Students of the Radical University: Letters from C. C. Scott, Part 2

The following text is dated "ca. Mar. 1873." It appears that the text is of an oration that Scott delivered. As Scott reports in his next letter, towards the end of Spring term, each senior preparatory student delivered an "oration," which appears to have been a formal speech on a pre-selected topic. This was a common activity at 19th century universities. For example, USC's literary societies had members deliver orations at their regular meetings.

Scott uses two quotes in his text. Both quotes are from the Book of Psalms. The quote "man is fearfully and wonderfully made" is a paraphrase of Psalm 139:14 ("I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made). The second quote, "What is man that thou art mindful of him; and the son of man that thou visitest him; for thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor," is Psalm 8:4-5.

Shall we be Something or Shall we be Nothing?

Every man, as he enters the arena of life, should have some purpose in view.

Animals of the lower class merely exist for a time, and when they die are no more, beside the several matters with which they were formed.

They live for the accomplishment of no purpose, hence they accomplish nothing worthy of record.

But not so with man: created in the image of his maker, he is placed here for a much nobler and holier purpose. He is not created to be a mere nothing, but he is made to be something real, noble and God-like, so that when this earthly tabernacle shall have been dissolved and his spirit shall have winged its flight to his maker, he shall leave behind him in the memory of all something that shall be a lasting benefit to nations yet unborn. 

Says one "man is fearfully and wonderfully made" and also "What is man that thou art mindful of him; and the son of man that thou visitest him; for thou hast made him a little lower than the angels and hast crowned him with glory and honor."

Must he not then be something Noble, who is worthy to be so estimated by God as to be just a little lower than the angles?

The next item is a letter Cornelius wrote to his parents in April, 1873. 

Cornelius discusses participating in a speaking competition. He mentions several of the students from Charleston as given good lectures. The students he mentions are students he discussed in his previous letter: William M. Dart, Paul J. Mishow, John M. Morris, Joseph W. Morris, and Alonzo G. Townsend. He also mentions "Job Hayne" as having done well. Job was a student from Marion, SC. His family had moved there around 1867. Earlier Job's family lived in Charleston, and they may have met Cornelius' family there. Before the Civil War, Job's family were free persons of color, and the father worked as a carpenter.

The winner of the speaking competition was Inman E. Page. Inman was born enslaved in Warrenton, VA. His father had been able to hire himself out and was running a livery stable in DC before the Civil War. Using the funds he had earned, the father purchased the family freedom's and moved them to DC. At the time of Cornelius's letter,  Inman had been working for Howard Univeristy for several years, as a janitor and as a clerk for General Howard. Spring, 1873 was Inman's last semester at Howard. In Fall, 1873, he enrolled at Brown Univeristy, making him of the first two African-Americans to enroll at the univeristy. Later in life, Inman would cross with Cornelius' USC classmate J. C. Whittaker. They both lived in Oklahoma City and taught at Douglas High School from 1920-21 and 1923-24.

In his letter, Cornelius indicates a familiarity with two prominent South Carolina politicians in D.C. He says that he tried visiting "ex senator Sawyer." This is likely Frederick A. Sawyer. Sawyer was a White Harvard-trained educator from Massachusetts. He had moved to Charleston shortly before the Civil War (in 1859) to run a normal (or teacher training) school. After the war broke out, he remained in Charleston until December, 1864 when he was able to return to Massachusetts. Once the war ended, he returned to Charleston. In 1868, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, narrowly defeating Albert Mackey. Both Mackey and Sawyer were Republicans. Sawyer was viewed as the more moderate candidate. He left office on March, 1873 after losing the election to John J. Patterson. That year the state Republican party split between the Regular Republicans and a more moderate reformist group. Sawyer was aligned the more moderate group which largely lost the election. Scott's letter was writing about a month after Sawyer's term in office had ended.

The other South Carolina politician that Scott mentions Alonzo J. Ransier. Like the members of Cornelius's family, Ransier was a free person of color from Charleston. Beginning with his participation in the 1868 constitutional convention, Ransier was active in state politics. At the time of Cornelius's letter, Ransier had recently been elected U.S. Congressman, and his term had started in March. In the congressional election, Ransier had run as a Regular Republican and was opposed by reformist Republican candidate William Gurney. William was a White Civil War veteran from New York state.

In his letter, Cornelius asks about a few people associated with Claflin Univeristy. One person he asks about is "Prof. Crogman." This is Professor William H. Crogman. Professor Crogman was from the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. He had moved to the United States at age 12 (in 1853). He had moved to Orangeburg, SC to the then-newly created Claflin Univeristy in 1870. He had moved there after studying at the Pierce Academy in Middleborough, Massachusetts. Cornelius likely knew Professor Crogman from studying at Claflin during the 1871-72 academic year.

Cornelius also mentions Dr. Fox. Dr. Fox is likely Henry J. Fox. The next year Fox would become a professor at the University of South Carolina, but at the time, he was in a state of professional transition. He had moved to South Carolina to start a farm in Chesterfield county but had abandoned this to try working as a minister in Charleston. Among his other responsibilities, Fox served on Claflin's Board of Trustees at the time of Cornelius's letter. From the context of Cornelius's letter, it appears that Fox and Cornelius knew each other from Claflin. 

Howard University

Washington D.C.

Apr. 2nd 73,

My Dear Father and Mother:

Your letter of the 21st was received.  You did not state whether you had received the two newspapers I sent you or not.  A murder is committed here about once a month. A man George Jenkins was hung sometime ago for killing his wife.  Another was sent to the penitentiary for insulting a woman at a picnic and then murder [sic] her husband  another was hung in Alexandria, a few miles from here for killing a man. One is being tried now for murdering a peddler and another is has just been arrested for killing a farmer a few nights ago and robbing him. Beside this one is arrested for killing a man in self defense last Wednesday.

If I could afford it I would send you the papers often.

Now I will tell you a little about our examination. We were examined in Latin only for our professors had so much business to attend to and we were also tired as well as prof. so we voted to have no examination in Greek and Geometry as we will be examined in these same studies at the close of next term.  I think I passed a creditable examination. I have not recieved my certificate yet. I shall send one to you soon.

Wednesday night was devoted to prize speaking for the Freshman class.  John, Paul, Alonzo and William did very well but neither of them succeeded in obtaining the prize: it was awarded to Inman Page for delivering the best declamation. Thursday night our class, the Senior Prep, delivered our orations. We all did very well indeed. My subject was, Shall we be something or nothing. I was congratulated as having done first-rate though and suppose it was all flattery. Job Hayne did well also.

On Friday the Sophomore clashed their prize speaking and also the Junior class their exhibition. There are only six in the Sophomore class and two in the Junior. Thomas Stewart for some reason not assigned would compete for the prize. Though, after the speaking was over, the judges said that he declaimed best, but as he did not compete, the prize was awarded to Joe Morris who was second best. Some think that Morris did just as well Stewart and some think he did better.  Stewart's declamation was English but Morris' was Latin. We had a first rate time every night. They gave just holiday from last Friday till next Monday.

I was all but worn out at the close of the term and have done nothing since then. I have been sleeping nearly all day so I will be up till late tonight reading and writing. 

Give my regards to our friends and neighbors. The money ($10.00) that you send me was thankfully received.

Please tell [Louis?] I ask him to send whatever money he has for me as I am entirely out of stationary and also money. I have clothes sufficient for the present but will have to get some shirts, collars, and cuffs and also cravats in about two months. I just tell you so that you can lay aside a little small change now and then. Tell Sister I received her letter and contents was very much obliged. May write to her tonight if I have time. We have splendid weather now. They are making improvements in the city very much now. The smallpox is still prevalent in the city. A fire occurred the other night but was soon extinguished. A steamship, The Atlantic, went down yesterday with a thousand and thirty eight (i.d. 38) persons on board and only three (300) hundred were saved. I visited the medical museum the other day and saw all kinds of skeletons skulls arms legs +e +e. also a little Indian papoose all shriveled up. The sight was worth seeing.

How are Wifie Nena and the rest of the family? The inaugural address of Pres. Grant has been severely criticized by the English and also many of the papers in the United States. I visited ex senator Sawyer in company with a friend but he was not at home. I have not seen Mr. Ransier yet. Well I think I have told you all the news that I now think of so I will say goodnight. If I think of anything more in the morning I will tell you.

Thursday April 3rd Do you know where Prof. Crogman is? So you see what nepotism is carried on at Claflin. Tis a pity the people of Charleston won't take any interest in it I suppose. Dr. Fox himself will be there soon as teacher or something. He never did answer that letter I wrote him. Did you ever here [sic] anything more about the money Dr. Webster had for Mother and me? I know he has some for I was told so. I hear that we are going to have a new uniform soon. Do you want me to have my picture taken in this or wait till we get the new? As soon as there is an opportunity I am going to sell this coat. Have you heard from Mr. Lewis lately? My regards to Mr. Weston and family.

Your Affectionate Son

C. C. Scott

Note to self: Mr. Weston - Samuel Weston?

Dr. Webster = maybe Rev. A. Webster DD at Claflin

The law students of the Radical University: Edgar Caypless

Edgar Caypless
History of the State of Colorado, Embracing Accounts of the Pre-historic Races and Their Remains

Edgar Caypless (b. June 8, 1855; d. June 8, 1917)
New York.  White.
Occupation: lawyer.

Edgar Caypless was born in Auburn, NY to unknown parents. While he was in school, Edgar's family moved to Albany, the state capital. Later the family moved to New York City. In Albany, he became involved with state government and worked as a page for the state legislature from 1867-70. Edgar was educated at public schools and the Glenwood Collegiate Institute in Matawan, NJ.

In 1871, Edgar traveled throughout the western states with a theatrical company. It is unclear exactly when he moved to Columbia, SC. A short biography reports that he arrived in Spring 1872, but local newspapers first announce Edgar's arrival in Columbia in May 1873. After Edgar moved to Columbia, he worked as a court stenographer.

In Columbia, Edgar enrolled in the Univeristy of South Carolina as a law student. As with the time of his arrival in the city, it is unclear when exactly he enrolled. A short biography of Caypless states that he enrolled at the end of the spring 1872. University records describe his registration status as "October 8, 1874,  resigned," and records of the Clariosophic Society show that he served as society President in fall 1873 and spring 1874. Edgar was awarded his LL. B. in June, 1874. It may be the case that Edgar first enrolled in spring 1872, resigned in fall 1873, and then reenrolled. Many students resigned from the university in 1873, after the first African American enrolled.

After receiving his LL. B. degree, Edgar worked as an attorney. He was never admitted to practice law before the state Supreme Court, but a biography states that he was admitted to the bar in Columbia, possibly meaning the local circuit court. Starting in July, 1874 (shortly after he graduated from USC), Edgar represented Walter R. Jones, a former USC classmate, in Common Pleas Court. He represented him in a lawsuit against U.S. Senator John J. Patterson for $100. The outcome of the suit is unclear.

In addition to his legal work, Edgar taught at USC's college preparatory program and continued to do clerical work for the state legislature. While at the Statehouse, he informally tutored some of the African-American legislators.

Edgar left South Carolina in late 1876. This was around the time of the conflicted election which resulted in the collapse of the Republican state government. That collapse would have eliminated many of Edgar's professional opportunities in the state.

After leaving South Carolina, Edgar lived for a brief time in Hartford, CT. There he worked as a stenographer and as Deputy City auditor. However, he soon moved out to the American west.

Edgar's path out west was circuitous. He left the U.S. for Europe and traveled throughout the continent. Among other cities, he visited London. While there, he accepted the position of secretary for the Maxwell Land Grant company. The Maxwell Land Grant company developed a large tract of land in New Mexico Territory (now modern New Mexico and Arizona). The origins of the company date back to the 1840s. In 1841, the Mexican government granted land to two Mexican citizens living in the area. The exact size of the land was disputed, but it was over 1 million acres, making the grant of the largest transfers of land to private ownership in U.S. history. By the 1860s, ownership of the land had passed to Lucien Maxwell, the son-in-law of one of the citizens. The Maxwell family grew very wealthy from farming on the land. However, settlers began to challenge their land claims in 1867, after gold was discovered in the area. Around 1870, the Maxwells sold the land title to British investors. The investors would have found Edgar's legal training valuable as legal issues surrounding land ownership were become increasing complicated. 

After being hiring by the Maxwell Land Grant company, Edgar moved to Cimarron, NM, where the company maintained its headquarters. Edgar's employment at the company ended acrimoniously. In 1883, the company owners dismissed Frank R. Sherwin, the man who had hired Edgar. A year later Edgar sued Frank for $50,000 for violation of contract. Edgar alleged that Frank hadn't given him a land lease that he'd been promised as compensation for his services.

In 1880, Edgar left Cimarron for Santa Fe. There he received an appointment as a U.S. Commissioner, and he also ran his own law practice. He specialized in criminal defense work. Among his more famous clients were Dave Rudabaugh and E. M. "Choctaw" Kelly. His legal work for Kelly was especially note-worthy. Kelly was sentenced to be executed for killing a man in a saloon dispute. However, before he was executed, another attorney (one Mr. Knaebel) was able to get President Chester Arthur to commute the sentence to life imprisonment. This case established the precedent that the President could commute a death sentence by a Territorial Court. 

Edgar also crossed paths with Henry McCarty, popularly known as Billy the Kid. While imprisoned, McCarty asked for legal representation from Edgar. Edgar ultimately did not represent McCarty as McCarty's was unable to provide a requested retainer.

By 1885, Edgar had moved to Denver, CO and continued his work as a lawyer. He was well-regarded by much of the community. For example, one newspaper said that he was a "fearless lawyer as well as a talented man."

Edgar left Colorado for Seattle, WA around 1898. In Seattle, he began to continue his work as a lawyer. However, his plans changed during a trip to Hawaii. In September 1898, Edgar traveled to the Hilo, Hawaii on the S. S. City of Columbia, a steamship. The trip to Hawaii was marked by acrimony. For example, the ship's captain imprisoned one of the passengers for the last two days of the trip. After the ship landed, several passengers filed civil suits against the steamship, and the ship's captain was criminally charged with malicious and unlawful imprisonment. Edgar provided legal representation for the captain and the steamship. The criminal charge was dropped, but the civil suits dragged on for at least a year. The Hawaiian courts ordered the steamship to pay damages to at least one plaintiff.

Edgar stayed in Hawaii for several months, providing legal defense for his clients. At the end of this period, he decided to stay on the islands. A contemporary newspaper article said that he decided to stay because he had made many friends, and he received "unusual inducements." 

Around early November, Edgar attempted sailed back to Seattle on City of Columbia. However, the steamer encouraged heavy seas. The steamer experienced major damage. At one point, the captain and crew were concerned that they would need to abandon ship and began preparing the life boats. Thanks to what the captain described as "superhuman efforts" by the Chief Engineer and his men, the ship was able to return to Hilo bay. The captain told the newspapers that the ship was beyond repair and claimed the ship as a total loss to its insurers.

In Hawaii, Edgar become involved in regional politics. The 1880s and 1890s were an eventful time for Hawaii. For most of the 19th century, Hawaii was a sovereign state that was ruled as a kingdom. However, in 1894, political groups led by descendants of American settlers with strong political and financial ties to the United States overthrew the queen and established a Republic. With support of the leaders of the Republic, Hawaii was annexed by the United States in Summer, 1898, a few months before Edgar visited the islands.

The annexation of Hawaii was opposed by many native Hawaiians. One of the leaders of the opposition was Robert W. Wilcox. Wilcox was a native Hawaiian who had been involved in an 1895 plot to overthrow the Republican government and restore the Hawaiian royal family to power. Wilcox had been imprisoned for his role in the plot, but he had been pardoned in 1898. After being pardoned, Wilcox helped advocate for Queen Liliuokalani, the monarch who had been ousted in 1891. 

In Fall, 1899, Edgar started working as Wilcox's attorney. They traveled to Washington, D.C. so that Wilcox could make a claim to ownership of certain public lands in Hawaii. They also lobbied Congress for legislation favorable to natives, and give public lectures on the Hawaiian Islands.

The next year Wilcox established the Independent Home Rule political party. This was an alternative to the Democratic and Republican parties that focused on promoting the rights for native Hawaiians. Edgar was active in party for the duration of his time in Hawaii. Edgar also served as an advisor to Queen Liliuokalani, as a secretary for the territorial senate.

In Hawaii, Edgar crossed paths with his former classmate T. McCants Stewart. McCants had moved to Hawaii the same year as Edgar  They both practiced law and were involved in state politics, although McCants worked with the Republican party rather than the Home Rule party. In 1900, McCants was opposing counsel on a legal trial that he was working on. 

In the early 1900s, McCants appears to have supported Edgar's politics. In 1901, Edgar ran for a circuit judgeship. At a meeting of the Republican Territorial Committee held that year, McCants moved to adopt a resolution supporting Edgar as circuit justice. The resolution stated that the committee endorsed Edgar because of "his integrity, ability, and legal experience, and because he is a Republican in principle." The motion carried, and the resolution was made front page news in Hawaiian newspapers. Despite the resolution, Edgar lost the election.

By 1903, Edgar and many supporters of the Home Rule party began to distance themselves from Republicans in favor of an alliance with the Democrats. In November, 1903, Edgar and other influential members of the Home Rule party formed the Home Rule Democratic party, which as the name suggests was an alliance between the old Home Rule party and the Democratic party. 

The next month Edgar, then 48 years old, came to blows with a Republican politician. Edgar participated in a public political event. At the event, Edgar gave a speech in which he challenged Republicans to refute his statements. Republican politician Henry Birbe accepted the challenge. However, the debate became personal and the two came to blows. Police ended up breaking up the event.

Edgar's political career reached its height the next year, in 1904. That year he was elected mayor of Honolulu. Edgar's life after his election is poorly documented. It appears that the left Hawaii for Colorado after his term as mayor ended. 

Edgar died in 1917. That year he was living in Denver, CO in 1917. In June of that year, he was found dead in his bed. 

Advertisement for Caypless's legal services
From The Daily Phoenix

Publications

1) "Mokuaweoweo." Sons of Colorado. Vol. 1, February 1907, No. 9. pp. 8–11.

2) "Apotheosis of Pele." Sons of Colorado. Vol. 1, May 1907, No. 12. pp. 21–23.

Sources

1) Hall, Frank. History of the State of Colorado, Embracing Accounts of the Pre-historic Races and Their Remains, Vol. IV. Chicago: The Blakeyly Printing Company, 1895. p. 409.

2) The Fremont County record, December 23, 1882, p. 2.

3) Census of the state of New York, for 1865. Microfilm. New York State Archives, Albany, New York

3). 1880; Census Place: Denver, Arapahoe, Colorado; Roll: 88; Page: 234A; Enumeration District: 011.

4) Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service, Vol. 1. 1881.

5) "Hotel Arrivals." The Daily Phoenix. May 15, 1873. p. 2.

6) "South Carolina – Richland County" The Daily Phoenix, July 28, 1874, p. 1.

7) "District Court. " Las Vegas morning gazette, March 9, 1881, p. 4.

8) Sherman, James E. and Sherman, Barbara H. Ghost Towns and Mining Camps of New Mexico. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma. 1975. p. 26c.

9) "Current Comment." Las Vegas daily gazette., February 25, 1882, p. 2.

10) "Breakfast Briefs." Las Vegas daily gazette, June 9, 1882, p. 4.

11) "Santa Fe County Convention" Las Vegas daily gazette, October 10, 1882, p. 2.

12) "Heavy Damages Asked." The Wheeling daily intelligencer, September 3, 1884, p. 1.

13) "Personal." Las Vegas daily gazette, November 7, 1885, p. 4.

14) "Former New Mexicans. " Las Vegas daily optic, December 9, 1896, p. 4.

15) "Witnesses Leave the City." The Seattle post-intelligencer, June 30, 1898, p. 12.

16) "Hail Columbia." The Independent, September 10, 1898, p. 3.

17) "Lawyer E. Capyless." The Hawaiian star, October 26, 1898, p. 2.

18) The Hawaiian star, May 25, 1912, p. 9.

19) "General." The Benson signal, June 16, 1917, p. 2.

20) "Former Honolulan Found Dead in Bed." The Hawaiian gazette, June 12, 1917, p. 6.

21) "Lawyer who defended Billy the Kid is Dead." Albuquerque morning journal, June 9, 1917, CITY EDITION, p. 1.

22) "Honolulu Has a New Mayor and a New Federal Judge." The Pacific commercial advertiser, July 2, 1904, p. 2.

23) The Hawaiian star, July 5, 1904,, p. 5.

24) Hartford, Connecticut, City Directory, 1877

25) Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1898

26) "Steamer 'City of Columbia' in Dire Distress." Evening bulletin, November 4, 1898, p. 1.

27) The Hawaiian star, September 15, 1898, p. 1.

28) "Lawyer E. Caypless." The Hawaiian star, October 26, 1898, p. 2.

29) "Steamer 'City of Columbia' in Dire Distress!" Evening bulletin, November 4, 1898, p. 1.

30) "Colegrove and Columbia." The Hawaiian star, March 10, 1899, p. 1.

31) "Edgar has gone." The Pacific commercial advertiser, November 11, 1899, p.  3.

32) "'Bob' Wilcox has gone." Evening bulletin, November 27, 1899, p.  1.

33) "Hawaiian Royalist Gone." The Seattle post-intelligencer, December 9, 1899, p. 10.

34) "Where Success Lies" The Hawaiian star, October 23, 1902, SECOND EDITION, p. 4.

35) "Theresa and Caypless Form Political Alliance." The Pacific commercial advertiser, November 26, 1903, p. 1.

36) "Politicians Came to Blows." The Pacific commercial advertiser, October 18, 1903, p.  1.

37) The Hawaiian star, May 25, 1912, SECOND EDITION, p. 9.

38) "Circuit Court Term." Evening bulletin, November 5, 1900, p. 1.

39) "Caypless for Judge." The Pacific commercial advertiser, May 29, 1901, p. 1.