Delta Epsilon-Delta Tau Delta

 

 

Delt History

The history of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity began in 1858 at Bethany College in Bethany, Virginia (now West Virginia). The social life on campus was typical of the small colleges of the day, with activities centered around the Neotrophian Society, a literary society. As of 1858 it is believed that at least one secret group, named Phi Kappa Psi, was operating an attempt to gain control of the society and its honors.

From a report given by Jacob S. Lowe in 1859 (as well as others that were present at the time), a group of students met in the Dowdell boarding house (in Lowe's room) to discuss actions to retake control of the Neotrophian Society and return control to the students at large in late 1858. A constitution, name, badge, ritual and motto were devised, and Delta Tau Delta was born.

In the early history of the Fraternity, the future of the organization hinged on the initiation of two men, Rhodes Sutton and Samuel Brown, that required them to ride from then Jefferson College in Washington/Canonsburg, Pennsylvania through a terrible snow storm to deliver the Alpha Charter to Ohio Wesleyan College in an effort to keep the Fraternity alive. Delta Tau Delta now has one-hundred sixteen undergraduate chapters, six thousand active undergraduates, and over one-hundred fifteen thousand alumni.

 

Founders

       William R. Cunningham (Chair)           

                 William R. Cunningham was only a freshman at the time Delta Tau Delta was formed. Because he was older and had become a Mason, however, he exerted much influence in the group. Cunningham, the picture of integrity, was probably responsible for much of the early language in both the Constitution and Ritual. He served as President of the Karnea in 1883. He was also a minister and held public office in the state of Washington.

 

 

 

       Alexander C. Earle             

                 Alexander C. Earle, the youngest of the group of eight founders of Delta Tau Delta, went on to become a Captain in the Second South Carolina Volunteers, where he commanded his own company. For many years his whereabouts were unknown and he was believed dead, but he was finally located living in Arkansas. Earles' spirit of courage is one we emulate today. He also set an excellent example for us through his commitment to lifelong learning and growth by attending three Karneas.

 

 

       Richard H. Alfred                

                 Richard H. Alfred, at 26 the oldest of the group of founders of Delta Tau Delta, became a minister and a physician. His involvement with Delta Tau Delta stemmed from a sense of moral duty to the truth, and his activities later in life continued this commitment.

 

 

       Henry K. Bell            

                 Henry K. Bell, a Kentuckian, lived only six years after graduation. His contribution to the Fraternity was immense; without him, there would be no Delta Tau Delta today. Bell responded to a call for help from the last remaining members of the Bethany chapter who were leaving to join the armed forces.

 

 

       John C. Johnson   

                 John C. Johnson was a native West Virginian (although at that time the area was still a part of Virginia). He became a lawyer and politician, a career which clearly displayed power. He was the political advisor to John W. Davis, the Democratic nominee for President in 1924. One of Johnson's favorite pastimes was conducting tours of Bethany and pointing out the room where Delta Tau Delta was founded. He outlived the other founders by eight years.

 

 

       Jacob S. Lowe          

                 Jacob Lowe hosted the first meetings of the group in his quarters in a rooming house which has now become an international shrine for the Fraternity. Lowe, who became a professor and later a college president, helped facilitate the initial bonds of brotherhood in Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

 

 

       Eugene Tarr               

                 Tarr was a "townie" whose home was only a short six miles from Bethany. He stayed in West Virginia after college. A strong proponent of strengthening his community, Tarr became a noted speaker, lawyer, and editor of the local newspaper.

 

 

       John L. N. Hunt     

                 John L.N. Hunt was the scholar of the group. After graduating from Bethany, Hunt went on to become the valedictorian of his class at New York University's School of Law. He then served for several years as New York's Commissioner of Education.

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