June 25, 1924, Volume 5, Number 9, Part 1

Two More Brothers Meet their Master

If you were wondering why it has taken me so long to blog about the next issue, i admit that it has to do with the headline above, which could be found on page 3 of this issue. What I did not expect as a result of this project was that I have been finding myself getting somewhat acquainted with these brothers. At this stage in the game, it's pretty guaranteed that everyone i've come across has probably already met their master. But in the end, it doesn't matter what year it happens, it is always jarringly tragic when you hear of such young people dying, as in the case of these two brothers, B. G. Webb and Gervase "Jack" Wenzell.

Brother Webb hailed from Anthemios, and graduated in 1920. Only last year, in 1923, he married a young lady named Josephine Webb (see the issue 2/1/1923, Volume 4, Number 4, Page 2). Tragically, both brother Webb and Mrs. Webb, along with his parents, Mr & Mrs. Alves Webb were all killed when their automobile was wrecked by a B & O Train near the city of Holton, Indiana. In a moment, a family was just wiped out. It's truly truly sad, even 76 years later.

Brother Wenzell initiated as a brother of the Andronicus Chapter in 1922, though he was not a charter member. He left school at the end of last year (1923) because of health issues, described as "trouble with his eyes." He went to live with his brother in San Diego who was a doctor, and it seems he then contracted pneumonia, and died a long time later. It can be assured that it was a long illness, and though there aren't specific details, I wonder that if in this day and age if Brother Wenzell might have been spared. After all, penicillin has not yet been discovered.

According to the Archi account, Brother Wenzell was the son of a famous artist and illustrator named A. B. Wenzell. It wasn't very difficult to find artwork by Mr. Wenzell on the internet. The example below is an illustration from The House of Mirth, written by Edith Wharton.

Following the wikipedia information, it turns out that Brother Wenzell was also preceeded in death by another brother, Arthur, who was killed in a car accident in 1915.

What Else Happened??
I can't leave you with just a dirge.. here are some other interesting things that came about in this issue:

Harry J. Korlsund, MNES '20 admits that he's been too busy to establish a chapter at Boston Tech. Though he has met with some of the fellows there, he doesn't think the time is right just yet.

The Kallikrates Chapter has rented a brick cottage on Carr's Hill for their home next year. The word used to describe the place is "Salubrious" and that's a fantastic word that we need to use more often in 2010.

Mnesicles Brother Leon Makielski's little brother S. J. is initiated at Kallikrates. Not only that, Brother S. J. married Miss Alice Lee Patton on May 19th.

May 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 8 - Additional

For Memorial Day, The Archi published the names of all deceased members of Alpha Rho Chi. With only 13 names, it is also a reminder of how young the fraternity was at this time.

Prof. Louis Holmes Boynton of Iktinos was the most recent entry on this list. His obituary appears on page 6. Initiated in 1914, it's apparent he didn't consider his membership as merely "honorary."

Since no photo of Boynton appears in The Archi, here's one taken from the Michiganensian yearbook of 1916 (click to enlarge). The caption attests to his connection with students across the department.

April 15, 1924, Volume 5, Number 7

Smith Memorial Hall

So Long Brother Ricker
The bulk of this issue focuses on the passing of Brother and Master Architect Dr. Nathan Clifford Ricker. Great detail is given to his personal biography, as well as professional biography. To be honest, I have read a lot about the man over the years, but I would venture to say that this may be the most heavily detailed account of his life that I have ever read.
Brother Ricker died at age 81, after being stricken by a "sudden attack of apoplexy," which is an old timey broad term that generally means that someone went unconsious and died shortly soonafter. Later, on page 5, it is noted that he, more specifically, suffered a stroke.
There is an account of his memorial serivce, which was held at the Smith Memorial Hall on the University of Illinois Campus. The service was lead by the local Masonic Lodge. In addition, an honor guard from the Knight Templars was also present for the festivities. In tribute to his service to the University of Illinois, Dean K. C. Babcock had many kind words about Brother Ricker's professional life.
Letters of condolence were sent to the Archi by founding brother Leo M. Bauer, and former Grand Council Member Arthur E. Benson.

Welcome Polyklitos!
The final column of page 8 heralds the arrival of another new chapter. The ninth new chapter, to be named Polyklitus is forming at the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. We have Iktinos Brother Alfred E. Naser to thank for assisting in forming this chapter.

Prohibition

I can't believe it took this long for it to occur to me that the past few issues of the Archi have been during the Prohibition era of our country! Prohibition took place from 1920-1933 in the United States. It makes sense that the fraternity would make no mention of alcohol, one way or the other, in its national publication. However, on page 2, Mnesicles brother George Dahl writes from London to say:

My best wishes to all our brothers of our dear old fraternity and may they all
prosper. I drink to their health (remember i am not in dry territory.)

Well, Brother Dahl, from this end of time and space, I drink a toast to you as well.