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PAGE 4
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
Wednesday, February 14, I95T
University, Daily Nebraskan To Celebrate Birthdays
The Story Begins . . .
i ' " , . ! ..,.-.-,.'. : ' .f..i.: .V. .
' 11 .
I , ; !
NU Born Wliile Sod Huts
Still Dotted State's Plains
'-GETTING INFORMATION Daily Nebraskan reporter Marlene
.-IVyatt gets the facts on a Union story from Mrs. Genene Grimm,
3pnion activities director. With copy paper and pencil in hand,
ilarlene goes out to get the news for tomorrow's issue of the
Z "Rag."
The Story Is Written . .
j
ft
i.,,;r
ON THE DESK From the clattering typewriters each story
joes to the desk to be copyread and have a headline written for
it News editors Kent Axtell. Sue Gorton and Glenn Rosenquist
keep busy while managing editors Tom Rischie and Joan Krueger
-debate the front page make-up. News editor Ruth Raymond
HI gathers information for a story.
The Story Is Headlined . . .
'' -'-ff m r.'-0N.;', :.-:": 6 i
ii" 4 t i
By JANE RANDALL
It was on another winter's day
of wind, howling across the lone
some pairie. An overcast sky
with heavy clouds served as a
background for E. E. Cunning
ham when he stood in the state
senate to introduce the bill.
S. F. No. 86 was the bill's
name. It was referred to the
committee on education, and two
days later the bill was read for
the third time, passed and signed
by Gov. David Butler. That was
Feb. 15. 1869.
What was this law? It was the
one passed by the Nebraska leg
islature enacting "that there shall
be established in this state an
institution under the name and
style of the University of Ne
braska.' The object of such in
stitution shall be to afford the
inhabitants of the states the
means of acquiring a thorough
knowledge of the various bran
ches of literature, science and
the arts."
Law Provisions
The law provided for six de
partments or colleges. They were
literature, sciences and the arts,
agriculture, law, medicine, prac
tical sciences, surveying mechan
ics and fine arts.
H. H. Wilson, member of the
class of 1878, who for 28 years,
was a teacher in Law college,
commented on the enactment in
his reminiscences which were
printed in the February 1941,
issue of the Alumnus. He wrote:
"Nebraska had been a member of
the Union less than two years
when on Feb. 15, 1869, there
was put on the statute book of
Nebraska a law that has be
come famous as the Charter of
the University of Nebraska. It is
remarkable that at a time when
there was very little accumulated
wealth in the state, and when
many of her citizens were dwell
ing in sod houses and dugouts,
they envisioned the future of an
educated and efficient citizenry."
Indeed remarkable, but ex
plainable. Pound Explains Visions
The reasons for this "envision
ing" were set forth by Dr. Louise
Pound, renowned University
English professor in the Semi
centennial anniversary book
published in 1919. Here, she ex
pressed her beliefs regarding the
cany est-aonsnment of an edu-
Hanson Speaks . . .
Continued from Page 1
old Germanic school were Valen
tine, curly, Gnffen, Mason,
Smith and White. In spite of the
transition their music lasted and
has subsequently remained high
in the music world.
Gilbert was the first to break
away from the old German tra
ditions. Gershwin too was a revo
lutionist, for a time he was
questioned in Boston. Powell's
songs of the South, his "Negro
Rhapsody" in particular, was
mny American in style. At this
time Griff en founded the impres
sionist school with has "Pleasure
cational institution in Nebraska
"From the first, the pioneer
plainsmen of Nebraska were not
content to be absorbed only in
the activities of the present. They
were not only adventurers and
workers; they were dreamers,"
she said.
"We picture them as engaged
in useful labors but as leading
humble and routine lives, en
grossed in pioneer tasks. We are
likely to forget that they were
a special breed of men, especial
ly rich in ambitions and ideals
richer in these, it may be, than
many oi us who are their decen
dents." Then too, according to Dr.
Pound, "new regions are not
sought by the weak or the timid
or the dependent, but by those
of stern make men of unusua'
self-reliance, endowed with en
thusiasm and with zealous am
bition."
Mail Service Operated
A very few years before the
University came into being, the
overland mail service operated
across the Nebraska territory as
did the famed Pany Express,
wmcn ended in 1861
Omaha, Nebraska City. Platts-
mouth. Falls City and Brownville
were then the population centers
or Nebraska. The total state pop
ulation was no more than 100.000
Indians still abounded Sioux,
Winnebago, Omaha, Otoe. Thous
ands of them were residing on
government reservations.
The University was established
just two years after Nebraska
was admitted to statehood and
lour years after the Civil War
and Lincoln's assassination. Lin
coin had been designated as the
home of the capital only two
years before, Lincoln, at that
time, had a population of 1,000
There were few or no sidewalks,
and the water came from wells.
The present campus was literally
"raw prairie."
First Structure
Any historical account of the
beginning of the University
would not be complete without
mention of University hall, the
first structure on the campus.
Shortly after it was built the
Board of Regents once resolved
to tear down the building. Pre
valent talk marked the newlv
constructed U hall as insecure
even before a student had en
tered its doors.
The original estimate placed
on thebui lding was 5100,000. The j
contract, however, was let for
$28,480 more than the appropria
tion. The State Journal came to
the defense of the Regents on
the issue. They argued "that it
w-as better policy to begin erec
tion of a building of sufficient
size and well suited to its uses,
even if it were necessary to have
an additional appropriation, than
to spend $100,000 upon a build
ing that would soon have to be
tore down because it was unsuit
able to the needs qf the future "
Although old "Utiall" met this
fate in 1948, there are still many
who look back in retrospect, on
vuaim uav OI f
BACK TO THE OFFICE Reporter Connie Gordon sorts through
exchange papers, campus publication issue from all over the
nation, to find bits of information for her "Stolen Goods" column.
Sue Gorton, news editor, is all business while typing up copy
for a story.
The Story Is Placed . . .
I Carpenter and Hill were the ! Pem,?rlnS ' as the "cradle of
two other revolutionists cited by e UniverSty of Nebraska."
j Hanson. "The Ballet Skvscrap- j
I s aim me Adventures in a
j Perambulator" are two examples! Sl i rM-yrYVww-w.
of their witty style. Burly's "Gul- j .1 . A SS ll I Htl
liver's Travels" with his
sions of the Lilliputians is an- ; cicy In Rundle 31&1 for glrlc. Houm-
oiner composition or a lighter na- ' "'- '-"
a. - . vnp cats -. r
uire in mat aecaae. , F1:Ar,?l,rZ . rora ""f- excellent
Hanson then charged vounc : c.aT "ooa rubber
First Student
Paper at NU
Came in 1872
By Kathryn Radaker.
With a birthday cake and
candles in prospect, the Daily
Nebraskan will celebrate
birthday Thursday, Feb. 15.
The ancestor of The Daily Ne
braskan was called the "Hes
perian Student" and was pub
lished by the Palladian society of
the University.
The Hesperian, a monthly at
that time, was edited by J
Dales, one of the two students who
formed the University's first
graduating class. The Hesperian
was first published m February,
1872, making this the 79th year
for The Nebraskan and its fore
fathers. .
Erratic Publication.
The methods of publication
were very erratic in- those days
Lead articles of the first edition,
taken from the Springfield Re
publican, present a more or less
terrifying picture of southwestern
United States. .
Writing about New Mexico in
that year, 1871, the correspond
says, "Like all countries beyond
civilization, the low value placed
on human life is at first startling,
but one gets used to hearing, over
the morning coffee, of some hor
ror, with a tranquility only ex
celled by the natives; it becomes
merely an everyday item to know
that the Apaches have murdered
a few miserable Mexican sheep
herders, or that somebody had
shot his neighbor in the plaza of
i.as vegas."
Typical Hems.
Typical of the items listed in
the paper are the following: "It
is amusing to step into the read
ing room and see with what ve-
lDcity certain students read some
of the largest and most scientific
works in our library," "The uni
versity inaugurated its second
term on the 7th, with from 25 to
30 new students. This speaks well
for the management of Chancel
lor Benton and his noble corps of
tois.' "
A four page paper, the Hes
perian s DacK page was given
over to advertising, with most of
the firms represented now long
out of business. The ad run by
the University was particularly
nterestmg: "The Universitv of
the State was opened last Sep
tember under favorable condi
tions, and thus far has been pros
perous and successful." "The fac
ulty at present, is skilled in then
several departments of instruc
tion. To these there will be added
two more at the opening of the
next college year."
The Hesperian lasted approxi
mately 30 years, and then made
way for its grandchild. The Daily
Nebraskan, still going at the 50!
Bullock, First 'Rag' Editor,
KnewRegistrarEllenSmith
By CONNIE GORDON
The University and the stu
dent newspaper are both cele
brating birthdays this month
The University is 82 years old
and the Daily Nebraskan is 80
years old.
The first editor of the "Rag"
the Edna B. Bullock, related her
experiences at the University
Miss Bullock's first memories of
the University were when she
was five years old and would
slip thru the gateless opening in
the board fence and stand on her
tiptoes so that she could peak
into the windows at the "skele
tuns." Miss Bullock viewed the
"skeletons" in the old U hall,
which was the only building of
the University at that time. These
"skeletuns" were the beginnings
of the museum which was foun
ded by Prof. Samuel Aughey,
professor of science on the first
University facult.
One Building in 1883
When Miss Bullock enrolled
in the University in 1883, there
as only one building, eleven pro
fessors and four instructors. The
industrial arts and Latin school
The Latin school was the larg
est with an enrollment of 186.
The teachers offered 130 courses
to 281 students. There were 52
students in the medical college
at this time, which lasted only
four years.: . -
The classrooms were equipped
with long, . rickety benches,
whose slippery seats had a tend
ency to slant towards the floor
The rooms were heated by in
dividual hardcoal baseburners.
These baseburners were cared for
by a student janitor who had a
room in the basement.
First Heating Plant 1885
The teacher's equipment was
little better than the student's.
It was in 1885 that the first
steam heating plant was installed
in the north wing of the base
ment and a full time engineer
and janitor were employed.
Due to the dismissal of the
chancellor and several professors
in 1882-83, the fall term opened
in 1883 with Prof. H. E. Hitch
cock as acting chancellor. At that
time, all registration cards were
signed by the chancellor. Imagine
the students of the Universitv of
today filing into the chancellor's
office and discussing their reg
istrations with him!
Ellen Smith Latin Instructor
The principal of the Latin
school at this time was Ellen
Smith for whom one of the wom
en's halls on campus is named
Miss Smith taught English as
ell as being registrar. It is said
of her that she never spared her
self or one of her students.
On one occasion, Miss Smith
attended a Palladian society
meeting at which Miss Bullock
was present.
On one occasion. Miss Smith
attended a Palladian society
meeting at which Miss Bullock
was present..
The next day, Miss Smith
Stopped her in the hall and said,
"I saw you sitting on the edge
of a table on Friday night. Never
let me see you doing that again."
If only Miss Smith could visit
the Union today!
Miss Smith, ' however, gave a
great deal of time to students and
was always interested in Uni
versity affairs. She held an an
nual maple sugar party for the
seniors and sponsored many
other functions.
Ellen Smith Courageous
A large collection of Miss
Smith's souvenirs, programs,
photos, publications and letters
were presented to the Nebraska
State Historical Society at her
death. Miss Bullock said, "I have
known no superior to Ellen
Smith who was a more perfect
example of an honest, conscien
tious and courageous person."
In spite of the many incon
veniences of the 1880's, the stu
dents of the University were
very fortunate in that they had
an excellent staff and some very
learned scholars in their classes.
The students knew their profes
sors more intimately than toda
and therefore they received a
richer and broader education.
Students sat with the profess
ors in their parlors and had tea
with them. Many of the students
roomed in the homes of their
instructors and many walked to
school with them.
FRIDAY
COLLEGE
NIGHT
AARON SCHMIDT
and his orchestra
Dancing 9 until 12
Couples Only
Adm. SI. 70 per couple
Tax Included
IT''
-4 PK
w 'vu.1. ,rsn. BALL i UXtdO. 7t l.l,.
Smith'. TnTi Wl At,,,. mrutorut mI?,' .nf-
- ""-t " WCl tLil TJ . f f' tvi. IClCDDOnc Z-THHi
mc iusv x.3i ii jjuBi iiuii oi Lije . communist literature or tnforma-
revolutionary period that defied ! f'n x literature or persons
time. r-YVi communism, writ Bok I,
1 r"
BOWN TO THE JOURNAL-Foreman John Gere puts the paper
Wgether as night news editor Kent Axtell supervises. The "Rag
Is "put to bed" usually after midnight each night and goes to
TZ press early in the morning.
The Story Is Read . . .
I
V ;
.. ::..:. i
v j
CIT TTIE PEESS-When The Daily Nebraskan is distributed
Ci campus between 11 and 12 a. m., Barbara Wiley Jerry Kirk
-1 Barbara Young get the day's copy and catch up on Univcr
Ji.tr mwi. Papers are distributed in most campus buildings
Valentine and Cole, sensing the
trend ncrfnrmprt uariatinnc rn
UJllIC lltlj l.VJ. Willie
also made contributions to this
period and DeLamarter gained
recognition with his witty "The
Oiddy Puritan."
Hanson said that tastes changed
again in the third decade of the
20th century but he did not dis
cuss it fully. Compositions of
this era have not yet stood the
time test.
Hanson concluded his lecture
by saying that "The man who said
he played no American music in
his concerts because there was
i nothing to play, was more.preju
! diced than informed."
j In introducing Hanson, the
Chancellor remarked that his
guest was great "first because he
was a Nebraskan and secondly
because he was Swedish." True.
Hanson is both, he was born t
Wahoo under a Swedish name. He
studied at the University for
awhile and continued at North
western. From there he went to
College of the Pacific and from
there he went to Rome. Upon re
turning from Italy, he was named
Director of the Eastman School
of Music in New York. The an
nual Contest for Creative Arts
is under the sponsorship of his
school. He has written an opera
and other choral works.
Tonight Hanson Will talk on the
period from JS20 to 1950. He
will as he put it "prognosticate"
on contemporary writings and
discuss the topic "Music As An
Emotional Expression." The lec
ture will be held in Love Librory
auditorium at 8 p.m.
Union to Present
Singing Emcee
A student dance will be held
in the Union ballroom on Satur
day, Feb. 17 from 9 to 12 p.m.
Lloyd Lotspeich will be feat
ured as singing emcee. Music is
furnishel by records. Entertain
ers besides the emcee include
Don Huggler singing "Chicken
Song" and "Cavereda." Peggy
Wood will lead a girl's chorus
line. Dick Pearson will present
a magic act. Accompanist for the
program is Bob LaHasse.
Union activities committee
sponsors the affair. Pat Olsen v
in charge of publicity. Hospitality
chairman is Doug Hanson. Carrie
Pedcrson will arrange the seat
ing. Phyllis Heaton procured the
entertainment.
Union
Nebrn. Em. 30. Student
Voice teacher offer, staging or cpesklng
instruction in exchange for an after
noon or evening of secretarial work
"" weekly, j-5931. :15-7:00.
Typewriter, Royal portable. Needs minor
"l!rs. $12 50. 3-S701 evenings.
(LOST Gold Waitham wrist watch at
coliseum. Call I,D Barret at 2-7i31.
What a novel
and different
Valentine Gift!
I
iJGU for Spring
CI.; -i41
UL will ,
with
DIM
iteiif
SLIOOCIflfIG
LAMP . . .
to grace a desk
or study taole.
A feliovn above
4'ial Ktudent
priee)
(Sp-
$4
Aho beautiful rortaget ami
roe for Valentine's Day.
2-7108
f ' t '
.' ' -
P- Is
Vargiry-Town takes the fines! of woo!
flannel in loneg of grey or camel and
impeccably tailors a single-breasted
Wlt,h, ? P.ch pockets . . .
addle-stitch'4' -rels.
$65
r.xvlutixvly . . . M ACWS Second floor