REV ARTHUR W. PARTCH 
President of Tillotson College.

1904

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF TILLOTSON.

The new President of Tillotson College, Austin, Tex., Rev. Arthur W. Partch, sends at our request his first impressions of the institution. Mr. Partch is a graduate of Wesleyan University, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa, and a graduate of Union Theological Seminary. His exceptional record as a scholar and teacher in other institutions, together with his earnest enthusiasm, makes his entrance upon his work in Tillotson College one of great promise.

Coming from northern Vermont, to southern Texas, one is impressed by the physical contrasts. Mountains, with brooks and evergreen forests, are replaced by gently-rolling plains, with artificial pools and straggling, stunted trees. The mesquite, which has the shape of an apple-tree, the leaves of the honey-locust, and the clumps of prickly pear, suggest tropics , and deserts. Then the newness of the towns impresses one. The streets are bare, the houses new. There are no moss-grown ruins or abandoned farmhouses; but in the newer portions shacks and tents.

The colored people of this part of Texas have a good deal of respect for themselves. They seem to think they are the elect of the colored race. They say, "Our people here will use you well," meaning that they know how to behave as white folks do. They are real sociable. Then are " mighty proud to meet" us, and they like to sit down and have a good visit.

This is the time of the exodus to the cotton fields. Two thousand left Austin, a city of 22,000, in one day. .Whole families go to the " cotton patch " and camp out for one or two months. A public school adjoining our campus, which had about 270 enrolled during last year, had 70 at the beginning of this fall term. The more well-to-do, who have steady employment, do not join in this migration. They send their children largely to private schools, because they do not wish them to associate with the rough and often tough children in the public school.

A few day's at Tillotson are enough to impress me with the culture and character of the members of the faculty. We find wit and cheer and gentleness and strength. This explains the loyalty of the students to Tillotson, and their reputation for good breeding.

Tillotson College has had a college name looking forward It now introduces a department of college studies in answer to strong appeals from those who feel the need of such privileges in Texas Tillotson opens with great promise for the year under its new and earnest president 

The American missionary‎

by American Missionary Association, Congregational Home Missionary Society, - 1904

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