A Century Back: Washington State College in 1912

Posted March 2012, with selections from the 1913 Chinook, the Washington State College yearbook.

One hundred years ago, the young Washington State College bustled with the efforts of academia, athletics, and campus life. Take a look back and see the Pullman school through the lens of the college's yearbook, the Chinook.

You can read all the Chinooks (in PDF format) from 1899-1986 at the WSU Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections website.

Campus Leaders

WSC President Enoch A. Bryan

In 1912, President Enoch A. Bryan had been heading up Washington State College for 19 years. The writer in the Chinook called him an “administrative genius” and admired his vision and tenacity in making WSC a well-rounded land-grant institution.

Bryan was assisted by Vice President Omar L. Waller, Dean of College Elmer Fulmer, Registrar Frank T. Barnard, Dean of Women Rhoda M. White, and accountant William C. Kruegel. Their names grace many campus buildings even now.

The Board of Regents consisted of President Peter McGregor, J.J. Browne, R.C. McCroskey, Lee A. Johnson, and D.S. Troy.

The student government, called the Students’ Assembly, was led by President C.J. Cooil. His vice presidents were Edna Folger, H.M. Chambers, E.R. Jinnett, S.O. Sorenson, and Walter Williams. Other officers were treasurer Henry Doelle and secretary Gladys McCroskey.

Academics

Civil engineers at WSC, 1912

The college had 22 departments of instruction in 1912.

Civil Engineering was led by Omar Waller, with 33 students in the Civil Engineers Society.

Chemistry department head Elmer Fulmer, received a full page treatment in the Chinook for his work in building the academic rigor and establishing well-equipped laboratories.

Of course, agriculture and veterinary science had a prominent place on campus, along with forestry.

Mining engineering and geology made up the earth sciences.

Veterinary medicine students at WSC, 1912.

Other departments were: electrical and mechanical engineering; economic science and history; English; education; modern languages; Latin; home economics; botany; zoology; horticulture; and pharmacy.

One interesting department, elementary science, endeavored to “turn the boy to the shop or the farm, a skilled workman, happy in his calling, and an intelligent and useful citizen.” The department also intended to train “young women to maintain American homes on” less than $500 a year, to solve “the greatest financial problem of the day—the proper spending of the workingman’s dollar.”

The music department trained students in the musical arts and maintained a number of performing groups: the military band and the orchestra conducted by W.B. Strong; the bugle corps headed by chief trumpeter Walter G. Atwell; the Polyhymnia Sextette directed by Mrs. Kuria Strong; The Quartette and the Glee Club (all men), directed by W.B. Strong. The Chinook chronicled the Glee Club’s adventures on a concert trip:

“’Heigh-ho—the troubadours are gone!’ Not on their prancing horses with guitars strung over their shoulders, but on the unromantic train…” They traveled to Palouse, Spokane, Deer Park, Colville, Davenport, Reardan, and back to Pullman, serenading the locals.

The military department was led by First Lt. Claire R. Bennett of the 17th infantry, Col. Ovid T. McWhorter, and Lt. Col. E.C. Stewart. A number of the young men at WSC participated in the military activities, but not all was serious business. The Chinook devoted two pages to “Encampment,” when the WSC military boys went to Spokane and “the streets never seemed so long or so hot as they did that day. Riverside, with all its wonderful sights to the boy from the farm, could not dispel the stuffy feeling the old gray uniform brought to the minds of its wearers.” Ice cream and dancing later helped those poor soldiers.

Seniors

The senior class was led by presidents Ovid T. McWhorter first semester and Mathew P. Brislawn second semester.

Each senior of 1912 had a short profile in the Chinook with a photo, nickname, hometown, department, living group, thesis (if they had one), organizations and leadership, and motto or saying. Some memorable ones:

John Walker Violette, WSC Class of 1912

John Walker LaViolette

“Highpocket”

Spokane, Lantuama

Electrical engineering

President, Y.M.C.A., Websterian Debating Society

“Girls, I’m not indifferent—I’m engaged.”

Grace Pearl Mitchell, WSC Class of 1912

Grace Pearl Mitchell

“Jimmie”

Rockford

Mathematics and Physics

Thesis: “The Design, Test, and Application of a Means of Maintaining a High Electrostatic Potential.”

President of the Mathematical Society

“A mathematically inclined Co-ed.”

John Arthur Ramsey, WSC Class of 1912

John Arthur Ramsey

“Texas Pete”

Houston, Texas

Electrical engineering

Y.M.C.A. cabinet, Wrestling “W,” Washington Literary Society

“Ever see him in a wrestling suit? He’s got some form.”

John D. Meyer

“Heiney”

Lind, Kappa Alpha

Economic Science and History

Gladys McCroskey, WSC Class of 1912

Debate “W”, President Washington Literary Society, Twentieth Century Club

“A devilish good fellow who is always ready to argue the question.”

Gladys McCroskey

“Miss Mac”

Garfield, Phi Alpha Epsilon

English and Music

Y.W.C.A. Cabinet, Evergreen staff, Chinook staff, pianist for Sextette.

Athletics

WSC football vs. Idaho, 1911

The coaches of the WSC varsity squads were O.P. Osthoff for football and track, and J.F. Bohler for basketball, baseball, wrestling and gymnasium.

John Jones and Andy Anderson were the athletic managers.

Football

Team captain Thomas Fishback, a tackle led the team to a 3-3 season. The “W” men beat Gonzaga (then called the “Irishmen”), University of Idaho, and Whitman, losing to University of Oregon, Oregon Agricultural College, and the University of Washington.

Some notable highlights were the field of “sawdust and water” at O.A.C. which made it impossible for players to keep their feet. A crucial fumble lost the game for WSC that day. Whitman put up a “hard, clean fight” but lost to well-executed plays. The game against UW landed on Thanksgiving in Seattle, “before the largest crowd that ever witnessed a football game in the Northwest.” Again, costly fumbles led to touchdowns for the UW.

WSC football team captainThomas Fishback

The Chinook featured the football players with a floating head photo (many with wind-swept hair) and a short amusing bio. A couple of examples:

“FISHBACK—“Fish” came from the woods. According to the natives he left the farm a simple country youth with curly red locks…But since this time Tom has changed. After coming to Washington, he turned out for football.”

“KEINHOLZ—“Dutch” refuses to brief his football career because he is athletic editor of the Chinook…We will say you are a good ground gainers and a good punter. But, of course, it wouldn’t be right for us to say you always wrap “Her” picture in your blanket before going to football games. It might get you in bad with the other girl.”

Track

The track team defeated Montana, Idaho, and Whitman in dual meets.

Baseball

Henry Bradley was captain for Coach Bohler’s team that took second in the Northwest Conference with a 10-7-1 (tie) record.

WSC wrestling squad 1912

Basketball

Bohler also coached the basketball team, with captain Charley Knight. The team lacked experience, and ended up with a 5-10 record.

Wrestling

Under the direction of Coach Bohler, the wrestlers held UW to a draw but lost to Oregon Agricultural College.

A number of non-varsity sports took place on campus, including the “scrubs.” These were non-letter athletes, and the Chinook devoted several pages to them.

Seniors and juniors had gym class semi-weekly. In March, the college held an athletic exhibition for men and women. Miss Hazel Elaine Raber led the women’s physical education program, which included basketball, tennis, and baseball.

Organizations

Alpha Tau Omega house, WSC 1912

On campus, four national fraternities were recognized: Kappa Sigma, Sigma Nu, Alpha Tau Omega, and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Three local fraternities were also present: Phi Upsilon, Delta, and Lantuama.

Sororities on campus at the beginning of the year were all local: Pi Delta Phi, Phi Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Beta Pi, Alpha Theta Sigma, and Theta Kappa. Phi Alpha Epsilon was installed as Pi Beta Phi in 5/1912 and Theta Kappa was installed as Alpha Delta Phi (and later internationally the name was changed to Alpha Delta Pi) on 10/5/1912. It is interesting to note that the first Washington State College Panhellenic Council was also held in 1912 on September 15, 1912.

Professional fraternities included Alpha Zeta (agriculture) and Mining Engineering’s local Omega, and honorary debate fraternity Kappa Alpha.

Literary organizations—Columbian Literary Society, Roosevelt Literary Society, and Washington Literary Society—were popular, judging by the large numbers of members. Debating and oratorical groups Websterian Debating Society and The Philomathian Debating Society also had a following.

Other organizations were the Country Life Club (agriculture), Crimson Circle (student activism in college affairs), Broadway Club (ex-students of Seattle’s Broadway High School), and the Irish Club (merry-making Irish guys).

Life on Campus

A scene from the WSC production of "The Teeth of the Gift Horse"

Theater and drama had a prominent place on campus, led by the Mask and Dagger Club. President Max Baumeister and company pursued excellence in dramatic productions at WSC.

The 1911-1912 productions included “His House in Order,” “My Friend from India,” “Iolanthe,” “The Teeth of the Gift Horse,” “For Old Eli,” “An American Citizen,” “A Rose O’ The Plymouth Town,” “My Lord in Livery,” and “Because of Blitzen.”

Debate and oratorical contests received a number of pages in the Chinook. Ten debate contests, both intra- and intermural, were detailed in the yearbook.

Publications

Student newspaper The Evergreen was published weekly and edited by Roy W. Merritt (first semester) and Joseph L. Philips (second semester). George H. Shearer was business manager.

Virgil O. McWhorter edited the Chinook, with Alva L. Strausz as business manager.

The Washington Agriculturist provided a magazine for farmers that gave practical advice and showcased the work at the college. It was edited jointly by students in agriculture, veterinary science, horticulture, and home economics.

Freshman and sophomores battle for the big ball at WSC, 1912

The college’s quarterly alumni publication The Pow Wow was edited by Ivan Putnam, Lora Green, and Mrs. M.K. Akers. Frank T. Barnard was business manager. The Chinook reported that 50 percent of alumni were on the subscription list, greater than that of alumni papers at other colleges and universities.

Society

The May Day Fete led the social events of WSC. Queen Marion Flood was accompanied by Lady in Waiting Edith Largent and maids of honor Orpha Huxtable, Mildred Waters, Blanche Thayer, and Stella Wilson. Milton Newhouse led the show, a sunset May-pole, dance, and play. 

The Chinook also reported on the junior prom, the varsity ball sponsored by athletics, the military ball, freshman-sophomore glee, Chinook Tillicum informal, and a full calendar of other banquets and dances.

The Freshman-Sophomore Supremacy Bout, a test of will and courage, was a major part of Class Day on campus. The frosh and sophomores battled in an obstacle race, pennant fight, push-ball game, sack fight, and tug of war. As the Chinook writer put it, “…only a small amount of blood was spilled and no bones were broken…” but the rest of the students watched the fun.

Highlights from the calendar

April 8 - Spring fever epidemic raging. Pest-house established in Tanglewood.

April 24 - Waller warns steadies to be careful about evening fussing in the library and thus avoid exciting the envy of the unfortunate ones.

May 20 - A birth. And its name was Alpha Tau Omega.

June 10 - W. S. C. leaves Idaho in a cloud of dust in the tennis tournament. Hot, but glorious for a picnic.

June 17 - Some of the lucky ones pass through the ordeal of final exams, and make their get-away to home and mother.

June 24 - Botany and Zoology classes to the Snake River. A strictly scientific journey.

September 17 - Profs come back to their old haunts. Some of the fresh ones wander around gazing at the skyscrapers. Football practice begins.

October 2 - President Bryan gives his farewell address at chapel. Urges students to get a broad view of things.

President Taft visits WSC, 1911

October 3 - First Evergreen. Merritt serves up the news in dashing styIe. President Bryan off for Europe.

October 7 - W. S. C. triumphs over the fighting Irishmen from Gonzaga in football. President Taft has honor of seeing us.

November 17 - Band and others leave for Spokane to take part in the Night Shirt parade in that city in the evening.

November 29 -Kimbrough plays the new grand piano to the delight of the students.

December 5 - Jumbo Hunter strongly suspected of having joined the ranks of the fussers.

December 7 - Jumbo is looking for the fellow who started the report that he was seen fussing.

December 22 -Depopulation. Off for a jollification.

January 23 - Student life is deadened by the nearness of the final effort of the semester.

February 8 - A few Seniors in the moustache race give up hope. They were just stragglers.

March 9 – Glee Club holds a big banquet in Van Doren Hall. All the musicians eat and make merry.

March 13 – Vice President Waller gives his “Keep Off the Grass” lecture.

March 22 – Pretty girls, daring acrobats, muscular physical culture specimens—all at the Physical Culture show.

March 26 – Profs begin to buy tennis racquets and white trousers. A sure sign of spring.

March 28 – Several Freshies appear without the green and are dusted.

The mustache-growing contest at WSC

A geology research trip to Stevens County, 1912