A FIFTY-YEAR ANALYST
1889-1896
The period of 1889 to 1896 marked the second period of the College and the standards set and the traditions followed during the initial cruise still continued at the masthead. The financial and industrial depression which prevailed in the country had its effect upon the rural folk of this community and the growth of the little school was much retarded.
Antedating the motor vehicle and the improved highways, the only means of aecess and transportation were the horse-drawn carriage and stage coach over mud and corduroy roads and walking as a mode of travel with many of the students was a necessity as well as a recreation or healthful exercise.
The number of students was small, increasing in attendance during the Spring term to about 150. Notwithstanding that the enrollment and classes were small and the professors and instructors limited, the prescribed work in all classes, from the beginning of preparatory, to encl of senior year, was fully maintained and carried fonvard at its high standard of excellence.
College athletics were almost unknown in that clay, yet baseball and football clubs, claiming to be all student teams, were ready to meet all comers and defend the College colo1·s and it always remained an unanswered query: "How long has Bill Cahoon :md Shusty Shoemaker been in College?"
Although without the affiliation with any organization and the football being of that variety commonly called the regulation or Rugby game., where the best kicker was the best player, the team was an asset to the school in many ways and many young men came our way in hopes of being aible to ,achieve the prowess of the wily Shusty, or the rolly-poliy William, both of whom were content to malriculate on the c3,:npus rather than in the College.
Colkge spirit was not of the same t)npe as it is lrno\.\'ll or fostered today and f1aternities, rororitfrs, welfare sccieties and uplifters were unknown. Howeve1I, there was a tond of fellowshi-p and a spirit of friendship and a sense of loyalty among student body and foculty that is known only in the smaller College.
The Shakespearean Literary Society embraced in its active membership almost all the students and was ran important factor in the work of the College and the training and education of the students. The growth of taste and ability in composition, public speaking and oratory was very gratifying and made up, ,perhaps, for many of the innovations of later days and the privileges of the 'Present. The anniversary of this so�iety, with the big debate as the feature, was one of the most valuable, as well as interesting occasions, of commencement week. There was a dramatic club at times whose productions were considered of merit.
The students of this period were industrious and really in earnest and bent on lrnrning and not satisfied with just going to college. Many of these have left an impress in his or her work and influence, which has been the inspiration for others in later years to enter this or some other institutions of hig,her education. The names and recollections of the characteristics of many stand out in bold relief.
Reminiscences and anecdotes may well be defenecl to anouher time and place of this semi-centennial, but it may be pertinent to inquire and interesting to know how a large body of young men from college made their first trip to Columbus to the Grand Army Reunion and State Fair and return, from Monday to Saturday, with five dollars or less, each, to pay for transportation to Bidwell, thence railroad fare, hotel reservations, sustenance and entertainment.
It might be interesting to know why a certain young man of promise, after a Hallowe'en prank, offered to pay President Davis for his share of the tumips pulled :md piled up in his garden, and it might be safe aftei· these years to inquire about some other incidents, almost escapades, of that time. It is said that "It is an iJl wind that turns none to good."
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