Clinton High School - Clintonia Yearbook (Clinton, IL)

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Class sing ‘ Old C. H. S.” Senior Charge (William Sharkey) ‘ Listen, my friends, and you shall hear” of the wondrous adventures of this class of students who call themselves Juniors. A kindergarten would be a better place for them, the class of ’19. It is not my plan today to pass any complimentary remarks upon you, but just to show wherein you have fallen that you may not fall again. There is one among you who is noted for her great ideas 011 woman suffrage. Oh, if we could only take the vote from the men! I refer to May Downey Oakrnan. i'lease show her wherein she is wrong, that she may not disgrace herself by any more such wild and erroneous speeches as she has given. In this wonderful class of yours there are a couple of young adventurers. Edward Lonergan and Claus De-Long by name, who swiped Spot” Ward’s Ford one snowy winter's eve and started to the home of one of the Junior girls, namely Sarah Willmore. It took them two hours to get out there, the Ford stalled three times for the simple reason that Brokic” McClelland had the gas turned off. While they were there they left the Ford out in the cold until the radiator froze up and they had to take turns pushing the car back to town. When Mr. Ward heard of this he gave poor little innocent Spot” thirty days of solitary confinement. Little he knew that Spot” was a dollar to the good and he out a set of chains by the trip, or the sentence would have been much more severe. Xow what do you think of a class of fellows that would do a trick like that? Another instance, Juniors, in which Claus and the suffrage leaders arc involved. Claus wrote a note to May Downey, and the ever-open eyes of Miss Cline saw that note. She requested May Downey to bring her the note and with the assistance of the whole faculty she went down to get the note, but May Downey had that precious billet-doux in her shoe, and you should have noticed the nersous attitude of Claus during the cross-examination. Do you think for one moment that a Senior wrould conduct himself in such an unbecoming manner? Now as to your athletic ability Whom have you that is w'orthy of mention? You will answer me right away by saying Harrison. What was he? He made a few touchdowns in the time he played football, but the hole was made by Draper, a Senior, and a blind man with wooden legs could have carried the ball for a touchdown. Again I ask you, whom have you? Whom can you compare with our Draper or Lowe who made the All-Star Football team? Whom have you to compare with Howard Lane, a second Eckersoll in football, and who very seldom misses a shot in basketball? Whom can you compare with Ford in basketball or baseball? What do you think of the captain of a basketball team who will go asleep on the floor during the best game of the tournament? Asleep? Yes—dead to the world. Did this not happen and was not the offender a Junior? You would have had no football or basketball teams this year w'ere it not for the Seniors. What do you think of two men who will fall down and hurt their ankles on purpose before the hardest game of the season? This happened before the U. High football game and the offenders, Paul Harrison and Walter Kent, were Juniors. Is not that characteristic of a Junior in general—afraid to meet the arduous tasks that confront him? What do you think of a full-back that will not accompany his team on Thanksgiving day for the reason of missing a litle dinner? Did not this occur last Thanksgiving day and was not the offender a Junior? Juniors, you are beyond recall. I have been tempted many times to give this up, thinking it an impossible task, but having that characteristic perseverance of a senior, I have filial succeeded. Look whom you have chosen for the pilot of your ship—-Warren Kirby, one who cannot as yet pilot a threshing machine—one who could never come up to our Brown, who, when he w'as getting low in his subjects, he deserted you and went to the farm. After he left you the prospects seemed somewhat brighter and we were looking for an immediate improvement in your class. Imagine the shock wfe encountered on finding out that Mabel Brown had been chosen as his successor. Mabel Brown! Juniors, think of it! Mabel Brow-n, a girl who had her hair cut short for the purpose of causing an outburst of laughter upon her entrance into the asembly room. What is your opinion of a girl who will bring her breakfast to school and eat it in the asembly room? Is not that beyond your comprehension? But such was the action of your president. Juniors, whom have you that is capable of giving an extemporaneous speech? Fid Lonergan flunked Junior English six times because of his inability to do it. Take a few pointers from Wilfred Brown or Ruth Griffin when they speak, Juniors. One of your four minute” speakers tells us we are in w'ar. Wake up, Juniors! We suppose you had heard about the new invention It has replaced the horse and buggy. I refer to the automobile. You have a large class, Juniors. Large with respect to a few members. There are Beef” Chapin, Baby Bliss’ only rival, Goggles” Catlin next in line and Mary Kenney and Spike” Davison tie for third place. Do not the leaders of the gang of so-called Rowdies,” icecream thieves, party menaces and the like, belong to your class? The officers of this gang are: Clumsy Claus DeLong, Presi- dent; “Ori” McClelland, vice-president; Rhody” Wilson, guard: and Spot” Ward, chauffeur; and the treasurers arc very numerous. Juniors, what do you think of one of your classmates who. w'hcn he saw' his old girl and her escort suddenly halted on a joy ride one Sunday evening for the wrant of a little gasoline, pass ed them as a freight train would a tramp?f’aul Harrison is again the offender, Juniors, another instance that my duty bids me mention. Ethel Jones and a friend of hers (and it wras not a girl friend, either) played hookey one bright afternoon in May and went walking. As luck w'ould have it, her mother telephoned to the school for her, but she was not to be found. Do you think for one minute that a Senior w'ould do a thing like that? We have a few gifts and honors I now wish to bestow upon you, hoping that you will care for them, and fulfill the vacancies as well as your predecessors have done. We give to Warren Kirby seat 1, row 1. hoping he will care for it as well as our worthy president has done, but at the same time knowing he will never perform the duties of tht office as conscientiously as has Wilfred Browrn. We give and bequeath to Sarah Willmore, providing she docs not have a scrap with Ed, the ability to crack her gum. now held only by Maude Jeffrey. If Sarah fails, Mary Kenney is the alternate. Wc give and bequeath to Claus DeLong and Marion McClelland, the stiff collars now owned by Harry Ford and Charles Kern. We give and bequeath to Mary Mustard the ability to flirt, now' held by Aldora Stone. We give and bequeath to F.d Lonergan, the oratorical ability now held by Harry Ford. Wc give and bequeath to Paul Chapin and to him only PAGE EIGHTEEN

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lpresibent’8 Hbbvess “Planting of the Ivy” (Wilfred Brown) Classmates and Friends: This occasion is the last when we shall meet together as an organization. However, wc feel certain that our influences and our examples have been so organized and so systemized that they will remain after us, serving to inspire those who will become despondent and discouraged. The Class of 1918 entered High School a few months after the several European Nations began their struggle— not yet decided. The completion of our last school year marks the completion of the first year in which our magnificent Nation has become a belligerent factor in that struggle. As this struggle has affected all institutions so it has affected the High School, the Senior Class in particular. The Class spirit, although enthusiastic and active has been mingled with seriousness and with determined thoughtfulness. This spirit, marked at first, has increased proportionately in our life as students. Now as never before can wc realize the extent of our opportunities which have been facilitated by the community in which wc reside. To express our profound gratitude to the Board of Education, to the people of the community, and our parents for these extensive opportunities is the desire of every member of the Class. To the Faculty whose efforts have been untiring do we owe our fullest appreciation. Classmates! 1 wish to thank you for the honor you have given me, that of serving you as your President. The duty has been a difficult one, and although I have put my soul and body into the work, there have been short-comings and mistakes which have been numerous and vital. However, the willingness of the class to cooperate and aid in every way has lightened the burden and has served as an inspiration to me. '1'he Class of 1918 can well feel preud of its patriotism. It has been a leader in fulfilling the duties that have been given us by the Nation. There have been obligations, both monetary and otherwise, but every member has been willing to face the obligation whether easy or difficult. As the class has been ready to sacrifice in order that the wishes of the Government be carried out, so shall it stand ready to make the Supreme Sacrifice, should the government deem it essential. There are no slackers in the Class of 1918. In as much as this occasion is our last assembly it is fitting that we choose this opportunity of expressing our farewell to the High School. This ivy will serve to remind the future classes that the interest of the Class of 191S is still with our Alma Mater, and although we may be miles away our interest will be as close as the ivy which will cling to the structure. —Ivy is planted— PAGE SEVENTEEN

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the use of the phrases “Yea, buck” and “Hcadwork’ now held hy Carl Lowe. We give Harold Wilson the powder puff and wrist watch now owned by William Draper. We give to Raymond Luttrell the mustache now worn by “Sears” Griffin. And now, Juniors, before “passing beyond,” we wish to bestow upon you this can which we have cared for during the past four years. It makes very good coffee at a picnic or wiener roast. The class of 1918 have kept it through their four years having used it when they were Freshmen at their first wiener roast. We give it to you with this one request—that you take good care of it, do nothing to mar its brilliant lustre. Next year when you must resign your position as custodians of this precious can, hand it on to the next class that they too may appreciate our interst in “Old C. H. S.” Junior IResponse (Mabel Brown) In behalf of the Juniors I wish to thank Mr. Sharkey for those brilliant words of counsel he has just uttered. It certainly is not to be wondered at that lie is so ready to give advice, when we consider how many doses he has been given this semester. There are some instances that I think need to be recalled at this particular time. Seniors, you are to be commended for the relay of kindergarten teachers you arc turning out, among whom are Harry Ford, Charles Kern, Howard Lane and your president, Bill Brown, all of whom have had such extensive experience in this particular line of work. It seems that in every class of people we find the monotype whose mind runs only in one direction, and such is the sad state of Bill Sharkey, whose pet hobby is to go chasing a 12:32 car up the track after it passes the Hartsock home. It surely is deplorable that your athletics should end with Bill’s nocturnal track-meets—and it is to be regretted more than ever that your president finds the greenness on the north side and freshmen wiener roasts so much more attractive than the football field! Yes, it is sad, but not nearly so touching as the thought that consumption exists in our school and that certain death for your fresh air advocate, Bill Sharkey, can be heard in that notorious cough of his that always bespeaks Sir Oracle, as “When I ope my mouth, let every dog bark.” Another thing for which you need commendation is your success in having so many gentlemen in your class that apparently have such a fondness for chocolates that the latter sometimes disappear very mysteriously! It must be nice to have such cultivated tastes. But what could be more startling than those “bobs” that appeared on Senior heads one morning? Oh, my! Had Mrs. Vernon Castle seen those heads she would have turned grass-green with envy arid quit stageg-life forever! Yes, it was almost as startling as Gail Richey’s recitation in English, when she gave the sentence, “The cow, he has beautiful eyes.” I believe it would be very proper at this time to remind you that we can never forget the wonderful way in which you supervised Room 8. It was almost as well done as the keeping of the cloak rooms! But, longer to be remembered is your distinctive sociability as manifested this year, especially during the noon assembly, at which time Charles Kern felt obliged to entertain his nearb companions with stunts that most likely originated at the last Freshman girl’s kid party. Heaven forbid that there should ever be a ccmetry near this school building, for those echoing footsteps of Mary Ellen, Gail and Maude would never leave a minute’s peace for the dead. And now to Mr. Sharkey and his followers I would like to say that your four years of actions must speak louder than your ten minute charge and the reason Juniors are leaders is not bc-cuse of, but in spite of, the examples you have set for us during your high school career. But I assure you that as you leave us now, we feel just as did the old darky when he wrote the epitaph of his wdfe, “GloryHallelujah! She is gone!” PAGE NINETEEN