book of records - Kansas State University

7.18 Book of Records
The success of Brother Watson is all the more remarkable from the fact that when he was a boy he had a
shotgun accident that deprived him of his entire right hand and the thumb of his left hand. This accident left him a
bundle of nerves and it was several years before he recovered from the shock. During his college career, he was
undoubtedly the most popular and best liked man in school. He was Editor of The Royal Purple Yearbook, a member of
Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta, Both honorary agricultural fraternities, College Yell Leader, very active in class
affairs, a member of a literary society and active in other organizations. Every Alpha Tau and especially every member
of Kansas Delta Theta is proud to be able to call him ABrother@. He was the type of ΑΤΩ for which the Thomas Arkle
Clark Award was later created.
The chapter prospered and grew during the remaining years of the 1920s. Delta Theta immediately took its
place among other ΑΤΩ chapters in helping to set policies for the fraternity by sending representatives to attend the
biannual Congresses. There were two Congresses of special significance in the 1920s. John Hale represented the
chapter at the Philadelphia Congress of 1925. ΑΤΩ Founder Otis Allan Glazebrook was able to attend. In 1929, Henry
Waldridge and Bill Daniels represented the chapter at the Los Angeles Congress, which was held to honor ΑΤΩ Founder
Erskine Mayo Ross.
During this period in history, Province III (later becoming Province XVIII) held various province conclaves.
One of the more memorable conclaves was held in February of 1924. In attendance at the conclave, which also included
an initiation of pledges of the various chapters, were Thomas Arkle Clark, former National President; John Van der Vries
of the High Council; Ralph E. Weaverling, WGKA; and Willard M. Benton, Chief of Province III (who later became
National President).
The tradition of high chapter scholarship was maintained throughout the 1920s. The best effort was a second
place finish for the fall semester of 1924.
Since its beginnings, chapter members have always been involved in many activities and named to campus
honoraries. Such honoraries as Sigma Tau, Steel Ring, Delta Phi Epsilon, Phi Alpha Mu, Scabbard and Blade, Blue Key,
Gold Key, Order of Omega, Mortar Board and others had ΑΤΩs as members. Some of the chapters most active
members were C. R. Smith, Collegian Editor; P. R. Woodbury, President of the Dairy Club; Gardner Rhodes, Freshman
Class treasurer; Charles McPherson, President of SSGA and Earl Richardson, Royal Purple and Collegian Editor. In the
spring of 1925, the freshman, sophomore and junior classes each had an officer from the chapter: Harry Felton, Junior
Class treasurer; Elmer Canary, Sophomore Class treasurer; and Pat Rhodes, Freshman Class treasurer.
Intramurals were relatively new on the campus in the 1920s. ΑΤΩ started fielding good teams from the
beginning and many finished near the top in most sports. Swimming was the chapter=s best sport, as we won first place
in 1926 and 1929.
While Ray B. Watson was a nationally-known athlete from the chapter, Delta Theta also had other fine athletes
that represented the College. John Steiner was an All Missouri Valley guard in football in the early 1920s. Gil Wann
was captain of the tennis team and a member of the basketball team. Also playing for the basketball team during this
period were P. R. Woodbury and Lou Grothusen. Frank Willey was an outstanding track team member. In the late
1920s, K. C. Bauman, as a member of the football team, was considered one of the top linemen in the area. Bill Daniels
was a fine end on the same team. Phil Carter was captain of the swim team and one of the few in the country at that time
to clear 13 feet in the pole vault. Kirk Ward was captain of the baseball team and also participated in track. Hank Karns
was an ace on the baseball team pitching staff and Lawrence Staley was a member of both the basketball and baseball
teams. These were just some of the members that participated in varsity athletics. Ted Curtis, an ΑΤΩ from the
University of Chicago, was the freshman football coach and varsity basketball and baseball coach during the early part of
the decade.
In the era of the 1920s, scarlet fever and mumps were still major health problems. In 1923, scarlet fever hit the
campus and the house was quarantined. In 1925, a member of the chapter came down with the mumps and the house
was quarantined for 18 days. Both of the quarantines put the chapter behind, but they responded in the traditional ΑΤΩ
way and fought back their old position as one of the top chapters on the campus.