Carroll College - Hilltopper Yearbook (Helena, MT)

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to September 22 on account of a lack of furniture and school equipment, which had been delayed in shipment. Even on September 22, the entire building was not completed, and the boys pursued their studies under difficulties for some weeks. However, after a month the classes were in order, and the great work of the College had begun in earnest. For over a year efforts had been made to gather a Faculty that could successfully launch the new enterprise on its journey. The learning, zeal, and self-sacrifice of those early professors have been no small element in the growth and development of Mount St. Charles. Their names will be found in another part of this book. Necessarily, the beginnings of the institution were small. Classes were conducted from the sixth grade of elementary work through the work of High School. As yet, there were no students of College grade. The registrants for the fourth year of High School were the following: Charles Gabisch, Albert Wiegand. and Angus McKinnon of Helena; Emmet Riley and Will McDermott of Butte; Frank E. Sheehan of Lewistown, and Cecil Carolan of Forsyth. It is significant that of these, three, Charles Gabisch (now Father Thomas, O.P.) Will McDermott (now Father Stanislaus, O.P.), and Emmet Riley later pursued their studies to the priesthood. , The problem of the curriculum had been studied for over a year before the opening of the college. It embraced in its scope all the branches of commercial, English, scientific, classical, and philosophical training, though the teaching of all these branches, because of lack of students, was not put into effect immediately. It was the purpose of these interested in the College to gradually eliminate the lower classes as the years went on. The elementary classes were finally discontinued in 1919. It has been found that the lower classes gradually decreased in numbers as those of higher grade increased. The recreational activities of the students were not neglected. A whole section of the lower floor of the building was reserved for indoor sports; a hand ball alley had been erected to the northeast of the main building; a splendid baseball field had been prepared at the northwest end of the campus. In gratitude for the use of the baseball park, the Helena Baseball Association of the Intermountain League had erected a capacious grandstand and bleacher seats in the form of an ampitheater, which served its purpose until the fall of 1928. The recreational activities were under the direction of Mr. Charles Scullon, later ordained and as Father Scullon, a member of the Faculty of the College. It was in recognition of the pioneer work of Father Scullon in the field of athletics that the new athletic field of Mount St. Charles was called Scullon Field. Page thirty-one

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gave promise of being one of the most beautiful buildings in the Capital City, already a city of beautiful homes and buildings. The outer walls were of red porphyry, quarried from the neighboring mountains. The selection of an appropriate name for the college was another pioblem. At the laying of the cornerstone it was thought well to name the new institution Capitol Hill College. This would well fit the history and tradition of Montana and Helena. It was soon realized, however, that the new college should not be without a celestial patron. At this time there appeared the great encyclical of Pius X, commemorating the three hundredth anniversary of St. Charles P»orromeo, the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan. St. Charles had, through the Council of Trent, originated and firmly established in the legislation of the Church the idea of the diocesan college. And thus, was named Mount St. Charles College, after him, whose life and name are all that is implied in the terms, saint, scholar, and gentleman, with the hope that those students who should enjoy the advantages of the institution might become in all things like unto their patron. The College and its naming were approved by the Holy Father in the following letter: Dal Vaticano, Sept. 23, 1910. My dear Lord Bishop: The Holy Father has heard with great satisfaction of your successful efforts in erecting a college and preparatory seminary, and it is with special benevolence that He regards your lordship’s placing it under the patronage of the great Archbishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo. His Holiness expresses the fervent hope that, under such patronage, the college will become a center of learning and devotion. Moreover, the Holy Father most cordially bestows His Apostolic Benediction on your lordship, on the priests and faithful of your diocese, on the faculty and pupils of your new college, and lastly on all those who cooperate with you in promoting the good of your college. Assuring your lordship of my esteem, and wishing you every blessing. I am, My dear lord Bishop, Yours very sincerely in J. C., R. Cardinal Merry del Val. On August 8, 1910, Bishop Carroll had sent a letter to all the pastors cf the diocese, to plead the cause of higher education and the aim to beget a native priesthood. The response to the letter and to the efforts that had already been put forth was most encouraging. Though the scheduled date for the opening of the institution was September 14, it was delayed thirty

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The first year of the College marks the beginning of many traditions. The patronal feast of the College was celebrated on November 4. The annual retreat was first given in Holy Week from Wednesday, April 12 to Easter Sunday, April 1G. The Faculty and students were saddened by the death of Professor F. V. Vollert, instructor in Music, which occurred on April 12. The first annual track meet was held at the College Athletic Field on April 27. The first oratory and elocution contests were staged on June 1. Frank Sheehan winning the elocution and Joseph Riley the oratorical contest. The closing exercises were held on the scheduled date, June 14. The first students of College grade were registered at the openimr of school on September 12, 1911, Charles J. Gabisch, who had graduated from Mount St. Charles High School the preceding June, and Frank W. Carpino of Meaderville. Patrick McVeigh of Butte, our first College graduate, was registered for first college work in September, 1912. The second year of the life of Mount St. Charles marks the beginning of a number of organizations. The League of the Sacred Heart, the Holy Name Society, and the Brondel Literary Society were started on their ways, all of which contributed much to the interest and profit of the students during the years that followed. On Commencement Day, June 12, the appointment of the Reverend John L. McMullen as president to succeed the Reverend Stephen J. Sullivan, I).I)., was announced. Too, on July 1 of this year appeared the first College magazine, the Mount St. Charles Scholastic, a publication that was edited, in great part, by the members of the Faculty of the College and that was financed through the generosity of Helena Council 844 of the Knights of Columbus. The opening of the College in September, 1912, was marked by a fifty per cent increase in the enrollment over that of the previous year. This can be partially accounted for by the introduction of the commercial course, which was inaugurated that year. In the fall of 1912 the College acquired one of the finest collections of ores and minerals in the Northwest. The collection was long known as the Cosmopolitan Hotel Cabinet and was exhibited in that old-time hostelry. The cabinet was presented to the College by Mr. William Steuwe. Early in the year, 1913, Mr. James J. Hill of St. Paul pledged fifty thousand dollars to the endowment fund, which was being raised at that time. The year 1913-1914 continued to show an increase over its predecessor. During this year was established the “Thespian Club,” an organization devoted to dramatic productions. Its inspiration and director was the Reverend V. U. LeClair. Its first production, “On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” was staged at St. Helena’s Hall on November 4. Two other plays were staged during the year. Page thirtg-two