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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 155/340

A History of Columbia County, Florida
Although the aim of the college was to be “almost free to
Florida boys,” students were encouraged to have at least $50 upon
entering. The money was to be deposited with the school and a
monthly statement issued. Dress uniforms cost $20 while fatigue
uniforms ran $13.50. No student was allowed to “spend foolishly,”
and borrowing was prohibited. Students were advised to bring
what textbooks they might have while additional ones could be
purchased from S. B. Thompson of Lake City. Students resided in
dormitories. Daily chapel on campus was required as well as
Sunday worship at a church of the student’s choice. The college’s
literary societies were the Forum and the Bema. In 1893, when the
college became coeducational, the Clutonian was established as a
literary society for women. Also in 1893 the curriculum was
modified with the addition of courses in business. The three
campus fraternities were Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha, and Pi
Kappa Alpha.
Columbia County and Lake City were always supportive of the
college. In addition to the land for the site, local citizens headed by
James E. Young raised $15,000 for building construction. His son
Joseph E. Young was in the opening class. Harry P. Baya, son of
Joseph Baya, was also a student at the college and later became the
school’s commandant of cadets and professor of mathematics.
Other Columbia countians who attended the college included
Horace Wilson, Harold and Norman Ives, Sadie Young, Lily Bates,
A. B. Brown, James Mitchell, William B. Cone, Della Brooks, B.
Buie, W. F. Dodd, Birdie May Vinzant, Pearl Price, Annie Finley,
and R. N. Palmer. Between 1884 and 1904 Lake City was repre­
sented on the board of trustees of the college by James E. Young, J.
D. Gallaway, L. Harrison, and A. B. Hagan.20

20Special Circular of the Florida Agricultural College; May Vinzant Perkins,
“County Education,” Lake City Reporter, December 13,1974; Florida Agricultural
College Yearbooks in the possession of Miss Jessie Gleason, Lake City.

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