Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 162

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