william wesley staley letters box 1€¦ · william wesley staley letters box 1 1894-1896...

William Wesley Staley Letters

Box 1

1894-1896

Transcribed by: Miriam M. Pace, 2009, revised 2010

Suffolk, Va, July 23rd

, 1894

Morehead Banking Co.

Dear Sir: I have written Mr. Olmsted to fill out and send me Note for renewal as it is impossible to pay it

now.

It is my first experience, even in representing others, in having to renew paper or ask for time. In

all the business of my till I accepted this position, I could meet all financial demands at maturity. But in

this case the debts were contracted before I came into office. I hope we shall work out slowly. Just wait,

please, till I hear from Mr. Olmsted.

I am very sorry to keep you waiting in the other paper you hold against the College but patience

is your safety.

Thanking you for indulgence. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E. C.


, 1894

Mr. W. A. Olmsted,

Chicago, Ill.

My dear Sir: Yours of 17th inst to Rev. Dr. W. S. Long with reference to your claim of $93.00 against

Elon College has been referred to me.

The College is not able to pay you now, but is doing all it can to pay its debts. Its subscriptions

would pay its indebtedness if they could be collected, but “hard times” makes it impossible. Be patient,

send me a Note prepared for signature and I will sign and return as you may direct. That is the only thing

can be done now. If you wait patiently I think the College will work out, impatience will be the asset for

creditors. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E.Col.

Note: There is no Page 3. Page 4 follows.

Suffolk, Va. July 21, 1894.

Mr. M. H. Leonard, Treasurer,

A. D. Seating Company

Dear Sir: -

Yours of 18th and 19

th inst both received.

I did not know till July 14th that the Note was in Bank. I thought it was simply a note held by

Company, hence seeming neglect on my part.

I inclose note for $466.12 for three months from July 14th, properly signed, and my private check

for $2.00 to pay protest fees. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E C.

Suffolk, Va, July 21, 1894

Miss Janie Price: When the Ex. Board met July 9th they did not have time to complete their work.

They meet again in August 13th and will remain in session several days. I will have note for you arranged

at that time and forwarded for balance of your salary. I regret this delay, but hope it may not occur again.

The cause is in the financial crisis. I hope it will not be so next year.

Respectfully yours,


Suffolk, Va, July 21, 1894,

Mrs. Irene Johnson:

Prof. Newman told me when I was at the College, that he had assigned you

territory which he thought would suit you to canvass for students. Your own good judgment will direct

you in this work, so that I need not add suggestions, but only hope that you may induce many to attend

Elon next year. The prospect seems to be good.

Respectfully yours,


Elon College, N. C.

June 6th, 1894.

Rev. O. J. Wait,

Fall River, Mass.

My dear Brother:-

I have the pleasure of informing you that the Board of Trustees of Elon College

have this day, by unanimous vote, conferred upon you the degree of Doctor of Divinity: This was a

voluntary act, and you are the only one so honored this year. The College issues no Diplomas for

Honorary degrees – nothing except notice by Secretary. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Secy.

Prof. J. U. Newman,

Dear Brother: Yours of 20th inst received, and the inclosed matter attended to.

As to the Dormitory question that will be considered when the Board meets August 13th. At that

time we will be compelled to settle. I do not know what will be best. We will put our heads together

when we meet and do the best we can.

Catalogues for Prof. Atkinson received today.

I hope Prof. Holleman is still convalescent. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


, 1894

My dear Brother:

Both of yours received. The Dormitory question is the heaviest committed to the Ex.

Committee. When we meet August 13th we will try to solve it wisely. It will do no good to make a

change unless we can improve the College work and finances. Change for the sake of change will not

help us. I will try to ship you the book racks this week, if possible. I had three funerals last week and

attended the Sunday School Convention. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., July 23rd

, 1894

Mr. dear Brother Long:-

I went to see Mr. W. H. Jones, Jr, Cashier of the Farmers Bank, today about the

matter of your letter. He understood the acceptances, but says he does not regard it as good paper and that

as Cashier he does not feel justified in advancing money on it. Personally he would like to accommodate

you, but officially he does not rate this College paper as safe.

I am very glad to hear that Prof. Hollerman continues to improve

Rain is fine here and the corn crop in Nansemond the best ever known.

Love to all. Yours sincerely, W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va, July 24th 1894.

Rev. J. F.. Burnett Sec’y pro tem,

Eaton Ohio

My dear Brother: I am in receipt of a letter from Rev. Dr. W. S. Long in which he again

declines to fill the position first assigned him on the program to speak on Elon College. It, therefore,

naturally falls on me and I will accept and render the best service I can.

I presume Rev. Dr. J. P. Barrett will be pleased to speak on The Rise of the Christians in Virginia

and the Carolinas so that I will have to prepare only one address. Fraternally Yours,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., July 24th, 1894

Rev. P.T. Koloff,

My dear Brother: Yours of 18th inst. was duly received. As Miss Hilliards is engaged for the year, I will

not write her at all. The special work which she proposes is not what we want. I presume Miss Price will

return and if we need other help, we can employ an assistant when there is a demand.

You see now, from what you write me, that I was right in regretting that the Ex. Board had acted

in reference to Academic teacher. That should have been deferred till August at least. The delicate point

always follows the mistake. Do nothing, say nothing till we meet again. Congratulations for Duncan and

Minnie on their new boy.

Love to all your dear ones. Yours truly, W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va, July 24th, 1894.

Mr. W. P. Lawrence,

My dear Brother: Yours of 10th inst. was duly received, and as Mr. I. F. Hancock had not written me, I

will write him today.

I am very much pleased with your methodical and tireless canvass, and the prospects which you

have of success. Profs. Newman and Atkinson report favorably in their work.

The “Club” plan which you are operating in your canvass I regard with hopeful approbation. It is

the very thing to put scholastic opportunities within the reach of all.

With best wishes, always,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., July 24th, 1894

Mr. I. F. Hancock,

Brown’s Store, N. C.,

My dear Brother: I am in receipt of a letter from Prof. W. P. Lawrence in which he says that you desire to

attend college next session and that you may not be able to pay your tuition in cash.

Do not allow that to hinder you in coming to Elon College. If you can not pay cash for tuition,

the college will take your note and make it easy for you meet it. We shall be very glad to have you come

and we will do all we can to make it so you can get an education.

Hoping to hear favorably from you, I am, Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


My dear Long: There were a few typographical mistakes in the “sketch” in Raleigh-News Observer but

you can easily detect and correct them. Proof-readers are not always perfect.

I rejoice with you the improvement and return of your wife. I hope her improvement will prove

permanent.

My wife has been sick much of the time for years but I think she is now gaining.

I congratulate you, in advance, upon your election to the Judgeship; but I think you go upon the

bench at a personal sacrifice. Self-denial is the price of honest public service. I know you will honor the

position and it will be worth more to your children and others than to yourself. Love to you all.

Yours truly,

W. W Staley

Suffolk, Va. July 24, 1894.

My dear bro Rev. H. C. Moore – I have been overwhelmed in work and have delayed answering your

letter so long that I owe you an apology.

I was very glad to read your esteemed favor of June 1st.

I mail you copy of last Annual.

I think brother Rev. J. B. Klapp still has charge of the church you organized in Warren County

N.C. and that is doing fairly well. The Lord will reward you for your work.

The address of is: Rev. J. P. Barnett, D. D.,

810 Lovitt Avenue

Norfolk, Va.

Rev. Jno. F. Kitchen,

Windsor, Va

I am glad you have secured a home and that you remain true to Christ and the Christian church. The

Conference will meet at Holland Station on A and D. R. R. That is Hebron moved to Holland) and now

doing well Yours truly,

Love to all. W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va, July 24th, 1894

My dear Brother Demarest: Your letter of April 23rd

1894 is long past due, and I wish to join with this

reply an apology.

The letter was received one morning as I was leaving Suffolk and I placed it in my grip intending

to answer it while away; but somehow I overlooked it till months afterward. I am very sorry of this, but I

have been overwhelmed with work for months. I hoped to see you at the Sunday School Convention and

explain fully.

There is to be a regular form of “church letters” in the revised “Principles and Government.”

There is none in the former one which you can find in the book of “Christian Hymns” the Hymn book of

this Church before the Hymnary. The edition of “Prin. and Government” is out but the new book will be

out in the near future.

The Com. authorized me to correspond with you about your plans for the future. Write me or see

me in person. I will be absent from Suffolk after this week till September. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., July 26th, 1894.

Rev. O. J. Wait,

Fall River, Mass.

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 23rd

inst. duly received and enjoyed. The vein of humor

running through it was very refreshing.

I want to thank you sincerely and heartily for your thought of “Elon College” in your “will” and I

think God’s “will” is the same and that this rich blessing may rest upon you always. I have given

$2110.00 to the Institution myself, though my means is limited and I have a wife and 3 girl children. Will

see you (DC.) at Haverhill. With Christian regards Yours etc

W. W. Staley


Mr. Lee D. Hearth Cashier,

First National Bank of Durham N. C.,

My dear Sir: Your notice to W. S. Long Pres of note for $528.75 due August 18th has been

referred by him to me.

The College will not be able to pay the note at maturity, as it is almost impossible to collect

money on subscriptions at this season of the year. The best course for the Bank will be to carry the paper

over, and perhaps by the end of the fall season something be done. To press the matter would be to

precipitate conditions in which the Bank would run greater risk than to patiently wait.

I will try to stop in Durham about Aug. 17th and see you and if it is possible see that something is

paid on it. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley Pres. E. C.

` Certificate of Licensure.

This will certify that Joseph H. Jones, a member of the Christian Church at Holy Neck, in

Nansemond County, State of Virginia, has been carefully examined upon the various branches of

learning, as required by the government of the Christian Church, and has given satisfaction, and is

licensed as a probationer to preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, wherever the providence of God

may call him.

Done by order of the Eastern Virginia Christian Conference, this the 19th day of July, 1894.

W. W. Staley, President

Secretary.

Suffolk, Va., July 30, 1894.

Andrews-Demarest Seating Co.

Dear Sirs: The College will not be able to pay this note of $528.75 due August 15th, and which is

now in First National Bank, Durham, N.C. for collection, and if you will recall it and it is possible to pay

anything at that time I will see that it is done. If your agent had been strictly up to business he would

have avoided this trouble. I mean by this, that it was easy to see from the outside that the College was not

able to pay for the seats in so short a time. Yours truly,


Suffolk, Va., Sept. 8th, 1894.

Judge J. F. West,

Waverly Va

Dear Brother: Yours of yesterday received, and in reply will say that if the inquiry refers only to Tuition

the College will take Mr. Schaefer’s note without security. If the inquiry includes Board, I will say that

the College does not board pupils. They board in private homes, and usually such people need the

money. But I could write at once and see whether indulgence, on security, could be obtained. I think it

could and will do what I can to secure it. Let me know whether Board is included in your inquiry. Thank

you

Note: The remainder of the letter is unreadable.



Gentlemen: I inclose note for $500- for renewal with the distinct understanding that it will have

to be renewed again at maturity. I see no way by which it can be paid then, nor the one for $466.12 now

in your hands and due Oct. 14th. I will renew that one at maturity, but cannot pay it at that time. The debt

is good, if you give long time as your agent promised. Yours truly W. W. Staley

Pres. E. College

Judge J. F. West,

Waverly, Va.

Dear Brother: Yours of yesterday just received. I will write Prof. Newman to arrange with Dr.

Herndon to receive the girls and I will telegraph Newman when they leave Suffolk, if they come this way.

You can hold the papers until notified to whom the note is to be assigned.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Sept 11th, 1894.

Dear Prof. Newman: I wrote Prof. Atkinson yesterday about securing board for the Schaefer girls

because I thought you would be more pressed than he for time. But a letter from Judge West this a. m.

inclosing yours is the very thing. Arrange with Dr. Herndon to receive them and we will arrange the note

later. I have instructed Judge West to hold the papers till we have time to determine the assigned. I will

wire you when they leave Suffolk. See Prof. Atkinson and explain. Truly etc W. W. Staley

Elon College, N. C.,

Sept. 12th, 1894.

Mr. W. A. Olmsted,

Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sir: I was in the country confined with fever during August and am just entering upon duty.

This will explain delay.

I inclose note for renewal $97.73 for six months; but am compelled to say that I do not think it

can be met at maturity. I am getting subscriptions that will cover all indebtedness, I think, but the

payments are to be made in four annual installments and hence it will necessarily defer the payment of the

College debts. If you will hold the paper patiently you will get your money sometime. Yours truly

W. W. Staley


Prof. S. A. Holleman, Yours 10th inst received. I inclose orders except $10.56 Herndon and Co which

will have to come in the form of regular Bill as I know nothing of it and all accts have to be approved by

finance committee; and $20- a/c W. H. Wheeler a/c of Piano. I do not quite understand whether it is $10-

per mo. as simple rent or $10- per mo as installment.

Does this order for salaries exhaust Tuition

Note: The remainder of this paragraph is unreadable.

I am glad work moves smoothly.

Yours truly W. W. Staley


Andrews-Demarest Seating Co

Dear Sirs: Yours of Sept. 11th acknowledging receipt of note for $500- in renewal of note which

you held against Elon College has been received; but you failed to return the old note. Please do this and

oblige Yours truly,

W. W. Staley Pres. E.C.


My dear Bro. Long: Yours of 10th inst is before together with copies of other letters which I think I have

seen before perhaps in printed matter which you sent me last year.

I am very sorry to know of such a condition of things among those who hold prominent positions

in the Lord’s work, and I hope that truth will triumph. As to giving an opinion in the matter, I am at too

great a distance, and know too little of the facts, to venture. I hope, however, that all will end well for

those who do their duty for the cause. I am not connected with the matter in any way and under no

obligation to speak.

I am in the midst of a gracious revival, preaching twice a day and you must excuse my brevity.

Love to all. Yours truly, W. W. Staley


Judge West,

Waverly, Va.,

Dear Brother: Yours of this a.m. about expenses at Elon College just received.

It is impossible to say just what it will cost, except as far as College expenses go.

Academics for 2 in 2nd

and 3rd

year 80.

Less 10% for 2 from same family 8

72.

Matriculation fees for 2 1 year 10.

82.

Board for 2 10 months $200

$282

It would not be 10 months for Board as part of

session is gone. If both took Music it would be 80.

Less 10 % as above 8

72

$354.

$400 would pay all expenses I should think and give them Music $325.00 for both without Music, I think.

We make no cut rates. All are treated alike as far as I know, and it is as cheap as some work can be done.

Be glad to have them. Truly etc W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va. Sept 17th, 1894.

Prof. S. A. Holleman,

Dear Brother: Yours of 14th inst received. The matter of Herndon and Co’s a/c was not presented

when I was and I had my order book and drew orders while there. You and I decided it unnecessary to

delay accts for incidentals by waiting for Finance committee meetings, but only such ones as I could

approve for the committee. Herndon and Co. should have made out an itemized acct and then O. K’d by

you I would approve. I have drawn the order, but I do not know what for and it is my duty to know. I do

not question the acct but it should be before me that I might act regularly. I inclose the order, however

and one for Mr. Wheeler; also check of $18.00 for my Music a/c. Yours etc

W. W. Staley


Prof. J. U. Newman,

Dear Brother: Yours of 15th came yesterday, and I will answer your inquiries so far as I can.

Passed by E. Com. last year and adopted by our Trustees last meeting.

“We passed a resolution to discourage students from attending places where base ball, foot ball

and such like sports, are played and from taking part therein.” This means on all grounds, except their

own and among themselves. I think take no part in intercollegiate physical contacts. Intellectual

contacts only for church schools.

One room for Music reserved in Dormitory, but not to be used for practice while occupied by

boys. If we have assistant in Music she may give lessons there.

If absolutely necessary rent Prof. Holleman’s piano till E. Com. weighs question of new one. My

policy is to cut expenses as low as possible so that teachers may have more pay promptly. Yours truly

W. W. Staley


Geo. F. Winston, LL.D.,

Pres N. C. University,

Dear Sir:- I congratulate you upon the increase in numbers at Chapel Hill this.

The anti-appropriation pamphlet, as I believe, is not only a fallacy in argument but will prove so

in fact.

I have been tempted, for the first time in my life, to answer the paper in public print, but the

University really needs no such feeble support as my pen could give. The State of N. C. will maintain her

University which has not only been her pride but a fountain of intelligence and strength for a hundred

years. Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley


Prof. Newman,

Dear Brother: Please see Dr. Herndon and inquire whereat York will move to Elon and open a house

for girls on the plan consented to by the E. Committee. Miss Alice Hamer who recently came to this

country from Manchester, England, and Miss Mamie Pierce of Zuni Va. both desire to go to Elon and are

willing to do work to reduce expenses. Miss Hamer’s brother has been living with J. W. Polk near

Bethlehem for several years and went over for his sister a few months ago. He wants her in school while

she becoming acquainted with this country, and yet they are poor and he wants it as cheap as he can get

it. If you do not understand Dr. Herndon does and will explain the plan. I think, however, you do. They

are nice girls and I hope we can get them to Elon.

Brother Moore from Oakland was here this morning to see me about sending his daughter, Addie

B., about the 1st of October. I rather think he will, though not yet certain. Of course you know him.

Keep the reigns of authority well in hand and let this be the best year for work and discipline in

Elon’s history. Yours truly, W. W. Staley


My dear Mrs. Holleman, All local questions which are not referred to me by the Faculty are to be decided

by Prof. Newman as chairman or by the Faculty when he cannot. I think it best, therefore, for you to see

Prof. Newman which you can do through Prof. Holleman. Whatever they consent to will receive my

approval, so far as your request in this case is concerned.

But I may say personally that Prof. Holleman, knowing the situation fully, can tell you what is

best for the school. I would not do anything that could possibly disturb the harmony of the College,

because the success of the Institution and your living are in that.

I am so glad that your dear husband is well again and able to be on duty, and I pray that health

and success may attend you both in the future of life’s joys and struggles.

Your friend,

W. W. Staley


Messrs J. Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.

Dear Bros. Yours of 13th inst reached me today. Thanks for kind words as to the school.

I have ten men who have given bonds for $1000 each to be paid in four equal annual installments.

The first installment will be due in Jany next. I think you will get your money then. If I can see it paid

before that time I will; but I do not think I am safe in making any promise before that time. I am very

sorry payment must be deferred so long, but it requires time for an old man to pay old debts. You will

appreciate that the difficulties under which I labor in this ? in saying that we begin ? distance. Your debt

is safe, ? is compelled to beg indulgence next time.

With kind regards always. Yours truly

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Sept. 20, 1894.

Rev, W. J. Laine,

Dear brother: Yours of 18th inst received. If you go to Harvard and remain our Committee will let you

have $50 by November 15th.

Notify me before our Conference whether you will remain at Harvard for the year so we will

know whether to recommend the appropriation of $50 for your use.

I hope you will complete your arrangements and that you will make a good year in the University,

and that brother J. H. Jones also may have a year of great profit in study. My desire is that you do allow

(sic) the idea of Science which dominates that Institution to lure you away from spiritual truth.

Yours truly, W. W. Staley


Rev. M. Summerbell, DD,

Dear Brother: Sickness caused delay, but I hope the information will reach you in time for your use.

In some cases I may have figures too small. I think in no case too large. It was hard to get

accurate data as I have been in only a short time.

As this report ends July 1st, 1894 and as Rev. Dr. W. S. Long was Pres. last year I have incerted

his name which I think is correct.

I am in Program President of College as named for reports. Does that mean simply reports on ?

Note: The remainder of letter is unreadable.

Suffolk, Va., Sept 24, 1894.

Prof. J. U. Newman Chm.

My dear brother: Yours of 20th inst received as noted. The proposition of Mr. H. V. Simpson is fair

and you may have the work done. I presume it includes either whitewashing the walls also or painting

them. Painting only woodwork and whitewashing walls is preferable. When work is done let him make

out regular Bill for $20.00 and you can forward it to me for approval and I can send an order to S. A.

Holleman who will give Mr. Simpson check which he can endorse and turn over to Holleman who will

credit S.’s Note for tuition. Have this work done at earliest convenience.

As to Music: The Trustees instructed us to get Miss Julia Long or Miss Irene Clements, who had

applied for positions, to assist in Music department if we need assistance. So you may engage Miss Irene

Clements, as Miss Julia Long is going to Raleigh, provided she will work at $10.00 per month (I think her

application proposed that price) and let it go in payment of her Tuition. This arrangement last till matter

can be considered by E. Com. If she can do this work successfully and give satisfaction, it is an

opportunity for her. This



Prof. Holleman,

Dear Brother: Both of yours of 19th inst received and carefully noted, but Mr. Holland’s fatal accident

has delayed my answer.

All should pay Matric. fee and register. See the parties who have not paid privately and explain

to them kindly and give them one month’s time. That will give them time to write home for the money.

If any remain unpaid at that time, I will advise you what to do. It is new and will require a little patience

and kind persistence; when once established it will give us no more trouble.

As to the drafts, I see no way to meet them at maturity. Renewal is the only thing possible. I

believed so when ordered. See the parties and let them know this.

The order two year’s ago for $200 to purchase chemicals, $140 of which you say was used only

stands as a debt yet of $100- against the College. I cannot say what the E. Com. will do. No one is more

anxious than I to equip your department and improve it and the College but I fear any increase of debt.

So far as I can see our only salvation is (sic) in deliverance from debt. If you could borrow or rent any

instruments for the present, it would be best. When the E. Com. meets again I will see that all is done that

can be to help to a wise conclusion. Yours truly

W. W. Staley


Dear Dr. Herndon, Your card and letter both received.

I have been so pressed by duties since my return that I have not been able to write Kernodle,

Duke, or Carr; but I will.

I am unable to say whether it would pay for you to go to the A. C. Convention. It does look like

you might get enough to expenses, that is personal expenses and Salary for the time you are gone and at

the same time it would keep the College before their minds. No one can figure accurately on money-

getting; you can only try in faith. I hardly know what to say, but I think you can make expenses, and if

you do nothing is lost.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Miss Emma Howard, In reply to your favor of 18th inst I will say that I sympathize deeply with you in the

delay in the payment of your salary. But as you know, I have recently entered upon my duties and it takes

time to raise money by donations to pay debts. You will get your money, but I cannot tell now how soon.

I have been trying to get money promised and in good shape to pay off the entire indebtedness of the

institution and have compelled to omit details. We are succeeding in this, but the payments cover four

years. I regret my inability to tell you just when the College can pay you what is due you; but it would be

a mistake for me to say that you should have your money at a certain time unless I know it would be

ready.

I will do this, however; I will look after your interests as far as I can. Feel free to write me at any

time, and I will always do what I can for you. For the present you will have to wait.

With best wishes always – Yours truly W. W. Staley.

;


Rev. W. S. Long, DD.,

My dear brother: Yours of yesterday just received.

It is my purpose to leave Norfolk at 6 p.m. Sunday October 7th. I will preach in Suffolk at 11 a.

m. of same day.

I will let you have the money if you wish me to as I am to let you have some soon anyway. We

will stop in Philadelphia long enough for you to get out at John Wannamaker’s, if you think you could do

better there than before you leave home. If you want this money before you come down here, let me

know and I will send check. I can let you have as much as $100.

I am deeply pained to hear of Dr Reid’s death.

I will bear your message Mrs. Holland. It is very sad. Love to all. Yours truly, W. W. Staley.


Mrs. F. L. Reid

Greensboro, N. C.,

My dear Madam:

I was deeply pained to day, to read in a Raleigh paper the sad announcement of

your dear husband’s death.

I knew his father and have known him for twenty years; whom to know was to love.

I saw him last, July 20th 1894, on his return from a district conference in Gates County. He and

Dr. Black passed through Suffolk together.

I desire to extend to you, in this trial of your life, my Christian sympathy and prayers. Your dear

Companion is now with Christ, which is far better than to be in the earth, and he will welcome you at last

into the heavenly home. Most sincerely Yours. W. W. Staley.

Pastor Christian Church


Rev. J. O. Atkinson,

My dear Brother: Yours of 25th inst received. I have O. K.’d a/c and attach order which you can present

to Prof. Hollerman who, I hope, will be able to pay you.

I am thankful to hear that all is well at the College. I hope all will run successfully during the

year.

The fatal accident to brother Charles E. Holland was an awful shock to us all, but an irreparable

blow to dear Mrs. Holland with her seven children. She is better provided for, however, than many in

similar bereavement, and I trust that a loving Father will overrule the affliction to her final welfare. It

was an ordeal simply appalling. But God knows best.

Love to all. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Miss Mavis Pierce: In one week from this time arrangements will be effected to board girls at Elon

College on the following terms: Each girl is to furnish bed covering, sheets, and pillow and wait on

herself and pay $7.50 per month. The house will be kept by Dr. and Mrs. York, who are nice people.

If you think of going and would like to get in a place of that price, either write me at Suffolk,

or Prof. J. U. Newman at Elon College, N. C.

Hoping that you can go, I am,

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley


My dear Bro. Harner,

Arrangements have made with Dr. York and his wife by which girls can furnish bed

covering, sheets, and pillow and wait on themselves and pay $7.50 per month for Board at Elon College.

If you still think of sending Miss Alice to College, please drop in next week and see me about it

and I will explain to you. I shall be absent in Boston after next week for ten days.

I hope you can send.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Judge J. F. West

Waverly, Va.

My dear Brother: Your favor of yesterday has been received, carefully read, and I will try to answer.

As a Trustee you are equally responsible with others for mistakes in management, if any have

been made. If I could see you, I think I could make you see that the situation is not so bad as you seem to

imagine. The catalogue, I think, does not say that the girls are required to room and board in the

Dormitory; hence the advertisement is not grossly violated. As a matter of fact the Dormitory was

reserved and open to receive girls till after the College opened. All of the young ladies chose, by consent

or preference of parents, to board in private families. Those most able to pay and used to best comforts at

home paying $12.00 in private homes instead of $10- in Dormitory. The young lady who boards farthest

from the College is the daughter of a physician who is in fine circumstances and placed her there himself.

The next farthest are my own two girls and I am a Trustee, a large contributor, and am paying for them.

The Dormitory was let for the use of boys after the girls were domiciled else

Note: The letter is continued on page 49.

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where. The house was occupied by the “club” but it was too small, and rather than let the Dormitory

stand vacant this arrangement was to cover an emergency.

The distance is short, the walks are good, and this is the first complaint. But, as you have said

that because of the present arrangement some of the girls who are now there, unless something is done,

will leave at the end of the half session, if not before, I will ask you to specify names and how you got

your information in order that I may do what I can to satisfy those who are disappointed. I may be

mistaken, but I think you see the matter in colors. The fact is that small numbers in private homes even

though they walk some distance is better for girls than when so many are crowded into one building. At

least the choice of girls and patrons gives that verdict at Elon.

I think your idea of a study Hall is good and I have no doubt in winter that is done. I

have not inquired.

The results so far for girls at Elon are as good as at the best female Colleges. If my letter

is not satisfactory as an answer under present conditions write me and it will be my pleasure to do all in

my power. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 1st, 1894.

Dear Prof. Holleman Yours of 27th inst duly received.

The settlement for the Dormitory was made I think in 1890. I will, however, present the matter to

the Executive Board when they meet. It is impossible to meet again till November.

The matter of members of the Faculty, who take studies under other teachers, paying tuition was

discussed in the Board, but no action was taken. Their (sic) is nothing either way on the subject. I think

the usual way in such cases is free tuition.

The Board of Trustees instructed the E. Com. that if an assistance was needed in Music to employ

either Miss Julia Long or Miss Irene Clements. Hence in the absence of a Board meeting I authorized

Prof. Newman to engage Miss Clements till the E. Com. meets. That time will test the matter and if she is

not succeeding, the Com. can correct it.

The Deed for you was left with Dr. Long to deliver to you when you got able to receive it.

I am glad you have prospect of getting survey Instruments. I would aid you, if I could, but

cannot.


2

I enclose order to pay Dr. Long for Closets recently built at College.

I will write Dr. Herndon and you see him too, whether he can place in your hand money

enough to pay Note in Bank or whether you send notice of $25.00 due Oct 5 and $66.12 to pay on Note

for acct. of $466.12 and due Oct. 15th.

Notify me at once if it is possible for you to send it even he does not pay in enough for

now. That would quiet the parties and leave us somewhat easy for a time. I leave for A.C.C. 7th 6 p.m.

and will be go (sic) 10 or 15 days and I hope you will write me at once.

I hope the Music will hold in good shape till we meet again. I’ll do all I can to help things into

satisfactory shape, but it takes time. Love to all Yours truly,

W.W. Staley


My dear Dr. Herndon:

The Note of $25.00 in First Na. Bank Durham is due Oct 5. The Note of $466.12

to Seating Co due Oct 15. Have you paid over to Prof. Holleman or can you enough for me to pay the

$25- and $66.12 = $91.12 If possible let me hear favorably at once.

I have not written those letters yet. Every hour of my time has been employed. I do not know

(sic) bro. Kernodle’s Post office. Give it to me. It’ll try to write him this week, though I have to write my

paper for A.C.C. a paper for Centennial issue of Sun, prepare for Wednesday night and Sunday and I

cannot tell how much more.

Are you going to A.C.C. Bro Wellons favors it, if I understand his card.

Yours truly,

W. W.Staley


Mr. J. W. Harrell,

My dear Brother: Yours of recent date was duly received, but it has been crowded out till now.

It is necessary for your Church to recommend you for licensure.

The Committee will do all it can to aid you as you request.

If you do your duty in College I do not see where your time is to take work outside in churches.

You can settle that question only after you receive license. Make this a good year.

With best wishes. Your truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 1st. 1894.

My dear Long:

Yours of 28th inst received. I am so glad to hear that you are all well.

The storm here was not as severe as predicted.

After Oct 7th I shall be absent at Haverhill Mass. till Oct 20

th, so you need not send check till after

that time.

I want it understood that it puts you to no inconvenience to do it then.

Like you life seems to be one round of constant hard work; but I love my work. Love to all.

Most truly

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 1, 1894.

Prof. Moffitt,

Dear Brother: -

Inclosed find papers which should have been sent you this morning, but was in

other hands then. If you can’t get it in this week next week will do.

Please send 3 copies of Hymnary No. 3 with names as follows:

1 copy No 3. Gracie Carr.

1 copy No 3. S. McRae Meakin.

1 copy No 3. Florine V. Hosier.

Have them lettered and sent this week. I do not know whether to make check to W. G. Clements

or Hurly and Moffitt: Let me know and I will remit at once.

Will I have to get my piece in to you for? before I leave for A.C.C.? Truly etc.W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 2nd

, 1894.

Rev. W. S. Long,

Dear Brother:- Yours duly received, and I am very glad you are going to A.C.C.

Your address is not in the Quadrennial Book.

I have forwarded to Prof Holleman order for $13.75 to pay you for “Closets” which you have had

erected.

You did not say whether I should send you check, but for fear you need it before starting, I

inclose check for one hundred dollars for which you may send me Note, if you use it.

I delivered your message of sympathy to Mrs. Holland who thanks you for it. It was an awful

blow to her life.

Love to all. Most truly yours

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 3rd

, 1894.

Mr. Geo. Kernodle:

My dear Brother: In company with Dr. Herndon I made a short visit to your house in August but you

were gone to Greensboro. The object of the visit was to talk with you about the affairs of Elon College.

We did have a very pleasant and encouraging conversation with you son, John. Not having the

opportunity to see you face to face, I write you, feeling assured that your interest in the College will make

my letter welcome. I would much prefer seeing you and talking with you, if I could.

I will present the situation of the College as nearly as I know it and then I want you to consider

prayerfully whether you are willing to give $1000- to help pay the College out of debt, paying $250- a

year for four years. Dr. Herndon can explain the details of the plan.

When I came into office in June 1894, the College was in debt nearly $20,000- We have paid

since that time nearly $1500- The debt is now about $18,000. No College earns any money above

current expenses and may, if any, earn enough from Tuition to pay running expenses.

Note; The letter is continued on page 58.

2

Hence at the most be paid by donations only. My policy is to make no new debts and to make current

expenses as small as possible till we get out of debt. I will now tell you the method of paying the debt of

$18,000- There was a subscription in June worth $5000. which it will take some time to collect. Since

that time ten men have given their bonds for $1000- each to be paid in four equal annual installments of

$250- each and the first payment to be made in January 1895. Dr. Herndon has taken good subscriptions

in smaller sums worth $2000- This makes, when added, 5000 + 10,000 + 2000 = $17,000. But none of

these draw interest while $10,000. of the debt draw interest at 8% and 6% most of it at 8% Of the ten

$1000- men Dr. Herndon and myself are two. Now brother Kernodle, the College is the property of the

Christian church and you are a part of the church. The college owes you and you are able to donate

$1000- to save the Institution – more able than some of us who already down for that sum. If you will

join us in this great pull to get out of debt, the Lord will bless you and your dear family in your hearts

than the money could be worth to you. Again, is it right for me to deny my family and strain every power

of my being for years to pay you a debt of


3

a thousand dollars for which I am no more responsible than you are. I am responsible because I am a

member of the Christian church and so are you. You will pardon me for speaking in plain terms, but I

chosen to try to work the College out of debt and to place our institution on a safe footing, and I am go to

do my duty as well as I know how. Again, would you not rather give one thousand dollars and see the

College out of debt, than to collect the $1000- and see the College go down? I know you would. Now I

do not want to use of the money of Christian men, unless I can get enough to get us out of debt. In other

words, I do not want to use their money to pay the debts of those as able to give as they are and then have

to call on them for more to do the same thing. But if all who are able will help so we can get through this

I will begin to call for the first payment when due in January. This is right. It is fair. Your son John is

perfectly willing for you to give $1000- and I believe you are too. I know you are able. I will get Dr.

Herndon to explain all details. I wish I could see you myself.

Love to your family. Most truly yours. W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 4th, 1894.

Prof. Moffitt,

Dear brother:

Yours to hand. Because of the large orders for Hymnaries I have made I have been

getting all at dozen rates i.e., No 3 at 1.25 and 20 cents for name = 1.45 x 3 = 4.35 for which I inclose my

check.

Rev. J. W. Wellons will be on same train Saturday and will get off at Suffolk to see his sister; so

you can send books by bro. Foster and save me expenses. I will try to be at train myself to receive them

and I can not bro Wellons can care for them.

Do not fail to come.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Prof. Holleman,

Dear brother: Yours to hand and I inclose orders.

Dr. Herndon writes me that he has turned over $50- to you and you say he has turned over $10-

additional. By this I understand that he has turned $60-

You speak of my instructing you to pay debts out of any money in hand. I understood you to say

that you paid out nothing except on regular orders. I have given no authority except on written orders. I

give no verbal orders in business of this sort.

As to the $13.75 to W. S. Long D.D. for House, my idea in drawing the order as I did was that the

rent from Dormitory would come in to replace, for use, that sum. The renting of Dormitory made the

necessity for the house.

I understand your letter saying you could not pay $25.00 order in favor of Bank was written

before Dr. Herndon turned over $60- Truly etc W. W. Staley.


Mr. Geo. W. Anthony,

Burlington, N. C.

My dear brother: Yours of 2nd

inst duly received.

Mr. Whitesell’s a/c against Elon College has been approved and as soon as money is in hand will

be paid. The College got in debt and I have accepted service at a bad time to pay debts; but she will pay

out sometime. By reason of the form of debts some must be paid before others. You’re a/c is good, even

if College did not pay Mr. Whitesell; but he will get his money. I cannot now tell when. I am very sorry

the debt has not been paid, but I did not contract it. It will be paid in its turn. The only thing you can do

is to wait patiently till that time comes, if you wait on him till he gets his pay from College.

With best wishes always,

Yours truly, W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Oct. 4th 1894.

Captain C. F. Siler,

Holly Springs, N. C.

My dear brother: Yours of 1st inst received today.

I thank you for congratulations, though, as you may know, I am a non-resident President of Elon

College and devote the major portion of my services to preaching the gospel. I make visits to the College,

and give general directions in the work.

As to the time for Educational day at the State Fair that has already been fixed and I suppose it is

too late now to secure a change. Prof. Moffitt represented Elon College and I was not a party to the date;

though, in my judgment, Tuesday suits better than Thursday because the crowd is not so great, and the

attraction will be the schools and the addresses. I have no objection, however, to changing this time. Any

day will suit Elon. I will not suggest any change.

I am sorry to say that Elon can offer you no more.

Note: The letter continues on page 64.

2

I am glad you have such a good ? and if any come from you to Elon they will be cared for to the

extent of our ability. Her reputation for good work so far is fair, and I think the future will be an

improvement.

If you ever come this way, I will be very glad to see you. Dr. Willie Wood a resident Dentist of

Suffolk often inquires after you.

With best wishes always, I am,

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley.


The A. W. C. Chapel Sec. and Treas.

Ramseur, N. C. Dear Sir:-

Yours of 3rd

inst. is received and noted.

I regret that your a/c remains so long unpaid. I am not responsible for that. My duty is to try to

pay the College debts. I think this will be done in time. We are securing subscriptions for that purpose

and are doing so hopefully. These subscriptions are paid in installments. The debts are in such shape that

some must be paid before others. I cannot now say when yours will be reached. I make no promise to

pay money till money is in hand. But I think you will get your money sometime, if you wait patiently. I

will do all I can. Hoping that this will be satisfactory, I am Yours truly W. W. Staley.


Prof. W. S. Long. D. D.,

My dear Brother: Your card of yesterday received. I am very sorry you have changed your mind and are

not going to the Convention.

You may use check if you so elect and I have completed arrangements to loan you $300. or $400.

more by Nov. 1st if you desire the use of it. If you do, we can then put all those little notes into one note

and you can endorse your note and mortgage against the College and place them as collateral in my hands

and I will not require interest or principal till College pays you. In that way you will not be disturbed. I

hope this will be satisfactory.

I regret so much that you are not going. The trip might have opened up something desirable.

Love to all –

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Prof. W. P. Lawrence:

Dear Brother: Yours of 4th inst containing a/c of $9.50 for Canvassing has been received and I have

sent order to Prof. Holleman.

I am glad to hear that everything so far is moving on well and I hope it may continue so to the end

of the year. I am anxious for this year to be a success. It will to the credit, of Faculty and Students, if it

so terminates. As you know my place is more nominal than real, but whatever I can do to aid is done

heartily.

I am counting on you doing your duty and making a ?

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley



Dear Brother:-

Yours of 3rd

inst received. If I made mistake as to fund in any order it was a mistake. I

may have done so in the present inclosures. I have said Rent in two cases, though that may be classed

College because I thought some money would come in first from that source. It will save me some

trouble if you see the parties and explain to them if the money is not in hand to pay. I do hope that we

will get forehanded some day, so that we will not be forced to such loose forms of business. Necessity

knows no law not even in bookkeeping.

Will you please explain the matter of tuition, when teachers recite to one another to Miss Berta

Moring. I will drop her a few lines, but I am too busy, and leave tomorrow for A.C C. to write her more

than a few lines.

With best wishes now and always,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Miss Bertha Moring:

Nothing has been ordered by the Trustees on that subject and I understand that no

charges have been made. If any thing has been done on this subject, I know nothing of it. See Prof.

Holleman and he can explain, as I wrote him on this same matter some time ago.

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley


Dr. D.M. Pool,

Dear Brother:

Yours containing check for $300- signed S. C. Varry as a credit of Note against C. M.

Farris for $548- was received by due course of mail.

I hope this rain is over as it is not good for cotton. Clear and cool here.

It is after 10 p.m. and I have other letters to answer and a bath to take tonight.

Dr. Herndon and Rev. Wellons in town on way to Convention. Leave Norfolk at 6 p.m.

tomorrow.

Sent goods for Willie’s to you yesterday by mail: 2 yds at 1.00 per yd.

Love to all. I am well

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley



Dear Sirs:

As I wrote you some time ago the College will not be able to pay anything on note for $466.12

till 14th inst, but I am willing to renew it for College. That is all that can be done now. Please send next

note for renewal and I will sign and return. I will be in Haverhill Mass from Oct 9th to 17

th and will not be

in Suffolk before Oct. 20th. If you will send to me at Haverhill c/o Rev. Dr. A. H. Morrill or the care of

A. C. Convention I can attend to it there. As soon as it is possible you will get some money, but it will be

in the future: I am very sorry it is so. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres EC.

Suffolk, Va., Oct.6th, 1894.

Miss ? ?::

Your esteemed favor of 3rd

inst has been received.

I am unable to answer your inquiry now. I shall be absent in Mass. till 20th of Oct. After that

time our com. will meet. Miss Clements is assisting Miss Price till that time. I cannot say till then what

course the com. will take. I will let you know in Nov. after the com. meets.

If it was within my power you would get your back pay very soon; but you understand the matter

and my solution to it.

With best wishes now and always,

Respectfully your friend,

W. W. Staley


Mr. W. M. Wheeler Magr

Charlotte, N. C.

Dear Sir: Yours of 2nd

inst received and noted.

I suppose the College has done the best it could to pay you’re a/c.

Many commercial institutions have been forced to ask for time and it is no surprise that a young

College is under the same necessity.

All will done that can be to pay you and if delay appears it is under stern necessity. If you will be

patient it will come, sometime. I can not say now when as I do not promise freely.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Oct 19th, 1894.

J. H. Fleming Atty.

Dear Brother: I inclose a letter from Prof. Holleman which please read and advise me what course to

pursue. The letter explains itself and you know as much about it as I do myself.

I have just returned from the A. C. Convention today and will not reply to Prof. Holleman till I

hear from you and you may return his letter or file it yourself.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Elon College, N. C.

Oct. 22, 1894.

Col. J. S. Carr,

Durham, N. C.

My dear Sir: Please pardon me if I assume to intrude upon your thought and time. I assume to write

because I know that the subject is one which always receives liberal consideration in your mind.

I was chosen to the Presidency of Elon College in June of this year, and found the College in

debt. In fact I was chosen to try to pay the debt. I know that the Institution has no direct claim upon you

and my plea is not on that ground. It is on even higher ground: that of your generous life, and

magnificent donations where no claim save that of need, and no motive save that of liberality prompted

the gift. You have already given our College $250 for which we feel grateful. If you can help us again, I

think we can place the College property beyond embarrassment, and start it on a course of usefulness if

you will help us. I will not go into details, but will get Dr. W. T. Herndon, Financial Agent, to visit you


2

and can explain all matters to you. Or, if you wish to ask him or me any questions either will be glad to

answer.

I am really non-resident ?, as I am pastor of a church in Suffolk and where I reside. The school is

managed by a faculty and I have general oversight and look after finances.



Oct. 22, 1894.

Mr. Washington Duke,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sir: Please pardon me for intruding this letter upon you, because I know you by reputation if not

personally.

I was chosen to the Presidency of Elon College in June of this year. I found the College doing

good work but in debt. It is my duty, as President to work the Institution out of debt; and I come to you

because I know you are deposed to all good causes. My policy is to pay the present indebtedness and

then to make no new debts, but to work on and grow strongly and steadily. I cannot enter into details in a

letter, but I will get Dr. W. T. Herndon, our Financial Agent, to visit you and answer any questions you

would like to ask. If you will help us, I think I can assure you that your money will do good service for

Christ and humanity for a long period of time. I hope the subject of this letter will receive favorable

consideration at your hands. Respectfully yours. W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va.,

Oct. 22, 1894.

Dr. W. T. Herndon, F Agt.

Dear Brother: I have written Col J. S. Carr and Mr. Washington Duke of Durham and have told them that

you would visit them and explain all details. I could not do that fully in letters: but the letters will open

the way, I trust, for you and that the Lord will give you answers.

If the men can be assured to pay $500- each, I think that will insure ???? out of debt. I think we

can finally begin endowment fund.

I hope you are well by this time and that all goes well.

Our Conference meets next week and I am pressed to the wall by work..


Suffolk, Va.,

Oct. 22, 1894.

Rev. Byron E. Clark,

Drummondtown, Va,,

My dear Brother:

I regret my absence during the ??? of your ??? in Suffolk, and especially when you

preached to my congregation.

I hear appreciative words about your sermon, and I want to thank you for it. I trust it was as

“bread cast upon the waters.”

I hope it may be my pleasure to meet you sometime, and that the “work of the Lord may prosper

in your hands.”

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Nov. 3rd

, 1894.

My dear Long: Yours of Oct. 22nd

was duly received and proper credit made for the $250.00 Oct. 23, but

as you indicated that $50- would likely be sent through Bank in Wilson N. C. I waited a few days. This

has not come to hand.

If I had known it before I first wrote you I could have accommodated bro. W. J. L. without yours,

but I will add that if he needs it.

Love to you all and Lorena.

Yours truly, W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Nov. 3, 1894.

Mr. James Morton, Jr.,

Atty for Executor etc,

Fall River,

Dear Sir: - Your esteemed favor of Oct. 27th, informing me that one thousand dollars has been left to

Elon College by the will of the late Rev. Orin J. Wait of your city, has been forwarded to me from Elon

College.

I knew of the fact, but I thank you for this official notice.

The payment may be made to S. A. Holleman, Treasurer, Elon College, N. C.

Please inform me whether they will specifies how the money shall be used.

Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley,

President Elon College

Suffolk, Va., Nov. 5th, 1894.

Mr. J. A. Long, Atty

Graham, N. C..,

My dear Sir: I write to ask you to represent Elon College in conjunction with J. H. Fleming Atty

of Raleigh in a suit for the payment of a debt for lightening rods. The notice has been served on S. A.

Holleman, as Treasurer. He can give you information which I cannot. Mr. Fleming is a member of the

Board of Trustees and knows something of the matter through Rev. Dr. W. S. Long who can also give

you information as he made the contract etc. I understand through Mr. Fleming that the same parties who

sold Dr. Long the rods had writs ? out against them in Wake for fraudulent transactions in the same

business. We think the full value of the rods has been paid ? his resistance. The contract was for solid

copper rods and they are not.

Capt. E. S. Parker represents the plaintiff. I do not know the name. If you consent to serve us,

notify J. H. Fleming at once and you and he agree upon procedure, as court is next week.

Drop me card and oblige- Yours truly W. W. Staley, Pres. E. C.


Mr. J. H. Fleming,

Raleigh, N. C.

Dear Sir: I have written Mr. J. A. Long, Atty Graham, N. C. asking him to serve with you the

college in this matter of resistance of payment of claim for L. rods etc and requested him, if he consents to

serve, to notify you so that you and he can arrange for presentation in the case.

I have been to conference and hence delay.

I trust you and Mr. Long to care for the interests of the College. Most truly,

W. W. Staley


My dear bro. Long:

Yours of 3rd

inst duly received. I will be at the College either on the 12th or 19

th. If I

defer to the 19th it will be with a view of spending a day at the Conference.

I inclose another check for $100- and I can let you have as much as $400- more when I come, if

that will suit you and then we can fix the papers. In the mean time, it might be best for you to send me

note for $200- which covers this check and the previous one – so that this matter would be straight in case

of the death of either of us. I will surrender all the little notes when I come and you give me one for all.

I am very busy. Love to all.

Yours truly

W. W. Staley


Prof. Holleman Treas

Dear Bro., Dr. Herndon writes me that he holds accepted paper from Dr. Long for $66.03 and asks me to

send him orders. Is it all right to do so?

Has the $25- note at First National Bank Durham been paid?

Can I send you order for $7.22 amt. past due on renewed paper to A-Dem. Seating Co?

I will be up either 17th or 19

th inst.

Love to all. Most truly,

W. W. Staley.


Mr. W. M. Whitten Mgr

Charlotte, N. C.

Dear Sir: Your of Oct 15th came when I was absent for two weeks.

The balance due on your claim is not now large, and if you will wait patiently it will be paid. It

would have been paid before now, if possible. There is no disposition to keep you out of your money.

Inability is our only excuse for delay. Men who sell on time may expect delay. But the College will pay

as fast as it can collect. The whole thing moves together. We have money enough due to pay all the

College owes, but cannot collect now. Payments will be made as fast as collections, and I hope you will

rest easy till your time comes. It will surely, Yours truly,

W. W. Staley Pres. E. C.


Prof. Jno. D. Roberts,

Berkley, Va.,

Dear Brother: Duty seems to require me to decline serving you on the 14th, though, personally, I would

be glad to officiate on that happy occasion. If it came on the 21st I could serve you as I will be at the

College that week.

Please allow me to extend congratulations in advance and to wish for you and Miss Jewell not

only a happy marriage, but grace to ? in the trials as well as the joys of your life.

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley


Rev. P. T. Klapp,

Dear brother: Please meet E. Board at Elon College at 10 a.m. Nov. 19th. I will leave Suffolk at

12:22 a.m. and reach Elon on early a.m. train from Raleigh.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, chir.


Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Dear brother: - Please meet with E. Board at Elon College 10 a.m. Nov. 19th. I will go up on early train

from Raleigh, leaving Suffolk at 12:22 a.m. – and making close connection at Raleigh.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, chir.


Rev. M. L. Hurley,

Dear brother: Please meet E. Board at Elon College at 10 a.m. Nov. 19th. I will leave Suffolk at 12:22

a.m. and reach Elon by early a.m. train from Raleigh.

Yours truly

W. W. Staley, chir.


Mr. M. H. Leonard, Treas.

My dear Sir: I will give you as nearly as I can the financial condition of Elon College, starting with the

time when I came into office on Pres. June 1894.

At that time the property was worth say $50,000.

The subscription list stood about 20,000

The indebtedness including interest about 20,000

Net assets estimated ____________ 50,000

$70,000 $70,000

I estimated the subscriptions to cash value of slow collection $ 5,000

Received ten bonds from ten men, payable in four equal

Instalments, since that time $1000.each, gilt edge 10,000.

In smaller sums of same class 4,000.

Have paid on debts to that time _ 1,500.

$20,500

Now trying to get $5000 more in bonds of same class

in sums of $500 each.

In other words the indebtedness is now say $18,000.00 +

Subscription list $20,000, estimated at $ 5,000.

Ten bonds $1000 each 10,000.

Bonds of various sums _4,000

$19,000

But $10,000. of debt bears interest

while bonds to College do not; but when we complete this new $5000. bonds that will carry us through.

The only trouble now is the delay in maturity of subscription bonds

Note; The letter is continued on page 92.

2.

The debts were in such shape that come claims had to be paid first. I think you are ??? and I will ??? your

paper till your turn comes I will look after the $7.27 interest past due, and also interest $7.75 on note due

Dec. 4. as soon as I can. I go to College Nov. 20th and will look after it then. Please send me note for

renewal of the $500- note in First National Bank of Durham, N. C.

It is not a very pleasant job to try to work a College out of debt, but I think it will come out. Let

creditors give time, and they will not lose in the end. Yours truly,



Hon. F. A. Palmer,

New York,

My dear Brother: If you will pardon me I will occupy your time a few moments in a way that you can be

of service to a good cause. I desire to write of three things, and on one especially, to ask your advice.

In June of this year I persuaded to become non-resident President of Elon College. I was under

conviction that my life-work was to preach the gospel and would not consent to devote any time to

College work. But they finally got my consent to manage finances and take general oversight of the

institution. In fact they wanted me to work the college out of debt. The indebtedness at that time was

about $20,000. This included interest accrued. The property estimated at $50,000. with subscription list

of $20,000, which I estimated at cash value of $5000. Since that time ten men have given gilt edged

bonds of $1000. each making $10,000. and smaller bonds have been taken of $4000. We are now trying

to get ten men to give $5000. each. These subscriptions are to be payable in four equal installments, the

first due in January 1895. When the Memorial Temple was conceived in Norfolk the Eastern Va

Christian Conference agreed to pay for the original Chapel purchased at a cost of $3,250.00. That

property was sold and the site of the Temple purchased. The interest on this has all been paid up to the

present time cash $250. of principal.

Note: The last sentence of this page of the letter is illegible. The letter is continued on page 94.

2.

been that the conference has contributed $400. a year to current expenses above the ??. The man who

administered the money wants to give the land to the conference and take their note for $3000 now due

him. But he makes this proposition: That if we will pay him $2500. in cash that he will give $500 to

Elon College. Now, I want to know if you will lend the Eastern Va Christian Conference $3000- which

would yield 6% interest and be perfectly good. That is the only debt the Conference owes. The

Conference would need time to pay principal, but interest would be paid promptly each year. Or, if you

would lend on $2500 it would secure his donation to the College in the form of a good Conference note at

6%. Our people here do not have large money or I could easily borrow it here. If you will pardon me I

will say that I only get a salary of $1200. and yet I have given on Suffolk church $2000 (paid) on the

College for $2110.00 ($1110.00 paid) and $1,000. to be paid in four years and have helped Norfolk too.

If I had the money I would lend it myself. You can lend us $2000. get your 6% on it and at the same time

help us to get $500 for the College. Help me to meet the man’s proposition in this way.

I was going to submit a plan for endowment and ask your advice, but I will not burden you with

that now. I will present it and get your views at some further time, if you do not object.

The College occupies a position to do much good and I want to see it clear of debt and then

remain so.

Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres E College


Rev. W. T. Herndon, Agt.

Dear Brother: Yours of recent date duly received. There is no money in Treasury and hence order would

do no good.

I received a letter from Col. J. S. Carr who says that he is not able to help us more. His own

church is $15,000 in debt and the Agricultural Society has been heavy on him.

I have written Mr. Palmer to see if he will lend E. Va Conference money enough to enable us to

accept Col. A. Savage’s proposition.

The Ex. Board will meet at the College at 10 a.m. Nov. 19th, and I hope we can put matters in

shape for a good period.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Col. J. S. Carr

Durham, N. C.

My dear Sir: Your esteemed favor of recent date duly received.

Please accept my thanks for your prompt and kind reply to by letter, and for your good wishes for

the interests involved.

I congratulate you upon the preeminent success of the State Fair and I hope that a revival in your

great



Rev. T. B. Dawson,

Bason, N. C.

My dear Brother: Your favor of Oct 25th has been received and noted.

I presume you mean to ask whether a church has the right to revise its roll of membership. It

depends upon what the question seeks to know as to how I would answer the question. On general

principles I think the church has the right to revise its roll of members; but there have been instances in

which revision was attempted for party reasons; i.e. where the church was split or divided into two parties

and one party attempted to revise the roll in order to get control. In such a case it has no right to revise.

But where all are agreed and the revision is done in love and to rid the active roll of names removed,

unknown, not located etc the right inheres in the church to revise. Yours truly, W. W. Staley



Dear Brother:

Yours received. I inclose orders. The one changed I have made the same number as the

one returned. I wish Miss Harward’s could have been more. As soon as you can collect more on a/c old

tuition I want her to have some more.

It will be right to accept J. A. Long’s draft on Dr. W. S. Long if Dr. Long is willing. It would

simply credit J. A. Long’s a/c and debit Dr. Long’s, and thus accommodate them and the college.

The request to purchase land was rejected and the other was referred to Finance Committee.

Please see that arrangement is made to give lessons lower than regular work in the Complete

Arithmetic to such as are behind in this study.

Four dollars per month is as much as the College ought to pay for rent of your Piano.

Yours truly

W. W. Staley


Mr. W. M. Wheeler, Mgr.

Charlotte N. C.

Dear Sir: Yours received and noted. I have instructed S. A. Holleman, Treasurer, to send you check for

$20.00.

I am very sorry of any delay in payments, but has been of necessity. You will get your money as

soon as the college can pay it and threats will neither give offense nor hasten payments.

Yours truly,



Mr. M. M. Leonard Treas

Dear Sir: Yours of 20th inst received and noted.

Perhaps you have already received check from S. A. Holleman, Treasurer, for $14.97 to pay

interest past due of $7.22 and interest due Dec. 4-7 of $7.75, as I made the order 22nd

inst. Please return

to me the old note of $466.12 renewed for 4 mos Oct 10 and also send new note $500- for renewal. I am

glad you see that I am doing all in my power to pay the indebtedness of the College and I will slowly

succeed. By your kind indulgence I hope finally to show you not only the best of intentions, but square

honest grit. Any man or institution in debt is at disadvantage I know, but time is a great help to honesty.

Yours truly,



Mr. W. M. Morgan, Cashier,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sir: Yours of 24th inst, forwarded from Elon College, reached me last night.

I regret very much the long delay in meeting the paper which you hold against Elon College. I

know your over-indulgence violates all Bank rules. But, as I told you in August in your office, I see no

way for payment till January and it would put me to some trouble to make new notes. My purpose is to

pay all in January next and, if I fail in that, I will make a good payment and new good note for remainder.

I think there is no doubt about paying you in full in January. I will thank you, therefore, to waive all rules

and kindly hold paper as it is till that time and let me know by January 10th exact amount due.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Pres. E. C.


Andrews- Demarest Seating Co.

Dear Sirs: Yours of 28th inst., acknowledging receipt of check for $14.87 discount on notes, received.

I inclose note of $500- to renew one for same amount due Dec. 4-7. Please return old note and

old note of $466.12 renewed Oct ???

Yours truly,



Miss Emma Harward: I promised to write you in November about Music in Elon College.

If we had the money to pay you we would be glad to employ you at once, but cash receipts do

not justify us in making you an offer. A special arrangement with Miss Irene Clements to assist Miss

Price therefore continues.

I regret also that necessary delay continues in the payment of what Elon owes you. But I cannot

help it, and, as you know, am not responsible for the situation. Prof. Holleman, Treasurer, will send you a

check this week for $10- and whenever it is possible more shall be sent you.

With the very kindest wishes for you always, I am, Respectfully yours,


Suffolk, Va., Nov. 29th, 1894

Miss Janie E. Price: I am in receipt of your esteemed letter of 27th inst., and I appreciate your situation;

but I see no way for immediate compliance with your request. The pressure of the times continues and

seems to touch every class of debtors. The most painful thing to me in my position as Pres. of the College

is the tardy payment of salaries; and yet I am powerless to hasten it. I see no way except for your

creditors to wait as the College is forced to do with its patrons. Your pay will come sometime and then

you can pay your obligations. Whatever I can do shall be done to hasten payments; but that is necessarily

little. I hope, therefore, that you will feel that I am doing all in my power to reach the very end you

desire.

I am much pleased to hear that your work is now moving with satisfaction.

Respectfully yours,




Dear Brother: Will you pardon me for asking you to press as tenderly and yet as strongly as possible

for prompt payments on account of Tuition, and also for payment of accounts of last year yet unpaid.

Miss Price writes me that she is greatly in need of $100- to pay debts of long standing and I am, of

course, anxious to see her have the money. I know you will understand me not as complaining but simply

as expressing my earnestness in this matter so vital to our existence. As you know I am in this service

under stern protest and would be out if there was any way of escape, yet while in it I am burdened with

anxiety for the payment of salaries and our only present resource is Tuition. Therefore, please do some

pleasant, firm work in this line suggested.

With best wishes always, Your truly


Suffolk, Va., Dec. 1st, 1894.

Prof. J. W. Newman,

Dear Brother: Yours of Nov. 28th received today. I am pleased to know that arrangement has been

made for elementary work in Arithmetic.

As to the question of Matriculation fee for pupils only taking Art only, I think it depends on

whether their names are to appear in the Catalogue. If they simply take lessons and their names are not

placed in Catalogue, then I think no fee should be collected. But Miss Berta may wish their names in the

Catalogue so as to make her class appear as large as possible, and her pupils (I mean those outside the

school) might also. In that case let such pupils lay half the fee.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Dec. 10th, 1894.

Mr. I. W. Norfleet,

Franklin, Va.,

Dear brother: Your favor of 6th inst. came in my absence last week, and in reply I am compelled to say

that is impossible for the College to pay your wife any money now and I cannot tell when it can. The

claim is considered safe, but collections are slow and debts that must be paid come first.

I regret this, but, so you know, I did not make the debts. I am trying to pay them gradually. I make no

promise to pay till money is in sight, but I am doing all I can to arrange for debts in time.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Rev. W. T. Herndon,

Sear brother: Yours of 8th inst. received today. The main thing is collections. I sometimes fear our

subscriptions will not pay the debts. It burdens me daily. I could bear the strain easily if I had no other

service on me; but my real work is all that my scales can bear in safety. Two Drafts one for $63. and one

for $87.00 = $100.00 pressing now. Do your best to collect enough to meet them. The check of Dr.

McWhinney, Holleman says has been returned to him unpaid. When you get to Elon see Holleman and if

necessary write the Dr. about it.

Glad you and bro. Peel have had such a good meeting.

In answer to your question I am compelled to say that I still think to accept the position in

violation of the highest conviction was the mistake of my life. But I am trying to do my duty the best I

know how.

Have not seen last report in Sun. Let me hear from you. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Dec. 12, 1894.

Mr. H. W. Trollinger,

Burlington, N. C.,

My dear Sir:- Yours of 8th inst received and noted.

Please send your paper to S. A. Holleman, Treasurer, Elon College, N. C., as he is the one who

accepts such paper. You may have to wait a while for it as the Treasury is very low. But you can send it

to him and find out. I am sorry for any delay, but the College has had a hard pull through the tight times;

but it looks now as if she would come out all right.

With best wishes, Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Prof. S. A. Holleman

Dear brother: Yours of 10th received and noted. I have written Dr. Herndon to see you about Dr.

McWhinney’s check and write him if necessary. I guess that will be all right in time. I have written him

also to try and collect money enough to meet Drafts $63.00 and $87.00 drawn by Dr. Newman. I am

unable to advise, except to kindly ask parties to hold till you have the money in hand.

As to acceptance for 25% of unpaid salaries, it was allowed by the Board, but only Dr. Long and

Dr. Newman have used the privilege, and I hope that no other member of the faculty will as it would only

complicate the debts and involve College in more tangle. I hope you will not use the privilege, not

because I would delay payments, but simply to prevent similar embarrassment to the present one.

Bro. Wellons has not yet sent me the deed that was made in summer. Besides I am not now

Secretary and Dr. Long has not acknowledged it before a notary. I cannot make out the a/c for coal, but I

suppose your request for order $78.49 is O.K. and I send it as ? Ellis ? $20.00 also ? $7.30.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Messrs. J. Southgate & Son

Durham N. C.

Dear Brother: In reply to your favor of 8th inst I am sorry to say that the delay has been mortifying to me

though not personally responsible for making the debt. In your office in August it was agreed that you

would wait till January 1895, when I promised to pay you if possible, and I have not forgotten the

promise. Thanking you for long indulgence, I am Yours truly,

W. W. Staley



Dear Brother: Yours received and I inclose orders a/c salaries as follows:

J. U. Newman $40-

J. O. Atkinson 40-

S. A. Holleman 37.50

W. P. Lawrence 22.50

Irene Johnson 22.50

Janie Price 20.-

Annett Graham 15 ----

Total $197.50

I hope Mrs. Holleman got goods sent by express all right. I did best I could for her. I paid Bill

here $3.00 and inclosed Bill which Mrs. Holleman may pay to Bessie Staley and let Bessie receipt Bill.

No a/c here. I simply paid cash and had them present Bill so she could see what it was.

Love to all. Very busy. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley



Dear brother: Brother Wellons has sent me the deed dated April 21st 1894. It is signed by W. S. Long

Pres. and W. W. Staley Secretary with seal of College attached, but neither signature has been

acknowledged before a notary. The consideration is $35.00. The other deed you gave me is dated March

1st 1894 and signed by W. S. Long Pres but signatures not acknowledged. The consideration in this is

$19- W. S. Long is not now Pres. and I am not Secretary now. I see no way but to prepare another deed

of present date and let me acknowledge it as Pres. and forward to J. H. Fleming Secy for his. The

difference in measurement of these two deeds is about 1/5 of an acre and hence $14.00 difference in

consideration. You can see that I am after simply doing my official duty in the ? and there is no special

loss in delay. It seems to me that a new deed will put in best shape. Be sure to look after matriculation

fees after Christmas. Count mine paid whether check gets in on time or not. Holiday greetings to you

and family.

Yours truly W. W. Staley

Note: The letter that follows on page 114 appears to be a duplicate of this letter.



Dear brother:- Brother Wellons has sent me the deed dated April 21st, 1894. It is signed by W. S.

Long, Pres. and W. W. Staley Secretary with seal of college attached, but neither signature has been

acknowledged before a Notary. The consideration is $35.00 The other deed you gave me is dated March

1st 1894 and signed by W. S. Long Pres but signature not acknowledged. The consideration in this is $19-

W. S. Long is not now Pres. and I am not Secretary now. I see no way but to prepare another deed of

present date and let me acknowledge it as Pres. and forward to J. H. Fleming Secy for his. The difference

in measurement of these two deeds is about 1.5 of an acre and hence $14.00 difference in consideration.

You can see that I am after simply doing my official duty in the ? and there is no special loss in delay. It

seems to me that a new deed will put in best shape. Be sure to look after matriculation fees after

Christmas. Count me paid whether check gets there time or not. Holiday greetings to you and family.


Note: This letter appears to be a duplicate of page 113.


Prof. W. T. Herndon Agt

Dear brother: Your favor of 18th inst received today. I am glad you struck Linville so as to aid or

conduct bro. Peel’s meeting and that you had such pleasant results. He needed help and they needed the

conversions.

I hope the $55.00 ? check will come out all right. I don’t see how it could be otherwise. I am

glad you got the $500. Bond. Now must come collection of first installment of these bonds in January.

Will you collect those here or must I look after them? January will be a busy month. I want every cent

possible collected in that month so as to pay off as far as we can. The Bank paper in Durham and

Southgate is all that I have promised. That will take Lee, Lee, Jones, Holland, Truitt, Numey and Staley’s

payment. I want to see the debts paid, but it is an uphill business and a muddy road at that. Sometimes it

alarms me and sometimes I feel hopeful Yours truly, W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Dec. 22nd

, 1894.

Rev. Jas W. Wellons,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Yours of 20th duly received. There is nothing the E. Com. can do at that time, I

mean 1st of January, that will justify expense of my coming. Later we will have a meeting. I shall be

busily engaged at that time. Matters are in shape so that no additional debt will be made and the only

thing we can do would be to receive Agent’s monthly reports which may be received later. It will cost

me, or the college, $12.00 to go and return, besides the loss of time to my work and I cannot spare it.

With holiday greetings in advance, I am,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Dec. 31st, 1894.

Rev. W. T. Herndon Agt

My dear Brother: Yours of 24th and 29

th both received.

I will try to collect the first installments of the seven $1000. bonds here, and when collected will

place checks in Farmers Bank here to the credit of S. A. Holleman Treasurer and make order upon him

for same. Morehead Banking Co. and J Southgate and Son for long past due insure will be paid first.

I have seen bro. E. E. Holland about the loan to E. Va Conference to secure the $500- from Col.

A. Savage to College. He thinks a Deed of Trust on the Norfolk property for which the Conference

would have a clear Deed would be ample security for the loan. The moral obligation of the Conference

would be good with that. Col. Savage has not withdrawn his proposition to me and I suppose it is still

good. If we could get $3000- as a loan to the Conference it would give us $500- at once to pay debts on

College: $2500. in cash would secure a Note of $500. for College. If. Dr. Wait’s bequest of $1000. is for

Endowment, we could not use it otherwise. I have not heard particulars yet. Write Col. Savage as soon

as you know the money can be secured and I will then write Dr. Bennett as chir of E. Con. and conf.




Dear Brother: Yours of Dec. 24 and 25 both received. Do not even think that letters worry one. The

only thing that worries one is that one can do little to help.

I inclose orders in favor of Gin & Co. a/c J. U. Newman for $63.00 in favor of W.T Herndon

$58.83 a/c W. S. Long, in favor of H. W. Trollinger a/c W. S. Long $3.00 and in favor of J. U. Newman

$4.45 a/c work on rooms and in favor of S. A. Holleman $30.00 a/c salary ’93 ? and in favor of Emma

Howard $15.00 a/c salary ’93 ?: Total College fund $129.28 and total tuition for ’93-’94 $45.00 = total

of $174.28. The remainder of the list of ? drafts we will pay $37.40 total as soon as we get the money;

but cannot obligate to pay any others. I have made your $30. and Miss Howard’s $15- because I know

she needs it very much. I hope this will be satisfactory to you. I have no Blank Deeds. You fill out one

send to me and I will sign, acknowledge, attach seal and forward to Fleming. I may possibly have E.

Board meeting January 21st at night. I cannot yet tell.

I believe I have covered all in your letters. I’ll send check for Matriculation of children as soon

as I can. It takes all I can do now to pay my college subscription January 5th of $250-. I do not send

Tuition Bill now. I’ll fix that later.

I want to collect on big notes here next week and I will place in Farmers Bank to your credit and

then send you check book and draw orders. Morehead Banking Co. and J. Southgate & Son for Insurance

must be paid first. Yours truly, W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., January 3rd

, 1895.

Mr. J. M. Price,

Ronceverts, W. Va.

Dear Sir: Your letter of 2nd

inst received today, and in reply I will say that I sincerely regret that either

you or your daughter should feel that officials of the College have not made the matter satisfactory. It has

been a case of pure inability to pay caused by the long continued money stringency. During this period

Rail Road Corporations have delayed payments or paid in script and all financial institutions have

struggled for existence. It is not surprising that a young educational institution has run behind in paying

its teachers. The college has enough due it to pay all obligations, but it is almost impossible to collect. It

would be fruitless to distress the College, in the way you intimate, and I think the right and safe way will

be to wait patiently. I came into office last June and the time has been too short for me to accomplish

much yet in the payment of debts, but I can assure you that I will do all in my power to see that your

daughter is paid; but it would be folly in me to say when unless I knew. I will see Miss Janie when I go

up to the College again and I think I can arrange with her then as to give her satisfaction.

Very truly yours. W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., January 8th, 1895.

Mr. W. C. Iseley,

Burlington, N. C.

Dear Brother: Your favor of 7th inst containing Bill for $5.55 and Postal card from Dr. W. S. Long has

been received. I did not know of the a/c before, and it is not listed in unpaid accounts ? in Treasurer’s

Report last June. Dr. Long may have mentioned the matter to Prof. Holleman who is the Treasurer. I see

the a/c is made out against me. I have never made any order upon you for goods and no a/c should be

against me unless I had. It should be made out against Elon College, by order of Dr. Long, if that is the

way it was. If you will make out such a Bill and send to me, I will present it to the proper committee for

approval. I hope this will be satisfactory.

With best wishes for you and yours, I am - Yours truly, W. W. Staley, Pres E. C.

Suffolk, Va., January 8, 1895.

Rev. W. S. Herndon Agt

Dear Brother: Yours of 5th inst received today. I have credited W. J. Lees Bond of $1000- with $200-

1st installment. You did not give date of payment.

We could not use legally the $500- Endowment in the way you suggest. It must be kept separate,

and invested, in accordance with the will of the donor.

The financial outlook is tame. A tendency toward permanent low prices means uphill business in

paying debts contracted under booms and inflated values. This is, of course, a misfortune to Elon and a

hardship on those who struggle to raise money and to pay its debts. If I was in the work under conviction

of duty as you are I would not count it a burden. I have never felt burdened when acting under clear

conviction; I have always felt so when not. Yours truly, W. W. Staley, Pres. E. C.


Miss Berta Moring: I have received and carefully read your letter of 7th inst; and in reply will say that it is

impossible for me to give any satisfactory answer to your inquiry. All that I do is open to the College

authorities. This, and all my official correspondence, is copied, and all letters received are filed. I have

no confidential correspondence, for the reason that it would involve me in apparent inconsistencies. In

matters of this sort, I express myself only in my official capacity. But I will say this: that the matter will

determine itself by June and that will be in time for you to settle the question of taking vocal lessons at

the “New England Conservatory” next summer. As you say yourself that you would not put in an

application unless Miss Price decided not to return, it would also be premature in me to express an

opinion till that fact is known. I hope this will be satisfactory now and I assure you that I will not hesitate

to give you my opinion when the proper time and conditions come. Most respectfully,


Suffolk, Va., Jany 11th 1895.

Rev. W. T. Herndon, Agt,

Dear Brother: Inclosed please find checks as follows for College:

P. H. Lee $250. 1st installment

E. E. Holland 250. “ “

G. W. Truitt 250. “ “

G. W. Nurney 250. “ “

W. W. Staley 250. $1250----.

When you turn them over to Prof. Holleman and take his receipt tell him to deposit them where

he did W. J. Lee’s check for $250- and I will send orders for disbursement next week. W. H. Jones is not

due till July 10th. I did not know that till this week.

Do please collect up all notes or obligations of this class and let me know. Of the $2000- of same

class you ought to get in now $750- I want to pay Morehead Banking Co. in full. If Jones had been due,

I could get $250 from smaller one, and I am- Yours truly,



Hon. Lee S. Overman,

Pres. N. C. D. of S. R. R Co.

Salisbury, N. C., Dear Sir: I congratulate you, though at this late date, upon your promotion to the

Presidency of the N.C.D. of the southern R. R. Co., and I trust it may widen the field of your useful life.

What I say below may make the above look like toffy, but it is not; and I assure you it is a sincere

expression from my heart. But I will take advantage of your position to make a request which, if you can

grant consistently, will be received with thanks; but if not no harm will be done except this intrusion

upon your time.

As you know I am non-resident President of Elon College N. C. and have to go there frequently

to look after its interests. The college is struggling to pay its debts, it has been and will continue to be a

contributor to the Railway, and if you could secure me a Pass from Selma to Elon College for 1895 it

would save the College my expenses and I serve without pay. I need not particularize.


Suffolk, Va., January 14, 1895.

Prof. S. A. Holleman, Treasurer,

Dear Brother: Enclosed please find orders as follows:

Morehead Banking Col, $1350.00 Bills Payable

J. Southgate & Son, Insurance $153.00 “ “

$1503,00

This pays Southgate a/c as I understand it. Just let Morehead Banking Co credit Note with payment and

hold it till balance is paid. I will write them also asking the same thing. It is painful to me not to be able

to pay off the college debts: but maybe we have much to be thankful for in this effort.

It is my purpose to come up to the College next Monday evening and remain till Wednesday.

Mr. Paul Hosier will come from Suffolk on Thursday of this week to enter Elon. He will be

Academia. He wants to join club. J. Walter Hosier and S. S. Hosier will be responsible for his College

expenses, though I have told him that half of Tuition is due in advance. Please tell Prof. Lawrence of his

coming to save me a letter to him. Yours truly, W. W. Staley, Pres E. C.

Suffolk, Va., Jany 14, 1895.

Mr. W. M. Morgan, Cashier,

Durham, N. C. Dear Sir: I have instructed Prof. S. A. Holleman Treasurer to send you a check for

$1350- payment on a/c Note held by Morehead Banking Co against Elon College. I promised to pay in

full in Jany, but one bond for $250- to College does not fall due till July and hence this much failure.

The Agent had not informed me that the bond went over till July. I will ask you, therefore, to credit the

note with $1350- and hold it till I can see the remainder paid. I know this is not exactly business, as

Banks call business, for I am some what acquainted with Banks, but it will accommodate the College and

I think you see that you are pretty safe.

Paying debts for a College is pretty tough work, but I hope you will get remainder in July. Send

me some statement after this payment is made as to what the amount will be July 10th, 1895.

Thanking you for indulgence, I am,

Yours truly,



Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of recent date was duly received.

I congratulate you upon the successful entertainment by your S. School Christmas, and also upon

the present of 3 turkeys and bucket of oysters.

It is my purpose to go to Elon next Monday, 21st on evening train. I will leave there Wednesday,

a.m. Please go up so we can have meeting of Executive Committee Monday night.

I have sent up $1350- to Herndon and W. J. Lee had sent $250. and so I have ordered paid

Morehead Banking Co. $1350- and J. Southgate & Son $153-.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley-


Rev. P. T. Klapp,

Dear Brother: It is my purpose to come up next Monday evening and I hope you can arrange to be there

so we can have a meeting of Executive Committee, Monday night Jany 21st. I will leave there

Wednesday A.M.

With best wishes for you and yours I am Always, Yours truly,

W.W. Staley.


Rev. W. C. Herndon Agt

Dear Brother: It is my purpose to come to Elon next Monday evening 21st and to hold meeting of

Executive Committee that night, and I have so notified Hurley, Wellons and Klapp.

Do all you can to collect ¼ of those subscriptions taken in that section this year. We must be at it

will all our might if we pay the debts of college and that is what we are expected to do.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.



Charlotte, N. C.

Dear Sir: Your favor of 15th inst received today. I am, as you may not know, only non-resident Pres.

I did not know details of the transaction about piano. In reply to your urgent request for settlement, I beg

to say that payments are made as fast as money is in hand, and I hope you will just wait patiently till all is

paid. This is right, and that is all that can be done. It is a principle in business practice to wait with

honest debtors who can not meet their obligations. Force is used only when debtors refuse or try to

prevent payments. In this case it is simply a question of time. I hope this will be satisfactory, as it is all

that I can promise. It may come sooner than you expect. I will do all I can, but I cannot tell and therefore

do not promise.

Thanking you for indulgence, I am,

Yours truly,

P. S. I am going up to College W. W. Staley, Pres. E. C.

next Monday.


Messrs J. Southgate & Son

Durham, N. C.

My dear Bros: I desire to have you renew again the Policies which expire February 1st and 15

th but

the college is compelled to again ask time. Money has been used, as fast as collected, in paying debts,

and collections are still very short. If you will renew and give ample time for slow payment, I will greatly

appreciate your kindness and do all in my power to pay. I would prefer a Note to be held by you and not

placed in Bank, if you can do that, as I will see it paid as soon as College can get money in hand any way.

If you consent to renew, fill out Note for premium and forward to me and I will sign and return.

Thanking you for past favors with College, I am, Fraternally and truly yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres. Elon College

277059 Va F and Son 2500. Building

58?17 NC ??? 2500. “

865 Springfield 2500. “

33?59 Phenix B 2500. “

57740 W. C. H?? 2000. Boarding Dept `

12000.

Suffolk, Va., Jany 30th, 1895.

Rev. P. T. Klapp,

Elon College, N.C.

My dear brother: Your card of yesterday informing me that you went to Raleigh in the interest of the

State Temperance question, and that you got brother Fleming to draw up a proper counter petition, to

meet the petition to reduce the Corporation limits of Elon College, and that you took the liberty to sign

my name to it, as a member of the Executive Committee, meets with my approbation and if necessary,

you can use this letter to prove your authority to sign my name. I do not think we are in any danger of

losing ground and we must see that we do not if it comes to an issue.

I remained at home only 12 hours, though Mrs. Staley was sick in bed, as I was called to Suffolk

by telegram on account of death of Mrs. Wellons.

With Christian regards to you all, I am,

Sincerely, your brother,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., February 1st, 1895.

Prof. S. A. Holleman, Trea.

Dear brother: Yours of 29th ult received. I will care for the $500- Certificate of Deposit, Endowment

Fund, from First National Bank of Durham, N. C. till you need it.

I inclose orders in favor of J. T. Cobb a/c wood 16 cords $24.00

“ “ “ “ York Edwards & Co store bill 6.15

“ “ “ “ J. A. Whitmore on a/c 2.50

Total $32.65

to be used in adjustment of account as your letter intimates.

I hardly know what to say about note held by W. A. Olmstead. I had hoped that Dr. Herndon

would collect enough to pay it.

Andrews-Demarest Seating Co. want at least $25.67 by February 13th as that would bring note

then due down to $450. It is now $466.12 due + 9.55 int = $925.67 Feb, 13. Can you alert me to send

you an order in the favor for $25.67 and if Dr. Herndon cannot get the money for Olmstead, we will have

to renew if they will allow us to do so. I will write them and find out.

Just do all you can to in matriculation fee question to get it. It is a huge question and I meant

simply to expect my opinion and not to make a ruling. Let it be understood that no one can register

without Treasurer’s receipt for the fee. That’s as far as I can go till I come. Yours truly,


Suffolk, Va., February 4th, 1895.

Mr. M. H. Leonard, Treasr

Andrews-Demarest Seating Co,

Dear Sir- I will instruct our Treasurer, S. A. Holleman to send you check for $25.67 in response to

your letter of January 30th. That is all it is possible to do now. Please make new note for 4 mos for $450-

when you receive above named check – and forward to me for signature. Be sure also to retain old note

so I can place it on file.

I have sent you all that is essential for you on the financial condition of the College; and you must

trust my official word more than figures. The College made a great mistake in the purchase of the chairs,

but if the college keeps them it will pay for them sometime.

Your truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E. College


Mr. W. A. Olmstead,

Chicago, Ill.

Dear Sir: It will be impossible for the College to pay your note of $97.72 due 13th inst, as I said to you

in my letter of Sept. 12th 1894. I hope, therefore, that you will hold it patiently or send new note for

renewal and a check will be sent for interest. If you will allow the College to renew again for 6 mos I

think it will be paid at maturity, if not before. My letter of Sept 12th explained the nature of this delay and

I hope this will be satisfactory. I hope therefore you will recall note from Bank of Guilford Greensboro

N. C. and not allow note to go to protest.

Yours truly,



Mr. Wm. M. Bogart, Cashier,

Greensboro, N. C.,

Dear Sir: Your Notice of Note in favor of W. A. Olmstead for $97.72 due February 13th has been

forwarded to me from Elon College.

I have written Mr. Olmstead about the matter and I hope you will wait until I hear from him. I

presume he will answer me in a few days and I hope to arrange with him for renewal.

Your truly,


Prof. S. A. Holleman, Treas

Elon College, N. C.

Dear brother: - Thanks for privilege to send order for $25.67 in favor of Andrews-Demarest

Seating Co. Please send check to them at once.

The orders to favor of Coble and Edwards said Tuition because they were to be paid by tuition. If

you prefer to keep the a/c otherwise I will change the orders in that respect when I come again. Make

note of it and call my attention to it when I come.

I think Prof. Scholz is going to Mr. Winborne’s to study and not to the College. Prof. K’s school

did not pay enough to meet expenses and Prof. Scholz preferred to give his whole time to his A. M.

course the remainder of this session. The people regret very much his going away.

Herbert Holland left this morning for Elon. You will find him bright in Math and I hope you will

be able to get good study out of him.

I have written Olmstead and Guilford Bank too. Glad when that work goes well.

Love to all.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E.C.


Messrs J Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.

Dear Sirs: Yours of 1st inst duly received. I thank you for renewals. Add $2000. to the old sum on

Main College building and date it with February 1st if as you say you can do so. After the 15

th send all the

policies to me and make out a note with long time and I will sign, return, and pay as soon as we can spare

the money.

Yours truly,



Rev. W. C. Herndon Agt

My dear brother: Yours of 3rd

received too late to post the good news of $2000. by will for Elon

College. But it may do you good to know that $1000. without name or locality is already added to that in

the same way and in ?. I may, therefore, say $3000 in the Suffolk, letter next week.

I have placed $20,000. with Southgate & Son. If Tate and Albright can save us enough on a/c for

Adams and a subscription from them and I will risk $2000. more on Main Building and give it to them

provided they will take note and in that case one year only for the present.

We need $100. to meet W. A. Olmstead note due at Bank of Guilford, Greensboro N. C. February

13th. Is it possible to turn in that much by 11

th? Do your best brother, as I hardly know what to do in this

case; but we will get out some way if worst comes. Make this special case ground of appeal.

This is the sixth letter at this sitting on College affairs.

Herbert Holland left for Elon this morning.




Mr. M. H. Leonard Treasr


Dear Sir: Yours of 6th inst received today and I return note $450- for renewal duly signed and I

hope check for $25.67 and payment on old note has been received and if so please return old note and

oblige,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres. E. College.



My dear Brother: Yours of 12th inst received today and I inclose following orders as you request.

J. U. Newman Salary Tuition - - - $80-

J. O. Atkinson “ “ - - - 80-

S. A. Holleman “ “ - - - 75-

W. P. Lawrence “ “ - - - 45-

Irene Johnson “ “ - - - 45-

Annie Graham “ “ - - - 30-

Janie Price “ “ - - - 40-

J.O. Atkinson (Curator) Librarian Metric 50--

Total - - - $445.

I have arranged to renew W. A. Olmstead’s note for 6 mos as you have not enough to ? of College Funds

to pay. There debt is too much and I may make them offer for their note.

I may, a little later, send order in favor of Southgate & Son on a/c of insurance for $100- I will

see what I can do with Olmstead first, perhaps.

I will let you know of course.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., February 14th 1895.

Mr. W. A. Olmstead,

182 & 184 Wabash Ave.

Chicago, Ill

Dear Sir: The continued hard times make it plain to me that Elon College will be a long

time in paying its debts. I hate to see unpaid ? so far away, even when allowed to make new notes. Of

course the College has no financial rating and you could make nothing out of your claim by law as the

College is under mortgage. The only security you have is moral security. I was pressed into service

against my will as non-resident Pres and if I were to go out I cannot tell how you would come out, though

I intimated in my last that I hoped your paper would be paid at maturity after 6 mos. But I thought I

would make you this preposition as you are at so great a distance: If you will take $70 in check now for

your claim I will see that you get money, if I have to put up my private funds to meet it. Otherwise send

on note for renewal at 6 mos. and send exact amount of interest to date now due.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley Pres.

Suffolk, Va., Febry 25th, 1895.

Messers J Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sirs:- Your esteemed favor of 16th inst was received Saturday night 23

rd inst. and contained

Policies on Elon College for $14000. and Note at four months (of $175-) from 15th of this month which I

have signed and inclose in this. I am sorry to have to give a Note, and will do all I can to take it up at

maturity, if not before. I thank you for the indulgence you offer if I fail to pay at maturity.

Thanking you for good wishes, I am now and always, Fraternally yours,


Suffolk, Va., March 4, 1895.

Odell Hardware Co,

Greensboro, N. C.,

Dear Sirs: Your of Febry 21 came by the course of mail, but I was absent and engaged in a meeting and

hence delay and perhaps to you seeming neglect. I hope, therefore, you will pardon delay in my answer.

Your claim, as I understand it, and as reported by College Treasurer June 1894 under

Bills Payable was $105.

Paid May 27, 1895- - - - $ 25

Leaving our note including interest - $ 80.

The delay in payment has been caused by inability on the part of the College to collect Enough in

due College to pay all of its obligations but at a time when Corporations with earning capacity have

struggled for existence educational institutions, depending upon gifts, have to wait. Your claim is amply

secured and that ought to satisfy you till the College can pay. Creditors rarely distress creditors who

secure them and who do not try to avoid payment. The authorities are as anxious to pay as you are to

receive. I assure you that it is painful to me to even ask for time. I hope, therefore, that you will wait

patiently till we can resolve your claim.

I will make this proposition as a person and not as an official. If you will name the least cash that

will satisfy you in full, I will consider it and, if possible, make some time to take up your paper. Yours

truly, W. W. Staley, Pres E. C.


Mr. Alex Rogers,

Graham, N. C.,

Dear Sir: Yours of February has been on my desk some time, but an absence of one week, and a

protracted meeting, have delayed me in my answer to your inquiry.

I assure you that nothing but lack of funds has delayed the payment of your claim against the

College. I cannot say when you will be paid, but as soon as Elon can do so. It is as hard, for the College

to collect money as for others; and deferred payments seem now to be the rule now.

If you will offer a liberal discount on your claim I will make a special effort to satisfy you.

Kindly let me know what is the least cash that will satisfy you in full.

Yours truly,


Suffolk, Va., March 4th, 1895.

Prof. J. U. Newman,

My dear Brother: Absence, protracted meeting, and press of work, have delayed my answer to yours of

Feb. 20th up to the point of apparent neglect.

As to the letter from Mr. A. M. Blount, I know nothing of it, and have nothing to say.

If possible to repair and make water closet do till vacation by all means do it and at the least cost.

If that cannot be done, it will be considered by Committee 19th inst.

I will be there in March on evening train Monday 18th and leave on noon train

Wednesday 20th. I may be able to go over Catalogue with you and will gladly do so, if I have the time.

Excuse this long delay.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.




My dear Brother: Yours of March 1st received today.

I have written Odell Hardware Co. to ask what is the least cash they will take in full payment of

their claim. I understood this claim to be, as reported by Treasurer under Bills Payable last June of $105.

and Jany 22 ’95 $25- paid, leaving $80,00 + interest. Give yourself no trouble about their claim as I will

look after it. The delay in my reply to them was caused by absence and by time occupied in a meeting in

addition to regular duties. They are too vigorous, perhaps, over it. I will try to keep cool and do them

right, but I will protest in ?. I will be able to bring W. A. Olmsted’s note when I come, and the $100- you

speak of will be used wisely and may save you annoyance in the present case. Alex Rogers is anxious for

his money also. I have written to find out what is least cash will satisfy his claim. If he and Odell

Hardware Co. both discount liberally we may be able to pay both. They ought to. If Odell Hardware Co.

discounts liberally, I will try some way to take up their paper. I will be there March 18th.


W. W. Staley, Pres.


Miss Berta Moring: Absence and a protracted meeting in addition to regular duties have made this delay

too long in answer to your letter of February 19th.

I hardly know what to say in answer to your inquiry. The question of restoring the partition, if

needed in the future, would be involved in making the opening between the room you now use and the

one west of yours on the same side. However, if the Faculty thinks it a proper thing to be done, and in as

much as the interest of your department requires it I will give my consent. I presume, however, that there

will be some charge made by the committee for the extra rooms. But that could be adjusted easily on

what College owes you.

I feel sorry for delaying you, but I am so taxed that I hope you will excuse my seeming neglect of

your letter.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres


Prof. S. A. Holleman Treas,

My dear Brother: I inclose letter from Alex Rogers and receipt for $12.00 in full of his a/c which his

former letter says is $16.33. Your settlement last June says $15.33. I send order for $12.00 and you will

please send him check for same amount.

I have not heard from Odell Hardware Co. yet. I certainly will glad when we can get all the small

debts paid.

I have paid W. A. Olmsted and this note will be assigned to me and if committee is willing I will

let it go to the credit of my a/c in tuition. I presume they will, and especially since it is voluntary.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Dear bro. Herndon: Do not forget that next

Monday night is the time for E. Com. meeting

Suffolk, Va., March 14th, 1895. at College. I hope it will be convenient

Dear bro. Wellons: Your card of 13th duly re- for you to be present. I will come up Monday

ceived. I am glad to hear of the good work evening.

of the Spirit in your Congregation and join With best wishes always, I am

you in praise. Yours truly,

The Com. will meet next Monday W. W. Staley

night and I will be sorry if you cannot be

present. I will go up Monday afternoon by Suffolk, Va., March 14, 1895.

way of Durham and Northern Railway. Dear bro J. Hurley: Do not forget that next

Yours truly, W. W. Staley Monday night is the time for E. Com. to

meet at the College. I hope you will be able

to be in meeting as a meeting in Durham ?

may prevent bro. Wellons from attending.

With best wishes to you and family, I am,


Suffolk Va., March 25, 1895.


Dear Brother: Your favor of 23rd

inst received.

I am glad the final payment to Odell Hardware Company is reduced to $80-

I send orders as follows:

# 332 Odell Hardware Co. in full $80-

333 J. U. Newman old Salary 10.25

334 S. A. Holleman “ 35.

335 S. A. Holleman “ adjusted 25.

336 S. A. Holleman Water Closet 9.12

$159,37

I return Mr. Wheeler’s letter. If I understand his is open account. I have not decided whether I

will write him or wait and let him write. Or simply hold the check. I think nothing is justly due him but

the $20. I do not know what contract was. He ought to be glad any way to get the $20. I want to do

creditors right and I think this is.

Glad to hear Dr. Herndon is better and hope his wife is now and yours also. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mr. J. G. Montgomery,

Haw River, N. C.,,

My dear Brother: Your letter of 11th inst has been received and I was delayed in my answer being absent

last week.

I am very sorry of the long delay in the payment of your account by Elon College; but it has been

a very hard time to raise money by donations to pay debts. It has been almost impossible to do it. And I

understand Dr. W. S. Long really expected you to make the College a nice donation out of your balance. I

have no doubt that you are willing to do so. I will, therefore, make this proposition: If you will accept

$15.00 in cash in full payment of your a/c and allow the balance to go as a credit in the form of a donation

to the College, I will get the money for you, and see that you get the paper credit for your donation. In

view of the struggle of the college and the good it may do, I hope you will gladly accept.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mr. C. D. Turner, Atty.

Hillsboro, N. C.

My dear Sir:- Yours without place or date, except as I find it from Postmark on envelope, has been

received and noted.

I know nothing of the a/c you mention and do not think that Elon College owes Alex Webb

anything. There is nothing on the Treasurer’s Books to show any such a/c and further than his books I

know nothing.

I am sorry of any matter like this, but I am in no way responsible for it. Mr. Webb should have

put his claim in shape at the time the work was done, if not paid in full for it.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Andrews-Demarest Seating Co

#108 East 16th St. N. Y.,

Dear Sirs: Yours of 26th inst notifying me that note against Elon College for $500- would be due April

3-6 has been received.

If you do not accept my proposition, made a few days ago, please send note for renewal. It is

absolutely impossible to pay anything on the principal. Do not let note go to protest as I will not pay fee.

The proposition I made you was made in good faith as to your interest, and if you do not believe

me please file the letter and the future will prove that it is the best proposition that can possibly be made.

The paper has no commercial value and has only moral security, and I would not give $500. in cash for

both notes if I did not owe a subscription and could use it in that way. Yours truly,



Mr. Leo D. Heartly Cashier,

First Nat Bank, Durham, N. C.

Dear Sir: Your notice to me of note of Andrews-Demarest Seating Company against Elon College for

$500- due April 3-6 has been forwarded to me from Elon College.

The Company will take up the note on time, I think, as I have arranged with them to take up their

paper, when they send their notes to the Bank here in Suffolk. I presume, therefore, that they will attend

to it promptly.

Yours truly,


P.S.

The arrangement I have made with the Company to take up their paper is not in my official capacity,

but as an individual.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., April 2nd

, 1895.

Mr. A. W. E. Chapel, Treas.

Ramseur, N. C.,

My dear Sir: Your favor of March 29th has been forwarded from Elon College. I regret, as I said Oct.

6th, 1894, that you’re a/c remains so long unpaid.

You must know difficult it has been to collect money for two years past, and it is more especially

so on subscriptions.

I will make you this proposition which I think is the best for you. Of course I am not personally

liable for any thing and must act only as an official. But if you will accept check of $15.00 in full

payment of your $20.00 a/c I will see that it is sent as soon as you agree to accept it. I really think that it

is your interest to do so. Of course I want to do you fair and square and that is the best I can see now. Let

me hear from you at Suffolk, Va.

Yours truly,


Suffolk, Va., April 2nd

, 1895.

Prof. S. A. Holleman Treas.

My dear Brother: I inclose check for $3.24 from Fannie O. Kirkpatrick Admtrx Emmett B. Kirkpatrick.

I do not understand it you may. No letter came with it.

I have written J. G. Montgomery and Alberta Chair Company. Will write you when I hear from

them.

Seating Company accepted my proposition and wanted me to wait till June 14th for second note

$450.00 so they would not have to take it out of Bank till then. I wrote them to send both notes to

Farmers Bank with Draft on me attached for $700- and I would pay it up on delivery of notes. I have not

heard, but presume they will send them. I think this best for them and College and I hope I will come out

all right too.

Le me know if Mrs. Teague grows worse or should die. Truly W. W. Staley, Pres. E. C.

Suffolk, Va., April 6, 1895.

Miss Etta Taylor,

Callaway, Va.,

My dear Miss: Your letter of March 22nd

has been forwarded to me from Graham, N. C., and, in reply I

will say that I cannot say that Elon College, N. C., with which I am officially though not residentially

connected, will need your services for 1895 and 1896. I am not able to indicate any prospects, and I

prefer not to awaken false hopes in your mind.

I will, however, file your letter and, in case you fail to get a position and in case Elon College

needs assistance in Music, I can correspond with you on the subject.

Hoping that you may find a good position, I am, Respectfully yours, W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., April 8th, 1895.

Prof. S. Holleman Treas.

Dear Brother: Enclosed please find order for $15.00 which J. G. Montgomery agrees to accept in full

payment of his a/c of $31.93 against, allowing the difference to go as a donation. Please send him a

check and give him proper credit.

I have closed with Seating Company at $700. but one note has not reached Bank here. When it

does I will cash their sight Draft on me and the notes will be delivered to me by Bank.

Have not heard from Alberta Chair Co., offer for $15.00. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. J. G. Montgomery,

Haw River, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 4th inst has been received, and I have instructed Prof. S. A.

Holleman, Treas. to send you check for $15.00 in full of a/c and to give you credit for the remainder as a

donation to the College.

I thank you sincerely for your donation, as the College needs it; and I hope that you may prosper

in business and in faith.

Yours truly,



Mr.Jno. M. Cook,


Dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 4th inst. duly received and considered.

I am hardly prepared to write the petition you request me to write to the R. R. Commission in the

form of a complaint for a new waiting room at Elon, unless I knew that was the proper course to pursue.

It seems to me that a petition should first be addressed to the R. R. authorities and if they fail to grant it,

then complaint might properly be made to the R. R. Commission.

Of course I will do any thing legitimate to secure such improvement, but I must know what steps

are right before I act in the matter.

I hope, therefore, that I may be excused for not complying with your request till I hear from you

again.

Love to all – Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Prof. S. A. Holleman Treas

Dear Brother: J. G. Montgomery agreed to accept $15.00 in full of his a/c and allow difference as a

donation to college. Inclosed please find order in his favor for $15.00 in full for which please send him

check, Haw River, N. C., and give him proper cr. for balance- 31.93 -15.00 = $16.93.

Alberta Chair Co. agrees to accept $15.00 in full of a/c $20.00. I send order for same and you

will please send check and get receipt in full.

I make order on college fund though I am not certain whether you say $49. or 49th to Cr. of that

fund. I read it $49. before creating order.

Seating Co. accepts my offer to pay $700- for their notes = $950. I requested them to send Notes

with sight draft for $700. attached. The Draft and one note here in Bank and I will pay and get notes

when other one comes.

Post Graduates pay for Diplomas.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


A. W. E. Capel, Treas.

Alberta Chair Works

Ramseur, N. C.,

Dear Sir: Your favor of 6th inst reached me this morning and I have instructed S. A. Holleman Treas. to

forward you check for $15.00 in full payment of your a/c against Elon College

I am very sorry for any loss in profits in your transaction with Elon College, but I have offered

the best possible at the present time, and I really think you have acted wisely in accepting it. I thank you

kindly, however, for doing so, as it helps me that much in clearing the Institution of indebtedness.

Thanking you for patient indulgence and the discount you have allowed and wishing you

prosperity, I am,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres E. C.


Rev. W. T. Herndon, Agt

Dear Brother: Yours of April 4th informing me that you and Mrs. Herndon were both improving was

good news. I hope full restoration may soon be reached.

I would not venture too soon upon work. You will save time by going cautiously,

I have not felt in the right mood to write those whose names you mention. I am so completely

occupied in other directions that I hardly have time to get into it.

I have been doing what I could with debts. Have secured some discounts and I have taken up

Notes from Seating Company $950.00. Prof. Holleman can explain what I have done if you wish to

know.

In the main I will have to leave soliciting to you. I have all I can do otherwise; but if the matter

strikes me I will write to the parties you name in your letter.

`Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., April l1th, 1895.


My dear Sirs: Yours of 10th inst received and I am sorry you have such a poor opinion of Banks in this

section, but I feel sure the Bank here is as prompt as any Bank in NY. The Note from Durham came in

today and Draft was promptly paid, and I think you will find that returns will be promptly made to the

Astor Place Bank, very likely in the morning before this leaves Suffolk. Your presumption as to time it

will take our Bank to make returns is gratuitous and unjust, for the Bank and I have been tried by the

delay in the Note reaching us. I hope, however, that you will be satisfied with results in the matters and I

can assure you that I thank you kindly for cooperating with me in what I regard as the very best settlement

for you and the institution.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Mr. W. M. Wheeler Mgr.

Charlotte, N. C.

Dear Sir: Prof S. A. Holleman, Treas. has sent me your letter of April 3rd

in which you insist upon

immediate payment of balance on a/c of Piano.

So far as am ? all has been done that could be pay installments promptly. The short collections

made it impossible to do any better . Without multiplying words of explanation I hope you will

reconsider and accept; the check which we sent you in full payment of your a/c. I am sure that will satisfy

the law of equity and I do not see how the college can do any thing more. If we had the money, I could

rather pay the interest you claim than to write this letter and I am frank to say, that I think your best

course is to accept the tender of $20- as final payment. The check is still in Mr. Holleman’s hands and

will be returned to you whenever you are ready to receive it.

Yours truly,




Dear Sirs- Yours 10th inst came duly. I wrote Wheeler and he insists upon payment with interest. I do

not know what contract was nor in what shape it is. I cannot decide the question fully until I know.

I hold Andrews-Demarest Seating Co.’s Notes in my possession. Perhaps it will be as well for

me to keep them till E com. meets May 30th.

If you can figure out exactly what will be due Dr. W. S. Long May 20th, I think now that I will

make an effort to pay him in full, provided he will let the $1000. bond to College go into the settlement as

I understand Dr. Herndon to say he was willing. If he consents to that I will made an effort to settle in

full with him May 20 – Monday evening.

I notice in Sun that Catalogue was nearly ready for press. I hope it has not been let out at same

figures as last year. The job should be done for $50.00 at most I did not know that it was going to the

press so early.

I hope all goes well at College.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.



Charlotte, N. C. Dear Sir: Your favor of 13th received and considered.

I have offered all that funds will permit me to do, and I will investigate the contract when I meet

the Committee at the College May 20th. I will not express any opinion now except to say that I think you

stand in your own light not to accept the check already offered you in full payment of your a/c. It is

understood that you made your usual profit on this sale, if the marginal advertisement on your letter is

accepted, and in times like these and with a college having such a struggle to meet its obligations, I think

you might safely waive the question of contract. It is not a question for me personally, though officially I

try to act with you as squarely as if the matter was simply between you and me personally.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.



Dear Brother: Inclosed please find Martyn Summerbell’s check for $24.60 from Educational Fund Act.

for current year. This is first installment, and there will be another later. Please send him a Receipt for

same and place the check to credit of College fund.

I inclose letter from Mr. Wheeler. I have never known what the contract was, but have been

under impression that College was not to pay interest. Your are supposed to know the nature of the

contract, and if in your judgment you think we are bound for interest, you may change check to cover

interest and forward to him. I doubt the equity of it. I think he ought to be satisfied with principal in full.

Let me know as to Dr. W. S. Long’s matter referred to in the previous letter as soon as you can.

I am figuring on making another big payment by May 20th. I will let you know by that time.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. W. M. Wheeler, Mgr.,

Charlotte, N. C.,

Dear Sir: Your favor of 17th received and noted.

The college has “taken” no time in delay, all delay has been “forced” by inability to pay sooner. I did not

know till very recently that you claimed interest on deferred payment and do not now know whether such

was the agreement. You presume that I know all about it, but have known nothing except that a Piano

was purchased and to be paid for by installments, and since I have been connected with it I have ordered

these payments as fast as we had the money. When the last check was sent in you refused to accept it, the

Treasurer says. I have written Prof. Holleman to find out what the contract was. I only think you ought

to accept the check for face of a/c. I am not trying to beat you out of any money. I am simply trying to

do my duty toward you and the College. I hope you will wait till I hear from Prof. Holleman and till you

hear from him before taking legal steps. I am sure you will suffer less, if you use such a method. You

ought to know that you could not collect what you claim by law in N. C. But that is not the question. If

you give me time to find out what duty is, it will be done, but I know now that your interest is to accept

the check offered. Yours truly,



Rev. Martyn Summerbell, D.D.,

Sec. for Education A.C. C.,

Lewiston, Maine,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 16th inst, containing check for $24.60 in favor of Elon

College, N. C., has been received and the check has been forwarded to Prof. S. A. Holleman Treas with

instructions to send you a receipt for same.

As you know the Southern Churches have contributed so far very little to any fund except that of

Foreign Missions. I mean for A.C.C. departments. But we are loaded heavily and it will take time to get

in line in all departments. Five in my church subscribed to Elon College in 1894 $5000. and a/c has been

paid. But I thank you in behalf of Elon for this $24.60 though we do not contribute much from South to

this fund.

With best wishes always for you and your work I am – Sincerely and fraternally yours,



Miss Janie E. Price,

My dear Miss: Your letter of 18th inst came by due course of mail, but my absence last week delayed

my answer.

I am unable to say what sum can be paid on your back salary by June. It is not to me a personal

question at all, though it is of course to you. I am in no sense under personal obligation to any one, and

am under the same official obligation to all creditors. I am not justified in making any promise beyond

money in hand as I can not possibly tell how much will come into the Treasury. I will do all in my power

to ? you ? in the matter, and it is painful to me not to be able to pay the full amount due.

I hope this will be satisfactory to you so far as my obligation is involved. Respectfully,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. Dr. W. S. Long,

Graham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Prof. Holleman has handed me your letter to him of 19th inst in which you express

your unwillingness to make a final settlement with the College by accepting an offer of $1000. which is

the face of your bond to the College, partly on the ground that the conditions were not met. The bonds

show that every condition in the bond has been fully met.

If you will pardon me for expressing myself, I think the proposition for settlement is to your

interest. Your total claim against Elon May 20, 1895 will be E&DE $3165.91

The College claim against you “ “ “ Bond of $1000.

W. W. Staley’s note Nov 19 1894 and int 6 mos. “ 832 1832.

Net due you May 20 1895 - - - - - - - - $1333.91

It seems to me that a final settlement now would be more satisfactory to you than to defer the

matter and receive it by parts.

I have paid my Bond of $1000. in full to the College. I have paid Seating Co in full: nearly all of

$1679. to M. C. Co.: the Chicago Note in full: Odell S. I. Works in full; many small a/c; so much on

salaries. I am doing all in my power to extricate the institution from debt. If you do not accept the

proposition for final settlement; it must be understood to release me from any personal obligation to you

in the ?, as I will use the funds in final settlement of other claims. If you consent to final settlement I will

try have money ready before you start. Let me know.

Sincerely yours, W. W. Staley, Pres.


Prof. Holleman,

Dear Brother: I presume you have received the orders sent as follows:

J. U. Newman a/c salary 56.

J. O. Atkinson “ 56.

S. A. Holleman “ 52.50

W. P. Lawrence “ 31.50

Irene Johnson “ 31.50

Janie E. Price “ 28.

Annie Graham “ 21.

??? Holleman Piano Rent 10.

$286.50

I have written Dr. W. S. Long. There can be no trouble. Matters are all in good shape for settlement

sometime. It is simply a matter of choice whether he elects to settle now. If he declines he takes his

chances in his own hands. I will write you when I hear from him. I think he loses an opportunity if he

declines final settlement now. That is my judgment now at present and which the future will confirm or

disprove.

I hope Catalogue will be good work. Have you arranged for new ? in it? I mean one word in

Centennial Sun? It should be

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., April 30, 1895.

Prof. Newman,

Dear Brother: I received your letter of 24th inst last Saturday but could not reach it till now as I had such

a pile to answer.

I have no objection to the stairway and floor on second story of Tower proposed by young man

without cost to the College. The matter was mentioned when I was there and my consent given but I

presume it escaped your mind in the midst of so many cares. I would be glad for them to make as sightly

a job as they can. Strangers make up judgments principally by what they see.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., May 3rd

, 1895.

J. A. Long, Esq.,

Graham, N. C.,

My dear Sir & Brother: I am in receipt of you letter of yesterday making inquiry about the chance for

Miss Julia to secure a position in the department of Music next year.

I am unable to say now what will be done. The Board last June advised the E. Com. to secure her

to assist this year, if assistance was needed, but she was in school at Raleigh and hence another was

employed. That looks to be in her favor next year.

I will go up to Elon May 20th from Raleigh and you can place application and other papers in my

hands then or later and I will present them at the proper time, say June 11th,

before the Board of Trustees.

With best wishes for you and yours always,

I am--------- Sincerely and fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


, 1895.

Mr. Holland Thompson,

Chapel Hill, N. C.,

My dear Brother: I am in receipt of your favor of April 29th making inquiry about a probable vacancy in

the Department of English at Elon College for next year.

So far as I know see there will be no vacancy in that Department the next scholastic year.

Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


, 1895.

Prof. W. P. Lawrence,


My dear Brother: I am in receipt of your esteemed favor of April 29th in which you state the terms on

which you will remain at the head of the Department of English next year.

While I have no authority to speak for the Board I am confident that they will be willing to do all

that you have named. But whether they will be able to do it fully is the more difficult question to decide.

But as you intend to hold the matter open till Commencement, the matter can have a full answer at that

time.

I have received an application from Holland Thompson, Chapel Hill, N. C., for the place and

have written him today that there was no vacancy.

I hope matters may turn so as to keep you in place.

With respect always,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


, 1895.

Prof. W. T. Herndon, Agt.

My dear Brother: Your letters of April 16th and 30

th both received and carefully noted.

I return Mr. Geo. Watt’s letter and am thankful for his donation of $300.00.

I have written Rev. Dr. W. S. Long about a full settlement and will arrange for it if he consents to

include his $1000. Bond to the College. I think it is to his interest to accept the proposition. I expect to

hear from him in a day or two.

As to the other matter, I think it is my duty to resign and seek relief from double service. The

College duties have not been very heavy in themselves, but very heavy on top of a load that is enough for

my strength. Nothing but necessity can hold me in the position. It is my purpose to leave for a three

month’s trip to Palestine about the first of August, and I hope some one may be found to take the College

work off my shoulders.

The main question for the interest of the College is for you to complete the $5000. subscription

by Commencement. That includes all else. Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., May 7th, 1895.

Mr. J. T. Gardner,


My dear Sir: Your favor of May 3rd

duly received and request considered.

The College is in very great need of money to pay Salaries, but if you cannot arrange to pay your

tuition a/c before the close of the present session, the Treasurer may take your note for the balance. The

College is disposed to indulge worthy young men, even beyond its ability to do so.

With best wishes, I am,

Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. P. T. Klapp,

Congreve, Va.,

My dear Brother: I am in receipt of your favor of May 3rd

inclosing copies of testimonies to the fitness of

Mrs. Rosa ? for teaching both vocal and instrumental Music.

If her price for service is not too high and her ability is fully adequate to college work, I think the

chances hopeful. I am, in my present position, not a voting member of the Board and would not express

myself in advance, if I was: but I would suggest that you present the matter to the E. Com. when we meet

May 20th and it may be that we can put matter in shape to recommend to the Board in June. I am very

anxious to see a superior teacher and religious woman at the head of that department. Enthusiasm in

Music and consecration in religion is what we want to see in it.

I will retain and bring to com. meeting the testimonies.




Rev. W. G. Clements,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 7th inst received and considered.

The contract was for Miss Irene’s salary to be paid by credit on tuition. I thought that would be a

great favor to you and to her. Besides it has given her some experience in teaching. If I had not

employed her, you would be $90. more in debt than you are on Music tuition.

You know how the College is strained on finance. I hope, therefore, you will furnish Miss Irene

the $12.00 and let the matter go by the contract, as it would be an embarrassment to me to give a flat

denial and yet a greater embarrassment to try to pay it.

I hope this will be satisfactory to you as I know you fully appreciate the financial weakness of the

institution. Yours truly,



Rev. W. S. Long D. D.,

My dear Brother: I am in receipt of yours of yesterday. I beg pardon for not making the language in my

last letter convey my thoughts. I meant to say that it was a “written petition,” signed by you; and a

comma before and after written was intended to make it so read. I presume the error is ?.

The matter of “promise of cooperation” which you deny is capable of proof. But I have no

disposition to discuss what annoys you. My letter was written in the interest of truth and peace and good

will between you and me. If it fails in that it fails in its main purpose.

The Board of Trustees will be called to meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday 11 June, 1895, the time set upon

adjournment to meet, and after that will meet as they always have done on their own adjournment. I have

no power to set time. You will be welcome to all the meetings.

As I may not know where you are later, let this be notice to you as a member of the Board of

Trustees to meet at the time named above. Most truly, W. W. Staley, Pres.


Prof. S. A. Holleman, Treas.,

My dear Brother: Presuming that Dr. W. S. Long will start from Elon Monday I inclose order for

$122 to pay, as you estimate, a note made January 6th, 1894. Your report in June showed a note of

$103.95 instead of $110.63 Better look into it when you take up note on which is right. I have made the

order just as you said in your recent letter of $122.

I returned speeches sent me to Prof. Newman and I hope they come in all right. If I had had time

I would have made more helpful suggestions.

I will be up Monday p.m. May 20th.

I am overtaxed with duties. I hope your wife is entirely well.

Spring is robbing nature with shirt waists and big sleeves in all colors and figures.


W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. F. A. Holladay,

Elon College, N. C.

My dear Sir: In reply to your favor of 9th inst. I will say that I will present the matter to the Committee

next week and after that give your final answer. The time has been so long that it is necessary for me to

refer it for decision. I am sorry it was not paid promptly and will do what I can in the premises to aid the

manager of the Monthly. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. M. L. Hurley,

Dear Bother: Please keep in mind that the E. Com. will meet next Monday night May 20 in its last

meeting before Commencement. Be sure to be present, if possible.

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Hon. J. A. Long,

Graham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of yesterday, containing the excellent recommendation of

Miss. Julia’s musical attainments together with her application to teach next year in Elon College, has

been received.

I will take the very best care of the papers and return them in good condition.

Love to all. Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., May 16the, 1895.

Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Durham N. C.,

My dear Brother:

Please do not forget meeting of Executive Committee at the College Monday 8 p.m. May

20th. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

P.S. I will be in Raleigh on Monday at unveiling of Conf. Monument and ? on p.m. train. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., May 16, 1895.

Rev. P. T. Klapp,


Dear Brother: Please do not forget meeting of Executive Committee at College Monday 8 p.m. May

20th. Last meeting before Commencement and therefore important.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895

Rev. M. L. Hurley,


My dear Brother: Please keep in mind that the Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the

President’s office at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11th, 1895 and that it is very important for every member to be

present. Let nothing prevent you from attending if possible.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

Dr. G. S. Watson,

Union Ridge, N. C.,

My dear Sir & Brother: Please keep in mind that the Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the

President’s office at 10 a.m. on Tuesday June 11th 1895 and that it is very important for every member to

be present. I hope nothing will prevent you from attending this annual meeting. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: The Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the President’s office pursuient to

adjournment at 10.a.m. June 11th, 1895 and it is important for every member to be present in the annual

meeting. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

Hon. J. H. Fleming

Raleigh, N. C.,

Dear Sir and Brother: The Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the President’s office at 10

a.m., June 11th, 1895. It is very important that every member be present, and I hope nothing will prevent

your attendance.

I will bring the Secretary’s book for you, one as Secy it is necessary for you to be on time.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Mr. E. A. Moffitt,

Asheboro, N. C.,

My dear Sir & Brother:

Please keep in mind that the Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the

President’s office at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11th, 1895 and that it is very important for every member to be

present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

Hon. W. N. Pritchard,

Chapel Hill, N. C.,


President’s office at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11th, 1895, and that it is very important for every member to

be present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Rev. P. T. Klapp,

Elon College, N.C.,

My dear Brother: Please keep in mind that the Board of Trustees of Elon College will meet in the


be present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Mr. John A. Mills,

Raleigh, N. C.



be present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

Mr. F. O. Moring,

Raleigh, N. C.,


President’s office at 10 a.m. Tuesday June 11th, 1895, and that it is very important for every member to be

present in the annual meeting.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Mr. E. T. Pierce,

News Ferry, Va.,



present. Do not fail to be on time.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Mr. W. J. Lee,

Norfolk, Va.,



present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

Prof. P. J. Kernodle,

Suffolk, Va.,



be present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College, N. C.

May 28th, 1895.

Judge J. F. West,

Waverly, Va.,



be present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


May 28th, 1895.

E. E. Holland, Esq.,

Suffolk, Va.,



present.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers J.Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.,

Dear Sirs: I think now that the note for $175. due June 15th 1895 cannot be paid at maturity. Pressing

demands have consumed the little money as fast as it came in, and now is a poor season of the year to

collect. I think, however, that I can safely say that the finances of Elon are getting in better shape:

though for the present I do not think it safe for you to expect the money. Thanking you for kindness, I

am, Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mr. L. A. Coulter,

State Secy, Charlotte, N. C.,

My dear Sir: In reply to your favor of yesterday, I can say that I would fully comply with your request to

furnish $25- to send a second young man from Elon to the Conference of 1895 at Knoxville, if other

demands even more pressing did not bar the way.

I regret this and hope the one sent by the students may bring back permanent enthusiasm in the

good work.

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers J Southgate & Son

Durham, N. C.

My dear Sirs: Your esteemed favor of May 29th received. I regret that I have not made arrangements to

pay some on the note due June 15th $175. insurance on College. But so many demands have led me to

rely upon your letters of Febry 16th and 27

th in which you say that if we can not pay at time you could

“extend the time to suit” and you might ? Note in Bank

Note: Next 3 lines unreadable.

I have not yet allowed paper


to pass maturity without payment, but feeling so sure you were able to say this and would willingly I have

looked after demands which seemed more pressing. I do not see how it will be possible to do anything by

15th, but if we do not send you will hold on cheerfully I would do all I can for you


Suffolk, Va., June 4th, 1895.

Mr. John A. Wilson & Co.,

Wilson, Mills, N. C.,

Dear Sir: Yours of May 30th inclosing an a/c dated Aug 26 1891 against Elon College for $9.26 + 2.09 =

$11.35 has been received and considered. Of course I know nothing of the a/c and as it is not on books

and so old I have no authority to recognize the a/c myself and will have to present it before the proper

committee to see whether it will be acknowledged and paid. I will do this at the first opportunity.

As you say you did a good lot of work for the College in 1891, and as the College has paid all

except this balance which you claim and since the college has had such a struggle in these hard times, I

will ask you if you will not receipt this a/c and make it a donation to the college and send to me at Elon

College next week. It will be thankfully received and you shall have due credit for same.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers L E. Lasetter, Pres.

T. W. Johnson, Sec.,

Elon College, N. C.

Dear Brethern: Yours of May 30th requesting me to see what our church will do toward sending a man

from College to Students Conference at Knoxville has been received and considered. I can do nothing for

the reason that this church has subscribed to the College this year $5000- has $4500- to pay on church

debt from May 15th to July 1

st and has permitted their pastor without pay to give 1/12

th of his time this

year to the interests of the College.

The Y.M.C.A. which you represent will, I am sure, excuse me for declining under such stern

necessity. Were it otherwise I would gladly attempt to aid in this worthy matter.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.



Dear Brother: Yours received and satisfactory. Inclosed find orders as follows:

J. U. Newman salary 94 & 95 36-

J. O. Atkinson “ “ 36-

S. A. Holleman “ “ 30.75

W. P. Lawrence “ “ 20.25

Irene Johnson “ “ 20.25

Janie E. Price “ “ 18.

Annie Graham “ “ 13.50

S. A. Holleman ????????? 13.

S. A. Holleman ??? church roster 6.80

$194.55

I will want following material next Monday to use in my annual report:

Enrollment for year - - -

Average attendance for year –

No males in each of above –

No females in each of above –

No beneficiaries in school

No in each if college classes

No in Academic Departments Music-Arts

Total collected from all sources since June 1 1894 classified-

Total paid on debts since June 94 –

Present indebtedness including interest. W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Yours of June 2nd

received and duly considered.

I always note a vein of loyalty and good judgment in your opinions. I am as willing as any one to

discharge duty when it is plain to me. But I cannot see how I can stand the strain of a double work as

pastor of a church and as President of Elon. Either is full work for one man. I cannot get consent of my

mind to leave pulpit for Educational work, and so it seems to me that some other should be at the head of

the College. I was pressed into the position by force of circumstances which I did not help to create and

which I would gladly have averted. I have tried to do my duty to all in the position and feel that change

now is a necessity for me. Most truly,

I go up next Monday. W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., June 21st, 1895, Suffolk, Va., June 21

st, 1895.

Mrs. Myra A. Wright: Your letters both Mr. Chas. J. Parker,

arrived, but many applications of some Raleigh, N. C.,

kind are in official hands and no choice Dear Sir: Your favor of 18th inst., as

has yet been made. well as names so sent before, received and

Do you teach Elocution as well I thank you for same. The matter has not

as Music? What is your price? Why did reached official decision yet and I cannot

you give up your place in G.F.C? tell who will be chosen.

Have you attended any Conserva- Yours truly,

tory and if so where? W. S. Staley, Pres.

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., July 1st, 1895.

Miss Janie Layden,

Lexington, N. C.,

My dear Miss: In reply to your application for a position as Primary Music teacher in Elon College, I will

say that there is no opening for you.

I hope you will find congenial and profitable work elsewhere, and fortune may smile upon you

always.

Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

.


Miss Maude Harrison,

Massey, N. C.,

My dear Miss: In reply to your letter of June 30th I will say that there is no vacancy in the Faculty of Elon

College now and for ? year.

I hope you find profitable and pleasant work elsewhere and that life may be an open door to

fulfillment to you always.

I sent a Catalogue of Elon and we will be very glad to have your sister with us next session. You

may secure any special information from Prof. J. U. Newman, Chairman of the Faculty, Elon College, N.

C.

Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Miss Janie Price:

I have been absent and hence long in my answer.

I regret that you do not return to Elon, but hope good results and good pay may be your portion in

your new place.

It will be impossible to pay you $35.00 by July 16th, but I will do all in my power to have that

much paid as soon as I can. Of course I can do nothing till the money is in the Treasury. If you can trust

me to do the best I can for you, without making definite promises. It will be better for me and as good for

you. I do not make promises unless I see that I can meet them. I hope, therefore, you will wait patiently

and you shall have preference in next money that comes in.

Bessie’s P.O. is Franklinton, N. C.



Mrs. Myra Albright,

Greensboro, N. C.,

My dear Madam: Yours of June 25th has been received and your answers are perfectly satisfactory to me.

I am unable to find you a definite answer now, but I will let you know as soon as I can hear from

the committee to whom the matter has been referred for decision. I rather think it will be to your favor,

though this must be received by you only as an opinion. I will have to communicate with the committee

but I will do so in as short a time as I can.

Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Prof. A. Paul,

Raleigh, N. C., My dear Sir: In reply to your favor of June 28th inquiring as to chances for a position at

Elon College next year, will say that the Board has decided that they can arrange no place for you.

I hope you will find profitable and congenial work elsewhere, and am sorry Elon College cannot

give you a position so you can be near Burlington where Mrs. Paul desires to reside..

Please accept for yourself and extend to your wife and his brother by sympathy and prayers in the

death of my dear friend T, W. Paul.. Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Miss Nannie Russell,

Wrightsville, N. C.,

My Dear Miss: Circumstances have forced a long delay to answer to your letter of June 7th making

inquiry as to position at Elon College as Music teacher for next year.

Note: The next 3 lines are unreadable.

College does not Board ?

When Committee decides after ? I will inform you. I think they will decide in a week or two.

I hope you are having a delightful summer at your seaside home.

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Miss ?? Perry,

Watertown, N. J.,

My dear Miss: Your letter and inquiry into ?.

I am unable to give answers to your inquiry as the selection in this matter is up to Committee. I

will present your letter and let you know after ?

The price paid is $1200. up to this time..

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Elon College


Prof. W. P. Lawrence,

Chapel Hill, N. C.,

My dear Brother: Inclosed please find ? in full of salary for last year $54.45 of$25. to be paid on the a/c.

But E. College ??? to be paid you in cash. I hope this will be satisfactory and that your months at

University will be profitable to you.

Give my regards to J. M. ?..

Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. W. M. Morgan, Esq.

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sir: Please send me ? of exact sum of indebtedness in your Bank against Elon College as I want

to pay it as I promised you it should be paid by July 12th, 1895.

Thanking you for indulgence, I am Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers J Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sirs & Brothers: Yours of 5th inst. inclosing acceptance for me to sign duly received.

Our Treasurer only signs acceptances. I return the paper and order for discount $3.50 and will

thank you to fill out note for $175- and send to me for signature.

As I wrote you some time ago it was your proposition to carry the paper if met consistently at

maturity, for the College to pay it and no pressure was ?. I depended on that. I hope this will be

satisfactory.

Thanking you for indulgence.

Yours truly,



Miss Janie E. Price,

Roucevert, W.Va.,

My dear Miss: Inclosed please find order for $100 on a/c salary. Please indorse and send to Prof. S. A.

Holleman, Treasurer, and he will forward you check for $100.

I regret that your money comes so slowly, but you may always rest assured that ?



Messers

Hurley & Moffitt,

Raleigh, N. C.,

Dear Sirs & Brothers: Inclosed please find order for $25.00 on a/c Bill for Catalogues. Please inclose

and send to S. A. Holleman, Treas. I misplaced or lost the Bill. It seems to me the price is rather steep.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

P.S.

The time for my ? is set for ?1895 and the time of ? will not be ? than 3 months. I will see you

before leaving about letters to “?.”

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


James Martin, Esq.

Atty for Executor

Fall River, Mass.,

My dear Sir: When will the last half of the bequest of $1000- by Rev. Dr. O.J. Wait to Elon College be

paid? The time is past when the letter containing the first half $500- intimated that the second half $500-

would be paid.

Please let me know exactly when to expect the last half.

Yours truly,



Messers J Southgate & Son

Durham, N. C.

My dear Sirs & Brothers: Inclosed please find renewal note for $175- for ninety days from June 15,

1895.

I hope it can paid at maturity and will do all possible to have it paid by that time.

Thanks for indulgence.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Note: The letter is unreadable.



Dear Brother: Yours received. Inclosed please find Mr. W. H. Jones Jr check and Bank returned.

I am so glad to hear that your wife is improved.

I am well. Dr. Herndon left for Lower Parish this a.m. on Enola.

I have this day sent order on you to W. M. Morgan Cash for $238.26 in full of Note of ? against

College.

B.F. L. is enjoying his visit. I saw him at church last night.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


My dear bro. Wellons,

Both of your letters received, duly noted and should have been answered more

promptly: but I have been so busy and I was not able to determine some questions involved in time to

reply sooner. The Music teacher, the debts have occupied me. I have finally decided to hold an

Executive Committee meeting July 30 at 8 a.m. and continue as long as necessary to finish work so you

will not have any trouble while I am absent. I think we can get through by Aug. 1st any way. I have

arranged to borrow $10,000- at 6 % and we must get off old mortgages, pay them off some to the new

one. Keep this strictly private as I want to make some compromises. If forced to I will explain all when

we meet. It will do to settle uniform then and make it known.

From best I can see Mrs. Myra Albright at $? as Principal in Music and Miss Julia Long at ?

salary as that will be best. We can see if your think so and would like to nominate in writing and send to

Klapp and Hurley for their votes. Do not return to me. If not wait till com meets. I go up to Elon July

29th Monday. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Rev. D. A. Long, D.D.,

? Springs, Ohio,

My dear Sir & Brother: Your favor of July 2nd

informing me that you have notified W. T. Herndon, Agt,

that you must have the money Elon College owes you, was duly received and considered.

If you will meet me and the E. com. at Elon College July 31st, 1895, either in person or through

legal representative, and surrender the ? and ? mortgage, I will order the Treasurer of the college to give

you a check in full of your claim. Do not fail to be present, as it would greatly interfere with other

matters of settlement. Notify me promptly how you will be represented.

My plans are laid and my first deposit made to sail from N.Y. Aug. 24th for a 3 month’s tour

through Europe, Palistine, and Egypt. I would be so glad to have you join me.

Yours truly,



Hon.. J. A. Long,

Elon College, N. C.

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 14th inst. duly received and noted and also appreciated.

Of course you understand that my message by Prof. Holleman was only my view of the matter. It

will have to be submitted by me to the E. Com. of which I am only an ex officio member. The committee

meets July 30th at the College. It may be in session several days, as other important matters will be before

us. When the matter of your letter is disposed of officially I will give you due notice and also return the

recommendations still in my hands. The delay has been unavoidable.


? interesting to me. The ? of my college classmates. One as judge and another is one of the ?

council for the state. Best wishes always. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres

Note; Much of the last paragraph is unreadable.



My dear Sir & Brother: The Farmers Bank of Nansemond has decided to loan the College $10,000- for 6

mos. at 6%. The Committee will meet July 30th and remain in session long enough to put matters in shape

so you will have no trouble in my absence. I hope to have all the present mortgage creditors paid off and

all in this one debt by August 1st. Keep this between us for the present as I am going to get Dr. Herndon

to see some of them to see whether some discount may be secured in final settlement. You may say to

brother W. S. Long: if you see him; that he will get his check in full by Aug. 1st. I hope we will get out

one day in a few years.

Please figure out exact mortgage indebtedness by Aug. 1st that I may see whether $10,000 less

interest for 6 mos at $300. = $9,700. will put us out so far as mortgage. If it does not I can use the $300.

for ?.

I have written Uncle J. W. Yours truly,

I have notified Dr, A. L. that he can W. S. Staley, Pres.

get his money July 31st.


Dear Prof. Herndon: The Executive Committee will meet at the College July 30th and I am anxious to

have a full meeting. We will try to take up all the small mortgages at that time and place them in one.

Several days may be required as it will be last meeting I will be present this year.


Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Dear Brother Klapp: Take notice that the E. Com. will meet at the College July 30th and that we have

much work to do. The old mortgages have to be taken up and new one made and many other matters put

in shape, as it is the last meeting I can attend this year. We may be in session several days. I hope you

will arrange to be present all the time as a full com. in this case is a necessity.

Hoping that all going well, I am, Truly yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Hon. J. A. Long, Atty.

E. College, N. C.,

My dear Sir: I write to request you to make an abstract of the title to the Elon College property. I mean

the most part of it embraced in the campus and buildings for the Farmers Bank of Nansemond. We are

going to borrow some money


Yours truly,



Rev. W. S. Long, D.D..

Graham, N. C.,

My dear Brother: The Executive Committee will meet at the College 8 a.m. July 30th, 1895 and I will

then be in shape to reach the final settlement with you. Please be present as it is the last meeting of the

com. before I sail for Palestine.

The last of the note to Morehead Banking Co. in Boston which you were ?

Note: The remainder of this paragraph is unreadable.


P.S.

B.T.L. is in Suffolk and Sincerely yours,

having a nice visit and well. W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. J. H. Fleming, Secy.,

Raleigh, N. C.,

My dear Sir & Brother: I have secured a loan of $10,000.for the College and the E. Com. is called to

meet at the college July 30th and we may be in session three days. I have not told creditors who hold

mortgages to be there July 31st. It will be necessary for you to sign and attach seal to new Bond and

Mortgages and I hope it will be convenient for you to go up to Elon on early train and be with the com. at

8 a.m. July 30th. Please carry your book and seal. I will pass Raleigh Monday evening July 29

th on my

way up to college. This is the last meeting before I go abroad and I am anxious to get matters in good

shape. In making a new mortgage nothing can be done without your presence.

Yours truly,

W. S. Staley, Pres.


Mr. W. H. Trollinger,

Haw River, N. C..

My dear Sir & Brother: Your of 20th inst. just received and duly considered.

I have not forgotten nor been unmindful of your former letter and your conversation at

commencement. I have already requested Dr. Herndon to visit you next Monday July 29th and perhaps he

can make a proposition which will be even better for you than your own request. Please be at home next

Monday and I think you will see that I have not been negligent of your interests.

Thanking you for kindly interest. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va.,

Aug.11, 1895.

Rev. N. ?? McReynolds,

Franklinton, N. C.,

My dear brother:

Please send me the legal title of Franklinton school for the use of a friend who is going

to leave the school an Endowment in his Will.

Note: The remainder of letter is unreadable.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va.,

Aug. 11, 1895.

My dear Bro. Palmer:

I was absent when your valued favor of 5th inst. reached Suffolk, and hence this

delay in answer.

I have written President of Franklinton school for legal title and will forward both together in a

very few days.

I am so thankful the good Lord has ? you to ? these institutions.

With best wishes for you always – Your truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va.,

Note: This letter is unreadable, as is the other two pages of the letter on pp. 241 and 242.

It appears to be addressed to F. A. Palmer, President of the Broadway Bank in New York City.

Note: The second page of the letter is unreadable.

Note: The last page of the letter is unreadable.

Suffolk, Va.,

Rev. F. A. Palmer,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed favor of 18th inst duly received. I understood thoroughly, as you had

explained to me, your plan for the endowment of Elon College.

In the name of Christian education and the noble souls who have founded Elon College I thank

you heartily for your proposed endowment. I think the Lord is leading in this and I believe the ? will

yield rich fruits after you are gone to glory.

May God spare your useful life through years in health and happiness.

Your obedient servant,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Mr. Jno. King,

Windsor, Va.,

My dear brother: By request of brother Laine I mail you a catalogue of Elon College. There is no

departure from catalogue dates. All students are treated exactly alike. The dates, as you will see, vary

with the classes entered, and Miss Katie can tell, perhaps, what class she would enter.

I will let you know very soon whether uniforms will be required this spring term, if she should

enter. Hoping to hear favorably, I am,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., ???,1895.

Prof. J. U. Newman,

Dear brother: Inquiry comes from Mr. John King, Windsor, Va., whether Miss Katie Nelms will

be required to get uniform if she go to Elon this spring term. I have sent him catalogue, but thought best

to confer with you before answering this inquiry named above. Please answer me at Franklinton or Mr.

King at Windsor. If any rule has been established, I do not ask for its violation! Perhaps it will be as well

for you to write him and explain any matters you think he should know. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., January 2nd

, 1896.

Rev. W. T. Herndon, Agt.


My dear brother: As I am more engaged in other directions, I will ask you, as the really legitimate

person, to collect the following: $250,00 each from W. J. Lee, P. H. Lee, Geo. W. Nurney, G. W. Stutts,

and E. E. Holland by January 10th, 1896.

Also a/c by Burlington Church 500- or $125- and all other bonds you can.

Pleasant Grove $125- a/c $500- a/c Providence and Bethlehem churches

370- + 130 = $500-

a/c = $125-

P. H. Atkinson $125- if due. I presume you have full list of subscribers. Do all in your power on

collections this month as this note at Bank comes due Feb. 3rd

1896 and must be attended to promptly.

Holiday greetings Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., Jany 3rd

, 1896.

Prof. J. U. Newman, Chir,

My dear brother: Both of your letters received. In reply to inquiry about temporary “Commercial

Department” I am compelled to withhold my assent, for two reasons:

1. I doubt whether I have the right to consent to introduce what the Board has carefully considered and

left out.

2. It would violate my present judgment as to what is best for the students and the Institution.

I may be wrong in both and so will say that I will not prevent the Faculty in ? in this direction

which they think will further the ? interests we all seek to promote. Yours truly,

Holiday greetings to all. W. W. Staley.


, 1896.

Mr. J. A.Mills,

Raleigh, N. C.,

My dear brother: Yours of recent date received and I will look after the matter to which you refer upon

my next visit. I will do it in a private way and thus prevent publicity.

With the greetings of the season, I am,

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


My dear bro. Wellons:-

Sorry I was not down here when you were in Va.

Bro. Palmer says to me in a letter that he will leave in his will Endowment for Elon that will yield

about $2000- annually after his death, but I have not even given that out for publication. ? is to go to Elon

January 20th Monday for meeting of Executive Committee. Let this be notice to you.

Best wishes and holiday greetings. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., January 3rd

, 1896.

My dear bro. Clements: Your esteemed favor of Dec. 30th has been received.

I will look after the matter of books in Library when I go to College.

My hands are so full that the thought of writing a book appalls me. I have no taste or ambition to

write; but I do not say yet that I will not. The demand surprises me as it comes from so many. I never

dreamed of such a thing. Christian regards to all ?. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


, 1896.

Prof. G. R. Hanimand,

Dayton, Ohio,

My dear brother: In reply to your inquiry of Dec. 17th I will say, that I am so overwhelmed with work,

and have so many interests in charge, that I cannot give the questions you submit in your letter such

attention as to give you a wise answer. I assure you that it is no lack of interest, but I would have to go

over the history of the Institution, its relation to the A.C.C., and its prospects to give answer worth writing

and I have not the time. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


, 1896.

Prof. G. R. Hanimand,

Dayton, Ohio

Note: This is another copy of the letter on .


, 1896.

My dear brother Klapp:

Please make it convenient to meet E. Com. at Elon Monday evening and Tuesday

January 20th and 21

st as I will be up at that time.

With holiday greetings, I am,

Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley

?


, 1896.

My dear bro Hurley:

Please make it convenient to be at Elon for Ex. Com. meeting Monday evening

and Tuesday January 20th and 21

st as I will be up at that time.

Holiday greetings,

Most truly,

W. W. Staley


Dr. Herndon,

Dear brother: I have called meeting of Ex. Committee to meet at Elon Monday evening and Tuesday

January 20th and 21

st, 1896.

I hope you will do all in your power to collect all that is due, as the note in Bank cannot be

deferred. We are bound to come to time now, and the people must help get the debt off. The Endowment

Grant, the ?, is to ? $2000 annually but I do not give it to the Public.



Prof. E. L. Moffitt,

Raleigh, N. C.,

My dear Sir: If not too much trouble I will thank you to see what can be done on a Pass over “Southern”

from Suffolk to Elon for 1896. If this can not be secured I will thank you to secure Clergyman’s card for

me from Suffolk to Elon for 1896. This request is made in behalf of Elon and not on my personal a/c as

College pays my actual expenses and I use “Seaboard” for visits home on my own account.

I will go to Elon Monday Jany 20th and leave this letter, as you promised to get bro Mills to aid

you.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mr. B. M. Stoddard, Pub. Agt.

Dayton, Ohio,

My dear brother: I am in receipt of your esteemed favor of 24th inst. announcing the ? of the “Educational

Number” of the Herald of G. L. one month hence and making a proposition for the insertion of a cut of

Elon College.

I appreciate the proposition and would gladly accept it, but for the fact that we are working under

a policy to spend nothing, except for absolute necessities, till we get out of debt and have a Note in Bank

due next week. Every dollar in reach must be applied on that.

We have a cut of main building like print of catalogue mailed you under different cover which

you might use if you would insert it free. It is in hands of E. L. Moffitt Editor “Christian Sun.”

?.


My dear bro. Fleming: Inclosed please find Note for renewal and for your signature and College seal. I

will thank you to sign and return to me.

I am glad we can reduce debt and note some at same time and hope we may get to the end of both

some sweet day.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Prof. Holleman, Trea.,

My dear brother: The interest is $268.33 and ? is $1250- = $1518.33.

Mr. Jones says he has forwarded you Deposit slip for $750- and bro. Nurney says he will pay this

week. So send one check drawn in favor of W. H. Jones, Jr. Cashier and I will see that Mr. Nurney’s

$250- is in place to protect your check and send slip later.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers J. Southgate and Son,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear Sirs & bros: - In reply to your favor of yesterday I will ask you to please renew policies on Elon

College for the same sum and forward to me at the proper time. Renew for one year only as I hope to pay

cash this time and will not be able to do so for 3 years in advance. I am trying to curtail debt as fast as I

can, and this forces rigid economy in other directions. I will reduce debt of $1250- this week and pay

interest on remainder 6 mos in advance. Hope to get out sometime. If I fail to meet premium it will be

only in part as I have $142.74 on hand today for that purpose.

Thanking you for kindness and with good wishes always, Fraternally yours,\

W. W. Staley




My dear Sir: Inclosed please find following orders:

J. U. Newman a/c Salary from Tuition ? 80-

J. O. Atkinson “ “ 80.

S. A. Holleman “ “ 70.

W. P. Lawrence “ “ 50.

Irene Johnson “ “ 50.

Myra Albright “ “ 45.

Annie Graham “ “ 30.

Julia Long “ “ 20.

W. T. Herndon Agt “ College 7.50

York Edwards & Co Incidentals Matric 6.38

$448.88

I inclose also, Deposit receipt of $250- from Mr. Geo. W. Nurney. Also order indorsed and Note from

Bank. The next Note is for $8,750- due Aug. 6th, 1896.

I presume Dr. Herndon will put in enough money so I can order $175- on insurance in Feb, say

by 15th-

My purpose is to come again March 16th.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

1/30/96

So far as know S. A. Holleman ?

I have the general oversight of the finances of the Institution and ?.


Suffolk, Va., Feby 3rd

, 1896.

Mr. B. M. Stoddard, Pub. Agt.,

Dayton, Ohio,

My dear brother: I am in receipt just now of your esteemed favor of Jany 31st, and I appreciate your

interest and offer of indulgence till May for the $5.00. But I am operating under a most rigid policy to

make no new debt, however small, till we get out of debt. Besides this, the only photograph is in the

hands of Prof. E. L. Moffitt, Raleigh, N.C., Editor of Christian Sun, and the cut, which is also in his

hands, is a copy of that, and is like the print I mailed you in catalogue. You may have use of that cut of

main building, if it suits you, by writing Prof. Moffitt, Raleigh, N. C. The matter had been opened sooner

I might have gotten a new photo and arranged for new cut. I regret not to respond to such a kind

proposition, but conformity to hard rules is necessary when in debt. I subordinate everything now to the

curtailment of the debt.

Thanking you again for interest, I am,

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., Feby 5, 1896.

Prof. J. J. Lincoln,

Elkton, Va.,

My dear brother: Your esteemed favor of 1st inst. received and duly considered.

I have not been informed of any changes to be made in Elon College Faculty for 1896 and ’97;

but of course I can not tell now what changes may be made.

Teachers are elected by the Board of Trustees in their annual meeting in June of each year.

Elon could not offer any salary inducement to one who has a good position. I would be delighted

to see you and your family located at Elon, but it would be an injustice to you for me to encourage you

unless I could see an open door. Come to commencement in June and make observations and let the

Trustees see you and the future may open the way for you.


Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Messers J. Southgate & Son,

Durham, N. C.

My dear Sirs: Your favor of 3rd

inst. inclosing Policies for $14,000- on Elon College duly received and I

return old Policies. The Policies that expire Feby 15th correspond in date, I think, to the ones of previous

year. However, I may be mistaken and I will see about that when I go to the College. I was counting on

making payment of the premium $175- on that note, Feby 15th and if I do not get back to you before that

time I presume it will be satisfactory. It may reach you before that time.

Thanking you for promptness and kindness, I am, Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., Febry 5, 1896.

Prof. Holleman,

My dear Sir: Enclosed find Bill for Insurance one year on $14,000 – and order for premium $175- They

say Policies, half of which $7000- were dated Febry 15, should all run from Febry 1st. If you have the

Policies of 1894 examine and see as I that Febry 15 was right for half of that $14,000- and the other half

Febry 1st. I hope you have funds to pay and if you have not to ? of College fund you can take from

Catalogue money and refund as I presume your Bank a/c is ?.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. J. J. Summerbell, D.D.,

Editor H. of G.L..

Dayton, Ohio,

My dear brother: I am just now in receipt of your valued favor of 4th inst. and may say in reply that I was

abroad from Aug. 20th to Nov. 28

th in 1895, and have never received the letter to which you refer, and I

have not heard anything of it. I am very sorry if it did not receive proper attention. I presume it

miscarried in some way.

During my administration, since June 1894, I have not advertised in papers, because the college

was in debt and I had to adopt the most rigid economy to try to work out. The Christian Sun has run an

advertisement for a scholarship, allowing students to compete for one year’s tuition by offering it to the

one who secures the largest number of subscribers. That, you see, costs college nothing.

I could not ask you to run an ad in Herald free and yet I must adhere to my policy till we get in

better shape and we are moving hopefully toward it. I rejoice in Herald’s success under present

administration. Best wishes always. Fraternally yours, W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., Febry 8, 1896.

Mr. S. L. Adams,

Burlington, N. C.,

My dear Sir: In reply to your esteemed proposition of today I may say that the Insurance on Elon College

has already been placed for another year.

J. Southgate & Son indulged the Institution when it was strained and I have not thought it right to

take the business from them without cause. I appreciate your proposition, but it is too late to consider it.

I hope this will be satisfactory.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va. ?

Mr. C. C. March,

Fortress Monroe, Va.,

My dear Sir: I have received you kind favor of 8th inst. making inquiry about educational advantages at

Elon College. The school is located on the “Southern Railway” in a village to itself and the expense is as

small as at any good College. A good place for health, a good faculty, and living cheap. I will mail you

later a Catalogue of the College for the young man and it will explain course of study, expenses, etc.

The next school year will begin about first of September though the day has not yet been

determined.

I remember you and thank you for interest taken in the young man and will gladly correspond

with you or him at any time on the subject. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley,


My dear Prof. Holleman,

Yours of 15th inst. received.

I did not know of change in tariff in N. C. and I thank you for securing the rebate of $30. I

presume, however, if it is 1 % instead of 1 ½ % it would $35.00 on $14,000. I am somewhat surprised at

the overcharge and will see you about it when I come. I have filed the receipt with Bank as you

suggested.

As to the balance I know nothing whatever of it. I thought they were paid in full. I shall do

nothing in this case unless you can tell me how it is. They do not even date the a/c except Oct. 6 -.

I saw Dr. Long Saturday night.

Very cold and snowing.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mrs. C. A. Norfleet,

Franklin, Va.,

My dear Madam: I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday requesting the payment of interest on the

Note which you hold against Elon College.

Please send me Date, sum, or principal, rate, payments, if any, of the Note and I will lay the

matter before the Committee which will meet March 16 and then let you know what can be done.

I am sorry of delay in the payment of your claim, but it has been impossible to do more. There is

one good thing and that is the debt is good and will finally be paid.

Respectfully yours

W. W. Staley, Pres.

Suffolk, Va., March 23rd

, 1896.

My dear Prof. Newman: Yours of 20th inst. received. If I figure right the proposition results as follows:

Recast old bell at 40ct = 400 lbs x 4 = 16.00 20ct per lb on 1/8 wgh out of 400 = 50 x 20 ??

$26.

Cost of freight both ways to be added. New bell 95.00 allowing 14 ct per lb. for old bell. 400 lb. x 14 =

56.00 or 95.00 – 56.00 = $39.00 cost of new Bell plus freight charges. If cost is same in both cases,

order, over my name, new Bell, and if mountings are built see that all is complete and in place in good

shape before old one is shipped.

I hope com. female teachers can get uniforms for graduating class in shape satisfactory to all

parties. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Rev. Dr. M. Summerbell,

Lewiston, Me.,

My dear brother: I congratulate all who attend Elon Commencement because the Clio Society has

captured you for the Baccalaureate sermon June 10th.

The Southern Christian Convention will meet in Burlington, N. C., four miles from Elon at 8 p.m.

June 5th and close June 9

th. I wish you could reach Burlington in time to attend the Convention as we are

small and your presence and help would do the cause good.

Now as to lectures, clerical tickets etc I will refer your inquires to the Faculty as they are on the

ground and in touch with Southern Railway as I am not, and will request them to answer you.

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley


My dear Sir: Inclosed please find orders as follows:

123- 40. J. U. Newman

124- 40. J. O. Atkinson

125- 35. S. A. Holleman

126 25 W. P. Lawrence

127 25 Irene Johnson

128 22.50 Myra Albright

129 15. Annie Graham

130 10. Julia King

131. 50. Berta Moring

Total $262,50

Also check from Martyn Summerbell D. D. Secy Education A.C.C. for $42,84 which please take

due account of and sign and mail him inclosed receipt.

He says in his letter that he has not yet heard from the Faculty on the matters referred to them,

i.e. as to rates and lectures. Please answer him as soon

Note: Remainder unreadable.


Hon. F. A. Palmer,

New York,

My dear brother: Will you allow me to make known to the Southern Christian Convention which meets

in Burlington N. C. June 5th, 1896, and to the Board of Trustees of Elon College N. C. which will meet

June 9th, 1896, the fact of your bequest to Elon College of $2000- per annum? I will not make it public

without your consent but I would appreciate the privilege very much, if you will grant it.

I wish you could visit the College June 9th 11

th and be present at the Commencement exercises.

Rev. Martyn Summerbell will deliver the Baccalaureate sermon.

Most obediently yours W. W. Staley


Hon. F. A. Palmer

New York,

My dear Brother: Your esteemed letter of May 13th duly received, and I feel in my heart to thank the

Lord for your kind and generous bequest to Elon College. I regret that you engagement at Antioch will

prevent you from being present at Elon commencement, and put in my request now for you to come to

Elon commencement in 1897.

Thanking you for your liberal bequest to the College, and prayers for Divine blessings to rest

upon you always. I am Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va.

June 26, 1896.

Rev. Dr. W. S. Long,

My dear brother: I received your letter of 22ed inst. before my return from New York today.

I can assure you that nothing personal influenced the committee in non-action Monday. The

matter in that shape was so entirely new and contrary to what we had understood with his bequest, that the

Committee thought it best for me to go N.Y. and see whether that was his idea and purpose. The

Committee and all of the



My dear bro. Wellons: My visit to New York to see bro. Palmer was satisfactory. The matter stands in

his will in original form and our action is not a condition of it. The least said is best; so say nothing only

it is all right.

When you go or consider with architect, estimate also on an addition for 4 rooms on 2nd

and 3rd

floors and dining room on 1st with 1 Bath on opposite sides between old and new and all in brick. Get

estimates on simply improving the present building with the above addition. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley


Mrs. Myra Albright: Absence from home till 26th will account for delay in my reply to your letter of 16

th

inst.

I regret to say that the Treasurer cannot pay now the sum for which you ask and which you seem

to need. I am very sorry such is the case, but I hope you can wait patiently. It will be pace sometime, but

I cannot promise as to time.

Hoping this will be satisfactory, I am - Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., June 30, 1896.

My dear Rev. Long: Your letter of 26th inst. received and noted today.

I will thank you to wait till we can have a personal conference and I will then answer your

inquiries. I can do it better in that way than in a letter.

I hope this will be satisfactory to you and that we may have opportunity to meet within a few

weeks – sometime in July.

Yours very truly,

W. W. Staley

Suffolk, Va., July 3rd

, 1896.

Rev. W. S. Long D.D.,

My dear brother: The tone of your letter of July 2nd

convinces me that either you do not understand the

situation or I do not, and that I acted wisely in writing for a face to face conference instead of risking a

misunderstanding. I have nothing to conceal either and have done nothing wrong unless I did it

ignorantly. We have imputed nothing to you and Dr, McWhinney not even in our minutes.

It was almost impossible for me to see you upon my return from New York.

If convenient, please meet me in Dr. Canott’s study next Monday at 12:00 and I will explain all I

know. Please bring all the letters and telegrams you have on the subject that I may read them and I will

do the same and then, perhaps, both of us will know the true in? of the situation. Cordially yours,

W. W. Staley


Rev. J. W. Wellons,

Durham, N. C.,

My dear brother: Your esteemed letter received and noted.

I like your suggestion to meet in Raleigh next Monday13th would suit me better than any other

day. I could go up on night train and reach Raleigh early Monday morning or on day train and get there

at 2:30 p.m. though I think 11 a.m. is the best train you and Klapp could come on. If you find we can

meet that day notify Klapp and me. Prof. Moffitt is in E. Va. and will not go to Raleigh till next time and

then has to go to Sunday School Convention day or two after.

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.

Suffolk, Va., Jly 6th, 1896.

Prof. S. A. Holleman Treas.

Dear Sir: Miss Price writes me for money, but of course you have none to pay.

Is her Balance $163.00?

Note: The remainder of the second paragraph is unreadable.

Let me know if that is ?



Mr. B. F. Long,

Statesville, N. C.,

My dear Sir: Yours of the 7th inst. received and duly considered.

I regret, also, your absence from home when my wife and I visited your family but we fully

understand why you were out. Your wife took charge of us and entertained us regally and we enjoyed her

?. We were much pleased with your ? home and the dear children.

I am quite sure, from the tone of the letter , that you have ? the action of the Executive Committee

of the College. No reflection upon the request of Bro Wellons was intended. As to myself I am so loyal

to him and his interests in my interests, as a son to a father I therefore ? knowingly to any wrong done

brother Wellons. I hope my ? will give full satisfaction to your mind on this subject, but if not please

inform me and I will at proper time and place, submit reasons and the data upon which they rested.

Fraternally yours, W. W. Staley.


Miss Janie E. Price: After receiving your letter of the 3rd

inst. I wrote Prof. Holleman, Treasurer, and find

no money on hand and your account unpaid of $163.00. The low price of products, the crops ruined by

floods, the universal financial ? and the present political situation on the money question ? the present

collections now. I am very sorry to deny you, but I have no promise to pay without money.

The only thing I could do and that by ? would be to offer you $100 on a/c, if you will give me a

receipt in full of your claim against Elon. If that would ?, I will arrange personally to do that and?


Sincerely yours,

W. W. Staley


My dear bro. Klapp: Brother Wellons has written you to meet E. Com. at Raleigh next Monday, July 13,

at 11.a.m. At his suggestion we meet there so the Com. on plans for Dormitory can meet with us without

expense. I will pay your fare from Elon to Raleigh and return as that is what I would have to do for

myself if we met at the College. The meeting is an important one and I hope you can come on the

morning train from Elon or on the one from Greensboro as I understand you will be at ??? Sunday. This

will give you a trip to Raleigh without expense to you. Yours truly,

W. W. Staley.


Rev. W. T. Herndon,


My dear brother: Prof. Holleman declines to try to collect any money unless your papers were properly

turned over to him.

I will ask you to do me the kindness to try to collect what is due in any of the a/c of $500. each

now in Bank as collateral. You have duplicates. We need about $270.00 to pay interest on Note in Bank

for next 6 mos. from Aug. 3rd

. Of course I mean for you to collect on any ?? you hold over due.

I hope this is not asking too much of you.

? fine but price total failure. Rain for Monday very damaging to all crops.

Yours truly, W. W. Staley, Pres.


Prof. Holleman, Treasr.

Dear brother: Yours of 8th inst. received. I have written Dr. Herndon to try to collect as much as possible

to pay Bank interest for next 6 mos and I will ask you to consult with him and if you can assist him in

doing so.

Inclosed you will find W. H. Jones check for $25.00 which you will use ?.

E. Com and I on plans will meet in Raleigh next Monday to decide or try to on Dormitory. Will

let you know when question is decided.

Farming considered a failure in this section. ?, Potatoes no price though big crop..

Yours truly,

W. W. Staley, Pres.


Miss Maggie V. Walker,

Brown Summit, N. C.,

My dear Miss: Your esteemed letter of 7th inst. has been received and considered.

There is no opening for a position for you in Elon College now, and as to making up a class your

self that could only be granted by the Board and not by me; and the Board could hardly answer a question

like that till next fall after the school opens.

I could not advise you to put any dependence in a prospect so uncertain. Hoping that you may

secure a good place elsewhere, I am,

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley.


Miss Janie E. Price: I am in receipt of your esteemed letter of 11th inst. and share in your disappointment

in the delay of the payment of what Elon College now owes you. I am very sorry that I stand in the place

I do for, personally, I would do anything if I could to pay it. But you know I act officially and can do no

more than the College is able to do.

The proposition I made you was meant as a personal kindness and as you do not accept it there is

no harm done. I can offer no more.

I am sorry you feel inclined to put your trust in a lawyer for collection. The College is anxious to

pay you and could if it could collect its accts; and it will as soon as it can. You would gain nothing by

pushing your claim as the College is under mortgage and you could get nothing now by force and hence I

hope you will simply wait in patience as the College is doing and as creditors are doing all over the land

now.

Respectfully yours,

W. W. Staley, President

Note: The letter is unreadable. It continues on page 295.

2

Note: This is a continuation of the letter on page 294. The first few lines of the letter are unreadable.

? the paper if the cause of any misunderstanding and ? that now writes. It was written by Dan in ?

Yellow Springs, Ohio, June 17th, 1896, on soiled Hotel paper where Mr. P. was a guest while at Antioch

Commencement. It was signed by F A. Palmer and attested by T. M. McWhinney all in ?. The paper

proposed the establishment of The F. A. Palmer Chair of Christian Ethics at Elon and nominated Rev. W.

S. Long, D.D. as resident and T. M. McWhinney, D.D. as non-resident professors and their salaries to be

on the basis of $1400. for the resident and $600. for the non-resident prof. and Dan explained that when

the non-resident prof. retired the total of $2000 would go to the resident prof. He explained that it was the

$2000 from the endowment which I have explained above. He said the above had been presented and

adopted at ? with himself and resident prof. He insisted that we should adopt the paper at once and ? us

that even hesitation might cut off the bequest entirely. In a formal letter to the committee Dan requested

that our official answer be made to Mr. P. This paper seemed contrary to what we had understood of Mr.

P.’s bequest and seemed to have originated outside of Mr. P. himself. Hence we thought it best to see

Mr. P. in person and find out what our duty was in the premises. That is why I went to N. York. My

visit confirmed our view of the matter. We did decide


3

on persons. We were trying to find out what our duty was. Mr. P. signed that paper under the impression

that Elon wanted all of his endowment to go to that one chair and his signature was simply his consent for

the authorities to act. It was not his plan and is not in his will. The paper provided the said professors

should depend upon voluntary contributions for their support till this fund was available and that is after

his death. He may live ten years.

The committee intended no reflection upon the parties named in the paper. The committee was

dealing with two questions: 1. What is best for the Institution? 2. What is Mr. P.’s mind? I had no

disposition or power to change Mr. P’s mind. I have done no more than my duty. You would not ask me

to do less. Wellons and Moffitt are both brother William’s friends whether he thinks so or not. I esteem

him as a father whether he believes it or not. If that paper had been adopted Mr. P.’s plan in his will

would have been changed.

With this rough outline of the facts as I understand them I leave you to draw a conclusion for

your own mind. Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley

Note: The letter is unreadable.


Rev. Dr. D. A. Long,

Yellow Springs, Ohio,

My dear brother: Yours of 24th inst. has been received and duly considered.

The matter of the papers you inclose had been considered by the Committee and disposed of, as

we understand it, in a manner satisfactory to Brother Palmer.

Fraternally yours,

W. W. Staley


Rev. Dr. D. A. Long,

Yellow Springs, Ohio,

My dear brother: In reply to your letter of Aug. 24th I will say: 1. The letter of July 24

th 1896 was duly

received and I intended to so acknowledge it in my reply of July 29th, 1896. 2. I think the other question

was answered in my letter of Aug. 7th, 1896. I consulted brother Palmer in person as to my duty.

The paper you presented, June 22ed, 1896, was so astutely drawn as to make my disposition of it

seem personal. This was unfortunate as brother W. S. Long so construes it and for this I am pained in

heart. You are too well versed in being misunderstood in the discharge of official duty not to know how

easy it is for official acts to be taken as personal ones. I am sincerely friendly and loyal to the interests of

Drs. McWhinney and W. S. Long, but the main question was outside of their names. I have acted in good

faith toward all and will be loyal to my convictions of duty to the end.


Fraternally yours, W. W. Staley.

2. Suffolk, Va., Sept 8, 1896.

I will ask that all petty business be kept from My dear Prof. Holleman: Yours of 3rd

inst. duly

me till Com. meets. Necessities always in order. received. I have not yet received the Diplomas

Conference will meet in my church Oct. 27 and it referred to, but will follow your directions when

may be impossible for me to meet with com. till I do.

Nov. If a meeting is a necessity before then I I am sorry the offering was poor, but I

will request bro. Wellons to hold it. feared it. I hope, however, that there may be

I have purchased a good grand at Decker a hopeful increase.

Bros. Pianos which I will have shipped to the I am so overwhelmed with work that I

College almost anytime. Please tell Prof. ?? of this. will have to depend on the Faculty to care for

Cost $100 as I will prepay freight. It will be a College interests.

good instrument for

Note: the letter ends here.

william wesley staley letters box 1€¦ · william wesley staley letters box 1 1894-1896...

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