history – A College Year 1913-1914

May 17, 1914 Mostest Fun

Martha Bell’s Diary Sat. May 16 1914

We had the mostest fun last night. The whole dorm with the exception of a very few had a slumber party out on the second floor porch. We threw our mattresses down from the window and there were beds spread every where. We were the funniest looking mess. Mid and I slept together. It was a perfect night and just grand lying there looking up at the stars. I drank two cups of awfully strong coffee last night so couldn’t get to sleep for ages. Neither could Jeannette and we lay there and giggled and had the most fun. So many funny things happened, too. Ella talked in her sleep and tickled us so. Just as every one would be nicely quieted down someone would pipe up again, and we’d have to start to quiet down all over again.

The C.E. had a social last night. Mid, Jeannette and I had the sandwich and coffee booth. We made a canopy affair of Scotch Broom and it was awfully pretty. The social wasn’t a very huge success though, for not many came. It was an indoor picnic affair and would have been dandy if there had been a crowd.

I got the dandiest letter from Virginia yesterday. They’re doing the same things again that they did last year. May Pole Dance, Coburns porch party etc. Wouldn’t I like to step in on them! I almost forgot to tell you about one of the funny episodes last night. Some time about one o’clock or so when all but Jean and I were sweetly sleeping Ella called out in her sleep “Mildred, Mildred aren’t you coming over here? Where shall we go now?” It startled me so and woke Mildred up. She sat up in bed in the most dazed way and said, “What do you want you old scissorbill [Note: contemptible or foolish] Funny, I nearly croaked!

Martha Bell’s Diary Sun May 17, 1914

Frances Martin, a girl that lives on the Island, is visiting Jeannette this week and she’s awfully nice and we’ve been having some dandy times. Last night we had another little slumber party and had a perfect circus. We put all out mattresses in a row on our floor. There were seven of us. The Sixlet (meaning the two Millers, Jeannette, Mildred, Pearl and I) We’re trying to find a good name for us four, two sr. [sisters] and Frances Martin. The Millers had a big box of candy and we lay there eating and giggling for the longest time, making the worst racket you ever heard. We sure did have fun. This morning we went to Trinity and this evening a Dr. Stanton, who used to live in China, talked at Bethany. He was perfectly grand. I don’t know when I’ve liked anything better than his talk on the Panama. We have a little [Japanese Student] here. Mr. Ozakie, and he’s about the cutest thing in the school. In C.E. tonight he gave the nicest talk about conditions in Japan.

Next Entry May 20, 1914

May 14, 1914 Church and Ice Cream

Martha Bell’s Diary Sun. May 10 1914

This has been a beautiful day. Mid and I went down town to the Baptist Church this morning and heard the grandest sermon. After dinner we and the Millers went out and took pictures. We’ve just come in from a spread in Francis Wakefields room and are now all writing in our diaries. We’ve been reminiscing about our child hood days! What grand times I used to have playing “papes” and the many, many other delightful things! I certainly was a happy child and didn’t know how well off I was.

First Baptist Church Tacoma in 1909. A new building constructed in 1920’s. (N.B. Collection)

Martha Bell’s Diary Thurs. May 14 1914

Last night was the Criterion Open Meeting and we had the best time. The meeting was awfully drawn out especially a debate but I didn’t listen very much. So many funny things happened. Flopsie was sitting beside me and she is the biggest monkey so, taking it all together, I was giggling, inaudible, most of the time. There was some discussion as to whether to cut out some of the meeting or not. Charlie Parker blurted out, “We better hurry up or Miss Douglas will be down and eat all our ice cream up”, and there was Miss D. right behind him and he didn’t know it. It was so funny.

We had dandy ice cream and wafers and lots of it. I had the pleasure of eating with Dougie, but she was very pleasant and entertaining so I didn’t mind one bit. She surely can be nice when she wants to.

The Criterion Literary Society met in the Mason Library. (Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry May 17, 1914

May 9, 1914 Study and Leisure

Martha Bell’s Diary May 7 Thurs. 1914

I have been working like a trogan [sic] this week and today has been about the worst of all. Prof. Hewitt got on a rampage in Chemistry and gave us an awful lot of experiments to do. So we’ve been working early and late on them. Today in addition to everything else I had a Cabinet meeting from four to five and Mission from five to six. We’ve been making fudge this evening and t’was awfully good.

A Sleepover in the Residence, 1914. (Ella & Francis Miller’s Photographs, Whitworth Archives)

Martha Bell’s Diary Sat. May 9

Jeannette got the most grandigious [sic] box from home yesterday. It honestly had the best stuff in it I ever tasted. There was pressed chicken, lots of cookies, a cake, two dozen eggs and salad dressing. We have been planning to have a spread when it came so invited the two Millers, Hazel Peth, Mary Matheson, Anna Joiner, Flopsie Rambo and Helen Ferryman to come up here at midnight. We decided not to ask the girl we’ve had so much and which they do but go and have a “High Dusty” We were planning to but decided a “Low Dusty” would be as much fun, and easier. We thought it best to have a little rest so went to bed about eight thirty and set the alarm for eleven. But by the time we were fairly asleep we were awaked by some music and found that the boys were serenading. It was a perfect night for a serenade – a beautiful full moon. And it was by far the grandest serenade we’ve had. One of the boys plays a guitar and one a mandolin just splendidly. They played all sorts of pretty things for a long time and they began singing. Oh, but it was beautiful. I felt that I could listen for ages. When they went we got up and got our stuff ready. We made Chicken sandwiches, egg and lettuce salad and had cake and cookies. In the little attic where we had the spread that other time, we stuck candles all around and it was delightfully spooky. Of course, we were supposed to be very quiet at that unearthly hour but we all giggled and made the most noise scared to death every minute that Miss La Wall (Dougie wasn’t here) would come up. Later we found out that she was over at Olmstead and it certainly was lucky. We sat on boards facing each other and had a perfect circus. When we started to come out we found that the other girls had barricade the door with a ladder, board, chair etc. we had a perfectly terrible time getting it open, but finally did by all pushing at once. My, the noise we made! It was all oodles of fun. This afternoon we took some more of the eats out to the Park and had our supper. It is perfectly beautiful there. I don’t believe I ever saw a prettier park. We went down on the drift wood and ate looking out over the water and making pictures of the clouds. It was lovely.

Group of friends down at the beach. (Francis & Ella Miller Photographs, Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry May 14, 1914

May 5, 1914 Gus’ Mother’s Day

Gus Williams May 5, 1914 – Writing home to Rushville, Indiana, from Tacoma, Washington
My Dear Mother,

I had occasion to go down to the Y.M. today and saw there a reminder of “Mothers Day” hence this letter. I don’t know why we should think of our mothers with any more tender thoughts on mothers day than on any other day for we should always do so yet the human mind seems to be so constituted that one must be continually reminding the other of that which should it seems be so natural that it would be impossible to slight it. I presume that this will reach you on Sat. I wish that all good things may be yours, that it will be a happy day for you and that your son is wearing a flower in your honor.

I went up to Eds two weeks ago which I think I told you in another letter but I did not then know of the result of my visit with Mr. Macken the Supt. there wrote me in a day or two after I was there that I had been elected to a position in the High School there. The position does not as much as I expected but it is as good as I should probably have looked for – $86.00 per month for 9 months. Mr. Mc. M gave me to understand that if I made good I should have the principalship the following year at not less that $100.00.

Last Friday night the Kappa Gammas gave their annual party. Margaret Longstreth invited me. We went and contrary to my expectations I had a fine time though it was pretty stiff.

Tues the 28^th the board of trustees held their annual meeting and it was agreed to take the college to Spokane next year. One Jay P. Graves a Spokane man who is many times a millionaire is behind the movement and has already contributed more that ½ a million towards the removal.

I suppose that you and everyone around are indeed busy now. We are having magnificent weather. The Tacoma parks are beyond description in their grandeur at this season of the year.

We graduate the 11^th of June and then I will probably leave at once for whatever county. There to either canvass for aluminum wear or work on the fish traps – but none of this anew.

My love to all. Your Son Gus.

P.S. The picture that I am sending you is one that I had left of ½ dozen which I had made to send out in invitations G.N.W.
From Gus Williams Papers (Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry May 7, 1914

May 2, 1914 May Party

May Day Decorations and May Queen Throne. 1914. (Ruth Lee Scrapbook, Whitworth Archives)

Martha Bell’s Diary May 2 Sat. 1914

Last night was the Kappa Gamma May Party and it surely was a beautiful affair. The color scheme was lavender and white. Over the top, forming a dome they draped two huge fish nets. In the center was the May pole and suspended from the net oodles of lavender and white tissue papers giggers [Paper twists]. Then all around the sides were great jardinières of lovely lilacs and at the end of the gym the throne. It did look so pretty. The crowning of the queen and the May pole dance was the most attractive things. The refreshments were cake and lavender and white ice cream.

May Day Program and dance card, 1914. (Bertha Lee Scrapbook, Whitworth Archives)

May Pole and decorations for Kappa Gamma May Party, 1914. (Ruth Lee Scrapbook, Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry May 5, 1914

April 30, 1914 Rock of Bread

The Residence where Martha lived Spring term. (Whitworth Archives)

Martha Bell’s Diary Thurs. April 30 1914

We’ve had lots of fun tonight. Art and I were talking at dinner and I mentioned that I’d made bread. He said he’d be around tonight to get it and I said alright to be under the window at quarter to ten. We made some candy and sandwiches and sent down that old hard punk loaf of bread that I made Monday. We put the stuff in our waste basket and let it down with string of several thicknesses. We had string all over the room for it had to be a long one to go down three stories. It was the most fun and we giggled and had an awfully good time. Jeannette composed a poem to accompany the eats

“The candy’ll make you sweet, you know (tho of course that isn’t necessary).
Tho bread and butter is plain fare It’s nourishing, so you shouldn’t worry
And if at midnight you’re attacked by burglar or night rover. Just sling this hunk of bread at him and believe me he’ll keel right over
Or if you go to Mexico this most effective work would do and you could save a fire arms bill and ammunition, too.
And if, perchance, in English class your views and Dougies don’t agree Just seize this handy weapon and she would conquered be “

We had quite a treat in Chapel this morning Miss Victoria Booth Clibborn, the granddaughter of General Booth spoke to us. She is the most fascinating and also literally adorable thing I ever saw. She is very young, and very friendly and very beautiful with the most expressive big eyes and a dearest laugh. We all fell in love with her completely. Her little talk was splendid and she made us feel so small and insignificant. She surely is wonderful.

Booth-Clibborn was the granddaughter of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. She was an evangelist, author, hymn writer and ordained pastor. She married Demarest in 1918. (image from https://hymnary.org/person/Demarest_Victoria )

Next Entry May 2, 1914

April 28, 1914 Gus’s job interview

Note: The Ed in the letter is believed to be Gus’s older brother.

Gus Williams – Writing home to Rushville, Indiana, from Tacoma, Washington

My Dear Mother,
Your letter reached me Sat. just as I was leaving for Marysville. You may be sure that I was glad indeed to get it.
I had applied for a position in Marysville and went up there in response to the Supt. [superintendent] who asked that I make a personal application.

Ed introduced me to the three members of the board, Sat. afternoon. He is slightly acquainted with two of them and very well acquainted with the third. Mr. Marker, the Supt, was out of town so I did not get to see him until yesterday (Sunday) morning. I took dinner with him and we had a fine long talk. He appears to be a very fine man – big, jolly, boyish – but sound, the position is one where I would have to teach science and act as an athletic director. He said that my references very satisfactory especially the work that I had had much work in science and finally when I left said, “I think that you may enjoy being in Marysville next year.” He is to let me know definitely in a few days however.

I had only a few hours at Eds as I left there early Sun. morning. All seems to be well. Mary is growing rapidly and I walked in with her and Martha to Marysville Sunday where they attended Sunday school at the Methodist church.

Their place is very pretty now with the luxurious grass covering the earth and the beautiful green of Washington evergreens.
Ed like myself is great admirer of Wilson and his constructive legislation but we must all concede that his foreign policy if indeed he has one is a lamentable failure. He has placed the U.S. in the position of a cringing, fearful individual afraid to stand for the rights of her citizens. We must stop “backing down” to Japan, England or any other old nations who attempts to dictate to us. The canal was build for America primarily for Europe secondarily and we are now making ourselves the laughing stock of the world by repealing the tolls bill. If T.R. were president the English people wouldn’t even try to get by with that stuff.

I supposed you saw that true to expectations Fawcett was once more made mayor of Tacoma last Tues. I voted for him for I thought him the best man of the two.
Tomorrow we have a little election of our own where the annual student association election is held. If sure put out of it this time.

I end as that I am most awfully sleepy so will cut this short. Write to me when you can. I never felt better than I do work hard and have very little time to read.

Love to all, Gus.

*note on bottom in different handwriting – “Send this back with -your letter”
From the Gus Williams collection in the Whitworth Archives

Next Entry April 30, 1914

April 27, 1914 Excitement and Bread

Martha Bell’s Diary Wed April 27. 1914

Yesterday was quite and eventful day. The College Board met here to decide about the removal to Spokane, and a number of Spokane men were here. It was fine to see someone from home. Dr. McFadden was here and I had a nice little talk with him. In chapel Dr. French, the treasurer of the College Board in New York, spoke and also Dr. McFadden. It has been absolutely decided that the College is to be moved, and we are all greatly rejoiced. In the evening Miss Bruce gave a recital down stairs. But after that came the real excitement. Just after study hour Frances W. came in and said that Annie Platt and Gladys Whipple were out and trying to get in and that Dougie knew it. They had gone walking after dinner with Charlie Parker and Dub and had got back a little after study hour began. They knew if they came in they wouldn’t be allowed to go out at all after dinner and so decided to come up the fire escape. Iva was down in the student parlor so they wrote a note saying “Annie and Gladys out, Fire escape” and Charlie brought it up tapped on the window and put it on the sill where Iva could get it. Dougie was in the next room, heard this noise, came in, and got the note. Such excitement as there was around here. It was more fun. We were all hanging out the windows trying to tell the girls they were caught, etc. etc. etc. We finally made one of the boys understand and he told the girls. After various happening they at last rang the bell and came in properly. Dougie was furious and has campused them not exactly that either, but there are certain things they can’t do, such as go to the May party. Monday, we spent practically the whole day making bread and it was all a failure and Miss Bedell said we had to make it over. We were all so mad, but nevertheless did it again today and I got 97 on the loaf I made. I was quite tickled.

Unknown woman at the window in Tacoma. (Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry April 27, 1914

April 25, 1914 American Lake

American Lake postcard. (N.B. Collection)

Martha Bell’s Diary Sat. April 25 1914

We’ve had a perfectly glorious time today – went to American Lake on a Picnic. We’ve been talking about going for some time and as today was simply an ideal one for a picnic decided to go. There were six of us- Frances and Ella Miller, Jeannette, Pearl Mildred and I. The Lake is quite a ways from the city – about an hours ride and a beautiful one, too. We went thru the tall, tall pines and it was everywhere just like a park. The lake itself is beautiful too. It’s not very large, but it sits right in the midst of the forest with lovely grassy slopes all around. We decided on our “campground” and proceeded to eat our lunch right away (It was then about twelve-thirty). It was the best thing and we ate and ate and ate. We had pickles, deviled chicken sandwiches, deviled eggs, cake and fruit. Then we went exploring and took some of the cutest pictures. The whole afternoon we spent in just having a good time and got back just in time for dinner. Miss Douglas is in Seattle and Miss La Wall has gone to a concert so there is no one here. Jeannette and the Millers felt for some excitement so decided to “step out” and go to a movie not far from here. They did and we were to unlock the door for them, which we did but which Miss Livermore locked again before they came in. So, when they got here they had to call up for someone to come and open the door again. No one caught them fortunately and it was lots of fun.

Martha’s Group of friends on an outing 1914. (Whitworth Archives)

Next Entry April 27, 1914

April 24, 1914 Bakery Tour

Although Martha never states the name of the bakery it is likely that this was the one based on the location. ( Image from https://www.romanmealinternational.com/about/our-history/ )

Martha Bell’s Diary Fri. April 24, 1914

We’ve had a very interesting time today. Our D.S. class went thru a big bread making establishment this afternoon. We followed the bread thru every step. The way those loaves were pounded wasn’t slow. The bakery is near Y.P.S. [sic probably Univ of Puget Sound] so we went over and looked around there a little bit. The girl’s Dorm is a horrid place, very different from ours. Mildred went over there with us and we walked down town. It was some walk but we didn’t know it till after we’d done it. I got the dearest gown to embroider for D.A. It’s going to have oodles of French knots on it. Ruth Campbell had been in and we’ve made candy.

View of Downtown Tacoma around 1914. (N.B. Collection)

Next Entry April 24, 1914