SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 1941.
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE SEVEN
Reviews University History
'Across the Years on Mount Oread'
By LILLIAN FISHER
This week when the 2,000 books of the first edition of Robert Taft's "Across the Years on Mount Oread" were put on sale, over half of that number had already been sold.
Realizing the need for an up-to-date history of the University of Kansas, a committee was appointed several years ago to undertake the project. This group of men selected Robert, Taft, professor of physical chemistry, to be the author of this work because of his combined interests of photography, writing and western American history.
Another Book
Prof. Taft recently finished a book entitled "Photography and the American Scene." This was a history of American photography that covered the subject thoroughly from 1839.
Walter Prichard Eaton said in the "Commonwealth Magazine" in criticizing Taft's first book, "Fortunately, Professor Taft is both a scholar who understands the techniques of research and the value of accuracy, and also a man who appreciates the picturesque and who can write entertainingly." This can be said with equal enthusiasm about the author of "Across the Years on Mount Oread."
Research Done Before
Although much of the research had been done before, Professor Taft did not begin to compile and to write the text until last October. Since that time, the author spent countless hours getting the manuscript ready for publication in time for the University's Diamond Jubilee.
Working steadily every night in his reserved room in Watson library, Professor Taft wrote the thousands of words that went to make up the 202 printed pages in the completed book. Not once during that time did he take time off—even Saturdays and Sundays he continued his labor.
Four Years
Over a period of four years, the author collected numerous photographs depicting early scenes of the University. He sorted these out, and has used 180 photographs and etchings in his finished book.
The pictures are so well chosen that they cover every phase of each era on Mount Oread. There are 75 sections to the book. The last section deals with such recent events as Dandelion Day, and contains two pictures that prove that the faculty
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in 1941 is not afraid of work. A scene in Marvin Grove shows Miss Florence Black, associate professor of mathematics, dressed in slacks, anklets and furiously digging dandelions!
Comparison of Pictures
Comparison of the pictures throughout the book shows the reader immediately the physical growth of the University. There are scenes of Old North College, the new Fraser hall, the stone wall that used to encircle the campus, Spooner library and many others.
To show what work Professor Taft went to, to compile all of the data for the last 75 years here on Mount Oread, he has 19 pages of "Sources and Notes" in the back of the book. This is an invaluable guide to future historians and writers.
Depict Early Days
The frontispiece of the book is an attempt to depict Mount Oread in pre-territorial days. It is based on early photographs and topographic maps, and shows the bare "Hill" with a few horsemen and a covered wagon travelling over the supposed Oregon Trail. It is thought as nearly as can be determined from contemporary maps, that this early route to the West came up over the campus just west of the present Marvin hall, although a branch road probably came up the Hill between the present Chancelor's residence and Blake hall.
In comparison, there are pictures of the town of Lawrence at the time
of the founding of the University, and now. In 1867, just four years after Quantrill's famous raid, Lawrence had wooden sidewalks, hitchin' posts, dirt streets and cattle running in the downtown section! Fraser Hall a Peer
Fraser hall was thought to be the latest thing in buildings in 1877 When it was officially opened to the public, Chancellor Fraser is quoted as having said. "Now, by the grace of God, we have a building nearly completed that has not its peer in the whole land. This building was not erected by the princely aid of a nobleman or millionaire, but it is the work of the people, the toiling thousands of our blood-bought Kansas. We accept it as a token of their liberality. The people have reason to rejoice with the faculty at what has been accomplished, but they cannot yet fully understand its importance."
Nothing Undone
Nothing Undone
Professor Tait left nothing undone in his book. He has whole sections devoted to the growth of the fraternities and sororites, to the feud between the engineers and the lawyers, to the growth of the "silly idea of teaching of journalism in colleges," and he even tells of the swimming and boating that former students used to enjoy at Potter's Lake.
Although this book is a history, it is definitely not "dry." There is humor in Professor Taft's writing, and there is also humor in some of the etchings he used. One, in particular, is labeled, "One of the advantages of a training in civil engineering, according to The Cicala, the annual for 1884." The picture shows an engineer sighting through his surveyor's instrument. Instead of fixing his gaze on his partner far in the distance, he is happily watching the antics of a couple of lovers.
Horse and Buggy Days
Student life in the horse and buggy days was not much different from now. Although there were kerosene lamps, pitchers and bowls and large wood stoves in men's rooms, there were also many pictures of beautiful women and unsightly pennants tacked on the walls.
as he knew how and had a good time just "messin' around;" then came the famous Dandelion Day that was so successful this spring. During World War
There is also the history of Dandelion Day. That is, throughout the book, the reader learns of various celebrations that students have had in the spring. The Seniors used to have the celebration; then came the May-pole fight and the junior men would erect a pole forty feet high and raise their class colors—it was up to the other students to tear them down; later came Hobo Day when everyone dressed as horrible
With the coming of former Chancellor Lindley, the campus seemed to pop up with new buildings. During his many years as head of the University such buildings as Watkins hospital, Snow hall and the library were erected. The stadium and the Memorial Union building were built.
During the last World War there were cantonments erected on the campus. The University company of the Kansas National Guard threw up tents and even drilled on the present lawn of Frank Strong hall. At Commencement in 1918, Chancellor Strong unfurled the first service flag of the University. It contained nearly two thousand white stars and eight gold ones.
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Now, in the Seventy-fifth Anniversary year of the University of Kansas, it is only fitting that such a history of this wonderful institution be written. Professor Taft has done an excellent task in writing this book.
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