William Taylor Stott was a native Hoosier and an 1861 graduate of Franklin College; who later became the president who took the college from virtual bankruptcy in 1872 to its place as a leading liberal arts institution in Indiana by the turn of the century. The story of Franklin College is the story of W. T. Stott; yet his influence was not confined to the parameters of the college. Stott was an inspirational and intellectual force in the Indiana Baptist community; a foremost champion of small denominational colleges and of higher education in general; and a figure of note in local politics and the Grand Army of the Republic. He also fought in the Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War; rising from private to captain by 1863. His diary reveals a soldier who was also a scholar in camp and on the march; one who took every available moment to read theology; philosophy; great literary works; the classics of ancient Greece and Rome; and a few novels. He was as familiar with Burns and Byron as he was with ramrods and knapsacks. While amazingly ecumenical for that era; he was nonetheless a Baptist through and through; insisting on baptism only by immersion and displaying a hatred of alcohol and its effects on his cohorts. A scion of Baptist preachers; Stott championed temperance in the army and inherited an antislavery fervor that prompted his belief that; in God s eyes; there were no walls erected between the races. He loved solitude; embraced nature; and contemplated its lessons in periods of reflection and self-cultivation. Many were his meditations on God; humanity; race; and relations between the sexes. Stott the thinker; however; had a playful side; slyly exposing a dry wit and a sense of humor that can sneak up on the reader.
#2492498 in Books Oregon State University Press 1999-11-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .70 x 5.90l; .99 #File Name: 0870715259290 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A real good look into the pastBy John PurcellI found Townsend's and Nuttall's experiences very interesting. I've been birding for almost 70 years but I never had to deal with Indians or the physical hardship that those guys did. Many of the birds names have been altered and sometimes it is hard to know what species he is talking about. A real good look into the past. I and many other people saw a Townsend's Warbler in Chicago October 12; 2002. 5th Illinois record I think. John Purcell11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. An honest; open look at wild lands and native peopleBy Paper PenThis is a remarkable look at the untamed American West of 1834-1837 through the eyes of a young naturalist. Despite its age; this account is quite readable. The smaller segments describing Townsend's visits to Hawaii; Tahiti and Chile are also enjoyable.Since this is a diary; it does have some flat spots (not every day can be an adventure); but mostly Townsend fills his descriptions with details and color that bring his encounters alive. You can sense Townsend maturing as the journey goes on. One suggestion to the editors: If a new edition is produced; it would be nice to include a map of Townsend's travels; because in some places it's hard to tell where he is.A tip to the reader: Skip the introduction; since it's mostly just a summary of what you'll be reading. It does; however; contain a description of what happened to Townsend after the book; so go back and read that once you finish.2 of 17 people found the following review helpful. GREAT BOOK!By A Customerhi everyone; please buy; read and cherish this book! you would not believe how much work went into this - I know because I'm the author's daughter. BUY BUY BUY! :) thanks
