Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-09
COLBY'S NIGHT SHIRT PARADE.
1t Was Carried Out in Due Form, Early
Monday Morning.

The time-honored customs at Colby
are certainly not suffering from lack
of observance this year, and the way
some of them are being carried out
would delight some of the old grads
who We're of the boys in their under
graduate days. The so-called might
shirt parade" was held in the wee
small hours of Monday morning. This
is usually the grand final of the years
mischief, coming just before he final
examinations. 1t has no fixed date,
although usually coming off about this
time in June. Some restless spirit sud-
denly observes that it is good night
for the parade and suggests the fact
to some kindred spirit who allows that
the point is we'll taken. More are
gathered and soon messengers are
Scurrying through he halls and about
the campus yelling "All out for the
parade" And usually it is "all out"
all the classes joining in the hilarity.
Some of the best stories of college life
have had their origin in these parades,
the principal danger being from the
fact that with practically the whole
college engaged there is a tendency
lessly following a few of the most
reckless. When the crowd is once
started on the rampage the more sober
minded cannot make themselves heard
and the reckless spirit rules
One year the old pulpit that had
eraced the platform in the chapel for
many years and which had become
one of the treasured heirlooms of the
college on account of its associations
was torn from it's fastcnings and cast
into the Kennebec to be rescued by
wood gatherer well down the river
and stored in his barn for many weeks.
When the loss was realized by the
boys every one was sincerely sorry
and everyone was delighted when one
morning the old pulpit, a bit SCARED
and water stained. appeared in it's ac-
customed place. having been located
and recovered by faithful Sam.
The damage done during the celebra-
ton of the parade has as a rule NOT
been so very serious. although usually
causing n great deal of trouble AMI
Inconvenience. The hazing of fresh
men almost invariably ceases with the
freshman reading and all the mischief
making with the parade. The boys
then plunge into the exams, COM
mencement with all its attendant lows
coming close after Not for years has
the spring term closed without the
llnal "blow out without the parade.
The boys being under n sort of cloud
on account of the freshman reading
and feeling as if n sword were hang.
ing over them, entered the parade this
spring with perhaps more than the
usual zest. 1t was n bit unusual start
ing it SO early Monday morning and
was almost unexpected although the
word was passed among the elect
earlier than usual.
At daylight. Monday morning. there
was no doubt that the parade had been
held in due form. The old grand |
stand on the athletic field was q
wreck. 1t was the intention to re-
pulld this anyway so the boys saved |
the trouble of tearing it down. The |
new preachers were not disturbed but |
IL the OLD ones had been standing they |
might nave been gone up in smoke as |
they had several narrow escapes.
Inc snort piece of fence on the Col
lege avenue side of the field was dec
GRATED with liberal hand the material
pelng lurid red paint that showed up
Wen on the green background. Nearly
nan OF the space was devoted to the
legend Who Told Prexy?" a reference
70 some inside mystery of college life
me remainder of the fence had a
startling recollection of caricatures on
the FACULTY, all plainly labeled.
FOR some reason never satisfactorily
sNplaihed the chapel is usually made
the storm center of the parade celebra-
non and it received it's full share of at-
-entlon, this year. The roof of the |
gymnasium was decorated with the |
years of all the classes The flag pole
IL the south end of the campus was
striped with paint and a collection of
baskets run to the ton.
Blu boards are the special prev on
Such occasions and several of them
changed locations, Ladies' hall being
ven walled in with them, while the
'ther dormitories of the women re-
ceived attention,
Nearly every tree on the campus was
decorated with rudely painted legend
some OF these reading: mo more 8
CLOCKS for us, death to all who on
jer mere" No more scholarships, An
'ld pump was secured and placed over
Dig catch basin on the campus near
he sidewalk on College avenue Near
y all of the mischief was confined to
'ollege property, very little damage be-
ng done about town. 4