annual not dexy of t their ger at
no has arts
mednes-
Par-teach
wy.
A HISTORICAL SKETCH.
at 910
but live us
tittedied of
Bar-
what the
Koken
Louis
Tow-
bd free
Your
jor.
Students the Life of the Early Union Organization—Difficulties in Starting the Student Association.
The first organization in Lawrence that bore the name of a Young Men's Christian Association was started in 1865, a year before the University was organized. It was the result of work by Mr. Dwight L. Moody, the great evangelist, who made a visit here at that time. The officers were Mr. W. H. Fisher, president, and Mr. H. W. Chester, secretary. They occupied rooms in the building that stands at 800 Massachusetts street, and kept up the work for about two years when it died out for lack of support.
The first record on the books of the next organization bears the date, December, 1882. About twelve men from Lawrence had gone up to Topeka to the first Y. M. C. A. state convention and came back enthusiastic for an Association here. Six of these were students and six were town boys. They decided to start a union organization. Several mass meetings were held in the different churches and the plan was "talked up." When enough talking had been done and the people were sufficiently well informed as to what they were going to do they started to raise the money. Their enthusiasm carried them to the point where three of the men cut classes for two days. In that time they raised $600 and the work was started. The floor above Poeh-
ler's grocery store was rented and parlors, reading room and baths were fitted up. The first officers were F. H. Clark, president, and J. D. McLaren, secretary. During the eight or ten years that the two Associations were together the students took the active part of the work and were the real life of the organization. The separation was at the suggestion of some of the traveling secretaries of the International Committee, who urged that a more definite work be undertaken for students. This change left the original organization to the City Association and a new one was formed by the students, which is the Association we now have. For a while both suffered very much by the change. One was left with equipment for work but with very little life, and the other had merely an organization and no equipment at all. The membership decreased until there were only thirty-five or forty in the Association. There was no headquarters and the principal work was a weekly meeting and a Bible Class part of the time. Never-the-less there is evidence of sturdy work on the part of a few men.
The first house in any true sense of the word was started in the spring of '99 when the parlors at 1229 Ohio Street were rented They were only used
about three months but the advantages of such headquarters became evident and in the fall rooms and parlors were rented of Mrs. Kanaga at 1029 Kentucky Street. The Association had its first General Secretary the same year, Mr. Perry Hanson, now in China, filled this position and gave half his time to the work. With the advent of a Secretary the character of the work changed. The Employment bureau and work for new students became important features. The social work was increased and more emphasis was placed on Bible study and Missionary work. The membership grew rapidly until it reached what it has to-day.
During the two and a half years that the Association occupied the Davies houses on Ohio Street this development continued and the Y. M. C. A. in the University will show that it did not happen by chance. Through all of its existence there have been a few men who gave to it the best of their college life. It is to these men that the credit is due for our having the Y. M. C. A. work which we have to-day.
The Association has not yet come to the place where it can do all the work that rightfully belongs to it but its history is characterised by a constant growth in that direction. It is reaching more men each year and is having more influence in determining their character and work in life.
The next epoch in our Association history will begin with the erection of a Y. M. C.A. building for students, which we hope is not far distant.
WATTERSON'S LECTURE.
He Spoke on Money and Morals.
The last number of the University lecture course was the address by Col. Henry Watterson, editor of the Louisville CourierJournal. Mr.Watterson is the leading editor of the old school in the newspaper business today and one of the greatest lecturers.
his subject "Money and Morals" is indicative of the character and contents of his address. He spoke of the great importance which money had reached in the minds of men. "All men desire it" aid he, no man however poor but has pictured to himself the possibility of being rich; he has gone further and planned what his course of action would be if he did become rich; what he would do for his friends; how he would help the poor; what he would do for himself. He talked of money's evil influences, the harm coming from its possession in great quantities as well as the evils arising from great desire for it. He mentioned the menace to good government under our republican system of government occasioned by the use of money in our state and national politics.
The defaulting bank cashier and Trust Co. officers came in for their share of attention and and he deprecated the unsatisfactory system of extradition of criminals that obtains in our treaties with our neighbors, Canada and Mexico."Still" said Col. Watterson, "I think that the defaulter is blamed
more than he should be in many cases." He spoke of the many temptations in many instances, which surround the man who has the keeping of other people's money and thought because a man was a defaulter that it did not necessarily follow that he was all bad.
The department of society which the colonel designated as the "swagger" or "smart" set also received attention. He deplored the existence of such an adjunct to the country's democratic society but felt that they were the outgrowth of our great commercial activity which creates an atmosphere favorable to the formation of the parvenu. "There is little danger,"he added, from these people, and their actions need occasion no anxiety until "monkey dinners" shall become as popular in Kansas as they seem to be at Newport."
He spoke of the various problems which confront the Nation in its wide social life and said that he felt little fear for the outcome of the race question, labor and capital controversies and kindred sociological and economic problems. The greatest problem demanding solution at our hands is the money problem, Col. Watterson thinks. The entrance of the money element into our political life is the crying crime of our nation today.
--is located on a shady hillside within walking distance of the fair grounds, near Hillside Station on Wabash Railroad, and on three Street Car Lines. The Tents will be floored and will be kept scrupulously clean.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS at World's Fair, St. Louis.
University of Kansas Students, Alumni, Their Families and Friends Are Going For a Good Time.
We invite the teachers, the club women, in fact, every friend of education to join this Kansas family. We ask the young people especially to come to the great Fair and get an education that would take much money and years of travel to acquire. Here is an opportunity to do so and yet avoid contact with the vicious element from all over the world which is always present on such occasions. You will be at home among your own people, where all will have an interest in each other because all are Kansans.
CAMP OREAD
Sanitary conditions will be carefully attended to. Good water will be supplied. A perfect drainage system will be installed.
Hospital Tent under direction of Trained Nurse; Telephone; Bureau of Information; Etc.
There will be an Assembly Tent for general Social Purposes, Class Reunions, College Song Services, or meetings of any kind.
Among the conveniences for guests will be a Safe in which valuables may be kept; Store House for Trunks; Post Office, Nursery for Children;
Young Women who are not accompanied by parents or guardians will be under the personal supervision of Mrs. Burgess.
On return of Application Blanks, giving Date and Length of Visit, accompanied by One Dollar for each person, Certificate of Membership will be sent, entitling applicant to Board and Lodging at the Rate of $1.50 a day; Children under 12 Half Price. These Rates apply only to Certificates issued before April 15th-
Requests for Information should be sent to
MRS. M. BURGESS. 1235 Tenn. St LAWYER
There is Absolutely no Danger of Fire.
1235 Tenn. St., Lawrence, Kansas.
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.
This is to certify that Mrs. M. Burgess is to conduct a Kansas University Home at the World's Fair in St. Louis. Mrs. Burgess has been in consultation with us for some time in regard to the matter and we heartily approve of her undertaking. We believe her to be a woman of dignity and one in whose care the students of the University, whether young men or young women, will be entirely safe. We think she is entirely competent for the task she has assumed—of providing an inexpensive and pleasant home for our young people who may visit the Fair, and we feel that her plan is worthy of consideration.
Lawrence, February 17, 1904.
very truly,
FRANK STRONG, Chancellor.
Very truly,
MRS. M. BURGESS, 1235 Tenn. St., Lawrence, Kansas.
APPLICATION BLANK.
Enclosed find $ for certificate reserving board and lodging for persons at $1.50 per day.
Name and Address of Each. Date and Length of Visit.
Date and Length of Visit.
---