Canton In Revolution

"This volume is a memorial tribute to the late Professor

F. Earl Swisher. Born in Lyons, Kansas, July 22, 1902, he

was a member of the pioneer generation of American scholars

to study China. His early life offered no indication that

he would become involved in Chinese studies. At an early

age he moved with his family to Palisades, Colorado, where

his father owned a farm. There he completed his public education.

He was an avid reader as a student, and by the time

of his graduation had exhaustea the libraries of his teachers

and school. He entered the University of Colorado in

1920, majoring in history. Although he received an academic

scholarship, he had to work his way through the University.

In May 1924, he was graduated with. honors. Still he

was uncertain about his career. While walking across campus

to work one day shortly before graduation, he was caught in

a typical Colorado cloudburst. He found shelter in a nearby

building being used by Canton Christian College to recruit

faculty for the forthcoming year. Waiting for the rain to

stop, Swisher expressed a mild interest in a position at the

College and left his name and address. He was somewhat

surprised several weeks later to be offered a contract. By

the end of August, he had arrived in Canton to assume his

duties."