Part 7: Kistler Gets a Job

Dear Dr. Knoles,

Regarding our conversation at a basket ball game several weeks ago, I am interested to know what plans have been made for next year, or if any have been. I just received a notice from Mrs. Snell, the appointemnt secretary at Stanford, of some positions that will be open next fall and a request for a statement of my interest in them. As you know, I am anxious to be numbered among Pacific’s staff, but in case I do not have the good fortune I should like to know as soon as possible so that I may make other plans.

Yours very Truly,

Sam Kistler

MARCH TENTH, 1923

Dear Sam:

Your letter of February 27th came while I was away, hence the delay in answering.

While I am not authorised officially to tender you a position on our faculty, yet I should be most happy personally to have you undertake the work in Stockton this fall and then continue with you in the regular salary schedule to be fixed during the next few weeks. We can pay you for the work of the coming year $2000. I would be very glad to hear from you and to know that this arrangement will be satisfactory.

Yours sincerely,

President

Dear Dr. Knoles,

I received your offer several days ago, but did not feel that you were in a hurry for a reply so took my time to talk the appointment over with my folks and consider it carefully myself, although I already felt that I would like to be with the Pacific faculty.

Your offer is pleasing to me in every respect and I am glad to accept it, understanding, of course, that it is not final and that you have only given me a tentative offer subject to possible future revision.

I believe that it is your intent to send me to Stockton next fall. The board of Trustees has decided to definitely start classes this fall, has it not? I am hoping that you will urge all of the freshmen who can possibly do so to attend Pacific in San Jose the first year where they can come into cantact with the college as it is and gain some of the spirit which we all hope to carry over to Stockton with us. I feel that marooning the entire freshman class at Stockton next year would mean nothing but loss to the college in the following years. That class would have passed a fourth of their college years entirely out of contact with what is the true College of the Pacific, and when the remainder of the student body was moved it would be less plastic in conforming to what we hold to be the traditions, customs, and ideals that set Pacific apart from other colleges and give her the merit we claim, not only because of the lack of the force of novelty, but also but also because of their priority in the new location. Then too, the student body remaining in San Jose would have to be an unusual group of young people to maintain and carry over to Stockton undiminished what we so proudly speak of as the “Pacific Spirit” without a freshmen class.

My thoughts are not well formed in regard to what I feel should be Pacific’s future policies, but I feel sure that what ever is done will be the result of wise and carefull consideration. I am merely offering a breif suggestion without knowing anything of the problems that you actually have to face.

Yours very Truly,

Sam Kistler

MARCH TWENTY SECOND, 1923

My dear Sam:

Your letter of March 20th has arrived and has pleased me very much. I shall make the recomendation for the Trustees.

We shall have but one building completed by fall, –the administration building. We shall have no dormitory or dining hall at that time and the only students received there will be relatively few,–the ones who live in Stockton and in immediate environs. Our main work will be carrying on here as usual.

Our reason for beginning this work for freshmen in Stockton is that some parents kept their young people at home this past year feeling that we would be ready for work this fall. Other’s of this years class decided to remain at home. The Principal of the Stockton High School very strongly urged us to begin work for freshmen this fall. At present we can offer courses in Biology and Chemistry, Education, History, Spanish, English, and Economics, with teachers all graduates of Pacific, presumably having the Pacific spirit as we know you have. We do not have any plan to have the entire freshman class in Stockton. Doctor Burcham’s office, having entire control of the financial life of the school, will be located in the College building. There will be going on around you the erection of the rest of the plant, so that I feel the experiment has in it many elements of advantage.

Most cordially yours,

President

Dear Dr. Knoles,

I am wondering if complete plans have been made as yet for the classes in Stockton. If you have formulated a tentative program for me, I should like to know as nearly as possible what it will be, so that I may plan accordingly. My knees are a bit shaky when I think of my winter’s work and I would like to brush up a bit on the things I am to teach. What date should I plan to be in Stockton?

Yours very sincereley,

Sam Kistler

AUGUST TWENTY NINTH, 1923

Dear Sam:

I have just returned from my vacation, and find your letter among others demanding attention.

Dean Abbott and Doctor Werner, who is to have charge of educational work at Stockton are working over a tentative schedule. At present it seems as if it will be necessary for you to teach Algebra, Trigonometry the first semester, and Analytical Geometry, the second semester, Freshman Biology, and Mechanical Drawing. On account of the fact that our classes will have to be held in town on the upper floor of a business block, it will not be possible to give the chemistry courses. As soon as I get additional information I will let you know.

I am sure that you will be capable of doing the work with satisfaction to yourself and profit to the students. You may communicate with doctor Burcham as to thetime of taking up your residence at Stockton. His address is 125 S. American Street, Stockton.

Yours sincerely,

President