Gamma Phi
Encyclopedia
The Gamma Phi Society was a secret society
founded in 1903 in Norman, Oklahoma
. It ceased to exist as a local society when it became affiliated with Beta Theta Pi
in 1907.
who had a freight full of bananas. The railroad officials sent word to the University that bunches of bananas could be had at a very low rate. The five men: Roy Kingkade, Tom B. Matthew, Bob Severin, A. Maxwell Alden, and Jay T. Conway, accepted the proposition and tried to eat the bunch of bananas at one sitting. The five men met in a one story house across the street from the McFarlin Memorial Church.
The five men had such a good time in their fellowship that Tom B. Matthews suggest that the group organize and make something permanent and constructive. It was then suggested that the group be made into a secret organization, or a fraternity. At that time, there were no local or national fraternities on the University of Oklahoma
campus. The five men decided on the name "Good Fellowship." Founder Tom B. Matthews had been studying Greek and the name "Gamma Phi" was chosen due to the phonetic sounds of the "G" and "F."
. While the Gamma Phi's were eager to petition this fraternity, they decided to investigate their options before making a decision. Faculty members began approaching the men of Gamma Phi suggesting that they affiliate with said faculty's own fraternity. Another such professor was Dr. Bynum, a professor of German, who suggested that the men affiliate with his fraternity, Kappa Sigma
.
It was at this time that the men learned of Dr. David Ross Boyd
who was the President of the University at the time, and a member of Beta Theta Pi
. Professor J. S. Buchanan, a Professor and Head of the Department of History, was also a member of the fraternity. Both shared the ideals of Beta Theta Pi with the men, who were sold on the idea.
to join, and were successful, becoming the first national fraternity on the campus.
The original 1904 petition was a "very crude three or four page type-written affair." While the petition gave some insight to the University and the State of Oklahoma, it paled in comparison to the petitions that Beta Theta Pi had been receiving. The first petition came back and the men were turned down. Professors of other fraternities redoubled their efforts to sway the men to join their fraternities, but the Gamma Phis were insistent upon joining Beta Theta Pi.
For the next few years, the men would continue to petition Beta Theta Pi for a charter unsuccessfully. In the summer of 1906, Dean Buchanan and Ray Kingkade were sent to the Beta Theta Pi General Convention in Estes Park, Colorado
to bring the petition. Even with the support of some of the Kansas Betas and their in-person presentation, the Gamma Phis were—yet again—turned down.
In the coming spring, the Gamma Phis paid for a Texas Beta by the name of Dick Wall, and a Kansas Beta to come down and look the chapter over. While the Texas Beta dismissed the chapter with an adverse report, the Kansas chapter gave the Gamma Phis their endorsement. The Gamma Phis, at that time, were living in a two story frame house sitting on the corner of Apache and Webster streets in Norman. The house was owned and maintained by a Mrs. Worthington, and it was suspected that the less than impressive structure of the house contributed to the Texas report.
that the men were granted a charter. The new chapter of Beta Theta Pi was allowed to retain the name "Gamma Phi" as their chapter name. It was, in the most part, due to the petitioning and oration of Mr. E. R. Perry, Northwestern
'00 that the charter was granted due to his forceful plea to the convention.
The installation of the Gamma Phis into the larger Beta Theta Pi took place on the evening of October 18, 1907, in the Masonic lodge hall in Norman (at that time, upstairs over one of the stores on Main street). The Gamma Phis were thoroughly examined by a committee on their knowledge of Beta History, and then "handed over" to the Kansas University
to be initiated. The members who were initiated is as follows:
Betas who took part in their initiation are as follows:
The men spent the rest of the night devoting themselves to singing Beta songs, with the occasional interruption by Judge Tisdel, who very often wanted to know "Who was Pater Knox." The men all attended the annual Kansas-Oklahoma football game the following day in Norman, where the stars of the game were right half Acton of O.U., and right half Forter of K.U.—both who were Betas. The group then took the train to Oklahoma City to attend a banquet. It was not until 3:00 AM when the evening ended with sixty Betas singing the Beta Doxology.
Secret society
A secret society is a club or organization whose activities and inner functioning are concealed from non-members. The society may or may not attempt to conceal its existence. The term usually excludes covert groups, such as intelligence agencies or guerrilla insurgencies, which hide their...
founded in 1903 in Norman, Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
. It ceased to exist as a local society when it became affiliated with Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
in 1907.
Foundation
The first meeting of the Gamma Phi Society was in the Spring of 1903. This meeting was not though of as a fraternity or secret organization, but just a group of five men quickly assembled together. The five men joined together upon hearing of a wrecked Sante Fe Freight train in Norman, OklahomaNorman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
who had a freight full of bananas. The railroad officials sent word to the University that bunches of bananas could be had at a very low rate. The five men: Roy Kingkade, Tom B. Matthew, Bob Severin, A. Maxwell Alden, and Jay T. Conway, accepted the proposition and tried to eat the bunch of bananas at one sitting. The five men met in a one story house across the street from the McFarlin Memorial Church.
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
campus. The five men decided on the name "Good Fellowship." Founder Tom B. Matthews had been studying Greek and the name "Gamma Phi" was chosen due to the phonetic sounds of the "G" and "F."
Seeking a national face
Soon after selecting a name, the men entertained the thought of affiliating themselves with a national fraternity. The men approached a Professor Humphreys of the University's English Department, who was a member of Alpha Tau OmegaAlpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
. While the Gamma Phi's were eager to petition this fraternity, they decided to investigate their options before making a decision. Faculty members began approaching the men of Gamma Phi suggesting that they affiliate with said faculty's own fraternity. Another such professor was Dr. Bynum, a professor of German, who suggested that the men affiliate with his fraternity, Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma , commonly nicknamed Kappa Sig, is an international fraternity with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living...
.
It was at this time that the men learned of Dr. David Ross Boyd
David Ross Boyd
David Ross Boyd was an American educator and the first president of the University of Oklahoma.He was born in Coshocton, Ohio, and after obtaining a doctorate degree from the small Wooster University, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He began his career early as a...
who was the President of the University at the time, and a member of Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
. Professor J. S. Buchanan, a Professor and Head of the Department of History, was also a member of the fraternity. Both shared the ideals of Beta Theta Pi with the men, who were sold on the idea.
Petition to join Beta Theta Pi
It was in the spring of 1904 that the men petitioned Beta Theta Pi to join their ranks. Fearful that the fraternity men of the east would see them as "Wild and Wooly" Oklahomans, who were Indians and Cowboys, the men decided to have their pictures taken in dress suits. Of course, none of the young men owned a dress suit, nor had they ever. Further, it was discovered that there were no stores where they could purchase a suit in all of Norman. Fortunately for the small band, they were able to obtain suits from Dean Buchanan and one of his associates in which they could take the pictures, switching in and out of the two suits. It was in this same year that another group of men on campus petitioned the Kappa Alpha OrderKappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
to join, and were successful, becoming the first national fraternity on the campus.
The original 1904 petition was a "very crude three or four page type-written affair." While the petition gave some insight to the University and the State of Oklahoma, it paled in comparison to the petitions that Beta Theta Pi had been receiving. The first petition came back and the men were turned down. Professors of other fraternities redoubled their efforts to sway the men to join their fraternities, but the Gamma Phis were insistent upon joining Beta Theta Pi.
For the next few years, the men would continue to petition Beta Theta Pi for a charter unsuccessfully. In the summer of 1906, Dean Buchanan and Ray Kingkade were sent to the Beta Theta Pi General Convention in Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park had a population of 5,858 at the 2010 census...
to bring the petition. Even with the support of some of the Kansas Betas and their in-person presentation, the Gamma Phis were—yet again—turned down.
In the coming spring, the Gamma Phis paid for a Texas Beta by the name of Dick Wall, and a Kansas Beta to come down and look the chapter over. While the Texas Beta dismissed the chapter with an adverse report, the Kansas chapter gave the Gamma Phis their endorsement. The Gamma Phis, at that time, were living in a two story frame house sitting on the corner of Apache and Webster streets in Norman. The house was owned and maintained by a Mrs. Worthington, and it was suspected that the less than impressive structure of the house contributed to the Texas report.
Charter
It was finally, in 1907, at the 68th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi in Niagara Falls, New YorkNiagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
that the men were granted a charter. The new chapter of Beta Theta Pi was allowed to retain the name "Gamma Phi" as their chapter name. It was, in the most part, due to the petitioning and oration of Mr. E. R. Perry, Northwestern
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
'00 that the charter was granted due to his forceful plea to the convention.
The installation of the Gamma Phis into the larger Beta Theta Pi took place on the evening of October 18, 1907, in the Masonic lodge hall in Norman (at that time, upstairs over one of the stores on Main street). The Gamma Phis were thoroughly examined by a committee on their knowledge of Beta History, and then "handed over" to the Kansas University
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
to be initiated. The members who were initiated is as follows:
- Chester E. Dutton
- Jay T. Conway
- Earle Warren Ratcliff
- Owen Ellsworth Acton
- James Leman Waller
- Newell Dulin Menifee
- Earl Briggs Johnston
- John Vernon Walling
- Robert Peyton Calvert
- Frank Ray Rollow
- William Alexander Thompson
- Jay Guy Hardie
- Frederick Randolph Williams
- Earl E. Sneed
- W. King Larimore
- Tom B. Matthews
- A Martin Kingkade
- J. LeRay kingkade
- John Wallace Perry
- Clarence Dunn Storm
- John C. Darling
- Gilbert Garrand Caudill
- Sardis Ray Hadsell
- Carlton Weaver
Betas who took part in their initiation are as follows:
- E. R. Adams, Kansas '04
- R. U. Barker, Indiana '01
- J. W. Woodford, Kansas '05
- F. B. Burtford, Virginia '06
- Professor J. S. Buchanan, Cumberland '85
- J. W. Ratcliff, Central '06
- W. W. Hyams, North Carolina '00
- Professor Felgar, Kansas '01
The men spent the rest of the night devoting themselves to singing Beta songs, with the occasional interruption by Judge Tisdel, who very often wanted to know "Who was Pater Knox." The men all attended the annual Kansas-Oklahoma football game the following day in Norman, where the stars of the game were right half Acton of O.U., and right half Forter of K.U.—both who were Betas. The group then took the train to Oklahoma City to attend a banquet. It was not until 3:00 AM when the evening ended with sixty Betas singing the Beta Doxology.