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The
first Bicentennial Heritage Profile is of Dr. Wilbur Fisk, the first
principal of Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham. Although Fisk left
Wilbraham to become the President of the Wesleyan University in
Middletown, Connecticut, in 1830, he remained on the Board of Trustees
of the Academy until his death on February 22, 1839. The following
profile is taken from Rev. David Sherman's History of the Wesleyan
Academy at Wilbraham, Mass. 1817 - 1890. The story of the flogging is
one Fisk told on himself on many occasions and demonstrates the
qualities that so endeared him to his students.
The Rev. Wilbur Fisk was the newly chosen principal, a
young man of commanding talents and growing popularity. He was the one
man toward whom the eyes of the trustees had been turned from the
first, as a wise and competent leader in education. He was the born
teacher and leader, under whose management, it was felt, the Academy
must prove a success. He was named President of the Academy on
September 28, 1825.
Wilbur Fisk came of good New England stock. In 1812 he
entered the sophomore class in the University of Vermont; but the
suspension of the University the next year, on account of the
disturbances of the war, occasioned his removal to Brown University,
from which he graduated with honor in 1815. Fisk began the study of
law, but soon determined to devote his life wholly to the work of the
ministry. He was licensed at Lyndon, Vermont, on March 14, 1818, and by
1823 he was Presiding Elder of the Vermont District.
Fisk was a kindly, though rigid disciplinarian. The
household was his model - authority softened by love. The mastery of
the heart was the secret of his government; his students loved him. At
the same time his government was utterly removed from weakness and
vacillation. To cultivate a spirit of kindness and subordination, the
soft glove was extended, but there was an iron hand within, which was
sure to be used on occasion. For the punishment of obstinate persons, a
penitentiary and a dungeon - peculiar educational institutions -
located in the basement [of Old Academy], were provided. One trial was
usually enough.
The principal was usually equal to whatever he undertook.
In one instance, a student was too much for him. The lad had often
offended; and after many private reproofs, he was ordered to prepare
for a flogging the next morning in the presence of the school. At the
usual hour, the students assembled in the east room for prayers. The
Bible was read and the usual devotions gone through. Notices for the
day were given. All was silent expectation. The culprit was called to
the middle of the floor, the ladies being on one side, and the
gentlemen on the other.
Fisk took his well-prepared birch from the left hand where
it had been quietly held, and raising it high in the air, he brought in
down upon the shoulders of the offender, who strangely remained
unmoved. Another and another blow followed with no better effect. The
great pedagogue began to mistrust that he was "sold." The boy was
ordered to doff his coat. Thwack, thwack, again, without sensible
impression on the lad, save a roguish twinkle of the eye. The school
was now in good humor, but the principal was in a position of extreme
embarrassment. The vest was ordered removed only to reveal another, and
another. The nether one was ordered off, when down came Greenleaf's
large Atlas-shaped Grammar upon the floor amid a roar of laughter from
the whole school. It was too much for the master. He felt the
ridiculousness of the situation and, in spite of his best resolves,
joined in the universal merriment.
As soon as quiet was restored, he said to the offender,
"What possessed you to rig yourself up in this fashion?" The jolly
little rogue, with a smile, replied, "You told me yesterday to prepare
for a flogging, and I have done so." The house went wild again. The
master was swept [away] by the flood. He said, "Now go free; you have
won your liberty." Thus ended the famous flogging, with a lesson for
the teacher as well as the pupil.
reprinted from The
Academy, Spring 2002
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