appropriation of $25,000 for a physical laboratory, it was on condition that the college deed over to the State all the property of Rankin held by the college. This was done by the college. The State realized more out of the property than the loss it sustained by reason of the defalcation. For a double reason, then, the State is bound to pay over to the college all it lost of its interest fund. For as matters now stand the State has actually gained through Rankin's defalcation.
In the report of the investigating committee is found this paragraph: "Your committee are of the opinion that the endowment fund has been wisely, judiciously, and honestly managed; and that the leasing of the lands was the best policy that could have been pursued and make them available and remunerative to the college. Your committee find that there is no evidence tending to show that any officer or trustee of the college has ever speculated in or appropriated to his own use any of the funds of the college, or acted in bad faith in the management of the same."
In 1870 a tract of 190 acres located about one mile west from the farm-house across Squaw Creek, and called North Farm, was bought for $5,200. This money was drawn from the "interest fund." The purchase was not made until the written opinion of the attorney-general should be obtained declaring such use of the so-called "interest fund" to be legal. Such opinion was obtained, and the purchase made. This farm has proved a source of expense to the college from the day of purchase to the present time.
In 1868 the General Assembly appropriated $12,000 for the purpose of building three dwelling' houses for professors; work was begun on them in the summer of 1868. The material, concrete blocks, was of such poor quality that one of them-afterward the president's house, now South Hall-fell down in the course of construction. One of the three houses was abandoned next year, while the other two were built of brick and completed in 1870. These two houses, when completed, cost nearly $26,000.
The years 1871 and 1872 saw many improvements made. The wings of the college building, already related, were finished. A professor's house, costing $4,500, built of brick, was completed. This house was first occupied by Prof. Anthony, then by Prof. Thompson, and now by Col. Lincoln, professor of military science, and college steward.
A frame work-shop, 30x50 feet, two stories high, with an engine house, etc., 27x23 feet, with a brick smoke-stack 50 feet high, was erected at a total cost of $5,000.
The chemical laboratory, a brick building 30x60 feet, one story high, with a basement fitted up for lecture purposes, was finished at a cost of $5,000. The walls were made thick, so that in time the roof might be raised for an additional story. This will be done next year. The original design was just twenty years in maturing!
A brick horse-barn and accessories, 30x60 feet, costing a trifle over $2,500; a gas house near the rear of the college building, $500; and various farm improvements aggregating $3,000, were successfully completed before the close of 1872.
An appropriation of $25,000 for a main laboratory building was secured in 1872. The plans adopted, if carried out, would have needed $45,000. Very little was done in 1873 except to excavate the basement and lay the foundation, when the Rankin defalcation carried away . $22,000, as related.
The next General Assembly made an appropriation for a physical laboratory of $25,000, and this structure was finished and occupied