New London High School - Whaler Yearbook (New London, CT)

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'ULKELisY Annua 19 25 Once there it was an easy task to discern among the dancers more than one fellow who had shared humbler meals with us at Jim Marion’s. Even Thayer, attired in one of the latest radical tuxedos could be seen in a throng of young men who sought his advice on fall clothes. It was Alvin, you recall, who first introduced to society the fringed trousers, and the red and white top-coats, which were so popular. And in a palm hidden corner sat Benny Koss, with a red headed actress. Benny made his fortune in fertilizer, and now he fairly reeked with wealth. Mr. Donner, too, was carrying on a jolly party at a private table. Since he married that wealthy widow he spends his days in an easy chair on the lawn of her estate reading “Glynn’s Fables, and his nights were all devoted to defying old age that was steadily creeping upon him. The limelight, that evening, was centered upon Griswold Morgan and Dan Gilmartin, who were both, plus partners, engaged in an exciting dancing contest. It had been going on for two days, and as many nights, and although “Griggy was beginning to look pale, the bets were still in his favor. Towards sunrise we persuaded Sam to allow us to depart; and with ringing ears we issued forth from the gay portals into the cool night, only to narrowly escape a collision with two far gone inebriates. Something about one of them caught my attention, and then, as recognition came to me I managed to mumble between clenched teeth, “Abe Watchinsky.” My companions sighed and grimly nodded. Abie, who so often had remarked that he would rather be a splinter of wood in a chorus girl's dressing room than the mayor of New York, had, in a small way, realized his ambition. Drink, and the cards had dragged him down to a janitorship in Connecticut College, but he still had his girls. With him was poor Shugrue, whom dope had now for many years claimed as a victim. With bowed heads we looked after the wretched couple as they lurched into the night. Alas, that every family should have its black sheep. 16

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IBulkeleyAnn 19 25 Class ‘Prophecy PROSPERITY! No other word in ten letters, meaning success could better lit the members of the class of '25, on this, the fifteenth anniversary of their exodus from old Bulkeley. Indeed, as our “Yellow Cab guided by the dexterous right hand of Oliver Cooper, wormed its way through the thronged streets of New London, we experienced a sensation not unlike the one that is credited to the notorious Rip Van Winkle. New London had changed, children changed, and with whose aid ?—The CLASS OF 1925. Safely resting fifty stories above the din of traffic, in the glorious edifice that Pete Allanach had erected on the site of the old Mohican, in honor of his sons fifteenth birthday, we waited impatiently for Johnnie Allen to lock up the Mohican Market, (his own bv the way.) and review with us over a bottle of Cliquot the fate that had befallen our various classmates. “ 1 o think, I mused, as I looked out over vast canons filled with surging traffic, “that this is New London. Another moment and good old Johnnie, unchanged by even a hair, was in our midst, and D’Elia, too, slightly rounded out, and a trifle bald to be sure, but our D’Elia, nevertheless. Yes, proprietor of a tonsorial parlor you know. V hy the building fairly trembled as we danced around with joy, and clutched at the tattered copy of the “Annual” that I had produced from my valise! My God, to think that that little fellow in the front row of the Freshman Class picture, the one we used to call “Essie, was now Dr. Eshenfelder, world s authority on phsychoanalysis; and Fernie—well, who hasn't gasped at “Herbert Fern’s Follies, second of course, only to “Ed. Ilenkle's Irish Revue. O! Yes, more than one member of our class had on his way to fame behind the footlights. Socol and Harris, the highest paid song and dance team in the country! Can you beat it? And there, as big as life, was Henry Wickstrom. Ever since that dark day when the Fisher’s Island Tragedy” claimed Tuttle, Wickstrom and Shanklin in its deadly toll, the town has never been the same. Our sighs were rashly dispersed by the unannounced arrival of Sam Win-ram, who in some way or another had learned of our presence in town. Night and day jazz pounding in a cabaret was beginning to leave its mark on Sam, but his horse-laugh rang true as of old. Nothing would please him but that we don our hard-boiled shirts and attend the evening performance of his cabaret. Could we resist? Nine o clock found us at the head of the house. 15

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FRANCIS GORDON ALLANACH—“PETE” Pete enjoys the distinction of heading the Senior Roll, not by his achievements, but by the name his father brought him. Classical Course. JOHN THOMAS ALLEN—“Johnny” Johnny presents an interesting anomaly. Possessing no mean intellect, nevertheless he also finds delight in the more physical aspects of school life. He is the sole oasis that Mr. Pierce finds in the mathematical desert, and he captured the history prize in his junior year. Debating Squad (3) ; Track Squad (4) ; History Prize (3); Discussion Club (2) (3) (4); Class Baseball (2) (3) ; Classical Course. WALTER JOSEPH BARRY—“Jumping Joe” In the first decade of the 20th century, God looked upon the earth, and was dissatisfied. And so He made in His own image, Joe Barry, and offered him as gifts, perseverance and collosal nerve. And fellows, he never refused a gift. Honor Bright (4); Football (1) (2) (3) (4); Baseball (2) (3) (4); Track (2); Manager Honor Bright (4) and Private Tutor (3) ; Committees— Senior Prom, Chairman Junior Prom, Cup (3); Ring (1); Class Baseball (1); Class Basketball (2); Commercial Course. ANTHONY J. BALDE—“Tony” Tony’s greatest assest is his sense of humor. He never fails to appreciate a good joke even when it is directed against himself. Know also, that Tony’s a licensed Ford operator. Commercial Course. 17