A quick scan of Wisconsin newspapers from December 1924 reveals that the university has always received more than its share of year-end coverage in a city whose population reached 47,973 that year (and this figure does not include 7,000 university students). Enjoy excerpts of articles from a century ago or follow the link for the complete article.
“GOODNIGHT DENIES HE CALLED U. OF W. MEN ‘CAKE EATERS’” — There are no evidences “of fatty degeneration of the virile tissues here,” S.H. Goodnight, dean of men of the University, said in commenting on statements attributed to him in regard to students at the university. “The attitude of the young men and young women in charge of our campus activities is admirable, much better than in the days just after the war,” Dean Goodnight said. “No millenium has arrived upon the campus. There are many abuses and evils to be fought against and there always will be, but I see no reason for discouragement with the present situation and there are some causes for real pleasure in surveying it.”
Regarding his recent address before the sophomore council, Dean Goodnight declared: “Widely spread publicity has heralded the report that I dub Wisconsin students cake-eaters. The fact is, I set forth in my talk that people outside of Madison are so characterizing us, but I went on to say that I did not believe this to be true: that I saw no evidences of fatty degeneration of the virile tissues here. I can only express regret for the unfavorable publicity caused by not telling the whole story, and shoulder such responsibility as may ‘be mine.’”
— LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press, December 22, 1924
“UNIVERSITY EXTENSION” — The university extension division, the branch of the university created to carry the services of the university to the people of the state, has made substantial progress during the past year. Through university extension 26,505 persons who could not attend the University in residence were able to continue their education by taking home-study courses either by correspondence or in extension classes. Of this number 10,566 were new registrations, an increase of 1.9 per cent over the previous year. A total of 156 evening classes with an enrollment of 4,599 students were conducted out in the state for persons who were employed during the day. Since 1906, when the first student enrolled in an extension course, over 100,000 students have taken courses. — Wisconsin State Journal, December 31, 1924
“GENERATION OF DAY UNAFRAID OF THE TRUTH” — Three thousand members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Allied Societies were told by President Coolidge today that society and government no longer fear the result of the scientist’s search for truth. “It has taken endless ages to create in men the courage that will accept the truth simply because it is the truth,” the President said. “Ours is a generation of pioneers in this new faith. Not many of us are endowed with the kind of mental equipment that can employ the scientific method in seeking for the truth, but we have advanced so far that we do not fear the results of that process. We ask no recantations from honesty and candor. We know that we need truth; and we turn to you men of science and of faith, eager to give you all encouragement in your quest for it.”
Members of the various scientific organizations, which have been in session this week in Washington called at the White House by appointment and Mr. Coolidge designating himself as “one particularly interested in this governmental university of practical and applied science,” addressed them from the south portico of the executive mansion.
— Manitowoc Herald News, December 31, 1924
“VACCINATION OF CITIZENS URGED” City Health Officer Advises Measure to Prevent Smallpox — Keep smallpox out of Madison by vaccination is the advice of Dr. E.V. Brumbaugh, city health officer. While no cases have been reported to the health department, Dr. Brumbaugh today urged that every man, woman, and child in the city be vaccinated if they have not already done so. “I urge everyone to become vaccinated as a preventative against smallpox,” said Dr. Brumbaugh. “Every citizen should be interested in guarding against entrance of the disease into the city and vaccination is the best means of prevention.”
Beginning Jan. 6 Dr. Brumbaugh will vaccinate children in the schools to guard against smallpox. The contagion is still raging in violent form in Minneapolis and St. Paul, causing many deaths. Reports have also reached Madison that smallpox has appeared at Appleton. It is feared by Madison doctors that university students and others away for holiday vacations might become exposed and on their return bring the disease into the city. For this reason, also, the health officer suggests vaccination at once.
It was reported Saturday that two suspected cases were under observation but it developed that the patients were afflicted with chicken pox. — Wisconsin State Journal, December 29, 1924
A small notice in the Stevens Point Daily Journal on December 18, 1924, noted that “the Wisconsin industrial commission today exonerated the Three F laundry from all blame in connection with the explosion on October 27, in which 12 persons were badly injured. The blast, which occurred in the firm’s dry cleaning plant, probably was caused by a static point which ignited naptha fumes in a washer, the commission found.” Industrial accidents remain commonplace, even in the 21st century, but this excerpt from an article in the Wisconsin State Journal reveals a more horrifying truth:
“11 BURNED IN GAS EXPLOSION; HEYL ORDERS BLAST PROBE. VISITORS TO 3-F PLANT SEARED BY COULD OF FLAMES”. Seven Women and Three Children, Guests Of Company, And Superintendent Victims Of Fire; Injured Taken to Hospitals For Care
Serious burning of 11 people, two of whom are in critical condition, in an explosion at the Three-F Laundry company plant on East Mifflin street, late this morning, today cause Fire Chief Charles W. Heyl to order an investigation.
Seven women and three small children, visitors at the plant, and Fred Lee, superintendent of the dry cleaning plant, were seared by the blazing gasoline that burst from a cleaning drum. The cause, yet undetermined, is believed to have been from a carelessly thrown cigarette, or from a match in the pockets of one of the suits being put through the cleaning process.
“Visitors Trapped By Flames” – According to witnesses of the accident, the explosion happened while the small room in which the dry cleaning is done was filled with patrons of the company, there on invitation from the firm during “Visitors’ Week.” The visitors, women and children, were being shown the process of dry cleaning by Superintendent Lee, and were about to leave the room when the blast came … It all occurred so quickly that none in the crowded little room had a chance to escape, one of the injured women said. “A roar from the cleaning drum and a flash of flame was the first the visitors knew.” Three of the victims, who were standing close to the large cleaning drum, were thrown back and to the floor as the heavy iron door to the drum was blown off by the explosion.
“Blazing Liquid Sprays Over Room” – The perforated sides of the drum, through which the blazing gasoline was sprayed over the trapped victims, whirled around in its enclosure, throwing a sheet of the burning liquid to all corners of the room. Superintendent Lee, standing nearest the drum as he explained the mysteries of dry cleaning, was the most seriously burned. The injured women and children stumbled outdoors, groping their way to safety. The interior of the room burst into flames, as gasoline set fire to the walls of the building.
Ambulance Called; Cars Commandeered – A call to police headquarters brought an ambulance manned by Driver John Arnold to the scene. Ready hands loaded a part of the injured into the conveyance and it sped away to St. Mary’s hospital. A second call brought another ambulance driven by Sergt. Leo Kinney. Passing automobiles were commandeered by police and injured rushed away for treatment. At St. Mary’s hospital a corps of physicians, Dr. Al Tormey, Drs. Joseph and James Dean and Dr. Arthur Johnson, dropped all other duties and treated the scalded victims. Late today hospital attaches announced that though all were in critical condition, none are expected to die … Most of the victims were burned about the face, neck and arms. In every case, the clothing of the injured was burned almost off … Mr. Fleury, manager of the company, announced today that “Visitors’ Week” would continue until Saturday, but that no one would be allowed in the dry cleaning department.
If you would like to explore historical Wisconsin newspapers further, the database NewspaperARCHIVE is available through the UW-Madison Libraries to anyone (faculty, staff, student) with a valid NetID.