Tag Archives: Village of Hamilton New York

p. 305 – The Cutten Period, 1922-1942

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freshman caps, attendance at cheer and song practice, and in general maintaining campus traditions, was taken over by the Sophomore Vigilance Committee in 1930. Paddling was a common punishment for violating the rules to be found in the Frosh Bible. By 1939 the senior honorary society, Konosioni, had assumed the duties of the sophomore committee.

Undergraduate support of the honor system had so declined by 1922 that on recommendation of the Students’ Association the faculty abolished it. Many undergraduates had come to believe that the crime was not so much cheating as being caught. Later college generations sought unsuccessfully to create sufficient public sentiment to revive the no-proctoring arrangements.

Interclass rivalry was a marked feature of student life in the ’20’s, especially between the Freshmen and sophomores, as had been true in the past. From time to time it was channeled into supervised events such as athletic competitions, the salt rush, and the pushball contest but the most violent encounters were likely to come when the classes held their banquets, usually off-campus, and before Moving Up Day in the spring. In 1923 they pelted each other in the center of the village with decayed eggs and the next year repeated the performance on two successive nights, on the second of which nearly the whole student body seems to have joined them. Irate businessmen with befouled storefronts and innocent bystanders who had been in “line of fire” demanded an end to such misbehavior and town and gown efforts averted it thereafter. The normal relations between students and merchants were very cordial and the latter were among the staunchest supporters of many campus activities, including athletics.

The undergraduate publications of the preceding years continued in the Cutten period. The Maroon editors by the middle ’20’s gave more space to non-athletic news items than formerly and in the spring of 1924 introduced “The Weeping Willow,” a column of comment and gossip which lasted until the fall of 1940 and at times gave considerable spice to the paper. The Salmagundi changed from a Junior to a Senior yearbook in 1934. Banter, the humor magazine, enjoyed the distinction of being suspended by the faculty in 1928 for publishing “objectionable” jokes. The literary magazine, The Willow Path, expired in 1931 for lack of support.

Dramatics made a strong bid for student attention. Russell F. Speirs, a Syracuse graduate in 1923, joined the faculty that year as a member

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p. 277 – The Bryan Period, 1908-1922

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tradition, one of its most violent aspects, lasted until 1919 when the faculty abolished the institution because of increasing intensity of the conflict, the dangers involved, and the money and time squandered. After a freshman accidentally drowned in the “proc” rush in 1919 this contest was replaced the next year by a frosh-soph tug-of-war. Under-classmen faithfully observed the pre-Moving-Up Day customs such as
burying the hatchet in Taylor Lake and smoking the peace pipe. On occasion their exuberance got out of bounds as when some of them in 1915 sheared the “flowing locks” of a villager and were hailed into court, or in 1921 when they burned the Whitnall Field grandstand and in 1922 the horse sheds behind St. Mary’s Church. The behavior of a minority reflected to a degree a relaxed attitude to law and order found throughout the country following World War 1.

Campus leaders wrestled with disciplinary and other problems in the Student Association and the senior honorary societies. The latter, in imitation of those established in American colleges as early as the 1890’s, were composed of those students who were outstanding primarily for extracurricular achievements and service to the University. The first, Skull and Scroll, was organized in 1908 for “the guardianship and promotion of the fair name of the college” with Professors Hoerrner and Whitnall as honorary members. The second, a rival, was Gorgon’s Head, founded in 1912 “to encourage the growth of manly character, scholarship, and College spirit”; Professors Alton, Allen, and Brigham were its sponsors. Distinguished off-campus recognition came to a Colgate undergraduate when Whitney H. Shepardson, ’10, son of the Academy Principal, and member of Skull and Scroll, was named the University’s first Rhodes Scholar in 1909.

To the five existing Greek letter fraternities six were added to meet the needs for social life, dormitory accommodations, and eating facilities brought about by the increased size of the student body. The Iota Chapter of Theta Chi was chartered in 1912 and Alpha Zeta Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha in 1916. In 1917 three received charters-New York Delta Gamma of Alpha Tau Omega, founded as the Madison Club in 1902; Delta Upsilon of Sigma Nu, founded as Theta Delta Sigma in 1914; and Delta of Kappa Delta Rho. The last of the six, New York Zeta of Phi Delta Theta, originated in 1907 as the “Owl Club” which became Sigma Alpha in 1908 and was chartered in 1918. There had been only one house on the campus constructed for a fraternity,

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Railroad comes to Hamilton (p. 206)

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boys signed. On another occasion, a student caught in exceptionally incriminating circumstances sought exceptional clemency. Unmoved, he responded, “Young man, sometime you may be President of Madison University, but not now, not now.”

Student town-gown relations were generally good. Hamilton remained unchanged from the pre-1869 years-a country village of about 1,500 inhabitants whose economic base rested primarily on providing goods and services for the adjacent area and for all those connected with the University. It was not until 1870 that a railroad, the Utica, Clinton, and Binghamton, reached the village, giving it access to the New York Central in Utica and the New York Oswego and Midland at Smith’s Valley (Randallsville); the latter provided a connection with the New York Central at Oneida to the north and New York City and intervening points to the south. About three years previous, rail service had become available at Poolville, about four miles southeast of Hamilton, when the Utica Chenango and Susquehanna was put through to open up a line to Binghamton. Townspeople and students alike recognized that the coming of the railroads brought a new era by breaking down the community’s isolation. Timetables were published regularly in the student paper and soon special trains to carry them to athletic contests in Clinton and Utica and to bring in alumni and friends at commencement became customary. The new railroads seem to have stimulated business life; real estate was improved, flagstone sidewalks were laid, and a new brick block built to replace the old stores in the center of the village. The construction of Tripp’s Hall or “opera house” in 1870 encouraged both townspeople and students to import a variety of entertainers, musicians, and lecturers and afforded campus organizations excellent facilities for their public meetings.

From time to time villagers complained of student rowdiness. One source of friction was the delay at the post office each evening as they waited for the mail to be sorted and distributed. Sometimes bored students and “townies” scuffled and broke window lights. Another irritation was the noise and clangor from “ringing the rust” each spring. Yet, there were no serious clashes.

Students often participated in political campaigns. Since the Hill was predominantly Republican, as were the villagers, they found a ready welcome at rallies and helped to swell torchlight processions and victory parades. Occasionally those who went to the polls were chal-

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Madison University name changed to Colgate (p. 199)

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largely on the many associations which had been attached to the old name since 1846. It was also suggested that potential donors would be less likely to contribute if the institution bore the Colgate name, believing that the family should assume its chief support. The Colgates, in fact, had not been consulted, nor did they favor the change but once the strength of opinion for it became clear they assented rather than embarrass its advocates.

The University and Education Society Trustees at their meetings in June, 1889, at which neither James B. Colgate nor his brother, Samuel, were present, adopted, without opposition, the motion to petition the State Supreme Court for the change. Dr. Dodge was foremost in urging this step. His leading opponent was Dr. Spear, the recently retired Treasurer, who seems to have been convinced he was called upon to defend the University, whatever the cost, as he had done so effectively in the Removal Controversy of 1847-50. He proceeded to obtain counsel, send communications to the press, circularize alumni, and collect the affidavits of those who agreed with him. To meet his tactics, Dr. Dodge, the faculty, and representative trustees also put their views before the public and the alumni and solicited affidavits. Rather than take immediate action on the petition the court appointed a referee to gather evidence and make a report. Meanwhile, Dr. Dodge died January 5th, 1890; Dr. Spear, who was, he thought, fatally ill, withdrew his opposition at the strong behest of Samuel Colgate who assured him that James B. Colgate would continue to support the University but only if the objectors were to lose their case. The referee preceeded with the hearings and in due time made his report recommending that the petition be granted. The court accepted the recommendation and, on April 21, 1890, authorized the change of name, effective May 26th.

Of the approximately 650 alumni over 400 had signed the affidavits for change while of the 75 who objected, all but 13 withdrew their opposition before the court acted. The undergraduates, who at first disapproved of the new name, by February, 1890, unanimously endorsed it, many of them out of respect to the late Dr. Dodge’s wishes.

Public celebration of the name change was set off by the news on March 14th, 1890, that the Regents of the University of the State of New York had approved it unanimously the day before. The momentous telegram reached Hamilton about noon and soon pandemonium

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p. 161 – Recovery and expansion, 1850-1869

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The Steward also provided furnishings and bedding for the dormito­ry rooms until the late ’50’s; the occupants were left to supply wood or coal for their stoves and tallow· candles and sperm oil lamps for illumination. Flowers and plants, occasionally found in the windows, afforded a homelike touch. Bathing facilities consisted bf a bath house to which spring water was piped down the hill. In winter some Spartan youths took morning showers in the ice-cold water, roaring with pain at the shock, and then wrapped in overcoats, they dashed to their warm rooms to recover.

To relieve the tedium of study in the long winter months, there were innocent amusements such as skating on the Chenango Canal, coasting, or bees to fill the Steward’s ice-house, followed by a savory supper. In summer, students took long walks, often stopping to pick strawberries, or went on brief camping trips to nearby ponds. Then, too, there were opportunities throughout the year for the companionship of the young ladies in the Hamilton Female Seminary, or “Ham Fem Sem” as it was popularly known, which local citizens had established in 1856. Its receptions were social highlights to which the young men eagerly sought invitations and reciprocated by taking the girls to campus events such as the literary societies’ public exhibitions and baseball games. Some village homes, especially Deacon Charles C. Payne’s, welcomed the boys from the Hill. They also found diversion and stimulation at public lectures by such noted men as Emerson, Beecher, Gough, and George William Curtis.

The pronounced religious atmosphere which had pervaded campus life from the 1820’s moderated somewhat after 1850 as a result of the growing number of non-ministerial students and of outside pressures, particularly the issues which led to the Civil War and the effects of that conflict. Most students were church members, however, and participated in prayer meetings and other religious exercises; the Students Association annually elected a theologue to deliver a sermon at one of its assemblies. With the dissolution of the Seminary Church in 1851, all members of the University attended morning services with the village Baptist congregation and shared in their five stirring re­vivals in the ’50’s and ’60’s. Frequently the faculty supplied the pulpit, but Walker R. Brooks, pastor from 1856 to 1873, made the most profound intellectual and spiritual impression. William Newton Clarke, Class of 1861, who was to become one of the most eminent theologians of the Baptists, once said that sometimes as he sat in the

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Ebenezer Dodge elected as University president (p. 148)

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three candidates, to accept, the Board in August, 1868, chose Professor Dodge. Eaton continued as President of the Seminary, a position he had held since its creation in 1861. In commenting on Dodge, one local observer described him as “one unexcitable, cool, and dispassionate, who could administer the required discipline of the school, with a determined hand.”

If Dr. Eaton had never taken the presidency of the University, his career would have been an unqualified success. He was a good teacher, popular with his students and well-regarded in the village and in the Baptist denomination. He liked human contacts and he and Mrs. Eaton dispensed generous hospitality at “Woodland Height,” which was one of the most attractive spots on the Hill, set as it was among beeches and hemlocks. A cedar hedge, sweet briar on the walls, a lilac path, and a “Lovers’ lane” of snowball bushes added to its charm. The Eatons entertained extensively, particularly at commencement, when visitors filled faculty and village homes, and their receptions at this season were gala occasions. In 1866 Mrs. Eaton prepared sponge cake and lemonade for a crowd of over 300 which gathered in the brilliantly lighted house and wandered about in the yard decorated with Chinese lanterns; the last guest departed at 2:00 a.m.

The University profited from the social leadership which the President and his wife provided. Its distinguished visitors were assured a warm welcome at their home and callow students, whether they came to court the attractive Eaton daughters or on more serious business, found an environment which taught them manners and poise. The University also profited from the cordial town and gown relations which the Eatons fostered as they moved in village society. The citizens remembered gratefully that the President and Professor Spear had been the two most stalwart defenders of the Hamilton location in the Removal Controversy.

With the inauguration of President Dodge in 1868, old memories had dimmed. When he had come to the campus fifteen years before, the University was already well on the way to recovering from the effects of the troublesome ’40’s. Soon a highly valued member of the faculty, Dodge had quietly built a reputation for original teaching but it was the Presidency, especially after 1869, however, which was to disclose his full stature. Eaton, alone of his colleagues, had publicly opposed the appointment on the ground that Dodge lacked administrative

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p. 123 – The removal controversy, 1847-1850

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The issue of location now apparently settled, the Trustees two days later empowered their Provisional Committee, i.e. executive committee, to take necessary steps to effect the transfer and appointed a special committee on a site and buildings in Rochester. At the last session Jacob Knapp, James B. Eldredge, and Lewis Wickwire, representing Hamilton citizens, appeared to present a new bond of $50,000 as a guarantee for obtaining the endowment. The Trustees, countering that they regretted their inability to accept the proposal, instructed the Provisional Committee “to converse with them upon the subject of retaining here an Institution of Learning, or of such arrangements as may conduce to the removal of all difficulties.”

The Education Society’s Board, many of whose members had been sitting with the University Trustees as regular members or by invitation, met hastily on the morning of Wednesday, August 15, to consider the latter’s resolutions. Formal action was necessary since the Society would assemble for its annual meeting within a few hours. The Education Society Trustees voted unanimously:

 

That we adopt the Resolution lately passed by the Board of Madison
University, respecting a removal to Rochester. That upon the consid-
erations therein contained, the Education Society release the Board of
Madison University, whenever said University shall be prepared to
quit Hamilton from the obligations of any contract between said So-
ciety and the University Board, so far as the same would obstruct that
removal.

 

 

The Education Society Board also resolved, Deacon Alvah Pierce and Archibald Campbell dissenting,

 

That this Board recommend to the Education Society under the
grave circumstances in which Divine Providence has placed them, and
considering the general wishes of the Churches throughout this State
as favoring a removal of this school of the Prophets to another location,
to take measures for the removal of their Institution to Rochester.

 

 

Adjournment followed at once to permit the members to attend the annual meeting which convened at ten o’clock at the Baptist Church.

Since several new Society members from Hamilton were present who only that day or shortly before had paid the annual fee of one dollar, the Removalists looked upon them as interlopers whose sole purpose was to thwart the University’s relocation. Later investigations revealed that a large proportion were Baptists in good standing and

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p. 112 – The removal controversy, 1847-1850

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leadership of its deacons and Dr. Church had prevented a split between the orthodox and the supporters of Knapp’s new measures such as had occurred in the Hamilton Church.

As a result of his conversations with Elisha Tucker, Dr. Church called a meeting of a few Rochester friends of Madison University to consider the possibility of removal. Wilder was present and also Professor Conant, Church’s brother-in-law, who supplied information on conditions at Hamilton but gave no opinion as to what should be done. The progress of the discussions warranted a second meeting on September 12 at the First Baptist Church. The pastor and Wilder, pointing out the heavy pecuniary embarrassment of the University and its out of the way location, urged Rochester as a better site. Wilder believed it should be moved only on condition that a partial endowment be raised and a good location and buildings be provided. Both he and Dr. Church thought a large proportion of New York State Baptists would approve. When Church moved that it be regarded as the sense of this meeting that Madison University be removed to Rochester, there was no dissent and a committee of eight was appointed to confer with the churches of Western New York to determine their attitude.

Dr. Church and Wilder, the foremost leaders, immediately set about enlisting support. At an adjourned meeting on September 20, Wilder introduced a resolution, which was adopted, urging the Madison University Trustees to apply for the Legislature’s permission to transfer the institution to Rochester or its vicinity. Another resolution expressed the opinion that the Baptists of the city and Monroe County should raise $30,000 for endowment and that immediate steps be taken to that end. Early in October, Wilder, Church, and others won the unanimous approval of the Monroe Association for these measures. Subsequently other Baptist groups in Western New York pronounced for removal and endowment.

As a means of reaching a wider public, especially the Baptists of the State, the Removalists sent out a letter in October, 1847, probably written by Dr. Church, which, with a few changes, they published as a Circular to the Friends of Madison University. The immediate necessity for endowment was noted and the disadvantages of the Hamilton location developed at length: remoteness from main thoroughfares and the poor condition of Central New York roads; the village’s limited

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p. 109 – The removal controversy, 1847-1850

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ments.” The vote of the Education Society Board on August 19th was judged illegal, apparently on the ground that the theological professors already had tenure as established by the University Board on June 9, 1847. Henceforth, the theological professors were to be considered as being on regular appointment. The brethren who had originally refused to back Maginnis were reported to have broken down completely and “repented of their folly.” The broader vision of their non­ resident associates, such as Friend Humphrey, Ira Harris, and John N. Wilder prevailed.

When the citizens of Hamilton learned that Professor Maginnis might resign because of the unpleasantness, over 120 signed a public letter urging him to continue his connection. They commented upon the luster his teaching ability gave to the institution and the loss the community would sustain. His appreciative reply, dated November 9, 1847, and published in the local paper, is especially interesting in view of the fact that some weeks earlier, he had already participated in the initial steps for removing the University to Rochester. He wrote that the occasion for the resignation no longer existed, and that he was sincerely attached to the institution and the village whose citizens, with few exceptions, had always shown him and his colleagues “those marks of respect and kindness which are always indicative of a refined and cultivated people.”

The Maginnis case was a natural outgrowth of the somewhat strained relations between the faculty and the village Baptist Church. The church itself was in an unhealthy condition as is shown by the short tenure of its pastors in the 1840’s. One, resigning in 1842, assailed the congregation for harboring “mischief makers” while both of his successors left amid bitter feelings. There was a conservative element among members whose “old puritanical notions” led them to oppose many of the liberal tendencies held by the faculty. They were the ones who had sided with Jacob Knapp and they must have rankled in 1845 when the professors and a few others withdrew to form the Seminary Church on the Hill. Perhaps they also frowned upon the cordiality which existed between the faculty, especially Professor Maginnis, and St. Thomas Church, organized by the Episcopalians in 1835. Another point of irritation was their criticism of faculty social life, about which unfriendly rumors reached even the northern part of the State. An informant in that region wrote Dr. Kendrick of difficulty in raising

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The Institution becomes Madison University (p. 92)

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rangements for male voices, which included original tunes bearing such local names as, “Kendrick,” “Chenango,” “Maginnis Chant,” “Conant,” and “Taylor.” William Roney, a senior in the collegiate department, succeeded Raymond and Wright in 1843. Under his direction the Sacred Music Society gave an ambitious concert on Christmas Night 1843 which featured selections from Handel, Mozart, Rossini, and Beethoven. Isaac N. Loomis, Class of 1845, took over the baton and tuning fork when he began graduate work in the fall of that year. The editor of the local Democratic Reflector commented in 1846 that perhaps no division of the University had improved more rapidly in the past decade than the music department.

Commencement, the high point of each year, changed little in character from that of the first in 1822. The date was moved in 1835 from June to August to accommodate businessmen who had to settle their mid-year accounts and for those who wished to attend the annual meetings of the various benevolent societies which usually came in the late spring or early summer. Preparations for the festivities involved town and gown. Village homes were thrown open to the visitors and the Baptist Church was used for some of their meetings. The Students Association took charge of music, ushering, printing of programs, flowers and evergreens for the chapel, building the speakers’ platform, and supervising campus peddlers who sold provisions.

Visitors’ comments abound with praise for the tasteful decorations, fine choral music, and well-delivered orations. On two occasions, at least, they complained that the program was much too long. The theological commencement of 1843 was notable for the great mission­ary convention Baptists from the Northern states held at the same time. When the chapel proved too small, an overflow crowd gathered in one of the nearby ravines to listen to Eugenio Kincaid, Class of 1822, who had recently returned from Burma, give the principal address which one hearer remembered over fifty years later for its marvelous magnetic power.

The Commencement of 1846 is memorable as the first held after the Institution had become Madison University and empowered to confer its own degrees. Professors A. C. Kendrick and Richardson prepared the Latin formula for the diplomas and it has remained in use ever since. They, with Professor Raymond, and three University Trustees, also devised the University seal, consisting of a hand grasping a torch

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