Bedford North Lawrence High School - Reflections Yearbook (Bedford, IN)

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PROF. D.D. BLAKEMAN 1882 MISS JULIA HUGHES 1883 PROF. FRANK SMITH 1884-88 PROF CHARLES THOMAS 1893 PROF. E.K. DYE 1894-95 PROF. CHARLES CUNNINGHAM 1896 PROF. W.E. ALEXANDER 1897-1905 PROF. ELLIS H. DRAKE 1906 SCHOOL JAMES H MADDEN 1874-1881 PROF FRANK M. STALKER 1889-92 PROFJ.B. PAGAN 1907-16 22 completed in 1912. At that time, it was much smaller since the north and south wings were to be finished yet. Since that time, it has grown even larger. This building possessed many new features for that time, such as domestic science and manual train- ing departments. The gymnasium taking the space below the large assembly room was probably the largest and best floor outside of the college towns in 1912. Many a thrilling encounter was staged on this court. During 1913-14, many new activities were intro- duced. The orchestra and both boys and girls clubs represented the musical talent of the school. State Discussion contests and debates were also popular. In 1914, the biggest debate yet was held with New Al- bany. In both classes of 1913 and 1914, there were boys basketball, baseball, and track teams. Later, in 1914, a girls basketball team was organized. This was unprecedented and proved to be quite popular to the whole school. Probably the most outstanding event of the year, however, was on March 14, 1914, when the principals of Washington, Linton, Sullivan, and Bedford High Schools organized the South Central Athletic and Or- atorical Association. This organization was a popular one and brought many honors to B.H.S. In 1915, Mr. E.W. Montgomery organized the high school band. The first band consisted of eleven pieces. This same year the B.H.S. Drum Corps was organized and became very popular. In 1917, there were many people who wanted an education but could not acquire it because it was nec- essary for them to work, so a night school was formed. It became quite popular and helpful. The commercial department became popular in the year 1917 and has continued to grow. Drama was given its share of honors when the Hoosier Pageant was presented in March, 1917. The class of 1918 will long be remembered as the War Class of B.H.S. since many of its members joined the ranks that crossed the seas to fight for their native country and could not graduate with their class. There were many sacrifices in this class that will always be remembered by their descendants and in- stead of having the usual Junior-Senior Banquet, a simple reception was held until the classmates could rejoin them. In place of a yearbook, a small booklet was published. The class of 1919 made up for these disappoint- ments, though, by achieving many wonders in this time of hardship. A number of the older boys had gone to the service in their junior year. Then the epidemic of influenza struck and the school was abandoned for several weeks. But in spite of all these difficulties, the class of 1919 won many victories in athletics, drama, The old administration building on Fifteenth Street.

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Lottie Rariden Mrs. E.R. Dunn Josle Frances Malott Some members of the first graduating class- 1874 IVIr. E.B. Tfiornton in the class of 1878-79. There were six girls and five boys. One of its graduates was Edward Rector, who later ranked as one of the leading patent lawyers in the country. From this, he advanced to a teaching po- sition at DePauw University. Another prominent grad- uate was Frances M. Stalker, who became well known as an educator. He was one of the most respected and popular professors of the State Normal School at Terre Haute. The classes of 1880-81 were combined and grad- uated with the latter in 1881. The class was duly proud of its members since it surpassed the preceeding classes and also the classes for the next twenty-nine years. There were twenty-five in the class, twenty-two girls and three boys. One of the most notable members of this class was Miss Mollie Brown, who started her teaching career in the rural schools in the latter part of 1881. She also held the position of principal of the graded schools for many years. The school year 1889-90 was noted for the occu- pation of the temporary high school building near the east end of what is now Seventeenth Street. This hous- ing difficulty was due to the crowded condition of the old building. It did not prevent the classes that fol- lowed from becoming, as one of its members puts it, valiant and smartest of all. They have never ceased to honor B.H.S. for all she gave them. For the next seven years, Bedford progressed slowly, but definitely. There is little recorded in this period, 1890-97, that can be found. Nevertheless, the next few years proved that B.H.S. did excel in scholar- ship as well as in enrollment and culture. All of the classes between 1897 and 1902 held their commencement exercises in the old town hall al- though they attended classes in the former grade build- ing that was destroyed by fire in 1962. The old town hall was above the Stone City Bank which presently stands. Miss Clara Friedley made these years outstanding as a member of the faculty. Perhaps no one fully real- ized her worth when she first entered B.H.S. as a friend, teacher, and woman. She proved to be an efficient head of the history department and a leader in all ac- tivities of the school. Maybe it should be remembered that one of the outstanding events of the year 1904 was that the girls of the class wore trains on their dresses at commence- ment exercises much to the astonishment of the public. Professor J.B. Fagan was superintendent of Bed- ford Public Schools from 1907 until 1917. During these years, the school prospered greatly under his leader- ship and many awards were bestowed upon the school system because of his tireless work. The Comet , a small publication similar to the PIONEER, was presented to the school. It was intro- duced by Howard Sproull and Clyde Hodges, Miss Georgia Mitchusson came to Bedford High School in 1910. Her presence in the faculty leaves its memories in the school today. She worked with the senior class for most of her career here and was head of the English Department. The Old high school building was no longer used by the high school after 1911. The PIONEER was proudly presented by this class for the first time in 1911. This started a series of books which have brought many honors to B.H.S. The high school building that stands today was Bedford Higfi School BHS as it stands today. 21

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SUPERINTENDENTS E.W. MONTGOMERY 1917-25 MERLEJ.ABBETT 1926-32 WARREN J. YOUNT 1 933-38 H.H. MOURER 1939-56 DR. DAN A. SCHAFER 1957- and publications. It is an unusual honor that comes to a school when one of its members in competition is selected as the finest example of sportsmanship. The first Gim- bel Prize (now Trester Award) to be won by B.H.S. came to Harold Laughlin, forward of the 1920 team. The new addition of the north end of the school building was begun in 1921. It showed how the school was growing steadily. In athletics, the school was also successful. The basl etball team captured the sectional and regional but was defeated in the state tournament, which was held in Bloomington. Public speaking shared the honors likewise by winning the District and Public Speaking Discussion Contest and placing in the state contest. The new addition at the north end of the building was opened for use in January of 1922. The Commerce Club was formed this year for those interested in the techniques of selling. The course of study that year was made more interesting by the addition of the Stone Vocational Courses and Bible Study. Bedford again advanced to the front in sports by dedicating the new gymnasium in October of 1925. It ranked as one of the biggest and best in Indiana at that time. Before a capacity crowd, the leaders of the school administration dedicated the gym and thus be- gan a new era in the lives of the students at B.H.S. Only through unanimous support of the Bedford citi- zens, was the building of the gym made possible. The addition on the south end of the building was opened for use in the school year 1926-27. At this time, our school was one of the finest built in all of Indiana. Scholastically, the year 1928 held many honors for B.H.S. The PIONEER for the first time won both state and Ail-American honors. In the field of music, the aim of the school was realized in the formation of the largest high school band we had ever had. The band made its appearances at school activities as well as city functions. The first state championship to ever come to B.H. S. was that brought home by the wrestling team in 1929. After untiring effort, Mr. Emil Held made wres- tling one of the top activities in the school for the next few years. The close of the 1930 school year marked the resignation of the capable principal, R.B. Julian. He was succeeded by Mr. H.H. Mourer. Miss Clara Fried- ley, head of the history department and loved and re- spected by each person in the school, also retired at the close of the year. In 1931, The Old English B was awarded for the first time to the students who did exceptionally well in designated courses. This award is still given to highly scholastic students. Scarlet and Purple, the dramatics of B.H.S., was formally organized for the first time in 1937. It was 111 JM III III III III R iJUnii II ly The North Lawrence Community Schools Administration and Service Center. 23