Wesleyan College - Veterropt Yearbook (Macon, GA)

Page 25 text:

HISTORY OF CLASS ' 05 When Guildenstern said to Hamlet, ‘Good, my lord, vouchsafe me a word with you,” and Hamlet replied, ‘Sir, a whole history,” the courtier began to squirm and to change the subject But this history may reveal to you the trials and the joys of a people making their way through the labyrinths of litera- ture, science, and art, into the mysterious passage- ways of Psychology, on to diplomas. Wlien we first discern through the mists of antiq- uity this people who called themselves Senior Class of Wesleyan Academy — though we know better now as the class of ’05 — we find them dwelling in the northeast corner of the basement of the main build- ing, a region that has since been cut up into four practice rooms. I am glad to say that from this pre-historic time, science has been able to preserve five fine specimen of this great people — Finney, Guy- ton, Holt, Shaw and Akins. In that fall of 1901, these five moved out into the promised land of college life, whence they were joined by eighteen more girls. There twenty-five girls, from the young short-skirts to the tall, stiff dignities, perched on the desks of Mrs. Burks’ recitation room to view the land, and to make immediate plans for organization. With no use for parliamentary laws, and still less knowledge of its usage, oflScers were elected: Margie Burks, president; Nan Shaw, vice- president; Edwina Wallette, secretary; and Johnny Hogan, treasurer. Business was rapidly disposed of. Every member of the class was on each committee, and freedom of speech rigidly adhered to. Occasionally the presi- dent would call for a vote, and the eager voters had their first taste of representation in government. That afternoon, a motto, Non mente, sed animo ' was chosen; a flower selected, the American Beauty rose; and red and white chosen for colors. Besides these, a constitution was drawn up, and plans made for monthly literary meetings. When Chuppie Allen screamed at seeing a rat scamper across the recitation floor, hearts sank and girls sighed, not because Chuppie had their sympathy, but because Miss Allen would call for a theme de- scribing the event. When no girl got up a sensation, however, the lamentations of a Freshman” were re- quired, and the groans and the lamentations ! With unerring judgment, the Juniors patroniz- ingly entertained the Freshmen with a hare and hound chase. However, the children of large ‘‘pride” in small bodies showed their appreciation in the trol- ley ride given to the Juniors, when with brilliantly- lighted cars, the college world learned that ’05 was a moving class, and that ’03 was one much beloved. All departments of college study were open to them except science, but the Sophomores promised to admit them into the mysteries as soon as they had put away childish ways. Journalistic ability ap- peared, however, in the writings of Freshmen, and both the college journal and the annual were indebted to them for their brightest articles. In September, when classes gathered again, the ’05s could be recognized by an “I’ve-been-here-be- fore” expression, as they showed the awe-struck Freshmen where to find the teachers. But those forty-five Sophomores grew sentimental, getting every day crazier about the Seniors. Blushing, embarrass ment, heart failure and empty purses were the symp- toms of this almost fatal mania. It was due to a “case” between the president of the ’03 and ’05 that tlie Sophomores obtained their beautiful flag. But mental balance was preserved by the solid problems in physics and trigonometry, as by the slightly damp- ening effects of the “Ancient Mariner.” This was the year the Naughty-fives were social leaders, distinguishing themselves at their banquet. The teachers and faculty were present but found it so hard to talk at a banquet that they busied them- selves in another and better way, except one dear professor, the dean of the faculty, who toasted so long that he saw three courses served and removed, and viewed each departing course with anxious eye. But his fasting is still appreciated, for it showed a willingness to do his best for the class that might be- come a good class, as he had often vaguely intimated. As the sergeant-at-arms was proudly waving the beautiful red and white banner over the heads of happy Sophomores, down it went into the soup! Unto this day there remains the stain, honorably won and battle-scarred, a reminder of a jolly banquet — and bouillon. With painstaking secrecy, the Sophomores planned action for class day, and slyly stole the Seniors’ and Juniors’ songs, and prepared a red rose wreath forty yards in length. With such equipment, the class Naughty-five honorably participated in the exercises, delighting the Seniors, but for some reason infuria- ting the jealous Juniors. “Some Sophomores are bom with dignity. Some achieve it; Some have dignity thrust upon them.” The day of final examination, all appeared with trailing skirts, (borrowed with so much trouble from the Seniors). As often as possible they would move to the professor’s chair, ask a question, and stalk solemnly back, looking over the shoulder at the beauti- ful sweep of the train. They were Juniors — almost. 15

Page 24 text:

I Senior Class and won distinction on the basket- ball field. Next oome the Imps who are as impish as their names and pins would suggest. Nine girls in all and all of them different. Annie Barrs is a fair sample. She entered Freshman class where she proceeded to lose her heart and, sad to relate, has never recovered it, though it has changed hands a number of times. The world remembers when she threw herself at her lover s feet in Lamar’s. That business of falling down right at the proper time has marked Annie all through her college course. Wlierever she goes she spills hair-pins and so she can always be tracked. I wonder if that is why she is always caught up with. She got the only stain on the Senior flag, viz. : soup at the Sophomore banquet. As captain of the baseball team she won laurels which will never fade. How Julia Wade ever became an Imp, no one knows, but perhaps appearances are deceiving. Julia came all the way from Smith’s Station, Alabama, which is such a large place that it can not be found on the map. She entered Sophomore wth Latin to make up. Julia is a very good girl, but something serious is the matter with her eyes. She does not like the boys and would not talk to one except on the train, for any amount of money. Her only fault is her enormous capacity for studying. Mary Copeland is another one of those girls who is trying to do three years’ work in two. As a conse- quence she is worked to death. Mary comes from Greensboro and is an Adelphean, a S. A. E., an imp, and a demon. She likes all Mercer boys, but lawyers in particular. Cleo Mable enjoys the notoriety of being a twin. She is known as the most studious girl in college. No one can ever tell Cleo and Cliff when in a liurry, so veiT often one is asked for the other’s debt. The twins have been with us two years and come from Decatur. The best joke the twins ever played was in the Junior-Senior basket-ball game, when Special twin played for Senior twin and no one was ever the wiser until several days afterward. Natalie Thomas is an impish creature. She never studies, yet is going to get two diplomas in one year. She comes from Waynesboro and to hear her tell it, Waynesboro is the only place. Her health has been so poor lately that she has had three weeks’ vacation. Natalie has a dramatic soprano voice and charms everyone who hears her sing. She received vocal medal 1904, and is the personification of in- difference. Eloise Guyton comes from Ihiblin. She entered the Academy and has been hard at work ever since. She is known far and wide for her cases, and every- one is interested in the mysterious inknown” who brings her good things to eat. The ‘Hjife and Notes” of this illustrious young woman are being compiled by A. Bradley. Her cases are too numerous to enumerate, being very short, but oh, how sweet. “Is Ruth Martin a member of every club in col- lege?” I heard some one ask the other day, and I hastened to explain that she was only a Philomathean, a Chi Phi, a Bluffer, an Imp, a Demon, a Walker, a Slipper, and a member of the present Senior Class. She comes from Columbus and thinks no place half sc grand. She entered Junior, taking B.L., and is business manager of the Annual. Her voice and her foot are objects of much care and pride. She enjoys the reputation of being the neatest girl in the class. Nona Johnston is very anxious to change her name, since she has so much trouble with the “t.” She entered the middle of the Freshman year, but waited until she was Senior to make up algebra. She is a born poet; it is her strong point, and the only re- markable thing about it is the poetry. The ninth Imp is Aline Bradley, of Carrollton. She has held class offices, and as local editor of The Wesleyan and associate editor of the Annual, has won much fame. She is a specialist in all lines, but left off pipe-organ at the earnest solicitations of her friends. She made the mistake of her life when she tried to graduate in elocution instead of vocal music ; but as she is only the second graduate in elocu- tion ever sent out from Wesleyan, of course she would not forego this honor. The attraction of her Senior year has been a red-headed man, who has sent her a life-size portrait and often sends long-distance tele- phone messages to let her know he is at church. Susie Smith’s past shows nothing momentous or extraordinary. Her one desire, so she says, is to have a good time, to have B.L. degree with no dis- tinctions — “just plain so” — and to have enough money to get back to St. Louis. Susie entered Sopho- more and she has been struggling through all these long years to get that diploma. She is Senior philosopher, since she believes “God is everything that is anything.” We now come to our class baby, but you would never know imless I told you — Miss Ann DeButts Shaw, who, like Gussie Finney, has a grandma. She was one of the Academy children and has ever upheld the dignity of 1905. She has held class offices, but in none did she so distinguish herself as when toast- master at the Sophomore banquet, when she illus- trated the now well recognized fact of her remarkable memory. For her Senior elective she chose to pur- sue a higher course in Latin prose composition. She the fair college representative and is so presented to college professors at all college receptions. Since I am only called upon to write a biography and not an autobiography, I add “I have told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

Page 26 text:

Their ardor was slightly cooled, however, when the professor remarked, ‘‘Young ladies, you are a trifle premature. None of you have yet passed in my de- partment The next great movement in history was in the next fall. After the State Fair closed, the Juniors bought out the Jones County exhibit, in order to give their Freshmen protegees a Hallowe ' en party. Cinderella ' s godmother never worked swifter than did Junior fingers, as the Alethean Hall, now the Infirmary, was transformed into a sylvan bower, with a country store in one comer, and a gypsy tent in another. Pumpkins and squash became death ' s heads, garlands of luscious apples were festooned from the ceiling, while lurid sulphurous flames lighted the scene. After gas bell, white-robed figures filed silently down the college steps, traversing dark corridors, and passed out into the stilly night. From all dark nooks and comers, grinning ghosts looked out upon the frightened Freshmen. At the pass-word, “Pierced skull, and bloody bones, the Alethean door opened and closed behind them. The greatest acquisition to class of ' 06 that year was a sure enough fortune teller. Girls flocked to Katie McLaggan ' s room at all hours of the day, to learn if they were destined to a life of “single blessed- ness. Those teachers already past the score and ten years were often seen, eagerly questioning Katie as to whether there were any hope or not. The healthiest condition of the year was the spirit of rivalry between the Juniors and Seniors. It was no uncommon thing for the Seniors, on returning from a reception, to find their doors locked, and they always knew who were responsible. Especially did class spirit mn high as Class Day approached. The ' 05s, who would not pledge themselves not to get a little fun from the holiday, had no part to take in the exercises, but were notified by the president that they could attend the exercises as the rest of the public. They could frighten the Seniors with secret meet- ings, however, and whisperings in groups. In order to excite the curiosity of the Seniors and Sophomores, oft they went at dusk to Cnimps on a trolley ride, each Junior bearing on her sleeve a red ' 05. How relieved the Seniors felt to see them go, but they were surprised to hear and see the Juniors coming back, waving their banners. Quietly they filed into the chapel, with not even recognition from the ushers, but they gloried in the fact that their flag hung over the door, and that every class had to march under the outstretched banner of ' 05, signifying their subjection. After the brilliant performance of their rivals, they slipped out, and the mass of people were deafened by the yells of the Juniors to the Seniors, and the Sophomores pouring out maledictions upon the Juniors. Suddenly a re- quest came for silence, and with slow steps and fear- ful thoughts, each class quietly filed home. No more class spirit nor rivalry ! No exultation nor joy. The Angel of Death had come to Wesleyan while all girls were happy and was removing one who, by faithful work and loving nature had won the affec- tion of every student. Before another day had passed. Miss Skaggs had gone to be with God. Dear Miss Skaggs! loved matron and friend; the class of 1905 tenderly and reverently pay this tribute of love, and will ever hold you in loving memory. The fall of 1904 brought the long-looked-for day. Seniors at last, recognized leaders and no longer hav- ing to “look up to a class above them. But only thirty-four of the forty-five, only thirteen of those original founders of this great organization, re- turned to duty. Athletics were the fashion during the fall term. The Senior basket-ball team won the championship, after never losing a match game. On March the twentieth, the ' 05s had the honor of acting as escorts to Mrs. Catheri ne Benson at the ceremony of the laying the first brick for the Susan- nah Wesley Memorial chapel. Then each Senior, with bated breath, placed around and above this brick one on which was inscribed her own name and ' 05. In only a little while this Senior class will have passed from college ken, and Class Day and Com- mencement will live only in dreams. We go with great plans for the future, yet with reluctance we yield our places to ' 06. But Naughty-five has done more than frolic; it has been a revolutionary body for great and wholesome reformation. With pardona- ble pride we record the results of the warm and en- thusiastic class spirit of the ' 058. All narrow lines the languages — ancient and modem — has “Drunk deep of the Pierian spring. You find in her ranks great scientists, great mathematicians, great tone poets, great literary and art critics, classical scholars, journalists, business managers, poets, philosophers, and a historian. “Now, dear under-graduates, we remind you. You may make your lives sublime And as we do, leave behind you Footprints on the sands of time. 16