Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 69]

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61 Prof. Bliss, called away by the care of his own farm, resigned the Professorship at the close of the Spring term. Negotiations are already in progress to fill the vacant chair of agriculture, and also to secure suitable men for the professorships of geology and zoology, and of history and social science. All of these places should be filled before the opening of the next academic year. The terms of service of the assistant teachers now under employment will expire with the current year, but as the number and kind of assistants required the next year will depend partly upon our success in filling the chairs mentioned, it will be best to refer their employment to the Executive Committee, or to authorize the Regent to employ, from time to time, such assistants as may be required, within such restrictions as to salary as the Board may prescribe. In the practice departments the following assistants have been on service during the year: H. K. Yickroy, orehardist and nurseryman; Thomas Franks, gardener and florist; J. S. Searfoss, carpenter; Alexander Thomson, machinist; Geo. Upstone, foreman on stock farm. Mr. Upstone having been disabled by an accident in December last, Mr, G. W. Eice, of Champaign, kindly tendered his services, and was employed to the first of March, giving excellent satisfaction. The close of Professor Bliss' term of service, the first of September, left the farm without any responsible superintendent, and the Executive Committee, deeming it wise to secure a man of requisite education and experience, to take the responsibility until the chair of agriculture should be again filled, instituted inquiries for suitable candidates, and finally appointed, to the place of head farmer, Mr. E. L. Lawrence, of Belvidere, Boone county. Mr. Lawrence entered upon service the 1st of March. Mr. Upstone, having been temporarily disabled by the breaking of his leg, while in the service of the Board, was paid his wages for the month of January, and still occupies a portion of the house, by the kindness of Mr. Lawrence. I respectfully suggest that, in consideration of his misfortune, his wages be allowed to the first day of March, or that some allowance be made him to aid in the payment of his doctor's bill.

ATTENDANCE AND STUDIES.

The records of the year show a gratifying progress in numbers and qualifications of students. The attendance, during the several terms since last meeting, was as follows: