Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 161

That these two classes were most friendly rivals was shown by the reception and dance given to '93 by '94 in the spring of the former year. It was the forerunner of the junior Prom, but was not repeated in the succeeding year. The extent to which the Institute had gone collegiate was shown by the proposal from '94 that mortar boards be worn by seniors, a recommendation that '93 scornfully rejected.

Dramatics first came to the campus in the spring of 1892, when, to raise funds for the athletic association, the "Techsedo Minstrels," organized by E. W. Marshall, '93, were staged. The show was a big success, netting $130 as well as much favorable comment. It was repeated in Upton, but fell flat because the townsfolk could not see the jokes. The following year a more ambitious production was attempted. It was a full measure of burlesque named "Jack and the Beanstalk," written and staged by Marshall. This also was a tremendous success, the biggest hit of the show being Jack's ascent on an elevator "built by the Washburn Shops." Most of the histrionic talent must have graduated with '93, for it was nearly two decades before another Tech show appeared.

Of all the pranks that students devised for their own amusement and the faculty's discomfiture, the establishing of the horse in the chapel is without a parallel. It occurred in the fall of 1884. "Buckskin" was owned and operated by Superintendent Higgins. He must have been a very goodnatured steed and one with an excellent sense of balance, for he was guided up two flights of spiral stairs to be picketed in the room where faculty and students gathered for morning devotions. Everyone except Mr. Higgins took the joke good-naturedly. The problem of getting the beast back on his accustomed plane was too involved for mechanical engineers, so a veterinary was called. He blanketed, padded, and blindfolded old Buckskin, tied his legs together and lowered him on skids with the aid of block and tackle. Students cheering the proceedings were dispersed by a squad of police.

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Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999