town, waking up the village as they sang College songs and chanted the old Clarkson Yell, "Ah,
Wah, Wie!" They paraded their way into the countryside along the banks of the Raquette River
for about a mile to a clearing where a bonfire previously had been laid, and refreshments
provided. There they sat by class rank in a huge Clarkson "C" formation. Then the freshmen
served the refreshments, and the singing continued. A few rousing speeches punctuated the
revelry. Finally, at midnight celebrations broke up, and the revelers returned to the village and
dispersed quietly.
Economic Status.
A special report to the Bureau of Education, Washington, D.C., on
December 1, 1909, revealed the economic status of 25 students chosen at random from the
lowest collegiate classes. One came from a professional family; five from a farm; five from a
family making $2,000 and more annually in manufacturing or trade, etc.; seven from a family
making $1,000 or more annually from manufacturing, trade, etc; two from a family of skilled
labor making $750 or more annually; one from a family of unskilled labor, and one from a
family whose father was dead.
Among that group, 14 did little work to support themselves in college; three spent four
hours per week; three worked from five to nine hours per week; three spent 10 to 14 hours per
week; and two spent from 15 to 19 hours per week working.
