Showing 4 results

This humorous report details the students' interest in a new game called "basket ball," and John Britton's oration on pies. The critic also reject's the Society President's attempt to levy a fine against him. Transcription included.

Note that the connection with Hervey Studdiford is somewhat tenuous, as he likely graduated no later than 1895. The Society did occasionally receive visits from alumni, or It may be an unnamed younger brother or relative of Hervey's. But without a first name there is no way to confirm this Studdiford's identity.

The Thencanic's meeting of April 22 occurred the day after Spain severed diplomatic relations with the United States, and between that meeting and the writing of this report, the U.S. declared war on Spain (April 25). So this report emerged from an atmosphere of nationalism, jingoism, and adolescent masculinity, as Ernest Van Dyke's "good and patriotic" oration reveals. Katzenbach also reveals that the Society has inducted Rear Admiral William T. Sampson (soon to direct the U.S. fleet at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in July) and former U.S. Ambassador to Spain Steward Woodford as honorary members of the Thencanic. Transcription included.

A humorous report, one rejected by the Society's officers due to its levity. Allusions to the events and people from around the start of the Spanish-American War dates this document to early 1898. Transcription attached.

Welling S. Katzenbach, who seems to have recently graduated from the Model School, congratulates the Thencanic Society on the election of new officers. He offers his opinions on the selected students, and offers some reflections on the debating society at the post-secondary institution he was attending at this time. Transcription included.