Freshman year, 1875-1876

Travel brochure describing Castle Tucker, Wiscasset, Maine 1875 September 5 Richard at Sun Inn to Mother re: settling in at Lehigh having arrived late – University started earlier 1875 September 12 Richard to Mother re: now settled in a boarding house, made up lost classes, thankful his roommates not sophomores as they do the hazing, requests father’s equipment and her German dictionary to avoid expensive purchases 1875 October 1 John H. Jeter (Bethlehem, Pa) of Ward B. Snyder (New York) Purchase order for Rugby football #6 1875 October 21 Athletic Association Fall Meeting at Rittersville Park R. H. Tucker wins Second in Half-mile race 1875 October 24 Richard to Father re: send more money 1875 October 31 Richard to Mother re: snowing, says his birthday cake and dressing gown arrived in time, secret societies, says that Coppée said that if only ten students remain the University will still go on 1875 November 7 Richard to Mother re: weather quite warm now, had cavity filled – dentist used foot lathe, thanks grandmother for gown 1875 December 19 Richard to Mother re: reports examinations were successful, going to Philadelphia, Christmas shopping 1875 December 24 to 1876 January 4 Richard’s Journal – (describes his Christmas spent in Philadelphia visiting friends, New Year’s in New York, return to Bethlehem January 5 1875 December 26 Richard (Philadelphia) to Mother re: enjoy visit to Philadelphia with the Darrahs, dined at Darrahs, weather raining, met young lady whose father builds ships in Bath, going to theater, visited a steamer fitted for seal fishing in Alaska going around the Horn, hopes his presents arrived and were liked. 1876 January 2 Richard (Philadelphia) to Mother re: saw Centennial Buildings, saw play “Jane Eyre,” city illuminated, weather warm 1876 January 9 Richard (South Bethlehem) to Mother re: pleasant visit to Philadelphia went to U. of Penn where friend Will attends but likes Lehigh better 1876 January 16 Dick to Mother re: lists his classes especially with Prof. Chandler, describes furniture in his rooms, skated 6 miles to Allentown on the canal climbing over the locks – took 30 minutes. 1876 February 4 C. A. Schick (South Bethlehem) to R. H. Tucker Esq. “Your son left me with a boarding and fuel bill unpaid $21.50. I want the money. The room you selected for him did not suit him so he went in with Palmer there they fetched beer by the pitcher full, then vomited on the floor and covered it up with the carpet (nice mess that was) and broke the door when they found they could not do as they pleased I think. Then they left the excuse was they could board cheaper at the Hall, if this bill is paid without any further trouble to me, I am satisfied, if not, I shall have then brought up for malicious mischief and damage.” 1876 February 13 Richard to Mother re: weather beautiful, Prof. Chandler away no classes of 4 to 5 hours, tells about reading room beneath chapel which was formerly used as a museum and still houses the Keim collection of minerals now reading room has daily newspapers, scientific papers and first rate place to study. 1876 February 27 Richard to Mother re: miss sent letter and getting a card from Father, friend Palmer and he went to see “Macbeth” went to chapel for Washington’s birthday – Bishop De Schweinitz of the Moravian church read the service – quite an event because for years “the Moravians were bitter enemies of the College.” Dr. Lyndaman? promises to build a boat house for the college, course of 1 ½ miles on the Lehigh, new drawing instructor was stroke for Yale, new civil engineering professor and freshmen has donated $25 and others are donating money to raise the funds for boats, asks Mother to ask Father to send money. 1876 March 6 Richard to Father re: money has not arrived, suffering from colds due to sudden change in weather, new President is a clergyman, Prof. Coppée giving lectures on Shakespeare 1876 March 12 Richard to Mother re: has trouble with landlady, boat club now organized – he has registered 1876 March 19 Richard to Mother re: cold weather, asking Mr. Wolle if Mary can go to a lecture on Pennsylvania Germans, “Uncle Tom Cabin” performed at Opera House, boat crew is in training, Spring cleaning to be conducted of room. 1876 April 2 Richard to Mother re: pleasant weather, Father’s boat wrecked, invited by Palmer for Easter visit, will write to Father for needed money 1876 April 16 Richard to Mother re: box came glad to get it (maple sugar and mince meat), raining, drawing a coal car with Gilbert, students to be represented at the Centennial by tinted maps of surveys, etc. by students by drawing the buildings and grounds, no training for boat crew as all are away, he and Will had photograph taken. 1876 April 19 Richard to Mother re: bill owed to Mr. Wolle, Mother sent check, Arch St. Theatre Co. of Philadelphia performing 1876 April 19 Frank P. Howe (South Bethlehem) “Received from Richard H. Tucker Jr. five dollars ($5.00) being the L. U. Boat Club initiation fee” 1876 April 30 Richard to Mother re: account of money she sent him, took Will to theatre, pleased with photographs 1876 May 7 Dick to Mother re: asks for $35. to pay board and washing for April, 22 large drawings sent to the Centennial by Lehigh students 1876 May 14 Centennial Richard to Mother re: pattern for ties she should make him, celebration at university and Bethlehem for opening day of Centennial, fireman’s parade and rain, Misses Clement made up a party to visit the rolling mill, Bessemer etc., next term visit will be made to visit the mills, coal and zinc mines with a professor. 1876 May 21 Richard to Mother re: wife of Professor Doolittle died and students will attend funeral, walk along tow path to Easton to see Lafayette play baseball with a club from Brooklyn – 13 miles in 4 hours including dinner and a bath in the river, ride on a canal boat but not more than half as fast as walking, returned by train, wants to write Father to go to Centennial before returning home 1876 June 4 Dick to Grandmother re: weather, exam courses - chemistry to take 12 hours, got neckties she made and wants more, burial of Logic and other events, Willie needs new suit so need check, looking forward to coming home for summer 1876 June 20 (L. U.) J. S. Cunningham to Class ’79 “Burying Logic” to J. L. Jeter Secy & Treas. ’79 Coffin, Band, Lamps & Oil, H. R. Linderman, L. H. Robinson, G. W. Bowen, G. L. Roth 1876 June 26John M. Leavitt (Lehigh University) to Dear Sir (report sheet) “R. H. Tucker Jr. in the Freshman Class during the Second Term from Jan 12, 1876 to June 22, 1876 as determined by the Examination … General Rank in Class 2 out of 41 students in class