Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Information from the Ripon College Catalogues

Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Ripon College, 1873-74:

Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Ripon College, 1881:

Catalogue of Ripon College, 1902-1903:

Literary Societies:
There are two literary societies in the college: one for women of both the College and Preparatory schools, and one for men of the College. A third society is maintained by the men of the Preparatory School. These societies have well furnished halls, and afford their members valuable means of voluntary improvement.

The College Days:
The students publish the usual college paper, called The College Days. It is published by a board of editors selected by the literary societies and represents the literary and social activities of the College.

The Oratorical Union:
Ripon College is one of the three colleges constituting the State Oratorical Association. In the selection of contestants and in all official dealing with the state society, the students are represented by the local Oratorical Union. All students are eligible to membership.

Catalogue of Ripon College, 1906:

Literary Societies:
Opportunity for voluntary practice in the various forms of public address is afforded by two societies, the Athenian for the men, and the Ecolian for the women. Each has an attractively furnished hall, where they meet each Monday evening for their respective work. This work includes parliamentary practice, impromptu speaking, book-reviews, reports, declamation, oratory and debating. Each has a good number of valuable books, which are incorporated into the college library. In addition to the literary work, these societies contribute largely to the social life of the campus. Joint meetings are held from time to time; on these occasions one society receives the members of the other, either as guests or as rivals in debate.

Furthermore, the Athenian and Ecolian societies jointly carry the responsibility of two of the most important phases of student activity, viz., the Oratorical and Debating Union and The College Days.

Through the Oratorical and Debating Union are conducted all proceedings relative to intercollegiate contests in forensics; through this also are elected delegates to the Wisconsin Oratorical Union, an organization comprising three colleges of the state. In the selection of contestants and in all official dealing with the state society, the students are represented by this local Oratorical and Debating Union. All students are eligible to membership.

"The College Days." A second important function of these societies is the administration of the campus monthly, "The College Days." This is published by an annual board of editors selected by and from the members of these two literary societies.

Catalogue of Ripon College, 1907:

Literary Societies:
Opportunity for voluntary practice in the various forms of public address is afforded by two societies, the Athenian for the men, and the Ecolian for the women. Each has an attractively furnished hall ,where they meet each Monday evening for their respective work. This work includes parliamentary practice, impromptu speaking, book-reviews, reports, declamations, oratory and debating. Each has a good number of valuable books, which are incorporated in the college library. In addition to the literary work, these societies contribute largely to the social life of the campus.

The Oratorical Union:
The Oratorical Union, working under its new constitution, now controls Oratory, Debate, and the "College Days." Two members of the Faculty, together with the President, Vice-President, and the Secretary of the Union, and the Editor and Business Manager of the "College Days," constitute a Board of Controls, which has general direction of all affairs.

The College Days:
This news organ of students and alumni. While under the control of the Oratorical Union, it has its own board of editors, who are elected annually. It is published nine times during the year. Subscription, one dollar a year.

From the Ecolian Letters:

History of the Seventies

At the opening of this decade the Ecolian Society was in a flourishing condition, doing a valuable work in which the members were thoroughly interested and from which they were reaping a corresponding benefit.

In turning over the pages of the secretary's book, one is disappointed to find that some details are omitted which now would be interesting. The program in those days consisted of Critic's Report, Selection, essay recitation, news, and debate varied sometimes by a biography. These programs were generally varied, but aside from the fact that Miss Combs had an essay; Miss Carter, a recitation; Miss Mason, a selection etc., there is no clue given as to titles. Generally the question for debate is stated, and usually the leaders are named, but not the assistants.

Nov. 27, 1871. Misses Shepard, Larinsworth and Elwell were appointed a committee "to make inquiries concerning lamps and other improvements for the Ecolian room." Dec. 11. This committee reported and was instructed "to purchase a suitable chandelier for the hall." On Dec. 8,'71 at a special meeting called in Room B, after chapel exercises, it was decided that the society with the consent of the faculty accept the invitation of the Lincolnian Society to attend the dedication of ----- hall on Dec. 9th. An innovation was made Jan. 1872, by so amending the Constitution that the three judges appointed by the president, should give their decisions on the debate separately to the President. In Feb. '72 the serenity of the Ecolians was somewhat disturbed when they declined an invitation from the Hermeans to visit their society because the faculty would not allow the Ecolians to invite the gentlemen's societies to visit them. This decision called forth much discussion whereupon Miss Elwell was appointed to respectfully ask the faculty why the gentlemen should be forbidden from visiting the Ecolian Hall.

At the Commencement in '72 the Ecolians united with the two young men's societies in securing Dr. Robert Colyen as the anniversary lecturer. This course was usually followed by the three societies at Commencement time. Several entries are made in these years of committees appointed for conference with Prof. Filmore in regard to music for anniversary exercises.

Considerable discussion arose about this time as to how and by whom questions for debate should be selected. It was finally agreed that a committee of three be appointed to select questions and on each evening to present three from which the disputants appointed for two weeks from that evening, should make a selection, and their choice be then submitted to the society for its approval or disapproval. Misses Batson, Uma(?) Carter, and Hattie Johnson were first appointed on that Committee.

Apr. 22, '72. Mrs. Tracy and Miss Adams were made honorary members of the society.

In October of this year, it was voted to give an entertainment in order to make the society-room more attractive. This was held Dec. 27th in Opera Hall, and netted $40. The proceeds of this entertainment seem to have been used for the purchase of a library in May of '73 and on the arrival of the books, a committee consisting of Misses Ada Clark, Rosina Batson, and Abbie Strong was appointed to draw up the library rules. The report of this committee was accepted in June. Prof. and Mrs. Geery(?) were visitors of the society, Mar. 26, '73. The question discussed that evening was, Resolved , that it is more wise to send out Polar Expeditions, Prof. Geery made remarks on "Culture." It was voted that each member procure paper and cover one book.

June 2nd. Miss Johnson received a vote of thanks for the gift of a table spread. A vote of thanks was also tendered President Merriman for his interest in the society and in its efforts to secure a library.

Thanks were voted to Rev. F.B. Doe in Dec. '72 for the gift of a book, and also in Feb. '93 to Mr. Leo West for a book.

At the last meeting of the winter term the usual program was dispensed with and a "medley" took its place. Each young lady read an original essay, a translation, or summary of news. Each exercise was required to cover one page of Commercial note paper and not to exceed two pages.

On Dec. 22, '73 the entire society took part in a general debate on the question, Ought the reading of the Scriptures in our public schools to be required by law.

President Merriman received a vote of thanks Jan. 5th, '74 for a donation of books, - titles not given - and again Mar. 16th for the gift of Hannah More's works to the library.

Jan. 19th. M--- K-----'s name was proposed for membership but was blackballed - How could it have been otherwise?

In Jan. '74 $3.50 was contributed by Miss Johnson for library books from Mrs. Barrett's library and a vote of thanks tendered for the same. It was decided that no one outside of the membership could draw books from this library. It is interesting to look over the questions for debate which then were so prominent a feature in the life of the society, vote decisions, and ----- how thought on current questions was being moulded, and how opinions on many important points have been modified within twenty years. Here are some of them:

Resolved, that secret societies should be encouraged. Decision in favor of the negative.

Resolved, that women are culpably ignorant of the affairs of the government.

Resolved, that the mechanical trades ought to be opened to women. Decision in the affirmative.

Resolved, that Utah ought to be admitted into the Union as a state. Decision in the negative.

Resolved, that our future existence will be in a bodily form, Decision in the Affirmative.

In this days of expansion and anti-expansion it is interesting to come across this. Resolved, that the territory of the United States should be enlarged. Decision in the affirmative.

It was also decided that men and women should have equal wages for equal work. The decision that women should not enter the medical profession has not prevented hundreds from entering the profession since that time, as likewise the decision that the pulpit should not be open to women.

In the spring of '73 there is an allusion to a revision of the constitution which took most of the time for several meetings in discussion and adoption.

Another topic of the debate for several weeks during this spring was the selection of a motto. Finally in June, "Certum pete finem" was selected.

By this time the regular program was modified to include each evening a question for investigation, also the authors of sentiments were given.

In Nov. 13 '73 the executive committee was instructed to purchase a new curtain for the society room.

In Dec. '73 - an amendment was made to Sec.I. Art. II of the Constitution in regard to conditions of membership by which, after a person was received by a vote, she became a member on the payment of 73 [cents] and reading carefully and signing the Constitution.

The regular exercises on the evening of Dec. 27, '73 - were omitted and instead a lecture was given by Miss Brace - now Mrs. Prof. Emerson of Beloit College - on "Photographs of Works of Art."

A very animated debate took place Feb. 28, '76 as to the advisability of ladies and gentlemen in college classes being together in a society. The usual decision was given in the affirmative, but an appeal was taken from the judges to the Society which gave its verdict for the negative.

Dec. 2, '76 the regular meeting adjourned to accept an invitation from the young men to attend their Hayes and Wheelen meeting.

Interest in the society seems to have sufficiently ebbed so that on Oct. 30th the question for discussion was, Resolved, that we no longer try to keep up the Ecolian Society. All took part in the debate, but the decision was rendered in favor of the negative. It was voted to drop essay and question of investigation from the program.

All through the autumn there was barely interest sufficient to continue the meetings. Sometimes, even the debate was omitted, though news, selection and debate was the regulation program. During the remainder of '76 and '77 after the organization of the society Sept. 10th there is no record of meetings until Oct. 7th. Readings were substituted for other literary exercises. It was voted to omit singing and sentiments at opening exercises.

In the spring of '77 the program was revised to again include news, selection, and debate. In some cases there is no reference in the minutes to the giving of any program.

During the winter term of '79 the sessions of the society were discontinued, but resumed Mar. 31st. Then it was decided to read Shakespeare for that term, "The Comedy of Errors," "Winter's Tale," and "Taming of the Shrew."

In the fall of '79 there was a revival of interest, the former programs were resumed, and thus the decade of the "Seventies" closes. --Almira I. Hobart

History of the Eighties

The preface to this "History of the Eighties" must be an apology to the Program Committee that it is not a history of the Eighties but the story of that portion of the Eighties which had to do with the furnishing of the present Ecolian Hall.

The writer of this paper was instructed by the committee to make this period her principal topic and since it is the period with which she is personally most familiar and since extraordinary pressure of circumstances this year has crowded the proportion(?) of the paper into an uncomfortably short space, it has become necessary to limit it to a discussion of this topic alone.

Early in the spring of 1887, President Merrell sent word to the Ecolians that the building of Bartlett Cottage and the remodeling of Middle College would soon leave them homeless unless measures were taken at once to procure a new Ecolian habitation. Dr. Merrell also kindly proposed to undertake the to-us-awful task of asking the trustees for the room on the condition that we furnish it in the three months which still remained before Commencement. This proposition was accepted with grateful fear and trembling and a "Standing Committee" was appointed to take entire charge of the matter and report weekly to the society. This committee was authorized to make such demands for their services upon the other Ecolians as it might see fit. The members of the committee were Miss Anna Hamilton, Miss Minnie Rawlings, Miss Phelps, Miss Wheeler, Miss Bacon and Miss McAssey.

The informal resolutions of the "Standing Committee" in their early meetings seem to me, as I recall them, not uninteresting. I think it was Miss Phelps who spoke out for us all one day somewhat in this fashion. "Girls," she said, here are six of us with wills of our own and three months ahead of us to disagree in. Whatever we do let's not have any trouble among ourselves." This frank speech touched a vital spot in each girl's sub-conscious reflections and was, no doubt, one cause of committee work so united that it suffered no delays, left us all better friends and enlarged our experience without the bitterness usually attendant upon such enlargement.

The Athenians had had a refurnishing and remodeling the previous year and we hoped to profit by their mistakes. They had had seven hundred dollars. We decided to raise five hundred. They had assessed the Athenian alumni at a definite sum per capita. We decided to write personal notes to our "old Ecolian" tell them our story and let them help as much as they chose. We also wrote notes to all the Alumni. We were rewarded for our p---- by the friendliest letters and more generous contributions than we had even thought of. The letters that brought twenty five cents were so sincerely friendly that they helped us as much as those that brought twenty-five dollars - and we had such also. It took us nearly a month and a half to write our letters and at he end of that time we had upwards of two hundred dollars. We must in the remaining six weeks raise three hundred dollars and plan and actually furnish our hall. We asked permission of the society to present an evenings program on hall-furnishing. Mrs. Merrell and Mrs. Fieller lent us books and gave us much kindly help. Young ladies societies in other cottages lent plans, pictures and descriptions and we had a pleasant evening. But it will be easily understood that the real rub was in getting the lacking $300 dollars. The trustees had not yet been told of our enterprise and the first letter that went to them the writer very well remembers. One member of the committee had set her heart on and "inlaid margin" and rug and not a carpet. The other members laughingly told her that such a floor-covering as would satisfy her ambitious soul would not come in their the funds, but that she might have it if she would get it for nothing. Dr. Merrell, always ready with sympathy, instructed her to tell her troubles to Mr. Durand of Racine, a trustee who "rolled" in floor-margins. This she did and got her margin by the next fnight with detailed instructions as to how it should be laid out and polished. One or two other letters to trustees not bringing any considerable portion of our lacking fund we again consulted Dr. Merrell. Dr. Steele an alumnus, resident in Oshkosh, had suggested that we go in personally to the trustees and friends of the college who lived there and present our case. Dr. Merrell not only gave permission, but furnished us with letters as did also Professor Fuller. The Ripon papers had served us so generously that everyone in town knew what we were trying to do and when Mr. Hargroves found that we needed conveyance to Oshosh he offered us a carriage and driver for the day.

We set out for Oshkosh early one morning with encouraging words and advice from President Merrell Mrs. Tracy Prof. Fuller and Prof Chandler as I now recall it. The rest of the Faculty wished us well but were doubtful. Our own hearts beat none too high. After a comforting dinner in Oshkosh, we sallied forth. We met one ------ - most ------ then, but almost forgotten now. Then we went to Mr. Edgar O. Somger's. Mr. and Mrs. Somger --'- us with marked kindness and read our letters. Mr. Somger said, "I must certainly do as well by you as by the boys," and was about to write a check when Mrs. Somger interposed her wish to give us her check instead. When she had written it she talked with us pleasantly about our work and then showed us the way to Mr. Payne's. As soon as we were out of sight we looked at our check and I think it would be a strictly accurate statement to say that we felt symptoms of a joyful paralysis upon discovering that it was for one hundred dollars. This was our largest gift. Mrs. Payne, Mr. Hay, Dr. Steele and Mrs. Bartlett were all most generous and the final result in money of our Oshkosh day was about $200. One hundred and twenty-five of this Miss Wheeler remembers carrying home in her pocket, thinking meanwhile, with humor that the bank was closed and she must keep it over night.

To tell of the final rounding up of the five hundred dollars - of the going to Oshkosh to buy chairs, tables and pictures - Miss Bacon and Miss McAssey were sent to do that, - of the going to Milwaukee for the chandelier, - Miss Phelps was sent on that errand - , of hiring the painter and being miserable over some of the things he perpetrated - although pleased with him in much - of the final ------- and dusting and putting in of flowers - these tales would take another five minutes. But these were days the Standing Committee will not soon forget - --McAssey

History of the Nineties

The history of the Ecolian during the 90's is largely a repetition of the efforts of the society in former decades. A few new features have been introduced from time to time, but in the main, Ecolian's policy, plans and accomplishments have been much the same. The society still devotes much of its attention to literary and biographical work, but considers the debate of very great importance, and has introduced the extempore(?) speech as a splendid exercise in training young women for their future work. Parliamentary practice has also been much used during the past ten years.

Since the history of the early nineties was not familiar to present Ecolians, we wrote to some of the girl graduates of those years to give us some of their experiences. One very interesting story was furnished by Miss Margaret Hamilton, which was so ably told that we would like to give it in her own words. She says: - "I remember one funny incident in the fall term of '92. For some time there had been considerable friction between the Athenian and the Ecolian Societies. As individuals the members were for the most part very friendly, but as "Athenians" and "Ecolians" they were at sword's points. Thinking to allay the irritation the Ecolians sent a most courteous invitation to the Athenians to attend an open session in their hall. The gentlemen chose to misunderstand the invitation and sent a somewhat saucy reply asking for particulars. Then the righteous indignation of the Ecolians arose; many wished to recall the invitation entirely, but after a stormy debate, a very formal and explicit answer was returned. During the following week, vague rumors reached the ears of the Ecolians of plans and boasts which the Athenians were making in regard to accompanying the young ladies home after the open session. The boasts were not considered consistent with the dignity of the Ecolian Society and that august body determined to discomfit the Athenians."

"The eventful evening came. The Ecolians greeted the Athenians with their sweetest smiles, and peace and good-will prevailed. After the literary programme was over, the young ladies talked and laughed gaily with their guests and the boys wailed and wondered when the girls would be ready to go home. After a few minutes, the President again took the chair and announced that there would be the usual business session and the Society would "please come to order." Now, it is a well-known fact that the business-meetings of Ecolian are always strictly private, and when the Athenians heard this announcement, their faces were comical to see. After an embarrassed silence, one of them summoned courage to ask, "Are the gentlemen permitted to stay?" The President replied with gentle dignity that she regretted that she could not invite them to stay, but that the rules of the Society were very strict. Then, with crest-fallen looks, the Athenians hastily took their departure, and as the last echoes of their foot-steps died away on the stairs, the suppressed giggles of the girls burst out in shrieks of laughter. The business was dispatched in short order, and the girls congratulated each other heartily upon the success of their first attempts at reconciliation, and also on their success in maintaining the dignity of the society."

The main event in '93, and one which has proved signally important since, was the admission of the Ecolian Society to the House Oratorical Union. Ecolian was represented that first year by Miss Margaret Hamilton, who won the second place in the local contest. Since that time, Ecolian has captured her full share of the honors , winning first in both House and State Contests in '96, first in the house in '97, and second in both House and State in '98. Ninety-three was further signalized by the attendance of the Ecolian Society at the Philomathean, where they found themselves locked in by the over-tricky Athenians.

The spring term of '94 calls to mind a Declaration Contest of the Prep girls of the Society, at which the Philomathians were both guests and judges. This contest was most interesting and exciting, and called forth a high grade of elocutionary talent. It was won by Rubie Evans, with our dear -------McCauley, who so recently left us, as second. With '94 we also began a more extended study than formerly of eminent authors, and introduced the extempore speech, which has since become a ----- important part of our programme.

1895 was marked by no striking change or remarkable event, but by several minor details which helped to make the society flourish. Parliamentary practice was systematically studied and put in use. Three notable sessions are chronicled for that year. One was a visit to the comfortable room of the Athenian Society, whence the Ecolians were driven by the terrible odors of sulfur placed upon the furnace by the revengeful and remembering Preps. Another occasion was an open-session of Ecolian at which the regular programme was shortened, and the farce "The Mousetrap" was substituted. The third interesting open-session was due in the fall-term of '95, which was given in memory of Eugene Field, whose death had just occurred! Most entertaining papers were read and illustrated by the Ecolian girls, with the Athenians as their guests. Probably the most important event in '95 was the change of the regular sessions back from Friday to Monday night. This change has proved very wise, and tho' many attempts have since been made by Ecolianites in behalf of Friday night, yet sooner or later these same advocates of Friday become converts to Monday. In recent years, rarely does a Friday night pass without some entertainment, or reception, or other equally desirable affair, and thus the wisdom of Monday night for Ecolian has been fully shown. It is sometimes a little hard on individuals, but it makes a better society.

'96 was perhaps the red-letter year in Ecolian's history, when for the first time she won, thro' her representative Miss Edith Evans both House and State Oratorical Contests. The trouble with the State Union which followed may -------, but cannot destroy the glory of Ecolian's triumph. It is no wonder that her enthusiastic adherents were moved to invent that short, sweet yell, which they so often practiced in private, but have never uttered before in public: - "Who won! Ecolian!"

'98 was also a glorious year for Ripon, for she won not only first but second honors at the State Contest at Appleton. On that memorable night, a staid body of Athenians was assembled in the Ecolian hall to hear the -------, and when the news came, the two dignified societies did some remarkable things. They yelled and sang, they paraded the streets, they visited the Professor's house, they built bonfires, they kept the city awake so late, or rather so early, that the honorable Thomas Sullivan, marshall of Ripon, was moved to make some remarks expressive of his indignation and savoring of a certain stone building under his control into which he meditated putting this crazy crowd When the news came on the following week that Miss Mary Jones, representing Ecolian, had received second place instead of third, an equally enthusiastic though, less vociferous gathering was held, and an equally bright bonfire.

In the winter-term of '99 the Ecolian decided to give an entertainment to rally friends for some improvements on their hall. Accordingly a very interesting Court of Fame was planned, at which the heroines of all ----- presented claims for highest honors. Queen Elizabeth and Martha Washington, Topsy and Sappho, Pocohontas and Clara Barton, Patti and Mother Goose, Joan of Arc and ...