Charles Alling Diary,

excerpts, 1883-1884

(For all the entries transcribed so far, see the complete diary.)

Wednesday, Sept 12th, ‘83

John Ferguson and Will Turner came up on the boat Monday night. I met them and took John up home with me. There were some of Kit’s friends there that eve and as we went in the parlor, we did not get to bed till twelve o’clock. We went, yesterday morning, to Co hen and Kahns and purchased several pretty ornaments for our room. I also bought a large writing desk (second hand) for a dollar and a half. After dinner I worked hard fixing it up and packing my other things. We started from Madison about 4 o’clock, seated on trunks etc. which we had in a spring wagon. But we got here at last and slept once more on our old, hard bed. We went over to college this morning and found a flattering prospect for the new year. I have never seen so many students here on the first day. I varnished my desk as soon as I came home and afterwards help Fergie decorate. We have worked hard today but our reward is found when we look around our room and see how nicely it is fixed up. John brought a great many pretty, fancy cards, etc. which are very attractive decorations. This evening I commenced working for the fraternity by walking Reel over to H anover and taking him to the college steps, where I talked the subject over with him.

It is a beautiful, cool, September night and the view looks beautiful in the moon light. There are a great many new students, and the “old dormitory” seems quite another place. Todd and a friend of Aunt Belle’s came in to see me this afternoon. All the old boys are back early to work on the new men.

page 2 - transcription and research by Clarissa Akers

Thursday, Sep't 13th. '83.

We went over to college this morning to hear Prof. Baird's lecture which was a splendid one, on the "Advantages of a Liberal Education."   After it we all paid our term fees or made arrangements to pay them. . . .

Friday, Sept. 14th.

We recited in chemistry the first hour. I got thro' all right and hope I may improve my record in botany.  We were excused from latin and mathematics.  We had quite a number of visitors in society this afternoon, and everything moved smoothly.  I was installed librarian, which office I am afraid will prove quite a burden.  Howard Fisher, Turner, Berwick and I went to the river after society and had a splendid swim.  It is very low, so we swam out to a little island about 1/3 of the way across.  I nearly gave out on the way back and it was fortunate I could "let down" when I tried, although Howard Fisher was near me.  Berwick seems to be a very nice little fellow (Jun. Prep.).   The question for debate tonight was, Resolved, "that the U.S. government should prohibit the running of Sunday trains."   I debated on the affirmative.  Ate watermelons with a crowd by the barn- Polie's treat.

page 3 - transcription and research by Mina Enk

Saturday, Sept. 15th. 1883

I borrowed a speech book of Frank Irwin this morning and at the end of two hours decided to select “Cicero’s denunciation of Verres.”  I then studied my political economy till dinner time.  In the afternoon I got Howard F’s and my own latin lessons.  Tonight we went down to Fraternity and discussed new men.  Much was said, and we had quite an interesting meeting.  Watermelons were the order of the day after the regular meeting.  Howard F. and I walked home together, singing and otherwise acting the fool.  I started to study my chemistry at 11 o’clock, and though it was a struggle, I kept awake till I had read it all over (quarter to twelve).

Sunday, Sept 16th

I woke up at 6:30, although I went to bed so [strikethrough: early] late. It was because the light comes through our white curtains as strongly as if there were none. I have worn one of the colored shirts Bert gave me; it is quite a pleasant change from white ones. All the boys in college are required to attend S.S. in the college building. The Juniors and Seniors recite to Prof. Garritt. The lesson was in the first of Samuel, and I enjoyed Prof’s talk very much – especially that concerning children presented in baptism being “lent to the Lord.” H e also spoke of it being a natural and proper desire, in parents, to have children He gave us quite a serious, earnest, instructive and enjoyable talk; I admire that good, sincere, noble man, more and more as I see him performing his life’s labor. Dr. Fisher preached a forcible sermon on “Consent not, my son, when sinners entice thee.”

page 4 - transcription and research by Marissa Peppel

Monday, Sept 17th

I went over to the Y.M.C.A. last night. It was their first regular meeting in the new hall. I was gratified and amused to see the exhultation and sincere pride with which Dave Blythe and some others referred to their grand building. It is indeed an improvement to Hanover, aside from the desirableness of having a good, comfortable roomy building in which to carry on this good and useful work. Many new students were present last night. Riley led the meeting.

Actual work began this morning. We rejected political Economy and Chemistry. I thought at first that I would not like the latter but am taking quite an interest in it now. That sermon yesterday had quite an effect on me and I have lived a better day than for many past. Last night some of the boys came up here and we raised great disturbance in the hall. I was sorry for it afterwards.

Tuesday, Sept. 18th

page 6 - transcription and research by Shelby Thomas

Thursday, Sept. 20th.

I did not get my lessons this afternoon as I was bothered very much by our many callers. At four o’clock, Nathan, Howard and I went to the fraternity hall to put a new lock on the door. After supper, I went over on the college steps to practice my speech. We have wasted the whole evening in talking, etc. Howard gave me a hint to help quiet over here. His father told him to do so, because Archer had complained to him. I was walking along with Irwin this afternoon and let myself out “as follows:” Frank, this is truly a happy life; we are now in the vigor of our youth, in these pleasant surroundings, enjoying the delights of college life and the blessings of comfort, kind, sympathetic friends, and in fact. l eading an enviable life; but there is one thought that mar s this scene of harmony and pleasure and mingles “ bitter with the sweet.” That is, my friend, that I will soon have to leave these scenes of placid enjoyment, [strikeout: and] to sun der these ties of friendship so endeared to my heart, and fight my way in the wide wide world, ’mid it s buffets, it s scorns and it s disappointments. Frank, you will [stikeout: soon] in two years, Deo Volente, occupy the place in the course of instruction, which I in company with my class now occupy. The time since I was a Freshman seems but yesterday and it will seem the same to you when you have passed over the short, short time between now and your Junior year.” I talked to him somewhat on this wise, as it was the true feeling. of my heart. I enjoy this college life, this classic village, these delightful strolls, this comfortable room, this lovely view, my society and fraternity. O, Madison is nowhere.

page 7 - transcription and research by Jade Tubb

Friday, Sept 21st. 1883.

This has been the first day that I have gone to college without my lessons.  I knew very little of two of them and had not looked at my mechanics.  I am not doing as well in latin as I have done and I am going to “brush up” a little.  Finley heard from Ed Morse today and he says he is teaching in the public schools at Oxford, O.  He will pay his obligations when he receives his first payment, which I hope, to the extent of $200 worth, he will soon do.  Ed is a jolly good fellow if he does have a few failings.  Will Bair d came in to see us this afternoon. Will is a good-hearted, whole-souled fellow and the more I see of him, the more I like him.  I sit by him in class and in two or three recitations and by [strikethrough: with] my contact with him in many ways I become more attached to him as the “years roll on”.  We had a good session of society this afternoon.

page 13 - transcription and research by Ivana Eiler

I went to bed early last night and got up before the 1st bell to study. I made another good score in Political Economy today. We had two vacant hours and Will Baird and I went up to the Lit library to study our chemistry. Doctor came in, but did not care much. We distilled water and tested it on platinum foil for our experiments. The hour moves around rapidly for we loose a great deal of time in fitting corks, tubes, etc. We went to fraternity tonight and had a very interesting meeting. Nathan set up a feast after we came home, and we had a lively time—crackers, sardines, mustard, pineapple & apricots and cider was the menu.

page 14 - transcription and research by Annabelle Goshorn-Maroney

Wednesday, Oct. 3rd.

I had a talk with Eva Hennesey this morning. She came out with her sister for company. She is a very nice, sensible girl. I like her better than most of the flippant, empty-minded girls of our crowd. Ella Peace still stands uncontaminated by these qualities and is as nice a “little lady” as ever. I have not seen Florence Harper for some time. I did not study much this afternoon, but went out to Dunn’s with Howard to get some cider. Mr. Leevey was out there, helping to build a cellar for his wine and cider. We saw “ Effie” on the way home. I played foot ball for the first time this year. I went in and played like I never going to play again. It is well I stopped when I did for I was about to fall down from running too hard. We had a very exciting game. We made a great deal of noise tonight but I am going to behave myself hereafter. . . .

page 20 - transcription and research by Slaton Blickman

Saturday, Oct 13th.

Howard Fisher slept with me last night, but would not stay for breakfast. I read 125 pages in the “Last of the Mohicans” this morning. I hope I will be able to do some reading every day, now that I have started. Walter treated the Sigs to cider and warm cookies down in Irwin’s room. Come again, Walter Lowry. I read some Anti-Monopolys papers (the Justice) this afternoon, for my essay. Howard came over after I had read his latin we went over to the foot ball grounds and had a very close and exciting game. . . .

Frank Irwin and I walked down to the P.O. after supper and had quite a confidential chat.

page 30 - transcription and research by Valerie Campbell

Wednesday, October 31.

. . . . The boys came in our room tonight and raised a big fuss preparing for Hallow Ee'en. They made a stuffed man and hung it out the window. A few boys have gone out but nothing will be done compared to the foolish devastations of last year. Dr. spoke to me about going out. I told him I would stay at home- - "decidedly so". He said in chapel that two or three still had accounts to settle with the faculty. I hope nothing more will be said about it.

Thursday, October 32 or November 1

We did not have breakfast this morning till after the first bell had rung for college. It is very annoying to have to wait so long for meals. Coons was out last night and he told me that Tull shot beans at them and hit a fellow near him in the back; it shook him up in a lively manner. With the exception of this "all was quiet on the Potomac last night." We had a huge time tonight. Nathan, Howard, Billie Voris, Joe, and I got John mad and he left and locked us in with a hook. I then got the boys to let me down to the porch by a sheet; I came up thro' Nathans room and encountered John with a squirt gun. I gave him a pitcher of water and gained the fort. Lee threw water on his own overcoat which I wore.

page 39 - transcription and research by Trevor Korfhagen

Saturday, Nov 17.

I read on my essay all morning. John also worked on his. We were closed to all intruders and cleaned up the room ourselves. I went to sleep after dinner and did not get up until four o'clock, much against my intentions. Williamson and Dawson came in about ten o'clock and I proposed to get a matress and slide down the stairs. Coons helped us and we were having a jolly time when the old man came up. We all ran to our rooms. Dan and Allan had "gone to bed" with their clothes on and got up to let the old man in when he knocked. Of course this strategy let them out entirely. He came in and accused me and I did not say anything as I thought it would all pass over. But he found Coons closet locked and after no answer to his overtures of surrender he (Archer) prepared to stay in the room all night. But the boys began to gather and plot for his escape. They bored a hole through the plaster from Vons' closet and fixed a signal for his departure. A crowd then surrounded the old man, one fellow blew out the light, another knocked three times and out came Koons covered with a night shirt. He ran to our room and just shut the door in time to exclude the O.M. who was in hot pursuit. It reminded me of a scrub race when the motley gang rushed from Coon's room, he in the lead, his besieger following and then the crowd of boys who cheered lustily for his safe retreat. Alas! my essay. It is only completed about as to a third part, having been interrupted by the exciting episodes above narrated.

page 81 - transcription and research by Amanda Hopkins

Friday, Feb. 1. [1884]

. . . I had to leave college this morning on account of a severe headache; did not go out to society, but managed to crawl out to the Oratorical Election. Wiggam was elected over Melcher for first delegate; Frank Swope and Doug. Marshall were beaten by Tom Giboney and Iddings. We fully expected to elect Swope and Marshall and were doubtful of Wiggam. Our whole local ticket was beaten, however. Riley was elected over Gilchrist for president. "Armer" beat me - - 61 to 56 - - for Vice Pres. It was quite a sell for me to beaten by such a man, but of course it can not be considered so since it was all done on party lines. There was quite an animated discussion in front of the dormitory afterwards between, Blythe, Riley, Swope and Fisher, caused by somebody saying, "Hurrah! for the girl from Rabbit Hash" - - Miss Piatt. Walter just told those fellows that Miss P. did not act as a lady should and could not be treated as one. Party spirit ran high and it was quite an interesting election. Miss Jennie Archer, Miss Smith, Miss Bain, Miss Ritchie, Miss McKnight, Miss Ryker did noble work for us among the girls. We had lots of good friends among the [strikethrough: girls] boys also - - too numerous to mention.