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The Ten O'clock Club - Skull and Bones
It is believed that the Ten O'clock, also known as the Skull and Bones, originated on the Baker University Campus during the spring semester of 1894. It is thought that the organization was formed as a rival to the Alpha and Omega Club that was formed in the fall of 1893. The Ten O'clock Club was known for the distinction of its meeting time after the Baker University curfew. The November 1977 Beta Taulker alumni newsletter states "Meetings were held at the Bridge of Tears on Wednesday nights at 10:00. In the later years they were held in the rooms of Brothers".
Known founding members of the Ten O'clock Club are: Joe Coe, Wilbur Denious, Herbert Cavaness, Rolla W. Coleman, George Benedict and M. Parks Helmick. More details about the history of the Ten O'clock Club can be found in the centennial booklet, "100 Years and Stronger Than Ever" Beta Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma 1903-2003.
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Ten O'clock Club- Skull and Bones Petitions Kappa Sigma
As early as June of 1902 the Ten O'clock Club began the dialogue with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity to charter a chapter. The choice to pursue Kappa Sigma was greatly influenced by Wilbur Denious. Denious a charter member of the 10 O'clock club had become a member of the Beta Omicron Chapter of Kappa Sigma in 1902 while studying law at Denver University.
While Wilbur may have been the initial inspiration to pursue membership in Kappa Sigma, his brother Jesse C. Denious was the person who did the majority of the correspondence with the national fraternity to establish a chapter at Baker University. The following petition was sent to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in November of 1902.
The undersigned students of the college of liberal arts of Baker University, respectfully petition that they be granted a charter for a chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, to be established at Baker University. The undersigned comprise the membership of a local organization known as the "S & B" which has been maintained for the past eight years. This organization has many alumni members, all of whom desire to become Kappa Sigmas if our petition is granted and the rules of the Fraternity would permit.
In a letter to Wilbur Denious dated November 20th, 1902 university President Lemuel H. Murlin details the desire of the young men to establish a national fraternity on the Baker University campus.
My attention has been called to the fact that certian young men in this institution desire to secure the establishment of a National Fraternity. We have been conservative in this matter and have even gone so far as to say that we would rather not see the establishment of National Fraternities among us. I think, however, our position has quite materially changed: and the reason is that the circumstances have changed . . .
As to the young men who compose this organization I can speak in very emphatic terms of praise as to their clear character, studious habits, scholarly spirits, socila dispositions, etc. I consider them very desirable materila in every respect. When a student in college, I was sometimes accused of being too strict and exclusive in my ideals of what a college fraternity man should be; but I would be delighted to have each and every young main in this roll in a college fraternity to which I belong. And I would have no hesitancy, so far as their character and work are concerned, and so far as the standing of Baker is concerned, to urge my fraternity to establish a chapter for these boys. But they have expressed preference for the Kappa Sigma. I can commend them most heartiliy.
Murlin's respect for the charter members character and for the presence of National Fraternities on the Baker University campus is deeply represented in his correspondence with Wilbur Denious.
During the fall of 1902 a series of correspondence continued between Jesse Denious and the national fraternity. Word of favorable action on the petition came on January 19th, 1903. A date of February 2nd, 1903 is settled upon for the installation of the chapter. Jesse Denious shared these words in a correspondence with the national fraternity upon hearing of the favorable decision:
I can assure you that we will spare no effort to advance the interests of Kappa Sigma, especially at Baker University. It is our ambition to build here a chapter that the general fraternity will be proud to own".
Founding and Installation of the Beta Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma
On Monday February 2nd, 1903 the Ten O'Clock Club-Skull and Bones was installed as the Beta Tau Chapter of Kappa Sigma. The article below by Alpha Mills Ebright appeared in the February 1903 edition of the Caduceus.
About nine years ago eight boys in Baker University banded themselves together under the name of “Skull and Bones.” The Club soon became a dominant factor in the College society and politics, and ambitious to join a National Fraternity. Unacquainted with the methods and workings of such institutions, progress was seemingly very slow, but at last the propitious time rolled round, and on the night of February 2nd “The Skull and Bones” silently stole away and Beta-Tau was duly installed at Baker University. Different Fraternities seeing the field ripened already for the harvest, have at various times shown kindly feelings and perfect willingness to adopt us, but investigations always revealed some objections. We resolved on “Kappa Sigma” and earnestly labored in the hope of obtaining a charter. But, no doubt, our efforts would have been in vain had not Bro. Denious, Beta-Omicrom, burning with enthusiasm for his Alma Mater and his own Club – for he was one of the charter members – planned and toiled unceasingly. To him we owe eternal thanks.
The Monday night found thirteen boys clouded in doubt and uncertainty, and a walk through the driving sleet and rain to the place of initiation did not alleviate their minds. Trembling and ready for almost anything that could be required we were escorted through the dangerous highway. Sometimes our hearts grew faint. The roads were so rough; the robbers merciless, and our poor feet bleeding so; but our guards proved trusty, and, sore and exhausted, but happy, we, along in the wee hours of the morning, came to the gates of Bologna, the centre of learning. Having congratulated each other on our successful journey we learned the Kappa Sigma yell, and making the night ring with our shouts of exultations we repaired to the Chapter-house, where the inner man was appropriately initiated.
Needless to say that our expectations were more than realized. We were impressed, beyond our fondest dreams, with the significance and meaning of being Kappa Sigmas. The initiation ceremony is beautiful and sacredly impressive, and one cannot be more highly honored than by membership in this greatest of all Fraternities.
Beta-Tau has the brightest hopes for her future. We are now in possession of an eleven-roomed house conveniently arranged. Our standing in all departments of the school is excellent. In the exuberance of our youth we do not wish to claim too much for the future, but suffice it to say that we are enlisted soul and body in this Fraternity, and that we will strive to justly share all its joys and rejoicings, and, if any shall come, to faithfully and uncomplainingly share its sorrows and adversities. Our earnest desire is to build up a Chapter which will not be referred to with hesitancy or a blush of shame, but one to which every Kappa Sigma can point to with pride.
The visiting brothers present at initiation were Bro. Charles Richardson, W.G.P.; Bro. D.C. Simral, D.G.M., Alpha-Omega; also Bros. White, Julian, Slaughter, Cohen, Estel, and Ginton, Alpha-Omega. Those initiated were J.C. Denious, R.W. Coleman, W.W. Rubel, A.R. Bowman, B.H. Ozment, C.E. Ely, A.H. Douglas, J.H. Moore, S.E. Urner, D.E. Waggoner, A.M. Ebright, H.F. Durkee, and E.A. Britsch. The following officers were elected: J.C. Denious, G.M.; C.E. Ely, G.P.; E.A. Britsch, G.M.C.; A.M. Ebright, G.S.; J.H. Moore, G.T.; Bros. S.E. Urner and B.H. Ozment, Guards.
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