University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

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The GRIST 19 Arthur Houghton Barber “Artie” “ Hopalong, Step-and-Fetchet” “Blue Eyes” O N the western shores of Greenwich Bay, a branch of the famous Narra- gansett, lies a small manufacturing hamlet known to the outer world as East Greenwich. If it falls to our good luck to visit this busy spot and chance to talk with one of its older inhabitants, sooner or later we shall be sure to hear of the youthful exploits of one Arthur Barber, known to ’07 as “ Artie,” or “ Blue Eyes.” Of his early career we know little except that when very young he be- came an ardent admirer of boats of all sorts, and usually was to be found on the wharves lying in the sun. Having safely passed through the age of “kilts” with its dreams and fancies, he entered the district school. He soon became the avowed protector of the weaker sex. Nothing daunted by the “ 3 R’s,” he mastered them quickly and secured the much coveted sheep skin. Realizing that more learning was necessary, he decided to enter the town academy. “ Those were happy days,” with their work and play. In turn algebra, geometry and the fearful Latin were mastered and laid away for future use(?). Here it was, we believe, that he acquired the name, “ Blue Eyes,” although Arthur has large brown orbs. Deeply impressed with the advantages offered by R. I. College, he joined forces with the class of 1907. As a Freshman, he had the usual trials and tribulations, such as hazing, pretty co-eds, and late hours spent in study- ing (?). He had been tried and found true in all lessons requiring deep thinking, so he decided to enroll here as a Mechanical student. Now his time is chiefly spent in the ma- chine shop and the draughting- room. He seems to be especially fond of fussing, although he declares himself a confirmed bachelor. He is a prominent factor in baseball and is constantly striking out in different lines. There is no doubt that he will graduate with our class next year and then finish his education abroad. “ Artie ” will be in a few years the recognized leader in mechanical lines but will probably always reside in our state, as “ Little Rhody ” offers the best opportunities in his field.

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Th e r GRIST 18 quite want to stay and yet he felt bound to do so. That same evening an 07 banner floated from the wires between Davis Hall and the botanical laboratory. These landmarks on our journey do not tell much of what it really has been. They simply show the most conspicuous parts of it. The real work of the course, the classroom and laboratory, the fun and rough-housing, the solid good-fellowship we have enjoyed, and the friendships we have made, are written only in our memories, and can never be made real and definite to anyone else. Perhaps a word as to the composition of our class will be interesting. Three of us are studying elec- trical engineering ; one, mechanical engineering; one, highway engineering ; two, chemistry ; three, general science ; and one, agriculture. What our lives will be after we leave here, no one knows. Some of us will probably teach, others go into professional work; but, whatever we do, and wherever we are, each one will know that he has ten friends on whom he can depend — friends whom he has known throughout the intimacy of a college course, and who, like himself, are ahvays interested in Rhode Island — Our College. Past Members D. R. Arnold S. F. George E. S. Ladd N. POLADIAN B. F. Sherman H. E. MACKINNON J. C. Smith J. L. Smith L. A. Smith H. P. Stacy J. Spensly H. M. Tucker

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The GRIST ‘ COOGINS ” Calvin Lester Coggins “Holy Willie Sub-One” ‘Cal” rpi ■ ' HERE came to us, who had survived the rigors of the “ Prep.” course in the fall of 1903 a pale, sickly youth, with a suggestive cough, and one foot already in the grave. His trunk was marked, “ From Sharon, ’’and like the man from Jeru- salem he fell among thieves, for it was his misfortune to spend his first year rooming with Sheldon and Ferry. His ambition when he came here was to stay just long enough to prepare for M. I. T. With this object in view he took during his first year, in addition to the Freshman work, plane geometry, history and other “naps.” During that year he was always busy, so busy in fact that he did n’t get time to pay his class fees until the spring term. He studied hard and Long, his only avocations being writ- ing letters “home” and his devotional exercises. In the fall of our Sophomore year, Room 22 was engaged and Tammany Hall organ- ized, Coggins being the chaplain. By the aid of this organization he was first brought into prominence, and the public immediately showed its appreciation of him by electing him to the important and responsible position of secretary of the V. M. C. A. In the course of time he became thoroughly “ contammanyated,” and this in spite of his relig- ious nature crops out in various ways. He can’t go anywhere without making remarks such as these: “ Let ' s pinch something,” “ Do you suppose we can use that? H W wont miss it,” etc. One morning about the middle of October last year, people passing Room 22 saw a bunch of hats cast out into the hall, and upon inquiry they found that they were Coggins’s cast-offs. I suppose you are wondering what caused this wholesale discard- ing of hats. I will tell you. The day before Coggins got a commission. He encountered yet another difficulty when he came to put on his saber, for he found that it dragged on the ground and interfered seriously with his progress. Great was his dismay until some prep, suggested putting a caster on it. Realizing that a genius had spoken, he followed this advice and was able to navigate with ease and comfort. It is Coggins’s ambition some day to become an electrical engineer. With this object in view, he spends all his spare time in the electrical laboratory, where he is known as “ Holy Willie Sub-One.” His specialty is cutting live wires, and monkeying with apparatus he knows nothing about, when no one is around. In spite of all the petty weaknesses related above, we predict for Coggins a bright, useful, and successful future. He is engaged in numerous college activities and is doing his part well. He is treasurer of the lecture association, assistant manager of baseball, leader of the glee club, and captain of Company A.