1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL,Vol, XXVIII, APRIL, 1904. No, 4,IOWA BETA AND HER NEW HOME,In the parlors of the old Palace Hotel on February 3, 1882,ten young men met to organize the Iowa Beta chapter ofPhi Delta Theta. Brother Cowles, of Iowa Alpha, presidedand at this meeting, Messrs. W. L. Clark, W. George, C.L. Gillis, W. S. Hosford, P. L. Sever, C. H. Dayton, andJ. B. French were duly initiated charter meinbers. BrothersKennedy and Cole were affiliated at this time and the firstofficers of Iowa Beta were: President, Chas. H. Dayton;secretary, C. L. Gillis; treasurer, \V. L. Park; warden, Wm.George; reporter, J. B. French; historian, J. L. Kennedyand chaplain J. L. Kennedy. For some time the meetingswere held each Saturday evening at the home of BrotherGillis, but on September 23, 1882, halls were procured wheremeetings were held until December, 1899, when Iowa Betamoved into her first chapter house on College street. Fromthis time on Iowa Beta has steadily increased in numbersand influence until now she is one of the strongest chaptersof this province. In the fall of 1901 we moved to a betterhouse and had a prosperous year until we were forced toseek other quarters and efforts were made to establish abuilding fund by the note system. This plan fell throughwhen some of the members refused to sign the notes, andin the fall of 1902 we again moved to a rented house. InJune, 1903, we secured a house and made contracts for itsremodeling to suit our convenience and made a lease forthree years with the privilege of purchase at the expirationof the lease. This house is but three squares from the maincampus and two from the medical buildings and hospitals.We are now situated at 227 North Dubuque street in aframe structure of two stories and a basement. A largeporch extends along the east side, supported by stone pillars,and the house is all painted pure white. The main entranceis from the east and as you enter a large hall the parlors are