Aledo High School - Astrum (Aledo, IL)

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I, George Sheats, will my perfect set of training rules, fno smoking, no drinking, and no running around with wild women, to Coach Millikin in hopes he will make the boys toe the mark next year, I, Sam Sloan, will my ability to keep sober in Matherville to Jim McFarland. I, Mildred Taylor, bequeath my sudden interest in the Angus cattle business to Jo Thompson. I, Betty Bogguss, do hereby will and bequeath my ability to get along with Miss Vanatta this last year for the first two periods every day to Mary Eastman. I, Gonna Matkovic, will my place in the Student Council to Patsy Blazer who we understand is bound to make it Qquoting the great K'rmaD. I, Maurice Hood, do hereby will my Reynolds corre- spondent or likewise known as Eula Jean Boyles to Dick Brown. I, Mary Lee, will my former Aledo basketball star to anyone who has a car to go to Monmouth to see him.. I, Ward Warnock, will my cooking and baking ability to Maribelle Boultinghouse. I, John Kimball, bequeath my ability to keep my private life private to Alice Mae Lewis. I, Helen Baer, bestow my ability to argue and bluff to Richard Taylor knowing he will make good use of it. We, Clifford Stevens, Lyle Tschappat, Garland Ruggles, Richard Armstrong, and Perry Eckhardt do willingly render our services as escorts for the South End Gang so that the girls will have one man apiece and one .to fight over. And finally, to our worthy principal Mr. Arford, the Senior Class bequeaths its caresiand responsibilities, feel- ing that he, better than any other, will be able to bear these additional burdens to his already enormous store, with less annoyance to his busy person. . We, scribes of this illustrious class will, having given away our class' choicest possessions, take what is left of our gray matter and hasten our departing steps. IN WITNESS WHEREOF: We hereby set our hand and seal this twenty-first day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and forty. fSignedJ CLASS OF MAY, 1940 YVitnesses: Pinocchio The Woodpecker The Grasshopper Donald Duck Horace Horsecollar Qflafrsf isnplpzizg May 20, 1960 young man who'll come to like Lena as Margaret and I do. My dear Helen, As I was sitting here bes'de the television set thinking of you, a few m'nutes ago, my little Kathryn climbed on my lap and nestled her bright little head on my shoulder. She is such a dear child, and has taken so enthusiastically to the attentions of Kenneth, Jr., that I sometimes wonder if, at her tender age of five, she has fallen in love. How little Kenneth Brown, Jr., has grown since you enjoyed the oppor- tunity of seeing him. He is looking more like his father every day, and has even inherited the tendency to be slightly on the pTumpish side. He is a good child, for Mary has taught him to play with an attitude of sharing with his play- mates. Who would ever have believed that Mary Lewis would finally abandon her career as a Home Bureau advisor, and as she says, 'iStop giving advice, and apply some of it." She has certainly accomplished a beautiful job of home making. Kenneth's job of District Farm Advisor keeps him away from home a great deal of the time, so lVIary occupies her spare time by entertaining some of the old classmates in her bridge club. Betty Bogguss Kendall is a varitable golf widow since Blaine became a golf enthusiast after being ordered by the doctor to get out into the air and exercise while he wasn't in the courtroom. His health was damaged a great deal in college when he worked after school and then burned the midnight oil until all hours of the night. Betty's twins, Elizabeth and Grover, and her adopted child, Archer, are ten this year. My, time goes around so quickly. You should see Arthur now. Lena gets him off to school on time every morning, which is really an athletic feat, as he takes so much after Margaret, his mother. Lena makes a good combination secretary-right-hand-woman, She is so good-natured. I'm almost afraid to get that governorship, for that would make us hire a chauffeur, or a valet, or some Who would ever have thought that I should win the fair hand of Margaret Willits? Of course, when she is working, she still goes under her maiden name because she made her reputation under that name and is afraid that if she uses my narne, people wonit recognize her. She and Maxine are in New York now, and Lena has all the responsibility of the home. I just hate to leave her with all the worry, but I guess I must help Doris through her pre-nuptial par- ties. Dorfs says that she has been a career woman for so long that she must have someone who is experienced in these things. As I have been married five times now, I con- sider myself an expert. She regrets having waited so long to marry George. I do not blame the dear girl for regret- ting, for George has set himself up in a splendid doctor's practice and I understand, has made a great deal of money from his profession. Doris has enjoyed her radio work and her mother and father Witt encourage her to continue it in a program in which her sister stars as a comedian and she plays as the dramatic star. Mr. and Mrs. Sheats have retired from their farm and are living in town now. Mrs. Sheats, who has always been interested in dramatic work, urges Dcris to continue. George has left the decision up to her, and has raised no objection as he feels it would be a good spare time life saver. Oh, did I tell you? John Harbour has finally gotten through medical school and gone into part- nership with George, which lifts some of the responsibility from Georges' shoulders. John has been writing to Myrtis Greer, who is a full-time star on the WLS Barn Dance Show. She is living in Chi- cago and broadcasting from the main station there.. I un- derstand she is wearing John's diamond, but of course that is only bridge club rumor, and as our old friend, Miss Hart- ley, always said, "Don't believe statements unless you know they are based on facts." I

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Qflazff Elliflill YVe, the Senior Class of May, 1940, wish, because we feel that we are about to-breathe our last in this beloved high school, to leave the remnants of those th'nf3s which we hold most dear, to those who in their dire need can make the best use of them. Having passed the severe test as to our sound- ness of mind, memory, and understanding, we do make, pub- lish, and declare this our last will and testament, and do here- by will and bequeath the following items. To the class of 1941, we leave our dearly loved class ad- visors, Glen Stancliff, E. H. Arford, May Hartley and Hazel Vanatta, who will safely guide them thru the difficult chan- nels to success, as they have so faithfully guided us. To the class of 1942, we leave our much-sought-after seats in the gym, only hopfng that they will fill them with as much dignity as we have done. To the class of 1943, we do give and bequeath our dig- nity, our knowledge, and our predominance, hoping that with these accomplishments they may yet be able to show their true worth, which has so far lain quite dormant. Our knowledge of English, being so great, due to the conscientious effort of Miss Vanatta, we feel that to bestow it all upon one class would be impossible, so we do hereby order it to be divided among the succeedfng classes. To our successful glee clubs, we leave a microphone sys- tem so that their sweet chirpings may be heard by all the outside world. For the benefit of the student body at large, we leave the following "Don't." 1. Don't try to kid the Freshies, they really are too young to understand you. 2. Don't mistake Mr. Olsen for a studentg he really is over twenty-one. 3. Don't go to Miss Hartley's classes without your les- son, the inevitable always happens. 4. Don't neck in the hall, it makes Mr, Flom jealous. 5. Don't object to anything the Student Council does unless you don't agree with them. 6. Don't be flattered, girls, if Mr. Pratt sits with you in the study hall, he usually has a reason. Then to a few certain individuals: I, Jack Fraser, do will and bequeath my modest Personal- ity to Donald Vance, who needs a push in this world of ath- letics. I, Lena Marie Newswander, will my Monmouth High School class ring to Frances Hudscn. I, Evy McCreight, bequeath my auburn hair and freckles to Blaine Rooth. I, Frances Jean Smith, will my place in sextetteg my good nature, and perfect control of temper to Dora Reedy, I, Kenny Brown, do will and bequeath my "way with the women" to Merle Brown. I, Margaret Willits, bequeath my second soprano voice as well as my Chicago boy friend to Vivian Lou Nichols. I, David Lawson, do hereby will and bequeath my pig- and-girl trouble to Junior Anderson. I, Rose Pattison, bequeath my "night lifen to that little home-girl, Phyllis Witt. I, John Harbour, will my Marshalltown, Iowa, correspond- ent to Kenny Berg. I, Fred Brown, bequeath my tall manly figure and my white letter sweater to Bill Marston. I, Betty Wakeland, will my athletic ability to Dorothy Johnson. I, J. C. McCaw, will my long, dark, curly eye lashes to Frank Bedford. I, Betty Curtis, bequeath my Matherville man to Eula McPhe1'ren. I, Kenneth Patterson, will my sweet little brother to Bob Brokaw whom we hear is sadly in need of one. I, Donald Pattison, will secretly give out the lowdown on how I always manage to get the car and "get around" to Bobby Bjorkman any time Bobby wishes to come around. I, Fern Riddell, do hereby will and bequeath my job at the College Inn and the boy friend that goes with it to Emma Lou Eastman. I, Robert Sponsler, give my driving ability, drivers license, and car to Darwin Jackson. I, Blaine Kendall, will my hogs and sweet little sister, who is a great help-at times, to Ivyl Anderson. I, Martha Jean Davis, bequeath my hair and friendly attitude to Maryln Johnson, I, Edwin Thornton, will my Dolly to Bob Fraser so he can go steady. I, Frank Boultfnghouse, do willingly bestow my ability to get along with five girls of a certain clique to Lee Gray. I, Annie Peterson, do hereby will and bequeath my jitter- bug dancing feet to Doris McCaw. We, the Ruggles girls, will our musical ability to Everett Parkinson and Marvin Benson. I, Pauline Andress, will my knowledge of American his- tory and Modern Problems to Tom Bonynge in case he has to take history next year. I, Maxine Warnock, will "my Hammie" to Mary Lawson, in hopes that she wfll leave other people's boy friends alone. I, Chares Gunnell, bequeath my tall stories about my neighborhood to Benjamin Burrows, providing he takes So- ciology. I, .Ioan Essley, do hereby will and bequeath my baby talk and cute little ways to Ruth Hofer. I, Earl Kistler, do hereby will and bequeath my shy, bash- ful, actions around the girls to Elmer Sedig, I, Doris Witt, bequeath my ability to get along with the teachers, especially the third floor teachers, to Billye Hamp- ton. I, Maynard Minteer, will my colorful combinations in clothes to Jimmy Kimball. I, Myrtis Greer, bequeath my guitar and my cowgirl out- fit to Ella Mae Boyles wishing her the best of success.. I, Dean Robison, wfll my ability to collect the names, addresses, telephone numbers, ages, and what-have-you of all the waitresses I come in contact with while on a trip to Louis Lloyd. i I, Mary Catherine Lewis, do hereby will and bequeath my interesting letters from males to Mary Helen Rose. I, Frank Seefeld, bequeath my interest in the Perryton Softball diamond to Bill Butcher. I, Dorothy MCC1-eight, will my little Freddie to Jean Tucker in case she ever decides to settle down and get a man. I, Verna French, will my scholastic ability to Bob Rose so he won't have to burn the midnight oil with his studies or worry the teachers to death. .

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Mary's bridge party was very successful the other day, and I was glad to be here for it. Betty Curtis Sloan, Mary Lee Boultinghouse, Betty Wakeland Hood, Frances Smith, Verna Lawson, Pauline Andress Gunnell, Mrs. Fred Brown, nee Dorothy McCrefght, Ganna Fraser, Fern Riddell Spons- ler, Marjorie Robison, and Rose Pattison Kimball were all present and dragged their present husbands along. Betty and Sam Sloan are so happy. They are living on a huge farm not far from here. They have three of the sweetest children, all girls. One ten, another eight, and the other five. Sam inherited a great deal of money a few years ago and he is using some of that capital in his experimental farming work. I understand that he is worth a great deal of money, and indications are that this is true. Their home is a real mansion with all the latest "non-electricl' gadgets. Bib and Frank were married just ten years ago yesterday. Frank is sheriff of Mercer County and has a remarkable record for the swift solution of crimes. He, Earl Kistler, and Jack Fraser, his deputies, are kept busy both night and day these times, what with the coming election, and Ganna and Bib are quite lonesome, mainly in the evening, for their children are getting to the point that they enjoy going to the Boy Scout meeting and also the Campfire Girls. John and Rose Kimball run an exclusive dairy farm two miles east of Aledo, and Helen, if you could only see their fine cattle! Marjorie and Dean Robison are two lovely people. ll.Iarjorie used to be a Peterson, you know. She fits in beautifully with Dean's sense of humor. Dean 'is county recorder, and is one of the leaders of the Republican party in Mercer County. I haVen't seen their little girl, Marjorie, who is seven, but I hear that she is quite lively and full of fun like her father, and just as sweet as her mother. Mar- jor'e worked as Dean's deputy recorder for some time before their marriage in 1952, so they understand each other's whims and fancies. You remember Fern Riddell, of course. She was always so well dressed and immaculate looking. Well, she is now Mrs. Robert Sponsler. They make a strik- ing pair, and I am so glad for both of them in their happi- ness. The Fred Browns and the Charles Gunnells live on farms near here. Pauline Andress Gunnell is still a tireless worker. She has launched a dude farm and is making it psy well. She is happy in her work as she and her old fr'ond, Betty Wakeland Hood, are working together. Betty and Pauline together think up the most original ideas for their farm, and are attracting guests from the Chicago area. They usually can contact them through the military sohool. The two husbands manage the riding lessons and the stables. Their guests are given an opportunity of going into the fields and working when the grain is harvested and everything. It pays to have novel ideas. The men also have to manage all the men who are the manual laborers and they have undertaken quite a task, but they are proud and happy in their work and what more can one ask. Mrs. Fred Brown, nee Dorothy McCreight, loves her farm home and her six children as well as she adores the ground Fred walks on. The beautiful result of this is a perfect home. David Lawson has g'ven up his efforts to be a farmer and is now making a most competent mayor of Aledo. Verna Lawson plays her role as the mayors' wife in a very gracious manner, and bears the brunt of David's jokes with a loving smile and a warm heart. Dave is still as popular as ever, and has continued the good record with his three boys. They are always going hiking, camping, or fishing together, and Verna goes right along with them. Frances Smith, Vern's old buddy is as gay as ever and happy in her school teacher's role. She 'vows she will never marry, but we laugh at her and the girls continue trying to find her a man. Martha Jean Davis is in California working as a woman director. She makes a marvelous director because she has such a winning way with people. I have read in the movie magaz'nes that she is seen at different places with Donald Ohlsen, who is playing character bits as an old man in the movies, but their friendship is only rumor. Joan Essley is in Holywood, living with Martha Jean, and teaching the younger movie set their A.B.C.'s along wth Physical Edu- cation courses which she holds for office-tired movie execu- tives and screen-tired movie stars. The girls at the bridge club were telling me that both- Oralee and Tyra Ruggles are doing social work among the tenant farmers of the South. The girls are real workers and have such pleasing personalities that I know they must be dofng a fine piece of work. V Mildred Taylor McCreight, Maxine VVarnock fwho is rest- ing between matrimonial ventures at presentb, and my own dear wife, Margaret Thornton walked in just as I finished wrfting the last sentence. The two girls, Margaret and Max were anxious to hear about you and my coming election as they have been in New York collaborating on popular songs for a musical comedy to be staged there soon, and knew little about your work until Everette mentioned it last night at the dinner table. Everette is quite interesting lately, because he is taking a great interest in boy scouts and can tell you how to start a fire with a couple of damp leaves or, if necessary, a kitchen match. He is still as fine and clean cut as ever, and he and Mildred are very comfortable in their new bungalow. Their oldest daughter starts to high school next fall and Mildred says that the little girl is thrilled over the fact. Her other daughters, Joan and Jean, are in the fifth grade. They are in the same grade because Joan Hunked one year. She certainly takes after her mother. Everette is working at the light company now. Did I tell you? He was promoted to manager a year ago when Earl Kistler transferred to another town where he is sectional manager. I understand that his five children were quite sad when they had to leave. They all love grandfather Blazer so much. Mildred was telling me that all of the boys down at the light company are bachelors, and they have great fun enter- ta'ning her three children, J. C. McCaw, Maynard Minteer, Donald Pattison, Kenneth Patterson, Clifford Stevens, Frank Seefeld, and Richard Armstrong, are all on the force down there. J. C. M':Caw has quite an interest in Garland Ruggles' stock breeding farm, but Garland does most of the manual labor while J. C. comes into town every day to work. Those two claim that they wouldn't get married for anything now because t'1ev'd miss each other too much. They are just regular old bachelors at heart, Lyle Tschappat and Perry Eckhardt both used to work at the light company, but when Ward Warnock came to town with his play, he pleaded with the boys to go with him as electrician for the show. Ward's humor is winning him a great deal of fame, and someday, Helen, I expect we will be see'ng him play on Broadway. He has been getting some real "breaks" fas he calls theml. Last week he fin- ished his run at the Selwyn Theatre in Chicago. Remem- ber when we saw John Barrymore there? Let me see, you were my third wife, weren't you? I lose track every once in awhile. Oh, Helen, the telephone just rang. It was Doris asking me to meet her down town, I must go and dress now. I will be down to see you and your family as soon as possible. Give them all my regard. Your former husband, Edwin Thornton