THE BEGINNINGS OF ORGANIZED SKIING AT DARTMOUTH

Sixteen years after the founding of the Outing Club, I am asked by the Editor of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE to write about the beginnings of organized skiing at Dartmouth in its relation to the early days of the Outing Club.

"When and where did the Outing Club start ?" In retrospect, my mind goes back to Thanksgiving Day in 1909. This was "Grandma's Day" and following a family custom, we had all accepted my grandmother's invitation to come early and spend the day with her. During the afternoon hours in the peace of the family circle, we discussed every detail concerning an Outing Club at Dartmouth and the probabilities of success. Each gave his or her ideas. My dear old grandmother who died in February 1925 at the advanced age of ninety-one took a lively part in the discussion and gave valuable contributions. I feel it only fair to acknowledge the, value of the inspira- tion she gave me. It was out of this talk that arose my determination to present the matter to the college on my return to Hanover and it was on November 30, 1909 that I submitted the communication to The Dartmouth which led to the organization of the Club a few weeks later To the Editor of the Dartmouth: The question "What is there to do at Dartmouth in the winter?" gives rise to the thought that we might take better advantage of the splendid opportunities which the admirable situation of our College offers.

Winter sports are fast growing in popularity as is testified by the carnivals at Montreal and the big skijumping contests at the northern and middle western cities where thousands of people assemble to watch the contestants.

The writer suggests that a ski and snow-shoe club be formed the purpose of which would be: 1. To stimulate interest in outdoor winter sports.

2. To have short cross-country runs weekly and one long excursion each season (say to Mooselauke,). 3. To build a ski-jump and hold ski-jumping contests.

4. To hold a meet or field day during February at which a program of events similar to the fol lowing may be contested : 100-yard dash on snowshoes, cross-country run on snowshoes, obstacle race on snowshoes, 100-yard dash on skiis, obstacle race on skiis, cross-country run on skiis, ski- jumping contest, and other events that may be suggested.

A characteristic winter habit could be adopted by the club, consisting of a toque and sash. Field day each winter might become as much an anticipated and regular event as the spring and fall track meets. By taking the initiative in this matter, Dartmouth might well become the originator of a branch of college organized sport hitherto undeveloped by American colleges.

Respectfully submitted

F. H. HARRIS 'll

To go back a little further, my own interest in skiing was aroused when a sophomore in High School. When skating one fall day, I fell into conversation with a stranger who seemed to be an adept on skates. I remarked to him, "Skating is the greatest winter sport." His reply was, "It is a good sport, but I know of a greater and if you will call at my office after the first good fall of snow, I will introduce you to skiing." His name was Frank Lawton and he should be remembered as one of the pioneers of skiing in New England. A few weeks later I reminded him of his promise and, true to his word, he outfitted me with skiis. I shudder when I think of the route he took me over the first day. He seemed to select the very worst and steepest hills of the naturally rugged country around Brattleboro, Vermont. We toiled upward for miles along a most attractive wood road amidst pines staggering under their load of white. Then came the descent down the "Camp Komfort Slide" (2150 feet—sometimes made in thirty seconds) down a brook bfed and over what seemed—and nearly is— a precipice. I remember, after wobbling dangerously for many rods, I finally went on my head, my skis came 'off, and I could see nothing because of the snow in my eyes. When I had dug myself out of the drift, I found one ski was gone, and on following its track, I located it far below in the brook. When I placed it in the snow, the water on the bottom turned into ice and made it as difficult to slide as if the bottom was covered with sand paper.

This was all very amusing to my older friend but frankly, it was no way to encourage a beginner. How my budding enthusiasm ever survived that test, I don't know.

My friend and I had many wonderful trips after that over the glorious hills and I accepted all his teachings as gospel. As he. however, had learned the sport wholly in the school of hard knocks, his knowledge of skiing technique was nil, and years later, I found I had to unlearn everything and begin all over again.

I have' to laugh when I think of the outfit we used in those days. Our skis were nine feet long, about five inches wide, and so limber that they nearly made a letter U when our weight was placed on them. Even when on the level, we were climbing up hill all the time. I was first taught to crouch way down and spread my feet wide part. The idea was that this gave better stability. I was also impressed with the advantage of dragging a nine foot hickory pole behind me. When one started to fall, all one had to do was to lean on this pole and keep from going over backwards. It gave a "three point suspension" as it were. The idea worked too, but the cramped and awkward position used to nearly paralyze my legs before reaching the bottom of a long hill. I imagine on these slides that I looked like a witch riding a broomstick.

It was with the above foundation that I carried my skis to Hanover. Typhoid fever sent me home and put me back from '10 to '11. I did return to Hanover that winter and spent a few days at the Inn. By this time, I had made thirty different pairs of skis. I carried a pair to Hanover which I had "all dolled up" with fancy brass plates on the points and on the rear ends.

In the winter of my freshman year, I renewed my skiing trips and although I penetrated country far from the campus, II never saw a ski track save rny own. Never have I had happier afternoons than those spent following some old wood road along Balch Hill or climbing to the tops of the distant mountains. The sweetness of the invigorating air, the winter sunshine glinting on the snow-laden evergreens, the tracks of wild life in the snow, the swift descent down a winding trail, and the sense of physical well being made life to me seem more worth living. Many a night, I turned-my skis toward the campus when the glow of the setting sun lent a pink tint to the snow which was beautiful beyond description. Ever have I felt under such conditions a certain peace and happiness which is difficult to describe. To those who have felt it, I need say no more. Surely! Nature is very kind to those who will only accept her gifts.

I honestly couldn't understand how a thousand red blooded fellows could be content to stay housed up through the glorious winter and gradually I became convinced that they had only to be initiated to enjoy skiing also.

In my sophomore year, my fathe,r invited a friend and myself to go with him to the Winter Carnival at Montreal. On the way up on the train, I must have bored them to death by constantly talking about skiing. On the trolley car at Montreal on the way out to the skijumping, I inquired of a gentleman "-ho was wearing the attractive badge of the Montreal Ski Club if it were possible for a stranger to try the big ski jump. Very courteously, he said he would try to arrange it.

As we approached the jump, a Carnival scene met our eyes. The hill was already lined with spectators and two long, black lines of people were crowding to the course. Flags and bunting lent color and when I learned that royalty was sitting in the box to the right of the take-off, I was duly impressed . I got a great "kick" out of it all. I was getting settled down a bit when the man of the badge rushed up and introduced me to the secretary who said, "Certainly, we'll enter you in the competition. Your name please?" I had to work very hard to convince him that I did not care to show my lack of skill before such an assemblage. He urged me to enter, but finally let me off.

The competition opened with the blare of a cornet and my eyes bulged right out of my head at what I saw. To see the jumpers leave the take-off (composed of blocks of ice), sail out into space, curve gracefully, and land far below gave me a thrill never before experienced. I gasped at some of the spills and wondered how the jumpers escaped alive.

So convinced was I of the worth of my own home-made type of skis that I had nothing but contempt for the little, narrow toothpicks of skis the jumpers were using. How they could use them, I couldn't imagine. I had to admit, however, that their performance was marvelous. The longest jump that day was ninety feet.

Too soon the meet was over and the crowd began reluctantly to disperse. Some of the less expert went to the top of the hill to practice jumping. I said to my father, "I have a good mind to try it once," although in my heart there was a mixture of feelings. He did not aay a word but he looked at me as much as to say, "For Heaven's sake, either do it or else stop talking about it." I 'felt that I would be disgraced in his eyes if I didn't make good (I afterwards found he didn't want me to try it) ; so seeing I was in for it, I took my old tug boats up the hill and joined the men at the top. When I looked around and saw the city far below and could see what I was up against, I realized my mistake. If I had been apprehensive before, I was paralyzed then. If I only hadn't talked so much!

I was perfectly willing to let the others go first. I could see two specks down near the take-off and judged them to be my father and my friend. At last, I was left alone. It was now or never; death or disgrace. The course led down and over a road over which a trestle had been built and then out onto, the ice blocks, where the take-off was. marked with two Canadian flags. I didn't dare look down; so, fixing my eyes on the ground thirty feet in front of. me, I let the skis carry me. off. By that time, I was committed! Faster and faster I flew until the tears streamed out of my eyes. I could see the take-off rushing at me. What to do next was the question! I knew nothing about the correct method of making the. "saats" or spring. I rushed out on to the jump. I misjudged the edge and, while in a half crouching position, shot out into space. It seemed as if I would probably land on the roof tops of the city so far below. I thought I would never come down. Finally, the ground came up to meet me. I fell backwards on to my hands but succeeded in getting back onto my feet and continued my mad career down the hill. The jumpers had been stopping in a small field at the foot of the hill by making graceful Telemark swings. I knew nothing about how to make a swing and couldn't have made one with my ninefoot cruisers if I had. I disliked to have to fall to stop; so kept on my way. I shot by some people, over a sidewalk into the road, across a car track, and on down thru the traffic several blocks into the city before I could stop. I have to smile when I realize what those expert Montrealers must have thought of me and my home-made outfit.

Before leaving Montreal, I purchased a pair of Haugen, Telemark type skis equipped with the Huitfeldt binding, similar to those in use today. It did not take long for the advantages of these skis to demonstrate themselves and soon my old skis were in the discard never to be used again.

About this time, we had secured permission to build a ski jump on the Davison Farm about two miles north of Hanover. A take-off of planks and boards was constructed. The approach was very fast but the landing slope was not steep enough, and once when landing after a jump of about sixty feet my skis slapped down so hard that there was not a piece left of them two feet long. One time, we went up this jump after a heavy fall of snow. A plank carelessly left below the jump was buried in snow. After going over the jump, I fell and hit my spine against the buried plank. It felt absolutely as if I had hit a stonewall. It was with great difficulty that I dragged myself back to Hanover and I had to eat off the mantelpiece for at least a week. The doctor said if the blow had been an inch higher, my back would have been broken. This incident caused me to lose interest in this jump.

One Christmas vacation, we built a small jump in the Vale of Tempe and the jumping contests were held there for several years. I believe we had as many good times and as many thrills on this jump as any of us later experienced on the larger hills. I well remember the first time John Carleton appeared on a pair of barrel staves and asked my permission to try the jump. "Dick" Bowler, son of Dr. J. W. Bowler, Physical Culture Director, started in jumping at about this same time and John and Dick ran neck and neck together in the competitions. Little did we realize then that Carleton's career would carry him up in the ski world until he would become Intercollegiate Ski Jumping Champion, nor that he would win many jumping and racing titles in open tournaments throughout the country. You can imagine my pleasure in seeing my pupil break the Eastern American and Canadian record at Brattleboro, February 4, 1922. He has since been a member of the U.- S. Olympic Ski Team and has broken many records on jumps in Switzerland where he spent his vacations while a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, England. No man has ever carried the name of Dartmouth more honorably or creditably.

I had the idea of an Outing Club in mind very strongly when a sophomore but did not know how the college would take the idea as coming from an underclassman; so it was not until my junior year that I summoned enough courage to lay the plan before the college.

Although the first meeting in H. Chandler evoked much enthusiasm and sixty men—a large number in those days—joined as members the first night, there was considerable scoffing at the idea and the Club had to fight to justify its existence. I wonder if the Club's officers of today realize the doubts and worries encountered by the organizers. The Club from the very start, however, seemed to fill a longfelt want and forged steadily ahe,ad. From the first, the Club emphasized extensive rather than intensive athletics and its present membership of around 1700 speaks for itself in this respect.

Although the men and the faculty in college at that time know perfectly all about the beginning of the Club, there seems to be such a hazy idea in the minds of the recent graduates and present undergraduates about the early history of the Club that I am glad of the opportunity to set forth the actual facts.

To my mind, the spirit and loyalty of its members determines the degree of success of a club. Never have I seen such enthusiasm and interest as was shown by the officers of the Club during the first few years. (If only such spirit was shown in civic organizations what wonderful places would be our towns and cities.) Although more recent happenings seem to have overshadowed the early days, Dartmouth men should never forget that it was the indomitable spirit of the first president of the club, Lee White 'l2, Carl Shumway 'l3, "Larry" Day 'l4, Ben Grills 'IS, and all the others which put the club on such a firm foundation that its success was assured. The faculty always stood behind the Club and no small measure of appreciation is due to Professors E. F. Clark, G. F. Hull, William Patten, Craven Laycock, A. H. Licklider, J. W. Goldthwait, Leland Griggs, C. D. Adams, Charles Proctor, N. L. Goodrich, Dr. J. M. Gile, Dr. E. H. Carleton, and Presidents William Jewett Tucker, Ernest Fox Nichols, and Ernest Martin Hopkins. These men not only gave inspiration and advice, but actually went on the club trips and were good fellows on an even basis with the undergraduates. Would that space permitted giving the names of the many others to whom appreciation is due. The faculty, however, left the actual work to the undergraduates and encouraged the policy of letting the Club stand on its own feet. In this way, the Club forged steadily ahead for four years.

In February, 1913, a book entitled "Dartmouth Out O'Doors" appeared. I believe this year marked a new era in the; life of the Club. In "Dartmouth Out O'Doors" it was stated that a fund had been started to build a chain of cabins through to the White Mountains. This fund, by the way, was at that time mostly imaginary. Carl Shumway 'l3 was then President. His father, Franklin P. Shumway, came to Hanover to see the Winter Carnival. Reading the item about the chain of cabins fund, he called a D. O. C. enthusiast to the Inn and said, "Although the Carnival idea is splendid, it is soon over. -The chain of cabins idea offers something substantial. If you build a cabin a year, the Club will have a permanent memorial to its progress."

He at once offered a. contribution and said he would be willing to write to the other fathers of members of the Club and see if they didn't feel the same way. His offer was accepted and in a few weeks Mr. Shumway had raised about $700 with which to build a cabin on Moose Mountain near the old cabin which Lee White '12 had first made habitable. ..

Mr. Shumway asked me to write a story on the cabin idea and through his cooperation the full page story entitled "Dartmouth Men Plan Line of Camps in White Mountains" appeared in the Boston Herald of April 20, 1913. It is well to remember that Franklin P. Shumway was the first man to come to the financial assistance of the Club and that he has always stood ready, although not called upon, to render further assistance.

In the meantime, "Dave" Adams 'l3 and a dozen others gave up their Easter vacation, camped in tents in the snow, and built the first new cabin on Moose Mountain.

It seems that in Philadelphia Rev. John E. Johnson '66, who had" been out of touch with his old college for some time, happened to read the story in the Boston Herald and then and there decided that he would like to help boost the Outing Club. On Decoration Day 1913 at the housewarming of the new cabin, President Nichols introduced Mr. Johnson who offered to the Club his one hundred acre "Skyline Farm" north of Littleton, N. H. This marked the third era of the Club. So Mr. Johnson began his series of splendid contributions of money, land, and interest which have gone far in a material way to enable the Club , to realize years ahead of time, the dreams of its founders. Nobody appreciates what Mr. Johnson has done for the Club more than the writer. He has come to be known as the Patron Saint of the Club. His financial assistance has been graciously acknowledged by the Club's making him its Honorary President.

In response to Carl Shumway's request for suggestions, a letter was written to the, Club in 1913 (from which I quote the exact words) suggesting the following: 1. "That the first day be given over to skating events wholly and that in the evening the band play for skating to music and that the rink be lighted in an attractive way."

2. "Building of a small shelter at the foot of the jump in which hot drinks could be served for the benefit of the guests."

3. "Concentrate as much as possible all events in and around one place."

4. "Impress upon the visitors and upon the College the strength of the Club's membership by having the Club appear in a body at the start of festivities." 5. "Cooperate with the Press Club for better publicity. Feature Carnival in head-lines."

6. "Let the motto of democracy always be kept uppermost. Let the expenses per man be kept down to a minimum."

7. "A feature which could be carried out in a very impressive but inexpensive way would be to have the Outing Club meet in full strength on the top of Balch Hill someone of the Carnival nights. Since this hill can be seen from all directions, a huge bonfire would attract attention from afar. The Club could then wend its way in and out down the hill, each man carrying a red torch, making a path resembling a snake of fire as it approached the college. It could be announced that the enemy would besiege the college and that the Tower would be the first point to be attacked. The visitors could be waiting at the Tower. When the Club arrived in full force, the Tower could be stormed with Roman Candles augmented with other fireworks. It would be a sight long to be remembered."

8. "Have a mock snow battle which would be characteristic of the olden days when Samuel Occom and his Indian friends used to roam these same hills."

9. "Accent should be laid upon purely winter events since the guests come to Hanover to see a Winter Carnival. Include winter festivities in the evening."

10. "Have graded degrees of membership representing different degrees of skill or work accomplished, each degree to be appropriately rewarded, similar to the 2nd and 3rd class tests of the Ski Club of Great Britain."

11. "Have a band at the ski jumping and have the fellows sing." 12. "In our list of possibilities all of which cannot, of course, be realized at

any one time, or at any one Carnival, we must not forget a Fete de Nuit with a toboggan chute and a big bonfire to end up with."

You can imagine with what pleasure the realization of some of the suggestions has been noticed. It is not impossible that some of the others will become realities. Never has an organization more nearly followed—but years ahead of time—the plans of its organizers.

A Dartmouth man visiting at the Lake Placid Club sent all ideas learned there to the Dartmouth Outing Club. One of these, the idea of illuminated ice opals, became a fact at one of the Carnivals. Thus the Lake Placid Club, whose President, Melvil Dewey, graciously acknowledges that he received his inspiration for his winter sports idea from Dartmouth, was able to return an idea to Hanover.

At about the same time, derogatory remarks were being made about in the country regarding the length of jumps made on the ski jump at Dartmouth. Accordingly, a series of letters was written to President Hopkins, the President of the Outing Club, the leading jumper in college, and various other interested parties. I do not know whether these letters had anything to do with the determination to build a larger jump and to keep Dartmouth in the fore front as the skiing college, but anyhow, the new big jump with its steel superstructure was built the following winter. I consider the building of this jump as perhaps the fourth era of the Club.

After all, I am sure the greatest pleasure the organizers of the Outing Club have is the realization that its activities have had real benefits—physically, mentally, and morally. Strong physiques built up during the four years at Hanover have stood and will continue to stand their owners in good stead in later years. Fresh air is good brain food; so the mental effects are not inconsiderable. There are untold advantages even from a moral standpoint. The outdoor man is a clean-minded man. Nature teaches many lessons and the woods have a beneficial influence.

It is a satisfaction to know that the winter sports and outdoor life at Dartmouth have cast waves of interest throughout the outdoor world and have given rise to a new appreciation of the recreation possibilities of New England as the playground of a nation. It is doubly satisfying to feel that this widening influence can never stop and that its good effects will continue with the life of the College.

Fred Harris on the first Outing Club Jump

An All-day Hike in Vermont, 1910

The Old Cabin at Moose Mountain Photogiaph by J. IV. Qoldthwaii

February 22, 191I—An1—An early Outing Club trip to Holt s Ledge

As seen from a window in Crosby

Note: Aside from taking the initiative in founding the Dartmouth Outing Club, Mr. Harris has been continuously active in winter sports organization. He founded the Brattleboro Outing Club and is at present President of the United States Eastern Ski Association and Vice President of the National Ski Association of America, Inc. [Editor.]