1909
Hamilton Gibson '97 was president of the Chicago Alumni Association for the year 1918-19 - Dartmouth's sesqui-centennial year. At that time he compiled a condensed chronological history of the college and presented it with his best wishes to the Chicago alumni. "It is not meant to be complete," he stated in the foreword, "but merely to outline the principal events in Dartmouth's history, so that all of us who have learned to love Dartmouth can know of her 150 years of achievement."
The section referring to President William Jewett Tucker will be of interest to '09ers in particular, for our class holds the last diplomas signed by him. Other classes, from 1912, which was the youngest to know him, and back to 1893, the first class to come under his jurisdiction when he took office on February 3, 1893, may find material for reminiscing in the review of what was accomplished during his regime.
What happened in 1893? The first dean was appointed; Hitchcock Hospital was opened; the Alumni Oval for athletics was built by alumni at a cost of $17,000; a new water system was installed; the class of '97, entering in the fall, was the largest in college history (120); the New Hampshire State Legislature began regular appropriations to the college.
1894 marked the beginning of Dartmouth's growth in student body, faculty, equipment, buildings, and finances. From that date, and continuing through 1908, fourteen new dormitories, housing 700 students, were erected. In 1895, Old Pine was cut down (remember how we gathered around the stump during Commencement exercises?); foundations for the College Tower (71-feet high) were laid, and Dartmouth Night was inaugurated. Nine college buildings were erected between the years of 1895 and 1906.
The following year, 1896, "Horning" was abolished by student vote. Not a single professor dissented this action. In the six-year period, 1891-97, came the Willard, Fayer weather, Wentworth, Wilder, and Butterfield bequests. On June 29, 1897, the Medical School celebrated its 100th anniversary. Move ahead to 1899 and you'll find that the central heating and lighting plant was established; the Carnival and Prom week was adopted in May; Edward Tuck gave $300,000 to the College, later increasing the amount to over $1,000,000. Remember him? The fabulous alumnus who lived over in Paris?
1900 accounted for a number of firsts: the Palaeopitus Society was founded; Amos Tuck School of Administration and Finance was established; Summer School sessions opened for the first time. In 1901, the Webster Hall corner stone was laid, and the 100th anniversary of Daniel Webster's graduation was celebrated. The "Group System" of studies was adopted the following year.
From 1903 until President Tucker resigned in July 1909, the required attendance at church was abandoned (1903); Social Friends and United Fraternities disbanded and turned over their books to the college; Dartmouth Hall burned (February 18, 1904); the Earl of Dartmouth (not forgetting his wife and daughter) visited the college and laid the corner stone of the present Dartmouth Hall, October 25, 1904.
During this period, undergraduate students increased from 315 to 1,107; the faculty increased from 27 to 84; the value of the college plant increased $1,318,128, and the college trust funds increased from $1,028,929 to $2.871,640.
President Tucker was a man who was loved and revered by all. He was a spiritual man, and yet he had a fine sense for administration. My friend, Charlie Truman, who was official steam fitter of Dartmouth College for 47 years (from 1902 until he retired in 1949). told me that Dr. Tucker was a regular visitor to the college heating plant. He knew what was going on from first-hand observation, and not from the word of others.
Darrow Spoke to Chicago Group
In February issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE was recorded the death of Paul Darrow '04, the only son of Clarence Darrow, famous Chicago trial lawyer. In contrast to his father, Paul never was picked out by the spotlight. He lived and died unobtrusively in the Chicago area, nor was he overly active in Dartmouth affairs. His death, however, calls to mind the time we got Clarence to speak at a Chicago weekly Dartmouth lunch in the early part of 1926. At that time he had received considerable publicity in his defense of Leopold and Loeb, the two young men who brutally murdered young Bobby Frank (1924); and of John Thomas Scopes, charged (1925) with teaching evolution in Tennessee (the prosecution was conducted by William Jennings Bryan).
Chicago, in those years, had an active and flourishing alumni association. It went all out to feature at the weekly luncheons programs that educated, as well as entertained, the pulsating attendants. So we decided that we would try to get Harrow as a speaker. I recall that Henry Urion '12, said he knew somebody who knew Darrow and that, through him, he'd try to turn the trick.
Weeks passed, and nothing happened. Finally I decided that I'd go and see the great man personally. He had an office in the Temple Building. One morning I hit his receptionist and told her that I'd like to see Mr. Darrow, that my name was Childs. No questions were asked as to my mission, and in a minute or two I was ushered into his office. There he sat at his desk. He was a man who had a perpetual slouch, his hair, parted on the side, partially covered his furrowed brow. His complexion was sallow. His clothes were baggy. His eyes, bright and intelligent.
"Mr. Darrow," I said, "you have Dartmouth connections, for your son, Paul, is a Dartmouth man. We, of the Chicago alumni, would like to have you speak at one of our weekly luncheons that we hold every Monday at the University Club."
In a few minutes the deal was made. Clarence Darrow did appear as scheduled. He made his talk, and the impact of his personality has not been forgotten by those who were present.
The experience taught me one important lesson — don't beat around the bush in trying to gain an objective; use a direct, straightforward approach. Truly big people are usually the easiest to deal with. It's the pikers who wear the stuffed shirts.
Class Notes Editor, 141 Pioneer Trail, Aurora, Ohio
Secretary and Treasurer, Sandwich, Mass.
Bequest Chairman,
