1930–31 Volume 55 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

Denison Tries ExperimentOOMETHING NEW Under the fraternitysun is under trial by Ohio Iota atDenison. Something which, we think,is pretty good evidence that fraternitiesfill a definite niche in the collegiateworld. It all started about Eastertime of last year. And this is how—Robert ("Whitey") Bliss had noticedeight-year-old William Hammondwandering about the streets ofGranville, poorly clad and undernourished.He was attracted by theboy's winning smile and after talkingto the lad several times invited him tothe chapter house for dinner. The boywas promptly nicknamed "Oscar," and"Oscar" he is to this day. The chapterasked Oscar to have his Easterdinner at the house but Oscar regretfullydeclined because, as he said, allthe other boys would be dressed up thatday and he didn't have any niceclothes.That decided Ohio Iota and BrotherBliss took the lad to Newark for acomplete new outfit of clothing.Easter morning saw him at the PhiDelt house with his new suit and aPhikeia button in his coat lapel, thetopic of conversation for the chapter.Step number two came when the chapterthe following week asked Oscar'smother if she would consent to lettinghim live at the chapter house. NowOscar is one of eleven children; hisfather and mother are separated, andhis mother realized quite well that shewas not in a position to give him adequatecare. She was delighted withthe plan and readily consented. Oscarmoved in and soon became one of thebest known Phis on the Denisoncampus.He roomed with Brothers Bliss andJack McConnell, president of the[273By RUSSELL H. FITZGIBBONHanover, '24WILLIAM ("OSCAR") HAMMONDOhio lota's Boychapter at that time, who acted as jointbig brothers to him. Minor dutieswere assigned to him and he becameone of them so much that he frequentlyis heard singing the fraternity songsto himself. Savoir-faire should be Oscar'smiddle name by the time he canmore officially become a Phikeia severalyears hence, if a little incidentthe chapter tells about him is any indication.It was during the recentprovince convention at Denison. Oscarcame into the house alone andnoticed that the chapter had guests.He immediately came to where theywere sitting, extended his hand and(Continued on page 282)