Below you will find extracts of the faculty meeting minutes of the Pennsylvania State Normal School of the Second District (now known as Millersville University). These extracts are from the volume covering 1907-1910. A digitized copy will soon be available at the Keystone Library Network’s Digital Collection. When it is uploaded, you will find it at http://digital.klnpa.org/cdm/search/collection/mvsminutes.
Oct. 14, 1907
A report from the com. appointed to take into consideration the advisability of forming a public Glee Club, was given. On account of (1) Insufficient talent, (2) the Time and (3) Expense, the report was adverse.
Nov. 25, 1907
It is reported that large quantities of butter are taken from the dining room, by the students.
It is thought that if each table were dismissed as they finish the meal and the teacher in charge of the table remain until all are done that this useless waste of butter could be avoided.
This matter will come up at the next meeting of the faculty, in the mean time the members will give this subject attention.
Dec. 10, 1907
“In view of the fact that Miss Sarah H. Gilbert is taking a leave of absence to take a trip around the world; Dr. Byerly read the following resolutions:
“Miss Sarah H. Gilbert, long a member of our Faculty, meets with us this evening for the last time before entering upon a few months vacation.
We are very sorry, we assure her, for the time to be deprived of her presence among us, – of her faithful conscientious efficient work in the class room, of her discreet and helpful management of lady students in hall and elsewhere, of her wise counsel in meetings of the Faculty, and especially of her genial companionship in our Normal social circle. We will miss her in every relation in which she stood to ourselves and to the school.
But we are glad that she is taking a well merited vacation, that she is to be relieved for a much longer period than usual of the tiresome monotonous wearing routine of the teacher’s life. That she in prospect [sic] of a season of extensive travel abroad.
May the good Providence that watches over all protect and guide her by sea and by land, – bid the winds flow softly, the waves roll gently, the ship rock quietly, the sun shine with genial ray; may the nations know that not an Ex-president, not a President in prospect, not a secretary of War, but one of the Queens of these United States of America is this time making a tour of the world, and open wide for her the doors of the palace, of Cathedral, of gallery, of halls of learning and of legislature; make accessible to her every place of interest: – in short may her trip around the world be restful, full of interest of profit and of pleasure, abounding and the grand in nature [sic] and in art, affording too to her a large and intimate acquaintance with the varied workings of human life the world around, so that she may come back like Augustus of old ladened with the spoils of the East and give to us to see with her eyes and hear with her ears the glorious things of this grand old world of ours.
We send her off with our blessing, we will follow her day by day with interest, our best wishes and our warmest prayers, and we promise her upon her return a glad, a right royal welcome to our Normal home and her former line of work among us.”
Feb. 11, 1908
Miss Hufford was reported for cooking in her closet – She rec. 20 dem. She was reported for snow-balling in Science Hall – She rec. 5 additional dem. for this offense.
Feb. 11, 1908
Dr. Byerly then offered the following resolutions:
Again the death angel has visited our Normal household and carried off on of our number, Mrs. Cora Bitner.
We feel that each one of us has sustained a great loss in the death of a most estimable woman, whom to know was to love and esteem, whom for one to love and esteem was to be wooed to a better, higher, purer, nobler life.
Here below there is a vacancy in the circle, there is a wound in the heart; tears fill the eye, love wanders inconsolable; there is a hush upon the voice of music; there above a new form appears, a new voice is heard, a new song trembles upon the heavenly air. A new hand is raised to beckon us to the skies. The sorrow of earth is assuaged by the touch of heaven.
We sympathize most feelingly with the bereaved husband and the orphaned children, and sincerely hope that the thought of the heavenly joys which are hers may be a healing balm for the earthly sorrows that are theirs.”
April 6, 1908
Capt. Paul Jones of the Salvation Army has asked for a donation. Mr. Lansinger and Miss Gherst were appointed a committee to inquire into the character of Capt. Paul Jones.
April 15, 1908
Mr. Irvin Snyder was called before the com. charged with throwing a stone through a window. He confessed to have thrown a pole through the window but denied having thrown a stone.
June 22, 1908
Ladies of the faculty should always use the front door when coming in late at night. Do not use the lower door or the door on the gentlemen’s side.
June 25, 1908
Mr. Simons reported Mr. Wm. Weigler for taking his coat off during the entertainment on Mon. eve. And was impudent and put it on very slowly. No action taken.
Sept. 14, 1908
Miss Kath. Weidle is supposed to be home-sick. Provision has been made for a cure.
Jan. 18, 1909
The Prin. inquired about the boarding.
Miss Landes thinks the bolona [sic] is not relished by many and Miss Gilbert thinks the money expended for Sardines could be more profitably spent for something that all would eat.
January 25, 1909
Mr. Arthur Greenleaf has been tampering with the electric lights in his room by attaching a wire to the box above and making two additional lights in his room. Mr. Neary is an electrician and needs watching.
Feb. 23, 1909
Prin. asked about the food and service in the dining room. the following suggest. were made: –
1. Beef-loaf recently served was not well cooked.
2. The dishes are not always washed clean.
3. The Hamburgh steak was tainted.
4. Oysters were not good and not served in sufficient quantities.
5. The pumpkin pie was not good on one occasion.
Mar. 1, 1909
Dining Room. –
1. Service, as a rule, is good.
2. Food good, sometimes when hot cakes are served, there are not enough at some of the tables.
Apr. 12, 1909
It was stated in regard to the dining room, that there is not good service in the east annex. Two girls have five tables. (2) The corn beef is not good – (3) The same was said of the soup. (4) Bread and cakes are good. (5) Cold beef-loaf is a little doubtful – (6) Rice and Peas are not cooked enough. (7) And the fish is improved.
April 26, 1909
Discipline Committee.
Hazing.
The committee of gentlemen on discipline met in the public office immediately after supper. Messers. Lyte, Byerly, Hull, Bitner, Roddy, Straughn, Harbold, Hunter, Cooper and Lansinger were present.
The object of the meeting was stated by Mr. Bitner. He said that Messers. Arthur, Witmyer, Shelly, Boger, Pruitt, Quail, Ober, Grice, Griffiths and Geo. Cooper had taken Messers. Clayton D. Lingle and Ira Brinser down to the Little Conestoga and Hazed them.
Mr. Lingle was called before the committee first and said: that some boys came to his room on Friday evening April 23 about 10:30 or 11 o’clock. He jumped out of the window and went into a room on the floor below. They followed him and compelled him to come out of a closet where he had concealed himself and to go with them. They were masked and tied his hands behind his back and blindfolded him. They led him out of the building and through the town down to the Little Conestoga. On the way he was tripped, and thrown down while his hands were tied and rudely thrown over the fences. At the Conestoga he was made do many things for their amusement and while doing so was beaten with clubs or sticks and kicked. He was made to climb a tree and struck and kick [sic] when he did so. They had a pistol along which was fired off to frighten them. At the conclusion of the insults he was made stand [sic] up, put his hand on his heart and solemnly promise not to divulge any of the things he was made to do, nor tell who did it. He was then left to find his way back home alone. On Sunday evening following, he was called into the room of Messers. Boger and Witmeyer and threatened that if he should tell how he was treated, or give the names of the those who did it: the Black-Hand Society would take care of his case.
Mr. Ira Brinser was called in and his testimony corroborated the statements made by Mr. Lingle. He was more cruelly treated than Mr. Lingle.
The leaders in this affair were:
1. Clifton Arthur, who compelled Mr. Lingle to come out of the closet by pointing his finger or pistol toward him and counting three.
2. Howard Whitmeyer who tied the hands behind their backs and who struck Mr. Hartman in the face while making an out-cry in a hazing that occurred during the first week of school.
3. Russell Shelly who helped to take the boys from their rooms.
4. John Boger who threatened the persecuted boys on Sunday evening and who forced the door in on Friday evening.
5. David Pruitt who administered the oath of secrecy at the Conestoga and gave some of the commands during the insults.
Those who were apparently less guilty were:-
Harper Quail –
Birch Ober.
Geo. Cooper
Edwin Griffiths –
James Grice
All these persons were seen except Messers. Ober, Cooper and Griffiths.
The punishment was fixt as follows: –
The leaders are to receive 30 dem. their parents written to. Must sign a pledge not to angage in hazing while connected with the institution, nor to do any one any harm and pay a fine of 50 cents each.
The others receive the same punishmetn except they receive 15 demerits instead of 30.
This punishment was agreed to by all of the committee except two. Messers Hull and Harbold voting in the negative.
Besides this Mr. Pruitt and Walter Gilbert were seen in the rear of the ladies’ building on the evening of April 18 about 10:30 Sunday evening. (Mr. Pruitt said they were there watching the servant girls going to bed).
Mr. Pruitt and Mr. Gilbert each received 5 dem. for this offense.
May 19, 1909
Dining Room: –
Food – Not enough in the annex.
Corn [?] sometimes not good.
Fried head not eaten – better be made into head puddings.
Mackaroni (sic) & cheese not relished.
Service. – Waitresses leave the dining room too soon.
June 21, 1909
Misses Eliz. Hostetter, Ida Kafroth, Minni West and Cunence Beard were reported writing unnecessary if not improper things on their Final Examination. A vote of censure was passed upon these.
Sept. 13, 1909
Dining Room: –
It is thought that when hot cakes are served, head should also be served.
Sept. 27, 1909
Messers Quail & Walton violated the rules by speaking to ladies before 4 o’clock. Prin. will speak to them.
Oct. 4, 1909
Miss Nissley and David Witmer are sick at their homes. A number of students on the ladies’ side have colds supposed to have been contracted on account of the buildings being too cold…
Dining Room: –
Some of the boys are extravagant with the sugar and butter.
October 19, 1909
Trip to Washington
Teachers going are – Misses Rice, Goodenough, Adams accompanied by Miss Stephens – Mr. Grove
The following rules were stated: –
1. Not to attend theatres at night.
2. Girls not be left alone.
3. Ladies not to visit friends in Washington.
4. If friends join the party there they must get permission.
5. No dancing at the hotels.
6. Must not be out alone at night.
7. No souvenirs to be taken from the hotels.
Oct. 25, 1909
Dining Room
The potatoes are not always cooked first.
Dec. 7, 1909
Hershey Byerly was reported for shooting beans against the windows in the square.
Mr. Quail was called before the committee because he had 54 dem. and had been seen several times with strange girls in the streets of the village…He was not ready to say that they were respectable. He did not know them well enough to say they were good or bad.
January 24, 1910
Mr. Bolivar wants a diploma from the school – He says he has completed the com. course. He is a good boy on the hall.
Feb. 7, 1910
It is thought that there are a few secrets societies among the students – They are called the “Rex” & “Anti-Rex”. Messers. Lansinger – Straughn and Hull were appointed to investigate the matter.
Feb. 14, 1910
Dining Room. –
Some of the tables are not served with sufficient fish.
The Meat served last Sunday was not good.
The tables are served too frequently with beef-stew.
The corn-beef is not above suspicion.
There seems to be a waste in serving butter the second time.
Feb. 7, 1910
Resolved. – That it is the sense of this committee that no secret organization shall be permitted among the students at this Normal School. (1) Such parent organizations known as college fraternities have, by experience, prove [sic] to be detrimental to the best interests of both students and school when introduced into High Schools, Normal Schools, and Preparatory Schools. (2) Secret organizations, by pledge, necessarily demand more attention from their members than clubs. (3) The parents of many of our students are unalterably opposed to secret organizations, expecially among boys and girls. (4) The students themselves do not fully appreciate the significance and demands of secret societies.
Clubs, not secret in character or intention, may, in the judgment of the faculty, be allowed, provided that such clubs do not generate strife, have worthy aims, and support the authority of the school.”
April 4, 1910
The following ladies are thought to be too much interested in the boys: – Misses Kershner (Nellie), Beal, Beau, Bertolet, Cooper, Beard (Cunence)…
Games in which ladies and gentlemen touch each other must not be played.
Tennis must not be played by the two sexes at the same time except after four o’clock.
June 9, 1910
Case of Mr. Neary: – Mr. Neary left the school about 9:30 p.m. to call to see a lady in the village – When he was returning, about 10.30, he was seized by two men who were lying in wait for him, and four more came up suddenly. He was gagged, bound, and blindfolded, and led out into the country in the vicinity Mr. Glick’s or beyond. There he was stripped of his shoes and stockings, coat and shirts, then bound to a tree both hands and feet. While in this position he was painted with black paint over the chest, back and face. Then an attempt was made to stick green leaves on him. One of the company with a pair of scissors cut off the hair in the front part of the head and on the back part, and rubbed paint over his head. He was left in this condition for about half an hour watched by a sentinel who finally cut the cords that bound his hands and ran. He returned to the school about 2 a.m. and went to the night watchman who assisted him in removing the paint. He reached his room about 3:15 a.m. He supposed the six men were villagers.
There is no clue to the matter.
June 20, 1910
Mr. Parsells had acknowledged that he had smoked in the building, that he had used profane language that he had been with boys breaking doors in the building, that he had met Miss Belts, had thrown glass from the window, had been lying to the committee, had been drinking liquor, had gone to Lanc. without permission, had been burning as light in his room after returning bell without permission, had gotten money from his father under false pretence.
Mr. Parsells was then excused after which a motion was made and seconded to expel him. The motion was carried.
June 30, ’10
The commencement exercises, the final examination, &c. were all marked with quietness and great decorum. This is supposed to be due to several causes, among them the prompt discipline of Mr. Wickert and Miss Belts, as well as campusing and restricting a no. of the ladies.
The propriety of allowing fathers to visit lady’s students’ rooms is doubtful, if done should be accompanied by a lady teacher.