Jerry Summers
Since its laying of the cornerstone on October 10, 1860, at the University of the South (Sewanee) by the Episcopal Church bishops and laymen primarily under the subsequent leadership of four ex-Confederate generals and many others, its history has been filled with tales, facts, rumors, and legends of one of the most loved and discriminated classes at the liberal arts school on 13,000 acres outside Monteagle, Tennessee!
------ “the local canine community!” ------
Over the years Sewanee has made progress to overcome the stigma of being all white (until 1966); all male (until 1969) and alleged suppression of minority rights in the community.
Since the hiring of the late African American professor Houston Robinson (1958-2016) in 1997 and continuing through the Sewanee Project on Slavery, Race and Reconciliation the University has attempted to deal with controversial topics in various ways. The removal of symbols of any prior connection to The Confederacy, Lost Cause, etc. and condemnation of part of the University’s history have all been made with open approval by some and silent disapproval by others.
Progress has been made in the treatment of human beings and hopefully will continue until Sewanee and the community will continue to gain the reputation of being completely diverse and equally open to all races, sexes, and creeds.
Yet the discrimination and lack of freedom of the beloved canine class of Domain inhabitants has resulted in an equally serious destruction of Freedom and must be addressed through history.
A small black dog was a participant at the laying of the original cornerstone in 1860 and asserted its prominent position with the fledgling liberal arts college by relieving itself on said stone structure.
“Due to the fact that the initial cornerstone was destroyed by Union Troops during the War Between the States, the little black dog has also been known as an omen of ill fortune”- Michelle Marithe - The Sewanee Purple, October 8, 1973. The student editor wrote a compelling but unsuccessful attempt to stop the erosion of the preservation of Freedom enjoyed by the sacred icons of Sewanee history by allowing them to roam without being on a leash, and the imposition of said restraint was slowed down to a future date.
An additional rare literary source on the relationship between the now victims of neglect can be found in the 1932 pamphlet simply titled “Sewanee” which was published for the benefit of the University Library Collection of Sewanee.
It contains additional stories about the importance of the value of dogs to the religious life of the university and significance of their daily chapel attendance.
The author raises the important issue of the canines’ unfettered presence with the statement that their contribution and impact on Sewanee by his exclamation that “Somehow I doubt if the Sewanee tradition would be what it is without our illustrious line of outstanding dogs.”
Whether the following tribute was written by one of Sewanee’s award-winning English writers/poets or just an anonymous dog-loving student it succinctly reflects the importance of the most non-pedigree mutts on the Domain:
“The Curate says you have no soul,
I know that he has none; but you,
Dear friend, whose solemn self-control
In our four-square familiar pew
Was pattern to my youth. . .”
An unidentified source states that at least until 1994 the pioneer puppies’ descendants were allowed to attend class, chapel, Gailor Dining Hall, etc. without having to endure the measure of control not imposed on any other resident on the Cumberland Plateau institution. It was also mentioned that a white goat enjoyed unleashed privileges.
It is important that the historical love and affection towards the “discriminated doggies” be addressed.
A 1970 pamphlet titled “It Should Happen to A Dog” by Florence Scroggie Oates, traces the purebred and mongrel characters from the period of 1860-1970 and provides many warm and heart-felt examples of the love, affection, and contributions to the greatness of Sewanee by these revered forgotten fellow Founders of the University.
Few Sewanee alumni have received more accolades and sentiments of respect from the local, national, and international press than a Scottish Collie who was brought to the Mountain in 1917 from North Alabama and attached himself to a student at the Sewanee Military Academy and then moved his loyalty to the University and Dr. George Baker, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, until his death in 1934.
Although originally named “Carlos” the students renamed him “Fitz” after the former prizefighter, Bob Fitzsimmons, who was world champion in three boxing divisions in 101 bouts because of the dog’s powers at Sewanee of winning a “fight a day” from his canine competitors.
When he died in 1934 the entire community mourned the passing of the animal who was so widely respected than those admirers had previously purchased him a charge account for ice cream at the local commissary in order that he could have a daily treat that also became a Sewanee tradition.
It was stated that “since the days of the War (WWI) no student entered Sewanee without making his acquaintance.”
Fritz was memorialized by his remains being buried by the students in the campus quadrangle.
Following his death an obituary appeared in multiple leading newspapers such as the New York Times, Detroit Free Press, Houston Chronicle, Nashville Tennessean, Chattanooga Times, etc. and was also reported on the airwaves by the NBC Network News Service.
Throughout the long history of Sewanee, the names of dogs and their owners or masters have been inseparable as contributions to the greatness of the school: Hrothgar (Myers), Pearl (Harrison), Rondo (Ware), Gipsy (Oates) and Beauregard (McCrady) are just a few beloved, almost human unleashed pets who promised, love, affection, and support to students, faculty and community residents during the annual wintry gloom of rain and fog.
Sewanee graduate (’61) Grundy County native and Tiger football captain Ernie Cheek was first entrusted with the care of the mongrel puppy Heraclitus, named after the Greek philosopher in mythology. His care was passed on to 1965 graduate Spencer Tomb and other dog loving students.
The popular mutt along with local natives (Cove-ites) was a regular feature at the fraternity houses on party weekends and, if some unsuspecting Brother or their date should put down their drink containing a prohibited alcoholic liquid, Heraclitus had been known to partake of the beverage.
As a result, when summoned by a friendly voice he would skid across the freshly waxed dance floor stretched out on all fours to reach the caller.
Former Sewanee Football coach the late Shirley Majors (1957-1977) acquired a ferocious-looking English Bulldog in the early 1960s who was named “T.D.” (short for Touchdown).
Unfortunately, he had a perpetual scowl (frown) on his face that matched the sometimes appearance of a guard on the football team, Ray Bell of Shelbyville.
Ray was a hard-working student who also waited tables and worked for the famous English literature professor Abbott “Cotton” Martin. “Abbo,” as he was affectionately called, developed the famous gardens and walking trials known as “Abbos Alley.” Ray Bell, like many non-wealthy Sewanee students, worked for limited pay in that environment.
Ray Bell would later become a highly successful building developer in Tennessee whose projects included the reconstruction of Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and also the building of the modern Sewanee Inn.
However, his teammates on the Tiger football team affectionately renamed Coach Major’s bulldog “Ray Bell” and the bulldog would answer to either name.
University Historian the late Arthur Ben Chitty (ABC) and his wife Elizabeth in 1978 wrote “Sewanee Sampler,” in which they devoted several pages to additional dog stories.
Two direct quotes from the Chittys’ trip down memory lane as to the importance of canines to reduce the gloom and doom of the cold and foggy winters of isolation during the winter months at Sewanee are printed verbatim:
1. Cowyn the Labrador retriever belonging to Colwell Whitney, was recovering nicely by Christmastime in 1971. The handsome bitch fell or jumped from the ledge at room 308, Elliott Hall rear, at about 11 p.m. early in the month, and was missed an hour later. She was discovered moaning in the bushes behind the building and was immediately swathed in an electric blanket taken from the room she had been sharing with Whitney. Dr. Roger Way, University health officer, was routed from his bed to put a cast on the paw and to probe for possible internal injuries. Eowyn, named for a character in Tolkien, lived on to continue her intimacies with Calais Kirby-Smith Carruthers, Father John Morris, and others in the upper stratum of Sewanee canine society. – (Colwell Whitney to ABC, Epiphanytide 1972.)
2. A letter from John B. Elliott to his brother Habersham dated August 11, 1870, reveals that even by then dogs were attending classes but were not allowed in Chapel. By 1962 the bars were completely down. At a laymen’s conference a Sewanee dog came into the chancel to select his seat. A visiting layman stepped forward to remove him. Bishop William R. Moody of Lexington, the celebrant, turned from the altar to rule that the dog should remain. “Saint Francis (of Assini) would want it that way,” he observed. (Fanny deRosset to ABC, August 1962.)
As previously noted in 1973, Miss Manite further commented on the inclusion of women, and hope for sororities in the future. History will confirm the admission of African Americans and other races into phases of campus life but she pointed out how dear the dogs were to the students and the community by describing their importance in the same sense that The Cross is to Sewanee. (the lighted giant cross that welcomes and guides travelers from the valley floor in Cowan up the winding road to the Domain).
Evidently her fervent plea to allow the campus critters to roam free appears to have had some temporary effect on the administration. Sewanee finally succumbed to the fear of legal liability and passed the Dog Control Policy at some future date. It has been revised as of late in August 7, 2020, pursuant to the attached document:
Dog Control Policy
Dogs have long been welcome members of the Sewanee community, and we have been fortunate to have, for the most part, well behaved dogs. As the community has grown, and as legal requirements have changed, the Community Council and the University have revised the Dog Control Policy to meet these changes. Individuals are urged to notify a dog’s owner of any complaints regarding a particular dog prior to involving the Sewanee Police Department or other University Offices.
A. All dogs must be under obvious and effective control of their owners at all times while enjoying the Phil White Dog Park and must follow the rules posted at the park. While on all other property of the Domain, obvious and effective control normally means that an owner must be within immediate site and sound of their dog at all times. Effective control means that a dog will respond to a command given by the owner, including but not limited to “come,” “down,” “off,” or similar commands. If a dog cannot be quickly and effectively recalled by its owner with a verbal command, the dog must be on a leash or otherwise physically restrained while on the Domain. Sewanee Police Department may issue a warning or a citation for a dog running at large. Multiple warnings or citations may result in referral to Franklin County Animal Control.
B. No dogs other than service dogs are allowed in University buildings, and the Sewanee Police Department may pick up and hold all non-service dogs found in University buildings. Service dogs are dogs trained to perform a specific task or tasks necessary to assist a person with a disability. Emotional support animals (animals that provide comfort to a person with a disability, but are not service dogs), are not permitted in University buildings except for residential buildings and then only when a student has an approved accommodation for the emotional support animal.
C. If a dog is causing a public hazard of nuisance, the Sewanee Police Department may issue a warning or a citation to the owner of the dog. Additionally, Franklin County Animal Control may be called, and the dog may be impounded. Examples include dogs snapping at, biting, or otherwise threatening walkers, joggers, bike-riders, other animals, destruction of property, etc. Any person who is threatened or attacked should (1) inform the dog’s owner, if known; (2) notify the Sewanee Police Department, and/or (3) notify Franklin County Animal Control.
D. Fees and Fines: An owner who is issued a citation for a dog running at large or for a dog creating a public nuisance or hazard may be subject to fine in accordance with Tennessee law.
References: Tennessee Code Annotated: Dogs Not Allowed At Large – Exception – Penalties
Revision Date: August 7, 2020
In a gesture that can only be compared to the rounding up of innocent non-native Americans in times of war, “the free roaming dogs were picked up, carried to a pen and then to the Winchester pound! Only the swift actions of their owners could save them from possible purchase by strangers and infliction of “emotional distress!”
In the current discussion at Sewanee advocating inclusion, diversity and elimination of all bias and prejudice the protection of the civil liberties of Irish Setters, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, French Poodles, Italian Greyhounds, English Bulldogs, etc. the descendants of the other 300 breeds of “man’s best friend have been blatantly ignored!
History will note their possible mistreatment!
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Jerry Summers
(If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact Mr. Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)