University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

Page 31 text:

The Eighties The classes of the eighties have sometimes been called the connecting link between the older and the newer University, and we are quite content with the title and our position between the probably arboreal of the seventies and the homo sapiens of today. When we started in the battalion consisted of but three small companies clothed in the brigadier general ' s uniform described by Colonel Edwards the frock coat and the slouch hat. The brass buttons of this uniform were fastened on with loops, the design being to allow the substitution of cloth buttons when the wearer, not on military duty, wished to use the coat as Sunday best. In those days the needs of the impecunious student were considered, and the elaborate class assess- ments and society dues of today were unknown. Even the officers ' insignia were movable silver stars, and I well remember the flutter occasioned by General Welcker ' s order that these should be worn on the collar. Confederate fashion, rather than on the shoulder. The protest was successful, and the order withdrawn. Athletics in those days were very simple. The only gymnasium was the open air. and the only apparatus was a couple of cannon balls. I remember well an impromptu track meet arranged when Moody of ' 80 pitted himself against the redoubtable Sherrod Williams of ' 79 in a hundred-yard dash past the Le Conte Oak, and the murmurs of the co-eds over the scantiness of attire worn by the runners. Football, if it so can be called, was by twenties when it was not by whole classes, and the famous game between ' 80 and ' 81 ended in a class rush over the possession of the ball. Eighty had won the game and was entitled to the ball, when fleet- footed Jim McGillivray ( ' 81) got possession of it and started off down Ellsworth Street from the field, which was where the Pacific Theological School now stands.

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Thence forward all college exercises were conducted at Berkeley, instructors and students coming daily by horse-car from Oakland. The buildings in Oakland were sold and removed. Webster Street and Thirteenth Street were cut through the old campus. College Hall was removed to the corner of Twelfth and Harrison Streets, and converted into a livery stable. It was said that they had turned out the asses and had taken in horses. The old Brayton Hall was moved to the corner of Twelfth and Webster Streets and now is the home of a drinking saloon and the headquarters of a socialist organization. The small building, of three rooms, that had been erected for an administration building, was moved to the corner of Fourteenth and Webster Streets and for a time was occupied by The Home of Truth ; which raises a question as to what it was before. As I run on with these reminiscences, incidents grave and gay come trooping along, but I think it likely that I have already exceeded the limits set for me. I have had more than a little pleasure in recalling the four years spent in Oakland and in contemplating the changes that have taken place within the memory of many of us. Last May (1910) eight of the twelve graduates of 1873 had dinner together at the home of Frank Otis in Alameda. From an institution of ten instructors and thirty- five students, I have seen it grow to an institution of three hundred instructors and four thousand students, not including the summer session, attended this past year by one thousand. It is gratifying to see such growth. It is a pleasure to have been a part of it. GEORGE C. EDWARDS. 20

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