01/10/2019
It was 40 years ago, Saturday, 9 December 1978 (Part 1 of What I Did for Moose):
In December 1978, The Princeton Quadrangle Club anticipated a strong incoming Sophomore Section from the Class of 1981, its first as an Open Club. With fewer than 20 members in the Junior Section Class of 1980, and several of those members leaving for other clubs that winter, a strong section was definitely needed, and indeed, the Class of 1981 pulled through.
The Princeton Charter Club was in a similar situation, so much so, rumor had it that Charter’s leadership had negotiated with members of the Sophomore Class of 1981 to allow them to become officers in their Junior Year, an unprecedented action. As a result, Charter’s incoming Sophomore Section was tremendous, and many at Quad felt that the Charter Deal had taken several potential Quad members. No matter, the Quad Class of 1981 was strong, and Initiations Night came with great anticipation.
Initiations Night began without incident. Incoming members of the Class of 1981 continued the long-held traditions of Quad: they received their blue or white polo shirt, were “welcomed” by a current member of the club (of the opposite s*x), and were passed up the stairs. They signed the Membership Book, and joined the throng on the stairs, which ultimately concluded the rite by passing the current officers up the stairs (and tossed them in the shower). The band played in the Grand Salon, and everyone danced the night away.
Around 11:30 PM, rumors began that Charter, after its own initiations, was planning a midnight raid on Quad. No one was sure what this meant, but all members were encouraged to remain at Quad, just in case. Midnight arrived without incident, but it was only the calm before the storm. Shortly after midnight, a huge contingent from Charter appeared at Quad’s front door. They were met by an equally strong Quad Club membership determined not to let anyone in. The shoving match at the front door appeared to be at a stalemate, as the mass of bodies moved only inches back and forth. Suddenly, the commotion turned inward. Several members of Charter had broken a few panes of glass on the French Doors of the Grand Salon and had entered the clubhouse. Others found their way in through the downstairs dining room. What had appeared to be a friendly shoving matched had the potential for turning into an ugly brawl throughout the entire building. David Parker ’79 and Bill Natbony ’80 even moved the pool tables to protect the clubhouse. Had it not been for the quick thinking of Quad Club President Mark Hornung ’79, it might have turned into a full melee. Mark grabbed a fire extinguisher from the 2nd Floor, and proceeded to come down the stairs, spraying everyone in his path. This took everyone by surprise. The Charter members retreated, and those who were inside Quad were escorted out. There may have been an exchange of a few angry words, but outright battle had been avoided. The Quad members who remained assessed the damage. There were broken windows and glass in the Grand Salon, a few broken balusters along the staircase, and some concern about damage to the door frame, but all in all the physical damage was minimal. The emotional toll was yet to be seen.
On Monday, 11 December 1978, the following report appeared in the Daily Princetonian:
Charter, Quad wrangle over moose's head
By SALLY SWENSON
At least one student was injured in the enthusiasm of open club initiations Saturday night during a melee as members of Charter Club attempted to steal the prized stuffed moose head from Quadrangle Club. Steven Sklar '80 spent the night in the infirmary recovering from what Dr. Peter Johnson termed "a minor injury." According to Quad president Mark Hornung '79, 13 panes from five windows were broken during the incident. Other damaged items, he added, included curtain rods, a statue and the front door closing mechanism. The brawl was allegedly precipitated when 70 to 80 members of Charter were told an elaborate and probably apocryphal tale of why Quad's moose belonged to Charter. According to Charter Club, Jimmy Stewart '32, a former Charter member, once removed a thorn from the hoof of a moose, who, in gratitude, became the actor's faithful companion. The moose allegedly became fatally ill after dining at Colonial Club and expired on the nearby lawn of Quadrangle. Regardless of the veracity of the moose tale, Charter Club members encircled Quadrangle Club and eventually gained entrance through a basement storage room, and later, the front door.
Extinguishers and sticks
Struggles then ensued to keep the invaders from entering the first-floor room where the moose is kept, with fire extinguishers and even hockey sticks being employed by the 50 defenders. "It was nothing serious, but it was an unfortunate incident," Hornung said. One Quad member called the proctors, but most Charter members had left the donnybrook by the time they arrived. The incident follows a similar one last year in which Charter members attempted to steal Cloister's moose. "This is college—people are supposed to have fun," one Charter member said. "It's not like Kent State or anything." Charter president John Bruestle '79 admitted that the incident "did get a little out of hand. Both sides were very drunk," he noted. Hornung said payment for the damages at Quad would be discussed by the two clubs within the next few days.
http://theprince.princeton.edu/princetonperiodicals/?a=d&d=Princetonian19781211-01.2.10&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------
One of Princeton's 11 eating clubs, for over 100 years we have helped provide a community for Princeton students. From "Literary Quadrangle" in the F.
