The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 5, July 1901 - April, 1902 Page: 55

Dr. Rufaus C. Burleson.

leson was offered and accepted the presidency of this school, moved
to Waco, and induced the board of trustees to change the name
of the school to Waco University.
The conditions with which he was confronted at Waco in 1861
were somewhat similar to those that existed at Independence in
1851, ten years before, but he was ripe in experience, and hence
troubles were trifles when cast athwart his purpose. Here, as at
Independence, the attendance increased from a mere handful to a
mighty force of young people, all diligently preparing themselves
for the conflicts and struggles of life.
Baylor University at Independence was still the State denomina-
tional school. Dr. Wm. Carey Crane, a ripe scholar and a grand
character, was president, and standing manfully to his guns. Inde-
pendence, while one of the most charming spots in the State, and
associated with the dearest memories of Texas, had been left off
all the railroads constructed in the country, and was, therefore,
inaccessible. For this reason a demand came from all portions
of the State for a consolidation of the schools at Waco and Inde-
pendence, and the location of the consolidated school at some more
accessible point. The friends of the Independence school opposed
this movement, and an acrimonious discussion was brought on, in
which Dr. Burleson took no part, except to say that Waco and Bay-
lor would sustain themselves, and if the denomination wanted any-
thing bigger and better than either, the whole State was open, and
the Baptists had a perfect right to undertake the work of establish-
ing it; but that, if it was decided to change the location of Baylor,
Waco University was ready to furnish her elder sister at Independ-
ence a domicile and shelter. By some Dr. Burleson's position on
this question was misunderstood, and for this reason I indicate the
stand he took on "consolidation and removal," and which I learned
from him through many conversations while the agitation was
going on.
The Baptist State Convention met in Lampasas in October,
1884, and the question of the removal of Baylor University was
the question of most interest before that body. After a spirited
debate, running through the greater part of two days and nights,
a compromise resolution was passed by which a settlement of the
question was reached. The substance of this resolution was that
the buildings, grounds, and other property of Baylor University