EARLY MEMORIES RECALLED
Mrs. Louise Stapley Moscrip, '84
Mrs. Louise Stapley Moscrip, '84, of Marshalltown, Iowa, concludes her letter recalling early memories of Mt. Carroll Seminary, in the following account:
"When I look at the beautiful pictures of the buildings comprising the Frances Shimer College now I marvel at the changes that have taken place in the years since I attended Mt. Carroll Seminary as it was then called.
"We as students of the normal department felt greatly privileged to be able to attend that institution of learning.
"Music and art were specialties but the normal department answered the needs of the greater number of girls.
"Many beautiful singers were graduated in music and one that stands out most clearly in my mind was Mary A. Calkins of Wyoming, Iowa. Her interpretation was marvelous. She was soloist at the beloved Miss Joy's funeral and I know with what depth of feeling she must have sung "O Paradise, O Paradise."
"I notice that the college now has an infirmary with all necessary assistants, another great advantage.
"Dr. Shimer, the resident physician, was consulted by the girls for any ailment they might have. Invariably he prescribed the same two medicines. In one glass was a brown solution, in another a clear one and his instruction was "Now you take a spoonful of these hour turn about." Some cases called for "half hour turn about." The girls soon named it "Turnabout."
"I notice today that many different pastimes may occupy the leisure hours of the girls. When I was there croquet was the only diversion.
"The picture at the bottom of page one in the booklet "Ninety Three Years Speak Out" shows the buildings as they were when I attended the Seminary.
"The rooms of the one to the south were heated by tiny wood stoves. Each week the girls took turns at building their fires in the morning. The other building, a newer one, was heated by a furnace and the rule was that the temperature in each room was to be no higher than 70 degrees.
"A teacher made the rounds every morning to see that that rule was rigidly kept. If not, the heat was turned off. That was a "sure cure."
"I can sense that the Frances Shimer College of today covers a wider outlook on life than was required fifty or sixty years ago; that each decade brings out some thought contingent upon the advancement of womankind. This is as it should be.
"Now with best wishes for the continued success of Frances Shimer College—
LOUISE STAPLEY MOSCRIP."
