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"That we regard with the highest satisfaction the
increasing interest manifested throughout the country
in behalf of female education, and rejoice in the pros-
pect of embodying that interest in this state in an in-
stitution of learning on the largest and most liberal
scale, called the Western Female University--and
most heartily approve the resolution of its board to
give it a Protestant rather than a Sectarian character."
Using an English phrase, every thing seemed-to be
in a "blooming" condition; "Seminary" was not suffi-
ciently large in sound, and so "University" was chosen.
But alas! the history of "The king of France" was to
be repeated. At the session of the Convention in 1855
the following brief, but telling report was submitted
as to the University: "The attempt to establish a
Female Seminary at La Fayette has failed, and the
enterprise has been given up."
Ladoga Female Seminary. The failure of the West-
ern Female University enterprise at La Fayette had
nevertheless aroused a good volume of interest in the
subject of a liberal education for the daughters of In-
diana Baptists, especially on the west side of the state;
and this general impulse it undoubtedly was that gave
the initiative to the organization of the Institution at
Ladoga. The following-sketch furnished by J. J. W.
Billingsley, whose father, A. D. Billingsley. was one
of the chief founders and supporters of the school,
gives the essential facts connected with the enterprise:
"Judge Glenn, W. Hanna and the Rev. Rees Davis
of the Freedom Baptist church; A. D. Billingsley,
James McMurry, Mary McMurry, F. M. McMurry,
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Thomas McMurry and Sarah McMurry of the Ladoga
Baptist church, and a few enterprising citizens in and
around Ladoga united their efforts in the erection of
a brick building for the establishment of a female
Seminary. From the first it was intended to furnish
school advantages at the least possible cost to the
young ladies who might want an education, some of
whom might be barred from attending other schools,
for lack of means. The building was erected and the
Seminary opened in 1855. Miss Emily A. Williams
was principal, and she had a sufficient number of
teachers to assist. The running expenses proved to
be greater than had been anticipated, and many of the
patrons complained. Next they built a boarding house
adjoining the brick building, intending to economize
to the utmost the expense account Still there was a
deficit at the end of each year which had to be met,
and a few had to meet it. After three or four years
Miss Williams resigned, and the Rev. T. H. Ball had
the principalship for a year or more; but he also
failed to meet expenses.
"Later still the Rev. William Hill and the Rev. J.
H. Smith undertook to conduct the school on their
own responsibility. They had it in charge as a mixed
school for two or three years--possibly longer. At
the time it was turned over to Brethren Hill and
Smith my father had over $5,000 paid up stock in
the Seminary. He set apart the stock dividend, if
there should be any in the future, to assist in the
education of young ladies who might need assistance;
but later the buildings were sold by Hill and Smith
