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About The Chemawa American (Chemawa, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 1919)
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN LOCAL The Winonas postponed their weekly program be cause of the record cold snap last week, but hope to have regular work this week. Miss White spent a very enjoyable week-end with Mrs. Brace in Portland last week. She saw a number of the old Chemawa students while there. Salem city suffered on account of the cold weather much more than Chemawa. It was without gas, fuel or water at times. The schools were closed and all traffic suspended. Several small boys were busy finding the small birds which had been chilled by our unusually cold weather, and taking them indoors to thaw out. They then fed them and turned them loose. A number of our birds were saved in this way. The Sigma Phi Society at a special meeting on Thursday evening last initiated as members four of the Senior girls into the society. From the sounds of merriment from that locality the girls evidently had a fine time. The new members are Hattie Martin, Effie Davis, Rose Goff and Marina Nelson. Two immense stoves were put up in the root house and apple house and were kept burning to their capa city day and night for six days during the unprece dented cold snap. In spite of this a goodly portion of our three thousand bushels of potatoes and the same amount of apples were damaged by the frost. Mrs. Hall entertained about twenty of the Chemawa ladies at tea on Wednesday afternoon. The campus was covered with 27 inches of snow and excessive cold prevailed, yet this did not deter the ladies from ven turing out. They report a splendid time. This is the first of a series of teas planned by Mrs. Hall. The students, both boys and girls, with their sleds had a good time the other afternoon sliding down the hillside near “ Old Chemawa.” A big bonfire was kept burning, which together with the “ hot dog” sandwiches and coffee which were served, the students had the time of their lives. Reggie Downie, Irving Shepard and George Barrett, with the help of some of the Sigma Phi girls, managed the affair. Fred Cardin, formerly first violinist of the Indian String Quartet which was launched professionally from Chemawa two or three years ago, is now the di rector and first violinist with the Hallowell Concert Co. He is fully equal to the task. William Palin, vi ola player with the Indian String Quartet, is with Fred as violist. They are both a credit to Chemawa and would be to any institution. The company they are with is headed for the coast and it is hoped they may be able to pay us a visit as they pass through, or that they may appear where some of us can attend their concert. PAGE 3 A detailed program is being printed for the holiday festivities. From the looks of the program there will be no dull minutes. The oldest inhabitant of the Willamette Valley does not remember such a heavy fall of snow and cold weather as was experienced the past week. Willamette University as well as the Oregon Agricul tural College are closed until the first of the year on account of bursted water and steam pipes and conse quent lack of heat and water. Chemawa has been cut off from Salem for some days. The roads were blocked with snow and autos and horse conveyances could not get through. Train service was suspended for a day or so. The snow plow propelled by horse power made a way for footmen as well as wagons throughout the Chemawa campus roads. The plank walk to the Ore gon Electric station was also cleared of snow. Icicles extending from the eaves of our buildings half way to the ground present a sight unusual to the Oregonians of this section. The fir trees and roofs so heavily laden with snow are fit scenes for our kodak fiends to photograph whenever the sun shines. In addition to the usual song service in chapel last Sunday evening the orchestra played “ Cathedral Chimes” by Arnold-Brown, the Octette Girls sang “ Dreamy Alabama” by Earl (the obligato part being sung by Maude Craig and Marina Nelson), George Barrett gave a most acceptable rendering of the “ Pa- vane” of Brisson as a cello solo, and the choir sang “ Just as I Am” by Excell as a special number. At the conclusion of the various exercises Supt. Hall made a splendid talk to the students’. These talks are always of a most helpful character and are received in a manner which indicates that they are productive of good. This address will be found on the front page of this issue—read it carefully. In spite of the strike, an unprecedented fall of snow and excessive cold weather, the power and steam plant has been running full blast and no one at Chemawa suffered for heat. At times the last wheelbarrow of coal was piled alongside of the stokers, but before it was all gone a car of coal was received. We kept in daily t ouch with the fuel director in Portland and with the mines in Washington and always managed to keep a supply of fuel on the the road, even when we were advised that there were no freight trains running, but somehow a special came along and put a car on our siding at critical periods. On two occasions the fuel administrator directed a car to our use, for which as a matter of course we were required to pay top prices, but the exigency demanded heroic action and it was taken without quibbling over the price.
