Stetson Meekly ColleQtate
Students' Publication of Stetson University.
vol. xxn
DeLAND, FLA., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1910.
No. 15
History of the Stetson
Literary Society
Orlando vs. Stetson.
Society Organized in 1902
Stdl a Leading Feature
in Student Life
Ten years ago there were two local fraternities at Stetson; one, the
Phi Ep. Chi, and the other the Phi
Kappa Sigma. Both were partly fraternal, partly literary. The Phi Ep.
Chi admitted both students and instructors into membership, and had
by the year 1900 become so much a
fraternity of fellowship, that the
members did not wish to admit any
others to their ranks; and so, as a
natural consequence, when those
members graduated, or went elsewhere, the society died a natural
death. The other society, the Phi
Kappa ,Sigma, organized in 1898, subsequently became the Phi Kappa Delta, which is still prospering in Stetson ranks.
But in both these fraternities, the
fraternal, the good fellowship, was
the prime feature; literary work was
always1 secondary and incidental. It
was this feeling, that led the head of
the oratorical department to confer
with leaders in the university, and
as a result of 'the common feeling prevalent, it was determined to organize
a society in which the purely literary
side of the organization would be uppermost; with this end in view, the
following printed slip was handed to
all who, it was believed would be
good promoters of the movement.
"Believing that you are interested
in oratorical and literary work, we
extend to you an invitation to attend
a (meeting in room 5 of Elizabeth hall
on Monday evening at 6 o'clock, for
the purpose of forming such an organization. Signed, the Com."
That was on November 27, 1902.
The following Saturday, December 1,
a large attendance was present, and
a formal organization was effected.
The members called themselves simply "The Stetson Literary Society,''
and appointed a committee to draw
up a Constitution and the work began
in earnest.
Mr. Arnie Hoyt was the first president, and Miss Remmers the first |
secretary. That year the meetings j
continued to be held in Room 5, but
the following spring, 1903, the upper
room in DeLand hall was given, over
to the use of the society. The program followed by the new society
was practically that which is in use
today. Current topics, recitations, orations, extempores, and d6bates
formed the list of events on program.
Both college and academy students
alike were 'members, for neither were
strong enough to form one alone.
All movements that last have a small
and quiet start; this society was no
exception. The officers held office
six months. There were no furnishings; not even a desk, all had to be
borrowed. /Sometime during the
school year of 1903-04 a large and attractive room on the first floor of
Science hall was granted the society
by the university president, as the
special home of the society—the same
room that has ever since been occupied. The young ladies made the
curtains with their own hands, and
the young men helped to put them
up. A new desk was purchased largely from funds secured by subscriptions, from the members, and accumulated .membership fees, helped out
by receipts from a stereopticon lecture in the auditorium.
This was but the beginning. Like
the man who must build a barn, because he had found a horse-shoe, the
desk demanded a rng. That was a
more expensive proposition. In the
spring of 1905 a play was given and
the proceeds were voted toward a
new rug for the room. The fall of
1905 the room came out in its new
dress, the quarters assumed' a very
cosy and attractive appearance,1 a|
feature that they have never ceased
to possess, from that day to this.
(Continued on page 2.)
Stetson Loses Her First Game of
Basket Ball.
February 12 our girls' basket ball
team went down in their first defeat. The game was played at Orlando, on a floor much larger than
our own. This would not have made
any material difference, however, but
it was waxed for a dancing floor, and'
this was the greatest handicap our
girls had.
The Orlando girls were, on the
average, smaller than our team, but
more than balanced this by their
quickness. Our girls showed very
good team work, and played a good
game when we consider ithe slippery
floor. Orlando had become so accustomed to it that they could use it
to good advantage to slide upon.
The game was an extremely lively
one, a good fight being put up by
both sides. A great number of frills
were called on both, generally for
shoving or holding, and both lost
many of their foul throws. The Orlando forwards were good shots when
it came to free throws. Time out
was taken three times, always for
Orlando.
The score at the end of the first
half stood 14-1 in Orlando's favor.
The second half our team had become
a little more accustomed 'to the floor
and they made 10 points ito our 5; the
game ending 24-6. Though we were
worsted, yet ye feel it no disgrace to
have been beaten by such a team, and
playing with such odds against us.
The Orlando team will play a return
game, when the Stetson girls will
have a chance to "get it back" at
them.
Line-up of Teams—Stetson.
Miss Quarterman—forward.
Miss Post—forward.
Miss Bunch—center.
Miss Wright, capt.—'guard.
Miss Prugh—guard. —
Subs.—Miss Yaekel, manager; Miss
Arnold.
O. H. S.
Miss Smith—forward.
Miss Lockhart, Capt.—forward.
Miss Norwich—center.
Miss Jones—guard.
Miss Baas—guard.
