John the Orangeman Catered Expertly to Collegiate Palates in Elegant Eighties--Was Colourful Mascot to Crimson Nines

Since the death twenty one years ago of John Lovett, "The Orange Man," whose greeting to Freshmen, "I knew your father, friend," and whose translation of Veritas as "Ter hell wid Yale," have made him immortal, Harvard has never had another mascot of such rare interest and popularity.

Few present day undergraduates have ever heard of him, although most of the professors and veterans of the Square can remember the days when John used to wander through the Yard and the dormitories, crying his wares, "'r'nges 'n' b'nanas," or when he used to solemnly walk three times around the plate before a baseball game.

The beginnings of the Orangeman's rise to fame as a Harvard character came one hot June afternoon after he had arrived in this country from Ireland. John, who at that time was earning his livelihood as an odd job man, was watching some of the students playing baseball on the Common. One of them asked him to bring them some water, and John fetched a pail of refreshment so pleasantly cooled with ice flavored with ginger ale and molasses, that the students took up a collection for him told him that if he were to buy fruit and bring it to their rooms, they would all buy from him.

In appearance the Orangeman was short and round-shouldered, with a red fringe of whiskers around his face. He was known for his vocal efforts, particularly Erin-go-Bragh, which he rendered in a peculiarly individual manner, his range being limited to a scale of four or five notes.

The first big game that the Orangeman was present at was present at was the one in New York in 1888. On the way down in the boat John sat in the upper deck, regaling his crowd of "friends" until midnight brought a protesting officer. Upon arriving in New York, the mascot was draped in crimson flags and scarfs, taken all over the city, given dinner at the Hoffman House, and driven to the field in a coach.

After that he was the regular mascot of the baseball team, and was seen at all the games, where his appearance was greeted by great cheers from the students, to which he responded by waving crimson banners, and shouting "Harvard, Harvard!" In this capacity of mascot, the Orangeman became a nationally known figure.