The Washington herald., 1910-06-12
d. cHARLoTTE N. coNGER.

last quarter or Its centenary. III us
life of nearly a hundred years this
venerable institution has had many ups
and downs, but It's downs" as well as
its ups" have made for progress and
It has now, under a new president. as
bright an outlook as at any time since
its birth.
There are those still living who re-
member the college when it led sleepy
existence IN big. plain. old brick build
ing, which. covered with cement, mas
oueraded as brown stone, was perched
on one Of the outlaying eminences Of
town, known as College Hill, because OF
the institution that occupied its summit
This Hill lay between what is now W
street and Mount Pleasant. Below * to
the west and nearer TO the city, was
Meridian Hill. so called because through
# the meridian established at Washing
ton was supposed TO run and opposite 1t
was the Stone estate. large tract unoc-
cupled save by the big manor house.
which Mrs. Logan subsequently con
verted into a modern residence, stables,
and servants quarters.
Mount Pleasant, which formed the
northern boundary OF the college grounds
was likewise barren save for q single
residence and farm buildings. About the
college campus. where fiercely contested
games Of baseball took place. for in those
days, football had not made its appear
ance on these shores, were the red brick
houses Of the professors. row Of them.
plain simple homes shaded by great oaks
and at one end the famous Prep
where future collegians boned for their
entrance into college.
Not IA Landmark Left.
To-day there is not a single Landmarks
left of the old college that one familiar
with IT could recognize. With true
American utilitarian spirit. the trustees
of the college sold its estate in the
suburbs and with the proceeds built q
modern college building in the heart OF
the city, for sentiment and success are
enemies irreconcilable enemies, and
however tenderly we may regard senti-
ment, as Americans we worship success
so old College Hill was given over tC
spectators.
The Hill was graded down TO the polite
level OF metropolitan standards and witt
rs summit disappeared the little stream
which trickied down one side of the road
that ran IN front OF the college property
Fourteenth street. to be exact. and IL
springtime was fringed with ferns anC
fOrget-me-nots, while the picturesque
spring with its old, tin cup. which nestled
half way Up the HILL where thirsty col
legfans tarried to refresh themselves
was bricked up and converted into
modern drinking fountain
The old buildings were hardly pulled
down before their site was covered witt
city residences. rows or houses. witt
now and then one detached, went u
seemingly over night, the Stone estat
opposite was covered with homes ant
Mount Pleasant became a thriving vii
lage. later 10 be incorporated with tn
city.
So College Hill and its lovely surround
ings were swept away by the god o
demon as one is pleased to regard II
Improvement, and the college long ag
expanded into q university, came to tow
and instead OF grassy lawns and spread
ing trees. its students drew what In
spiration they may from asphalted pave
ments and brick buildings. But the uni
versity grew apace.
The roster of the various colleges in
creased, especially those Of the law an
medical schools and so gOod-by foreve
TO romantic old College HILL which. lie
US hope, still lives In the hearts an
memories OF its gray-hafred alumni an
that they sometimes think with tender
ness and affection Of the place wher
their alma mater then had her abode.
Growth Again Expected.
Since George Washington Universit
came TO town it's history is known I
every one interested in this old institu
ton and is development and growth ha
gratifed all its loyal friends. But jus
now its affairs are in a muddle. hav
been in a muddle for some time despit
Dr. Needham's splendid efforts to correo
this same muddle, which he undOubtedl
could correct If ne had the ambition t
20 on. but disheartened by the lack G
esprit du corps. he has thrown up IN
work, which has been placed in worth
hands-the worthiest-those of Charlie
Herbert Stockton. the son Of one Of tn
most noted families in the history Of tn
country.
The first Stockton who stands out
the pages of history was Richard, a sigr
er of the Declaration of Independence
and a member of the first class gradual
ed from Princeton University and n
only one OF the entire class who did nj
enter the ministry. Richard Stockton b,
came lawyer li4Sttiu NA q preacher al
began the practice Of his profession {
Newark in 1I54, where twenty years late
he was made a judge Of the Supren
Court and subsequently served in II
Continental Congress, when he was al
pointed on a committee 10 inspect II
Northern army. Returning from tn
service he was captured by the Britis
confined In the common prison In Ne
York. and died. from the severity Of Il
treatment accorded to him there.
Prominent at the Bar.
This Richards son. Richard as we
was a member of the class Of IT'S. ar
following his fathers example in II
choice Of a profession as well as Of CO
lege, was admitted TO the bar before
reached his majority. He served in II
Senate from 1856 to 1893, in the Hou.
from 1913 until 1915, and many years lat
he was appointed a commissioner to d.
termine the boundary line between Ne
York and New Jersey, and remained Il
foremost figure OF the New Jersey bt
until his death in 1928
The next noted Stockton was the son
this second Richard, Robert Field Stool
ton, who lived a round seventy-six year
from 1876 until 1866 but he was not
Prfncetonian. The claims OF Old Nasss
We're outweighed by love of countr
patriotism, the need of navy and nav
officers when our second war with. Gre
Britain threatened. so il was that Robe
Field Stockton was appointed an appre
tice in the American navy when he vi
fourteen and became a full-hedged lie
tenant four years la-er, when he was ju
eighteen, as against twenty-four
twenty-six, at which age the men OF {
day receive their commissions.
Before he was twenty-five, Robe
Field Stockton was in command Of {
Erie, which was sent 20 the west Goa
OF Africa 10 aid the colonization socie
IN their efforts to establish what h
since become the republic OF Liberi
That he succeeded in securing the teri
tory that Liberia now occupies and tn
he was helpful to the poor blacks stru
Cling to establish a home on the Afric;
coast which had once been their hon