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

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The GRIS ' T 21 Augustus Boss Davis “ Gussie ” A UGUSTUS Boss Davis was born and bred in the historic city of New- port, spending the greater part of his early life there. He came to us when he was yet young and innocent, but has gradually gained in knowledge since those days. “ Gus is the “ landscape gardener, “house decorator, or whatever else you wish to call him, of our class. With his help we have always had the most effective booths, etc., at our fairs, entertainments, and receptions. As one of our class has said, “Gus has a head like a tack. We must also mention the fact that “Gus has developed those fatal symptoms which seem quite prevalent among the members of the upper classes, — - those symptoms of — , well, you have probably guessed what bv this time. His footsteps are constantly directed toward the village. When you do not know where else to look for him, you may be pretty sure of find- ing him in one of the houses on College Avenue. Although “Gus” usually goes in the one direction named above, he has been known to take moonlight walks with one of the college “Chaperons,” and then suddenly to desert her at the very door of one of the village homes. Ask him if he knows Mrs. Tammany. He has a great fondness for books, especially history, in which he has always ranked high. His favor- ite book is a Comprehensive History for Young People, a copy of which he always carries with him, when he attends the history class.

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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.

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The GRIST Jay Russell Ferry “ Sport ” N OTHING definite is known concerning the early history of this infant prodigy. With apologies to the city of Holyoke, we must admit, however, that that is his birthplace. Judging from the characteristic qualities exhibited during his stay at R. I. C., we infer that he was brought up on a spoon. His parents, detecting this tendency in his early youth, sent him to New Britain, Conn., fearing the consequences if he remained and came in contact with some of the equally irresponsible members of Mt. Holyoke. But the habits formed in his infancy asserted themselves, and after play- ing havoc with a score or so of cardiac appendages there, he was transported to Palmer, Mass. The manufacture of wire sufficed to hold his attention for a few years. After learning all the secrets about wires, wire-pulling, work, and working the company, he betook himself to Rhode Island to practice his arts. We will not give our opinion as to the success he has obtained in these branches ; but it is sufficient to say that he is the founder and the “ Boss” of Tammany Hall and the only night watchman who is n’t sleepy in the daytime. “Sport” spends most of his time either “fussing” in Lippitt Hall or working in the highway department. We have noticed, however, that not all of his “moments of stress or of bending” have been figured out amidst these mathematical surroundings. He is inordinately fond of fudge, and tradition has it that he became attached to quite a large amount at different times in the distant past. N otwithstanding all this, we believe there is still some hope for him. As captain of next year’s football team, backed by three years’ experience as half-back, we expect him to keep up his brilliant record as an athlete. Good natured and thoughtful, a hard, willing worker with plenty of sand and push, one who has the interests of the college at heart and never lacks the genuine college spirit, we are glad to claim him as our classmate and predict for him success in all his ventures.