Student Publications: University Hatchet
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University Newspaper: The Hatchet
By G. David Anderson, University Archivist
The GW Hatchet celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2003.
When the idea for a campus newspaper surfaced in 1902, the university was not yet named for the first president, but was still called Columbian University. It was not yet located in Foggy Bottom, but instead occupied a few nondescript buildings at 15th and H Streets, N.W. The student body was not especially united by any great amount of college spirit. But Charles W. Needham, Columbian University's dynamic President, was a visionary with dreams of a new and greater University, and a campus newspaper was a step in the right direction.
Realizing that the University needed a publication that would create new student interest and spirit, Jesse W. Barrett, a law student and the son of a Missouri country editor, suggested to President Needham that a university newspaper be founded. With Dr. Needham's encouragement, Barrett formed a partnership with Otho L. Ferris, a fellow law student from Iowa. Mr. Ferris became the publication's business manager, and "The Weekly Columbian" was launched. Two years later, the University's name was changed to The George Washington University and the newspaper took the name, The University Hatchet. The first issue of the "Hatchet" appeared on October 5, 1904, with the editors noting that the present time was a critical period in the life of the University: GW was endeavoring to plant itself in the front rank of educational institutions.
The young paper proved successful in its objectives of uniting the student body and "stirring up" college spirit. In addition, it was a financial success because of the advertising that was solicited from area merchants by editor Barrett. Writing years later in the GW Alumni Review, Barrett reminisced that one of his advertisers made a very special request that he honored diligently.
"Galt, the jeweler, on Pennsylvania Avenue (whose widow, after his death, became Mrs. Woodrow Wilson), was an advertiser I shall not forget. He made a liberal and exciting offer for the back page, but he specified that in every issue 'jeweler' must be spelled with two l's; otherwise he would not pay for that issue. I was most careful each week in my proofreading to see that no compositor had knocked the 'l' out of his title and consequently, out of our pay." The editors' aim was to make the paper more than just a newspaper. They wanted "everything that is going on; of the faculty, of all the departments, classes, teams, fraternities." An alumni editor was named, as well as editors for the medical and law departments. Space was of no concern, for pages were added when necessary to cover the news.
And cover the University they did. The paper reported on the opening of the "first" year of The George Washington University. Exercises were held in the main University Building. "The hall was filled with old and new students, and occasional yells added life and showed that the summer had not served to lessen the spirits of the college folks." Student spirit was reported high. One of the many school yells for the new University was "G-E-O-R-G-E - George! Washington! Washington! Washington!" Covering athletics was just as important to the early University Hatchet as it is today. GW's 17-0 win over Randolph-Macon College in football of course made the headlines. Football was of such interest to GW students that several new national rules for the game, instituted in 1904, were reported in the Hatchet. There was also coverage of other colleges around the country, including a report that the University of Michigan football team for 1904-1905 was one of the heaviest that had ever played there. "The line averages up over 200 pounds, and the backs to about a hundred and ninety," proclaimed the sports editor.
The University Hatchet covered the successes and failures of the University debate teams and captured some of the amusements of fraternity life:
"A very novel and enjoyable entertainment in the form of a peanut hunt was given by the Omega Alpha Fraternity Saturday night, at the University Building. After the peanut hunt, which caused much merriment for the participants and much work for the janitor, the company engaged in games in the library. A buffet supper was later served in West Hall, after which the Virginia Reel and other dancing was indulged in, in the library, until the hour of breaking up."
Such were the origins of the student newspaper known today simply as The Hatchet. Those early issues, like todays strive to report on University activities, student life, Washington area happenings and college life nationally. Throughout its existence, The University Hatchet has continued to fulfill its purpose of uniting the student body and encouraging campus spirit. It has truly become a University tradition.
Note: This was first published in Arts and Sciences, CCGSAS Alumni Newsletter.
Document Information
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Author or Source: "The Hatching of the Hatchet," by Jesse W. Barrett in The George Washington Alumni Review, September, 1947; The University Hatchet, October 5th, 1904.
Document Location: University Archives
Date Added to Encyclopedia: December 21, 2006
Prepared by: G. David Anderson, University Archivist and Historian
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