University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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History of the Class of 1908. As it is the custom among great personalities, who have really accomplished something in the world, to leave autobiographies, in order that future generations may know the whys and wherefores of their greatness, so it behooves the great Class of 1908 of the University of Kansas, in these its last days, to recount a few cf its many achievements; to reminisce, so to speak The arrival of ' 08 on the campus was proclaimed, according to custom, by the appearance of huge flaming posters, scattered broadcast, describing its vile characteristics and hideous appaarance as viewed from the Sophomore ' s standpoint Others of a more friendly mind have stated that its unusually up-to-date appearance at the time of its entrance marked it at once for future greatness. Like all great bodies, the Class of ' 08 was just a little slow in getting started, as shewn by the result of the first Class scrap. Eut, like all great bodies, after it did start, nothing was able to stop it. The Sophs of that first eventful year, after viewing with growing alarm the wonderfu development of the infant prodigy, refused to meet it in conflict on May ist, and were forthwith given an ovation in the form of a funeral ceremony, and the class of ' 07 was buried with military honors on the crest of Mount Oread. This unique and original affair caused the Chancellor to sit up and take notice. Consequently, on the following fall, he took ' 08 into his confidence, and in compliance with his wishes and their own good judgment, the class abolished class scraps forever, giving one of the greatest boosts to the reputation of the University which it has ever been the privilege of any c ' ass to give. And, according to its decree, the noise of battle shall never mere sound across the campus. After taking the role of peace-maker, that Sophomore Class turned its inventive genius I into social lines, and instituted the first Sophomore, which threatened to eclipse the time- honored Junior Prom in elegance and popularity. As Juniors of course they played their part with all the dignity befitting their achievements, and dedicated the new Gymnasium by the finest Prom that has ever graced the social calendar of old K. U. In this, the Senior year, when the mind turns from the more frivolous afi ' airs of student life, we see members of this class standing out as prominent figures in all phases of student activity. ' 08, besides dominating the School politics for the last two years, has had three editors o : the Kansan, two foot-ball captains, two track captains, and has taken a prominent part in all forms of athletics, debating, etc. All this, however, has been with a single aim in view. And if we have helped to make f this School better in any way, we have not lived in vain. We sincerely hope that succeeding classes may outstrip us as we believe that we have outstripped our predecessors, and make K. U. the best School in the country.

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■ r SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS. Allan Dodgi?, President. Roy Cook, Vice-Prtsldent. Clifford Cokp, Treasurer. SusiK Shaff K. S:-r. ' t rv. 4 I I

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The Land That God Forgot. A Song of the West. Oh, the land that God forgot, Where the sand and cactus ruled, Paradise of rattlesnakes, Bald and arid, brackish-pooled ; First the Conquistadors came Lusting after precious stones, And the fiery desert waste Whitened everywhere with bones; Then the Forty-niners passed With their oxen gaunt and thin, And they only knew the land As a place to perish in; P ' t at last the soul of men Understood what God had willed And perceived the land was there To be set abloom and tilled, And long ditches ribbed the sand With their rippling fluid bars And revived an ancient world Like the waterways of Mars, And the tender grass grew up And the sleek kine laid them dowii, And the freights toiled in and out Fat with wares from many a town. There the sunflowers golden-rayed And the blue alfalfa flowers Lured the labor of the bee Through the languid torrid hours, There the wheat grew tall and t ' . ' ight, And the ancient ocean bed Shot up leagues of tasseled com High above the farmer ' s head; Schools were builded, churches rose; Children to the clime were bom, And they loved and praised the lan( Once a hissing and a scorn. ihe land that God forgot, Barren with oblivion ' s curse? — But it hid a wealth like gold In a miser ' s wretched purse. The land that God forgot, To Apaches, cruel, wild, Abandoned, where the stern F ' ace of Nature never smiled? — Nay, to deem that God forgets Were but blasphemy and shame; He withheld the magic touch Till His sons desired the same. Harry H Fbm!