Brimfield High School - Spectator Yearbook (Brimfield, IL)

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 r 11 E S P E C T A TOR 1915 30

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11 R 1 M F I E L I) III O H SC II OO L each stove. And all this for the magnificent salary of $8.00 per month. If any of you desire a similar position, please wire me at mv expense. Among those who attended the High School were the Coolidge girls, one of whom is now the matron of the Proctor Home. The Frazers, who lived just west of town. Laura Frazer will be remembered as a most beautiful singer. Also the daughters of W. W. Cowles. Mr. Cowles was the originator of the scheme to issue bonds and erect the present building. Also the Plummer boys. Frank was one of the most beautiful penTv '‘n ever produced by any school, and who is now a wealthy resident of Washington, 1). C. Like every High School, we would have debates and dialogues on Friday afternoon. During one of these dialogues, some one gave Frank Plummer a cathartic out of an ink bottle. In about two minutes the person wanted to give Frank another dose. Frank was supposed to say, “no thanks, I have had enough cathartic.” But at the critical moment he forgot that big word, and he said, “I have had enough of—of—of physic.” A smile broadened into a great laugh, in which even Professor Caldwell and those upon the platform, took part. Lu Dungan, your banker, and the Cady boys, who are now merchants of your city. The Chichester boys, two or three of whom went west and whom I am informed are prosperous farmers. I will never forget a little incident which occurred when Professor Caldwell was our principal. He was endeavoring to tell our class the difference between guessing and knowing. George Chichester was satisfied that if you guessed and guessed right, that you knew. The Professor broke some pieces of chalk and held them in his closed hand. He then said. “George, you guess how many pieces I have in my hand, and I will then illustrate to you the difference between guessing and knowing.” George guessed, the Professor counted, and lo, and behold ! George had guessed the exact number. You can imagine how we laughed, at the Professor, and how George was fortified in his position. Then there was Everett Fisher. He was an artist. We sat in the same seat, by the window. One day E. Rvnearson was driving his dray along the road south of the school grounds. There used to be a high plank crossing in this road. Mr. Rynearson was standing in the back end of his dray, and when the hind wheels struck that crossing, he landed on his back in one of the muddiest roads you ever saw. Everett immediately drew a pen picture of the accident which was true to life. Mr. Rvnear-son’s daughter. Anna, is now secretary of the Peoria School Board. Everett and his brother went west and Everett returned long enough to marry one of the Bryson sisters who also attended the school. 29

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11 R I M F IE L I) HIGH SCHOOL Then there was John Clute, who married Ella Cowles. Also the children of Harvey and James Fisher. Maud Fisher married Frank Reed, who drove some five or six miles to attend our school. Frank had one crippled hand; hut he could knock a ball farther with one hand than most hoys could with two. Then there were the Bowmans, the Moss boys, the Corcorans, the Silloway sisters, John Johnson, Maze Herrington, the Haywards, the Hamiltons, the Watsons, the Wymans, the Stansburys, the Wileys, the Chamberlains, the Lambleys, the Dunn girls, the Atens, the Pope brothers, and the Moles brothers. John Moles joined the ministry. His brother, Oliver, has been a principal of a school for many years. I will never forget Bert Blanchard. He was quite a penman, and was always drawing something. He is now the head engineer of some railway system with offices in St. Louis. One reason I can’t forget him is the fact that one day we were playing crack the whip, and Bert was the last man on the cracker. When the whip cracked, Bert took a header into one of the trees and it knocked him crazy, and we had to take him home. By the way, Dr. Blanchard, Bert’s father, superintended planting those trees and if you will look at them, you will notice that they are set out in circles and semi circles. The last I heard of my old friend, Charlie Moss, he was Brimfield’s peace advocate; and he wore a star which every one respected on account of Charlie’s size. Then there were Seth Freeman’s children; Charlie is now on the old farm; the Burt sisters from west of town, and Ida Burt, now Mrs. Yocum. I can’t forget how Ida used to eat green gooseberries in school, and on state occasions sing alto and speak the “One Horse Shay.’’ And I must not forget the McCoys who came in from French Grove. Joe, poor fellow, met with an accident which has caused us all to extend our heartfelt sympathy for many years. Joe was surely some orator. I still remember how every drop of my blood would tingle and cry out for war when he recited that poem about Sheridan’s ride. I am glad I can not hear him recite that poem now, for fear it might tempt me to start for Europe to join the allies or the Germans; and believe me, I think there are enough people being “ditched” over there without any of my help. I no doubt have neglected to mention many whose names have been forgotten. But I cannot close without mentioning Amelia Baggs, who lived near Slocums, on the Peoria road. One day Professor Miller announced to our arithmetic class that the next day he w'ould present a new geography to the one who gave the best explanation of how to obtain the greatest common divisor. On the morrow Amelia Baggs and myself were si