Edward O'Rear: Buckhorn Correspondence, January-February 1954

Edward C. O'Rear, a native of Camargo, Kentucky, studied law in nearby Morgan County, and in 1886 established a legal practice in Mt. Sterling. Noted as a specialist in title law, O'Rear was an unsuccessful congressional candidate in 1888, served as county judge in Montgomery County from 1894-1898, and was a Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals from 1900-1911. During this period O'Rear wrote the majority decision upholding the Day Law which forced the segregation of private schools in Kentucky. After an unsuccessful run for Governor in 1911, O'Rear was hired as Chief Counsel in Kentucky for Consolidation Coal Company whom he continued to represent until his death.

O'Rear was named chair of the Fund on its establishment but did not assume control until Robinson's death in 1934. His administration may be characterized as conservative, particularly during the Depression and extending through the war years. However, his management of investments had a very positive effect on the Fund's long-term monetary value.

Generally, O'Rear's administration is most completely documented in board meeting minutes and in correspondence kept by Francis Hutchins. The O'Rear subseries consists mainly of material relating to the Fund's involvement with the Buckhorn Children's Center. Included are four folders of correspondence and a single folder of agreements between the Fund, Buckhorn Association, and Presbyterian Church organizations. They were transferred to Francis Hutchins by O'Rear following his retirement.

Trustees Ross Sloniker and Francis Hutchins first suggested the Fund donate money to the Buckhorn Association following a fire, which destroyed a girl's dormitory in February, 1953. Buckhorn's financial situation proved to be so desperate, however, that the Trustees were convinced to assume control of the institution, taking title to the property in April, 1954. The transfer process was quite lengthy because the Buckhorn Association was chartered in New York State by members of a Presbyterian congregation in Brooklyn.

Correspondence reflects O'Rear's negotiations with Buckhorn Association lawyers, Buckhorn’s administrator; Elmer Gabbard, Trustees’ opinions regarding the purchase, and O'Rear's keen awareness of the value of Buckhorn properties and investments. Correspondence is present only through May, 1954, and thus does not document administrative difficulties encountered after the Mountain Fund assumed ownership. These difficulties arose because of the substantial reduction in donations from Buckhorn's supporters who incorrectly assumed the Mountain Fund's resources would easily meet the institution's needs. The result was the Mountain Fund finally giving Buckhorn's title to the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky in July, 1956.