On Francis Miller’s Birthday she invited friends to a “Spread”in her room. They usually were late at night and involved sleepwear, food and lots of laughter. (Whitworth Archives)
Martha Bell’s Diary Mon. April 20 1914
Jeannette is back again and it is good to have her here. We’ve had lots of fun tonight. I’ve felt quite hilarious all day and so have the rest, I guess, so Pearl and Mid decided to come in here and break study hour. We were sitting around the table in a regular aid society circle talking to beat the band when there was a knock on their door. We were sure it was “Dougie” [Miss Douglass] and such a scramble you never saw but fortunately it was only some C.E. girls to see Pearl.
Last night the Miller girls had a dandy spread. It was Frances’ birthday and she had some beautiful American beauty roses. They spread a spread on the floor and had the most attractive table with the roses as a center piece and the prettiest chocolate cups.
We had a dandy speaker in Vespers yesterday. He spoke on the development of character thru tribulations and it was one of the best we’ve had this year.
Francis Miller’s Birthday “Spread” note the chaffing dish in the background. (Whitworth Archives)
The Point Defiance Street Car went close to the campus. ( N.B. Collection)
Martha Bell’s Diary Sat. April 18 1914
Nothing much has happened this week. It has been the hardest thing to settle down to work again. Wednesday, I cut Chemistry and went down town with Mid. I got a new hat. It’s quite pretty but I’m not at all crazy about it. After we got thru shopping we went to an awfully good movie.
Last night the Y. M. gave a movie and it was the rankest thing – we were awfully bored. After we came home Pearl, Mid and I (Jeannette’s gone home) got to reading a good book and stayed up till half past one to finish it. I feel rather all in now, but wasn’t very sleepy this morning and even got up to breakfast.
Downtown Tacoma 1912ish. (N.B. Collection)Tacoma Daily Ledger Sat April 11, 1914 p 1.
Well, the work is on in full force once more and now I believe I have time to finish telling about my grand vacation.
On the Way to McKay Cabin on Fox Island. With their bedrolls. (Whitworth Archives)
Friday afternoon, after saying goodby to father, I came out here and got ready to go out to the camp. The girls all had to take their bedding and most of them rolled it up in bundles and carried it that way with middies, old skirts, sweaters, and those ungainly bundles we, seventeen in all, started off. We went to the park and took a boat there for Picnic Point. The hour and a half ride was lovely. When we got to the dock we had to walk about three quarters of a mile to the cottage along the prettiest road thru the woods, beside the water. That is the most ideal place I ever saw and I at once completely fell in love with it. The house is a delightful one so convenient and nicely furnished. On one side is a big living room with a huge fire place. That opens onto a big porch which they use for a dining room in summer. On the otherside is an inside dining room and out of that a kitchen. Then there are several rooms upstairs, too. The house is in the midst of “the tall timbers” with a beautiful view of the sound which is just a little ways off.
Bay believed to be by McKay Camp. (Whitworth Archives)
This beach is on a big bay which is so quiet and peaceful and it seems more like a lake. Well, after exploring and enthusing over everything we proceeded to go out and chop fir boughs to sleep on. How we did eat that dinner! I was simply starved. We twelve girls ate on the porch and the three McKays (Mr., Mrs. and Hazel) and Miss Bedell and her sister ate inside. We divided ourselves into relays of three each to take charge of the four meals. Bertha, Pearl and I came first so got our work over with the first whack. Then we made a huge bonfire down on the beach. It was simply perfect. We all sat around and sang and toasted marshmallows. After a while the moon came up and Florence Mustard, Jeannette and I went out rowing for a long time. The water was like glass. We sang, talked to the echo? which was wonderful, and were supremely happy. I won’t soon forget that night. Finally, we tore ourselves apart and went up to get our beds fixed. We strung them out the entire length of the room. Mildred and I slept together and rather lost out on branches altho [sic] we got an awful lot, so our bed wasn’t exactly what you’d call downy although it was down. About six in the morning Florence woke me and we got up and went rowing for an hour and a half before breakfast. I won’t attempt to describe the beauties of that early morning on the water, I couldn’t. Most of the morning was spent on the beach digging clams. I never saw such quantity this. There were almost hundreds of them. The tide was very low that day and we had such fun examining the many interesting things that were left on the beach. Then we took some pictures, rowed over to the landing with some of the baggage and came back to the grandest clam dinner. The afternoon was spent doing just as we pleased and I did so enjoy it. We had such a nice congenial bunch and the McKays were lovely to us. I like them all so much. Mrs. McKay is a perfect dear. We left about six and surely did hate terrible to leave that beautiful place. We ate our lunch or rather supper coming home on the boat.
Sunday morning Jeannette, Mildred and I got up early and went down to take the seven o’clock boat for Seattle. We just had time to go and get a little bite of breakfast. The ride over in the early morning was glorious. In Seattle we walked around the business part till church time and then went up to the First Presbyterian. It is the largest Presbyterian church in the U.S. The building is a beautiful one-very large. Dr. Mathews is the minister and it was he that we went to hear. He is one of the most powerful, popular ministers in the west and he certainly is perfectly wonderful. His sermon was simply grand, one of the most forceful, original sermons I’ve ever heard. He has a wonderful way of putting things. His topic was “The Song of the Unfolding Life”. I wish I might remember a great many of the things he said. The rest of the Easter service was very beautiful too. Then we went to an awfully nice cafeteria and had a dandy dinner. After that we went to the University. It is a beautiful place. The campus is very pretty indeed. We had a little time before the boat left after coming back to the city so went to the library. We took the five boat back, had the nicest supper- strawberry shortcake, etc. – and finally got back here. Yesterday I did a few of the many things I had planned to do during vacation. All day of course the girls were coming in and there was much embracing, talking etc. Haven’t studied a lick tonight so must get busy. It surely has been one ideal vacation. I don’t see how anyone could have had a grander time.
First Presbyterian Church Seattle around 1909. (Whitworth Archives)
This certainly is being the grandest vacation ever. Father came Tuesday morning and it was simply grand to see him., He came out here for lunch and in the afternoon we went out to the park. It is so beautiful there. All the girls were gone. Jean home and Pearl and Mid to Seattle, so he stayed out here all night. We went to the Heath’s for dinner that night. We got up awfully early Wednesday morning went down town and had breakfast and took the seven o’clock boat for Seattle. We left Seattle at nine on the “Whatcom” for Bellingham and were on the boat till four that afternoon. It was the most dee-lightful trip and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. We found a very nice hotel in Bellingham and stayed there till ten the next morning. We went around a little and went to an entertainment at the Y.M.C.A. The trip back to Seattle was even lovelier than going up. It was a perfect day. The sun and the blue, blue white capped ocean was perfectly wonderful, and thru winding in and out thru the many islands with the beautiful snowy Mt. Baker and others standing out it was simply glorious. We got to Seattle at five, took a car ride out to Lake Washington and had our dinner. It was bright moonlight and the ride over here was so beautiful. I just hated to have it come to an end. I am going down now to have lunch with father. He leaves tonight and we are all going out to the McKay’s camp till tomorrow night. My, but I hate to say goodby [sic] to father. He is the grandest man and I’ve enjoyed his being here so much.
Bellingham, WA Holly St. with the Y.M.C.A. (N.B. Collection)
Gus Williams Letter April 10, 1914 – Writing from Tacoma Washington – My Dear Mother, Rec’d your note two days ago with the same mail which brought to me your kind Easter remembrance. I was awfully glad to get them they came in handy indeed. Thanks a whole lot of time. Yesterday Mary’s letter of the 5th reached me and it too was welcome for it had been quite a long time since I had heard from her. I was surprised when you mentioned Tim’s wedding. I guess that I must have missed it in the paper. I am always glad to get them but it is obviously impossible for me to read everything so I just glace over them and read whatever interests me and of course it is impossible for me to not miss something in that fashion. Whom did he marry? They are living now in the old home I suppose. Our spring vacation began Fri last (one week ago this afternoon) and continues until Tues. morning. Friday afternoon Murdoch, Thompson and I went over to Fox Island where we stayed until Monday morning. I would have enjoyed staying longer but work here at school made it absolutely necessary for me to return. It rained all day Saturday but our shack was dry and we enjoyed talking to one Jacob Jacobson a near by neighbor who is a sailor in summer months and a rancher in the stormy winter. Sunday shone fair and warm so we put up a lunch and started out for another island about 4 miles off. We finally wound up at Pres. McKay’s camp where we took possession and cooked our dinner. It does a fellow a lot of good to get off in these great primeval forests of Washington where he can look to one side and see the gigantic firs and cedars centuries old standing as a challenge to mans strength and ingenuity. Then one may look to the other side and see the blue of Puget waters lapping ever lapping on the sandy shores where she washes relentlessly on heedless of man and is artificial life. And again we might look over the water, the forests, over hills and valleys, farms and cities to the great Cascade range to the East and the Olympics to the West. We got away from the artificial life that we lead in the heart of nature and it did us good. As in the rest I have been busy enough reading and writing, making outlines etc. One of the girls, a Miss Pierson from Spokane was operated on for appendicitis in S. a few days ago. I never knew her very well but I wrote her a short note yesterday any way. I wonder if you saw in Indianapolis papers of our primary held here Fri. A.V. Fawcett a civil war veteran twice mayor of Tacoma and recalled in 1911 lead the ticket and a ex minister named Stoever was second consequently these two men will fight it out in the mayorship. This election will be held one week from next Tues. I believe that Fawcett will be reelected. His good qualities are determinative refusal to sell out to any corporation and a willingness to fight. If he is reelected it will be an exact parallel to Seattle where his gill was reelected a few weeks ago after being recalled in ’11. Gill moreover is giving Seattle a splendid administration as far as contrasted to a corrupt one before. He has appointed as his chief of police his strongest opponent in the primaries and the man endorsed by Dr. Matthews and the ministerial alliance for the mayorship. You probably do not remember that Wappenstien his former chief at one time a resident of Cincinnati, is yet in the penitentiary on charges sustained against him while chief of Seattle’s police. So much for that peace of uninteresting news. What do people think about the Canal tolls question? I hope that Pres Wilson loses this fight. I think that it is here and in such affairs as the Mexican business that we miss T.R. on a man of his caliber although I am frank to say that I don’t believe that T.R. could have formulated as admirable a currency bill or served letter tariff legislation as Wilson has done. That canal was dug by the U.S. through her own territory. Why should she not control it? But it may be said it is a violation of that treaty. It is not because (1) when that treat was made the possibility of the U.S. digging the canal was not thought of here in spirit the treaty does not apply and (2) it (the treaty) says that our nation shall be discriminated against. To change Americas vessels tolls is discriminating against the U.S. for by our own laws no foreign ship of any ship built in a foreign yard though she is now owned and manned by American seamen can clear from any hurt of the U.S. for any other fort of the U.S. Now when we remember that it costs a great deal more to operate American ships than it does foreign our position is readily seen. I wonder how the ships work in coming along. If I could be in two places at once on part of me would be right there helping as fast I could, I hope that you are all well and that the Work of the season won’t be so hard. I know I wish I could be at the service that I should like to be. My love to all, Your son, Gus. P.S. I cannot but say again how much I enjoyed the smoked sausage. Congratulate Leon for me.
Dr. McKay’s Cabin on Fox Island, usually referred to as Dr. McKay’s Camp, 1914. (Whitworth Archives)
The Steamship Verona about 1910 from the Puget Sound area. Unknown from Wikipedia.
From Martha Bell’s Diary April 6, 1914
Well we are back again to this forlorn place and have had the grandest time. I don’t know when I’ve ever enjoyed anything more. After nearly worrying our heads off for fear it would be rainy, Friday proved to be a glorious day. We went down to the dock and took the “Verona” at quarter after five for Quartermaster. It was so lovely on the water and we enjoyed every minute of the ride. The boat stops at many of the little settlements on Vashon Island and winds in and out making the ride a beautiful one. We finally got to Quartermaster about seven. It is just a little country community and very countrified. The Fenton’s house is a nice roomy one very near the water. Behind the house is a meadow and on one side a beautiful orchard. It is the loveliest place and we immediately feel in love with it. We had the nicest dinner and I was starved. That condition seemed to last thru out our stay and the way I did eat! Everything was dee licious [sic]. We spent the evening getting acquainted. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton and an aunt comprise the family and they are all very delightful people. I slept with Jeannette that night.
Fenton Family Home in Quartermaster on Vashon Island. Year Unknown.
Saturday morning, we waked up to find it simply pouring. But we were there and perfectly happy to be there so didn’t care a whoop. It was grand to be in a home once more. We girls took possession of the house and work, cleaned up, got lunch, etc. etc. making ourselves perfectly at home. After lunch we read out loud for a long time. Then the rain stopped and we went down onto the beach. Mid [Mildred] had never dug clams so got a stick and set to work. Before she had succeeded in getting the first one a most sudden and terrific rain came upon us. There was a dock near and we tore for it and got under the floor feeling quite secure. But soon we discovered our mistake. There were many and large cracks in sheltering boards thru which many and wet drops came down upon forlorn and unprotected maidens.
There we were huddled up in the most dismal fashion with the water simply pouring down our faces and clothes and worse than that our spirits, we were simply drenching. But funny. I laughed till I was perfectly limp. The girls, especially Mid did look so funny. Jeannette seemed to think it fit and proper to lit out the most piercing shrieks regularly every second. Well, we got wetter and wetter so decided to make for the house anyway. So we made one wild dash, laughing so that we could hardly stand, and at last reached the house. We had an awful time getting dried out but never were the worse for the experience and it was the most fun I’ve had for ages. That evening we sat around the fire place and popped corn, told riddles and had a nice cozy time. That night I slept with Mid.
Sunday, joy of joys, was an ideal day. In the morning we walked along the prettiest road to Portage to church, it’s a mile or more. The Island is very narrow there coming down to just a tiny strip. We went to a little Episcopal Chapel. We had the grandest chicken dinner and everything good to go with it. Right after dinner we started out with “Billy” (the horse) and a one seated rig with us four in it. Some tight squeeze. But we did have the most wonderful afternoon. It certainly is a beautiful country. We went to Vashon and then to some green house – one of the biggest establishments on the coast. Jeannette knows the man who owned it and he took us thru. Such beautiful rows and rows of lilies, roses, hydrangeas, orchids, etc. etc. etc. Oh, but they were lovely! Then he took us to the room where he had his cut flowers and gave us the most beautiful bouquet of lilies-of-the-valley and red rose buds. There was so much in that afternoon that I’d like to tell about but haven’t time. In the evening we made fudge and then all sang hymns for a long time and had the nicest time.
Perhaps the Gig looked similar to this one. Date Unknown.
That morning J. & P. had pulled the covers off us and we were bound to do something to get even so hid their night gowns. That was my night to sleep with Pearl. Mid and I hurried up and went to the bath room before they discovered and nearly died laughing. Unfortunately, though I had left mine up stairs in plain sight and I knew that would be the last I’d see of it that night and it was. Well they didn’t say one word about it and neither did we but we sure did have a lot of fun. This morning we put them in their suitcases and I found that J. had mine on. Still we didn’t mention it an haven’t yet.
This morning we were up betimes [Note: early, in good time] for the boat leaves at seven. We all did hate to leave just awfully.
Father will be here tomorrow morning. I can hardly wait to see that dear man. Mid is going to visit in Seattle tomorrow and will be gone a couple of days. We expect to take a boat trip. Can’t take any more time now.
This has been a glorious day too nice to stay inside. After school Mildred and I decided to take a walk so went down to the store, got a grapefruit came back here for sugar and spoons and then went down on the bluff and ate it. Wasn’t that crazy. We enjoyed it mightily, nevertheless notwithstanding.
A corner grocery store in the vicinity of the College likely the young ladies went to a similar type store for their grapefruit. (Provenance Unknown)
Martha Bell’s Diary Wed. Apr. 1
April Fool’s Day! And I haven’t been fooled once! When we went down to breakfast this morning there was a big bale of hay in the hall. How the boys got it in I don’t see. Then at breakfast Mid {Mildred] peppered my coffee but fortunately pepper floats so I discovered it. A number of such things happened and several classes cut. But the funniest of all was Sophomore English, Pearl is in the class and two Juniors all the rest are S’s . Well they decided to not any of them show up so when class time came those two Juniors turned up and not another soul. They say Miss Douglas was furious.
Dining Hall in basement of Residence. (Whitworth Archives)
Martha Bell’s Diary Thurs. Apr 2, 1914
Well the Soph’s got theirs when they went to class this morning Miss D. gave them the awfullest lecture you ever heard of. Told them all sorts of things that no one but her could think of to say. She is going to take five off their grades and they each have to write a 1200-word thesis. I’m glad I’m not in their boots. The girls are all so excited about going home tomorrow. We’re going out to Jean’s [Jeannette’s] if it’s only nice weather. Then next week father’s coming so I think the vacation will be a nice one for me.
Hallway of one of the classroom buildings in Tacoma year unknown. (Whitworth Archives)
Yesterday I stayed at home most of the day and had a good lazy time and didn’t go to church at all wasn’t that naughty. This afternoon we Y.W. girls had a little party we turned in the money we’ve been earning. We were each to tell how we earned our money and most everyone had the cutest rhymes. Flopsie with Ruth’s help wrote ours and it was very good. We had punch and wafers and had a good time generally.
Saturday night we wanted to do something different so had a slumber party. Mildred brought her bed in and we put that and that and the two in here side by side in the middle of the room. It was more fun. We talked and giggled for a long time but quieted down at a most reasonable hour.
Y.W.C.A. group at Residence 1914. (Whitworth Archives)
We’ve had quite an exciting time for the last two days. Last night Mildred Z. wanted me to come over and stay all night with her. Lois was going to stay with Hazel, Elizabeth invited Pearl and they were going to have a taffy pull, etc. Well Miss D. got snissy[sic] and said it was all foolishness for two people to sleep in one of those little beds, of course we couldn’t go etc. We were awfully mad but went for the evening anyway and had a perfectly dandy time. It seemed so good to be with that bunch once again. Charlie Parker saw us making candy so came in and joined us. I brought Mildred home to stay all night with me (Jeannette’s gone) and we talked till awfully late. Mildred surely is a dear little girl and the cleverest thing. Well this morning when I was soundly sleeping about six o’clock some thing woke me and there were to figures coming in the door. One was a girl with a big, floppy hat the other – well I would have sworn anything it was Arthur Gunn. It was really Anne P. dressed in Frances cap and gown with a boy’s shirt and her hair drawn up under the cap so that she was, in that dim light the perfect image of Arthur. I never had such a funny sensation in all my life. Of course, I didn’t have sense enough to reason out that it couldn’t be Arthur. I said “What are you doing here?” and Mildred yelled “Arthur Gunn” and smothered herself under the covers. The girls simply howled and as soon as I got fully awake I did too. They went all over this floor and to some of second and everywhere the girls thought it was Arthur.
Those two crazy things (Annie and Iva) had been up the whole night doing every crazy thing imaginable. They pinned terrible threats from Shakespeare on each door, danced out in the hall at about two and four, climbed on the highest trunk in the trunk room, etc. By after breakfast they were ready for sleep so went to bed – but not to enjoy quiet slumber. The girls all determined to do some thing to wake them up every so often (awfully mean but lots of fun) so we put water on them, threw pillows and all sorts of things and finally about time for them to get up for lunch we dumped them. They took it all like true sports, though. I sure do like Anne She’s a dear, so jolly and full of fun and nice to everyone and a perfect beauty.
Arthur Gunn in 1914. As a Senior he was probably of great interest to the freshmen girls. (Whitworth Archives)
Ruth and I made candy – fudge and divinity over in the D.S. room this afternoon for our candy sale tomorrow for our Y.W. money. We had an awful time getting Miss Bedell to let us use the room. The last time the girls didn’t put things back in their proper places. But we finally persuaded her to let us “just this once”. This morning Mary Gunn, the new Y.W. president asked me to be in her cabinet as head of the Bible Study Committee. I was awfully surprised for I am utterly unqualified. I am going to “be firm” and not take it unless I simply have to.
We have to write character sketches and we’ve been having an awful time. I do hope we won’t have to begin writing again. We’ve changed places at our table and I drew a dandy one. I’m across from Annie Platt and between Dub and Arthur Gunn.
Remember that "Dub" is our own Gus Williams writing below. D. S. refers to the Domestic Science room.
Gus Williams Letter – March 25, 1914 – Writing home to Rushville, Indiana from Tacoma, Washington – My Dear Mother, The afternoon mail has just been delivered and your letter of the 21st placed in my hands. I am very busy today as I am most of the time but will write you a few lines anyway. The work of the school some has been intensified these past few days by a series of social functions of more or less importance from which is it is hard for me to escape. Tonight a Miss Hoska is giving a party for Ralph Ghormlay one of the seniors and a very popular fellow who leave Tues. for Eastern Wash. She asked that I bring one of her friends a Tacoma girl and what was a fellow to do? The girls name is Brown but I don’t think that she is related to Joshua in any way. Her first name is Nell So I’ll be “seeing Nellie home” tonight. But your letter, I am anticipating that sausage with great pleasure something like I anticipated Xmas is happier days when “We (Mary and I) were kids” I have already seen Mrs. Rollestin and she has promised to fry it for me she is very good indeed – that is to me. I guess she just naturally favors me. Thanks, thanks, thanks That recalls your reference to the Xmas box. I am sure that I acknowledged it momma. But if in any way my letter did not reach you why you are surely aware that I appreciated it very much. I guess it reached Tacoma about the time I left of shortly afterwards any way, be wise with the draft. I remember distinctly of speaking of it in a letter to you within a few days after it reached me. I don’t want you to think I am not appreciative of the many kindnesses, sacrifices, and acts of love that are manifested for and toward me. I could not very well visit Ed on the Bellingham trip. The boat from Seattle to Bellingham is a through one which stops at Port Townsend only and I was handicapped by lack of time. Our spring vacation opens Fri. of next and I mean the first Fri in April and I hope to go up there for a day or two in spite of the fact that surveying, a senior thesis and preparation for a debate, I guess you know from personal contact with Mary that it is my dream to be a senior. After a month of almost uninterrupted spring and summer weather we are having typical March weather not cold but just blustery and rainy. However I look for fine weather by Thurs or Fri as the storm from the Pacific has just about blow himself out. Tacoma is in the midst of yet another election. A.V. Fastcelt for whose recall from the mayors chair seven years ago is again a candidate for that position. It seems that Pres. Wilson has the first real fight of this administration on his hands in the Panama Canal tolls affair. Much as I admire him it seems to me like a mistake to insist on a repeal. That ditch was dug by the U.S. though its own territory therefore I can see no reason for its being, subject to this much discussed, heaty, such a repeal will spell ruin to a large amount of business here in the North West and is playing directly into the hands of the transcontinental railroad. The railroads will appreciate a package like that and end the whole thing will act a [?] to the democrats when another election rolls around. I am enjoying a course in Ethics very much this semester and another in English, a 3rd in Education. I would like to write you now but the above named course in Ethics forbids so with lots of love to all, I am your Son Gus. P.S. No I am still in the dormitory. I could find no room to suit.
We didn’t have to go to English once last week but had to start in again today and it sure was hard to get the habit again. She pounced on me first thing too.
I’ve been feeling quite hilarious, nevertheless all day, but poor Jeannette is sick in bed. We had lemon pie tonight and it was the best stuff. We got our Campus Day pictures this morning and they’re perfectly dandy. I’m so glad. I’ve got to draw a cow now for D.S. [Domestic Science]
Campus Day March 20, 1914. (Whitworth Archives)Campus Day 1914 (Whitworth Archives)
A College Year 1913-1914 - Whitworth Archives 
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