At the Turn of the Century
These reminiscences of college days are by amember of the Class of 1903, which returnsthis month for its 50th Reunion.
MY first visit to Hanover was in the month of May, 1899, when a friend and I traveled to Dartmouth as guests of my sophomore cousin. At the hotel in Hanover we were met by a Dartmouth senior from our home town who acted as our guide. He informed us that we were just in time for the Cane Rush," so we hastened to the campus to see the freshmen and sophomores lined up ready to defend their class honors. The contest consisted of general grappling for a long heavy stick, and the class with the most hands on it at the final signal won the day. While watching this contest our guide warned us to keep our hats in our hands, lest someone make off with them. We were cautious, but our guide was less so, and soon lost his hat to some frolicsome undergraduate never to recover it.
Undaunted by any impression of Dartmouth I may have received on this first visit, I enrolled and entered in the fall of 1899 with the class of 1903. I roomed at 18 Wentworth Hall, a room I occupied for four years. As roommates I had a junior and a sophomore, so I escaped some of the sophomores who were out seeking luckless freshmen.
Early in the term, we freshmen in Wentworth were initiated into Delta Alpha, the dormitory fraternity. There were various preliminary rules and duties culminating in initiation, when we "felt the efforts of the goat directed toward a certain end." After the initiation we enjoyed a banquet and after-dinner
speakers. As freshmen we often heard mention of
"Moo" Clark as a very famous alumnus. In fact, he was honored by having had "Clark Hall" named for him. This edifice stood in the rear of Old Dartmouth, and was a primitive example of early New England plumbing. I supposed "Moo" to be a legend, but I have been told that he actually was a student who worked part-time on a dairy farm to help defray expenses.
The absence of this campus landmark and the presence of central heating and electricity in the dormitories when I arrived were considered marks of cosmopolitan luxury. Previously rooms had been heated by the boys themselves with the aid of stoves they brought from home. Fuel was dumped outside and hoisted into the rooms with the aid of a bucket on a rope and pulley. Even in my day boys brought kerosene lamps to study by, since they were not yet completely sure that the glare from electric bulbs was not injurious to the eyes. By the time I arrived in Hanover, most of the comforts enjoyed in urban surroundings were to be had, and I expect that we must have considered the comforts offered about the peak.of civilization.
I should like to pay tribute here to a member of the class of 1903, Jerry Mahoney, who lived in Wentworth Hall. Jerry, though handicapped, accompanied us through college, and attended most of our activities, though having to use crutches all the while. He made a success of his life, and never let his handicap get him down.
Among memorable events during freshman year, I recall the fire which gutted Deke Hall. We were awakened in the night by the fire alarm, which was the Dartmouth Hall bell, to see the fire across the campus. Fire-fighting equipment was limited, as I remember it, to a hand-drawn cart of hose which was attached to one of the hydrants distributed about the campus that is, provided the fire was located conveniently near one of the hydrants. Deke Hall was levelled and the College acquired the property and later built College Hall on the site.
During my first year at Dartmouth, I took my meals at the "Roberts Club' at a cost of $3.00 per week. This and other similar eating clubs were run by local people, and were one of the chief sources of meals for the Dartmouth men. Distance was never a major consideration to us. I believe the Roberts Club was located about a half mile from Wentworth Hall.
Attendance at chapel was required daily at 8 a.m. On Sunday attendance at morning worship in the College Church and vesper service in the chapel were likewise required. Sundays we usually had guest preachers in church, some of whom were famous men from metropolitan centers. Vesper service was impressive, with music by John Proctor, organist, and the college choir, and highlighted by a talk by President Tucker, beloved by the students.
Reg ular pastor of the church was "Pa" Leeds. There may have been some question regarding this expounder of the gospel as compared with President Tucker, but at any rate he was the source of some amusement. Upon entering the College Church with President Tucker, both men would engage in a duel of manners as each tried to bow the other through the door leading to the pulpit. This contest must have been fairly even in outcome, since I cannot remember that either won consistently.
A model student was one who did not smoke, swear, drink, or "go to Leb." Our rec- reation consisted largely of hikes about the surrounding country along the sandy wagon roads. Some more active recreation was pro- vided by a dog the boys caught and labelled "03" with green paint. Our fame was made public for all to see as the dog ran about town.
Among Hanover's more famous spots for us was the little dell, the Vale of Tempe, where the "Christie Warden murder" had taken place. We all knew the poem commemorating the event:
"Christie Warden, she is dead, Almy shot her in the head. He will hang in '93 From a sour apple tree."
This exciting event was recent history in 1899 and the story was told and retold with all its vivid details to make the spot take on significance for us.
Dartmouth has changed a great deal, since I, with the other members of the class of 1903, left the train at Norwich-Hanover station and took the stage up to town. Paved roads, new buildings, and modern facilities are only part of the changes in the town. Curriculum changes at the College are equally as great. No matter how it changes, Dartmouth will always hold for me the memories of how I and my fellows worked, studied, and played there when this century was young.
