Jonathan Blanchard's Resignation

Blanchard’s conflict with Gale resulted with his forced resignation. The Board voted 11-10 against him. But his resignation was met with outcry by the both the citizenry of Galesburg and the student body of Knox. Following the Board’s decision, only one out of ten seniors stood at Commencement. Many students and faculty withdrew from the school. A petition circulated around Galesburg for Blanchard’s reinstatement reached ten and a half feet long. The students also published a lengthy Bulletin, The Students’ Farewell, in support of the deposed President.