Birmingham Southern College - Southern Accent Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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banquet, and such momentous questions as Ish-ka-bibble, were debated in thunder tones; deYampert, e ' en tho vanquished, argued still. Marvelous musical ability was demontrated by Hinton, Hill and Hunt, when they sang Tipperary to the tune of Old Black Joe ; and the whole class was amazed by the ability shown in the readings given by the Duck University. Their wonderful experiences as Freshmen aided them in becoming the know-all Sophomores, for they then gave directions to the unfortunate Rats, and ably took part in all that college afforded. The ranks thinned as they marched through the period of Sophomorism, for some were vanquished by such hardened foes as Horace, others became entangled in the deep mysteries of Science, and many were chained in heavy tribute to Math. The entire class attained a certain degree of excellence in athletics, for they exercised m the halls, walking there, in a nd out of season. Hinton and Byars became famous among the fans of the diamond and gridiron, for Byars was elected president of the Athletic Association, and Hinton, manager of Baseball. Hill and Jones became famous tracksmen; Hill by his record runs for Chapel, while Jones attained his skill in running from Mrs. Moore ' s to Mrs. Walton ' s. Having learned the true value of one golden minute set with sixty diamond seconds, they settled down to work in earnest. It was in this year that they became less im- portant in their own eyes and more so in the eye.: of others ( rats, f ' r instance.) Their labors reaped rich results for Coulliette won the Ready Writer ' s Medal, and deYampert, the Oratorical Medal. George, deYampert, Jessie, and Grace announced their intention of making the course in three years, and, by their excellent recitations, displayed their ability to carry out their intention. All work and no play makes Jack a poor student. So work and fun, we found were easily mingled on the Royal Road to Knowledge. Versatility became the outstand- ing characteristic. Jessie Stead possessed the rare accomplishment of perpetual motion, and Louise that of always being in a pickle. Hill displayed a marvelous ability of falling in love, and then out again. While Pitts and Jones remained the fixed stars, never swerving from their orbit of duty. Their unfailing resourcefulness in the ability to bluff has aided them in many unprepared recitations. So with ups and downs — mostly downs, the class finally reached the exalted state of being Seniors, but — I am firmly convinced that the Faculty entered an organized conspiracy for the purpose of persecuting the innocent Seniors. Just think of the way they were chased from the halls to the Library, and the enormous amount of energy consumed in writing essays and debates. And to add insult to injury, the rats have actually tried to disobey orders. With so many hardship:-, no wonder the Senior Co-eds never giggled. The fun and frolic has been overshadowed by the big things they have accomplished. And through the years, they have risen from obscurity to great individual importance, only to lose them- selvse in bigger and better things. Now they leave part of their hearts to the school through which they have fought and triumphed. HISTORIAN ' 19

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m B Senior Class History T was the first day of school ; how important, and yet how insignificant felt the Freshmen of 1915, destined to be the Seniors of 1919. How small and lost they seemed with all the old students staring curiously at them and mock- ing them with the degrading appellation of Rats. Then, too, they scarcely received the consideration due to such personages of unusual intelligence. Were they not college students? Why should every one regard them in the light of a joke? Oh, the sensation of that never to bs forgotten first day! Every preacher in the District (and some not in it) made speeches on Golden Opportunities, yet none of them so much as made an impression upon the un- ruffled brains of that all-important Freshman Class. But when a Senior, the silver tongued orator of the Student Body, delivered an oration, each word uttered went straight into the ears of every Freshman, and caused dreams of future greatness to flit across their vision. The benediction was spoken, and the crowd moved toward Science Hall, where punch was being served; but Herbert sat staring into space until Hugh Smith gave him a nudge and said, Wake up. Rat. Strange to say when the punch disappeared, the crowd disap- peared with it, and soon only a bunch of forsaken rats was left in Dr. Colebeck ' s room, to matriculate. George, most youthful member both in looks and actions, was handed his enrolment card; he opened his eyes very wide, and said, What must I do with this. Pro- fessor? After being told to get it signed and return it, he looked none the wiser, but said, Yes, Sir. Oh! The experience of that first week, poring over schedules, and getting lost every other minute. Some plotting contrivers would actually direct an inquiring Freshman to the Chem. Lab. when he was seeking the History Room. That unnecessary feeling took all the joy out of living. Jessie and Grace would not have gone down that long hall or across the campus alone, if someone had offered them a pass in every subject free of work. Being an extraordinary class, they soon unravelled the many mysteries However, Hinton and Hunt did not seem to learn the directions as quickly as the others. One afternoon they got lost, and after quite an extended search, Hinton was found aim- lessly wandering in the Jungle, and Hunt was discovered in the Garrett. This class, in its desire to be different, decided to wear little green ribbons the rest of the term. Trials and tribulations came too soon ; and wholesale misery was spread through the Fresh- man Class when the grades of the first Math, test were read. And when those terrible theme subjects were assigned, supreme despair ruled the hearts of every non-literary Rat who had made the awful mistake of taking English. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, so the troubles of lessons disappeared with the last echo of the 2:30 bell. A light reaction took place at the mass- meeting before the game with Howard. The parade the next day, those yells and songs, and that white washing victory constituted the greatest experience in the lives of the no longer green rats. Pitts and Jones were so hoarse that they could not read in Latin Class, for a week. However their speaking ability returned in time for the Freshman (25) [gi DC 3 DC DC 3 DC HfF '

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I IIDIIC m i [Dld I!! n Senior Class Prophecy HAD the pleasure of startling the loungers at the roof aerodrome of the Waldorf-Astoria by landing unannounced after a short trip from my home in the South. It was late in the afternoon of June 6, 1 929. I went at once to the lobby to register for my room and to take some refreshment after my tiresome trip. I was very much surprised to meet Herbert Byars, an old classmate of mine. After greetings were exchanged I accepted his cordial invitation to his home. On the way out I was much surprised to hear that he had become very successful as a surgeon in New York City. I was delighted to meet his charming wife, and to play with little Herbert Jr., for the sake of old times and pleasant memories. After dinner we were discussing old times, and Byars mentioned the fact that exactly ten years ago to the day we received our diplomas from Birmingham-Southern College. This led to a discussion of our classmates. I had, on my last business trip as inspector of the Aerial Mail Service, visited the town of Waverly, Ala. There I found the wife of the postmaster taking care of the office in the absence of her husband. I was glad to remember her as our classmate, Jessie Stead. She told me that their beloved pastor was Brother T. L. Hill, who was doing a great work for the church and the social life of the community. Dr. Byars had been astonished the previous week to recognize in one of the opera singers our friend and fellow student, Miss Louise McCormick. He went behind the scenes, and was told that her wonderful success was largely due to the capable manage- ment of Elmer Hinton. We are sure that this success was due to his wide experience during his college days. It had been my pleasure recently to visit the city of Birmingham. There I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Umsted Pitts fill the pulpit of the First Methodist Church in the absence of the pastor. Rev. R. K. Jones. Dr. Pitts was having some trouble in holding down the eloquent brethren of his District. But he hoped to moke a favorable report from Birmingham District at the end of the year. That afternoon I visited our Alma Mater, which had grown to be one of the greatest educational institutions of the South. I was cordially received by the successful president, Dr. Grace Jones. She had, after a time spent in advance study, and work along educational lines, been chosen to administer the affairs of this growing institution. It was here that I also met two others of my old classmates. They were Messrs. deYampert and Hunt, who had built up a business in the wholesale hardware trade that was the envy of the merchants throughout the country. They found it necessary to employ a special attorney to take care of their varied interests. This attorney proved (27) y LHJ 3 DC ME w