Salem State University - Clipper Yearbook

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Dr. Walter P. Beckwith. Dr. Walter P. Beckwith, was born in Lempster, August 27, 1850. His parents had been school teachers and, without doubt, supplemented the meagre education of the district school, which the boy, Walter, attended during the usual ten weeks in summer and the same in winter. With these opportunities, and one or two terms at a private school in the same town, he had so mastered the rudiments of an ed- ucation that at the age of sixteen he taught his first term of school in an adjoining town and with marked-success. At the age of eighteen he went to Claremont, where he attended the high school for a short time. In the fall of 1869 he entered Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, from which he graduated at the head of his class in the college course in 1871. The same year he was admitted to Tufts College, from which he graduated with the highest honors of the class in 1876, having been obliged to remain absent one year in order to earn money enough by teaching to enable him to complete his college course. The following account of his college life, written by his college chum and life-long friend, should be an inspiration to any student. l gladly comply with the request to contribute something conceming the college life of my dear friend, Walter P. Beckwith. My acquaintance with him began in the fall of r87l, for though he did not graduate until '76 we both entered Tufts with the class of '75, and he remained with our class one year. He was acknowledged by us asa leader from the beginning. He was above the average age of his mates, and his previous experience had given him a maturity of judgment and a readiness of speech which were speedily recognized by all members of the class. He came to college with an excellent prep- aration and carried easily the work of freshman year. Upon his return to the Hill, after an absence of several months spent in teaching, he joined the class of '76, and was graduated with honor as the class leader. l very early grew to admire Beckwith's habits of work. He was my ideal of a student--self- reliant, industrious, thorough. Possessing these qualities, his work in college merited and received the quick approval of the professors. But though he was justly proud of his standing in the college, his suc- cess asa student did not unduly exalt him. He never made a fellow-student uncomfortable by any assumption of superiority, and he was always ready with suggestions and assistance for those of us who sought his aid. He greatly appreciated the commendation of instructors, and I recall very distinctly with what satisfaction he exhibited to me on one occasion a theme which had been returned to him by the beloved professor in English with the continent written in the comer, H This leaves nothing to be desired. But Walter Beckwith was more than a mere student of books. He was a student of men and of affairs. No one in college was more familiar with or better infomied concerning the politics of the day. lt was his habit to go to the reading-room in old Middle Hall every morning before breakfast to read the newspapers and magazines and he was always ready and able to discuss current events intelligently and entertainingly. He was an excellent debater and he was a leader in the Mathetican Society and in the councils of Zeta l'si. His tastes and habits of mind led us all to suppose that he would become a lawyer. Indeed, that profession did attract him during his college course and for several years after he graduated. But his success as a teacher and his love of his work in educational fields kept him from the law. He always took a lively interest in the college publications anti spent much time and thought upon them. He wrote for them, edited them and took an active and influential part in their financial man- agement. llc was always conmientious in his work, and never resorted to shifty devices in daily recitations or inperiodical examinations. This fact was known by all his associates and was the secret, in part, at least, of his influence and power among the fellows. He enjoyed the cordial respect of the entire college and I cannot recall that l ever heard anyone speak ill of him. During the years that have intervened between '75 and the present, his interest in the college has been keen, and he has had the satisfaction of rt-paying in a measure the debt of gratitude which he never hesitated to at knowledge he owed Tufts College. llis work upon the Board of Overseers has been intelligently and faithfully done and while he has at times criticised men and methods, his criti- rgisms have been kindly, and he has striven earnestly to conserve what to him seemed the highest and best welfare of the institution. Wrt.i.iAM W. Nlt:Cr.raNt'n, '75. Springfield, Mass. 6

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A Tribute. As the last two classes who knew Dr. Beckwith as teacher and friend, we bring our tribute of admiration, trust and affection. We admired him. He had such a splendid strength of character, and at the same time such a deep appreciation of the beaugf of holiness. He knew so much. He had a never-failing fund of learning and experience and common-sense, and he knew how to apply it to the daily problems that came to us and to him. If he had known nothing else, he had such a knowledge of human nature, and of girl nature in particular, as must have won our admiration. He had a splendid toleration for our giggles, and our more serious failings as well, and an optimistic faith in our possibilities which was in itself a spur to effort. We not only admired, but we trusted him. We confided in his judgment. If we felt that we were acting as he approved, we went ahead confidently, and on the other hand, we hesitated long to act against his judgment. Rarely did the result fail to justify our confidence. More completely, if possible, than we relied upon his judgment, did we trust in his goodness of heart. We felt that he had a personal interest in every member of the school, and we knew that he would do anything in his power to give a helping hand to any one of us. Moreover, his word was his bond. He never made idle promises. NVe knew that when his word was passed we could depend on it. Last but not least we loved him. We loved him for all those traits and qualities which made us trust and admire him, and for many more. We loved him for the twinkle in his eyes and for that familiar chuckle, for his wise good-natured firmness g for his un- failing readiness to give up his precious time to listen to our wants or plans g for that side of his nature which we came to know through his daily selections from the Bible g for his power of strong, deep friendship for other men, revealed to us especially at the time of President Capen's death. To sum it all up, we loved him because he was Dr. Beckwith. We miss him. VVe long to see him face to face and grasp his hand, to tell him of our joys and trials and see his eyes twinkle with appreciation of every bit of humor, while he gives us counsel and encouragement. Yet it is far better to miss him than never to have known him. We know that we shall find life richer and shall be more useful because we have known such a man. This is our tribute of words. There is another and better tribute which we hope to bring to the character of Dr. Beckwith-the tribute of our lives. Wherever we may find our work, whether in the school-room, which he loved so well, or in some other corner of the work-shop of the world, may our lives bear witness to this brave, cheerful manhood. May we pass along to many others a little of the courage and helpfulness which he gave to us,-nay, is still giving to us. For he still lives. It is impossible for us to feel other- wise than that he is very near, interested still in the progress of the work to which he gave his life and in the many young men and women who have been under his care. Some day we shall see him again, for Life is ever lord of Death And Love can never lose its own. 5

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After leaving college, Mr. Beckwith accepted the principalship of the high school at Chicopee, Mass., where he remained until january, 1878. At that time he received the appointment of superintendent of the public schools in Adams, Mass., which position he filled until June 13, 1896, when he was elected principal of the State Normal School in Salem, Mass., succeeding Prof. Daniel B. Hagar. While a resident at Adams, he was identified with the affairs of the town, having served as moderator at the annual town meetings for many years, being the choice of all parties interested. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library for eighteen years and did much to improve it. He was affiliated with Berkshire Lodge of Free Masons, Greylock Lodge, A. O. U. W., both of Adams, and of Tufts Col- lege Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa. He was a fluent public speaker and during the past twenty-five years had addressed many public meetings on educational and other subjects. Dr. Beckwith was considered by leading educators as one of the strongest and ablest men in Massachusetts and his name had been among those considered in connection with the vacant presidency of Tufts College. When Doctor Balliet retired from the office of superintendent of schools in Springfield, Mass., Dr. Beckwith was one of three men seri- ously considered by the committee for the succession. He, however, would not consider the candidacy. In 1883, Tufts College conferred upon him the degree of A. M. for post-graduate work in Latin and English literature, and about ten years later the degree of Ph. D. He was a frequent contributor to educational and other papers on matters pertaining to education. He was a member of the Essex County Teachers' Association, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association, the New England Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Superintendents' Association, in all of which he had performed official duties. While principal of the Salem Normal School, Dr. Beckwith gave his time and energy to the administration of the affairs of the school and the broadening of its infiuence. His success in raising the general standard of normal school work cannot be overesti- mated. Both by training and personal qualifications he was preeminently fitted for the position of a Teacher of Teachers. His personal infiuence over the students was very great and they found in him both a sympathetic friend and faithful guide. No higher tribute to the character and efficiency of his work can be offered than that paid by the many successful graduates of the school who continually turned to their alma mam' and to Doctor Beckwith, personally, for inspiration and up-to-date information concerning improved methods and advanced ideas. He was especially successful in keeping the interest of the alumni of the school alive and through his efforts the semi-centennial celebration of 1904 was most satisfactory and complete. He compiled a catalogue of all persons connected with the school since its founding in 1854, a work requiring long and persistent effort. A memorial service was held in the hall of the Normal School building in Salem, Saturday, December 9, 1905. Mr. Martin, secretary of the State Board of Education presided and William W. McClench, Esq., of Springfield, Mass, delivered the memorial address. A committee has been appointed to procure contributions for the establishment of a 7