DARTMOUTH UNDYING

1840s

Defying a College ban, townspeople graze their cattle on the Green. Awakened at night by the mooing, students herd the offending animals into the basement of Dartmouth Hall. President Lord orders the students to release the hostages.

1877

A well-dressed skeleton appears hung by its neck between two flag poles. The remains of a murderer whose body was donated to the Medical School, the skeleton bears a carpet bag labelled "Montreal," in reference to a cancelled senior excursion.

1888

A donkey appears on the platform before Senior Orations. President Bartlett remarks, "I perceive one of the classes has lost a brother," and orders that the speakers begin without delay.

1925

A "Gully" Lenson, who is a stranger to everyone in his class, appears in the senipr section of the Aegis. His "widow" later shows up at the twenty-fifth reunion. In 1960, the class newsletter reveals Lenson as a hoax. But in a 1972 issue of Yankee magazine, Ken Andler '26 claims he has met Gully, who was reportedly upset at having his existence denied. No such man can be found in alumni records today.

1942

Students break into Baker's bell tower and play a rendition of "How Dry I Am." Thinking the war has ended, townspeople flood police and radio stations with telephone inquiries.

1959

Two students carpet a room in Streeter with 122 square feet of sod stolen from campus lawns. Five bushes add a finishing touch. Though College rules do not forbid internal landscaping, the students are brought before a disciplinary committee.

1984

Making the best of Gerry Hall's "bathroom tile" exterior, pranksters install a shower head and soap dish by the south entrance.

1988

Inspired by the Safer Sex Kit, students rearrange the Hopkins Center Marquee. "CRY FREEDOM 7:00" is changed to "700 FREE CONDOMS."

"Stand a watch," the song says, and in 1966 several literal-minded men of Dartmouth converted Baker Tower into a Disney timepiece. They were following one of the College's most sacred traditions: the practical joke.