New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-03
HAMILTON'S COMING CENTENARY
HISTORICAL sCBNOEs-PERsoNAl
DoTES
.oTES.

Clinton. ". V, Feb. . (speciaD.-The near approach
~ tho centenary OF Hamilton College fresh in
erest in the history OF the institution, and brings 10
e surface innumerable "reminiscences and anecdotes
Probably no college in America has had more TO
mantle career, especially in its early days Nor are
there many if any, that show more lllustr1ouS
roll of alumni In the historical sketch recently pub
lshed by the Rev. c. +. Allison, OF fonkers' N H.
class of 1870. the total number of alumni is put at
o6O5, Of whom 1854 living. of the whole, lib
became ministers and ASS lawyers. Twenty nine nave
gone to Congress- five have become State Governors,
thirteen have been made presidents OF colleges, ana
ninety-four professors. No less than elghtytwo are
set down as editors and twenty -four have not scorned
to become agTiculturists.
When one looks over the actual names however.
he is still more impressed by the quality of Iamiltons
alumni. There are who have become eminent
in almost every useful capacity in all parts OF the
world Gerrit Smith, for example, Of whom Mr. Al
son relates that once, to escape detection in some
rregularity he hid under his bed, leaving his 0ooted
foot, however, cOnspicuously visible. "Gerflt," ue-
manded the college president, "Gerri what are you
doing there's Mediuting, sir!" Then there are
Albert Barnes, d. d. Whedon, a. c. kendrlck Iheo-
dore W. Dwight and Thomas 5. Hastings. There IS
the Rev. DR.. Joel Parker, who once arrived day or
two after the term had opened, and who was called
to account therefor by tutor in class. Parker you
were not here until Friday NO, sir' DID you
have written excuse from your parents" 81 nave
no parents Or from your guardian {" u nave
no guardian" From your friends, thenl' I" l have
10 friends There are senators Hawley, Payne and
others; Alexander Mclean T. I. Ellinwood' Arthur
I. Person, Bishop Lyman, OF North CarolnS; Presi-
dent Cochran, Of the Brooklyn Polytechnic; William
c. Wnslow the Psychologist; General John SochTane'
Charles Dudley Warner, John Jay Knox, Ehhu ROOT,
Richard a. Elmer, Colonel Emmons Ciark Attorney
General Miller Chester s. Lord and host OF others
A history of Hamilton College must OF COURSE, be-
gin with Samuel kirkland, It's foundcf-a descendant
Of Miles Standish, by the way-and samson Occunl,
the MOhican Indian, who became great preacher ana
hymn-w ritter Kirkland the founder OF the col
lege and the first white settler in THIS region Indians
used 70 his cabin for nights lodging, and II
sober their request granted" The famous chief
Shenandoah was frequent visitor and warm friend
of The minister. When DR.. kirkland built his hrst
academy, the Germ Of Hamilton College, Shenandoah
was present and Baron steuben laid the cornerstone
The memory of these and Of others eminent in
past years is dearly cherished by the present genera
Jon. Mr.. Alson's entertaining book also recalls many
historic student Jokes, such as tie definition OF a
curved line as straight line on bender" and tho
popular designation Of Professors Oren Root ST., and
Cren Root, jr., respectively as "Cube Root and
Square Root A host Of other "reminiscences viii
be aroused in every alumni's mind By perusal OF
these interesting pages.