Northwestern University - Syllabus Yearbook (Evanston, IL)

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CHICAGO OF 1879 SHOVVS CHANGES AND GROYVTH. Fire did not discourage Chicagoans, who rebuilt city. girls. Seniors, members of the new Life- Saving Crew, practiced in their new boat under the admiring eyes of the whole Uni- versity,and the ninth issue of the University student monthly, The Tripod, reflected the progressiveness of 1871 in its note that, It would be a matter of general convenience and rejoicing, if the proper authorities would see to it that at least one sidewalk be constructed soon between the University building and Heck Hall. Such a convenience would be a luxury in comparison with the sand that 'must be waded through now by those who have occasion to ply between these points. In the second week of October of the same year a flash of fire was seen on DeKoven Street in the teeming city of Chicago. After two days of terror the city lay in ruins and Mrs. O'Leary's cow was a part of popular legend. Evanston became a haven for refugees and The Tripod of November 20th noted that, SulTerers by the Fire will be provided with board, lodging,lights, fuel,washing and tuition at the Evanston College for Ladies, at very low rates. For the last half of the autumn term, and proportionally for any fraction thereof, students will be received and cared for as above for thirty-iive dollars. The finances ofthe University suffered con- siderably from the lire's devastation, but fru- gality and initiative had built the University and they preserved it. As early as the spring of 1872, the organization of University Pub- lishing Company with a capital of X100,000 demonstrated the strength ofthe University's recuperative powers. The most serious loss as a result of the fire was not, in fact, financial, but personal, since President Haven, despair- ing ofthe recovery of the University's finances, TROLLEYS AND HORSE DRAYVN carriages are seen in sketch showing busy State Street in earlier days. 29

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CHICAGO OF 1871 was bustling giant among midwest towns. Sketch shows Chicago shortly before great fire. and Cummings,Acting Presidents Noyes and Marcy, and Professors Carhart, Cumnock and Bannister were all graduates of VVesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut and several had been associated with Newbury Seminary in Newbury, Vermont. During his years as president of the Uni- versity of Michigan, Dr. Haven expressed progressive views on the subjects of women's r AQ? CHIC.-XGO YVATER TOYVER, finished a few years before great contlagration, survived 1871 tragedy to become a famous landmark in the Chicago of today. 28 education and the expansion ofthe scientific departments of the university. lt was pre- dicted that he would develop these questions at Northwestern and he did. It was under his leadership that women were admitted to the University in 1869. Dr. Haven welcomed unification with the Chicago Medical College, although the initiative for the measure was Dr. Davis' rather than his. On the other hand, the President failed to persuade the trustees to accept the one really revolutionary measure which he advocated, the establishment of a properly constituted College of Technology. Courses were begun in engineering subjects, but the project of a separate college was not adequately developed, a fact which the Uni- versity was to regret during the next two decades. Haven's administration was eventful in other respects. Luther Greenleaf presented a large and important collection of classical books and pamphlets to the library, students Hocked to Professor Robert MacLean Cum- nock's lectures in elocution and the Evanston College for Ladies took over the Fourth of July of 1871 to raise money for its new build- ing. The experiment of mixed classes was begun and even the Hinman and Adelphic Societies opened their membership to the K

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TUG OF IV.-XR was major University sport in 1880's and 1890's. Northwestern's championship team of 1892-93 was proud of its many trophies. Growth of football before the turn of century brought decline of rope-pulling sport. 1875-BASEBALL SQUAD won coveted champion- ship of Northwest, obtaining first trophy for team. resigned to become Secretary ofthe Methodist Board of Education. He was succeeded as president by Charles Henry Fowler, a dis- tinguished Methodist preacher of Chicago and a graduate of Garrett Biblical Institute. Pioneers, struggling with an unfriendly environment, are necessarily serious people. The iirst generation ofNorthwestern students was almost fully occupied with the difficult business ofgetting an education. In the second twenty years of Northwestern's history, how- ever, the extracurricular activities of the students expanded rapidly. University sports, beyond the primitive level of class riots, began to develop after the Civil YVar. In its third number, dated April 20, 1871, The Tripozz' noted that the time for out-door amusements has come again, and is cordially greeted by our old baseball enthusi- asts, who have lost none of their ardor in the game, but are at work energetically organizing class clubs. The 1870's were highlighted by the news of the series of baseball games for the silver ball donated by the Evanston College for Ladies, in which Northwestern was twice defeated by mighty Racine. Professor Julius Kellogg was a strong supporter of the team, both in class and out. In 1880 North- western was accused of employing an in- eligible player. After that the league fell apart and a Yvestern College Baseball Association