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About The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 1894)
30 THE HESPERIAN i Chancellor Benton gave way to Chancel lor E. B. Fairfield in 1876. The other mem bers of this first faculty retained their places till the early SO's, by which time a general reorganization had taken place. The one exception to this rule is found in Prof . H. E. Hitchcock, who is still with the University as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Several members of this first faculty had marked characteristics, and two or three were even noted for their eccentricities. On the other hand two or three members were as much noted for their evenness of temper and perfect balance of character. As a whole it may be said that they were fairly well fitted for their time; yet it does not appear that they were in sympathy with, oven if in pos session of, a knowledge of modern methods of instruction and government. The time has not yet come to say much in regard to the personal characters and qualities of these men. Of Chancellor Benton it may be said that he was known for his agreeable man ners, gentlemanly bearing, and general scholarship. However, he preferred the life of the student to the active work of the chan cellorship, and it may be said, without any disparagement of his worth and ability, that he was better fitted for the class room than for combatting the world. His administra tion was careful, conservative, and in har mony with the old rather than with the new ideas of education. His course was safe but not brilliant, and the development of the Uni versity under his direction would never have been rapid, nor marked by aggressive meth ods. Prof. Samuel Aughoy brought with him a good reputation for ability and ac quirements in the scientific field. For sov eral years ho had been working for the Smithsonian Institution under the direction of Professor Henry. Professor Aughey's main service to the University consisted in giving it, in its early years, strength with the peo ple. He was but an indifferent instructor, and entirely too accommodating for his own good. In the early days of the University, when professors were few and subjects many, ho would attempt to give instruction to classes in topics wholly outside of his own lino of work, to the detriment both of his reputation and of the scholarship of his students. With all his faults, which were many, his work for the University was valuable, and could ill have been spared at that time. .Jf. 4oJdUf, 'ro. THE UNIVERSITY'S FIRST FOOT-BALL TEAM. The task set mo to.do is indeed a pleasant one. To sit down for a short time and re call the happy experiences of yesterday is a pleasant way to spend an idle moment, but how much more pleasant it is to go further back in reverie back where time has cover ed even the harsh experience with the soft lichens of half-forgetfulness. It is pleasant to recall the crude beginning of any move ment that has finally drawn to itself the lively attention of a large circle of interested friends. But it is a little difficult sometimes to brush the cobwebs off from one's brain and recall the incidents of by-gone years. So many impressions have been made since, that the first ones are nearly obliterated. Like a discarded foot-ball jacket, the dust and mud and grass-stains of many a well fought game have made its first color almost indistinguishable. If, then, many important incidents are omitted, please judge leniently, oh ye, whoso memories are as long as ten penny nails and as sharp as tacks. It was in the fall of 1886 that I was in troduced to my alma mater. Of any tend ency towards foot-ballism before that time I know nothing, and shall not attempt to guess. As I recall it now, there seemed to be a wild boisterousness in the air that liter ally ran wild. It had to find vent some where, else the pressure would have caused an explosion. In fact, 1 think the cracked state of Jio plaster in several of the rooma of the Main Hall is entirely duo to that old time rememberance. It was fortunate for
