Napoleon Ithaca's Thinking Bulldog

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201615
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Napoleon "Ithaca's Thinking Bulldog"
Also known as "Nap," "Nappy," "Skull," and "Ithaca's Braniest and Laziest Bulldog."
Lived at Cornell's Skull Fraternity (now Phi Kappa Tau)
Friend to many Cornell students and Ithacans except those driving things that go like street car conductors and patrolmen on police motorcycles.

For more on Napoleon scroll down.

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Skull Fraternity (1908-1918), now Phi Kappa Tau.

“LOST--Large English brindle bull dog, wearing harness. Reward if returned to Skull fraternity, 96 Wait Ave.”

Ithaca Daily Journal, March 13, 1912, 7

1912

“That notorious member of the canine family they call ‘Napoleon’ owned by the Skull fraternity…
‘Nap’ happens to be a ferocious looking bull, a fullblooded English fellow with a pedigree that places him at the munificent value of $200.”

“Bar the Dogs? No Say Boys After Seeing Tussle,” Ithaca Daily Journal, April 15, 1913, 8, http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031157/1913-04-15/ed-1/seq-8/

1913

“Napoleon, not the one of Waterloo fame, but that notorious brindle bull owned by the Skull fraternity, and valued in the neighborhood of $200, has once again come into the limelight.…. Nap came near being up on a charge of disorderly conduct and petty larceny.…he …showed his dogged supremacy by walking into the confectionery store of big John Chacona on State street, while the proprietor wasn’t looking and made a dive for an open candy case where he proceeded to help himself to the delicious confection.” 

“Napoleon Again Steps into Glare of the Limelight: Brindle Bulldog Belonging to Skull Fraternity Creates Excitement in Upper East Buffalo Street Home and Also in a Candy Shop,” Ithaca Daily Journal, May 9, 1913, 3
http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031157/1913-05-09/ed-1/seq-3/

1913

“Division Passenger Agent Paul S. Millspaugh of the Lehigh Valley says that ‘Skull,’ a full-blooded bulldog owned by the Skull fraternity, Wait avenue, is nearest to human being than any animal he has ever seen.
‘Skull’ is large and the type of aggressiveness. From his protruding jaw and ugly countenance one might well imagine that he would not be a pet. However, ‘Skull is just the other way. He is good-natured and lazy, although he will hold his own in a fight any day.
Mr. Millspaugh remarked today on one of the tricks played almost daily by ‘Skull.’ Every morning, as regularly as a well-regulated clock, ‘Skull’ trots through the door of the Lehigh Valley city ticket office.
He darts to the lavatory, throws his front paws on the porcelain bowl and waits for someone to turn on the water to give him a drink. Then he goes into Mr. Millspaugh’s private office, curls himself up under his desk and takes a snooze.
Another trick attributed to the dog is his ability to ride on the street cars. He is said to know the difference between a Stewart avenue and Eddy street car and knows which one to board to take him to the ‘frat’ house on Waite avenue, Cornell Heights.
…’Skull’ is a welcome visit at many business places about town and besides the Lehigh office, he makes calls at the Ithaca Hotel, where he is a familiar sight on the front steps.
Yesterday afternoon ‘Skull’ attended the folk dances on the campus and caused consternation by splashing in a pool of water near the dancers.
“Skull’ has many tricks, too numerous to mention. He is also called ‘Napoleon’ by many persons.
During the university season this pet of all on The Hill attends lectures with regularity. He is especially interested in the engineering courses and goes from one classroom to another on time, showing a decided preference for the lecture work of certain instructors.”

“Record of Skull, Alias Napoleon, Truly Remarkable: Dog That is Everybody’s Pet Down Town in Vacation is a Student in Engineering Department at the University in Study Season,” Ithaca Daily Journal, August 14, 1913, 6.
https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=idj19130814-01.1.6

1913

300-302 E State St Ithaca

“Napoleon has come back. There were many who thought that he couldn’t but old Na[p] evidently prized his dear old collech town too much and the meals which he gets at the Skull fraternity during the college year to abandon this city for Cortland.
Yep, that is where Napoleon has been. About a week ago some Jane with an enticing smile showed her teeth to Nap as she calmly reposed in the tufted cushion of a big seven-passenger touring car in front of the Ithaca Hotel. And the dog fell for the feminine charms of the enchantress. Nap didn’t have to smile to show his teeth, but nevertheless he was pleased for into the tonneau he hopped.
That was the last seen of Napoleon for a week until this morning when he was again seen about his usual haunts on State street. How he got back to Ithaca no one knows. Maybe he hoofed it al the way, but more likely he came in some returning automobile with some one who knew him. He was seen around the fair grounds at Dryden yesterday and probably came home in an Ithaca automobile last night. Yesterday afternoon Napoleon called at the Journal tent on the fair grounds and hung around for quite a while getting acquainted with many of the hundreds of frequenters of the tent. He seemed to be right at home under the roomy canopy, too. Maybe he is wise to the fact that he would get a little more free advertising if he stuck around long enough for some member of the staff to see him.”

“Napoleon is Back from Dryden Fair and Cortland Trip: Wise Dog Has Had a Week’s Excursion to Nearby Burgs and Showed Up Smiling This Morning in His Old Haunts,” Ithaca Daily Journal, September 5, 1913, 6, https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=idj19130905-01.1.6

1913

“Nap has the mange. Nap is short for Napoleon. Napoleon is long on friendship. Everybody in Ithaca is his friend and he has a kindly feeling for all.
Technically the Skull fraternity is the home of this pet bulldog, but his affection knows no bounds and all humankind is included on his list. It may be because he was too liberal with his friendship that he became subject to the ravages of the disease that mars the coat of even a thoroughbred.
A local veterinary is prescribing for Nap and promises that he will soon be in better condition to be petted.”

“Nap, Far Too Liberal, Suffers Consequence: Everybody’s Pet Now in Care of a Veterinary for Cure of the Mange,” Ithaca Daily Journal, September 25, 1913, 7
 http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031157/1913-09-25/ed-1/seq-7

1913

“Napoleon, the local celebrity of the genus English bulldog got into the limelight and the W.C.T.U. [Women’s Christian Temperance Union] fountain in front of the city hall simultaneously yesterday afternoon, and at first persons in the vicinity thought Nap was trying to commit suicide. 
One of Napoleon’s duties is to answer all alarms of fire, and when the bell rang yesterday afternoon he was on the job as usual. Napoleon is not a thin dog; in fact he is getting to be quite comfortable looking and when he returned to the city hall after making the long run he was as thirsty as any fireman.
Napoleon seldom has an idea, unless it is to ride on street cars, but yesterday he had the idea he could stand on the edge of the horse trough of the W.C.T.U. fountain and rink from its cool and slimy depths. Nap got all four feet nicely placed and was leaning over to drink when a fly lighted on his right ear and the added weight caused him to lose his balance. There was a mighty splash, and two young men who were conversing nearby with their backs to the fountains were generously spattered with aqua a la Potter’s Falls. They turned in time to see four brindle feet pointing upwards towards the heavens and also in time to be spattered again as Napoleon the Unexpected regained his feet and shook himself.
Nap calmly finished his drink and departed with his usual stateliness and deliberation.”

 “Driven to Drink, Napoleon Seems like a Suicide: Immersed in the Cool Depths of City Hall Fountain, He Creates Another Sensation to Add to His Celebrity—Still Alive to Be Petted,” Ithaca Daily Journal, November 22, 1913, 2
http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031157/1913-11-22/ed-1/seq-2/

1913

“Grave charges have been made against ‘Napoleon,’ the burly brindle bulldog who possesses almost human traits of reasoning. The varied exploits and adventures of ‘Napoleon’ have made his name a household word among the town and gown.
But like many other great personages, ‘Napoleon’s’ horizon of fame threatens to be darkened by a cloud of suspicion. In other words, ‘Napoleon’ is charged with intemperance.
Certain citizens have heard that ‘Napoleon’ has fallen from the proverbial waterwagon of dogdom and allows himself to be fed schooners of beer by students in downtown cafes. It is furthermore asserted that, after he has imbibed more than sufficiency, he trots out of the café and waits for the ‘jag’ car [last trolley up East Hill] to come along, then boards it and goes up the hill.
Certain persons, fearful that ‘Nap’s’ mentality may be impaired by these sprees, are thinking seriously of bringing the matter to the attention of the local S.P.C.A.”

“Napoleon has Fallen from Water Wagon: Drinks Beers at Cafes and Rides Up the Hill in the ‘Jag’ Car,” Ithaca Daily Journal, December 13, 1913, 7
http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031157/1913-12-13/ed-1/seq-7/

1913

“‘Napoleon,’ Ithaca’s thinking bull dog knows a good thing when he sees it. That’s why he attended the Lyceum Theater last night and saw William Collier dispense ‘A Littler Water on the Side.’
Not that ‘Napoleon’ was an invited guest. He received no passes from the management or even any invitation to be there, but, as usual, he acted on his own initiative and attended…..
After the show he trotted out of the theater and made a bee-line for the fireplace in the Ithaca Hotel lobby where he was last seen taking a pre-midnight snooze.
The Journal recently printed a story decrying ‘Nap’s’ habit of drinking beer, given him by students in local cades. He has evidently reformed because of his determination to see ‘A Little Water On the Side’ last night.”

“Napoleon Now Takes ‘Water on the Side’: Goes to the Theater to See Collier After Reproval for Drinking Beer.” Ithaca Journal, January 3, 1914, 2.

1914

“Napoleon, Ithaca’s brainiest as well as laziest bulldog” joined students in a box for the performance of “The Laughing Husband” at the Lyceum before being noticed and escorted out."

“Napoleon’s Nerve,” Ithaca Journal, January 17, 1914, 7

1914

“After several months of abstinence from the limelight, ‘Napoleon,’ Ithaca’s thinking bulldog, has again forced himself into print.
‘Napoleon’ and a spaniel engaged in a controversy Sunday afternoon at Tioga and State streets and the result was a fight.”

“Napoleon Won’t Tell Why He Was Fighting,” Ithaca Journal, March 30, 1914, 6

1914

“Napoleon, the Skull fraternity’s dog, claimed by all Ithacans as a personal acquaintance, has been saying goodby to his student friends, accompanying favorites to the trains. He took the in the alumni outing at Sheldrake Springs .”

“Campus Notes” Ithaca Journal, June 19, 1914, 8

1914

“LOST—Large, brindle bulldog, answering to the name of Napoleon, and possessing the reputation of being Ithaca’s most famous canine. Finder will notify The Journal and receive grateful appreciation.
There is gloom among dog lovers in this city because Napoleon, he of the human instincts, is lost. No, not in Ithaca, but, it is presumed, in the expansive streets of New York City. Any trace of ‘Nappy,’ since he boarded a train for the metropolis over a week ago, is lacking. His whereabouts are a mystery.
On the Thursday night, before the Poughkeepsie races, S.S. Lawler, a Cornell senior, and E.M. Carman, a junior, boarded the 11:08 Lehigh Valley train for New York, en route to the Intercollegiate regatta.
When the train was on its way the students strolled into the buffet car and were greatly surprised to see Napoleon sitting in a comfortable chair, making friends with the conductor. The conductor said that the dog, unaccompanied, jumped on the train at Ithaca.
The students took care of Napoleon in New York but in some manner he got away from them. At Poughkeepsie, he was also a minus quantity, and his absence may had had something to  do with the dropping of the Varsity race.
Carman promised to ship the dog back to Ithaca but as yet Napoleon has not arrived. A letter received this morning stated that Napoleon was lost. The thinking dog wore a collar, upon which was inscribed his name and address, Skull fraternity, Ithaca, N.Y.”

“’Napoleon’ Lost in New York City; Missing a Week,” Ithaca Journal, July 3, 1914, 6

1914

“‘Napoleon,’ the English bulldog, so familiar to students of the regular session and townspeople, has returned. ‘Nap,’ as he is commonly called, left Ithaca with a party of students for New York shortly after Senior Week. He attended the races at Poughkeepsie, and students attending the regatta were surprised to see the familiar figure of ‘Nap’ trotting along the streets of the city.
Nothing further was seen of the dog until Sunday morning when he was found on Aurora street. He had been sent by express from Poughkeepsie.
‘Napoleon’ is one of the Campus fixtures. He may be often seen riding on the street cars from the city to campus and is a favorite among employees of the traction company."

“’Napoleon’ Back on the Campus Again, Cornell Daily Sun, July 14, 1914

1914

“Peering through the bars of the cell-room at Police Headquarters this morning was one of the most pitiful appearing prisoners that the stationhouse has quarters in many years. The incarcerated is charged with the heinous crime of biting a streetcar conductor in the leg…it’s Napoleon, the thinking bulldog.
‘Nappy’ was taken into custody by Chief Buck at 9 o’clock this morning while Napoleon was sauntering leisurely along East State street. At first Napoleon offered some resistance to the officer but after being shown a copy of the complaint condescended to go along to the police station. On the way, however, he balked a few times.
This is the Charge.
The complaint against Napoleon was made by Corey J. Harvey, 118 Cascadilla avenue, a conductor of the Ithaca Traction Corporation, who alleges that on July 29, Napoleone did willfully and with malice aforethought sink his sharp fangs into the calf of the said conductor’s right leg with such vehemence as to nearly drag the conductor from the platform of the car.
Therefore, Napoleon is charged with assault in the worst degree. Attorney John D. Collins agreed to act as counsel for Napoleon and will endeavor to secure the release of his prisoner on a writ of habeas corpus. The station was besieged this morning with sympathetic persons who offered to go ‘Nappy’s’ bail, but all such offers were refused, pending a conference of Chief Buck, City Judge Crowley, and the complainant, Mr. Harvey.
Must stay in Jail.
Napoleon, sad to say, will be kept in custody, until his case is disposed of. His owners, the members of the Skull fraternity, will probably be asked to furnish a bond that Napoleon shall keep the peace, and he will then be released on his own behavior."

“Napoleon Arrested Just Because He Bit a Conductor: In Solitary Confinement at the Police Station—Attorney Collins Volunteers to Defend Him—Many Offers to Furnish Bail,” Ithaca Journal, August 6, 1914, 6

1914

“’Napoleon,’ well known mascot of Campus and city, will carry a muzzle as the result of being incarcerated in one of the cells of the city police station yesterday. "Nap," so officials of the Ithaca Traction Corporation allege, has taken to biting the conductors and motormen on the line who allow the bulldog to ride up the hill, as he is accustomed to do. It was on the complaint of Corey Harvey, a conductor, whom "Nap" bit, that the dog was locked up yesterday. A conference between the Skull fraternity, owner of the dog. Health Officer H. H. Crum and Chief E. H. Buck was held last night and it was decided that it would be best for a short time, at least, to provide "Nap" with a muzzle.”

“’Napoleon’ Bites Conductor Must Now Wear Muzzle,” Cornell Daily Sun, August 7, 1914, 

1914

“The life of Napoleon has been spared.
Fears that Ithaca’s famous thinking bulldog, Napoleon, would have to undergo capital punishment because he bit a trolley car conductor, may now be passed over lightly because kind-hearted Ithacans interceded for the dog and succeeded in having his sentence commuted.
‘Nappy’ was arrested by Chief Buck yesterday morning on complaint of the conductor. The wily canine was locked in a cell while the officials discussed the disposition of his case. It was decided to chloroform the dog is no other arrangement could be made to care for Napoleon.
Members of the Skull fraternity, who own the dog; several kind-hearted women attaches at City Hall, and a number of others, pleaded with Chief Buck not to have the bulldog put to death.
It was finally decided to muzzle ‘Nappy’ for the rest of the summer and on this condition he was released. He appeared to feel real ashamed at having been made to stay in a police-station cell several hours, and his friends stated that he would never bite anyone again because of the ignominy he had suffered.”

“Saved Napoleon From Ignominious Death This Time: Police Had Him in a Cell and Sentence Was Hanging Over Him, but Friends’ Plea Was Granted and ‘Nappy’ Lives On,” Ithaca Journal, August 7, 1914, 7.

1914

“Like the proverbial bad penny, Napoleon, Ithaca’s famous thinking bulldog, has again strayed into the limelight.
No, Napoleon has not been arrested again for biting trolley car conductors, nor has he been interrupting shows with his sonorous, catarrhal snores. He merely left Ithaca last night, on a Pullman sleeper, if you please, for Ann Arbor, where today he will be one of the most prominent spectators at the Cornell-Michigan football game.
‘Nappy’s’ departure was as unexpected by him as it was by his many friends who missed him about town today. Having a suspicion that a large crowd of students were going down to the lower Lehigh Valley station last night for some other purpose than for a street-car ride, Napoleon got on a car himself and rode to the station to see what the commotion was all about.
The students on the Pullmans, bound for Michigan, soon recognized the Skull fraternity pet, and without further adieu, ‘Nap’ was hauled aboard and forced to shake hands, or paws, with Cornell [b]oosters. Napoleon readily signified his willingness to make the long trip to Ann Arbor provided that someone would take care of him and insure his obtaining a good seat at the game.
The details were speedily arranged and when the train pulled out at 10 o’clock ‘Nappy’ stood proudly in the center of an admiring group of singing students, wagging his tail in the rhythm of the Red and White gridiron songs.
A few days ago when the first reservations were made for the Cornell-Pennsylvania game at Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day, Napoleon trotted into the Lehigh ticket office and had train space reserved for himself. Division Passenger Agent Millspaugh makes it a strong point to see that ‘Nap’ is always well taken care of on this trip, and thar railroad attaches are notified to accord him the very best treatment possible, including his a la carte meals on the diner.
So Nap will have the distinction of having attended the two biggest games on the Cornell football schedule.”

“Napoleon Goes to Ann Arbor for Football Game: He Will Be Well Cared For and Brought Back, So Ithacans Need Not Worry—Has Booked Passage to Philadelphia,” Ithaca Journal, November 14, 1914, 3

1914

“With a huge express tag tied to his collar, Napoleon, Ithaca’s well-known bulldog, returned this morning from Ann Arbor, where he attended the Cornell-Michigan on Saturday. ‘Nap’ was taken to the game by a number of students, leaving here Thursday evening.
In the midst of the celebration following the game he was evidently forgotten and failed to arrive here with the team yesterday. This morning, however, he came in on an early train, and rode to the Skull fraternity house, where he belongs, in an express wagon. After payment of $3.50 express charges, ‘Nappy’ was again liberated.”

“Napoleon returns C.O.D., charges $3.50,” November 16, 1914, 3.

1914

“By the way, have you seen Nap lately? The society column seems bare without him’…”

“‘Boston’ Enjoys His Masters Lectures,” Ithaca Journal, July 24, 1915, 3.

1915

“Lying friendless and alone in a police cell, a prisoner is waiting the decision of City Judge Daniel Crowley as to whether or no he shall die. His case has been tried before and each time he has been shown mercy. Now another offense has been committed and the case against the prisoner is black.
The lonely prisoner does not appear to take any interest in his surroundings, nor does he appear to care about the outcome of the trial and the decision of the court. In fact he doesn’t even know the cause of his confinement. All this is easily explainable for Napoleon, the bulldog, is the prisoner.
After several months’ absence from the city streets Nap dropped in at police headquarters this morning and when Patrolman Smith started out on the department motorcycle the dog followed, attempting to unseat the rider. Smith had been bitten by the dog before so he dismounted and took the canine into custody, placing him behind the bars.
The dog, although friendly and popular with students, has a habit of biting at passengers on street cars and motorcyclists.”

“’Nap’ in Jail; Also in Danger,” Ithaca Journal , October 21, 1915, 3.

1915

“A promise of good behavior on the part of the Skull fraternity, not for themselves, but for their pet bull dog, Napoleon, has once more saved the life of that well-known canine. Patrolman Smith also was inclined to leniency and since he was the only complainant the dog was released, his life spared once more.
Members of the fraternity promised to keep Nap chained so that he can do no further damage.”

“‘Nap’ Let Off On Pledge To Be Good,” Ithaca Journal, October 22, 1915, 2.

1915

“L[i]ke the famous general, after whom he was named, Napoleon, Ithaca’s versatile bulldog, has been exiled from his native land.
Napoleon was ‘arrested’ several days ago after he attempted to remove a piece of flesh from one of Policeman Avery D. Smith’s legs. ‘Nap’ was doomed to death as several similar complaints had been received pertaining to his behavior.
But the members of the Skull fraternity, to which ‘Nap’ is the spasmodic property, saved his life and agreed to keep him tied up at the chapter house. Yesterday, ‘Nap,’ longing for his downtown haunts, broke his leash and came down the Hill.
‘Nap’ was conversing with Thurlow Bergen, the actor, in front of the Ithaca Hotel, when the Skull man captured him. Now they’re going to send him to a stock farm, conducted by  one of the Skull men’s brothers, in Monmouth, County, New Jersey.”

“Exile for Nap; he wouldn’t behave” Ithaca Journal, October 30, 1915, 9.

1915