Emory University - Campus Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

Page 19 text:

Che Cowna xford vb! 15 6 , . 3, Q 1 X. ' 1, 1 1 ,' XFORD is essentially a place of hash-houses and freaks. Of the derivation of the name I have been able to learn l ii i! W nothing more than that tradition connects it with something 'bout beef. l V' ff' I l i Situated at the head of navigation on Dried Injun Creek, I 1 40 miles south-east of the Gate City on the Georgia Railroad, Oxford possesses exceptional business advantages, which so far seem to have escaped the public notice, for business here is conspicuous chiefly for its absence. Exclusive of students, I may say without violence to conscientious scruples, that there are at least 300 souls in Oxford. The population is steadily growing, however, for the very air possesses the quality of the mythic lotus for casual sojourners, and conduces, withal, to longevity. As the visitor gains the summit of River's Hill, at the foot of which nestles this quaint village, the most notable feature that meets his view is the magniiicent grove of sturdy oaks upon the Campus, which have withstood the blasts of many winters and still shelter the weary surveyor from the Summer's sun. Oxford lays claim to the attention of the outside World by reason of the fact that it is a center of learning and culture, Historically it is known as the one place in all creation that is absolutely without history. The nearest approach to historical record is a stone tablet bearing these Words: In the beginning was Oxford formed. As a summer resort for those Whose nervous systems require unbroken quiet, Oxford has no equal. Many think that Goldsmith was unfortunate in not having visited it during the summer season before writing the Deserted Village. For those who have been here well nigh the whole year it is a superb Outing place. Among public institutions Palmer Institute justly takes precedence. There is carried on the work of teaching the young idea how to shoot. The building with brown-stone front does credit to public-spirited Oxford. Long years ago Oxford indulged the affectation of electric lights and railway, but of late these have been discarded and the smiles of Duke Mansfield and hay-burners substituted. If order is Heaven's Brst law, then here we have a veritable paradise on earth. Under the protection of an efficient and well equipped police force, Oxford will never again witness such acts of lawlessness as the Stovall Riot of '96, and the vandalism incident to the year '97. The offender invariably treads the siony path. No dago has ever yet invaded the community with bear or monkey and escaped the vigilance of the city detective. 20

Page 18 text:

U72 QGIIIIW-DQWIOII .25 .29 Sh flfllf Nl wb' ' HE COUNTY OF NEWTON is bounded on the North, East, South and West Nlvfgl 3 by the State of Georgia. This County was named for Sergeant John Nj XY 0 Newton, a hero ofthe Revolution, who died of the small-pox while a pris- itsiilw D V was the cause of us all being vaccinated a few months ago. I am unable .4 V. r b 5 sv V files 3 :S 5 Wx E A A 6 ,lug oner in Charleston. It has been reported that this sad circumstance to either affirm or deny this supposition, but I have never heard of small-pox being any closer than that. Newton County is the home of the jaybird, and the bovine genus of quad- rupeds, which roam over her thousand blackberry patches, and on which after they have reached the ripe old age of two score years, the Emory boy wears out his grinders, The presence of so many jaybirds in this County has been explained on the theory that in mak- ing their journey to Hades with their stick or grain of sand, as the case may be, they mistake Newton for that realm of darkness. This reminds me that I hearda Senior who had come up from the bottomless pit of Subdom, and of course knew what he was talking about, say that he knew from his own personal knowledge that the Devil, had not been in Newton County for six years. He said that he only comes to the top of Stone Mountain, where he can see over in Newton, and sees everything going to his notion, so he seeks other places. Newton County is not only noted for the production of mean whisky, but is more noted for the unparalleled consumption of it. Dr. Candler says that Newton County whisky is the meanest of the meanest made in Georgia, and that Decatur street juice is nectar com- pared with it. I The Georgia Railroad runs through Newton, but how it ever came to take such a notion is beyond the power of man to explain. But they use it as an advertisement, calling it the Only great jungle in Americaf' the rival of any in Africa, etc. So by this means they catch Northern tourists who haven't time to take a trip abroad, and when they get them up to Stone Mountain they try to make them think they are in Egypt, and tell them that it is one of the Pyramids. According to the latest census report Newton has 8,674 whites, 9,867 blacks and 7,594 Populists. were any 19

Page 20 text:

The station-house, better known as the cooler, stands among the soughing pines just back of that rare combination of architecture denominated church l' and used as an auditorium. It is to be remarked that every thoroughfare bears the name of some distinguished Methodist preacher. Oxford is Methodist or nothing. Indeed, one might say of the architecture as Victor Hugo did of Marine Terrace, that it is Methodism in wood and stone. The drainage system is a grand combination of natural facilities and mechanical negligence. The elevation is good, climate isalubrious. The water is free from impurities, though some prefer it distilleda, All municipal ofiices are filled by legislators in the literal meaning of the term. Of the making of laws with them there is no end. These laws, however, ,differ from the laws of the Medes and Persiaus in that they are capable of adaptation to municipal favoritism. The immigrant may rest assured of protection both of prosperity and of body. Witness these extracts from the Ordinances of the town of Oxfordzn SEC. III. If any person shall shoot, fire or discharge a 'Krubber sling-shot or any other implement of torture within the limits of said town, he shall be punished as per Sec. L. SEC. VIII. If any person shall ride a bicycle on the streets of Oxford otherwise than in a walk, he shall be punished, etc. SEC. XV. If any person shall dig or scrape up and carry away any sand, grit or grass roots Within the corporate limits he shall be punished, etc. V SEC. XXI. Any dog found on the streets of Oxford after May lst, shall be com-pounded by the Marshall into, sausage meat and distributed at his leisure. Should the Marshall so compound a dog he must notify the owner thereof. ' 'X ' SEC. XXII. If any horse, mare, mule, colt, ass, bull, ox, cow, heifer, yearling, calf, hog, sheep, goat, or any other creature shall zf f . twiki' be found at large on the streets of Oxford, such animal shall be X severely dealt with and declared to be unclean. X ' Oxford society is thoroughly democratic. There is no such X ' X thing as the H400 -the census only giving the town three hun- - X dred. There are absolutely no distinctions along the line of age. ' X . . . . -1- The giddy whirl' claims youth and old age as its devotees and X . X I N ' N X reduces all to a social common denominator. ,, r x . . ' , gr if 'WWE blot wealth, not brains, but true Worth and character F:-5,441 constitute the Open Sesame to the hearts and homes of up x or . , L V I The same conditions that invite the World-weary man far from the i ls, 4' maddening crowd, also make Oxford an ideal college town. The ,ll ' f N iniiuences that surround the student are wholesome in the extreme. lt ,il Emory is justly the pride of Oxford. Her citizens live and move -ll! 'lyf and have their beingu by the clock on Seney Hall and Shorty's llf. 'E' . . A o .5 I . X permission. ' X 21