The motivation of avoiding stings has meant a long history of protective equipment innovation. One of many many designs that came along was the protective mask shown below which included, per the patent:1)US Patent US140417A “Improvement in Protecting-Masks for Beekeepers, https://patents.google.com/patent/US140417A/en
An expectorating-tube, 0, passes through the gauze in the line of the mouth and properly fastened to the gauze. This device is more for the convenience of tobacco chewers than others.
A protective system for beekeepers who smoke or chew tobacco from 18732)US Patent US140417A “Improvement in Protecting-Masks for Beekeepers, https://patents.google.com/patent/US140417A/en
The image shows a narrow expectorating tube protruding and the illustration appears to show an alternative device with a large funnel end.
I wonder if there are any steampunk1)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk beekeepers out there. They would favor late 18th century tools like those described here.
When other farm and light industrial tasks harnessed steam power, so did beekeeping. There were steam wax extractors and steam uncapping knives, among other devices, in the late 1800s.
A steam-powered wax extractor2)Advertisement from Thomas G. Newman & Son, Chicago, Illinois, American Bee Journal, May 17, 1890, Vol. XXVI, No. 20, p. 337.
A steam-heated uncapping knife from the early 1900s3)Everett Franklin Phillips, Beekeeping : a discussion of the life of the honeybee, 1908
[A “chronicle” that U.S. Navy Lieutenant Charlie Mahaffie wrote from Sasebo, Japan, to the folks at home in the States, upon the birth of his first born, Margaret, September 7, 1957]
The whole thing, of course, started approximately nine months ago, but the immediate events began with the arrival of Typhoon Bess late Friday afternoon, the sixth. Bess actually didn’t hit Sasebo as was probably reported in the stateside press she hit Kyushu nearer the town of Kagoshima, which is way down at the end of the island. Sasebo had high winds and some rain all night Friday, but no appreciable damage. We had secured the house as best we could and hit the sack about eleven Friday night.
I should put in here that it was only by good fortune that I was available to act as duty driver Friday. With the approach of the typhoon all liberty was cancelled and on top of that I had the duty that night. But as everyone else was on board out of necessity it was not too hard to find a standby and that meant that all I had to do was convince my bosses that my presence was needed ashore. I’m still not sure that the Chief of Staff knows I went ashore, but my boss said to go so I went and as far as I know I was the only member of the staff who was ashore Friday night.
Judy woke me up at a little after one announcing that she was having sensations which she believed to be labor pains. She was not at all sure though and neither was I. So she called the hospital hoping to find the duty doctor awake so that she could ask him. She was informed by a corpsman that if she thought she should come, come. So she came.
We bundled her into the car and made the short trek at about one thirty. At this time, she still was in no pain but was having “pains”. Happily, the nurse on duty was a friend of ours, the wife of our flag secretary, and this made Judy feel a good deal better. Betty June, the nurse, said that she thought she was right in coming and bundled her off to the labor room where they immediately prepared her for delivery. The duty doctor that night was one who had along with the regular obstetrician been looking after Judy during her pregnancy and he examined her and said that she was sure enough in labor. At this time the baby was expected any time during the night so everyone was excited and Judy was the most excited of all. The trouble was that nothing happened.
At a little after two it appeared that she was not going to deliver until morning so I went home to bed. But I didn’t sleep very well so I came back to the hospital about four thirty. Still nothing had happened. Judy was, in fact, asleep at this time. As the night and morning wore on her pains diminished to just about nothing and both she and the medicos became discouraged, especially Judy as she was looking forward when she came in to having a baby in record time.
As one of the doctors pointed out to me, the biggest difficulty they have with births in Sasebo is the psychological factor. It is such a small town that all the women know all the other women and they all seem to know all about the other women’s deliveries right down to the most intimate details. Knowing all this they attempt to surpass one another in timeliness, speed and ease of birth and when they find that their case is going to be at all troublesome, they get quite discouraged.
Bright and early both the doctors concerned with obstetrics were in attendance. Their consensus seemed to be that she was having a “false labor” but would in all probability go into real labor Saturday afternoon. This was my first acquaintance with Judy’s doctors and I got a very good impression of both.
It turned out that they were worried about her as she had until about a week before the baby was born a breach presentation. The doc who examined her when she came in said that he thought the baby had turned. Then they took x-rays Saturday morning which confirmed this. This made both docs, and me, much happier and we all relaxed.
Not Judy though, who was getting unhappier and unhappier about the fact that she had not yet produced. I spend the morning with her in the labor room timing pains, which were still there but were getting weaker and more and more irregular. There was talk of letting her go home Sunday morning if nothing had happened by then. The docs were in and out all morning and Judy was being prodded and poked by various people from time to time, but still no labor worthy of the name. I went out for lunch and when I came back the situation was the same. At about two thirty Judy had two rather unauthorized visitors. One, father Kelley, the Catholic Chaplain had come to administer last rites to a patient that turned out to be alive and kicking, so he came up and chatted a while along with one of Judy’s friends who was in the hospital for treatment.
She walked around with these people and was laughing and carrying on with them for about a half hour and I think that is probably what turned the trick. Anyway, soon after they left, I left also since it appeared that nothing was going to happen and since I was by this time pretty well out on my feet from lack of sleep and a cold which I was fast acquiring. I was to sleep for a couple of hours and eat. I got up about four, fed the dogs and was just sitting down to some canned chicken fricassee when the hospital called and recommended that I come. I bolted my food, kicked the animals out of the house (the animals, by the way, have not had an easy time of it. Foxy particularly is very attached to Judy and he just can’t understand what has become of her. They are still in something of a state of shock) and made tracks for the hospital. When I arrived, Judy was in real honest to goodness hard labor. It seems that it had started soon after I left, but she had wanted me to get some sleep so had not called me until later. She wasn’t too uncomfortable then but was under some sedation and was pretty dopey.
Judy’s labor became steadily more laborious through the afternoon and evening and the docs announced that she was doing fine. Both docs had planned on attending her when they thought they would have a breech birth to contend with, but when the pictures showed everything in order the second in command took off. The obstetrician had dinner and arrived about seen thirty presumably expecting to deliver, but no dice. So he and I sat around in the nurses office for what must have been an hour and a half or two hours and chatted about law and medicine.
They had let me stay with Judy most of the time before she went into real hard labor and some of the time after that, but now the nurse was with her timing pains and making observations of one kind or another, so this doc and I waited it out.
At about nine he examined her and said he was going to take her into the delivery room, which he did with all hands gowned and ready to go. This was not successful. He announced that he had made a closer examination and she would be between two and three hours more. So back to the labor room with Judy and the doc went home to see the wife and kids for an hour.
It must have been about forty-five minutes later that things really started happening. I had been with Judy for a while after she came out of the delivery room. She was, I thought, bearing up remarkably well. In the middle of one pain in which she was doing a bit of groaning she apologized for being a “fuss” and a couple of times I caught her smiling at the same time as she was quite obviously in pain.
Anyway, the nurse shooed me out and took my place and a short time later Judy must have had a considerable contraction as the nurse came out of the room and did something roughly equivalent to pulling the general alarm on a ship. Corpsmen began appearing from nowhere pulling on gowns, tables were wheeled about madly, people were arriving from other floors and through it all I was standing in the passageway looking puzzled. The doc was sent for and was there in no time and in not very much more time, about a quarter to eleven, I heard a screech from the delivery room which subsequently turned out to have been young Margaret’s first announcement of her presence.
I guess it was about eleven thirty that they brought Judy and Margaret down to the ward. I was encased in mask and gown and allowed to visit. Both were in fine shape. Judy was very happy and didn’t look as though she had been under any strain at all and Margaret was raising hell, kicking her blankets off and waking up the whole ward with her yelling. She was the first good-looking new born baby I have ever seen. Most look all red and pulled out of shape, but she actually looked like a human being.
All in all, I guess it was a pretty easy birth, although I don’t know much about such things. I know that it was not at all easy for me.
CDM
copies to Grandmother distribution list
Margaret Cooper Mahaffie
6 pounds 5 1/2 ounces
September 7, 1957
In 1916, Charles D. Mahaffie became, at age 32, the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior. He moved from Portland, Oregon, where he had been in law practice, to Washington DC to take up his new duties. [For more on this moment in his life, see: “Charles D. Mahaffie Goes to Washington, 100 Years Ago”]
Charles’ news photo from when he arrived to become Solicitor of the Interior
His joining the Interior Department came at a time of growth and change there. That same year, an Act of Congress established the National Park Service.
Stephen T. Mather conceived of the Service and with its inception, became the first Director. Mather was the originator of “20 Mule Team Borax.” He made millions with borax, and used that money to support and build things in the newly established National Parks during the 1910s and 20s. It’s common now to visit a National Park and see things named for him. We have Mather Gorge, at Great Falls. And there’s Mather Point, at the Grand Canyon.
Mather and Charles then, or perhaps earlier, became good friends. Their work in the leadership of the Department cemented a strong friendship and colleagueship.
Charles D. Mahaffie, Jr. remembers his father telling him how just prior to the April 1920 dedication ceremony for Grand Canyon National Park, the Secretary of the Interior, John Barton Payne, summoned Mahaffie to his office and ordered him to give a speech on the Payne’s behalf at the ceremony. Mahaffie was to join Stephen Mather and other dignitaries at the Grand Canyon for the ceremony.
Mahaffie reported that he said to the Secretary, “Well, where’s the speech I’m to give?”
“You can write it on the way out,” Secretary Payne answered.
Heading to Arizona
The way west was by train, a distance of 2,300 miles. It was likely a several-day series of trains. The final link was the Grand Canyon line of the Santa Fe Railway, from Williams, Arizona, north to the south rim of the Canyon.
Other dignitaries from Washington, including Stephen Mather and his wife, were likely on the same journey. We can assume the men enjoyed each other’s company, cigars and liquor along the way, but that Mahaffie found snatches of time in his cabin to draft his speech.
A special tourist train of the well-healed
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, a Brooklyn, New York newspaper, had arranged its yearly rail tour of the national parks so that the participants could join in the dedication festivities. Their annual tours, with regular news items reported from along the way, were great promotions for the new National Parks. The Daily Eagle retinue were welcomed to not just observe, but to be part of the Park’s dedication festivities.
Charles is in a picture with J.J. Byrne, Dr. G. W. James, and Stephen Mather from the day of the dedication ceremony.
Left to right; Charles D. Mahaffie, Stephen T. Mather, Byrne, of the Santa Fe Railway, and Dr. G. W. James, April 30, 1920 . Photo by Santa Fe Railway
J. J. Byrne was General Assistant Passenger Traffic Manager for the Santa Fe Railway, based in Los Angeles. The Santa Fe had a line to the Grand Canyon.
Dr. James was George Wharton James, who authored a book, “The Grand Canyon of Arizona: How to See it.” [rev. Edition 1912] He was a lecturer, photographer, journalist and editor. He wrote books and articles on the American Southwest. James also spoke at the dedication ceremony, giving one of the ‘informal talks’.
The dedication ceremony also included members of the Hopi tribe of the area. They provided entertainment and color for the festivities. During the speeches, a report from the event said, “The group of Hopi Indians, in brave array of serapes, buckskin chintz, and battle feathers, were interested auditors.” Perhaps interested because the establishment of the Park and growing tourism would change their lives forever.
The Hopis were part of the spectacle, and a subject of curiousity and topic for Arizona State Historian James M. McClintock, who “advised the visitors of the racial differences of the Southwestern Indians and something of their ethnological progress.”
A Hopi Chief was invited to participate as well. “Sacahuku, a leading Hopi chief in his native tongue, with interpretation, followed by Hopi dances in front of El Tovar. Sacahuku formally welcomed the pale-face to his domain, and directed a number of Indian campfire dances of peace and good will in a special ceremonial to mark the dedication of the park. The invitation was accepted on behalf of the paleface population of the country by Gov. Campbell and Stephen T. Mather.” [ From: The Santa Fe Magazine, Vol. 14, June 1920.]
That evening, Mahaffie attended a dinner party aboard the Brooklyn Daily Eagle’s special train, with the Governor of Arizona and his wife, Stephen Mather and Mrs. Mather, the Arizona State historian and his wife, and a “Miss Carroll,” who likely was brought in as a dinner companion for Mahaffie, who was single then. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 2, 1920]
C D Mahaffie (2nd from top) with others descending into the Canyon, May 1, 1920
“Bring out Jumbo!”
At times in his life, Mahaffie was a stout man. He shared a story in later years, told to me by his wife, Isabel, and also remembered by his son and daughter in law. As part of the dedication festivities, the dignitaries were taken on Grand Canyon mules down the Bright Angel Trail into the Canyon.
When the muleteers caught sight of the Mahaffie, they called out, “Bring out Jumbo.”
Unfortunately, there’s no record of this story, nor of a mule named Jumbo. Jumbo is a recurring name for mules. Surely in a corral full of mules, there could have been a Jumbo. But the picture from the dedication shows Mahaffie no stouter than the other men. But a consensus from those in the family that know the story is that we believe every word of it.
Mahaffie’s older grandchildren remember him as a gruff old man, not given to (a word he often used) “non-sense”. We were all under age twelve when we knew him and he us. He died in 1969. But this and other stories give a feel for his sense of humor. To savor the Jumbo story, true or made up, adds a dimension to our memories and sense of this man who had a fascinating and accomplished life.
I later put a question to Mahaffie’s son, Charles Jr. “Was your Dad funny? Was he the sort to make up funny stories?”
He went silent for a time, and pondered this. After a while he said, “I can’t say that he was. No, he wasn’t especially given to making jokes like that.”
So we are left wondering where this story of Jumbo, well known in the family, came from.
Despite his being just a fresher, Charlie was obligated socially at Oxford. Teas with the dons and their wives were standard for freshman anyway, and the Rhodesmen had extra layers of social obligation and opportunity. Below are some tid-bits from his letters about teas, dinners, and special events. Included is a bit about avoiding a baby and “tootsie wootsie” talk, but you’ll have to read most of the way through to see it.
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All the old men are invited out to Lady (damned if I know)’s house for lunch Tuesday. Wylie [the Oxford representative of the Rhodes Scholarship bequest, who looked after the Rhodesmen’s affairs and disbursed their scholarship money to them over the terms] says we new ones are to be soon. Hope not heap booze. [10/19/05]
I went to a J.C.R. [Junior Common Room] debate tonight. Very amusing. Everybody smoked, drank coffee and in debating the question of whether it was good to play cards for stakes considered only the proposition that you might lose more than you could afford and the example on the lower classes. Decided that most anyone ought to know enough to take care of his own money, so it was O.K. to play for stakes. [10/30/05]
Three of the biggest colls. here give concerts every Sunday that are simply fine. In fact the Magdalen choir is said to be the finest in England. Besides many of the very best musicians come up from London and appear. Free too; about the only free thing we have too. [11/05/05]
The annual dinner given by the Rhodes Trustees was a great success. Lord Milner presided and one of the speakers was Rudyard Kipling. Made a rather good spiel too. Not very many men and none of the trustees this year got very drunk and on the whole we had a very nice time indeed. It lasted something over four hours and at the end a flashlight picture was taken of the bunch. [11/26/05]
From the dinner program:
Thanksgiving Dinner, 1905 — Oxford, November 3oth
Toast list.
Toastmaster – Dr. William Osler.
The King. The President. The United States — Robert P. Porter, Esq. R. Newton Crane, Esq.
Thanksgiving Day in England. — R. L. Henry, Esq. R. C. Hawkin, Esq.
Pioneers to the Second Generation. — Paul Kieffer, Esq. Frank Aydelotte, Esq.
Christmas Pudding. Mince Pie. American Ice Cream. Dessert. Coffee.
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Charlie also attended the Thanksgiving Day 1905 Sermon, Sermon Preached at the Church of S. Mary the Virgin, Oxford, Thursday, Nov. 30, 1905. The sermon was given by Rev. G. D. S. Walpole, S.T.D., Rector of Lambeth, formerly professor of Dogmatic Theology in the General Theological Seminary, New York City, U.S.A.
The service was held “for the benefit of the Americans resident at Oxford, including the eighty Rhodes scholars from U.S.A., and about a hundred others.” The commemorative booklet notes that “The Bishop of the Diocese had granted permission for the use of the special Psalms, Lessons, and Prayers, appointed by the American Prayer Book, and the Home Secretary had, as an act of international courtesy, sanctioned the reading of the President’s [Theodore Roosevelt’s] Proclamation” printed with the sermon.
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Since I wrote the first part of this I’ve, for one thing — been to tea with Miss Crocker, who calls herself the “American mother,” knows all the Rhodesmen, has them call on her whenever they care to, has been in Oxford 6 years and the world from 35 to 40, is a mighty fine old maid and anxious to give one advice on all sorts of things. She doesn’t seem to like any particular thing to do except gratify her literary tastes. Goes to lectures here and travels during vacs. [ca. 12/04/05]
I ought to be doing a “pill” now but don’t feel like dressing up for it. Which is taking tea with Mr. & Mrs. Ball; called the “pills” in the vernacular. Their little girl is the “pillet”. One must go to tea at least once a term. [01/28/06]
All this week there is grand opera on here. They usually have a week each year they say. I went to Carmen last night. Don’t know when I’ve enjoyed anything so much. Am going to two or three more while it’s running. They are to put on Lohengrin, Tannhauser, and Faust of the well know pieces. Must quite this now for awhile as I have to dress up and do a “pill” this P.M. [02/05/06]
I’ve been over to Mr. Wylie’s to tea this P.M. Like Mrs. fine. She is certainly wise too. Keeps track of every one of us about as well as her husband. For instance she had never met me at least except in a crowd but knew I was taking law at St. John’s and playing lacrosse. Pretty good with about 200 to keep straight isn’t it? No, I haven’t seen the baby and hope I shan’t—won’t have to put up a “tootsy wootsy” talk. [02/11/06]
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The Wylies were the closest thing to family Charlie had at Oxford, and their home a regular place to call for him. He liked Mr. Wylie, noted later that Mrs. Wylie “was an American girl and is O.K” But they had two baby boys in less than a year, while he was there, and he may have had to engage in some “tootsie wootsie” talk from time to time.
Charlie was a college athlete of considerable accomplishment. Those skills were a part of getting a Rhodes Scholarship and Charlie was set to play sports on his arrival. There were plenty to choose from, and he tried his hand at several, even as he looked for ways especially to fit in tennis, one of his main sports.
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There is a good deal of talk already of a base ball game between the two years. Hardly anyone is going in for football and most of the people for rowing. Guess the latter will about catch me. Five of last year’s men made their college crews. I haven’t much hope being too short to do the best but at present expect to try anyhow. [10/7/05]
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Charlie reported quite a bit more on baseball in the spring term. More on that in another post.
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Athletics here are great. They go in for exercise instead of a reputation and almost without exception everybody does something. I’ve rowed four times now. Am doing a little better but it’s very slow work and there is sure a lot to learn. There are a great many more Rhodesmen rowing than any other thing. In fact that is the sport here. [10/19/05]
I am still in the boats. The second weeding out this morning left Alburn and me among the survivors. Don’t know how much longer I’ll stay. Hope not much. It’s getting to be rather hard work and dreadfully monotonous. [10/30/05]
It is very fine to see the eights. Boat is about 18 inches wide and 60 feet long and absolutely as light as possible, but carries 9 men. 8 oars and coxswain. I’ve been out in the fours for about a week. Have some races the last of this term and then next term they commence to train in eights. The varsity’s the eight I’ve seen of course, it trains the year round.[10/30/05]
I cut the boats over a week ago, and am at present prevented from doing any athletics by a lame foot. Was working on the track and my running shoe made my foot so sore I’ve had to lay off for about three days. Is not well yet either. [11/12/05]
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Charlie reported later on the rowing tournaments that were a ritual at Oxford. He was no longer rowing, but these events were a big deal around the colleges.
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One has to do some athletics here and track work is about the nicest. Can go when you please and be your own boss and besides it’s by far the least expensive of any of the games. Cost only about a pound a year for use of the grounds whereas everything else costs from two to five pounds per term. [11/12/05]
I’ve been playing tennis about twice a week all the time. The last time I played Kendall, I put it over him O.K. Am playing with Mohler most of the time now. We are both entered for the freshmen singles. I drew a bye in the first round i.e. don’t have to play that round and in the second am to play a Ch. Ch. [Christ Church College] man only the first two rounds are to be played off this term so you see it’s rather slow business. Besides that the only courts that can be played on this time of year are gravel and there are only two so one doesn’t get to play much. [11/12/05]
The other afternoon I was down at the running ground when it commenced to sleet and the only ones who went into the club house on that account were a few Americans. Had on only running suits too. Tennis and rowing go on all the time and there is more track work done in the winter term they say than any other. After a man gets in and takes a good hot bath tho he feels fine. [11/19/05]
We had our local track meet Friday, St. John’s I mean. Go to Cambridge for a meet with Christ’s Coll of that place Tuesday. I’m expected to do the broad jump. We have a dandy team in most of the events so things look O.K. yet. The half mile, which is the event I wanted went in 2:1. Most too good time for an Oklahoman. My tennis match was postponed until the last of next week too. [11/26/05]
Just got in from Cambridge. We lost the meet and I didn’t do anything special in the broad but had a fine time and got to see a good deal too so I don’t care. Nobody cares over here when he loses anyhow, just so it is in a sporting manner. They make a great deal of being a sportsman in the proper sense. [11/26/05]
They [Christ’s College, their opponent for a track meet] gave us a dinner that so far as eating goes had the best of any I’ve seen here. [11/26/05]
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Sports meets often had a dinner after for the participating teams, hosted by the home team. The dinners included printed menus with seating plans. Opposing team players signed each others programs.
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Did I tell you I won my match in the freshers’ [tennis] tournament? Have several chances to get beaten yet tho before the finals. [12/15/05]
Like a lot of long-established big institutions, Oxford had and has a language all its own. It picked up a pattern used also in some of the English private schools, with the “-er” suffix, added routinely to most anything, turning nouns like “Freshmen” into “Fresher” or “Breakfast” into “Brekkers” and “rugby” “rugger”. In fact, the word soccer developed under, apparently, the influence of the “Rugger” pattern. Drawing eh “socc” from “assocciation” and adding the standard “-er” to it.
Charlie picked this lingo right up. A West Virginia University professor, Waitman Barbe, visiting Oxford for six months in 1909, built a dictionary of the Oxford terminology, published in The West Virginia School Journal, March 1909. Charlie ultimately uses most of these through the letters home.
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The Oxford undergraduates have a very interesting and picturesque array of college slang and special college expressions. Here are some of them; part of them are in legitimate use and some of them are distinctly college slang:
“Greats” — Final examinations.
“Mods” — intermediate examinations.
“Smalls” — preliminary examinations.
“Reading” — Studying.
“Scout” — The man-servant who attends an undergraduate.
“Manciple” — The college butler who orders provisions, etc.
“Digs” — Lodgings.
“Stinks” — Chemistry.
“Toggers” (“torpids”!) — Eight-oared college races, on fixed seats, rowed in February.
“Eights” — Eight-oared races, on sliding seats, rowed in May and June.
“Soccer” — Association football.
“Rugger” — Rugby Union football.
“Rag” — To haze.
“Bump supper” — Festivities held when a college boat in “Toggers” or “Eights” has made several “bumps,” that is, has won.
“Fresher” — Freshman.
“Fresher’s Delight” — The college coat-of-arms on a wooden or metal shield to be hung up in a “fresher’s” “digs.”
“Bedder” — Bed-room.
“Sitter” — Sitting-room.
“Thirder” — Third or extra room in a set.
“Dons” — Fellows and tutors of colleges.
“Proggins” — Proctor.
“Bullers” (“bulldogs”) — A proctor’s attendants. These “bulldogs” or “bullers” are big strong men who accompany the proctors through the streets, into the leading restaurants and elsewhere after 9 o’clock at night to see if there are any undergraduates who have not gone into their colleges. When Big Tom in Christ Church tower strikes 101 strokes at five minutes after nine o’clock every undergraduate is expected to go to his college lodgings (“digs”) unless he has permission to stay out longer.
“Lekker” — Lecture.
“Brekker” — Breakfast.
“Halls” — Dinner in college dining hall at 7 o’clock.
“Sporting the Oak” — Shutting the outer door, which opens only from inside. Every room in college has an “oak,” so that its occupants may guard against interruption if they like.
“Tosher” — A non-collegiate student, one who is not connected with any particular college.
“Collekkers” (“collections”) — Examinations held at beginning or end of term in every college on work done in term or in vacation.
“Gated” — Forbidden to leave college after a certain hour in the evening, usually 7 o’clock. This is the punishment for light offenses.
“Rusticated” — Not allowed to come into residence at college for a certain time.
“Sent down” — Expelled from college.
“Binge” (“bust”) — A gathering, a dinner.
“Rollers” — Chapel roll in college. Every undergraduate is expected to attend a certain number of “rollers.”
“Thicksides” — Thucydides.
“Hauled” — Summoned to appear before the fellows of college on a question of discipline.
“J. C. R.” — Junior common room, reading room and club for undergraduates.
“S. C. R.” — Senior common room, reading room and club for fellows and tutors of college.
There are doubtless many others which I have not happened to learn, or which do not occur to me as I write.…
W.B.
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Note that Charlie arrived with a tendency for a bit of slang anyway, for example calling the President of Kingfisher College, Prexy, and regularly talking about walking around as “rubbering”.
Letter of congratulations and advice from a leader of Kingfisher College, Rev. C. G. Murphy
News of Mahaffie’s Rhodes Scholarship was a big deal for tiny Kingfisher College, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. It was a small, young school—open only a few years. The school was understandably proud of Charles’ accomplishment. The Reverend C. G. Murphy, a Trustee of the college wrote Charles a letter of congratulations and offered his advice on how to represent America, while at Oxford. The letter appears below.
Parker Hall, Kingfisher College, 1897
About Kingfisher
Kingfisher included an academy–a high school, and a college. The college was a Congregationalist school in the Liberal Arts tradition. Kingfisher stated in its catalog for 1904-1905, “The school is by no means sectarian, numbering among its students the representatives of many different denominations. The general Christian influence is, however, strong. Since the inception of the institution, many students have been led to accept the “higher human life,” chiefly owing to the strong moral and religious sentiment that pervades the school.”
The college forbade smoking, card playing, dancing, and required attendance at chapel, also requiring each student to attend the morning service of a church of his choosing.
1904-1905 college costs were $12 for tuition, $2 board per week, and $2 per month for a room.
Students had to provide their own “quilts, sheets, pillows, light and fuel.” Girls had the opportunity to work in the dining hall and girls’ dormitory care. Boys could work in the school’s broom factory, sweeping, sawing wood, or working for farmers and merchants in the area.
Kingfisher opened in 1895, and Charles was a student there by 1900 or 1901, first in the Academy and the in the College. Kingfisher never graduated more than 12 students in a single year, and often there were fewer.
Kingfisher, though small, was strong in athletics, and in May 1903, Charles brought it intercollegiate championship medals in singles and doubles tennis. Charles also won the school’s second prize in 1904 in oratory, for “Henry Clay.”
Though tiny and under-resourced, Kingfisher produced 6 students who qualified for Rhodes Scholarships and three winners of the scholarship in its short history. Mahaffie was the first.
By the time of World War I, the college was struggling with enrollment, and it declined until forced to close in 1922. Nominally, the College became part of the University of Oklahoma in the 1920s. The trustees sold its grounds in Kingfisher to the Pentecostal Holiness Church.
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Charles Mahaffie, Kingfisher, Okla.
Dear Mahaffie:
I have noticed in recent papers that you have won the unique distinction of securing the “Rhodes Scholarship”. I am glad, exceedingly glad. Accept my hearty Congratulations on your worthy aspiration and successful achievement. The privilege of a three years’ course at Oxford, won under such conditions, is an honor any young man should covet. Your record to the present is an earnest that you will make the most of your opportunity.
As an American I am proud to have you represent our young manhood in the great university of England. The whole of our beloved country is judged by the few who represent us abroad. Be an American every hour you are gone. Be proud of your country even though you must be conscious you are representing her. But represent the best that is in us of thought and manhood, and not our unconventionalities, as so many do. It is not the flaunting of the flag on all occasions or the splitting of the air with shouts and pyrotechnics on special occasions. This is exceedingly distasteful to the foreigner. But a manly bearing, high ideals, pure purposes, simplicity and ease of speech and action in the midst of hampering conventionalities, this is to be an American.
This and much more you will do. And this is why I am glad to give you my God-speed as you go abroad.
I shall follow your career with interest for I shall expect to hear of you receiving further honors in more lines than one.
I am glad you go from Kingfisher College.
May the Lord be your strength, and may he spare you for a long life of usefulness!
Charles’ news was news in town. The Hobart newspapers included a number of stories about his Rhodes Scholarship. Below are three, and another is pictured at the right.
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Kingfisher College Boy Wins Rhodes Scholarship
The Success of a Kingfisher College Student
Mr. C. D. Mahaffie, who is a student in Kingfisher college, will be pleased to learn of his having obtained, on competitive examination, a three years’ scholarship at Oxford University, in England, including L300 a year to defray his expenses.
The examination for this prize was held at Norman on January 16th and 17th. It was conducted by Prof. D. R. Boyd, president of the University of Oklahoma, who had been appointed by Oxford University to hold the examination for this Territory. The examination manuscripts were then forwarded to Oxford to be graded, and a report of the grades was received a few days ago by Mr. Mahaffie informing him of his success.
Mr. Mahaffie, the young man who enjoys the distinction of having carried away these laurels, is a senior in the classical course of Kingfisher college, which institution he has attended for the past five years. Besides pursuing the classical course he had devoted considerable time to the study of modern languages. He will graduate from this school in June.
The scholarship which Mr. Mahaffie won is known as the Rhodes scholarship, having been established by Cecil Rhodes as a distinctive feature of Oxford University, as an incentive to students of high ambition. Under the provision of the Rhodes endowment two students from each state in this country are entitled to this scholarship, provided they fill the requirements of the examination. Such students must be between the ages of 18 and 25. They must be of good moral character, and, in addition to a rigid examination in college studies, they must undergo an examination in points of athletics and leadership. Such candidates must have completed their studies at least through the sophomore year in a reputable college before they can be admitted to Oxford on this scholarship. Their studies in Oxford are entirely elective.
Under the conditions of the Rhodes scholarship, provision is made for the attendance of two students all the time from Oklahoma. Last year there were three applicants from this Territory, only one of whom passed the examination. This year there was only one applicant and he was a Kingfisher college boy.
Mr. Mahaffie will enter Oxford October 1st.
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You Can’t Have Him
“Kiowa county claims Charles D. Mahaffie, the winner of the Cecil Rhodes scholarship at Kingfisher.—Guthrie Leader
“Come off now. Kiowa county is too young to make any such claim stick. Mahaffie is a Kingfisher county college boy, and bought his family groceries at Cashion for many years.”—Jake Admire, in Kingfisher Free Press.
Now, Uncle Jake, you know Charley’s home is in Kiowa county. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Mahaffie, have lived in this county since the new county opened. ‘Tis true he came from Kingfisher county to Kiowa county. The home of the editor of the News-Republican was in Kingfisher county for ten years. You don’t claim him, do you? Charley just went to school there, that was all, and Kingfisher should feel proud of her schools, but you can’t have our Charley Mahaffie for keeps.
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When young Mahaffie gets to Oxford he will be known as the Oklahoma cowboy. It wouldn’t be a bad plan for him to take with him a pair of high-heeled boots, with spurs, a Mexican sombrero and a lariat, just to show off.
