University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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ca pu KU held its Own Or campus legends, all ala, les and hauntings. VER 100 YEARS OF KU HISTORY GENERATED STORIES, TALES, LEGENDS AND ODDITIES contributing to the campus's rich heritage. The intricate ttmnel system became a fascination for many and the Sigma Nu haunting had the makings of a Holly- wood movie. The beginning of the underground tunnel system started in 1909. In the '50s, the ttmnel provided an entrance to Allen Fieldhouse for students who did not wish to pay for tickets. During the turbulent '60s, the tunnel, which was called the campus catacombsf' was closely guarded for fear that someone would try to plant a bomb in it. Today the ttmnel system stretches more than three miles, is between five to eight feet high, houses telephone wires and connects over 90 buildings on cam- pus. For years now, students attempted to gain entrance to the mysterious sys- tem. My brother told me about the tunnel a long time ago, so one night, just before Halloween, a bunch of my friends and I drove up to Lawrence to try to find it, Erin Gray, Raytown, Mo., freshman said. We found one entrance, but we couldn't get in. Even if we could have gotten in, I don't think we would have because it looked so scary Other areas of campus also stirred fear in students. The most well-known of these was the hatmting of the Sigma Nu house. lfVhen Lawrence was the capital of Kansas, governor Roscoe Stubbs returned home from a trip to Topeka to find his 17 year-old assistant, Virginia Rockham-Stubbs, hanging dead from a rope and his wife in a catatonic state on the balcony. Years later, Sigma Nu purchased the house and odd things began to happen. Members of the fraternity reported sightings of ghostly figures and hearing voices of two women arguing. However, current members of the fraternity had no un- usual experiences, Brian Wanamaker, Topeka senior and Sigma Nu member, said. I've never had anything happen to me, said Wanamaker. I know that one time, this guy who graduated two years ago came down the stairs and saw this girl sitting next to one of his brothers and he asked 'How you guys doing?' The guy on the couch was like 'VVhat are you talking about?' He looked back over and the girl was gone. Regardless of whether the stories of haunted houses and hidden tunnels are accurate, they have secured a place for themselves in the folklore and traditions of the university. by brooke hessler photos by Corey peclz 23 campus life

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S 4,mww,m 'f CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: JASON WILLLAMS, KANSAS cmf, KAN., IUNIOR PERUSES ARTH-'ACTS PROM the Gothic and Renaissance Art display in the Spencer Museum of Art. Williams studied the artifacts for his Art History class. Brie Martine, Topeka senior, lay Hoedoyo, Iukarta, Indonesia, senior, and Clint Gentry, Compton senior, tour the Museum of Anthropology. Bob Timm, curator of the Natural History Museum, teaches a KU perspectives lecture series on Walter Ford's Hide Trade. --photos by Melissa Tlzortozz. lllllSl3lllllS 2

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cLoci4w1si2 mom THE Ll1l'IlI ALT1-iouc3H Mosi or THt 'iuwwms Hlgl c ww KU wiirzi LUCKLIJ off, the corridor from the Kansas Union to the Memorial Stadium parking lot was in constant use. Few of the entrances to the maze of turmels below KU were well known. Rumors even grew over what might be an entrance, such as this condemned carport on Mississippi. Even in daylight, the Sigma Nu house held a hint of disquiet, which helped continue the legend of its haunt- ing. -photos by Corey Peck. E -is i lfll ll?i.RKltilZE Z. K: K , 1 ply, -, ,. visa, ,'-. -- 'IVAN if-1 M se, ,. is A as k A ' E N campus oddities 29