Charles Alling Diary Draft

 

Note that this file begins with all the notes that still need to be added to allingnotes.htm. Proofread them, and then cut and paste all of them into allingnotes.htm. Make sure they have named anchors so that you can make links in allingdiary.htm to the appropriate note.

Make note headers in font 4, and not bold.

Note that the diary pages beginning with 74 and January 1884 are after the Dec. 1884 entries below. I believe the entries in this file represent all the entries that the students transcribed/edited in winter 2009 but that haven't been published through today in hanover history. On the appropriate day, cut and paste the appropriate entry (with link to the appropriate note in allingnotes.htm) to allingdiary.htm.

About Charles Alling, Jr.

On December 13, 1865, in Madison, Indiana, Charles Alling Jr. was born to Charles Alling and Harriet Scovel. Alling was one of eight children. All together there were seven sons and one daughter. Coincidentally, Alling was the grandson of Sylvester Scovel, the 4th president of Hanover College from which Alling graduated in the year 1885. Although Alling has passed, his experiences at Hanover College live on in the pages of his diary which he kept for his junior year.

From reading Alling’s entries and stories from those who knew Alling, in many ways, Hanover was not that much different from the present day. For example, Alling watched the river from the point, walked to the grocery store, since he was a part of Sigma Chi fraternity and the Grand Consul (National President), he did his part in recruiting more members, walked girls to their classes, and like many present day students, every once in a while thought he could fool the professor into thinking that he did the lessons for the day. The other side of Alling attended church on Sunday, debated the affirmative on ‘Resolved: that the U.S. government should prohibit the running of Sunday trains,’ and never missed meetings such as the literary society meetings. So, more or less, Alling was a normal college student and ‘one of the boys.’

After Alling received his B.S. degree from Hanover College in 1885, he went on to study law at the University of Michigan from 1886 to 1888 and received his A.M. degree. Alling then furthered his studies at University of Michigan and received his doctorate in law in 1888. Alling used his education for the good and held many positions in his lifetime. From 1897 to 1905, Alling was a member of a council, otherwise known as an alderman, in Chicago. From 1902 to 1907, Alling served as the Lieutenant Colonel of the Illinois National Guard. But Alling did not stop there; he also became the Dean of Chicago Business School of Law. In the beginning of 1907, Alling worked as an attorney for the Illinois State Board of Health.1 Alling lived quite a successful and busy life. Alling married on March 28, 1914. Although he did not have any children, his name can still be heard on the Hanover campus.

When Alling wrote the diary entry excerpted above, he was in his senior year of Hanover College, early awaiting commencement.

Charles Alling, Jr., graduated from Hanover College in 1885 and kept a diary documenting his experiences as a student of Hanover College. Alling was one out of seven sons to graduate from Hanover College. Alling’s older brother, Albert S. Alling, attended Hanover College in 1878, but was not fortunate enough to graduate. Alling’s two younger brothers, Howard S. Alling and William A. Alling, also attended Hanover College in 1882 and 1885, respectively, but also did not graduate from Hanover. There are many reasons why Alling’s brothers did not graduate. At this time many men were pulled out of school in order to help their family. But Alling was privileged and had a chance to finish his schooling. This was one of the reasons why Alling viewed commencement as one of the most important days to experience. Although Alling was filled with overwhelming emotion giving his oration on “The Spirit of Nationalism,” this feeling only came from the fact that Alling knew that his father would be sitting among the crowd, watching his only son to graduate. Graduation was a great accomplishment for Alling. He realized that his days of hearing the Hanover bell play its familiar notes were soon coming to an end.

Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, Census Office, Tenth Census, 1880, Hanover, Jefferson County, Indiana, series T9, roll 287, pp.147; Clinton D. Christensen, Charles Alling, 1865-1931, Diary, 1883-1884 (Indiana, Hanover College Archives), 2; Frank S. Baker, More Glimpses of Hanover’s Past (Indiana: Graessle-Mercer Company), 89; Alling, Charles, Supplement to July Bulletin (Indiana; Hanover College Archives), 1; Clinton D. Christensen, Student Records Ledger Book Collection, 1832-1930 (Indiana: Hanover College Archives); Alling, Charles, “The Spirit of Nationalism,” 1885 Commencement Program, Hanover College.

About Charles Alling, Jr.

Charles Alling, Jr., named after his father, Charles Alling, was born on December 13, 1865 and raised in Madison, Indiana. He was the third of eight children born to Charles and Harriet Alling. Interestingly, although he was one of the oldest of the children, his father was 34 years old when he was born and his mother was 26. The family also had a servant counted in the census records as a resident of their home.

Alling’s first pursuits of adult life began with attending Hanover College. There, he was an active member of extracurricular activities. He attended church twice a day every Sunday, was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and “never missed a literary society meeting.” The literary societies were a large part of the college entertainment at that time and were well-accepted. There were a variety of topics discussed, such as Alling’s topic of the “The Treatment of the Insane” in one such event. The fraternities were not so welcomed. The faculty fought a great deal about the presence of these organizations and any organization that did not include the membership of faculty members. However, prior to Alling’s entrance to Hanover College, the fraternities were permitted. This dispute took twelve years to settle.

Beginning in 1872, Hanover College announced they would offer two parallel courses of study, the classical course and the scientific course, leading to a Bachelors in Arts or a Bachelors in Science, respectively. Prior, the school offered science courses but did not give special certificates or notation of these special courses taken by the student. This was a significant change in the school’s curriculum. The announcement explained that this change was meant to increase the efficiency of educating and to prepare more fully the students intending to continue to post-graduate studies. The courses were identical aside from an offer of Greek and Latin in the Classical courses and modern languages in the scientific courses. It is likely that Alling chose the Classical course, as it was intended to prepare students intending to continue in theology, medicine, and law and was meant to “furnish that useful and liberal culture which becomes the Christian scholar and the enlightened citizen.”

Further differences between the Classical courses and scientific courses are a general breakdown of the student’s educational path into two categories; the early being general education of all departments followed by a focus on subjects meant to allow further knowledge in areas related to future career pursuits. These two categories were created into two-year segments. This mirrors today’s structure of major declaration, as students are not required to make a declaration until the second semester of sophomore year.

Following Hanover College, Alling attended the University of Michigan School of Law. He became an attorney and practiced in Chicago, Illinois. Mirroring his involvement from college, Alling was still heavily involved in many activities, including the State Board of Health as well as the national president of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He passed away at the age of 66 on November 25, 1931, in Chicago.

About this excerpt

This page of his diary is the second half of his entry dated Sunday, September 4, 1884. This marks the early days of his senior year of school, as he graduated the following May. His entry discusses the anxiety that he is experiencing over his coming graduation, particularly concerning the ceremony.

Within this entry, Alling refers to a speech he gave earlier in his college career. This speech was likely given at the Spring Exhibition dated March 20, 1883, which was the event at which he delivered his speech, “The Treatment of the Insane,” previously mentioned. During the time that Alling was in school, exhibitions were a common part of college life in which students prepare speeches to deliver to a crowd. This was a form of entertainment to the students, and Alling participated through his membership with the Union Literary Society. Alling participated in at least three of these exhibitions, which, in addition to the Spring Exhibition, included the Sophomore Exhibition and an event with the Union Literary Society. These societies were intended to aid students in building their literary skills, which were well tested in the researching, writing, and public delivering of the subjects chosen.

Towards the end of his entry, he refers to anxiety over speaking in “chap”, which seems likely to have meant “chapel.” The graduation requirements at the time required twelve hours of “Bible.”

The entirety of his entry is over the anxiety he is experiencing in representing his family on graduation day, which is the day that he must deliver a speech with them present. He is fearful of being a poor representative of them, as is more evident in the first half of his journal entry. It is interesting to read about shared emotional experiences as someone in my same position over 100 years ago.

Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, Census Office, Tenth Census, 1880, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, series T9, roll 287, p. 147; A. M. Millis, History of Hanover College 1827-1927 Wm. Mitchell Printing Co: Greenfield, Indiana, 1927; F. S. Baker, More Glimpses of Hanover’s Past 1827-1988. Graessle-Mercer Company: Seymour, IN (1988); HC collection #31 in the archives of Hanover College.

About Charles Alling

Charles Alling was a student at Hanover College and graduated with his class of seventeen in 1885. One of the students referred to the eighteen of them as the “Eminent Eighteen.” Alling was born in Madison, Indiana, on December 13, 1865. He attended Hanover from 1879 to 1885 when he received his B.A. and a few years later, in 1889, he was given an A.M., an honorary degree from Hanover. Even after Alling graduated from Hanover, his name continued to show up in The Journal of Hanover College under the Alumni section, which gave updates on some of the alumni. The Journal reported in April, 1894, that “Charles Alling, Esq., of Chicago, Ills., is meeting unusual success in his profession. He is the Superintendent of the Sabbath School of the First Presbyterian Church.” The following year, in April 1895, The Journal gave another update on Alling, that “they” notice, with pleasure, that Charles Alling, Jr., of Chicago, has been appointed attorney for the Woman’s Protective Association of Chicago.” Three years later, The Journal had another report on Alling, that “Charles Alling, Jr., Esq., Chicago, was nominated and elected Alderman for the Third Ward of that city. He will, we doubt not, represent his Ward honestly, ably, and courageously.” The Journal also had a second update on Alling that year, announcing that he “was elected a member of the Chicago City Council” and “takes a strong stand in favor of an honest administration of city affairs.”

Alling wrote this diary entry in September 1884, soon after the beginning of his senior year at Hanover, he discusses his need to complete his studies and lessons. Around the same time, in the Hanover Monthly from September 1884, an editorial explains a common feeling among college students, that “in the beginning of the college year, how many students return with firm determination to utilize each shining moment…one thing or another or many things have deterred us from our labor, have diverted our minds from careful study and methodological thought. And we are ashamed of our weakness.” As Alling says in his diary entry, he wants to be able to focus on his lessons, but “the interruptions are frequent so that a whole evening is often wasted.” He also talks about other activities such as participating in his fraternity, Sigma Chi, as well as social events.

About this excerpt

Frank D. Swope, born in 1862 in Seymour, Indiana, was a classmate of Alling, although Swope was three years his senior. Swope attended Harvard Law School and lived in Louisville, Kentucky, until his death in 1902 at the age of 40. As mentioned in his diary entry, Alling admired Swope for completing all of his lessons while having leisure time leftover. Swope also wrote “The Class Letter of ’85,” which appeared in The Journal of Hanover College.

Sources: Hanover College, ed., Hanover Monthly (Madison: The Courier Company, Printers and Binders, 1885), I: 1; Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885," Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.); Supplement to July Bulletin, Hanover College Archives, 1885; Hanover College, The Journal of Hanover College (Madison: The Courier Company, Printers and Binders, 1894) I:32; Hanover College, The Journal of Hanover College (Madison: The Courier Company, Printers and Binders, 1895) II:26; Hanover College, The Journal of Hanover College (Madison, 1897) IV:75; Hanover College, The Journal of Hanover College (Madison: , 1897) IV:120; Hanover College, ed., Hanover Monthly (Madison: The Courier Company, Printers and Binders, 1885), II: 9; Alumni File of Frank D. Swope, Class of 1885, Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

About Charles Alling and this Excerpt

Born in Madison, Indiana, Charles Alling stayed near his hometown to attend Hanover College from 1879 to 1885. At the time of Alling’s death in 1931, he had a long list of achievements and was known as an esteemed lawyer; it is obvious Alling was a hard worker. Charles Alling’s diary entry from Sunday, September 28, shows his studious nature started while he was a student at Hanover, as he discusses being prepared for his classes. The diary he kept while he attended Hanover is a great primary source into the collegiate world of late-nineteenth-century America, but it also shows Alling might not have had the same study habits as his peers.

Written during his senior year, the diary entry discusses the classes he had with Professors Young and Morse. According to The Crowe yearbook from 1900, Professor A.H. Young was the chair of Natural Science at Hanover, and Professor Morse was the chair of mathematics at the time Charles Alling was a senior. Alling describes his study habits, saying, “I study hard and closely and aim to gain a general knowledge at least of every species that arises. I then sit up and look at [Prof. Young] like a man—which I never used to do—and even discuss the questions with him.” Alling goes on to describe the study habits of his peers: “It amuses me to see how John Wiggam manages his recitations. He often fails to look at his book before the vacant hour and then skims the lesson over here in my room or in Marshall’s. When he goes to Prof. Morse’s room he always seems to get through without any serious blunders.” John Wiggam was a senior from Austin, Indiana, and the Marshall to whom Alling refers to could be William Douglass Marshall, also a senior, from Lexington, Indiana.

According to Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz in Campus Life, the study habits of John Wiggam were the norm among late-nineteenth-century students; Horowitz writes, “To protect themselves from the demands of faculty, college men of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have attempted to define a reasonable amount of college work. They have perceived the especially diligent student as the ‘grind’ and the student seeking the faculty friendship as the ‘fisherman’ or ‘brownnose.’” Horowitz also discusses how in the late nineteenth century, grades were not very important to most students, saying, “Classes and books existed as the price one had to pay for college life, but no right-thinking college man worried about marks beyond the minimum needed to stay in the game. Faculty and students faced each other across the trenches . . . No real college man ever expected to learn in the classroom.” Students only did the amount of work absolutely necessary, and excelling in the classroom was not, socially, a way to become popular among classmates.

By the standards Horowitz discusses in Campus Life, Alling might have been considered the “grind,” “fisherman,” or “brownnose” of his friend group since he prepared for his classes and seemed to care what his professors thought of him. John Wiggam, on the other hand, was a normal student by only preparing the amount absolutely necessary to muddle his way through class. It is humorous at the end of the diary entry when Alling discusses how Professor Morse “always finds it out” when he was not prepared for class—apparently, Murphy’s Law in the classroom was around in the nineteenth century.

Sources: "Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885," Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.); “Charles Alling, Retired Lawyer, Taken by Death,” Chicago Daily Tribune, 26 Nov. 1931; Published by the junior class, The Crowe (1900), III; Garrett, Joshua Bolles, Andrew Harvey Young, and Paul Prentice Boyd, Bulletin of Hanover College Alumni Record (Hanover: Hanover College, 1913), V: No. 11; Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz, Campus Life (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987), 13, 12.

About Charles Alling

Born in Madison, Indiana, on December 13, 1865, Charles Alling was a descendent of Roger Alling, a treasurer of the New Haven colony of Pilgrims. He attended Hanover College from the years 1879 to 1885, graduating with an A.B. degree. In 1886, he went on to the University of Michigan and graduated with a Law degree in 1888. From the years 1897 to 1905 Alling was alderman of the Third Ward and attorney for the state board of health. While serving as attorney for the state board of health, he was attacked and shot in his right eye by an insane defendant that he had prosecuted. Although Alling survived, the defendant turned the gun on himself and committed suicide.

On March 28, 1914, he married Jane Murdoch, the daughter of a wholesale grocer. Together they collected art and had an extensive collection of fine etchings. They were married from 1914 until the time of Alling’s death in 1932. After his death, his diary was found that contained information from his time at Hanover College. In this diary, he recorded his thoughts, feelings, and emotions concerning both social activities and school functions. From the diary, historians are able to read into the year of 1884 and discover what life was like during that time.

About this excerpt

In this diary excerpt, Alling is discussing one of his professors (Professor Morse) who, from the passage, appears to be a math teacher. This leads Alling into a discussion about mathematics and his struggle with them. He refers to his marks in analytics and geometry that he found were sometimes unfairly graded. Although this particular page gives a little insight as to the type of person Alling was, it is not until the whole diary is read that one can gain full access to the man Charles Alling.

Sources: “Charles Alling, Retired Lawyer, Taken By Death.” Chicago Daily Tribune in “Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885,” Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.); “Quack tries To Murder Prosecutor” in “Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885," Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.); “Charles Alling, Jr.” in “Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885,” Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.); “Supplement to July Bulletin” in Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885,” Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.).

About Charles Alling

Charles Alling, Jr., an 1885 graduate of Hanover College and member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, was born on December 13, 1865, in Madison, Indiana. He was the second oldest son of Charles Alling and Harriet Scovel. His father was a hardware merchant, while his mother kept house. His mother was also the daughter of Reverend, and former Hanover president, Sylvester Scovel. Alling was a descendent of Roger Alling, an English pilgrim who emigrated to America in 1638. After graduating from Hanover, Alling was principal of Ryker's Ridge Elementary School from 1885 to 1886. In 1888, he obtained his law degree from the University of Michigan and, not long after, relocated to Chicago at the insistence of Walter Fisher, older brother of Howard Fisher. During his career in Chicago, he became known for his character and moral upstanding. Early in his career he was the lawyer for the Protective Agency for Women and Children and the Bureau of Justice, and later, served as the lawyer for Illinois' State Board of Health. Other positions held include: city council member of Chicago's second ward (1897 to1905), lieutenant colonel of Illinois' First Division National Guard, grand tribune of Sigma Chi (1888-1900), editor of the Sigma Chi Quarterly (1888-1895), and member of Sigma Chi's grand consul. In 1914, he married Jane Murdoch and also retired from law after having his right eye shot out during a trial. Toward the end of his life, he remained active in his community and was a member of several clubs and elder of the First Presbyterian Church. He died in 1935 at the age of sixty-six from a cerebral hemorrhage.

About this entry

In this entry, Alling seems to be describing the routine he followed during the winter months when he did not reside on campus, but rather, in downtown Madison, Indiana, which is located at the bottom of a hill, about seven or eight miles from Hanover College. Furthermore, because Alling is describing his daily routine, he is not necessarily referring to Sunday chapel, but rather, the daily chapel services held at Hanover College. Indeed, according to the 1921 Herald and Presbyter, "Hanover holds a daily chapel service at which attendance of all teachers and students is required".

During the latter half of his entry, Alling alludes to the regiment of his schedule when explaining how he splits his studying and chores into blocks of time. First he begins to study and, then shortly after, attends to the horse and readies everything for his trip to school the next day. Once completed, continues with his studies, and sometime in the evening also has supper.

About Howard Fisher, Charlie Allison, and Linck Cravens Howard Fisher is more than likely the person Alling is referring to at the beginning of his diary entry. There were other students with the same first name, but Howard Fisher is the closest in age to Charles. An 1886 graduate of Hanover College and fellow member of Sigma Chi, Fisher was also the son of D.W. Fisher, Hanover College's president at the time of his graduation. After Hanover, Fisher attended McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and, following graduation, traveled to the East Indies as a medical missionary. He married Katherine Conner in 1896, and a few years later, attended Berlin University (Medical Society). He eventually settled in Washington D.C. as an "Associate in Children's Clinic."

In regards to Charlie Allison and Linck Cravens, both were students of Hanover College; however, there is no record of Charlie Allison having graduated. On the other hand, Linck, or rather, Lincoln Cravens, was an 1885 graduate of Hanover College. His parents, Vincent and Minerva Cravens resided in Madison, Indiana, but after graduating from Hanover, Cravens settled in Kansas and became the prosecuting attorney for Scott City from 1891 to 1893. Later, he returned to Madison and served as City Attorney. In 1909, he moved to Hammond, Indiana. In 1919 Cravens died in Rockville, IN.

Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, Census Office, Tenth Census, 1880, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, series T9, roll 287, p. 147; "Charles Alling, Retired Lawyer, Taken By Death." Chicago Daily Tribune. Nov. 1931; Sigma Chi Fraternity. The Sigma Chi Quarterly, (1907), XXVII:1-4; John F. Baird and J.B. Garritt, ed., General Catalogue of Alumni and Former Students of Hanover College, (Madison, Indiana: The Courier Company, 1890), 37; U.S. Department of the Interior, Census Office, Tenth Census, 1880, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, series T9, roll 287, p. 20; Medical Society of the District of Columbia, History of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, (Harvard University, 1909), 378; Reverend W.H. Clagett, ed., Herald and Presbyter, (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1921), XCII:81; John F. Baird and J.B. Garritt, ed., General Catalogue of Alumni and Former Students of Hanover College, (Madison, Indiana: The Courier Company, 1890), 37; "Alumni File of Lincoln Cravens, Class of 1885," Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Indiana).

Charles Alling, Jr., Diary, Sunday, Dec. 21, 1884, continued
Transcribed, with editorial comment, by Taylor Elliot, HC 2012

About Charles Alling, Jr., and this entry

To begin, we should first consider who Charles Alling was. Charles Alling was born in Madison, Indiana, on December 13, 1865. He was the grandson of Sylvester Scovel (his mother's father), who was the fourth President of Hanover College. His father, for whom he was named, owned a hardware store in Madison. It can be presumed that the Allings were pro-education, as on the 1880 census, five of the Allings’ eight children were listed as "at school."

Charles was an interesting individual, historically, in that in his time at Hanover, he did not seem to fit into the category of the 'participants' or the 'outsiders', the participants being the children of the wealthy, the outsiders the students concerned with their studies. The above transcription clearly points to Alling being concerned about his studies. He complains of not being at the head of his class, and tries to justify his lacking abilities in mathematics and Greek. However, further study into Charles Alling’s life reveals that Charles was something of a society man. He belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity and belonged to a handful of other societies on campus.

Charles Alling went on to study law at the University of Michigan and was appointed to the bar in Chicago, where he practiced until 1914. In that year, he was shot in the eye by an insane defendant, who then committed suicide. He died at the age of 66 of a cerebral hemorrhage on November 25, 1931.

Also mentioned in the above of historical significance are Dr. Daniel Fisher, President of Hanover College when Alling attended, and Dr. Fisher's son, Walter. Fisher, after working for three years as a pastor in Madison, accepted the President position at Hanover. He was the college's tenth president and served from 1879 to 1907. Given the geographic location of Alling and Fisher, it is likely that the two knew each other before Alling began to study at Hanover.

Walter, Dr. Fisher's son, was approximately three years older than Charles and likely acted as something of a mentor to the younger man, as can be inferred by the casual way that Alling refers to him in the above diary entry. It is also likely that the two were lifelong friends, as Walter also studied law and was appointed to the bar in Chicago the same year that Alling was.

All in all, the above section of diary is not entirely unlike the diary of a student from today. Though the language is somewhat different, the general ideas are the same. Alling regrets not boarding with the President of the college and laments not being at the head of his class. This is not unlike a modern student wishing that they had taken different classes their first year, or wishing that they had lived in a different dorm or had a different roommate. He tries to justify his lack of knowledge when it comes to math and Greek by pointing out his prowess at Latin. He also writes a laughing comment about his Astronomy professor, and paints him as easily duped by him and his classmates. All of these things chime familiar in modern day college halls, proving that, no matter how many years pass, students will always be concerned with three things: their grades and standings in their class, their classes themselves, and the other students surrounding them.

Sources: Christensen , Clinton D. "DANIEL WEBSTER FISHER, 1838-1913." 11/2000. (accessed 1/25/09); Christensen , Clinton D. "CHARLES ALLING, 1865-1931 DIARY, 1883-1884." 4/2000. (accessed 1/25/09); "Charles Alling, Retired Lawyer, Taken by Death." Chicago Daily Tribune, 11/26/1931; L.R. Hamersly Co., Men and Women in America, 1909 (accessed 1/25/09).

About Charles Alling

Charles Alling was born in Madison, IN on December 13, 1865 to Charles Alling and Harriet Scovel. He was the grandson of Sylvester Scovel, 4th president of Hanover College. Alling graduated from Hanover College in 1885. He attended the University of Michigan from 1886-1888 where he received his Associate of Masters degree in law. From 1897-1905 he was an Alderman in Chicago. From 1902-1907 he served as judge advocate and Lieutenant Colonel of the Illinois National Guard. Alling served as the Dean of Chicago Business School of Law and was the Grand Consul and editor of the national publication of Sigma Chi. Beginning in 1907 he worked as an attorney for the Illinois State Board of Health. He married Jane Murdoch on March 28, 1914. He died on November 25, 1931 in his home at the age of 66.

About this excerpt

Mr. John B. McCoy was a Baptist preacher in the Hanover area, possibly at the college itself. In the census of 1880 he was 34 years old and had a wife named Lizzie, but had no children. It was very unusual in the 1880s that Hanover would have a Baptist preacher though because the college is rooted strongly in the Presbyterian faith. Charles also talks about the Y.M.C.A. Hanover had a Y.M.C.A. built in 1883, which is where most of the students exercised and possibly had group meetings held. After Y.M.C.A. Charles was talking to Howard Fisher who was a classmate of Charles and graduated from Hanover in 1886 about predestination.

Sources: “Alumni Record: 1827-1927,” Bulletin of Hanover College, Vol. 20 No. 4, Jan. 1, 1928; Frank S. Baker’s Glimpses of Hanover’s Past: 1827-1977; Chicago daily Tribune, “Charles Alling. Retired Lawyer, Taken By Death,” 26, November 1931; U.S. Department of the Interior, Census Office, Tenth Census, 1880, Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, series T9, roll 287, p. 28.

DIARY ENTRIES

95

Before going farther it would be well for me to pause and state that I have entered upon my last year as a student of Hanover College. The old bell pealed forth its familiar notes upon the cool September morn of last Wednesday and Charles Alling, Jr., in common with the class of '85, heard its welcome to another year of college life for the last time. The last opening day which we shall ever see as students has come and gone. And we are almost warranted in saying commencement is upon us. That day is one of importance to me. Its scenes are constantly before my mind. Often when I think of my formal departure from college on commencement day, my feelings overcome me. It even seems probable that I will burst into tears after my oratorical effort, so strong will be the effect upon my composure. Or it may be, that my heart will fail me just as I rise; seeing opposite me the body of trustees, with their venerable forms, their cultured minds and criticizing eye and ear. Father will be sitting among them, and as I see him gazing concernedly among the class at his only son, who ever graduated, and from Hanover College, so dear with recollections of mother's former home,-I say then there will be a tax upon my energies. The family and some relatives probably will be sitting in the audience and as I feel them gazing upon the representative

Notes for page 95

96

of the family upon the platform, my hopes will again sink. It may be, just as on the spring exhibition two years ago, that the sight of those most concerned in my welfare may disconcert me and stammering under embarrassment I may sit down in confusion. But why have I to fear this calamity? Because I am just as much embarrassed now on declaiming in chapel as I was four years ago. My lips grow dry and my voice fails. I can not better express my feelings, when disconcerted upon the platforms, than by using Huline's expression concerning the roller coaster at the Louisville Exposition. He said that when it went tearing around upon the track he always felt a sort of "goneness about his stomach." It does not behoove me to speak more of my difficulties, in appearing before the public, or I will never get over it because the impression will thus be made more permanent. I know that if I have my speech thoroughly committed, it will give me a self-confidence which will make it almost impossible to fail. My speeches too have always been composed hurriedly and therefore illy connected; which renders a perfect committal very difficult. If I can only get a good subject, a logical and well written body and a flowery conclusion; and withal perfect committal I know I can do myself justice in chapel this term.

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Sunday, Sept. 28. [1884]

It is a pity I cannot write more in my old friend but the fates seem to be against it. Every day seems to be so completely filled, that no time is left to use in compiling my daily thoughts and acts. I often wonder how it is that Frank Swope accomplishes so much. He gets his lessons better than I do and has more surplus time in which to play ball, lawn tennis, and especially does he devote an hour or two daily to music. Now why is it I can not practice short hand some time during the week at least? One reason is that confinement to my room is not healthy for me. Constipation affects me whenever I stay in my room during the whole day. Therefore one hour at least must be spent in aiding my digestive apparatus in its work. Before 4:30 then in the afternoon, I have time only for one lesson. After supper, I generally study from seven till ten but the interruptions are frequent so that a whole evening is often wasted. Besides, fraternity meeting comes on Tuesday night and it is therefore lost. A social or call or concert generally uses another evening of the week, leaving only Monday and Wednesday and Saturday nights on which to study. Our lessons are not hard this term, but they require a great deal of time-psychology particularly. On Tues. and Thurs. we are

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so very fortunate as to have only two studies to employ our time; some of the other classes, on the other hand, have four to get on these days. In many cases it seems that "the more man does, the more he can do." Again, it often occurs to me that I do not know how to recite. Some fellows make a blind stagger at questions and hit them every time; with an air so indifferent and features so suggestive of a knowledge of the whole subject, that the professors pass them by with a ten. It is only during this-my senior year that I have learned to recite to Prof. Young. I study hard and closely and aim to gain a general knowledge at least of every species that arises. I then sit up and look at him like a man-which I never used to do-and even discuss the questions with him. It amuses me to see how John Wiggam manages his recitations. He often fails to look at his book before the vacant hour and then skims the lesson over here in my room or in Marshall's. When he goes to Prof. Morse's room he always seems to get through without any serious blunders. But it seems to me that it is only on account of his age that he is often passed by when a hard question reaches him and that his answers-generally vague-are accepted. While with one so young as I the old Prof. does not scruple to be very familiar; that is, he "calls me to time" whenever it suits his royalty; whenever I do not know a lesson, he always finds it out.

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99
Sunday, Dec. 21, 1884

Having noticed on the previous page a remark concerning Prof. Morse and his recitations, it seems best to resume the narration on that fertile topic. As we boys have often remarked, our recitations to Prof. Morse become a mere farce in the last two years of the college course. Analytical Geometry was the only mathematics in which I took any interest and I made a success of it, obtaining a mark of 96 unprecedented in my previous mathematical career. Very little time did I ever spend upon that study, but it was enough to give me a fair knowledge of the subject. I have often said, when rather discouraged, that I could never make a mathematician, but the reason was a lack of effort. Because in Analytics, my marks were high and I felt they were justly so. There are some curves and equations in that study which are difficult and I can say, without boasting, that I grasped and understood them as well as any other man in the class. Of course some things were difficult and discouraging to me, especially those operations which depended on former studies as geometry and trigonometry. But upon looking back at my record in mathematics in the first three years I can not seriously blame myself for its shortcomings. At that time I was riding out from Madison and was requiring a great deal of time out of each day in which to do it.

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100

We, Howard and I, would arise about 6:30 every morning in the winter, often before it was light enough to dress without the gas. After putting on our clothes in a hurried manner, we would eat or rather bolt our breakfast from 6:45-6:55. This always left us five minutes in which to hitch the horse to the buggy, which, by the way, we had reduced to a science: one of us would hurry to the stable each morning before eating breakfast and feed, brush, and put the harness on the horse; everything would then be ready to hustle him out of the stable, snap the lines and traces, and dash on to conflict. Starting at 7 a.m. left us just an hour and ten minutes to make it in time for chapel. It was a full seven miles and a half up hill, so that we often tested the metal of our charger in attempting to escape absence. We would arrive home at 2 p.m. and begin studying about 2:15. It left us only a short while till it was time to curry the horse, grease the buggy or do something relating to our transportation. During what we had of the afternoon then Charlie Allison, Linck Cravens and I would "dig out" our Latin. After supper, I always looked over my mathematics, or else my Greek, but soon became too sleepy to do anything, having been out in the wind, and being too young, growing all the while, to make myself put in the evening till ten p.m. at least to good advantage. So I say, that my record

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in mathematics, though it is not what it should be, seemed almost fated. If I had only boarded at Dr. Fisher's in my Freshman year, as Walter so persistently advised me, and have demanded urgently said request, I might stand today at the head of my class. "If the dog had not stopped, he would have caught the rabbit." However, I am not ashamed of my course in Hanover College and have much to make me feel satisfied. Though I may be a little short in Greek and Mathematics, my record in Latin is a formidable chair of self satisfaction in which to rest my misgivings. Again, if I had stayed in Hanover during my Freshman year, it might have had its drawbacks; so with the optimist let me say, "The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage." x x I find I have digressed exceedingly from the intention in starting which was to say a word concerning our "mathematical farce." Some of our recitations to Prof. Morse are as ridiculous as the closing piece in a negro minstrels. In Astronomy "there is none whose action is sound." Many enter the room without even looking at the lesson, and make the queerest answers, but generally sliding by without notice by giving evasive answers and drawing Prof. on into answering his own questions. The "recitations in Astronomy" are too rich to be soon forgotten.

Notes for page 101
?

Note - The only student transcription from January is Jan. 19-20. The other entries are fill-in transcriptions for pages that no one picked (or that the student didn't want online).

74

Friday, Jan 18. [1884]

Other considerations have come in, however, to wield a greater influence. My circumstances and surroundings are such as to alienate me from the ministry. Although I have always had a good reputation at home among my acquaintances, yet a certain amount of frivolity - - so to speak - - has been one of my characteristics. Especially in the company of the girls, I have got a way of talking which, though generally proper, impresses them with the idea that I am up with the times. It would be hard for me to counteract this sentiment and become a steady-going, embryo preacher. My extreme youthful appearance would also act as another hindrance. These and other considerations make me have a sort of inward feeling that I should turn my attention elsewhere.

Last summer, I read Matthew's Getting On In the World and thought of studying law; it seemed to me that I was capable of succeeding if so many men had gained a footing; men that is, of very limited education and of exceedingly small energy or prominence of character. Graduates of Hanover College, whom I know, have gained success, and, not to be egotistical, I think I have as much of the elements of success as they had. John Wiggam and Frank Swope both intend to be lawyers and I would hate to say I was not the mental equal of either. But the idea of learning stenography was suggested to me by Mr. Korbly saying something about it at home last term. I thought then that the acquisition of this

75
Sat. Jan. 19. [1884]

art would be a good preliminary step to the profession of law or to journalism in which
latter direction my thoughts seem somewhat definitely to settle. My youth, the opportunity of at once sustaining myself, the fair prospects of honorable success, the opportunities of travel as a correspondent, the importance of the journalists profession, etc. seem to tell me that this is my most congenial sphere.

I do not desire to be a business man; there are enough in the family now to represent the hardware trade. Besides my education is too valuable to squander by tying myself down to the petty, irksome restraints of a business life. As to wealth, I care not, whether I ever become a five hundred thousand man. Of course, I expect to live very comfortably and to know how to manage my finances.

Sunday, Jan. 20. [1884]

I have come out rather plainly above but deem this subject worthy of its attention………
I wished I had gone to church this morning when there was a crowd of boys in here who kept me from doing anything.

Mr. McCoy preached this afternoon a sermon which by request he repeated, having delivered it last Sunday Morning. His text was, "Holding up the word of life." It was quite a practical, heart-reaching discourse.

Howard Fisher and I had quite a conversation after Y.M.C.A on the questions relating to predestination. We discussed the matter thoroughly but were still somewhat in the dark on closing. We took Judas as a good example of what we meant.

Notes for page 75

previous entry is the last with an editorial comment from a student. The following, through feb 23, are transcriptions only.

76
Monday, Jan. 21 [1884]

John and I went to Gilchrist's for supper Friday night on the invitation of Taggart. It was quite a treat for me; it is a pleasure for me to partake of anybody's hospitality, though it be only turnips and water. A change here at Hanover is quite acceptable in any form. The oratorical election is again being stirred up and the boys are all busy; it grows warmer and warmer even though there are two weeks yet.

Mr. McKee died last Thursday and was buried Friday afternoon. Father and Mr. Reid came out to represent the trustees; I did not see them, however, as our society did not adjourn. We had a lively time Friday night; my decision was twice appealed from, but the chair was sustained each time.

Tuesday, Jan 22. [1884]

My first decision was that the negative leader, as well as the affirmative, could bring up no new arguments in his last speech. I declared the judges disfranchised on the voting, for they were not acting as members of the hall, and such vote might prejudice them; this was the second point appealed from. The debate was rather poor; on the subject: Resolved, that the President should be elected by a direct vote of the people; decided in the affirmative. I had to fine severely in two or three instances; am getting along in the chair better than I had anticipated. I rather enjoy rendering decisions, bringing down the gavel for order, etc.

I have written two long letters to Will Harper and Aunt Lizzie today.

77

Wednesday, Jan. 23. [1884]

I intended to learn a declamation tonight, but could not find the book. I would have had to speak earlier, but the roll was commenced at the foot of the class this term, - - more of a burden than a relief. Nathan Powell and I made a call on Mrs. Fisher, Edith, and Miss Hennesey last night. We had a very pleasant time and were especially entertained by a basket of apples. Nathan gave Mrs. F. a beautiful Christmas card. He also gave her and Mrs. Morse framed pictures of the fraternity group.

Thursday, Jan. 24. [1884]

There was quite a change in the weather today. The thermometer registered 10 degrees
below early this morning. There is a heavy fall of snow on the ground; in fact, it is a rare thing this winter to see the bare ground. We are truly having a severe winter; at least so as compared with the last two.

Friday, Jan. 25. [1884]

We had a good session of society this afternoon and a good debate tonight. The question was, resolved, "That the present system of punishing crime increases rather than prevents it." This question is wholly one sided on its face, yet they made a fair debate of it. It is evident that if there were no punishment for crime, there would be a great deal more of it. Hence if we take away the system, crime increases. Dunn presented this squelcher. The judges having disagreed, the chair dec. in the negative.

78
Saturday, Jan. 26. [1884]

We had a cool and bracing ride up here (Madison) this morning. The thermometer was zero. I enjoyed it very much and did not suffer from the cold as "Bob Todd" had filled the sleigh full of nice warm robes. Nature had decked herself in her garb of wintery beauty. The brown beach trees with here and there an evergreen were robed in their garments of white frost. The few withered and dead leaves - some still resplendent with the rich hues of Autumn - made a gorgeous background for the network of beautiful white. The sun gradually came forth in all its beauty and lent its splendor to this already magnificent combination of nature. But all this would not have seemed so picturesquely beautiful, if my own spirit within had not beat in unison with the happy aspect of incarnate nature. My drooping heart had revived at the thought of once more being welcomed to the bosom of my family. I had remained for over three weeks in the classic village and was quite delighted when I beheld once again the lofty towers and imposing masonry of my native city. The great town was bustling with life and activity which seemed doubly impressive on account of the placid quiet of the little burg rendered important by the location of a college in its midst. My first thought was of the loved ones at home and hither I bent my rapid advance. After receiving a warm welcome, I at once went to work on my declamation, which I had committed by dinnertime. Had a good sleigh ride tonight with Florence Harper; the sleighing was never better.

79
Sunday, Jan. 27 [1884]

Mr. Brown preached a good sermon on "Peter's Denial." He was unable to preach at night on account of ill health; so we all went to the Second Church to hear their new pastor, Mr. Barnard. He is not as good as I expected and does not admit of comparison with Dr. Brown.

I went to S.S. this afternoon but did not stay for the lessons as I had no class in which to go.

Monday, Jan. 28. [1884]

I had a boy at Rea's bring me out in the buggy this morning. I have put in a full day. I studied all afternoon and then practiced my speech till supper time. I got three letters in mail this eve from Will Harper, Sadie Lepper and a circular.

Tuesday, Jan. 29. [1884]

It has turned warmer and has rained for the past two days. The walks are in a horrible condition, the mud is fully up to the tops of our rubbers in many places and it is hard to keep them on. We had a rather short fraternity meeting because some of the boys wished to go to the social.

Wednesday, Jan. 30. [1884]

I did a great deal better with my speech this morning than I had expected. I had not taken much interest in it, and commenced it only last Friday, besides it was a very old one but it has not been spoken for a long time; Henry Clay's speech on Ambition. Doctor told me I "seemed to do everything just right," but my delivery lacked something, which he thought was "fire." It is not that, but it is the need of a deeper, more developed voice and the need of about ten years and ten inches and fifty pounds.

80
Thursday, Jan. 31. [1884]

Today was the day of prayer for colleges; of course we had no recitations, but services in the chapel at ten o'clock. Rev. Mr. DeWitt of Lane Theological Seminary addressed us on the "Nature and End of Christianity." He opened by a personal incident: "In 1853, I was graduated from the college of New Jersey and on the last Thursday of the next February, I was on my way to study law with a relative. I was met at Princeton by a friend who persuaded me to remain two days with him. I attended services in the chapel of the college the next day (Day of Prayer for Colleges) and was struck with the power of the Gospel. I went home, made a profession of religion, and entered the ministry. So you see, I have a peculiar pleasure in coming before a body of students on this, the anniversary day of my birth "into the kingdom of God." He then explained what was meant by the term Christianity taking as the basis of his remarks the first few verses of the first chapter of Peter. He spoke at length upon the age in which this passage was written - the age of Nero, the age when the Stoics the best type of Romans quietly gathered their robes about them and committed suicide to escape the terrible tide of iniquity which they were powerless to resist. His introduction of several famous quotations from Juvenal interested us Juniors. Juv. gives a splendid idea of the unparalleled corruption then existing in Rome. At this fearful crisis the only ray of hope that shone into this social chaos came from the cross of Calvary. He proceeded further to show that Christianity was not a system of rules and burdensome restrictions, but a hope, which is to be realized throughout Eternity.

81
Friday, Feb. 1. [1884]

I never in my life heard a discourse which so interested me or so impressed me that an extraordinary brain produced it. Dr. DeWitt is an unusually handsome man, of commanding appearance and possessing a splendid memory; for he used no notes whatever and never even hesitated for a word. All of the boys said the same and seemed very much pleased.
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, Blyth, 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 boys also - too numerous to mention.

82
Saturday, Feb. 2.
Sunday, Feb. 23. [1884]

It has been three weeks since I have written in my old friend. But as I have been lately bereaved in the loss of the partner of my joys and sorrows I deem it nothing but justice that I should here make public record of the same: -

John Douthitt Ferguson.

Departed this life, Feb. 20, 1884. He was born in the Tower in Sept. 1883. He emigrated at the young age of seventeen to that den of iniquity, now known as the College Point House. Here were developed those fatal symptoms which brought on his early demise. Alas! That he and all of us had not left that paradise so productive of tens, to come to an alluring slough where none enter to go out with spotless reputations and where zeros and seventies lie near at hand. But let us cheer ourselves that he fought the good fight, not only with the Prince of Terrors, John F. Wolley, but even once gained the victory over that monster of injustice - our present landlord. But his fiery spirit was too aggressive to be subdued when he commenced to rage and howl because of his evil surroundings. His soul was too grand to be tied down by the confines of No. 7, so it has now gone to roam in the peaceful home circle of a private family surrounded by more than heart could wish. But why need we longer mourn? Let us take courage and profit by his noble example. Let us follow his energetic councils which always kept him up and doing when all others had ignobly left their posts and sought the arms of Morpheus. Requiescat in Pace. Vale! Vale!