St. Clair County, Illinois - Chapter 24, 1928

The Philosophian Society

fficKENDREE College had completed nearly ten ye.irs of history as an educational institution before there was any attempt to organize a literary society. But early m January, i8j7, a public invitation was issued to the students, or to as many of them as were interested in the organization of a debating society, to meet in Professor Merrill's room on the evening of January lo. This room was in the old frame building long since gone. When the stated time arrived, there were just seven young men present. The catalogue of that year shows that there were seventy-three students enrolled. Twentytwo were college students and fifty-one in the Preparatory Department; and all were eligible to join the society, but thru indifference or ignorance, or some other cause, the others did not appear. These seven were less than ten per cent of the student body. They cer, tainly deserve to have their names inscribed on the honor roll as the pioneers in the field of literary and forensic work. So far as we have been able to learn, up to this time there was no such organization in the Mississippi Valley. But many a great movement has had as humble a beginning. The names of these seven men were Asahel Brown, Samuel K. Casey, Jeremiah Johnson, Harvey C. Lasley, Elihu Mc- Kendree Peters, Johnson Pierson, and Joseph Harris Tam. But when it became evident that only seven were to be present, they proceeded, nevertheless, to carry out the announced purpose of the meeting. J. H. Tam was made temporary chairman and Johnson Pierson, secretary. A committee was appointed, consisting of Pierson, Lasley, and Casey, to draft a constitution and report at the next meeting, January 17. The matter of a name for the new organization was discussed, and among those proposed, the name "Philomathian" was favored by the majority. It was agreed, however, to consult Professor Sunderland, in whose judgment the students had the highest confidence. When informed that the name Philomathian had been provisionally chosen, the Professor said, "Young men, let me exhort you to be

'Lovers of Wisdom' rather than mere 'Lovers of Learning.' I suggest that you adopt the name 'Philosophian' rather than 'Philomathian'." The boys readily accepted his suggestion and the constitution which was adopted provided, among other things, "that this society be known as the Philosophian Society of McKendree College." Professor Sunderland was a Iso consulted about the motto, and he suggested the motto of the one to which he had belonged at the Wesleyan L'niversity, at Middletown, Connecticut, and where he had but recently graduated. And so "Detur Digniori," signifying "Let It be given to the more worthy," became the motto of Philo. In after years John Lupton, who was for years Lebanon's well known photographer and portrait painter, painted this motto on a large canvas which was placed in a dignified frame and hung on the walls of Philo hall for years. On the occasions of the annual exhibitions, it was moved over to the chapel and hung over the stage while the program was being rendered. In recent years, through the influence of Timothy I. McKnight, a new motto was painted which also gives the date of the founding of the organization. The object of the society, as stated in the original constitution, was "the mutual improvement of its members m oratorical attainments and in scientific and literary pursuits."

By the end of the first year of the society's existence, there were thirty-one members. It seems appropriate here to give their names as found m an old Philo catalogue published in 1850. The original seven are marked with a *.

Jos. H. Tam

The post office addresses given above are the ones they had in 1850, rather than when they entered college. The constitution provided that all members of the college faculty should be ex-officio honorary members. And in addition to these, they occasionally elected some prominent man who would be considered an honor to their membership roll. Among those chosen before 1850 were Rev. John Mason Peck, the great pioneer of the Illinois Baptists, and founder of Rock Springs Seminary, and Hon. Lyman Trumbull, who was afterward a member of the United States Senate. The first public exhibition of the society was held September 4, i8j8. It was a tedious program of argumentation. There were eight questions for debate, one of which was a discussion of the United States banking system. The tedium was reheved only by one odd number entitled, "A Lecture on Phrenology." It was supposed to be delivered by Dr. Bump Monger, President of the Phrenological Academy of Kamchatka. This important personage was represented by Jeremiah Johnson, afterward a member of the first graduating class. The learned lecturer was followed by Cuff and Jumbo, who were slated to hold a colloquy on the subject of Phrenology. On this program appeared the names of William T. Lucky, who afterward became the founder of at least two colleges in the west. And Jesse Haile Moore, afterwards a general in the Civil War, a minister, a college president, a member of Congress, and finally Consul-general to Peru. For several years the Society held its meeting in a recitation room in the old building, but after the erection of the present building known as "Old Main," which was begun in 1850, the societies were given quarters in the new building. There were two of them at that time, the Platonian Society having been organized m 1849. I''' ^854 '^he Philo Society moved into its new quarters, which at that time included only the south half of the present hall. That much space was ample at that time to accommodate the Society. But by 1856 it became evident that more room was necessary, and so the partition was removed and the Philo Hall acquired its present proportions. In 1847, Silas L. Bryan, afterwards a Circuit Judge m Illinois, was secretary of the Society. Sixty-two years later, m 190Q, his son, William Jennings Bryan, was elected to honorary membership in Philo. This occurred at a banquet held m honor of Silas LiUard Bryan, at which Hon. William E. Trautmann presided as toastmaster, and William Jennings Bryan was present and spoke to the toast "Faith." The history of Philo furnishes many examples of how faith may be transformed into works. Of the seven founders, there should be special mention. Two of them, Jeremiah Johnson and Johnson Pierson, later became grad' uates of McKendree as members of the class of 1S41. Biog' raphies of them appear in that connection. Asahel Brown entered the Methodist ministry, and was for a time a meiiT ber of the Illinois Conference. He afterward transferred to the Missouri Conference and gave his later life to the building up of the newer country west of Illinois. The town of Brownsville, Missouri was named after him. Samuel K. Casey was the son of Zadoc and Rachel Casey, born in Tennessee in 1817. His father came to Illinois soon after that time and was a prominent lawyer and judge, having served one term as Lieutenant-governor of Illinois. Samuel K. left McKendree before finishing his course, studied law, served as County Judge in Franklin County for a number of years, was receiver of public moneys at Shawneetown for a period, and was for five years warden of the Sfcite Penitentiary at Joliet. During this period he superintended the erection of a new state prison building which was accomplished in a manner demonstrating his fidelity to a public trust. In 1S6S he was elected

Harvey C. Lasley was the only one of the seven founders who was in the Preparatory rather than the College Department. His home was in Galliopolis, Ohio when he came to college and he died at that place some time before 1850.

Elihu McKendree Peters was born in Virginia in 181 1. He came to Greene County, Illinois in an early day. He entered McKendree in 1836 and in 1837 became the first president of Philo under the constitution. He did not finish his college course, but after leaving school he engaged in farming and was also a local preacher in the Methodist Church. He was married in 1841, to Miss Ann Condell at Carrollton, 111. His death occurred at White Hall, Illinois, in 1849, when he was still under forty years of age.

of Philo, from Logansport, low.i. He did not finish his college course, but after he left McKendree, he went to New Orleans and later enlisted in the Texas Rangers serving in the Mexican War. After the close of the war, he returned to Illinois and married Miss Sarah Glassford, of Monticello. In 1848 he went to California, and settled in Amador County in 1849. He remained there several years and engaged m mining with a good degree of success. In 1852 he moved with his family to San Joaquin County, where he was one of the earliest settlers at the town of Woodbridge. He acquired a large area of land in that vicinity. He had the first orchard m the later famous San Joaquin Valley. He was the father of four sons and two daughters. Those surviving him are: Mrs. J. A. Stewart, of Stockton, California; Mrs. Agusta E. Richards, San Jose, California; and one son, the Hon. J. H. Tarn, of San Francisco. The elder Tam died at Woodbridge, California, in 1867.

The work of the Society now includes readings, essays, orations, extemporaneous speaking, parliamentary drill, and debate. It also affords opportunity for practice in acquiring self possession in difficult situations, thinking while on your feet, and the ability to exercise sound critical judgment in literary and forensic matters. In the years past, the literary societies hive been largely of the n.iture of fniternities, as well as literary forums. Some students have valued the experiences of the society hall more highly than those of the class room. The "society spirit" was an influence far more evident in the old days than at present. At times, it ran so high as to cause a dangerous rivalry between the two mens' societies. Sometimes there were serious clashes between the organizations, not only of words and feelings, but sometimes of physical force that might result in actual bruises and bloodshed. But these conflicts are soon forgotten after stU' dents get out into the world. The reasons that seemed abundantly sufficient to justify extreme conduct on the part of the student, seem very small indeed to the man of the world. The fraternal spirit often caused the boys to prolong their session until far into the night, and sometimes the order of exercises would entirely lose its literary character and be come chiefly social. In the days when the buildings were heated with stoves, and of course there was a stove in each society hall, the drawers under the book cases in Philo always contained some cooking utensils. Sometimes after the program was over on a winter night, a committee might be appointed to visit some convenient hen-house and procure a chicken to form the basis of an informal banquet; which, if it did not promote the primary purpose of the organization, at least had a strong tendency to arouse good fellowship, which was likely to be cherished in the years to come.

The first few weeks of each school year were marked by strenuous efforts to secure new members, on the part of both societies. They used every possible argument and device to influence the new men to make the right choice and not ruin their college life by joining the wrong society. The first few meetings of the year were specially interesting, when the literary program was over, and taking up the business session, the president called for propositions for membership. The formal proposal of the name of some new student was often written out at great length and in extravagant terms praised the good qualities of the individual and dwelt upon his capacity to bring glory to the society in the years to come. Then after a motion was duly made to receive the candidate into the membership of the society, there was a tremendous affirmative vote. No one thought of voting in the negative, and the object of the loud affirmative was to advertise the fact to their opponents across the hall that they had received a new member. So the doors and windows were opened, various noise making devices were employed, voices were keyed to their fullest capacity, and such a volume of noise would smite the quiet evening atmosphere as was well calculated to awake the dead. But if it did not actually produce that effect, it did awake the members of the other society to the fact that some unsophisticated freshman had been inviegjed into joining the opposite society, and therefore, in their estimation, had ruined his chances of success in life forever.

In the period of the eighties and nineties, it was customary about once a term to hold a college social in the two society halls. In those days there were two doors in each hall, just opposite the two in the other. With these all thrown open. It was a fine place to play the social games that were common in those days. After several hours of social enjoyment, in which the boys and girls associated freely with each other without violating any of the ordinary rules of propriety, at 10:3,0, the president or vicepresident of the college would GEORGE W. SMITH ""''^^ ^ ^^^ general remarks to adjourn. This suggestion was promptly and cheerfully obeyed and the boys and girls went to their boarding houses feeling that they had been receiving a kind of training that was both pleasant and useful, tho not found in the printed curriculum. The coming of the dormitories with many students living on the hill, and the wider interest in athletics and various other college activities, have conspired together to change these conditions of the former years. CksUege students probably enjoy social contacts as much as ever, but the forms and methods of these change as the years go by.

For many years there hung on the west wall of Philo Hall a painting by John Lupton which represented a pioneer scene, showing two Indians in the primeval forest with their wea' pons prepared either for a hunt or warfare against their enemies. One of the favorite jokes to play on a new member of the society was to show him this picture and tell him to find three Indians in it. There were the two in plain sight, and he would usually search long and diligently for the third. But no one was ever able to find a third. After he had finally given up the search and acknowledged his failure, he was told that the third Indian was behind one of the big trees and therefore out of sight. Of course he would keep the whereabouts of the third Indian a profound secret in order that he might enjoy seeing the next new member fooled as he had been.

At the same time with these pleasurable activities, much serious work was undertaken by the Philos. They were required to pay fees and dues, and sometimes fines. Most of them spent many hours in preparation for assigned tasks, the performance of which was a splendid means of developing certain talents, and preparing the student to meet cert;nn obligations that are likely to come in later life Philo feels especially proud of her record in certain lines. It is claimed that there have been only two sessions of the Illinois Legislature since 1849 without one or more Philos in their membership. The society has been continuously represented on the Circuit Bench of Illinois since 1857. The present Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Judge William M. Farmer, is a Philo. Only two sessions of Congress since the

The Philos are also proud of their record m the matter of the Bryan Essay Contest. This was a prize established by William J. Bryan, to be given annually for the best essay on some question of government. It was first offered in i8q8, JUDGE WILLIAM A. FARMER ^nj ^.,5 ^on by a Philo m the One ot Philo's Honored Members ' , ^ ,,

The Brown Oratorical Contest was established by Mr. Charles W. Brown, of Chicago, and was maintained by him during the years 1902 to 1910. The first prize m this contest was awarded to Philos as follows; 1902 John W. Borah 1907 Russel E. Townsend

In the old days, the semi-annual exhibitions were great occasions. Before the days of the picture show and cheap vaudeville, the college chapel was crowded to the doors and the gallery full of people anxious to hear what the budding orators had to present. We reproduce some of the Philo programs as they were actually given.

There was always a vigorous rivalry as to which of the three societies presented the best exhibition. Of course the decision was usually a matter of individual opinion, and that was usually colored by personal preference and traditional associations. For a long time it was a common custom for the friends and admirers of the performers to send them cards, by the ushers, containing written congratulations and compliments on the excellence of their performance. These cards were treasured by some, to look over in after years as pleasant reminders of the successful achievements of college days. In the early history of Philo, and this was true of both the men's societies, the exercises consisted chiefly of debates and orations. Later, essays and extemporaneous speeches were introduced. Still later came music and parliamentary drill. These changes usually occurred in both organizations about the same time. They both bought pianos, each without the other's knowledge, so near the same time that when one of them was delivered, boys from both societies helped to carry it upstairs, each thinking it belonged to his society.

The Philo boys tike special interest m tlie exercise known as parliamentary drill. Skill m this exercise involves a good knowledge of Roberts' Rules of Order, and a keenly analytic mind to enable one, on the spur of the moment, to determine the proper application of the rules to a given case. When Philos graduate from college they are presented with a form of diploma from the society, which certifies that they are sufficiently acquainted with parliamentary law to be com' petent to preside over assemblies. In 1850 a catalogue of Philo was pubhshed, giving a brief account of the organization in 1837 and the names of those who had been members of It up to that date. None of those mentioned m that list are now living. Along m the nineties of the nineteenth century, a roster of the entire membership was prepared, though it was not printed, but left m neatly written form to be useful to the future historian. This piece of work was done by John L. Hobbs, who was appointed to the task by the Society, because of his skill in penmanship. Mr. Hobbs afterward became a physician, and after many years of successful practice, he retired from professional work and is now living in Los Angeles, California. Later a history of the Society was compiled by Paul and Chester Farthing, brothers who graduated in the class of 1909. This was published m 191 1 and contains a complete roster of the membership up to that time. A form of activity which has been greatly enjoyed by many of the members and friends for a dozen years community Chautauqua, which has been so common in the middle west in recent years. A program is prepared, con' sisting of SIX numbers to represent the six days of the usual Chautauqua, including a performance for each night of Chautauqua week. Each performance represents a f;ike lecturer with a long name, or a pseudo concert troupe in fantastic costume and improvised instruments, or the impersonation of some fiimous magician with a bit of magic which the audience can easily see through. Even a "sermon" of a sort of vaudeville type is provided for the Sunday night at Chautauqua. The platform manager gets off jokes on various people in the audience, frequent telegrams are received and read from the platform. Even the faculty come in for their share of jokes, and the audience is kept in a roar of laughter for the most of the evening. Printed tickets are issued by way of invitation to the chautauqua and there is always a crowded house.

The Platonian Society

THE PLATONIAN SOCIETY The Platonian Literary Society dates its origin from 1849, though there is a question in the minds of some as to whether or not an older organization was merged into Plato at that time. There was evidently an organization of some kind besides Philo, as early as 1847. The McKendree catalogues of 1S47 and 1848 contain the statement, '"The Philosophian Society and McKendree College Lyceum offer every facility for improvement in discussion and general literature." Th.it of 1849 has almost the same statement, with "The Platonian Society" substituted for "McKendree Lyceum," also the clause inserted, "with well furnished rooms and growing libraries." Professor W. F. Thrall, of the University of North Carolina, who is.a member of the Platonian Society, has investigated this point of history carefully and secured the testimony of several of the men who were students of Mc- Kendree in that period and original members of Plato

M'Kendree College Master Of Literatvrk

After a careful reading of the results of his investigation, we are inclined to the opinion that there was an organization known as the McKendree Lyceum during the two years preceding the founding of Plato. Whether it was a mere debating club or a regular literary society, we have no means of knowing after so great a lapse of time, with no member of the Lyceum now living and no records of the organization itself still in existence. However, the most reasonable hypothesis seems to be that the Lyceum was disbanded and ceased to exist some time between the date of the publication of the catalogue of 1848 and April 1849. Still the question of what may have preceded the Platonian Society is not one of great importance in a work of this kind. We will leave that to the specialist and attempt to record as carefully as possible the outline at least of the actual and unquestioned records, leaving to the specialist the determination of hypothetical questions which are more or less clouded by the conflicting memories of those who try to recall the deeds of long ago.

Some of the facts concerning the founding and early history of the Platonian Society have been furnished by Mr. Thomas O. Springer, deceased, who was its first president, and Judge Thomas Casey, who was also one of the sixteen founders. The date of organization is April 20, 1849. ^ committee was appointed to ask President Wentworth for the use of a room in the college building, which request was readily granted. A committee consisting of C. W. Jerome, T. O. Springer, and T. S. Casey, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and to select a name and motto for the new organization. The motto selected w:is "Via Sapentiae," signifying "Way of wisdom." The first officers elected were as follows; President, Thomas O. Springer; Vice-president, William Schwartz; Recording Secretary, Thomas S. Casey; Corresponding Secretary, Charles W. Jerome; Treasurer, Isaac B. Jack. Judge Casey tells how the furniture was secured to make the original meeting place attractive. "There we were in that bleak and desolate room.

Three Founders Of Plato

The dust of generations was on its walls, three or four tallow candles in wooden holders adorned the walls, a two dollar table was in front of the president, and a like piece of furniture before the secretary, while wooden and back' less benches were around against the walls. The above, along with a paper bound ledger costing forty cents, and a few sheets of foolscap, constituted our furniture and property. We had about thirty dollars in the treasury. From the small amount we were each allowed as spending money, contributions were freely made to the good cause and we soon increased our capital to fifty-five dollars and seventy-five cents. With this amount we sent Jerome to St. Louis. Our confidence in his taste was unbounded. In those days it took one day to make the trip to St. Louis, one to do the shopping, and one for the return journey, so that in three days he was back again, and very soon thereafter we had paper on the walls, twenty chairs, and what seemed more than all, a carpet on the floor. That was a luxury the Philos did not have. Before the end of May the carpet was down, the old benches removed, new chairs in their places, new paper on the walls and the ceiling freshly whitewashed. Tin candlesticks had taken the place of the old wooden ones. We were in this happy condition when it was determined to have a library. Again we became beggars. We wrote home, we importuned publishing houses, we elected a number of prominent gentlemen honorary members and politely and delicately informed them of the honor that had been bestowed upon them and suggested that any spare books they might have would be gratefully received. By commencement we had laid the foundations of a library. During the summer we gathered books for the library, and were all early on the ground m the tall to induce the new students to join Plato. With us this was a critical time. Each Plato became a politician in a small way. There was no noise made, but by sunlight and by starlight the work went on. In a few weeks we had gathered in most of the new students. From that time the success of our society was assured." The names of the sixteen founders are here given : Charles W. Jerome St. Louis

Nine of this number pursued their course to graduation and sketches of them will be found in connection with the other members of their respective classes. Of the others we will give brief sketches here. David W. Bryant was born November i8, 183 1, in Jefferson County, Missouri. He received his education in the common schools and McKendree College. On leaving college he engaged in farming in Monroe County until 1862, when he enlisted in the Eightieth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for a while as First Lieutenant, then as Captain of Company B, and later as Major of his regiment. After the war he again engaged in farming and trading in land, in which his success was such that he felt able to retire in 1886. Attci that time his residence was in Pevely, Missouri. He spent much of his time in his later years in travel.

entered McKendree m 1.S48. He continued m college for three years, .ifter which he taught school in Columbia, Illinois. In i8';4 he was married to Miss Lucinda Eckert and removing to Lebanon, he engaged in the clothing business during the years 1855 and 1856. He died at Lebanon, Illinois, May II, 1857, and is buried in College Hill Cemetery. Judge Casey said of him: "William Chance was a bright and inteUigent young man. He was delicate in health, but always ready to perform any duty assigned to him."

Isaac B. Jack was born m Maury County, Tennessee, July 26, 1824. He came to Illinois in 1832 and was engaged in farming at the outbreak of the Mexican War. He entered the army and served as Lieutenant till the end of the war. He then entered McKendree, tho did not stay to finish a college course. He then taught school for a while and was later elected Sheriff of Washington County. He had an interest in the local paper of his home town, the Nashville Democrat. He lived a consistent Christian life until his death in 1852. One of his college friends said of him: "Isaac B. Jack was a jolly good natured fellow, well met with all who believed in taking the world easy. He was strong mentally and physically. He was a true friend, unpretentious, thoroughly good, honest and always reliable."

Michael Mummert was born December 18, 1826, in Germany, and came to America with his parents in 183,6, settling in Monroe County, Illinois. He worked on a farm until the beginning of the Mexican War, when he enlisted m the company commanded by William R. Morrison, who afterward became Colonel Morrison. After serving one year he came home, having been wounded at the battle of Buena Vista. He then went to McKendree for two years. While himself a student, he taught German classes in McKendree, and was thus the first German teacher in the college. Later he read law under Thomas Quick, of Waterloo, for two years and then he went to Cincinnati and studied law for a time in the office of Salmon P. Chase, who afterward became Chief Justice of the US. Supreme Court. He then returned to Waterloo and practiced law until 1854, when he died after a brief illness.

Feb. 7, 1826. He attended his home school and then entered McKendree, where he helped to found the Platonian Society in 1849, but he did not stay in school long after that. He was married to Miss Sarah Kimmel in September, 1850, and some time after located on a farm near Elk Prairie, where he spent the remainder of his life. He spent several years as a teacher in the public schools. Later he was a trustee of the Southern Normal at Carbondale. He also held the office of Justice of the Peace and School Treasurer. He was a Republican in politics and was elected to the Illinois Legislature in 1870. He was an influential member of that body, and was active m securing the establishment of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission. He was an active Christian and church worker. He died September 22, 1871, at his home near Elkville. He was survived by three children, Mrs. Hays, of Elkville, and George and William A. Schwartz, of Carbondale.

William McKendree Springer was born in Madison County, Illinois, August 31, 1828. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood and in 1848 entered McKendree. At the end of the school year closing in 1849, he left school, not to return because of failing health. In 1850, he went overland to California, but in the summer of 1851 he returned and resumed the business of farming. However, he soon left the farm and engaged in running a saw mill. In 1875 he left the saw mill, moved to Edwardsville, and engaged in selling hardware and farm machinery. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Church. For many years he served as Sunday School Superintendent. He was a member of the Masonic Order and of the Knights of Honor. In 1881 he started to Colorado for the improvement of his health. At Lawrence, Kansas, where he stopped to visit his sister, he was taken sick and died

A Plato Exhibition

Wilham Kinney Thomas was born in Ridge Prairie, May 8, 1829. His boyhood was spent on the farm where he got what education the district school afforded. He entered Mc- Kendree in 1847, but left in i8';o to go to the gold fields of California. In 1855 he returned to Illinois and the next year was married to Miss Mary E. Simpson. None of their five children grew to maturity. In the spring of 1866 he and his little son started for Montana and were both killed by the Indians at the Yellowstone River. A PLATO EXHIBITION (From the McKendree Repository, December, 1870)

The gentlemen of the Platonian Society gave their quarterly exhibition to an audience that nearly filled the College Chapel, Tuesday evening, the 20th inst. After the usual opening ceremonies, a declamation, "Damon and Pythias," all distinct; however, as he proceeded he gained self-possession and greatly improved his delivery. His gestures were graceful, and for the most part, appropriate, although not always "suited to the word." E. B. Waggoner followed with an oration; subject, "A Pure Character." His delivery was graceful and pleasing, and the oration itself was of high merit. "Impulse and Principle" was the theme of an oration by C. T. Moore. The speaker's tone was not quite natural at first, and the total want of gestures seemed to show a want of feeling and earnestness. D. H. Delzell chose for his subject, "Public Opinion," which he discussed in a practical manner. In speaking, he was evidently laboring under some disadvantage - perhaps a cold. The oration on "Triumphs of Intellect" by J. H. Blume, was well received and well merited the applause it obtained. The gentleman occasionally lowered his voice rather more than the size of the audience would allow. With the oration, including delivery, he has reason to be satisfied. Mr. G. W. Flint's essay, "The Spirit of Inquiry," would take a place among the best productions of the evening. However, his reading was rather indifferent. Mr. Berger showed in a clear and pleasing manner, "The Uses of Adversity." This was Mr. Berger's first appearance in public, and we congratulate him heartily upon his success. O. M. Edwards' declamation, "Parody on the Old Oaken Bucket," was well delivered and the speaker was fairly entitled to the applause he received. The "Curiosity Bag," by Lane, was not mentioned on the programme. Of its merits. It IS sufficient to say that it had one or two good points in It. Music opened and closed the programme, and followed every second speaker. It was entirely vocal and was furnished by members of the society, assisted by the ladies. With the exhibition as a whole, the audience seemed more than pleased. We would be glad if some one could devise means by which some of the "small boys" that attend these performances could be silenced. They applaud every speaker without regard for merit. Boys, hereafter, when you go among gentlemen, try to act like them whether you belong to that class or not.

It may be observed that E. B. Waggoner, mentioned in the above account without any adverse criticism, is Professor Waggoner, of Lebanon, Illinois, who has just retired at the age of seventy-five from active educational work after a full half century of service in that field. The greater portion of this long career was spent at McKendree. As far as known .it this writing, no other member of the group of entertainers on that evening nearly sixty years ago, is still alive.

site the Philo hall and the same size. The Platos have always prided themselves on the excellent equipment of their hall. They have it furnished in good taste with high grade furniture, without regard to expense. The walls are decorated with a number of portraits of former members who have attained distinction in the outside world, or else are especially beloved for their devotion to "Plato" in the years gone by.

Perhaps two decades ago, a series of inter-society debates were held between Philo and Plato. In these contests, Plato came off victorious more than half the time, and still feels proud of that forensic achievement. At one time, perhaps m the eighties of the last century, Plato was noted as the ministerial society of the college.

For a while, every student who was intending to make the ministry his vocation, was a member of Plato. But of course these unnatural situations which occasionally arise are only temporary. As an illustration of their enterprise, Plato was the first of the societies to have electric lights in their hall. They had them installed before the college itself had electric lights.

Among the men of distinction whom the society feels honored to have enrolled in her membership, to mention only a few, are General James H. Wilson, of the United States Army; General Wesley Merritt, who saw service not only in the Civil War, but also in the Spanish-American War, John H. Halderman, American minister to Siam; Ex- Governor Charles P. Johnson, who was a noted lawyer in St. Louis; Dr. Augustus C. Bernays, who at the time of his death had a national and perhaps an international reputation in the field of surgery; Hon. Henry A. Castle, of St. Paul; General John I. Rinaker, of Carlmville; Judge J. W. Wilkm, of the Illinois Supreme Court; Judge Oliver A. Harker, of the Law School of the University of Illinois; Nel' son S. Cobleigh, for more than thirty years on the editorial Staff of the New York World; Dr. Daniel B. Parkinson former president of the Southern Normal; Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Van Cleve, for years a connectional officer in the Meth, odist Church, and many others.

The public exhibition programs of the societies were quiteserious matters in the early days. The students usually felt that the society work was of equal importance, if not greater than the college course itself. As the years have passed, the programs have gradually become less instructive and more entertaining in their aims. We find a Plato program in 1889, consisting of eight orations, all on serious subjects, with an invocation and a benediction, but without any music. In recent times there may be one, or possibly two orations.

while the rest ot the program is made up mainly ot things that entertain, such as readings, music, both instrumental and vocal, and occasionally a dialogue or play. But since these entertaining performances are usually of an uplifting character, who shall say that the evening spent with one of these is not as profitable as the one years ago with the more Puntan-like form of service? For more than half a century, these public exhibitions were given twice a year, as regularly as the seasons ot the year, and they were always held in the chapel and presented before large audiences. But in recent years, the mid-year entertainments were changed to come after the Christmas holidays instead of before, and then they were omitted altogether. In the old days, each society gave an open session once a month or once a term m Its own hall. On occasions of that kind the other two societies adjourned their own meeting and all went to the open session. In these days the open session is held at 8 o'clock and the others meet at 6:jo and finish their meeting in time to attend the other. In both the men's societies, an innovation of recent years is the practice of initiating the new members by having a dozen or so athletic upper class' men sieze the new member bodily and toss him up a few times, sometimes so high that his feet will touch the ceiling, being careful, of course, not to let him fall as he comes down. For more than seventy-five years the society meetings were always held on Friday night. It was the end of the school week and the boys were in a meeting by themselves and did not hesitate to stay as long as they felt disposed, notwithstanding the rule requiring them to adjourn at 10:3,0 o'clock in the winter and 11 P. M. in the spring term. The irregular debate after the regular discussion often took an hour, or even two, if all the members saw fit to exercise their privilege of speaking. And then came the business session. If no business actually presented itself, it was easy to produce some ready to hand which took much time for discussion. So it was often midnight or later when they actually adjourned. For many decades, Friday night was the night of meeting for the societies. But in recent years, after the advent of the trolley car and paved roads and automobiles, many of the students live at their own homes and come every day or stay till Friday night and go home for week ends. That plan did not permit them to attend the Friday night society meetings. For this reason, and perhaps some others, the society night was changed from Friday to Monday, in 1926. The plan works well in these days. The program is more definite and briefer. The business session is not so long drawn out. They are more inclined to finish the program and go home, for they will have classes to attend the next day. Some of the older Platos remember and speak with great satisfaction of the society paper called "The Plato Gem." It was not printed, but written by certain appointed editors and read by the same at an open session perhaps once a term. Its purpose was not instruction but entertainment. It abounded in personals and especially such as would be regarded in the nature of a joke. The "Gem" long ago suspended publication, but there are a few copies still in existence.

The Triennial reunions of the societies have always been regarded as great occasions, usually observed by holding a formal banquet with toasts by the former members. In former years they were largely attended and were occasions of many pleasant reminiscences and the renewal of the fellowships of other days. But in the recent years the most of the old McKendreans - Platos and Philos alike - are too busy with the affairs of life to take time to come back to the scene of their college days and renew the fellowships of those halcyon days which can never come to a man again, even if he should live to be as old as Methuselah. At this point, there might be instituted a reform among the old McKendreans that would lengthen the days of life and increase their happiness in large measure.

The Clionian Society

One logical result of the admission of women to McKendree was the organization of a women's literary society. Of course the girls needed this kind of training and were equally entitled to it with the boys. Some might have supposed that they would be permitted to join the boys' societies, but the idea of equality had not yet gone that far. In those days it was customary in many churches to have the men and women sit on opposite sides of the house during the hour of worship. That plan was adopted in the college chapel, and it is one of the ancient customs that has not yet been abandoned. It IS likely that the girls insisted on having their own separate society. Even if they did not, had they been permitted to join the existing societies, it is likely that they would have become social clubs rather than literary societies, and the competition to secure lady members would have increased the rivalry between Philo and Plato, which sometimes ran too high without that additional incentive.

Only a few weeks after women were admitted as students, the women's literary society was organized. This important event took place on December 6, 1869. Of the twenty women who are named in the catalogue as students for that year, fifteen are given as charter members of Clio. It is possible that the other five were not students the first term.

At this meeting, a constitution and bylaws were adopted and officers elected. A little later, other details of organization were cared for. The initiation fee was fixed at one del' lar. The motto first selected was "Jure Divins," but this was soon after changed to the present motto, "Virtute et Labore." A badge was designed in the form of an arrow with a scroll on which the motto is inscribed. This was first made in the form of a silver pin. Later a smaller design m gold took the place of the original silver one.

The name selected for the new organization was "Clio," or "The Clionian Literary Society." Thus it was named after the first of the nine muses of Greek Mythology. This was the muse of History. The names of the fifteen charter members are as follows: Edith Maria Flint, Carrie Hannah Thrall, Kate Leonora Parker, Martha Jane Toney, Eliza Maria Hypes, Adeline Floyd, Georgiana Floyd, Maggie Elizabeth Gilbert, Louisa Alice Vollintine, Jeanette Ross, Elvira Robinson, Nellie Frances Raymond, Harriet Floyd, Virginia Leonora Roberts, and Virginia Laura Thatcher.

Of these, some had earned college credits elsewhere and were permitted to take advanced standing. Edith Flint was able to enter the senior class, and so was in McKendree and in Clio, as an active member, for only one year. It was probably because she was a senior that she was elected the first president of the society. Martha Toney, also a Lebanon girl, was a sophomore. In the freshman class were Adeline and Georgiana Floyd, Eliza M. Hypes, commonly known as "Pet," Kate L. Parker, and Carrie H. Thrall. All of the freshmen were Lebanon girls except Carrie Thrall, who was from Bone Gap. The other seven were in the Preparatory Department. Their names were Maggie Gilbert, of Summer' field; Elvira Robinson, Jeanette Ross, and Alice Vollintine, of Cottonwood Springs; and Harriet Floyd, Virginia Rob' erts, Nellie Raymond, and Virginia Thatcher, of Lebanon. It appears that ten of the fifteen original members were Lebanon girls. Oi the fifteen, only four eventually completed the college course and received degrees. These were Edith Flint, class of 70, Virginia Roberts and Virginia Thatcher, class of '72, and Carrie H. Thrall, class of '82. In the mean' time, before receiving her degree, she had become Mrs. C. W. Campbell. Of the others, we have no recent information. But this one great fact we can record concerning them, that every one of the original members of Clio has passed into the "great beyond." But they have had many hundreds of successors m the years that have come and gone.

Benediction

That Clio at this early date was largely a local organization is evident from the tact that of the twelve girls whose n.imes appear on the program, all but one are from Lebanon.

In the Washington's Birthday entertainment of 1870, when Cho was only a few weeks old, she was represented on the program by Miss Edith Flint, who read an essay entitled "Washington." The comment on this in the college paper was that it was "the rarest treat of the evening." When Miss Flint graduated the following June, instead of the usual oration, she presented as her graduating performance, an original poem entitled "True Living."

The "McKendree Repository" has preserved for us some records of Clio. From its old files we learn that in 1872 and following, the paper was edited by a staff made up of representatives from each of the three literary societies. That year the Clio members of the staff were Virginia L. Roberts and Alice I. Radefelt.

The room designated for the use of Clio when it was first organized was only half as large as the one it has now. In fact, it was the east half of the present Clio hall. It was furnished with plain wooden chairs and tables, the floor was covered with hemp matting, an old-fashioned wood stove furnished the heat, and it was lighted, when necessary, with a few coal oil lamps. At first, the regular meetings were held in the afternoon, after the last recitation period of Friday. By this arrangement it was not necessary for the girls to make a trip after dark from their homes or boarding houses through the dark campus to Clio Hall. But when the short days of winter came, they often prolonged their sessions far beyond the twilight hour, so that they had to have the lamps lighted in their h.ill.

Only a few years elapsed until the society had grown so much that it needed more room. The partition was removed and the size of the hall was doubled. Clio Hall is now a room full forty feet long, and elegantly furnished with suitable rugs, chairs, bookcase, desk, piano, lights, and nicely papered walls, adorned with beautiful pictures. Over the door hangs a painting of exquisite American Beauty roses, the work of Miss Ethel Horner, done while she was an active member of Clio. When electric lights came to the city of Lebanon, and of course, the college also, they were at first considered a special luxury, and the Clio girls preferred to meet in the evening instead of the afternoon, so they might get more use of their electric lights. Accordingly they presented a petition to the faculty, requesting permission to change their meeting hour to the evening. It was promptly refused by the faculty, on the ground they would not he properly safeguarding the interests of the college girls whose parents had intrusted them to their care, if they should allow them to have a night meeting every week, to which they must go through the unlighted pathways of Mc- Kendree's campus. For many years, this presentation of the petition and its refusal was an annual affair. The faculty were supported m their position by the sentiment of many of the good people of Lebanon, and probably most ot the parents of the Clios. But after the dormitories were built and the majority of the Clios lived on the hill all the time, there was no reason why they should not meet ,it the even mg hour. So for many years the three societies have all met at the same hour except when open sessions come. Then the one giving the open session meets at eight, and the others at SIX thirty. To show their good will, the men's societies sometimes rendered material aid to Clio in the days when she was trying to accumulate some much needed equipment.

Philo gave them a nice Bible for the use of the chaplain at the regular sessions. Then Plato gave them an equally nice Bible stand on which to keep it. On another occasion Plato took the initiative and gave to Clio a cash present of $ioo. Philo, in order to outdo her old time rival, immediately sent over a gift of $iso. These two gifts enabled the Clios to substantially increase their library.

Clio has had a career of notable success in the field of literary endeavor. In the days ot a quarter a century ago, when public exhibitions were given by each society twice a year, there was always much discussion, both among the students and the gener.il public, as to which gave the best entertainment. In many instances, it was freely admitted that the palm should go to Clio m preference to either of the men's societies. Very often through the nearly seven decades of Clio's history, some of her members have won various honors in competition with the superior element in the McKendree student body. They have won class honors, oratorical prizes, essay prizes, or almost any kind of a medal which has ever been offered at McKendree. Of course Clio has done the major part of the music work at McKendree and at least an equal, if not greater part of the amateur theatricals which have been a part of college activities. The Clios have been prominent in glee club and quartette work. There have been a number of Clio Quartettes which have won distinction. One was organized m September, 1902, composed of Enola Keisling, Elsie Bradley, Blanche Fox, and Dora Daugherty. This quartette sang together for several years, not only on the Clio public programs, but also they rendered frequent service at funerals, conventions, and other occasions where good music was in demand. These girls finally all graduated and now are all married. At the present time this quartette furnishes an illustration of how Clio organizations get scattered. In the same order in which their names are mentioned above, they are now Mrs. W. F. Thrall, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mrs. J. B. Sager, of St. Louis, Mrs. Fred Wynn, of Palestine, Illinois, and Mrs. W. C. Pfeffer, of Lebanon.

Another of the Clio quartettes that held together longer than usual, began to sing together in 1921. It consisted of Edith Pyle, Lois Dee, Alice Walton, and Ruth Behymer Ulbright. In their entertainment itineraries they usually took Ruth Walton with them as accompanist. They not only sang on Clio programs and other programs at home, but they were frequently called to other places to sing at high school commencements, banquets,and other special occasions where that kind of entertainment was desired. They sometimes went to the charges of some of the student pastors and gave a real entertainment lasting through a whole evening. Several of them could do solo work, while Miss Dee and Miss Walton gave variety to the entertainment with readings. They also broadcasted their songs over the radio from station KSD of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. After some of these girls had left college, they were reassembled for special occasions at times and even after they were all gone from the ranks of the active members of Clio, they were called back to sing at Clio reunions. But now that two of them are married and Mrs. Lois Dee Dolley lives in California, it is impracticable to reassemble them for any ordinary occasion.

In the constitution of Clio, the purpose of the organization is said to be for the literary and social development of its members. Therefore, at one time some ot its members, at least, regarded the annual banquets and other social organizations of as great importance as the literary work. Ordinarily It requires no urging to get the Clios to participate in social functions; but one year some of the girls objected to what seemed to them to be certain extravagances of the banquet committee and announced their intention to not attend the banquet at all. The society had no power to compel them to go, but they were required by a vote of the society to patronize the affair to the extent of buying one ticket, under penalty of a tine which would much more than buy a banquet ticket.

Invocation

sharp as to cause certain members to threaten to withdraw and start a new girls" society in competition with Cho. But that trouble was smoothed over and Clio still has the whole field among the women at McKendree.

An interesting glimpse of Clio is found m a 19 lo copy of the McKendree Headlight which describes in detail how an ordinary session is held. We quote it here: '" 'Clio! Clio!' resounds through the hall and even out on the campus on Friday afternoon, and we recognize the voice of our new janitor, Abbie Walrath. The girls flock into the hall, and then assisted by Harriet Carlin, she closes and locks the door in the face of all men. Then the girls are very still, and our worthy president, Addie Louden, says the customary but useless word, 'Will the society please come to order?" Next, with Mabel McCormack at the piano, the girls sing some old familiar song, that they all know. After that there is the reading of the Scriptures and prayer by Nellie Loy, the new chaplain. The regular program follows. Over in the corner by the little table piled with letters is Flo Dougherty, the corresponding secretary. At the desk recording the proceedings of the meeting we find Amy Turner. At the critics" table are found two of the best "critics in the society, Grace Harmon and Sadie McBride. The other new officers are vice-president Laura Burgard, and treasurer, Alice Loy. Amy Turner and Nellie Loy were delegates to the Y. W. C. A. at Shurtleff College last Friday and Saturday. We are making good use of the seniors this term and are often reminded that this is their last term. There are ten senior girls on Clio's roll, four in music and six in the regular course. Next year we expect many more girls on account of the new dormitory and the much-tilked-of course m Domestic Science. In 1910 Clio had fifty-six active members."

In a paper presented at a Clio reunion in 1888, Mrs. Edith Flint Thrall, the first president, gives some interesting reminiscences concerning some of the early Clios. She speaks of Thekla Bernays, then of St. Louis, but now of New York City. She did not finish her college course, but nevertheless made her influence felt in literary circles wherever she lived. In later years she was housekeeper and companion for her bachelor brother, the famous surgeon, Dr. A. C. Bernays, who did the greater part of his remarkable work in St. Louis. When his health was failing, she accompanied him on long, and leisurely journeys abroad, and they lingered in favored climes like Italy and Japan for weeks or months in the hope that It would prolong his life. And when it was all over and she had cared for her distinguished brother to the end of his life, she then wrote and published his biography in a three hundred page book and presented a copy to the McKendree library. In recognition of her ability and achievement, McKendree bestowed upon her the honorary degree of A. M. in 1902.

Miss Elizabeth Holding spent some years after her graduation as a foreign missionary in South America, and after that she gave her energies to the work of the Deaconess Home in Chicago. She visited Clio once in the later years of her work and gave the Clio girls a great inspiration by her presence and her words. Her brother. Rev. Carlisle B. Holding, was for several years a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. He wrote a number of wholesome pieces of fiction for young people of the Epworth League age.