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T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, July 8, 1867: short letter on Western education. G. Magoun to J. A. Reed, Nov. 2, 1867: financial state of college and rivalry with Tabor College. O. Merill (?) to Magoun, July 3, 1868: wants stronger religious image for the college. J. A. Reed to Magoun, July 10, 1868: resignation: informative letterhead of the American Home Missionary Society for Southern Iowa which aids 100 missionaries in Iowa at a cost of $20,000. G. Magoun, Jan. 4, 1869: letter concerns college advertising in Iowa papers; also has interesting letterhead with names of faculty, tuition rates ($4-7 per term) --free to disabled Union soldiers. G. Magoun to J. B. Grinnell, Jan. 23, 1869: fundraising frustrations for Western colleges in Srpingfield, Mass.; East thinks West rich enough. J. Guernsey, undated 1869 (?): plan for a self-sufficient ministerial training school on large farm (several implications here for educational and utopian study). G. Magoun, Jan. 26, 1869: letter on fundraising troubles, mentions Guernsey's plan. G. Magoun(?) to Treasurer, March 6 and 10, 1869: interesting letter about fundraising, about a college land buying scheme to benefit from rising railroad land values, and also about the "sore" reaction to Grant's new cabinet. "Everybody is asking everybody else "Who is Secretary Borie (Sec. of Nacy, Adolph E.)?" Gen. Grant has succeeded perfectly in non-plussing the politicians and Washington quidnuncs and people are a little sore about the announcements. It isn't a good time to ask even a millionaire in Congress for a few thousands for endowment." G. Magoun, March 15, 1869: on the frustration and exhaustion of college fundraising in the East. G. Magoun, March 27, 1869: results of fundraising in Hartford; expressions of exhaustion and relief. G. Magoun, April 3, 1869: financial relations with the College Society. T. Baldwin to Magoun, April 16, 1869: need and plan for tapping "older West" for college support.

Letters mostly concern financial and building matters. Of special interest: J. Guernsey, Aug. 11, 1870: on back of letter is an American Home Missionary Society circular dated Nov. 1, 1869, detailing financial policy of Society. J. Guernsey, Aug. 23, 1870 (?): on typhoid scare. J. M. Chamberlain, Dec. 15, 1871: East College Building burns down. H. S. DeForest, Dec. 28, 1871: on fire: "You must all feel the burden.  Well, one must be as plucky as Chicago is and take hold for a new start". Rev. C. Emerson, Sept. 4, 1872:  interesting letter, urges greater role for women in college education.

G. Magoun, Sept. 22, 26, Oct. 3, and Nov. 1, 1873: interesting letters on fund-raising and the beginning of the western "university"; anecdotes about getting contibutions; perhaps a greater emphasis here on individual, wealthy contributors than on churches. G. Magoun, Nov. 7, 26, Dec. 3, 9-10, 31, 1873: more letters on fundraising; also, an expression of his close relationship and fondness for the students. Senior Class to Magoun Dec. 2, 1973: asks him to return from fundraising travels and teach them (16 signatures).

Letters (1876-1880) concern college suit against Muscatine to recover illegal wharfage fees. Other letters of interest: G. Magoun, June 21, 1884: long letter on resignation D. Mears, Sept. 4, 1884 and Sept. 16, Oct. 28, Dec. 10: on being considered for college president; contributions for "Ladies Cottage"; library contributions of E. A. Goodnow. D. Mears, March 5,9, May 8, 1885: more on Goodow and library; criticism of college's search for new president. D. Mears, July 7, 1885: on accepting the Presidency. E. Adams, Aug. 29 1885, and Sept. 1, 1885; on changing college name. D. O. Mears, Sept. 17, 1885: on endowment, criticism of trustees. Merrill, Sept. 26, 1885: on changing college name. D. O . Eshbaugh, Oct. 1, 1885: on changing college name. John Meyer, Oct. 30, 1885: on changing college name. Albert Shaw, Nov. 12, 1885: on Carleton and ollege named after benefactors. D. O. Mears to Trustees, Nov. 16, 1885: long and important letter concerning Goodnow's proposed endowment of $50,000 to college on two conditions: first, that Mears become president prior to the gift and second, that Iowa College become Goodnow College. The letter reveals much about Mears as well as Goodnow. Mears to Chamberlain, Nov. 25, 1885: "no college lives on its name" arguing for proposal. Rev. R. Cordley, Dec. 7, 1885: argues against change. D. Mears to Chamberlain, Dec. 24, 1885: Goodnow sick, proposal seems lost.

Also Grinnell Idea Project - Bill McCluna