Skull and Swords

[Jeffrey Widyn]

Skull and Swords was founded solely for one reason and that was to help other cadets in need of some type of assistance. Whatever other things people think or thought the Brotherhood did is all fiction.

S/F, Jeff "Boy" Widyn
class 81
God Bless you, Bill and Steve

[CptADAhotmailcom]

MP87 Shoot me an email!

I received my pistols in 1984. I know of the S&S members you are talking about (those that wore the pistols)

[guest]

The MP "CHOSEN One"...or other info you want i have
just email [e-mail] (obviously fictitious name and info)

[MP87]

CptAD-I tried sending you an email. Drop me a line with your name to verify we are rook buddies. [e-mail]
MP 87

[Jeffrey Widyn]

If you really care? Give me a call (cell) 940-453-6648. Class of 81, retired Marine Lt Col. American Airlines pilot. Member of Skull and Swords. I will tell you what I can. If you need to look at the yearbook 1981. Two of my brothers are dead.

S/F, Jeffrey "Boy" Widyn

[WillAdams]

1990 grad here.

While I've always been fascinated by S&S, and honor the role they play at the University, I've always adhered to a quote that was in one of my yearbooks from a member of S&S.

"Those who know, do not say. Those who say, do not know."

[VTCOP]

Interesting stuff here. Anyone from 87-92 in here? email me at [e-mail]

[Adams]

I live in Montpelier, graduated in 1990. I'd be interested in corresponding with anyone in the area that wants to discuss Skulll and Swords.

I can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail].

[StrongMcDermott]

still watching ....

[L]

If you can tell me about the 192. email me. its important. my email is [e-mail]. and none of this "well i think it stands for..." bull$hit.

[NUwLax21]

About the tunnels.... yes there were tunnels. Whether they are actual tunnels used by the secret societies, i cant say for sure. One used to be located under the floor in Chaplain Hall. I was in the Architecture room that faced the then, Taylor arena. It was sealed off back in 97.
Another one was located in Alumni Hall. At the end of the stairs in the basement, you could turn right and there was a door. When i went back exploring in 01' we noticed that they had actually bricked and mortared over the entrance where the door used to be. I wonder if it had anything to do with the rumor that they used to throw bad rooks in there and tell them the ghost of a kid who hung himself was in there.
There used to be an entrance down by the old Taylor arena. There was a big runoff tunnel. You could walk into it and then make a right or left and follow them around for a little while. We never got any place too exciting because it was rather scary down there; pitch black to be exact. About 5 min of walking around, you would come to a big grate that was padlocked. For obvious reasons, we couldn't go any farther. Once i became an actual student there in 00' i noticed that the tunnel was closed of at the entrance.

[russell]

Trivia question : What college did one of the founders of Yale's Skull and Bones graduate from?

Ding Ding : Answer is Norwich University. William Huntington Russell graduated from Norwich in 1828. He graduated from Yale in 1833. He is a descendant of one of Yale's founders. He founded Skull and Bones. He later became a General.

[russell]

In 1824 Capt Alden Partridge moved his school from Norwich Vt to Middletown CT. The school was named American Literature and Scientific Acadamy. It was in Middletown CT where William H. Russell went to school. In 1829, CT wouldn't grant Cpt Partridge a charter, so he moved the school back to Norwich. The school moved to Northfield in 1866. In 1856, the first chapter of Theta Chi was founded.

[TheHistorian]

I was wondering how long it would take someone to mention William Huntington Russell. Although this connection between NU and Skull and Bones is interesting it is highly unlikely that Skull and Swords has any connection to Skull and Bones. Russell attended NU between 1826-1828 and received a B.A. It was not until after he attended NU that he attended Yale. He graduated Yale with a M.A. in 1833. While pursuing his degree he studied in Germany from 1831-1832. As was mentioned in a previous post, S&B was founded in 1832 as the second chapter of a society from Germany. Russell did not even decide to start his own society until after he had a falling out with the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity at Yale. The society he started was not called S&B at first it was called Eulogian Club. I have never found any documentation that shows Russell had any connection to NU post graduation.

There is another connection between NU and S&B, but it too is an unlikely for a S&B/S&S connection. Edward Curtis Smith graduated Yale in 1875 and was a member of S&B. He was born in VT and had a number of impressive business ties to VT including being vice-president and general manager of the Central Vermont Rail Road. He also had an impressive political career including serving as governor of VT from 1898-1900. He received an honorary degree from NU in 1901 but was never actually a student at NU. I have also been unable to find any connection to Smith and NU other than his receiving an honorary degree.

Believe me, if there were any evidence that S&B and S&S were connected someone would have found it by now. S&B is a favorite topic of study for conspiracy theorist.

--

[russell]

Books/newspapers written in the 1800's and early 1900's referred to William Huntington Russell as the founder of Skull and Bones. So, I figured I'd use that name because people would recognize it. Some of your post you can find on the internet, but the connection of the judge's son Edward, you probably needed to read that book about Norwich history. Much is written about William Russell because of his pedigree. One of his relatives on his mom's side signed the Declaration of Independence. He is also related to the founder of CT(name escapes me). I'm writing from memory, so don't quote me on any of this or previous posts. I also didn't imply a S&S S&B connection. I was just typing some "facts". As for S&S, I had several friends that belonged and were great guys. I also know many S&B guys and say the same. Most secret societies aren't secret, just usually the "rites" are. At Yale, everyone knew who was tapped. At Norwich everyone knew who S&S were until they had to go underground. I remember in 1983-4 the Night riders were found out and I thought banned, but I don't think Jackman recognized them to begin with. Looks like history repeated itself to some degree 15 or so years later. I'm old and forgetful.See you at Bohemian Grove ....J/K I hate conspiracy theorists. To the one poster from Minn if your still reading Steele(sp) died in 2003 at the age of 93 or so. Sorry for the long post hope someone learned something new to search.