From the ancient archives of the fraternity comes this short - and somewhat strange - letter, written by the 27-year-old Samuel Taylor Marshall, presently a senior, to John Reily Knox, a 19-year-old recent alumnus. Among other oddities, "Taylor" always spelled "very" with two r's. Note too that "Leb" is the nickname of James George Smith (from Lebanon, Ohio).
In particular this letter reveals a secret formula for the name of the fraternity, which clearly derives from the old form of the badge. (I was not able to upload a scan of the image; sorry.)
--Dr. Thursday
Marshall to Knox
November 19, 1839
Oxford, etc.
Friend Riley,
I now acknowledge the receipt of yours Oct. the 24th – in which I will offer an apology for the apparent neglect to answer you. I was absent from college at the time it came and remained at home for several days – my Father was verry sick – of which he never recovered – he died about the date of your letter – and another thing was I wished to be at one more Meeting of the [*** moon heart] before I would write you. We have taken Henry Johnson since you was here. Things are going on first-rater if not more so. Our speakers from the Union Hall are elected and Leb Smith is president of the Hall. The speakers are:
1st J. G. Smith – chief speaker
2nd Cole
3rd Martin
4th R. H. Smith
5th J. W. Johnson
6th and [?] Crawford ha ha ha
Nothing particular is going on more than usual – receive the best wish of one who loves his friend – and – may you advance in that noblest of studies, “whose seat is the bosom of God – whose voice is the harmony of the World.”
Riley, you may find time to call this winter at Old Miami as you pass, when you are going home – if you do you shall have a share of my potatoes – as I am going to bash next week – write me on the reception of this and tell me how your [?] the frosty mornings.
S. T. Marshall [*** moon heart]
Threaded Mode
