April 26, 1931 - Sunday

I slept about one hour. Woke up at 2:30. Initiation started at 3:30, and was over at just seven o’clock. Talked in Jeanne’s room ‘til noon. Sat a Terrace after dinner ‘til 6. Then show with D. Carnsing (Kiki).

George's letter home:

Dear Folks,

Last week we were formally initiated into the “Skull and Daggers”, and I am now wearing my pin. It surely is nice to be affiliated with a nice bunch of boys. If I can always be in the same boat I have been so far; I should have a very happy life. Saturday, each member had charge of a high school competing in the relay races. I took care of Washington and had a great time talking to all the boys again.

This little old campus is the scene of great political strife right now. The student body elections are looming up, and everyone is fighting for their ticket. The other night, one of the parties had a big parade; just one big line of cars tooting their horns and filled with yelling, loyal hearted supporters. The three front cars had a big sign stretched between them, reading: “Vote For Knowlton and Ticket.” You would think the president of the United States was being elected, from all of the excitement and enthusiasm.

Saturday night, the Mortar Board ball was held at the Eugene Hotel. That is one dance where the boys are asked by the girls. The nice part about it is that the girls call for the boys and pay all the expenses. Boy, I surely go for the latter part of the deal. Well they decided not to let Bob O’Melveny go; so they tied him in a chair and then locked the door. When he finally got loose, he proceeded to tear the door from its hinges. Good joke on me; I just finished putting the door back. My girl came after me in a taxi and spent more gold on me than I have ever spent on a girl. Little mistake here, last night was our dance; and the Mortar Board was Friday. No-foolin, I think we have the peppiest crowd in the country. We just went in and yelled and whooped from the first to the last minute. In the basement of the dance hall, we had a bar and one of the Goo-goos served near-beer and dutch lunches over it. The bar-room had little tables all around with candles stuck in bottles for light, and the floor was all covered with sawdust. During the intermission we all went down there and ate, drank and sang every song we ever knew.  All around the walk, our great Barnes had cartoons tacked up of each one of us. Howard Steib was down, and he surely had a great time. Boy, this place is surely a great example of what a good time can be had without any liquor floating around.

This is a fine town too; we have just as good a dust storm here as you do in the “Big City’. The darn campus was covered with fir boughs a mile deep, and most of our shutters were blown off the house. My Geology professor says that we were on the edge of a vast cyclone area. Boy Oh Boy! My teeth are just about ground to pieces from the dust.

I wish you could send me some shaving lotion and my linen knickers and socks with the next washing. Spring is here, and I needs must conform to its dictates. The weather is too darn nice to study; everyone just sits around in the sun and talks about studying. Well I had better start boning a little harder if I expect to keep up my grades.

A whole bunch of alumni were down this weekend. It surely is funny to hear them sit around and talk over all the old times. I can just see myself coming back about five years from now.

That is just about all for this time; I feel great and am becoming more acclimated everyday.

Love, George

Jane's Note: a card was enclosed dated April 20, 1931. “The members of Skull and Daggers announce the formal initiation of the men pledged at the Frosh Glee – 7:30 Tuesday night, April 21, 1931, at the Women’s Building.

Buz Larkin, Secretary”