The close of life was in happy accord with his previous religious experience. A letter from Mattoon says: "He died in perfect peace. I never saw a more peaceful expression than rested on his face after death." He leaves to his family the priceless legacy of a pure and noble Christian life. May they move on to the meeting and reunion in the house of our Father in heaven.—W. W. BENNETT, in Richmond Advocate.
The committee of nine appointed to elect professors and a president (in case of Dr. Garland's declination to accept) met August 7, 1868. Dr. Garland having declined to accept the presidency, the committee, all being present, elected Rev. James A. Duncan, of the Virginia Conference, and an alumnus of the College (class of 1849), president, at a salary of $2,500 per annum, and use of residence. Subsequently, on the first day of September, the committee, all being present except Bishop Doggett, in conjunction with the President-elect, Duncan, who had accepted the presidency, proceeded to fill the chairs of instruction. Thomas R. Price, M. A., was elected Professor of Ancient Languages; Harry Estill, A. M., Professor of Mathematics; Richard M. Smith, Professor of Natural Sciences. Their salaries were fixed at $2,000 per annum with houses of residence.
[Illustration: PROF. THOMAS R. PRICE, M.A., LL. D., Founder of the
School of English.]
[Illustration: REV. JAMES A. DUNCAN, D. D., President Randolph-Macon
College, 1868-1877.]
Subsequently, at a meeting of the Board October 1, 1868, the chair of
Modern Languages was filled by the election of W. W. Valentine, of
Richmond.
The sudden and lamented death of the late President Johnson was announced to the Board, and appropriate resolutions in regard to him were adopted.
At a meeting of the Board, held November 20, 1868, Rev. Wm. B. Rowzie was appointed Agent of the College in the bounds of the Virginia, and Dr. Nelson Head Agent (till the succeeding Baltimore Conference), in the latter Conference.
[Illustration: PROF. HARRY ESTILL, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, 1868-1878.]
The College opened at Ashland, October 1, 1868.
With great labor and many embarrassments the College furniture, laboratories and libraries had been transferred from Boydton to Ashland, under the special superintendence of Rev. T. S. Campbell. The buildings on the campus had been remodeled and repaired, and were in fair condition for occupancy, and for the work and use to which they had been converted. They had in former years been used for a summer resort, to which many visitors annually repaired for health and dissipation. The largest building was the hotel, which had several buildings attached. In the centre of the grounds was the ball-room, flanked by dressing-rooms. This building was converted into a chapel and society halls, while the hotel became the main dormitory building. The bowling-alley and other buildings also became dormitories. Three buildings were fitted up for professor's houses. The rooms on the lower floors of the hotel were made lecture-rooms. Though the buildings were extemporised, the whole arrangement was comparatively convenient and comfortable. What was defective and might have been complained of was more than compensated by the superb Faculty of instruction provided for the students in attendance. First and foremost was the President, Rev. James A. Duncan, D. D. Of him we will let others who were associated with him speak. His colleagues were Professor Thomas R. Price, M. A., Professor Harry Estill, A. M., Professor Richard M. Smith, Professor W. W. Valentine.