Charles Alling Diary, 1883-1884

(Hanover College, Class of 1885)

 

Charles Alling, Jr., entered Hanover College in 1879, when he was thirteen years old, as a student in the "preparatory department"; he graduated in 1885, when he was nineteen. During his junior and senior years, he kept a diary, recording his day-to-day experiences. He seems to be a fairly typical student of his time. He had an active social life, getting into mischief with his friends, escorting girls to dances, and participating in fraternity life as a member of Sigma Chi. He also had a serious side, reading poetry, discussing sermons with his friends, and worrying about how to find the right career after graduation.

After graduating from Hanover, he went on to practice law in Chicago and to serve as an Alderman there. He maintained interests that he had developed at Hanover --directing the First Presbyterian Church School in Chicago and becoming a national officer in Sigma Chi, for instance. He married in 1914 and had no children. -smv

Sources: Finding Aid to the Charles Alling Diary, Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Indiana); "Alumni File of Charles Alling, Class of 1885, "Archives of Hanover College, Duggan Library, Hanover College (Hanover, Indiana); Doug Denne, Archivist, Hanover College (Hanover, Indiana), personal communication.

The complete diary is available at the Duggan Library Archives, Hanover College (Hanover, Ind.). These entries were transcribed in Winter 2009 by the students of His234 "Studies in American Cultural History: The Middle Class," taught by Sarah McNair Vosmeier (vosm@hanover.edu).

 

83

Monday, April 7 [1884]

I have been intending for the last month to write up many of the interesting events that have happened, but it seems I will never have the time unless I just take it from something else. It may be that I have been doing more real labor lately and have not had as many opportunities to communicate with my journal as I used to. However, believing that the more man does, the more he can do, I will re-consecrate myself to the keeping of a diary, if not as much of a journal as in the past.

The Spring Exhibitions have come and gone since Feb. 23. Sister visited at Dr. Fisher's during them and had a very pleasant time. I was not on our exhibition and threfore did not have much to do at the end of the term; especially so, because we were releived of having examinations, that is, only the juniors and Seniors. I occupied some of this spare time in reading "Yesterday, Today and Forever", a long poem, written by Brickerseth. It is a spendid work something on the order of Paradise Lost. I intended to read more but think this quite a large step in the right direction.

I went home last week to attend the Leap Year Party at Pogue's and felt amply repaid. It was a delightful affair and I enjoyed the fine music and dancing immensely. . . . I took Ella Peace riding the next day and also read her Virgil. I have always been very attentive to her and do not like to see other boys get too strong a hold. She is quite popular since "Aunt Drusie & Uncle Newt" allow her to go out in society.

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84

Tuesday, Apr. 8th [1884]

Alas, my intentions are good but I have not written for a week and it is now April 15. Since last we met, I have taken a trip to Indianapolis, having been excused as a "backer" of the Hon. Nathan Powell, Hanover's delegate to the state oratorical. The primary contest was held on the 7th inst., the contestants being Powell, Iddings and Montgomery; they came out in their respective order as named above. We went up Wednesday Afternoon, stopped at the New Denison for supper, but stayed at the Grand Hotel afterwards, as that was headquarters. Ed Powell, Fisher, Wiggam, Turner, Irwin, Voris and I represented Chi and did it well too. Irwin and I took the Misses Fisher, of 242 E. South Street, to the contest and afterwards to the Sigma Chi banquet at the New Denison. This was the most elegant affair your honor ever attended, both as to the banquet and the manner in which it pulled my pocket book. Of course we went in a hack and I felt quite "cosmopolitan" when we were told by our "nigger" that the conveyance was in readiness, when we were descending in the elevator, when we were rattling oe'r the stony street and when we walked in the opera house late and took our seats among the upper ten in the parquet. It has been hard for me to come down to the homely fare of the C.P.H. and to think again that I am only a poor Boy with my fortune and fame yet unrealized. I often thought while strutting around the city that the bustle and metropolitan self-satisfaction would just suit me. . . . Nathan came out third, but should have had second place.

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85

Wednesday, Apr. 23 [1884]

Today and tomorrow are our busy days this term. We have four good, solid recitations on these days and three every other except Monday. Think of getting twenty pagers of International Law, thirty lines of Greek (Antigone), ten pages of physiology, and a chapter of Optics in one afternoon and then going to fraternity at night as we had to do yesterday! I managed to read my Law and Mathematics before supper, my Greek immediately after, and my physiology at 11 p.m. after coming home. Besides this small amount of labor we are expected to write in our leisure (?) moments an essay and an oration for chapel which are both due at the same time- four weeks. Truly a student's lot is a hard one; it is up in the morning in time to get greek before breakfast, then a rush to make it to chapel, then a weary hour of worthless mathematics, then a course of greek ponies called Antigone; after this severe treatment, an hour among the learned expounders of the law; finally, he is subjected to an hour's mental anguish from that prince of quizzers the scientific professor. A few moments then for refreshments at the College Point House, an afternoon of battle with the hosts of Morpheus, which, when conquered, demand that the replenishing of the alimentary canal, at supper, falsely so called; meanwhile. kind friends drop in to find they are not disturbing you in your lessons. The evening shadows fall and soon the midnight hour ends this day of weary care.

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86

Sunday, May 4 [1884]

John has returned and I am no longer an old bachelor. I find it quite pleasant to have him to talk to and confide in. His landlady--Mrs. Gilchrist--wrote a very exaggerated letter to his mother, saying that he was forming very loose habits, and had become a very bad boy. Mrs. Ferguson sent the letter back and John returned it to Mrs. Gilchrist or rather she snatched it from his hands when he confronted her with what she said. Dr. Fisher took hold of the case and the consequence is that, "Alling and Ferguson" still hold the fort in No. 7. Both members have seen trials and difficuties in mantaining their places in the firm but all is serene again. One fact is established now-we are older. John has become greatly subdued by his different misfortunes and is not the same "wild scamp" as of yore. Charles Jr. too has been improved by a two months and a half solitude; and during this time the importance of economizing and using every spare moment has been deeply impressed upon his mind. So that between us, there is quite a change in our corner of the third floor; we are less noisy, more dignified and more sedate. yes, it is time, I was learning to think more of the future and less of the frivoloties of the present. I have become so inured to the idea of leaving college that it seems as if I was to go in June. One short year! And college life will be over for me; precious hours have gone never to return and eventide is closing its shades around.

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87

Sunday, May 25 [1884]

I have finished my oration on "Social Inequality" even to its delivery in chapel on last Wednesday. I am better pleased with this production than any I have ever written. This can not be egotistical, for none of my lofty themes have ever satisfied me; on the contrary I have always become disgusted with my orations by the time I have severely scrutinized them in committing. Turner, who is not in the habit of loose flattery, told me that mine was the best oration of the morning. Will Baird did not do near as well as he has the reputation of being capable to do. I also finished my class essay yesterday after a continuous siege of reading in the morning and writing in the afternoon and evening. My subject is the "Oregon Controversy" and I have managed to grasp the principles of the case - in my own mind at least.
The Freshman Ex. was held last Saturday. Ella Peace was my company; Howard Fisher took Mame Taylor, a new blossom on our society tree, and Heller, Carrie Calloway. We had a magnificent time and danced nearly all day. I was quite a figure in this part of the programme, having all the calling to do. We went on Wolf's barge with the Mamie Glass, a steam yacht, to propel us. It brought to my mind the similar scenes of a year ago on the J. M. Abbot when the last class went. This is a very nice custom and every class should perpetuate it. Turner took Alice Emmet whom I recommended to him. She is a fine girl and I now have one of her rings; she is as lively as a cricket.

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88

Monday, May 26 [1884].

I have never enjoyed a Sunday in Hanover so much as I did yesterday. It seems that this day of rest becomes more and more acceptable to me as I grow older. I remember of sitting in the village church last year and thinking that in whatever calling I might engage, whatever might be my disappointments, Sundays would come to me, doubly dear, as one sweet refreshing place, where I could enjoy the pleasures of the sanctuary and lay aside the anxious forebodings concerning my future career. Yesterday was enjoyed the more by me because my essay was completed, my oration was done, and the prospect of an easy time on account of Prof. Young's departure lay before us. My physical condition was eminently fitted for appreciating the beautiful day, for I had not felt so well for a long time. Upon coming home from S.S, I took off my coat and stretched out upon the bed to read the "Little Classics." By the way, these little sketches, such as "My Chateux," A Bachelor's Reverie, are very entertaining and I become greatly interested in them. Another cause of my perfect satisfaction was a new suit of clothes with a four button cut-away coat. This is my first appearance in one and of course the novelty was quite pleasant. Howard Fisher also has a frock coat; we have started the style in Madison, for five other boys have followed us; among whom is Howard Alling. Last Sunday, Bert, Eck. Graham, Howard, and I loomed up with a row of cutaways and canes that made everybody wonder at the amounts of style. It is a new departure for the young men but a very acceptable one.

89

But to continue my remarks about Sunday: or more appropriately, the Sabbath: As far back as I can remember, this day has been the milestone of the different events of my life. I can see myself now upon father's knee, with Howard and Will on the other, hearing him read the interesting narratives in the "Child's Bible Story Book"; concerning Moses and the Children of Israel, Samson and the Philistines, David and Goliath. The pictures of Noah's ark, the Brazen Serpent, the dividing of the Red Sea, and others are firmly fixed in my mind as if they lay before my eyes. Truly, the impessions of childhood are the most lasting of all periods of life. An eminent priest has said, "give me the children to educate till six years of age and you (protestants) can make what you please of them." I will always remember the first coat and vest I ever had; father took me in to see Miss Mary Hanley and she made a great many remarks about it; I can just imagine how I looked and what my thoughts were when I see Van. He has pretty suit with his first vest and it makes me live that period of my life over again. And just in this connection I think of the many times grandma Crane has taken us to dinner and supper on Sunday; how greatly I enjoyed the good bread when she would give us a lunch during the afternoon, to eat under the syringa bush near the old pit. That corner of the lot has changed wonderfully since then; a high board fence used to stand in place of the present stone wall and comparatively low fence on the west. There was a deep

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ditch on the inside of the fence, composed of clay soil and many an hour have I spent in rolling clay marbles and balls to bake in the sun. This has remained distinct in my mind on account of the frequent references of Will Harper who was an interested party at that time. My early years on Main St. are intimately associated with the Harper boys - George and Will. George was Berts great crony; and how they did try to rule me and Will. One day we strolled to the river and who should we see taking the forbidden skiff ride, but Bert and George. Of course our threats of exposure soon brought the boat to land, and we had quite a pleasant ride. The only time I remember of playing at their house was one Sunday when my parents and Will's had gone to Mr. Geo. Brights funeral and had sent me to their house. Every toy we used is plainly before me now. Then when Harpers moved to their present home on Second St. we used often to see the boys. That was the time when our passion for keeping a store was at its height. Those fellows were in the habit of stealing all the stock from the drug store. So that all we made was clear gain. Licorice, cinnamon essence, almanacs and memoranduum books were the principal articles of merchandise. I cannot forget either how Mr. Harper

91

came up stairs one day and found Bert and Geo. dipping promiscuously into all the stores; "ah! then there was hurrying too and fro" as he went among the crowd with his paddle - the top of a box. Charley, alias Sonny, Belser and I found a convenient avenue of escape and were soon past all danger. About this time, in my numerous escapades about that drug store, the farce of "Harvey" Young met me. How little did the shaver in short pants and bare feet think that he was in a few years to bow submissively beneath the iron rule of "Professor" A. H. Young - a change for both, as the bare feet have been covered and the pants lengthened. Will often tells that Harvey, as he calls him, grew very angry one day where he stopped him in a buggy just to ride from Broadway hotel to his grandfather Greens - Dr Ford's present residence. Let me not fail to mention the velocipede they had given them on one Christmas. It was among the first in Madison and the rest of us boys considered it quite a treat to have a ride. We all went through the Walnut St. sewer just after it was built and of couse the velocipede went too. Bert, Will and George were greatly interested in printing enterprises and edited the Amateur Banner and Star.

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92

I cannot leave this subject of the Harper boys without saying a word about our mutual interests at Capt. Spillman's; whose place was located just opposite Eagle Hollow in Kentucky. The old gentleman is a warm friend of Mr. Harper and in this way the boys have become as well acquainted with him as if he were a neighbor. Bert and George often visited together and as soon as they came home Will and I took their places. Oh! Those good old Kentucky dinners! I can taste that good old buttermilk even now and that was nothing to the delicious biscuits which always form a part of Kentucky dinners. I have often said at home that only Kentuckians knew how to make real cornbread; and it is a fact that I have never in my life tasted a meal so palatable and satisfying as the simple, yet elegant dinner, which I ate one summer day, long ago, when Will Harper and I left in the afternoon in a carriage which brought Mrs. Harper over for a short visit. The old lane dividing Trimble and Carroll Counties lies before me now with every twist and turn; the beautiful hills and groves at its terminus rise up before my imagination till I seem to stand in the cool shade on some commanding height and look far away to the Indiana Hills and then to the no less grand prospect of the beautiful farms spread out all over the fertile river bottoms.

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93

But I started to write something about Sunday and many of my words have sadly missed the aim. It seems appropriate that I should here mention my S.S. reminiscences. A faint and dim impression of my first hours in the basement of the First Pres. Church on Broadway still lingers. Miss Mary E. Reid was the first and only teacher of the infant class during my course. I can remember one or two Sabbaths when the class occupied the larger square apartment just north of the present room. But all my recollections centre just now upon the little rows of chairs, one above the other, till they almost reached the ceiling. My seat was upon the second row and many the time have I risen from it to repeat six verses of scripture and gain a card for it. Greater was my delight to receive a small book (pamphlet) when I had secured twenty of these cards. Father used to enjoy standing in the room when I was repeating them- secretarie's book in hand. It seems strange but pleasant to me now to think that he has remained in that capacity for so many years, while I, a youth, have deserted my post this early in the conflict. But my heart is still warm toward the S.S. and if I am needed, the only thing necessary is to call on me.

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My most pleasant recollections of the First Church Sabbath School are connected with Mrs. Weyer's class. Here I learned nearly all of what I know of the Bible. Let me record just here that I owe my religious inclinations to her faithful teachings more than any other human agency. Sam Moffett and I (who alas! have become so greatly estranged of late) used to carry on arguments with our teacher as profound as either could produce even now. My intellect seemed to grasp the situation better then and memory did her part more nobly. A book Mrs. Weyer gave me - Romulus and Remus - in 1878 stirred my desire for J. S. C. Abbott's histories and I did not stop till I had read most of those in the Madison Library. Although Miss Kate White was accustomed to review family affairs every week her heart was evidently in the good work. She succeeded Mrs. Weyer when the latter took sick. I do not know what her ailment is, but she is still confined to her bed and grows weaker all the time. The Sabbath School by the way is or rather has just been in the last stages of dissolution. Scholars have become very scarce and teachers more so. There is some advancement of late; but the prospect is not bright for restoration to its former self. Well, it is time I should say Vale' to this subject.

95

Sept. 14 [1884].

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 velnerable 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

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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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97

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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