1903 public laws – Ch.455 Sec.3

That the trustees shall be men of liberal education and good moral character, who shall be residents of said district, and not more than two of them shall be members of or affiliated with any one religious sect or denomination, and that not more than four of them shall be members of the same political party, that two of them shall be appointed for two years, two for four years, two for six years and one for seven years, that those holding for two years shall be John M. Mull and J. H. Pearson, that those holding for four years shall be Sam Huffman and R. T. Claywell, and that those holding for six years shall be P. W. Patton and R. G. Presnell, and that the one holding for seven years shall be S. J. Erwin. and that where a vacancy occurs, either by the expiration of a term or for other cause, it shall be filled for a full term, which shall be seven years, or for the unexpired term by the Mayor and Commissioners of Morganton and the Burke County Board of Edueation, who shall fill all vacancies occurring on said board of trustees.