Post 3. Episodes from the life of Charles D. Mahaffie, Sr.

Letter of congratulations and advice from a leader of Kingfisher College, Rev. C. G. Murphy

News of Mahaffie’s Rhodes Scholarship was a big deal for tiny Kingfisher College, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. It was a small, young school—open only a few years. The school was understandably proud of Charles’ accomplishment. The Reverend C. G. Murphy, a Trustee of the college wrote Charles a letter of congratulations and offered his advice on how to represent America, while at Oxford. The letter appears below.

About Kingfisher

Kingfisher included an academy–a high school, and a college. The college was a Congregationalist school in the Liberal Arts tradition. Kingfisher stated in its catalog for 1904-1905, “The school is by no means sectarian, numbering among its students the representatives of many different denominations. The general Christian influence is, however, strong. Since the inception of the institution, many students have been led to accept the “higher human life,” chiefly owing to the strong moral and religious sentiment that pervades the school.”

The college forbade smoking, card playing, dancing, and required attendance at chapel, also requiring each student to attend the morning service of a church of his choosing.

1904-1905 college costs were $12 for tuition, $2 board per week, and $2 per month for a room.

Students had to provide their own “quilts, sheets, pillows, light and fuel.” Girls had the opportunity to work in the dining hall and girls’ dormitory care. Boys could work in the school’s broom factory, sweeping, sawing wood, or working for farmers and merchants in the area.

Kingfisher opened in 1895, and Charles was a student there by 1900 or 1901, first in the Academy and the in the College. Kingfisher never graduated more than 12 students in a single year, and often there were fewer.

Kingfisher, though small, was strong in athletics, and in May 1903, Charles brought it intercollegiate championship medals in singles and doubles tennis. Charles also won the school’s second prize in 1904 in oratory, for “Henry Clay.”

Though tiny and under-resourced, Kingfisher produced 6 students who qualified for Rhodes Scholarships and three winners of the scholarship in its short history. Mahaffie was the first.

By the time of World War I, the college was struggling with enrollment, and it declined until forced to close in 1922. Nominally, the College became part of the University of Oklahoma in the 1920s. The trustees sold its grounds in Kingfisher to the Pentecostal Holiness Church.

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Charles Mahaffie, Kingfisher, Okla.

Dear Mahaffie:

I have noticed in recent papers that you have won the unique distinction of securing the “Rhodes Scholarship”. I am glad, exceedingly glad. Accept my hearty Congratulations on your worthy aspiration and successful achievement. The privilege of a three years’ course at Oxford, won under such conditions, is an honor any young man should covet. Your record to the present is an earnest that you will make the most of your opportunity.

As an American I am proud to have you represent our young manhood in the great university of England. The whole of our beloved country is judged by the few who represent us abroad. Be an American every hour you are gone. Be proud of your country even though you must be conscious you are representing her. But represent the best that is in us of thought and manhood, and not our unconventionalities, as so many do. It is not the flaunting of the flag on all occasions or the splitting of the air with shouts and pyrotechnics on special occasions. This is exceedingly distasteful to the foreigner. But a manly bearing, high ideals, pure purposes, simplicity and ease of speech and action in the midst of hampering conventionalities, this is to be an American.

This and much more you will do. And this is why I am glad to give you my God-speed as you go abroad.

I shall follow your career with interest for I shall expect to hear of you receiving further honors in more lines than one.

I am glad you go from Kingfisher College.

May the Lord be your strength, and may he spare you for a long life of usefulness!

Your friend,

C. G. Murphy, Oklahoma City