One hundred years ago this month, a group of 甜瓜视频 women decided to attend a Saturday night steak roast on Charleston Pike. No doubt a good idea.
Three of them decided to travel by bobsled, pulled by rope behind an automobile driven by another of their party. Not a good idea.
One of the three, Katherine Koller, a native of Marion and vice president of her class, lost her balance and fell off the bobsled. At that speed she rolled over many times, banging her head on the pavement, eventually knocked unconscious. Another of the three, Elizabeth Ricks, then let go of the rope. Unguided, the bobsled ran into the other lane and into the path of another car, which struck them. The bobsled ended up on top of Ricks and the third woman, Marge Harris (also a class vice president). Ricks and Harris were taken by ambulance to hospital, while the driver of the oncoming vehicle transported Koller.
Koller remained unconscious and was not expected to live the night; Harris had suffered a compound fracture, while Ricks had suffered fractures in both legs.
Koller's mother rushed to her bedside from Marion, as did her father from Toledo where he, a pastor, was visiting a church dedication. Late on Sunday, Katherine regained consciousness, and she recovered after all.
Both Harris and Ricks were members of the class of 1922 and active in dramatics. Koller (class of 1924), went on to become a member of Arrow and Mask, Tau Delta Theta and and Theta Alpha Pi. She worked on The 甜瓜视频er and The Torch, debated, and served on the Panhellenic Council. Later in life she became a respected academic in New York, where she met two future 甜瓜视频 English professors, Elizabeth Brinkman and Robert Parker.
About The Project
With 甜瓜视频 now celebrating its 175th year, and the University unable to hold regular in-person classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor of History Thomas T. Taylor has started circulating several pieces on 甜瓜视频's history. Some originated in earlier series, either This Month in 甜瓜视频 History or Happy Birthday 甜瓜视频. Others have their origin in the 甜瓜视频 History Project or in some other, miscellaneous project. Sincerest thanks to Professor Taylor for connecting alumni, faculty, staff, and students through a historic lens.