The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 414
617 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
"Poor boys" were real people in the 188o's and 189o's. One
man more than any other on the then Board of Regents sensed
this and was aware of the urgent desire of many ambitious boys
to attend the University. He said, "I want to build a dormitory
and mess hall for boys-for poor boys, boys principally from
farms and ranches."
On February 11, 1890, the Regents discussed the need for a
boys' dormitory and also one for girls. At this meeting George
W. Brackenridge, Regent from San Antonio, announced that he
would give not exceeding $1o,ooo to construct a dormitory and
mess hall for boys. The mess hall feature was emphasized more
at first than the dormitory.2 The need for a hall for boys was
greater since there were twice as many men as women students
in the University." Colonel Brackenridge insisted that the build-
ing be called University Hall and that his name not be known in
connection with it ouside of the Board of Regents.4 The motion
for acceptance was made by Regent W. S. Simpkins, whose name
and fame were later to become a part of University history and
legend. Following his action, Brackenridge was made a member
of the executive committee.
The $1o,ooo was later increased to $15,000, and then to $17,000
by Brackenridge.5 The final cost of the Hall was estimated at
approximately $19,000 including some University funds for fin-
ishing, furniture, and equipment. The students provided bedding,
tables, chairs, and linens.
The minutes of the Regents' meeting on September 15, 189o,
record: "This munificient gift is the first of its kind in the history
of the University." The Regents' minutes of the same date insert
a printed bulletin on B Hall, which was a fascinating account of
the contemplated program of the new building.6
2Minutes of the University of Texas Board of Regents, February 11, 18go (MSS.,
Office of the Board of Regents, University of Texas), A, 244.
3W. M. W. Splawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928
(typescript, Univelsity of Texas Library), 9o.
4Minutes of the University of Texas Board of Regents, February 11, 1890o (MSS.,
Office of the Board of Regents, University of Texas), A, 244.
5Splawn, The University of Texas: Its Origin and Growth to 1928 (typescript,
University of Texas Library), g91, 96, 118.
eMinutes of the University of Texas Board of Regents, September 15, 189o (MSS.,
Office of the Board of Regents, University of Texas), A, 248.414
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959, periodical, 1959; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101173/m1/501/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.