subjects.

Many improvements have been made during this summer in the addition of two classrooms and the rearranging of other class rooms and the offices of the seminary.  Likewise the campus of the seminary has been improved and several additional features are to be added this year.

1925

  DIPLOMA FOR HIGH SCHOOL WORK IS GOAL OF MAN 57 (July 10, 1925 - Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, N. D.)

Baxter, Tenn. - "Baxter Seminary, located in Putnam county on the Cumberland plateau in the mountains of Tennessee, is unique in the age and poverty of its students.

"Of the 14 students who were graduated this year, three were between 35 and 40 years of age.  The average age of the 110 students in attendance throughout the year was between 25 and 30.

"Our students are poor and needy, live in little log cabins, have poor land, and are older than the average, age." said Rev. Harry L. Upperman, president.  "Three students between 30 and 35 years of age are in the first, second and third years of high school respectively, and some who are between 20 and 30 are in the first, and second years of high school.  One man is now 57 and has been trying all his life to finish so that he could have the honor of graduating from high school work before he died."

Practically all the students work their way through the seminary, doing sweeping, farming, waiting on tables, etc., and most of them pay their tuition in cornmeal, flour, meat and beans.

"We have never turned a student away because of poverty," said President Upperman.

    STUDENTS NEVER TURNED AWAY BECUASE OF POVERTY  (July 14, 1925 - Putnam County Herald)

"We have never turned a student away because of poverty," said President Upperman.

1926

  SUCCESSOR TO REV. E. A. BISHOP (March 19, 1926 - The Vermont Tribune)

Rev. Harry Lee Upperman, a Baltimore boy, graduate of Dickinson seminary and Syracuse university, has been chosen the head of Murphy college. Sevierville, Tenn., to succeed the late Rev. E. A. Bishop, D. D., who so many in Vermont deeply respected.  Dr. Bishop was for many years principal of Montpelier Seminary.  The new president has been the head of Baxter Seminary and in speaking of his promotion to a friend he gives the following tribute to Dr. Bishop "No doubt you have read of the fact that I was recently elected to the presidency to the Murphy Collegiate Institute at Sevierville, Tenn., to succeed the late good Dr. E. A. Bishop, who in my sight, was one of the great saints and men of God here on the earth.  He started and carried on a great work there at Murphy, and when he died not long ago, I was aware of the fact his place would be hard to fill, but did not know that I would be the one selected to try to fill it.

1927

  BAXTER SEMINARY (August 27, 1927 - Nashville Banner)

Baxter, Tenn. Aug. 20 -(Special)- "Baxter Seminary, which is located at Baxter, Tenn., and is now beginning its seventeenth year, is rated as A-grade by the state department of education, and is a member of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States.  The entire faculty is made up of graduates of standard colleges.

The boys and girls of the student body are thoroughly in earnest over the matter of securing an education and in addition to doing a high grade of class room work, through their literary societies they carry on debating, oratory, declamation and essay contests.  There is also a strong Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. kept up by the students.

The home economics and Smith-Hughes agriculture work is given emphasis and there is excellent equipment in each department.  In connection with the Smith-Hughes agriculture, the seminary owns and operates a farm where practical demonstration work is carried on.  A tractor and other good machinery are used on the farm.

The music department in addition to furnishing lessons to individual students in voice, and piano and other instruments, has organized chorus work and two glee clubs.  All of the departments are well equipped for their work.

A new roof has been added to the main building; the campus has been beautified with trees and shrubbery during the vacation, and many other things have been done to make the school and surroundings attractive.  Large number of students are entering from different sections of the country and the best year in the history of Baxter Seminary is anticipated.

1928

    BAXTER SEMINARY SEEKS $15,000 FUND (December 7, 1928 - Nashville Banner)

Unnamed Donor Makes Generous Offer to Aid Tennessee College in Effecting Extension

Baxter Seminary, secondary college, at Baxter, Tenn., where hundreds of young men and women have received education at a cash cost of from $100 to $150 a year, has launched a campaign for $15,000 for extensions to the school.

An unnamed donor has offered to match, dollar for dollar, small subscriptions up to $15,000 required.  Funds can be contributed for equipment, endowment, or enlargements.

Baxter, a church institution, is located on the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee.  It's students pay $2 a month tuition $14 board, an amount far below the actual cost of maintenance, according to President Upperman, in charge of the fund campaign.

Donations to the $15,000 extension fund, it is announced, may be directed to President Harry L. Upperman, Baxter Seminary, Baxter, Tenn.

1929

    DR. UPPERMAN GUEST OF HONOR  (December 15, 1929 - Evening Star, Washington D. C.)

Dr. H. L. Upperman, president of Baxter Seminary, Baxter, Tenn. who is in Washington on business in the interests of his school, was the guest of Dr. and Mrs. Clark Tuesday evening to dinner.  Dr. Upperman was the guest of honor at a dinner at the City Club Monday at which Dr. A. O. Christie presided, and addresses were made by Bishop William Fraizer McDowell and Representative Cordell Hull of Tennessee.

Special Vespers service will be held this evening at the women's residence hall, with a program in charge of the student vespers committee, headed by Jane Lytle.

Waldo W. Young of this city tomorrow will come to the university to begin a study of his own new post of business manager, which he is to assume in full responsibility at the departure of the present business manager, Herbert E. Walter, December 27.  Mr. Young was paying teller of Anacostia Bank and has been in Washington about five years.  A daughter, Frances Young, is a junior at the college.

Continue to the 1930's

 

Baxter Seminary Highlander photos - Baxter Seminary Yearbooks 1934-1960 by Mike and Audery Lambert    www.ajlambert.com
Selected Putnam County Herald articles - transcribed by   www.ajlambert.com
* Photo by Mike Alexander, used by permission

Home        About Us        Site Map        Bibliography        Contact Us       

© 2020- baxterseminary.org/M.Alexander
Top of page