Back to College Letters Collection | Back to Joseph Thompson Letters | Jump to original
Davidson College
Sept 25th 1860
Dear ‘Old Man’
Don’t imaging that, because I write on foolscap paper, I am about out of letter paper and my credit will not procure more for me. I choose this because one sheet will hold more and perhaps before I get through I will need more room. My health is good but I am low in spirits. Joe, there is nobody here. I mean by that, that there is so much wanting here that made up my idea of Davidson College when I was here that I looks almost desolate. The old class is scattered to the four winds. Fish and Col. are gone. The ladies that added charm to our spare moments are not here. Everything is upside down. You saw and felt this when you were here but it weighs me down so that I felt compelled to mention it. I long to get regularly to business, hoping to draw other thoughts over the old sores. There has been so much indecision or rather so many decisions that nothing is done yet. The programme has been changed every day since I have been here except Sunday and of course little
[Page 2]
else has been done. In the first place it was made out giving to Barringer his full time. Saturday a letter came from him stating that he would come up but would not take his seat this session. Monday morning a new programme was made out dividing his time among the rest. In the evening he came and agreed to begin immediately and this causes another change. Dr. Pharr is here but I have not yet made his acquaintance. He is located at the Hall. Barringer is with Andrew. Joe, the boys are sure enough going to love a big hole with the little anger. They are establishing a grand mess hall of their own. When it is underway it will sweep all but the Hall, Maxwell and one for Andrew, one or two for Sparrow and about the same for Helper – nary one for Hunter. I tell you it will work a revolution here if it is well managed, and I think the committee will do that. The executive committee consists of Messrs Phifer, J. McKinnon and White. Frank Clark is steward. The truth of the matter is that the boarding houses have oversteped the mark so far that they will be glad to get back to some terms with the students.
[Page 3]
Joe, I would like to step in some day and see how you are getting along with our buntling. Does the little thing rest easy or is it cross? How does it grow? I trust that it will be large enough to require the attentions of both of us by the time I get through here. Joe, I think you would have liked this department that I have. Of course, it will require more close study than the school will but there is as much time for that. I have ben seven recitations per week and one of these I got by request. The Juniors have four, two on Monday one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. The Seniors three, one on Monday, one on Thursday and one on Friday. So you can see that except on Monday I have a whole day to let out the long link on study.
I have found out the addresses of some of our classmates and I will know some more in a few day. D&J Love’s post office is Crawfordsville, Miss. Morrison’s is Grays Port, Miss. Sims’ Unionville, S. C. I think. – at least he was there a short time ago. E. L. has not come yet but when he comes I will know. McLaughlin’s is Lower Peach Tree, Ala. The rest I do not know yet except those known to
[Page 4]
both of us. Downs and Grier are in Providence but I do not know their office yet.
Joe, write soon to me and tell me all about Steel Creek and its environs. Give my kindest regards to Mr. & Mrs. Brown, Miss Mollie & Wm and to any that feels an interest in the welfare of yours truly in the lands of F & F
Wm. N.Dickey
P.S. Maj. Hill was up here today and still insist upon us moving our washing to Charlotte. He has a little motive in view. The people being released from all interest in the Military School, Maj. having bought it, offers his man Estell $2500 salary to teach for them and he wants to get some one to take the school so that they may not take is man. This is their new motive. I talked with Prof. Kerr about it but he still thinks we had better keep away from little towns if we expect to make a school of our own that will do any good. I leave it with you. You know my opinion. It has not changed even at the name of $2500.
Yours
Dick.
Jump to transcript
Original
From: DC0090s, Joseph Thompson, 1834-1862 (1860) Papers, 1859-1861. (View Finding Aid)
Cite as:
Thompson, Joseph. Letter to ‘Old Man’. 25 September 1860. Joseph Thompson Letters. Davidson College Archives, Davidson College, NC. Available: https://davidsonarchivesandspecialcollections.org/archives/digital-collections/joseph-thompson-letter-september-1860-transcript/.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.