t. j Feature Section i:l r Ar ~Iaiog Feature Section w VOL. XXXV. No. 129 ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 1925 EIGHT PAGES __ i DISTURBING F" . . rm9rom CA U 0 s of the PAST ____ ____ ___ ____ ___ ____ ___ ____ ____ ___ ____ ___ _- ti? %P Legend Concerning Old Statue of Benjamin Franklin Which Once Decorated The Campus Leads To Ar °chaeological Investigation of Debris Beneath University Hall Early Swing-Out Practice of Senior Laws Is Found To Have Cost The Institution A Traditional Figure 4' By Robert S. Mansfield and Willard B. Crosby ARCHAEOLOGICAL research, while gener ally admitted to be limited to material whose age can be written in three or four figures, cannot be wholly confined to such limits. The foundation for such research is always some legend, more or less substantiated, which deals with hidden treasures of art or architecture, and The Daily's campus archaeological expedition was founded on no less a base. Rumors, vague and uncertain, concerning a statue of heroic proportions portraying Benjamin Frank- lin which formerly stood on the campus near the LaW building came to .be heard. The rumors were trailed to earth, and the meat of the legend dis- covered. .In the days when the entire campus was en- closed by a picket fence, the statue mentioned was located in the open air somewhere between the Law building and Mason hall. The University had gilded the monument at the time of first installin it. on its high base, and the sun shone down re- splendent upon the sturdy figure. Then came the spring, and with it swing-out in some ancient form. The seniors of the I sw school, feeling the time op- portune, descended upon the statue by night, and in the morning the rising sun found its erstwhile gilded the abused Franklin. This irked the Laws. The University gasped, appeared horrified, and re- gilded the tbused Franklin. This irked the Yaws. A tradition had been established, and in the follow- ing spring with the coming of swing-out, the Law seniors again decorated the statue according to their ;n41re or less artistic tates. The University sighed and again added gilt..- And so for many years the contest went on. To be sure, the Universty had the best of it, for their work lasted all through the- year, while that of the seniors only remained for public view a single day. There came a time at last when, either due to a lack of gilt paint or to the rapidly increasing obesity of the figure, the University removed the statue from its place of honor. Swing-out came again, and the Laws turned their paint brushes to other things. But of the statue no more was heard. It disappeared with an uncanniness comparable to the genii of an- tiquity. Here the legend ends and the work of the archaelogist takes the stage. Careful inquiry revealed the fact that under sev- eral of the older University buildings were stored old and broken bits of statuary which had once dec- orated the campus. Access to these subterranean vaults was found to be difficult and hazardous. Old University hall was the first building visited by our party, and after much maneuvering, we stood at length in the dust coated chamber far beneath the active tread of passing students. There in the pale light admitted by a solitary window above our heads we caught our first glimpse of miscellaneous sculpture heaped together in one corner of the room. Light was provided, and we set about our search. Directly before us, mounted on a base bearing the inscription "John Adams," stood the lower half of a portly gentleman. Cut off at the waist, the half crooked knees of the once dignified figu-re lent an air of utter dejection to the mass of plaster before us. Behind the unbodied trunk stood other bits of the sculptor's art stacked together in a heterogen- eous mess which faded to dim obscurity in the far corner. To the right a colossal reproduction of a civil war soldier leaning upon the empty space where once had been his musket stood silent guard over the treasures which we had come to disturb. It was near the feet of this soldier that we found the upper half of John Adams. Lying face down in the dirt and rubble underfoot, with one arm missing from the shoulder, the portly trunk showed the rav- aging effects of time. But still, we were most con- cerned with finding the Franklin monument, and turned our attention temporarily to the other objects of art which surrounded us in all their dusty glory. Two statues of seated women, done in the old Greek style next caught our attention. They stood near each other, one nearly intact, the other lack- ing an arm and with a portion of the decorative base broken away. The bases of both remained suf- ficiently, however, for us to discover that one repre- sented Victory and the other History. History was the more demolished of the two, and we paused to search for her missing arm. Once found, we dis- covered it to be holding a laurel wreath extended ,toward the observer. But Franklin was not to be found. Lont we searched, but no trace of the much-painted figure ,was to be found. We left the place, and entered the basement of the Law building where a kindly janitor ~ to thn more remote nnrts of the cellar. It was with a feeling of vague disappointment that we turned at last to retrace our way to the break in the wall which marked ou rpoint of egress. We moved over a slightly different route on the return to daylight, to be halted suddenly by a bulk of rock which barred our path. Under the rays of the torch the rock proved to be but a block of plaster, dec- orated with a form of stippling work, and bearing the impression of several letters upon one surface. "MACKOL" were the letters, and beneath them we could find traces of other lettering which had been raised above the surrounding flat surface, but which the ravages of time had so obliterated as to make illegible. Leaving the Law building, we visited other possibe sites where the object of our search might be found. No vestige of the missing statue could be located, and we turned again to the collection in the sub- cellar of University hall to seek more thoroughly for some possible clue. There is a certain fascination about piecing to- -ether broken bits of statuary whether those bits are of the marble of the ancients or of simple plaster. It may have been a form of archaeological fever which possessed us, for we spent hours in fitting this head to that body, this hand to that arm, this foot to that ankle. Our search led us to the dim corner at the back of the heap of interesting rubble, and there we found may smaller works in has relief. They deplicted everything from flying angels to children playing with a hoop, touching on their way upon the like- nesses of scholars and soldiers. Some of the pieces were marked with numbers, the significance of which was then unknown to us. Further we searched, to discover what had evidently been a group of three statues, now broken apart from one another, and bat- tered to some extent. These figures, too, were num- bered; and we left the scene temporarily to find the meaning of this marking. In the Library a copy of an old catalogue of cam - pus art works gave us the clue we sought, and thus armed we returned to the vault for further investi- gation. The trio last discovered proved to be a group representing Colonial times, copied from the Richmond monument. Each of the three female fig- ures was seated on a broken cannon. One held a quil in one hand ,resting the other on a staff, as we later determined in the process of assembling fragmentary parts. Of the other two, one lacked both arms and the other held a volume in the crook of her one remaining upper limb. Near at hand stood a nearly complete statue marked "Isaac." Upon consulting the catalogue we found that the figure was intended to represent the character at rest, quite contrary to our earlier con- jecture that he had been about to draw his sword. Feeling somewhat chagrined at our error, we turned our attention to a tall and dignified looking monu- ment which took the form of an ancient Greek stand- ing majestic and calm, but wholly lacking in cere- bral capacity-the head was missing. We instigated a search, but to no avail-the head wast lost-not The Union's Completion An interior view of the Edward Waldo Pendleton Memorial Library in the Union which will be official- ljp opened Tuesda with appropriate cere- monies. The room is the gift of Mrs. Pen- dieton. even the spre head of a notherwise lost civil war soldier would fit. It was at about this juncture that we hit upon the unfortunate idea of proceeding through the heating tunnel to such a sub-cellar as Mason hall might cover in search of the elusive Franklin. We set off, facing the almost overwhelming heat of the tunnel in high hopes of finding the long sought after statue. The darkness increased with the heat, and our torch seemed to be struggling to penetrate the murky blackness which enveloped us. We stumbled upon a block of plaster which turned out to be a head, the face of which wore abored and rather supercilious expression. Leaving the head to be picked up on the return trip, we proceeded down the sweltering tunnel until we reached a spot where the pipes headed straight for China,leaving us facing a blank wall. Dripping with perspiration, we made our way back to the open chamber, carrying back the head with us. It was somewhat of a blow to find that the late stumbling block slipped with unexpected ease onto the severed neck of the dignified Greek. There may have been a trifle of grim satisfaction in our thoughts when we found ourselves unable to identify the statue from the catalogue. To remain unidenti- fied seemed the proper punishment for the mocking glance with which he viewed our efforts. The process of identification went on again, this time more systematized. Two figures were found to be identical except in size, and by mentally group- ing the unbroken parts of one with the unbroken parts of the other we finally managed to reconstruct' a kneeling female figure evidently in the act of gleaning grain. To our complete vindication, we found the work listed in the catalogue as "Ruth" Two sections of an ornamental base next caught our eye. Upon the sides had been pasted lines of printed paper apparently clipped from some news- paper of earlier days. The inscription dealt with President Lincoln, sneaking as though his death were an occurence of the day before the lines had been printed. The context showed that the statue which had once occupied that base must have been present- ed to the University by some group connected with the state of Pennsylvania. No trace of the statue, probably of 'Lincoln, could be found. Another base which lacked a statue we found to be numbered, and the catalogue indicated that upon it had once stood a figmre of Aesclapeus. nd then we found a hand, broken off at the mid- forearm. The sleeve which covered the arm was evidently not related to any of the clothing on the surrounding statues. For a moment our hopes rose. Perhaps we had at last found a fragment of the Franklin monument. We sought some other piece which might confirm our hopes, but again we met with disappointment. Still, we had the hand and lower arm-there was as yet nothing to indicate that we had not found part of the Franklin. Then the requirement of many coats of paint came to our minds, and we scraped at the surface in a vain at- tempt to find the pigment. Our last hope of finding the legendary statue of Franklin gone, we resolved to list the works which we had found and been able to identify. Two figures, identified as India lovers, Atala and Chactas were preserved practically intact. Several small decora- tive groups of children at their play were there, to- gether with a representation of an Indian fisher-- girl. The colossal soldiers we found to have at one time stood in the office of President Hudson during his administration of the University. Most of the material was listed as having been located in the old University Library. In a portion of the catalogue devoted to the old library we found a reference to the "Whispering Gallery"-one of a very few of its kind in the coun- try. Like its famous counterpart in.Washington, the gallery had not been originally intended to carry the powerful echo attributed to it, but had merely been one of those freaks of architecture resulting from certain angles of wall relation. From other sources we gleaned further information with regard to the gallery, including an anecdote which proved nothing further about human nature save that it never changes, and we had guessed that before. When the old library served as a combination art museum and file for books, the collection of statuary which filled its halls had attained considerable fame throughout the state at least. A closing hour for the gallery was established with a strict injunction that no visitors were to be admitted after that time. Frequently, however, tourists arriving just after the wead-line would plead with the atteldants until they were admitted. Their quite plausible reasons-love of art, last opportunity to view the collection, and the like-sounded sincere, but almost invari- bly after the kind hearted attendants had admitted ME A FTER serving for more than six years as a bare meeting room for various organizations, a practice room for orchestras, a general catch all for the Union and multitudinous other purposes, the large room in the front on the second floor of the Union has been completed. Since the days when the Union was used as quarters for men in the Student Army Training Corps here during the World War, the .big Troom on the second floor has been bare, marring the appearance of the building and forming an ugly break in an otherwise beautiful building. After finishing the main departments of ' the building, the Union ran short of money and was un- able to finish the proposed library on the second floor and the swimming pool in the basement. This situation continued until in June 1923 money was donated to complete the library and last fall suffic- ient funds were raised, with the aid of the Alumni association, to complete the pool. This week the opening of both the tank and the library will mark the entire completion of the Union building. On June 4, 1923, a letter from Mrs. Catherine B. Pendleton of Detroit was received by President Emeritus Harry B. Hutchins, offering to supply the money needed to finish the second floor library. As Mrs. Pendleton was leaving shortly for Europe at this time, she appointed Dr. Hutchins her representa- tive and made arrangements which would enable the Union to begin construction work on the library im- mediately. Contracts were let and work began on the last unfiinished part of the Union. Mrs. Pendleton's gift is in memory of her hus- band, the late Edward Waldo Pendleton, '72, a form- er active alumnus of the University and one of the first directors of the Alumni association when it was re-organized in 1897. Mr. Pendleton received his de- gree from the University in 1872, after which lie taught school in Owosso for two years, returning later to continue his studies here and receiving his master's degree in 1875. Mr. Pendleton was a prom- inent citizen of Detroit, taking part in the civic ac- quired $6,400 to finish. The woodwork extends three-quarters of the way tn the walls on the sides and is laid in panels. Furnitude cost $6,300, the best of chairs and davenports being secured for the room. The upholstering on the furniture is vari- colored, with bright shades entering into the scheme but the whole color combination enters into the color plan of the room itself and of the scheme of the en- tire building. I ighting fixtures took from the total fund, $3,420. The fixtures hang from the ceiling in clusters and indirect lighting is the plan. A great number of floor and table lamps are placed about the room so that when the main lights are turned off and the lamps lighted, the room presents a unique appear- ance of perfect harmony and subdued lighting. Rugs for the room cost $1,000, about half of the floor space being carpeted and the rest being bare patterned marble. The laying of the marble base and flag stones cost $4,000. The remaining amount was spent for a bronze memorial tablet to be mounted. At the west end of'the room on the wall at each side of a huge fireplace, large portraits of former President James Burrill Angell and President Emeri- tus 11ar-ry :B. Hutchins have been placed. The por- trait of President Angell is by William M. Chase and that of President Hutchins is by Ralph Clarkson. The room is high, extending through two stories to the fourth floor and presents a spacious and dig- nified appearance. A solid row of tali windows on bsth the north and east side affords ample daylight to all -arts of the library during the day and the numerous lights make the place bright in the night time. Numerous long tables are placed about the room, affording space for studying, and writing desks are set against the walls. One entrance gives access to the room, triple doors opening into the library from the second floor corridor at the center of the south wall. Large built-in book cases have been placed against the east wall and these will be filled largely with books which were formerly in Mr. Pendletlon's own library. be open for inspection and ladies who are accom- panied by Union members or who have guest cards are invited to inspect the room. After Tuesday, the library will become a part of the Union and will be only for the use of men who are members. A pro- gram of some kind will be arranged for the after- noon of the reception. After the library is turned over to the Union it will be open every day from 11 o'clock to 11 o'clock. An attendant will be in charge of the room and will be stationed just inside the door to the right as one enters. The books in the stacks will be for the use of members and magazines will be placed on the tables. The room is somewhat more elaborate than the reading rooms on the first floor of the building and while a definite plan of procedure has not yet been arranged, it is probable that the"library will be conducted more upon the plan of a quiet, reading room where students may spend their spare time reading or studying and where they will not be dis- turbed by the noises of the lobby as is the case ix the lower reading rooms. With the opening of the library Tuesday, the last unit of the Union will be complete. Throughout the entire building, one plan of architecture has been adhered to, even those portions such as the Pendle- ton library, which were finished long after the main departments were built. The general scheme is the work of Pond and Pond of Chicago, the architects who planned the building. Both the partners of Pond and Pond are Michigan graduates and frequent visitors of the Union. The finishing of the pool' and library marks the entire construction of what is conceded to be the finest building of its kind in the United States. No- where in the east, the middle west nor the west is there a college Union which can compare with Michigan's men's club. A large number of schools throughout the country are either building or plan- ning to build Unions and in practically every case, they turn to the Michigan Union for advice, sug-