Held in Eufaula, November, 1877. The officers of the last convention
were re-elected. The school project was turned into the hands of the
Board of Trustees elected at the session of 1875. The report of the
Board of Trustees recommended that the school be located at Montgomery.
When a motion by Hon. A. H. Curtis to substitute Marion had been lost,
Rev. E. K. Love, of Georgia, moved to substitute Selma, which was
carried by a majority of three. The Board was authorized and instructed
to begin operations. Revs. W. H. McAlpine and W. J. Stevens were put
out as missionaries. Before leaving Eufaula, the Board appointed a
committee to act on their behalf with regard to the management of the
school. At a meeting of the Board held in Selma, December 20, the
committee reported: “Your committee has been unable to find a suitable
house for rent in which to commence school for less than $27 per month.
There are one or more buildings here that may be purchased at quite a
reasonable figure. W. H. McAlpine, J. Blevins, H. Stevens, committee.”
At this meeting there were present the following trustees, besides
those above mentioned: M. Tyler, C. Blunt, J. W. Stevens, J. Dosier
and A. H. Curtis. Revs. W. H. McAlpine and J. Blevins, with Bro. A.
H. Curtis, were empowered to act as Executive Committee of the Board.
After some discussion as to whether to rent or purchase, it was voted
to rent, and not to pay over $15 per month. The Committee was so
instructed, and was further instructed not to assume over $50 per month
for teaching force. The Committee elected Mr. H. Woodsmall, of Indiana,
and he at once opened the school in the St. Phillip Street Baptist
Church.
On May 30, 1878, the Board held another meeting in Selma. Present:
Revs. M. Tyler, J. Blevins, G. C. Casby, Thomas Smith, J. Dosier,
H. Stevens, W. H. McAlpine and C. O. Boothe. At this meeting the
Committee were authorized to purchase the “Old Fair Grounds” for
$3,000. The _Baptist Pioneer_ was started, with W. H. McAlpine, editor;
J. Dosier and C. O. Boothe as assistants. The Committee, to the great
satisfaction of the Board, reported that the St. Phillips Street Church
had donated to the school the use of their audience room, the oil for
lights, and fuel, and also that the services of Bro. W. R. Pettiford
had been secured at a cost of $20 per month, allowing him time to take
lessons in theology.
The following financial report was submitted: