Butler University in Irvington, Indiana

Oliver Perry Hay was a professor at Butler University for 13 years: 1879-1892. He was a professor of Biology and Geology, and also taught chemistry, physics, zoology, botany, histology and embryology. It was during this time that his love of paleontology began, and he traveled to Mississippi, Arkansas and Kansas in the summers to collect fossils.

Butler University says on their 2007 website: "Founded in 1855 by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler, Butler University today occupies 20 buildings on 290 acres in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood of Indianapolis." In 2007 it serves over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 60 degree programs through five colleges: Business Administration, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Jordan College of Fine Arts. However, back in Oliver Perry Hay's day, it was quite different.

Butler College - period postcard

North Western Christian University was the name when the school opened on November 1, 1855, at what is now 13th and College, with no president, 2 professors, and 20 students. In 1875, the university moved to a 25-acre campus in Irvington. It was there that the school was renamed Butler University "in recognition of Ovid Butler's inspirational vision, determined leadership, and financial support." In 1922, they purchased Fairview Park, and in 1928, moved their campus to the current Fairview location in the west side of Indianapolis. All of the Irvington campus buildings were demolished in the 1930's, except for the Bona Thompson Library which currently houses the Irvington Historical Society and the Missions Building which is a senior's residential living space.

Click on each period picture and map to see a larger view:

Butler University Administration building

Butler University Burgess Hall

Butler University dormitory

Butler University Missions Building

Butler University Thompson Library

Butler University period map

It is unknown who brought Oliver Perry Hay to Butler, but my guess is that is was Otis Asa Burgess. He had been instrumental in obtaining the Charter of Eureka College (which both Oliver Perry and Mary Emily attended) from the Illinois State Assembly in 1855. He later served as one of the first professors to teach at Eureka College. When the Civil War began, Burgess volunteered his services to the Union cause and became captain of Company G of the 17th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Mary Emily's brothers fought in the 94th Illinois Infantry). In 1891, Nancy J. Ledgerwood Burgess presented a $10,000 gift to Eureka College to initiate construction of an academic building that would honor her late husband. The college was able to complete the structure in 1892 at a cost of $21,000. Both Captain and Mrs. Burgess were active members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He had ended his career by serving as the President of Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. It is noteworthy that the following president of Butler University, Harvey Everest, also had served as president of Eureka College. Butler College presidents in Oliver Perry Hay's days:

Otis Burgess, 1868-1870, 1873-1881 -- under his tenure all distinction in the course of study for male versus female students was abolished.

Harvey Everest, 1881-1886. Served twice as president of Eureka college, and was also professor of biblical literature and moral science at Butler.

Scot Butler, 1891-1904, 1906-1907. "Instilled intellectual achievement, religious and moral idealism, and simplicity and native dignity" at Butler.

Allen Benton, 1861-1868, 1886-1891. Resigned in 1868 over low salaries for faculty. Was a professor of philosophy, and resigned to devote himself to his teaching.

The Indianapolis city directories do not exactly reflect the dates I would have expected for Captain Burgess, and neither does the history of past presidents on the internet (above) -- particularly noteworthy are the omissions of Hollenbeck and Atkinson, and the disagreement over dates. The Indianapolis directories:
1880 Butler University P. H. Jameson, Pres, C E Hollenbeck, sec, Irvington, Ind
1881 Butler University Otis A. Burgess, Pres, Chauncy Butler, sec, Irvington, Ind
1882 Butler University, Harvey W. Everest, Pres, Chauncy Butler, sec, Irvington, Ind
1883 Butler University, Harvey W. Everest, Pres, Ovid B. Wallace, sec, Scot Butler, treas, Irvington, Ind
1884 Butler University, Harvey W. Everest, Pres, Demascus C Brown, sec, Scot Butler, treas, Irvington, Ind
1885 Butler University, Harvey W. Everest, Pres, T M Idens, sec, Scot Butler, treas, Irvington, Ind
1886 Butler University, Harvey W. Everest, Pres, Thomas M Idens, sec, Scot Butler, treas, Irvington, Ind
1887 Butler University, Scot Butler, treas, Irvington, Ind
1888 Butler University, Allen R Benton, Pres, Irvington, Ind
1889 Butler University, Allen R Benton, Pres, Irvington, Ind
1890 Butler University, Allen R Benton, Pres, Irvington, Ind
1891 Butler University, Allen R Benton, Pres, Irvington, Ind
1892 Butler University, Allen R Benton, Pres, Irvington, Ind
1893 Butler University A M Atkinson Pres Board of Directors, S. Frasier Sec Board of Directores, Scot Butler A M Pres Faculty and Treas Board of Directores, Irvington, Ind

1893 started the full-page ads in the directory too. In 1893 there were two pages:

Butler University 1893 ad page 2

Butler University 1893 ad page 1

BUTLER UNIVERSITY, Irvington, Indiana. Easily accessible from Indianapolis by means of electric street car line. Fully equipped for thorough instruction in Science, Philosophy, Theology, Language, Literature and music. Highest scholarship aimed at. Elocution and Bymnastics without extra charge. Delsarte System for women. Building supplied with steam heat and electric lights. Irvington, the seat of the University, is the most attractive of the suburbs of Indianapolis; it is four miles east, and noted as combining in an unusual degree the quiet and comfor of country residence with the advantages of city life. Calalogues sent free on application. Address, Scot Butler, President.
Burgess Hall Preparatory School. Preparatory Department Butler University. Studies arranged with special reference to preparation of student for admission to college classes. Applicants for admission are reuired to have completed the usual common school course. Thorough instruction provided according to most approved methods. Elocution, Gymnastics, Library and Reading Room. For information apply to: Omar Wilson, Principal Preparatory Dep't Butler University, Irvington, Indiana.

Butler University 1894 ad

The following year in 1894 there was but a single page ad:
BUTLER UNIVERSITY. Irvington, the site of the University, is an attractive suburb of Indianapolis, four miles east of the center of the city and connected with it by electric street-cars, making quick trips every fifteen minutes. The population of the village consists mainly of those who have been drawn thither by its educational inducements. This gives it a special character of cultivation and good order, while, as a home for students, it is singularly free from the temptations and dangers often surrounding college life. The University, in its literary and scientific departments, maintains a full corps of instuctors and offers every facility for thorough college work. Instruction in elocution and regular and systematic training in physical exercises are afforded without extra charge. Instruction in music also is provided. The Theologicval department aims at the highest scholarship. An excellent preparatory school fits students for college classes. Residence for young ladies is offered in a carefully conducted boarding hall on the college campus, where young ladies only are received. All the buildings are supplied with steam heat and electric lithjs. Tuition and living expenses low. For catalogue and information address: Secretary Butler University, Irvington, Indiana.

I was especially interested in the information on the preparatory school. The Hays moved here in 1879, when William was 7, Mamie was 6 and Fannie was 3. Robert was born in November of 1882. When they left in 1892, William was 20, Mamie 18, Fannie 16 and Robert 10. From his notes, we know that William entered Butler at age 13, and graduated at age 19 (1885-1891). We know nothing of Mamie's education, but do know that Fannie went to the University of Chicago (they lived in Chicago 1893-1897, when Fannie was 17-21). It is assumed that the three oldest children all attended the preparatory school affiliated with Butler University, while Robert was too young.

The family story is that Oliver Perry Hay left Butler over disagreement on teaching evolution versus creation (Oliver Perry Hay was an evolutionist). It is unknown who was the impetus behind Oliver Perry Hay leaving Butler. My guess would be Butler President Atkinson, since he was the last president. He must have had a short tenure, since he is not mentioned on the Butler University historical website, however, he was still listed in the Indianapolis directory in 1894. On the other hand, I also wonder why after 11 years (1880-1890) of being listed as a professor, Oliver Perry was suddenly listed for the next three years as a teacher (1891-1893), in the middle of Allen Benton's second term as president. My only thought here is that it might not have been such a sudden decision after all -- Oliver Perry might also have been waiting for William Perry to finish undergraduate studies and for Fannie to finish her college prep years.

For background information, Charles Darwin published Origin of Species in 1859; the Scopes Trial was in 1925. Scopes was a substitute biology teacher accused of breaking the Butler Act -- a 1925 law that forbade the teaching, in any state-funded educational establishment in Tennessee, of "any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals." The two famous attorneys at the Scopes trial were plaintiff William Jennings Bryant and defense attorney Clarence Darrow. Scopes was found guilty on July 21 and ordered to pay a $100 fine. On appeal, the court found the Butler Act statute to be constitutional, but nonetheless set aside the conviction due to a legal technicality: the jury should have decided the fine, not the judge, as Tennessee judges could not at that time set fines above 50 dollars. The prosecution did not seek a retrial.

At that time [1925] in history the theory of evolution was considered controversial in public opinion, and a large fraction of its detractors linked it with atheism. It would not be until the 1930s that the beginnings of the modern synthesis brought Darwinism to the core of modern biology. In his published work In His Image, William Jennings Bryan argued that evolution was both irrational and immoral. Bryan was highly influential in raising public and legislative support for the Butler Act, and its enactment by the legislature of Tennessee came at least partially as a result of his advocacy.

It took over 200 years for the Catholic Church to accept the scientific evidence that the earth revolved around the sun (still a "theory" today; first espoused by Copernicus in 1514 and popularized by Galileo in his 1663 book Dialogue for which he was put on trial). With the popularity of "intelligent design" arguments of the early 21st century, it appears that acceptance of the theory of evolution is destined to take even longer. I wonder if Oliver Perry Hay would be surprised.