EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third in a series of columns by Dr. Sam Dicks, university historian, concerning the history of what is now Emporia State University and the people who helped the university get to where it is today. The name of his column, "Wave the Old Gold," is taken from the title of a song that served as an alma mater (school song) in the early years of the institution.
EMPORIA, Kansas - There would be no Kansas State Normal School or Emporia State University if not for Charles Vernon Eskridge.
He was the agent of the Emporia Town Company at the founding of the town in 1857, the first county clerk of Breckenridge (Lyon) County, and a major figure in Kansas government and Republican politics for the remainder of the 19th century.
Eskridge served several terms in the house and senate, as well as one term as lieutenant governor. A colorful public figure, he was often suggested as a candidate for governor or senator, but was probably too combative to get elected.
The Kansas Legislature and governor, while in the midst of the Civil War, adopted laws in February and March of 1863 to create schools of higher education. Accounts of what exactly happened in the legislature vary. Isaac Goodnow of Manhattan provides one account.
Goodnow is remembered as a major figure in the creation of the Kansas Agricultural College (Kansas State University), but he was also a strong friend of the State Normal School, helping to choose the site for the campus, and visiting the school frequently. As state superintendent of public instruction, he was a member of the Normal School board of directors. Goodnow wrote in 1889 about the founding of Kansas State Normal School in a letter to President Albert Taylor: "The friends of Manhattan & Emporia had united to put the Agricultural College at Manhattan & the University at Emporia in opposition to Lawrence."
According to Goodnow, "At first Emporia was in the ascendent but finally Lawrence secured it by means of bribery it was thought! C. V. Eskridge, the Champion of Emporia, introduced a Resolution into the House inquiring into the means by which it was done."
Goodnow wrote that Lawrence supporters then proposed a bill to locate "the State Normal School at Emporia & to endow it with 38,000 acres of 'Salt Lands.' Without this action the Normal School would have remained a part of the University. The Bill was accepted by Mr. Eskridge and was passed, almost if not quite by a unanimous vote, and no more was heard of an investigation." Goodnow concluded "It was a great victory for Mr. Eskridge & Emporia after a terrible defeat; almost if not quite equal to the victory for Lawrence."
Details vary in other accounts. One newspaper wrote at the time of Eskridge's death that Eskridge had thought he had the legislative votes, only to lose by three votes which he "claimed were bought at $1,000."
According to later histories, after Emporia failed to get the University, Justice Lawrence Bailey, a native of Massachusetts where normal schools were well established, suggested to Eskridge that he introduce a bill locating a normal school at Emporia. Eskridge replied "What is a normal school?" Bailey explained that it was to teach young men and women in the art of teaching. He helped draw up the law based on the Massachusetts law.
Eskridge was a major promoter of both Emporia and the Normal School. In the early years he extended credit for needed supplies to the school without any concern about repayment. He founded the Emporia Republican in 1882, a major newspaper for the next two decades. It folded shortly after he died. The town of Eskridge was named after him by an admiring friend.
His mansion adjacent to the campus became the KSN Music School until the building of Beach Music Hall nearby in 1926.
Bribery was common in early Kansas legislatures and Eskridge enjoyed a public fight. When he demanded an investigation, Lawrence supporters knew they were in for a humiliating battle if they did not agree to a normal school at Emporia.
Unfortunately we do not have Charles Vernon Eskridge's own account of what happened in the 1863 Legislature. What stories he might have told of this and many other fights!
William Allen White wrote in 1900: "In the legislature he fought for the Normal School and his fight won and today it stands as a monument to his courage."
CONTACT: ESU Media Relations, 620-341-5454
Last Updated July 2, 2007>