Southold High School - Snuffbox Yearbook (Southold, NY)

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THE SNUFF BOX SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE The omniscient Sherlock Holmes, with his quaint air of condescension and his oft-repeated Elementary, my dear Watson,” is destined to live forever in the hearts of both young and old. One visualizes him as a man of flesh and blood, a man who has truly lived, a man who, after filling his pipe, taking his magnifying-glass from his pocket, and examining a speck of dust, has actually been able to name the murderer. It is perplexing to realize that this super-sleuth was merely the brain-child of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but the fact only accentuates the genius of the author, for, in portraying his hero, he knew precisely how far to enter the realms of the fantastic without becoming absurd. Few people are aware that Doyle, besides being a great writer, was an excellent physician and a prominent crusader for spiritualism. His medical kit was seldom in use, however, but his mind was always busy trying to lift the veil of psychic phenomena. When he sensed that Death was tightening her clammy arms around him, he smilingly awaited his departure into the mists he sought to pierce,” viewing such things with an equanimity that was largely due to his vast amount of research work. Having descended from Scotch-Irish lineage, Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, on May 22, 1859. During his early years, neighboring schools solved the problem of his education—neighboring schools and brutal schoolmasters who believed firmly in the old adage, Spare the rod and spoil the child.” At sixteen, the youth was sent to Germany, after the fashion of the time. There, his Catholic beliefs were utterly destroyed, and to quote his own words, Both from my reading and from my studies I found the foundations, not only of Roman Catholicism but of the whole Christian faith, as presented to me in Nineteenth Century theology, were so weak that my mind could not build upon them.” This probably accounts for the agnostic Holmes. Returning from Germany, Doyle entered Edinburgh University as a medical student. When he received his degree at twenty-one, wanderlust seized him, and as ship’s surgeon he voyaged to the west coast of Africa before settling down to a meager practice in Portsmouth, England. Then, in 1885, Fate bade him marry Louise Hawkins, of Minsterworth, and Financial Pressure decreed that he renounce the doctor’s profession for that of author, since he was having such a terrific struggle trying to make both ends meet. His literary ventures were successful from the very beginning. He and his wife were now living in the heart of London, and it was in that locality the illustrious Sherlock was given his residence—a small Georgian house on Baker Street with a colorless brick front, tiny windows, and iron hand-rails at the door. One can easily imagine the famous detective in such an atmosphere, peering from behind the curtains at a cab driven by a suspicious character, or, perhaps, deciphering a difficult code. The following years (from 1887 to 1891) were filled with remarkable 21

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THE SNUFF BOX law of the land. The illustrious politician, Salmon P. Chase, has left us a heritage—a little phrase which summarizes the whole ideal purpose of our wonderful national document— The Constitution in all its provisions looks to an indestructible Union composed of indestructible States.” United we stand, divided we fall.” The framers of the Constitution put to a test Franklin’s wise motto, and it has become immortal! LEONIE STACY, ’31 A LITTLE LESSON IN HISTORY If one were to ask the members of the various history classes in the Southold High School for data on the old stone mill at Newport; or, the fort at St. Augustine; or, the age of Faneuil Hall compared with that of Independence Hall, one could expect a reasonably correct answer. Rhode Island, Florida, Boston and Philadelphia are distant enough to receive pur respectful attention. If the same group of students were asked to point out the oldest frame structure built by the English colonists there would be some wild guessing and it would be extremely hard to settle definitely on the various claims. Yet daily the students in our High School pass what remains of the oldest frame building of English construction in these United States. No tablet marks its walls and there is nothing about the simple building to indicate its rare distinction. Once it was a kitchen and today it serves as a carpenter shop. It has been altered almost beyond recognition. But if those who saw the extraordinary faithful replica Mr. Charles Kramer made of the early Horton house were to compare this altered building with the Kramer model, they would be able to find the outlines of the original building. Most of our students have a fair idea of the battles of the Revolution, but, suppose one were to ask them to name three houses in Southold that underwent bombardment during the War for Independence, what percentage would pass this test? We know about Bunker Hill; we are fully informed on the Battle of Saratoga; we know where the rude bridge that arched 'the flood stood. Concord and Lexington are familiar subjects. Yet, who among us know that the Boisseau house, which stood near the Sound; the Vail homestead near the Bay, and the home of James Horton, first settler of Bay View, received this distinction at the hands of George the Fourth’s armed forces. Hidden in obscure places the records of these attacks exist. In truth we do not know much about the history of our own town. The next time you go to school give a minute from your baseball and look at the carpenter shop on Oak Lawn Avenue. You will see the name of R. S. Sturges over the door. The northerly half is all that remains of the old Horton house. This house was torn down in 1884 and the kitchen moved to this site. Beyond a peradventure, as the historical novelists would say, this is the oldest frame building in America of English construction. —N. D., ’33. 20

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THE SNUFF BOX literary achievement for Doyle. A Study in Scarlet,” Micah Clarke,” The Sign of Four,” and The White Company,” were, all greeted by his publisher with great enthusiasm. A trip to Switzerland proved an intermission for a short while, but as soon as the newly-discovered author reached England again he wrote The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes,” The Stark Munro Letters,” The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard,” and many other interesting novels, besides some excellent plays and poems. The Great Boer War,” a volume that appeared in 1900, caused him to be made a knight of the realm, and so popular did the book become that it was translated into twelve languages and 100,000 copies were distributed by the British Government. In 1906, Sir Arthur’s wife died. She had previously been ill for a long time, but her husband suffered a severe shock and in desperation, sought solace in spiritualism. The next year, he married again, his second wife being Jean Leckie, daughter of James Blythe Leckie of Glebe House, Blackheath. He had now dropped fiction entirely, writing only about the world of souls, and when his son was killed in the Great War, his belief in the supernatural became doubly strong. A big man physically, the amiable Sir Arthur had the appearance of a typical Englishman—especially when he was attired for golf in rough tweed knickers and cap. His two particular recreations were cycling and walking, while he dabbled slightly in politics as a side line, but without much success. In his college days he gained quite a reputation as a cricket player, and up to the time of his death, on July 7, 1930, he was regarded as an unfailing authority on billiards. Conan Doyle’s accomplishments were many and varied, and his contributions, literary or otherwise, were at all times truly acceptable. He will permanently dwell in our memories as one of the noblest men who have ever lived. A. V. C. ’31. DIAMOND CHIPS It was the day of the faculty baseball game. Mr. Blodgett glanced at the clock. Two-thirty. He fretted an instant and then throwing caution to the zephyrs stalked off to find Mr. Vail. Mr. Vail, do you think it will be all right to let school out at three o’clock so we can begin that ball game?” Why, I don’t know. I guess it will be all right. Has anyone been tardy this week? Sure. Go ahead!” The faculty gathered at the diamond. A. Pedersen (Petey) and Aitch Pedersen, captains of opposing sides, had their men picked (and how). Judge Hawkins, famous for his decisions, was to umpire. Brownie included, there were but eight on a team. Southold’s right arm of the law, Fred Booth, appeared with two baying blood-hounds in leash. 22