Fee's Tale of Theft at Augusta College

- Below is an excerpt from "Garnering the Sheaves," by Rev. William Fee submitted by Caroline Miller. William was a cousin of Rev. John G. Fee, another graduate of Augusta College. According to Wikpedia, Dr. Bascom, who is mentioned in the text below, was professor of moral science and belles-lettres at the college from 1932-1942.

Henry Bidleman Bascom (1796–1850)

"About the time I entered college, I became familiar with Mr. V, for many years, the janitor of the Institution. He was poor, but had a spotless reputation; he was respected and loved; and very useful to the church.

"One day, Dr. Bascom missed his pocket-book, which contained valuable papers and a considerable amount of money. He supposed that he had left it in his room; and this was in charge of the janitor. He was approached, but utterly denied it. He was arrested, but the only evidence was circumstantial, and he was acquitted. He lost his enviable standing, dismissed from the college, and was almost friendless. He would still visit the church services, all the while protesting his innocence! His heart was almost broken.

A short time after this, commencement day arrived. Mr. A, from a distant state, especially distinguished himself, and later that evening left on a steamer for his distant home. Some hours afterwards, he was seen on the hurricane deck of the steamer, walking backward and forward, hurriedly.

A few moments later after this, the boiler exploded, and he was seen no more. A trunk was left on the boat, which was not claimed by any one. After remaining there for days - for the boat went on its course - the officers of the boat unlocked it and examined its contents. It was Mr. A's trunk. In it was found a pocket-book, which, on examination, proved to be the one lost by Dr. Bascom. They not only found the papers unharmed, but also the very money which he had lost. It was at once sent to Augusta.

Mr. V. was at once restored to his position in the college and his standing in the church. The young man (Mr. A) found a watery grave, and his remains were never recovered. God will vindicate the innocent."

Rev. William Fee's Younger Years

- Below is an excerpt from "Garnering the Sheaves," by Rev. William Fee submitted by Caroline Miller. William was a cousin of Rev. John G. Fee, another graduate of Augusta College.

"Neither my father nor mother had ever spoken a word to me about preaching. One day my father said to me: "Do you see that beautiful colt? That is yours whenever you become a Methodist traveling preacher." "Would you like to go to Augusta College?" This college was the first chartered Methodist college in the world, and was only six miles from my native place. This was the fall of 1838.

"Most of the men where from the southern states and were the sons of wealthy and distinguished men. The faculty of the college at that time consisted of the following persons: Rev. Joseph S. Tomlinson, president; Rev. H.B. Bascom, finest orator in the world; Rev. Joseph M. Trimble of Ohio; and Rev. Burr H. McCown, professor of languages.

"I remember, on one Saturday, the religious students met together in order to prepare for the work of the Sabbath. A nephew of one of the governors of Ohio, the son of a pious mother, who dedicated him to God when she died, though a young man of remarkable promise, was very wicked. When I went to his room and asked he attend a religious meeting, he said: "I must go out on the river to skate. I must go!" My heart was almost broken.

"When Professor Trimble, who was his cousin, spoke to him about disgracing his mother, he went to Fee's room and said: "O, I can't eat or sleep until I find Christ! Pray for me!"

"When future Bishop Hubbard H. Kavanaugh was riding me home on his horse, he replied: "I believe that God intends you to be a minister, and a Methodist traveling preacher. Your ability to cling to that horse has settled that question with me."

"In the month of June, 1842, I was graduated with sixteen others, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. My college acquaintances amount to many hundreds in all parts of the Western and Southern states. I was an anti-slavery man, and the Southern associations had no charms for me."

Old Wallpaper Revealed!

Like layers of an onion, as we "peel" off the layers of Echo Hall, some intriguing artifacts are revealed! This floral wallpaper was several layers deep, and found in a room in the southern wing of the building. We hope to eventually do some detective work to find out if the wallpaper holds any secrets!