Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Banks of the Boneyard (Charles Kiler) [PAGE 25]

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The Advent

of Dr. Peabody

29

idea that the descendants of the members of the class would assemble under the shade of the tree in future years and dwell on the lives and achievements of their ancestors. It had also been the custom for members of other classes to attempt to destroy this tree and thwart the desire of those who planted the tree to leave such a testimonial. However, as I recall it, there was no malice about it, it was simply a test of wits and vigilance. At this point I am somewhat confused about the incident in question. My recollection is thai it was the class of 1882 (the senior class at that time) which planted this tree, and it was my class of '83 which figured somewhat in the events that happened. Perhaps you can straighten this out. The senior class contained many men of valor and the underclassmen had made no attempt to destroy the senior tree which had been planted on the northwest corner of the campus near old University Hall. It was a measly little sapling about an inch and a half in diameter, but it was surrounded by large evergreen trees whose branches grew close to the ground and afforded fine shelter for those who wished to guard the tree from those who might have designs on it. In June of that year, after the examinations had been completed, the Literary Societies on a certain night were conducting their closing exercises and most of the students were attending these meetings. Richard E. Dorsey and I, instead of attending the Society meeting, went to Champaign. As we walked home towards Urbana, it occurred to one of us that it would be an auspicious time to pull up this class tree, because we assumed that those who would ordinarily guard it were attending the Society meeting. We went over and laid violent hand upon this tree, when much to our surprise some husky seniors came tumbling out from under the evergreen trees and began shooting at us. Moved by a common instinct, we fled toward Champaign instead of going in the direction of our homes. I was a pretty good runner and I think that fear gave me extra speed, because they did not catch me, but Dorsey was not disposed to unnecessary physical exertion, so he promptly fell on the ground. When the seniors caught him, he asserted that he had been wounded and could not go any farther. Upon further inquiry, he stated that his shoes were full of blood and insisted they carry him home, about five blocks, but upon examination they found neither blood nor wounds. To shorten the narrative, Dorsey was called before the faculty, and in some way my name was mentioned as being present. The hearing which involved both of us terminated with a sentence of suspension from the University. It did not seem to be such a serious thing, because examinations were over, school had ended, it was time to go home for vacation, and the order of suspension did not state for how long. But Dorsey went home and never came back. I considered the matter during the summer vacation, and so did my father, and decided that as there was no length of time for which I was suspended, that I would just go back to the University in the fall and see what happened. If I am right