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

Page 27 text:

Dormitory Events Ernest Danly. i ne of the more important features of the history of our school is a brief outline of life at the dormitory. It is important, more especially to the boys of the school, for various reasons. With the first plans of the school came plans for a dormitory in connection, and as a result we have thl large, pleasant looking building known as “Green Terrace. It is three stories high and is constructed toward the south, facing the school building and at a distance of about a block. The rooms are large and well furnished. The building is heated by steam, lighted by electricity and contains numerous bathrooms, conveniently located. One of the features of the dormitory is its large reception room on the first floor in the center of the building. The bay windows and beautiful stair cases at either end of the room, the post seats and cozy corner, the delicately tinted walls, the rich carpet and substantial mission furniture attract us as we enter. Ever since the dormitory has been open to applicants for rooms it has been filled with charming young ladies. With the beginning of school, Mrs. Eva Case acted as preceptress. By her many deeds of motherly kindness and her noble womanly traits she commanded the love and admiration of all with whom she came in contact. She sought to make those about her happy and in time ol trouble none was more ready to help. As is often the case with those who are always seeking the welfare of others, illness fastened its grip on her life. Immediately the many in whose hearts she had won a place, offered their assistance. After a prolonged illness at the dormitory and at the home of President Thomas, during which time all possible aid was given her, it was thought best to remove her to a hospital. Accordingly she was taken to the Presbyterian hospital at Omaha, where death overcame her. During the time of the more serious illness of Mrs. Case. Miss Anna Caldwell was assigned the duties of preceptress at the dormitory, which position she still retains. By Iter ways she commands the respect of all her girls and maintains the good name of the dormitory. Frequent entertainments and social evenings are given to the public by the girls at the dormitory. These evenings are always thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend. Many other noteworthy events have occurred at this place. The first entertainment of any sort in the history of the school was held in the dormitory. It was a public introduction of the Normal faculty to the people of Kearney. It occurred on Friday evening, July 14, 1905. The receiving line numbered thirty-eight and included members of the faculty and of the board of education. Eight refreshments were served in the dining room. This was the first formal opportunity for the Kearney people to sec what had become of some of their money so generously given in connection with this building and they came in great numbers to inspect. They seemed to be well satisfied with what they saw. With the beginning of school in the next fall part of the enrollment took place at the dormitory. The reception room was used for this purpose and it made a very suitable place when means were so limited. Shortly after this occurred the first V. W, reception to the students of the school. As the students and teachers entered they were given a slip of paper on which was the statement, “I am (give your name,) and the question. “Who are you? With these pinned on our clothes acquaintance with strangers was easily made. Refreshments were served and games played, thus making a delightful evening. 'The next event at the dormitory was a Hallowe’en party. Upon this occasion nearly all the lights were turned off. Jack-’o-lanterns were quite numerous. A small admission was charged at the door, the money thus taken in going for curtains and other needed articles for the dormitory. After entering, the people were escorted about the building, upstairs and down, and through dark chambers and balls, amid a chorus of moans and various other weird sounds. Hideous, mysterious ghosts were on every hand. Our reception was warm, to say the least. We traveled from chamber to chamber, each more terrible than the last, from the home of the Gipsy fortune tellers, to the climax of the weird and ghastly, “the chamber of horrors.” On a couch, among the bones of many animals, lay the remains of the departed, pale and ghastly. About her moved the hideous troop of mourners of every description. It was enough to make one’s hair rise

Page 26 text:

( ne t to the boys o have t hr lar£ school buildi electricity an iloor in the c delicately tir applicants ft) With traits she cot trouble none her life. Im the home of she was taker utui C'aldwc all her girls i Fretju enjoyed by a x hool was he July 14, 190' were served i generously gi xiw. With i purpose and i school. As t question, ‘‘W sanies played lights were tu curtains and through dark reception was 1 «utuue teller.4 «4 the depart

Page 28 text:

Dormitory Events (Concluded) and his blood run cold. But one daring youth, to test the reality of the situation and to ascertain if he were still in the land of the living, pinched a protruding toe of the unsuspecting corpse. A blood curdling veil was emitted and the show came near breaking up in consternation on the spot. A general sociable time followed and closed the program of the evening. For several weeks in the fall of 1905 the literary society held its meetings in the reception room and it was a matter of some comment that a large number of boys were always present to hear the program. One evening, just in the midst of the study time, the cry of fire was heard, and it was soon learned that an oil stove had exploded in one of the rooms and that there was a real fire in the dormitory. After turning in an alarm, the young ladies were organized into a fire department and did great work before the city company arrived. The fire was soon extinguished and little real damage done. In the spring of 1906 occurred the reception given by the juniors to the seniors. I he two classes gathered in the dormitory reception room and then descended to the beautifully decorated dining hall. A feast was served, a toast program rendered, and an- other enjoyable event was added to the history of both classes in connection with the dormitory. At the same place, about a year later, the juniors of the class of 508 entertained the seniors. After listening to a play given by the juniors in the Normal chapel the two classes with their advisers. President Thomas and a few others, repaired to the dining hall. The hall was elaborately decorated in red, white and green, a combi- nation of the colors of the two classes. A delicate menu was served and a sparkling toast program rendered. Miss Hattie Roberts acted as toast mistress and the following responded: 1 oseph LaughUn, ‘The Class We Honor; Prof- Anderson, Pacts and Figmes , Helen Kay, “Looking Backward;” Roscoe James, “Mere ManFay Hitchcock, “What Next;” Dr. Thomas, “The Touch of Civilization.” During the third year of school, up to the present time, there has been one social event at the dormitory, known as the Yrotimrod, L pon this occasion chairs were placed in a semicircle facing the north, in the beautifully decorated reception room. It was a surprise to the public to discover so many colored people among the dormitory girls. An interesting entertainment was given, followed by a recess and a concert. Refreshments were served at either end of the reception room in adjoining rooms and there was a candy stand in both ends of the room. I lie event was very much enjoyed by all who attended. While the events recounted do not include all of note that have occurred at the dormitory, they are enough to prove that it has become a great institution in the life of the student body of this school.