[Letter from B. D. Dashiell to J. D. Giddings - December 18, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from B. D. Dashiell to J. D. Giddings - December 18, 1872]

Letter from B. D. Dashiell to Hon. J. D. Giddings. Dashiell gives some dates when he expects to be home and expresses his desire to be present when the abitrators meet. He then recommends various people to "estimate the work." Dashiell says that the Soule University board has given Kennon and himself the authority to give bond for the cost in the case of Keesee's heirs. In the case of Mrs. Browning's claim, the matter is not yet settled to Dashiell's disappointment. He plans to be absent often from his home and may move to Houston, and so the board would have to elect new officers, but Dashiell is reluctant to pass on his troubles to a new officer.
Date: December 18, 1872
Creator: Dashiell, B. D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from P. E. Carnes to J. D. Giddings - February 26, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from P. E. Carnes to J. D. Giddings - February 26, 1872]

Letter from P. E. Carnes to Mr. Giddings. Carnes explains that he is returning a deed to Giddings because he has failed to make any progress in making arrangements for the property. There is a homestead with considerable land for cultivation, but it cannot be sold until its heirs come of age. Carnes is concerned at the possibility that F. A. Mood may leave Soule University. He knows of people who would leave the college along with Mood, and he feels that this would be very detrimental to the school. In the postscript, Carnes requests the order of a kitchen implement.
Date: February 26, 1872
Creator: Carnes, P. E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Charles Marechal to J. D. Giddings and Morris - June 3, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from Charles Marechal to J. D. Giddings and Morris - June 3, 1872]

Letter from Charles Marechal to Giddings and Morris. Marechal explains that he has heard of a vacant position in the French and German department of Soule University and would like more information as well as advice from Giddings and Morris, who hold considerable influence over the institution. Marechal has spent most of his twenty years in Mobile teaching modern languages and assisting the English department at Barton Academy. His background also includes various positions in institutions in the northern states. He was born and educated in France and has great familiarity with the German language. Marechal has many recommendations and testimonials attesting to his character and competency that he is prepared to send to the university.
Date: June 3, 1872
Creator: Marechal, Charles
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - June 16, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - June 16, 1871]

Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings. Wallis expresses his consternation that he may have to pay the note that W. J. Armstrong made against Colonel Browning and himself. He is disappointed that Soule University did not protect him against the claim and insists that he will only pay it if Col. Browning pays half and if he can pay it after July 10th. If any more claims are made against him as a result of his holding the university's deed of trust, he will consult the Giddings brothers for legal assistance. Wallis ends by inquiring about claims that may have been settled already.
Date: June 16, 1871
Creator: Wallis, John C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from R. T. P. Allen to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - October 20, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from R. T. P. Allen to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - October 20, 1871]

Letter from R. T. P. Allen to J. D. and D. C. Giddings. Colonel Allen writes that he needs to collect some notes on behalf of Helen L. Carmer from the Giddings brothers, who received the notes from the late Allen Lewis. Mrs. Carmer also would like the brothers to take up the matter of a claim on the Female College Boarding House in Chappell Hill between $2,000-$3,000.
Date: October 20, 1871
Creator: Allen, R. T. P.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from E. D. Pitts to J. D. Giddings - October 1, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from E. D. Pitts to J. D. Giddings - October 1, 1872]

Letter from E. D. Pitts to Hon. J. D. Giddings. Pitts says that his daughter, Anna, would serve as a good tutor for Giddings' daughters, with the exceptions that she has no musical ability and charges a high price for her services. She has good character, disciplines students well, and is skilled in subjects including Latin and advanced math. Since Ms. Pitts would charge no less than $75.00 per month, Pitts suggests that sending the Giddings daughters to Chappell Hill Female College would be a cheaper and preferable alternative, and provides an estimate for the education of the two girls at the college.
Date: October 1, 1872
Creator: Pitts, E. D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from William Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 7, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from William Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 7, 1871]

Letter from William Giddings to his uncle D.C. Giddings. William begins by talking about going to a picnic and a concert with his friends, although Dr. Connor would not permit their female companions to accompany them to the concert. The concert raised $100 to renovate the room for the debate society, in which William will soon debate Native American land rights. He explains to his uncle why he made a bad mark in German and asks for advice on his goal to become a lawyer. He sends his love to his relatives and mentions Louise Lyan's production of maple sugar.
Date: May 7, 1871
Creator: Giddings, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings - January 27, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings - January 27, 1872]

Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings. Stone says that he is willing to sell the boarding house property to the highest bidder and have Mrs. Carmer take her share. Otherwise, a civil suit would harm everyone involved.As for Mrs. Carmer's interest, it would be best for her to sell it on the market. Stone is also frustrated that so little stock has been paid, and he seeks Giddings' advice on that matter. Stone has talked to Dr. Connor, and the latter is willing to pay the rent as soon as he knows Mrs. Carmer's prorate share.
Date: January 27, 1872
Creator: Stone, John H.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - January 9, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - January 9, 1871]

Letter from John C. Wallis to J. D. and D. C. Giddings. Wallis begins his letter by saying he is writing in response to the brothers' taking of the Chadwick case upon writ of error and requests that they send the bona for him to sign. Wallis describes his financial distress and his reluctance to pay his liability. He has even considered selling out the University under the Deed of Trust to a Mr. Browning and himself in order to settle the matter. He asks for the brothers' advice on this matter and for details about payment to E.J. Fettock.
Date: January 9, 1871
Creator: Wallis, John C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from William Chappell to J. D. Giddings - November 2, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from William Chappell to J. D. Giddings - November 2, 1872]

Letter from William Chappell to J. D. Giddings. Chappell begins by stating that he has seen a copy of the order that the Soule University Board of Trustees gave to the Building Committee to hypothecate all of the estate real and personal in order to secure a loan to build a "stone edifice." However, the committee failed to include the Rock Building and donated lands in the hypothecation, and this failure is not the fault of the Board of Trustees because it was explicit in its instructions to include all estate real and personal. Discussing a different matter, he explains how William Keesee with a black man purchased D. Ayrs' land, which had been given to him by his father in Alabama in 1837 or 1838. The deed to Mr. Ayrs' land was not made until after Keesee's death. Ayrs knew that the land had been donated, but Chappell does not know whether he deeded it to the university or his heirs.
Date: November 2, 1872
Creator: Chappell, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from William G. Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 11, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from William G. Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 11, 1871]

Letter from William Giddings to his uncle D.C. Giddings. William discusses his indecision about whether to work on the farm as his uncle suggested or continue with his studies at Soule University. He says that he could, if needed, work during the day and study at night. Next, he talks about the University Stylus school newspaper that includes his name in a list of students who got distinctions and promises to send his uncle a copy. Finally, William says that half of the money raised by the concert was going to fix the debate society room, but the society decided instead to give the money to Mr. Mood to buy a printing press for Soule University.
Date: May 11, 1871
Creator: Giddings, William G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of letter from William G. Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 11, 1871] (open access)

[Transcript of letter from William G. Giddings to D. C. Giddings - May 11, 1871]

Typewritten transcript of letter from William G. Giddings to his uncle D. C. Giddings, dated May 11, 1871 from Chappell Hill. William discusses his indecision about whether to work on the farm as his uncle suggested or continue with his studies at Soule University. He says that he could, if needed, work during the day and study at night. Next, he talks about the University Stylus school newspaper that includes his name in a list of students who got distinctions and promises to send his uncle a copy. Finally, William says that half of the money raised by the concert was going to fix the debate society room, but the society decided instead to give the money to Mr. Mood to buy a printing press for Soule University.
Date: unknown
Creator: Giddings, William G.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from F. A. Mood to J. D. Giddings - February 12, 1876] (open access)

[Letter from F. A. Mood to J. D. Giddings - February 12, 1876]

Letter from F. A. Mood to Hon. J. D. Giddings. Mood writes an impassioned letter in response to Giddings' doubts about Southwestern and his desire to resign from the Board of Trustees. Mood addresses Giddings' concerns in five numbered points. It appears that one of Giddings' biggest concerns is about the lack of financial support for the university. Mood responds that he is well aware of the risks that he is taking. Mood seems to have had a falling out with his Board of Trustees, and Giddings recommends the he abandons them, but Mood feels too indebted to the board to just let them go. He begs Giddings not to resign for the sake of the institution. Mood fears that his time is limited to lay the foundations of Southwestern University since he has been suffering from pulmonary hemorrhage.
Date: February 12, 1876
Creator: Mood, F. A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from F. A. Mood to J. D. Giddings - February 19, 1876] (open access)

[Letter from F. A. Mood to J. D. Giddings - February 19, 1876]

Letter from F. A. Mood to Hon. J. D. Giddings. Mood says that all the trustees have signed the agreement except for Major John R. Henry and Hon. H. E. McCollough, but Mood is not hopeful for any results from this agreement. He states that Judge J. P. Hughes gave him a favorable lot in exchange for a small bonus for a lot near the university. When Mood examined the house at the lot, he realized that it was empty and not suitable for holding classes. Mood has invested all of the money he has saved and his wife's money in the university and so would like the church to refund him. His health has improved enough that he has resumed his duties to the university.
Date: February 19, 1876
Creator: Mood, F. A.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Thomas C. Thomson to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - November 8, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from Thomas C. Thomson to J. D. and D. C. Giddings - November 8, 1871]

Letter from Thomas C. Thomson to J. D. and D. C. Giddings. Thomson first describes how on his trip to Caldwell he received a notice from F. A. Mood concerning his son's tuition at Soule University. He has given Mood a "draft" on the brothers for fifteen dollars. In the postscript, he offers to send D. C. Giddings a list of rejected votes and illegal votes that would have voted for him in the election. Ed Hudson had been told to register some voters shortly before he was removed from his position in the registrar, and since he had no official notice of his removal at the time, the votes are still valid, even if Governor Davis does not agree, according to Thomson.
Date: November 8, 1871
Creator: Thomson, Thomas C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from B. D. Dashiell to J. D. Giddings - October 1, 1872] (open access)

[Letter from B. D. Dashiell to J. D. Giddings - October 1, 1872]

Letter from B. D. Dashiell to Hon. J. D. Giddings. Dashiell begins by apologizing for the brevity of his previous letter and lays down the "facts" of the Browning suit. Captain T. Smith, the chairman of a committee formed to deal with the Browning claim as well as other claims against Soule University, made efforts to convince Mrs. Browning to give her claim for land, but she has refused. Giddings had served as the main advisor to the Board of Trustees and yet was also serving as Mrs. Browning's attorney, so Giddings suggested that Col. Swearingen take his place as the board's advisor. Dashiell would rather not lose the university without a fair effort to save it. The Trustees are awaiting any agreement Giddings and Swearingen can work out. Dashiell concludes with questions expressing his confusion as to why Mrs. Browning is not satisfied with claiming the land when it would benefit her family.
Date: October 1, 1872
Creator: Dashiell, B. D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings - December 21, 1871] (open access)

[Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings - December 21, 1871]

Letter from John H. Stone to J. D. Giddings. Stone presents the "facts" of the financial history of the boarding house at Chappell Hill Female College. He and Mr. Carmer, as part of a joint stock company, were appointed a building committee to work on a female boarding house. Mr. Carmer initially rejected Stone's advice to remodel the existing building and set out to build an entirely new one. After purchasing lumber for the new building, Mr. Carmer realized the project would be too expensive and so returned to Stone's remodeling plan. However, the cost of the remodel turned out to be double what the building committee expected. Mr. Carmer failed to collect more stock before he died, and the stockholders have suffered for it. Mrs. Carmer's agent, B. D. Dashiell was sent to collect rent on the building, but he allowed Dr. Connor to delay this payment. Stone says that Mrs. Carmer should not bring any suit against the company but is welcome to sell her claim.
Date: December 21, 1871
Creator: Stone, John H.
System: The Portal to Texas History