A College Year 1913-1914 – Whitworth Archives – Page 8

Oct. 14, 1913 Move to Spokane?

Gus Williams Letter Home October 14, 1913
“ My Dear Father
          I Haven’t heard from home direct for some time but have kept in touch through the papers and Mary. I know I never deserve a letter but will seek refuge behind that old excuse of being busy which I truly am. However, as school is once more well started my duties will be lessened from now on. I hope to get the book store in fairly good shape in a couple of weeks more and the Student Association business will be off my hands in a short time now.
[Gus was student body president in 1912-1913 but he was later re-elected for the 1913-14 year so didn’t get his wish]
The rainy season seems to be almost if not quite upon us as we have had several days of typical Puget Sound winter. Tonight, however a full moon is shining forth in all her glory upon the silvery waters of commencement bay and throwing in grand relief and magnificent shadows the giant outlines of Mt. Tacoma [now Mt. Rainier]
This week Synod is in session in Vancouver (Wash.) where it is to be definitely decided whether or not Whitworth is to be removed to Spokane. Spokane had made some very attractive offers but there is one thing they can not give – this wonderful location unsurpassed the world over.
I have been reading as closely as I could the doings of Congress especially regarding the currency question. October’s North American Review contains 3 very good articles on that bill. In my humble judgment that bill is going to do much to make the administration of Pres. Wilson an enviable one. Our financial system has always suffered from an inefficient currency system and it is to be hoped that this will be found to be an improvement.
I have been doing some very interesting work this year in Statistics. At only a very recent date has this subject been offered in schools or colleges altho I believe it to be very useful and practical.
I only stopped to write this letter tonight in order to let you know I am still in the land of the living. I had intended to study some more but think I shall go to bed instead.
            If you could send me $75.00 in the near future I would be very glad as I should like a raincoat very much and what will be left will about suffice I think to meet the incidentals that come up during the year. The Book store is a good job but its duties are such that I can earn nothing at other work. I don’t like to ask for this at all but have done so in the hope that it will not cripple you too seriously financially. If it does don’t send it please.
            With Love to All     Your Son   Gus
Gus Williams papers at the Whitworth University Archives

Gus Williams (right) and Ralph Ghormley.

Read More about the Currency Question in the North American Review October issue free from JSTOR https://www.jstor.org/stable/i25120103

Whitworthian Article on football team leaders.

For a look at the Whitworth College Trustees report to the Synod of Washington of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. held in Vancouver, WA Oct. 14-17 1913

Th Report was given on Thursday October 16th at the late morning session. The report from Murdoch McLeod, President of the Board of Trustees of Whitworth College was received then addressed by Rev. Calvin H. French, D.D. secretary of the College Board, Rev. James H. Shields D.D., Ruling Elder Robert L Edmiston, of Spokane, Rev Donald D. McKay, D.D. President of Whitworth College, and Rev. Mark A Matthews, D.D. of Seattle after which the report was adopted. Unfortunately the record does not say whether each individual spoke for or against the move to Spokane.

Report of the Whitworth College Trustees to the Synod of Washington Meeting 16 Oct 1913

Next Entry will be on October 17, 1913

Oct. 12, 1913 Vaudeville Show

Invitation to the Vaudeville show put on by the girls in support the the Football team. From Bertha Lee’s scrapbook . (Whitworth Archives)

Martha Bell’s Diary Sun Oct. 12, 1913

Well the grand Vaudeville Show is over and it was the biggest success. Everything was simply great and so much better than anyone expected. I was in the “Sousa’s World-Famous Band” and the “Frivolous Freshman” stunt. We were afraid the Freshmen thing was going to be a fizzle but everyone said it was fine. We dressed in blue skirts, white middies, red ties and red ribbons tied in bows on top of our heads, and sang “I’ll Get You” making motions appropriate to the words. The band was the most ridiculous thing you ever saw. One of the girls played on the piano while the rest of us had as instruments kitchen utensils. We were supposed to be very sober and inspired by our music and I nearly died trying to keep my face straight for it was so perfectly killing. I played a snare drum (a pan beaten with two forks). The Violins were toasters, the base drum a big wash tub. The base viola an ironing board, the trombone a potato slicer. We played “Alexander’s Rag Time Band” A trombone solo with full band chorus “Row, Row, Row” and “Everybody’s Doin’ It” Lois Campbell and Flopsie Rambo were the “strong men” and were too funny for words. The whole program was just splendid but I haven’t time to describe it. We surely had a strenuous day – decorating, carrying chairs, rehearsing, dressing and painting up and finally “doin’ it”.

For some samples of the songs Martha mentions see “Everybody’s Doin’It Now” on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDDS6T4-oXghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDDS6T4-oXg

Song Sheet for “Everybody’s Doin’It Now”

Or Listen to “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” On Youtube below

Next Entry will be on October 14, 1913

Oct. 9, 1913 Football Rally

Martha Bell’s Diary Thurs Oct 9, 1913

We had a big foot ball rally this evening and it was such fun. Right after dinner we all went down to the foot ball field and gathered around a huge bonfire. We sang college songs, gave lots of yells, and then each member of the team, the coach, and the members of the faculty had to give speeches. Some of the boys were terribly fussed and it surely was hard to be pulled out and told to “talk”. The boys go to Aberdeen to play their first game tomorrow and they certainly have had a good send off. The Whitworth Spirit is all right. We were the most enthusiastic bunch you ever saw. I’m getting quite crazy about foot ball and am so anxious to see a game. I never have, you know. Virginia Clarke and I went down to watch the practice this afternoon and I learned a little about the game.

We’re having daily themes in English now and it is the hardest thing to find subjects. I have something the matter with my heel and are having quite a troublesome time with it. I nor anyone else don’t seem to be able to find out what is the cause or the condition etc. etc.

Ruth Lee ’15 scrapbook (Whitworth Archives) Exact date unknown

The 1913 Whitworth Football team. Gus Williams is the captain second to right in bottom row with the eye patch. (Unsure what happened to eye)

Next Entry will be on October 12, 1913

Oct. 5, 1913 Mother Goose Guessing

Martha Bell’s Diary Sun Oct. 5 1913

I am honestly the busiest person you ever saw. I simply don’t have time for anything like letter or diary writing. My school work keeps be jumping the whole day and then when I do have any spare time there’s always somebody here talking or something. Friday afternoon the Kappa Gamma’s gave a tea at Bertha Lee’s and we had such a nice time. We had a Mother Goose guessing contest and I got the most for which I was given a “feather in my cap”. After dinner Hazel and I went up to visit Mildred Latta and Pearl Allen for a while and then came home and we had a spread up in Helen Treutelaar’s room and had lots of fun and ate so much. my! my! Mildred Zobrist is in Seattle and Helen Hollenstead and Frances Collins were over at the Dorm so there were just six of us – Elizabeth Larson, Miss Mustard, Miss Bedell, Helen, Hazel and myself.

Yesterday I worked most of the day cleaning, sewing, ironing, etc. May Wakefield, Helen and I went out for a little walk and got oodles of huckleberries. I’m going down to the 1^st Pres this morning so must get ready now.

A group of faculty in a classroom on the Tacoma campus. (Whitworth ARchives)

Definition of Spread

Although there are a myriad of definitions of the word spread, in this context it means a small feast spread out, usually on the floor of a dorm room, for the residents and their guests to enjoy. Photographs we have of “spreads” from the dorms of this era have the attendees in nightgowns and caps. The foods are purchased, cooked and served by the hostess. The spreads were often done after lights out and kept a secret from the matrons of the dorm.

Although there are a myriad of definitions of the word spread, in this context it means a small feast spread out, usually on the floor of a dorm room, for the residents and their guests to enjoy. Photographs we have of "spreads" from the dorms of this era have the attendees in nightgowns and caps. The foods were purchased, cooked and served by the hostess. Often spreads were held after receiving a box from home. The spreads were frequently done after lights out and kept a secret from the matrons of the dorm.This is obviously not true of the one mentioned above as two faculty/staff women were included. See the spring entries for photos illustrating specific "spreads".

Sorry for the poor quality print it is of course from a very old newspaper.

Miss Bedell the Home Economics Professor and resident of Olmstead Hall does not appear much older than the college students. Olmstead did have mostly Preparatory girls with the exception of Martha and Hazel. (Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry will be on October 9, 1913

Sept. 28, 1913 First letter from Gus

Augustus “Gus” Williams a Senior at Whitworth Fall 1913 Captain of the Football Team.

September 28, 1913 Letter home to Rushville, Indiana from Gus Williams

My Dear Folks,
On Fri. I received mothers letter of the 22nd followed yesterday by her card and fine long letter from Mary [sister].
First I want to say somethings which I desired to and intended to in my last letter but which lack of time prevented. First I surely did receive and appreciate to a very great extent the candy from the Rush County Fair. When I was eating it I could see very distinctly the traction cars leaving the terminal in R- the jam of the crown, the arrival at the fair grounds and ten the show itself. I gave Gladys Laughlin a stick of it and she had never tasted anything like it before and wondered if there would be any at the the Western Washington Fair which has been in session at Puyallup this week just closed. Yesterday moning I went out and took little Gladys to the Fair. She is only 9 years old and the brightest sharpest little thing you ever saw. I positively had a circus and the Fair while not up to the Middle Western Fairs in exhibition of horses was very very interesting and instructive. To attempt to describe the endless array of berries, fruits, grasses and vegetables would be foolish. In the evening we had dinner at the Laughlin home.
This has taken me a long way from the discussion of candy but you get the connection I think. At any rate I enjoy it very very much and am grateful for being thus remembered. I am also very glad of course that you all got in on the premiums.
The Book store has taken so much of my attention since school opened that I have scarcely had time to get settled down to work yet. However, I think that I will have little trouble in making the required number of credits.
Many of the girls who where here last year have returned, a good number of the boys as well as new ones. Several Anacortes people are here this year among them Guy Lowman whose sister entertained us while we were in Anacortes and who shot a man whom he saw pitching fish from a scow at his fathers cannery. The federation of we Whitworthians [?] Anacortes is talked of yet and I imagine that next year will find a large percentage of the male population of Whitworth engaged in the fishing business.
I was surprised and sorry indeed to hear of Aunt Clara’s illness and will get a letter of some kind to her today even tho it be but a note.
The accounts of the Conference have of course been very interesting to me. I imagine that Aunt Sally and Eve have indeed been busy with it all.
Have I told you before that it is practically assured that Whitworth will open in Spokane in 1914. Spokane has made a very generous offer and Pres. McKay seems sure that the school will go there.
       At present I think of no more to write. Perhaps in a few days I will have something more but not now. I am feeling fine now even better than when I left the trap.
–          Love to All
Devotedly Yours
Gus
Erwin Hall Whitworth College
From the Gus Williams papers in Whitworth Archives Alumni collection

Erwin Hall Whitworth College from Whitworth University Archives

Mt. Tacoma was the name Tacoma used for Mt. Rainier. To learn about the decades long fight about the mountain’s name read this “Why Mount Rainier was once called Mount Tacoma”

Martha Bell’s Diary Sun 28 Sept 1913

I’ve had a most strenuous two days. Yesterday morning Hazel and I went down town. We each got a hat. Hazel got a suit, etc. We got home just in time for lunch and were awfully tired of course, then right after lunch Mr. Wait took Ora, Minnie and me out boating. We were out for over two hours and I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything more. It was a simply perfect day and the water was just like glass. We went clear across the sound to Vashion(?) [Vashon] Island and got out and wandered around and had some very hairbreadth escapes. We were walking on logs out over the water and Ora tried her best to fall in several times, but ended up by putting her hand on a snail. Minnie did really fall in and I escaped everything. After dinner I came home and dressed for a reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Heath and another couple. I went with Bertha Ammerman and had a very nice time. We had to come home in the pouring rain and honestly I was nearly dead after all that dissipation.

This morning we neither of us got up for breakfast but got up in time to go to Sunday School and Church. The Heath’s invited me home with them to dinner and it certainly was nice to have a visit with them. The Allen’s from Helena were there. This evening we had Vespers as usual and after supper I went to C.E. [Christian Endeavor] but didn’t stay for church.

Hazel Burge, Martha’s roommate at the beach. From the Hazel Burge Scrapbook in the Whitworth University Archives.

Next Entry will be on October 5, 1913

Sept. 26, 1913 – Convocation

Martha Bell’s Diary Friday Sept 26

Dr. Major of Seattle gave the Convocation Address this morning in Chapel and it was splendid. I took notes on some of it and will put them down here so I can remember it.

“Don’t be a pessimist, a pessimist is a man or woman who is dead a long time before we can bury him.
Have faith in yourself and others if you want to be you can be.
There is something splendid before you.
Do the work of today courageously and don’t worry about tomorrow.
Have a courage that makes you “measure up”. You need it to fight the battle of life.
A great deal depends on the Spirit with which you do things. Courage coupled with a good Spirit. God has given us the Spirit of Power.
Cultivate kindness, sweetness of disposition, the spirit and heart of Jesus Christ.
Enmity and hatred destroy one.
An Indian boy guide in Africa [sic] could only say one word. “Good” which he applied to everything.
The last analysis of all you do is “good, good, good” “

We were invited to a party at the Dorm this evening given by the Y.W and Y.M. and had a very nice time.

Reception area of the Residence — Main floor of the Ladies Dorm usually referred to as the Residence. Whitworth Archives

Next Entry will be on September 28, 1913

Sept. 21, 1913 – Sunday

Martha Bell’s Diary

Photo from Tacoma Daily News 29 Sept 1906 at the dedication of the church

I’ve had a very lovely day. I went to the little Bethany Church, two blocks from here to S.S. [Sunday School] and church. Mr. Heath from Helena was there and it seemed so good to see an old friend. In the afternoon we went for a car ride to keep the girls from being home sick.

From Tacoma Daily Times 21 Sept 1913 pg 32

At five we had a most delightful Vesper service led by Dr. Lee and then after supper I went to Christian Endeavor and it was very nice. Am so sleepy I going right to bed now.

Christian Endeavor:  A Protestant youth group founded in 1885 and by 1913 chapters were located throughout the U.S. at churches and colleges. The purposes were service to the church, fellowship, devotional study and leadership training. Whitworth had active Christian Endeavor groups throughout the early 20th century.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/christian-endeavor-society

Next Entry will be on September 26, 1913

Sept. 20 1913 – Settling In

Martha's room shared with Hazel Burge — Martha’s Room she shared with Hazel Burge in Fall of 1913. Note the Brunot Hall pennant on the wall Martha attended Brunot Hall in Spokane, WA in 1911-12 see the link to the history of Brunot Hall below. Photo from Hazel Burge.

Martha Bell’s Diary

There has been so much excitement and commotion here that I haven’t had one minute hardly to myself. Hazel and I have got our room cleaned and now I’ve a little breathing spell. We both slept thru the ring bell and breakfast so I’m terribly hungry. The classes are about arranged now and things are going quite smoothly. I’ve got a pretty hard course and it’ll keep one jumping but I think I’ll like it. (Hazel is just come in and says the whole schedule is changed so I don’t know how our classes will work out.)

My subjects were English (ugh) Chemistry (hard) Cooking and Sewing (very interesting I like cooking best and with Anna Laurier as a side partner had lots of fun) History (simple) and Bible (once a week) [from Martha’s Good Time Book June 1914]

1913 class schedule in catalog — 1913 Catalog listing of class schedule before the changes Martha mentions.

Martha’s Diary cont.

The Freshman and sophomore (little s.) have been having the biggest time over our manifestos etc. We’ve just scraped the whole time. After the soph’s [manifesto] came out three of us girls stayed away from breakfast and tore most of them down. Then the sophomore girls caught us and led us into the dressing room filled with people. I couldn’t begin to tell of all the rumpuses Thur. afternoon. The new girls were given a Tea at Dr. Lee’s and we had a lovely time.

Last night the Y.W. gave a party for us. We’re being treated royally. My “young man” was Bertha Anuiseran [Bertha Amerman] and she’s very sweet. We had a dandy time and they did so many cute, original things. We’re going down town this afternoon. I wish the dinner bell would ring.

Later – We went down town and did some shopping but nothing very thrilling happened. After we got home from dinner we each found the most beautiful big bunch of flowers in our rooms. “With the compliments of the Y.W.C.A.” They had put them in the new girls’ rooms. They surely are the dearest things to us. Now we’ll have these lovely flowers to keep us company our first Sunday away from home.

Lee family Dr. Lee seated — Dr. Lee and family outside his home. He was dean of the college in 1913-14. His daughters Bertha Lee class of ’14 and Ruth Lee ’15 were students with Martha and their scrapbooks and photo albums contributed greatly to this project.

Freshman Manifesto addressed to the Sophomores who would graduate in 1916. This would have been the Freshman manifesto for fall 2013. (Whitworth Archives)

Although believed to be the Sophomore manifesto from a previous year. Chances are the 1913 ones Martha and her friends tore down were similar. (Whitworth Archives)

This one would have been for the Sophomore class in the fall of 1912. (Whitworth Archives)

Brunot Hall in Spokane Washington where Martha attended school for a few years before going to Virginia for her senior year. https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/311

Next Entry will be on September 21, 1913

Sept. 17, 1913 – Arrival

Martha Bell’s Diary September 17, 1913

Whitworth College Olmstead Hall Room 5 Tacoma Wash

Here I am at College, and a Freshman once more. There is so much to tell I hardly know where to begin. It seems that I have been here weeks, but it’s really only a little over a day. We left home [Spokane, Washington] about 7 P.M. and Beth and I had a sleeper together. It was lots of fun and my dream of traveling with someone my age was at last realized. In the middle of the night while we were stopping and I happened to be awake suddenly a face appeared above me. She was as much startled as I, I guess, and soon disappeared, but it was awfully funny then and Beth who woke up and I had a nice giggle over it.

Sleeper cars similar to ones Martha and Beth would have traveled in. On right the day car on left the seats made into sleeper compartments. It is likely they shared the lower bunk. Photos by N.B. of partially restored cars at Cranbrook (B.C.) History Centre

In the morning the train was divided and part went to Seattle and part here so I went into the car where Ora Landis, Minnie Lauier and Lara Pearson, all Whitworth girls, were. Several old students were at the train. It takes about 45 minutes to come out. It is absolutely the most beautiful place. It is simply beyond description. From the main Girl’s Dorm which is on a high bluff there is a wide view of the Sound winding in and out and there in the distance wonderful snow capped Mt. Rainier looms up way into the clouds. It simply glorious and I want to look all the time and when I do I have thrill, thrill, thrill! The air is so sweet and fresh, too, but very disastrous to my hair.

“The Residence” also known as “Ladies Hall” was built as the elaborate Mason Mansion. Upper floors housed female students while the basement had the dining hall for the campus. The main floor had reception rooms and offices. The building had 50 bedrooms.

All was confusion when we arrived and I had a terrible time getting settled and finally didn’t get in the Dorm at all but was put over here in Olmstead Hall another house belonging to the school. The house isn’t anything very wonderful but we get along all right and I rather like being here. As far as the school and everything’s concerned I’m crazy about it, just perfectly delighted and am so glad I came. I have a roommate Hazel Burge from Harrington and I think I’m very fortunate in my “draw”. She’s a very nice sweet girl and I’m sure we’ll be very companionable. She is a freshman and is taking the Domestic S. [Science] course, is just my age and is an only child. Just there seem to be many things in common. Our room, facing east and south (lots of sun and warm) is quite small and the closet too. I had a terrible time getting all my things stored away and so did Hazel but tonight we’re pretty well settled. One can’t realize what that means unless they’ve been here through the getting settled process. It’s terrible and I was simply desperate at times today. There are two girls above us. Two in the front room, one downstairs and the domestic science teacher downstairs and the registrar next to us. Tell you their names later. I’m having such a time with all these new names.

The girls are all just lovely and so nice in trying to make us new ones feel at home. We’ve had a good many calls already. All the people in this house, teachers and all, are new, perfectly green. The girls are all preps, but us. Last night we all had a comb concert in one of the rooms and it was lots of fun. After that we were initiated into the Dorm Society by going thru that little stunt “I know my heart, I know my mind etc.” Today we have got our classes arranged so much as possible, got books, etc. etc. etc. etc. Raced around until were about dead. We had Chapel this morning and it was so delightful. Dr. McKay and Dr. Lee are both perfectly grand and gave the most splendid talks about their high ideals for this year and all that. Dr. McKay said “Education is the full development of the very best that is in one”. They both said a grand many good things, I’d like to remember. I do in substance, some of them, I think it is about ten so I’ll have to stop. We have dandy meals and I’m so hungry.

Residents of Olmstead Hall – From left to right Miss Bedell (Home Economics teacher), Francis, Elizabeth, Mildred, Hazel, Helen and Florence

Next Entry will be on September 20, 1913

A Whitworth Education

In 1913, the Whitworth College Bulletin described the various aspects of college life from the scholastic to the social.

Whitworth Catalog 1913-1914 from Whitworth University Archives

Location of Whitworth College in Tacoma

A rough composite of the campus from the Sanborn maps. There are family homes between the campus buildings.

Whitworth is in sections 14 (green) and 16 (pink) just opposite the COMM on Commencement Bay

Starting with the admissions criteria. Would you have the necessary coursework to enter Whitworth College as a freshman?

New Student instructions. Some returning students did not arrive until after classes started (presumably for harvest or other work reasons) but they had to make up the work.

Note the tablets are not what our students today would consider.

Note: “Table Board” would translate to “Meal Plan”.

Home Life of the college starts with a page of pronouncements from the Board of Trustees. We are focusing on the sections starting with the Social life.