Project Editor: Jeffrey Miller, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

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ARRESTED BARB HUSKER STORMY PETREL

Alan G. Williams Power Behind Throne in Work of Non-Frat Group

Draws Fire for Campaign to Elect "Outside" Girl 1929 Queen of May

LINCOLN, Feb. 15.—Alan G. Williams, University of Nebraska graduate who was arrested by federal prohibition enforcement agents at an all-university dance for nonfraternity members in the coliseum on the campus, frequently has been at odds with the administration.

He was a political leader of nonfraternity students and the "power behind the throne" in all their activities, according to stories published in the Daily Nebraskan, student newspaper.

Under the headline "Barb Confesses He Filed Candidates," the Daily Nebraskan on Oct. 11, 1928, related that Williams had said he filed fraternity men for the class offices to split the fraternity vote and increase his own candidates' chances of winning. He campaigned for nonfraternity students.

Two fraternity men whose names he placed in nomination, "Dutch" Witte and Cobe Tomson, both athletes, withdrew. The fraternities swept the election, and none of Williams' candidates polled high.

He succeeded in 1929, according to the Daily Nebraskan, in organizing nonfraternity senior women into a political group to elect Catherine Beekman of Blair the university May queen. She received 167 votes.

The student council investigated the election when it heard Williams had campaigned for Miss Beekman. Solicitation of votes, the council held, was not to be tolerated.

Miss Beekman was crowned queen on May 30, 1929.

In 1930, the Daily Nebraskan states, Williams attempted to organize "Barbs," or nonfraternity students, for the election of Viola Butt [sic] as May queen. He failed.

He became business manager of the Prairie Schooner, magazine for middle western intellectuals, in 1930 and still holds that position.

He organized the "Barb" council but refused to accept the chairmanship. He told the Daily Nebraska [sic] he preferred to be the power behind the throne.

On the occasion of the criticism of Miss Beekman's selection as May queen, Williams said, according to the Daily Nebraskan:

"It is darn bad manners to urge the votes to be tossed out, for such demands might embarrass the May queen."

Williams was a member of the Y. M. C. A. cabinet of control two years, chairman of the All-University parties, member of the debate team three years, a lieutenant colonel in the R. O. T. C., chairman of the student council, a member of the Daily Nebraskan staff, a member of the Wesley players, and of the Scabbard and Blade.

He was associated with the Innocents and three honorary fraternities, Delta Sigma Rho, Sigma Upsilon and Pi Epsilon Pi. He shunned social fraternities.

As chairman of the All-University parties he presented gala affairs. Last Christmas he arranged a party which was the talk of the school. As the climax of the evening, paper snow fell on the guests, and snowballs expressing "Merry Christmas" were tossed in for ammunition.