University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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Sketch of School Life at the Normal 1’he history of the school itself began with the election of the faculty. After the selection of the president, towards the close of May. 1905, the board of education, from a great number of applicants chose a faculty. It included the following: President, A. (). Thomas; Higher Mathematics, M. R. Snodgrass; Psychology and Pedagogy, W. A. Clark ; Preceptress, Mrs. Eva J. Case; History, C. N. Anderson; Biological Sciences, R. Allen: Physical Sciences, Chas. W. Philpott; Latin Language and Literature, Gertrude Gardner; German Language and Litera- ture, Alma Music; English Grammar, Edith Robbins; Geography, Agriculture and Manual Training, A. J. Mercer; Civics, School Law and Arithmetic, O. W. Neale; Reading, Elocution, Physical Culture, Grace Hamer; Music, Mrs. H. C. Richmond; Art, Marion Smith; Principal of Commercial Department, C. A. Murch; Supterintendent Training Department, Etta Brown; assistant in English, Miss Crawford; Inter- mediate Critic Teacher. Katherine Hicks; Primary Critic Teacher, Grace Greves; Special Assistant, W. N. Crichton; Librarian, Anna V. Jennings; Registrar and Secretary. Sarah L. Garrett. By June 15 most of the instructors had finished up their regular year’s work in their old positions and had arrived in Kearney ready for the summer school work. The next few days were largely taken up in finding temporary and permanent homes for the instructors. Several entertaining pages might be written on this topic. On Saturday afternoon, June 17. occurred the first faculty meeting. In a brief inaugural President Thomas explained his plans in gen- eral and asked for the hearty cooperation of his teachers, and spoke of the future when things would be realized that could only be promised then. The school opened in the high school building on Monday, June 19. Lena Tyler, ’07. was the first student to register and before the close of the first day seventy-one others had done likewise. By 'Tuesday night there were eighty five and by Friday night, ninety-six. This was considered excellent by those who knew all the conditions, and it surpassed expectations, because the time had been so short that there was scarcely any ad- vertising worthy the name. The instructors had a good deal of sport over their bids for classes and students. One had one class of two students, and another a class of one. Another instructor had two classes of one each. Of course they had some other classes besides these, but this indicated a scarcity. 'Things are different now. At the second faculty meeting, June 29, were appointeed the various committees, which still exist. There was much speech making during the rains and the heat of this memorable first session. Before July 9, Messrs. McBrien, Delzell, Bishop and Richmond had visited the school and talked. On July 12 and 13, President Thomas exhibited the faculty for the edification and amusement of the students. Each had to make a speech, tell a story, or sing a song. Imagine! On July 14 the board of education held its meeting in Kearney. Speeches were made by Messrs. Gregg, Childs, Majors, McBrien, Del- zell and Crabtree. That evening the first public reception was given at the dormitory. Dr. Ludden, who had arrived too late for chapel, was called on for a speech and told his famous “clock story.” School closed on July 2 7. Pictures were taken of the school and the “funny faculty” picture now hangfing in the office dates from that day. In the meantime, work on the Normal building was being pushed to the full capacity of the working force. However, it was far from finished on Wedenesday, September 20, when the fall term opened. While the registration was going on the Normal furniture arrived—great quantities of desks, teachers' chairs, recitation seats, recitation chairs, camp chairs, etc., etc. 'There seemed no end to them. Professors Allen, Anderson and Mercer were detailed to tend to them. By means of a pulley at the south end of the building they hoisted this stuff by hand to the second and third floors and unpacked it. Some of the new students wandering about the rooms wondered how many janitors they had in connection with this school. School was begun in the high school building, but on Monday of the next week it was moved to the Normal building amid the juie and cement, carpenters and masons. 'The workmen interfered with the classes, the classes in passing, interfered with the workmen. The noise

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Laying of the Cornerstone Lydia Salgren. The laying of the corner stone of the State Normal school occurred October 18, 1904, under the auspices of the Nebraska Grand Lodge, A. F. A. M. A severe rain storm interfered with the ceremonies, but hundreds of men. women and children braved the elements to witness this auspicious event, which was to mean so much to future generations in western Nebraska. Neither the roll of thunder nor the tattoo of falling hail could dampen the enthusiasm of this memorable gathering. Grand Master C. K. Burnham had charge of the ceremonies and his voice rang clear and strong amid the disturbance of the elements and it seemed to lend additional impressiveness to the ceremonies, by reason of the stormy setting, bringing to mind that perhaps many a storm would have to be braved by the founders of the institution before they would be permitted to see the full fruition of their cherished hopes. The grand officers who participated were Charles K. Burnham, G. M.; F. j. Switz, D. G. M.j H. A. Cheney, G. S. W.; L. H. Blackledge. G. J. V.; J. L). Hawthorne, G. T.; G. E. Haase, G. M.; A he Newcomb, G. S. W.; C. W. Gibbs, G. J. W.; Geo. C. Ray, G. S. B.; P. T. Lambert. G. T.; Rev. A. Lemkau, Puisant; S. J. Fair. A. H. Morris, G. W. Barker and J. Wilson, stewards ; George A. Beecher, G. C.; and Norris Brown, orator of the day. In the box which was imbedded in the corner stone was placed the following articles: Proceedings of the grand lodge of Nebraska for the year 1904; proceedings of the grand council of Nebraska for 1903 and 1904: proceedings of the Grand Commnndery of Nebraska for 1903 and 1904 : copy of the laws of Free Masonry for Nebraska; election of 1904 ; copy of the Holy Bible; directory of Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 and by-laws of the same; directory of Kearney Chapter No. 23, R. A. M.; directory of Ht. Hebron Commandery No. 12, K. I'.; directory of Tuscan Chapter No. 35; copy of the session laws of the state for 1903; annual catalogue of the State Normal school at Peru; letterhead of the State Normal school at Peru; abstract of the proceedings of the board of education declaring Kearney the choice for the location of the new school; prospectus of the Peru summer school, S. N., 1904; copy of the invitation sent out by the state board of education; proposal of the citizens of Kearney to the state board; views of Kearney; list of subscribers to the subsidy fund for location of school; copies of the Daily Hub, Kearney Democrat. New Era-Standard, Journal, Poultry and Dairy Journal. Industrial School Courier, and a roster of the city of Kearney for 1904. The inscription on the east side of the stone is as follows: “Laid by Grand Lodge, A. F. A. L, October 18, A. D, 1904, A. L. 5904, Charles E. Burnham, grand master.” The inscription on the north side is as follows: “Board of Education—R. A. Tawney, president; W. K. Fowler, secretary; Peter Mortensen, treasurer; L. P. Ludden, T. J. Majors, J. E. Delzell, C. H. Gregg. C. E. Berlinghoff, architect; Knutzen Isdell, contractors.” A mass meeting at the opera house in the evening was called to order at eight o'clock by Superintendent A. (). Thomas. The house was filled to overflowing. Seated on the stage with the members of the board were such prominent men as E. Benjamin Andrews, chancellor of the State University; Professor J. W. Crabtree, president of the Peru Normal; Hon. Moses P. Kinkaid, congressman from the Sixth district; mem- bers of the Grand Lodge of Masons, and other distinguished visitors. After special music Superintendent Thomas introduced Chancellor Andrews who made a short address of felicitation on the location of the school in the city. He reminded the people of Kearney that in the bestowal of such a school a responsibility was also involved and that on the citizens of Kearney rested, in a great measure, the failure or success of the school. This was followed by a short address by Professor Crabtree and State Superintendent Fowler, which were followed by a vocal solo by Miss Beulah Greene. The address of the evening was made by Hon. Norris Brown. In part Mr. Brown said: “My friends, you people look mighty good to me. This has been one of the best days of my life. One hundred and thirty-five years ago today it rained. On that memorable day the municipality of Peru was incorporated. Ever since then the Normal school spirit has been rampant.” Following along practical lines in a twenty minute speech, the speaker declared that education was the supreme test of civilization and that with it there is advancement in all things, moral, spiritual and temporal. The program for the evening was closed with a piano solo by Mrs. II. J. Hull and a vocal duet by Mesdames Stickel and Steadman.

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Sketch of School Life at the Normal (Continued) was terrific. No heat in the building, not a door swung, not a casing on, few of the floors laid, no blackboards, no library, few text books. Here certainly was a chance for patience and good feeling and it came in abundance. All laughed and joked and did their best. It was altogether a glo- rious beginning. On October 1 the first door casing was put in. Heat was soon needed, and the little oil stove was produced. I his of course was a mere hint at heat, and was generally so taken alongWith the rest of the jokes. By November 1 two traction engines had coupled on to the heat pipes, and then things went fine until the heating plant was finished. By this date, too, one stairway was completed. Before this it had been a rather rickety climb from one floor to another. But from this time on the school grew constantly and in all directions, and the obstacles that at first had scented so ominous, one by one began to vanish. Teachers began to hear classes twice in the same place. Students were permitted to pass from one room to another without carrying chairs with them. Enough text books were accumulated to go around by those in the same family, or same immediate neighborhood, doubling up. In time—a long, long time, it seemed, blackboards actually appeared. 1 hen tilings did boom; but for some time a search warrant was necessary in order to find chalk and erasers. Soon Miss Jennings began to direct students to a few j straggling books on the library shelves, and an occasional whiff from Professor Sutton's door indicated that the students in there, too, were getting a taste of real life. On Tuesday, December 19, a special Christmas program was given in chapel. Miss Caldwell told a Christmas story and Mrs. Richmond sang a Christmas song. The board of education expected to be present the next day and a special program was announced. On December 20, j which was the last day before the holiday vacation, the students assembled in chapel early and school spirit broke out in real earnest for the first time in the history of the school. Volley on volley of class yells rolled up from various parts of the room and numerous pennants were waved. It was a great exhibition for fifteen or twenty minutes. The full board did not get in in time to see it, but Messrs, (iregg and Childs did, and both made speeches. May 18, 1906, was Senior day. The class marched into chapel preceded by President Thomas and Dr. Clark, all attired in caps and gowns. he room had been decorated in their class colors. It was quite an impressive sight, and indicated that the Normal had begun to form its own traditions. On the evening of May 28, a public reception was given in the chapel. Speeches were made by Messrs. Delzell. Slercer, Ludden, Me-1 Brien, Majors, John Dryden and Governor Mickey. The students and faculty presented President and Mrs. Thomas with two beautiful chairs for their new home which was then building. Summer school opened June 6. Students fairly poured in and they all wanted to take the five essentials. I he instructors in these lines were almost buried alive, but they all lived through it. There were many visitors from various parts of the state, including many prominent educators. 'The school was enlivened by a number of special county days and some good programs were rendered. Superintendent Abbott gave his illustrated lecture on “The Philippines” and the Slayton Jubilee Singers entertained the students one evening. Altogether it was a great nine weeks’ work. The year 1906-07 started off quietly with a large attendance and “business” written on every feature of the work. The school organization seemed to be complete, a school tradition established, student organization aroused to the opportunities. Everything has seemed to move with the swing of an old school ever since, no grand stand plays, but good, solid, earnest work toward a definite goal. “Catch step” is the word to the new students and it is remarkable how soon they get into line. In this year President Thomas began the professional faculty meetings, which are calculated to kee] not only done th On Febru fcssional faculty They were given ing. strictly “pre evenings for face something is alw The Non and C. A. Fulme ing statements to work. It not on Fulmer, Superini 'The sumo taught a number Sheldon and wife many students ha President Thoms The first: During the vacai beautifully tintec Valuable additiui decorations. Th Professor Murch left as their mem already in the tre west. All are ke prophesy.