The immediate result of this prank was a general inquisition. Each student
was asked whether he had entered into an agreement that he would not
answer questions about putting the horse in the chapel, and if so, whether
he desired to withdraw from that agreement. Those who refused to withdraw
were suspended. Eleven confessed, but because Professor Sinclair rose to
their defense, "the appropriate penalty was remitted.- It was not until
forty years later that the culprits of '85 and '86 were made to pay for
their prank. President Ralph Earle convinced these classes that the damage
done by Buckskin during his one-day visit to the chapel could be repaired
only by complete renovation of the room. So, at an expense of several
thousand dollars, cheerfully donated, the room was completely remodelled,
and as a tribute to the friend who had saved the boys from punishment, it
was named Sinclair Hall.
Because of the stir occasioned by this episode and because of a downtown
fracas in which Tech students were involved, a more rigid interpretation
of the catalogue statement in regard to order was announced. All
processions on city streets, all bonfires and noisy demonstrations at
night on the grounds of the Institute were prohibited. This ruling ended
for all time the annual junior frolic, the cremation of "Chauvenet.
The clause about bonfires was soon invoked, for there was such a fire on
the campus on the eve of New Year's, 1887. Following this every student
was required to answer the question, "Were you on the grounds between
eleven and one?" One who said yes and three who declined to answer were
suspended. Before the faculty would reinstate them, these four and five
others involved were required to raise $50 for the Fireman's Relief
Association, to recompense that department for answering an alarm.
The class of '84 was the first one in the Fuller administration daring
enough to publish a class book. Its "Antenna" contained some rather frank
comments on the faculty, particularly on Dr. Fuller. It aroused heated
discussion in faculty
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