Lake Forest College - Forester Yearbook (Lake Forest, IL)

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1bi5torQ of Zeta :Epsilon Society ETA Epsilon held her iirst meeting January 14, 1880, although the preliminary work had been done the year previous by B. Fay Mills, J. XVilbur Chapman, Harry Safford, T. D. W'ells and John E. Torbell. The list of the sixteen charter members contains the names of such men as Hon. john D. Pope, P. D. Bergen, C. E. Botsford, Charles S. Ward, L. D. XVell, John E. Torbel and many others. The Society's name was proposed by Hon. John D. Pope, of Nebraska, of which act he is justly proud. The con- stitution adopted at this meeting was so broad and sound that it has never been necessary to change its fundamental rules. The Society grew so rapidly that they were able on May 19, 1882, to have the honor of dedicating the Hrst society hall in Lake Forest College. Like all other young institutions the Society experienced many dis- appointments and hardships during the early years of its growth, chief among which was the time when the senior class left College upon the resignation of Dr. Gregory in '85, At this time tive members constituted a quorum. But hard, earnest work and sound principles conquered the day. By the spring of '86 the Society had recovered so much of its old- time vigor that it gave one of the most successful open meetings and receptions recorded in its history. A year later a new piano was purchased and the hall refurnished. It is not necessary to dwell longer on the first ten years of the Society's growth because they are familiar to all her loyal sons. The last tive years have seen a great change in its growth of influence and power. An old member would scarcely be able to recognize the lusty infant. In ,QI the Society was so strong that it was able to spend over 25500 in furnishing its hall with elegant carpets, curtains, hangings, and furniture, without a cent of the debt falling upon the new members of the following year. A history of Zeta Epsilon is not complete without a list of a few of her many achievements. She scored a success by the performance of Lycia, a comic opera written by one of the -I members, Dr. Bergen. This play has never been equaled by it I . fl 'X any other dramatic event in Lake Forest. The tenth anni- versary was celebrated in june, 1890, by a banquet, to which over 300 guests were invited. by VV. H. Humeston and continued under his leadership for 'ivy 4 two years, during which time the club made two successful r fo, y' ', ' , r'-n'-., Qiislfi' In the fall of '90 the Zeta Epsilon Glee Club was organized e tours during the March vacation. In ,93 the Glee Club, under ' the leadership of C. S. Davies, '93, and the Banjo Club, under - the leadership of H. W. Harris, '94, made a trip in March, I5 N-ivvg through central and northern Illinois, which was highly r . PL w X ' X :ef wrlfgji I9 1' --fe I 'glffilltlvrf

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1 .Y successful, socially and financially. In ,94 these l 'JL clubs formed the nucleus for the organization of -J 1 university clubs. Our oratorical successes have been as great as our successes in other lines of college work. A. A. Hopkins '93, received the highest honor ever attained by any Lake I Forest orator, winning the state and interstate contests in '93. Success in the newspaper field has crowned our efforts. During the year from ,92 to ,93 we successfully published the Red and Black, an S-page folder, under the efficient management of H. L. Bird and E. C. Cleveland, ,94. I the fall of '93 this paper was merged into the Stentor, its mission having been fulfilled. But the glory of its success and enterprise will be remembered by all. The Society had the honor of opening the Art Institute with a lecture by .I 1, ? Q' - . r. , ffl 5 4 -L. 44' -5 ,Z f an ,X ,4 f' G 1 Q X11 1 , ,., f ,ly 'wx l IW . 156, I I 2 f , I Sf, . ,-T334 fu ' 5 'X :My lar rf, f er b 1, ' If n I lf ' . l 7' ' 1 J 1 0 Vg .1 ' 'l -- f .. 44,1 the noted Siberian traveler, George Kennan. The year of ,QS will always bezremembered as one of the brightest in our history. During that year we had three open meetings and two receptions, at each of which over 150 persons were present. The fifteenth year of our history was fittingly celebrated by a grand banquet held june 11, 1895, in the Art Institute, at which covers for 350 were laid. Toasts by many of our honored alumni and Society songs made the happy time pass all too quickly. Rev. N. B. W' Gallwey acted as toastmaster. The following toasts were given: Zeta Epsilon in Medicine, by Dr. B. M. Linnell, '89, Zeta Epsilon in Politics, by Rev. G. W. Wright, '92, Zeta Epsilon in Law, by W. H. Matthews, ,923 Zeta Epsilon in journalism, by H. L. Bird, y94. The Faculty was responded to by Dr. Walter Smith, and Zeta Epsilon, Past and Future, by -I. H. Rice, ,95. Thus fittingly were fifteen years of society work brought to a close, during which time the society has enlarged its membership from 16 to 41 and established itself as one of the strong institutions in Lake Forest College life. During the last year we have received welcome visits from G. W. Wright, '92g H. L. Bird, '94, T. A. Hayner, ,95, and many others of our alumni. All honor to our alumni, among whom will be found the names of many men of grand character and noble purpose, who founded so well that inheritance into which we have come. To them the Society owes her strong foundation. Among our active members we have men who are leaders in all branches of college life, men are ashamed '1.'. O, dear old Zeta Epsilon, I11 thy firm bonds our hearts are one. -CHARLES B. MOORE, '95. .N HF' A Z of whom we are proud and none of whom we x O l . ,..