Butler High School - Tropaeum Yearbook (Butler, IN)

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drew my attention. The person was evidently a farmer and upon closer ob- servation I recognized him as Loren Jennings. He seemed to recognize me and after inquiring my name, asked me to go home and spend the evening with him. As I was very anxious to renew friendship with my old acquaintances I readily consented to his plan and we were on our way. After we had ridden about four miles, he drew rein in front of a beautiful country home which he told me belonged to him. As 1 followed Loren to the house, I noticed a lady in the yard feeding chickens, whom I judged was about fifty years of age. T asked who this lady might be and he told me that, as I would probably remem- ber, he had always considered the Violet to be the sweetest flower that grew, and at last he had found and kept this one for his own. I spent the evening with Violet and Loren and in the course of the evening their children, three in num- ber, came trooping home from school. I asked them questions concerning their teacher, whom they said was Hazel Dohner and from their praise of her merits I decided that she must have made great success in her chosen profes- sion. Feeling happy to find Violet and Loren so happily situated, the next morning I started back to the city. I decided to walk to Butler as the air was so fresh and pure I thought it would help me to regain my former good health. I had gone several miles, when I observed in the distance two farm houses, which were facing one another. As I came nearer 1 noticed two ladies stand- ing near a gate of the house on the right side of the road, conversing with one another. As I passed I heard a familiar voice and upon looking more closely at the lady who was then talking, I recognized Mildred Arford. Immediately I thought of Miriam Bryant and upon looking at the other lady I recognized Miriam. Both the ladies had very beautiful homes and seemed very happy in their home life. After having a short but pleasant visit with them I again resumed my walk to the city. I had gone perhaps a half of a mile when I came to a large garage. Thinking I needed a little rest I decided to stop here. As soon as I entered the building I noticed a man whom I supposed was the manager of the establishment. As I watched his movements I soon recognized him as Leland Alwood and upon discovering this I immediately made known my identity. He seemed very much pleased to see me and gave me a portion of his invalu- able time, in which he told me his life’s history. After leaving high school he had decided to specialize in mechanics and had become prosperous enough to own and operate this fine garage. I asked Leland concerning Gilbert Boyd and found that he was now a very successful farmer, having a fine farm with all the modern improvements. After leaving Leland I soon arrived in Butler. As the next day was Sunday I determined to go to church. As I entered the church a man was singing. I was attracted by his beautiful voice and inquiring the name of the

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ing and commenced to tell me her life’s history. After leaving high school she had engaged in commercial work, but she soon became dissatisfied as she long- ed to be of some benefit to the sick and afflicted, so she had launched upon a nurse’s career. She seemed especially fitted for her work and under her ex- perienced care, I was soon able to leave the hospital. After leaving the hospital, I immediately started to Butler and as I came home through Ft. Wayne 1 decided to stop in that city for a short time. As I came from the train, the first person who attracted my attention was a girl whom 1 remembered as Lelah Alwood, and by her side was a man whom 1 rec- ognized as no other than that “freshie” who had always been at her side dur- ing the last year of her career in B. II. S. 1 introduced myself to them. During a recital of my experiences since leaving high school, I soon realized that their thoughts were far from my conversation and upon asking them the cause they could no longer conceal the great secret. They told me that this was their wedding day and that as Homer had forgotten the ring, they were hurrying to make that purchase. At this disclosure I immediately decided to help cele- brate the event and at their invitation accompanied them to a large jewelry store. After the selection of the ring had been made and Lelah and Homer had left the store, I introduced myself to the proprietor whom I recignized as Hubert Doud. Hubert and I had a pleasant time talking of what had trans- pired since our departure from high school and he told me of his successful venture in the jewelers trade. I asked Hubert concerning Homer and Lelah’s delayed marriage and lie told me that Homer had been compelled to wait until he graduated from high school, and then the decision that he would first make a successful start in some business had postponed their marriage until rather late in life. As I had only intended to make a short stay in Ft. Wayne I immediately started to Butler and after a ride of about one hour, arrived in that city. I no- ticed with great satisfaction that Butler had greatly increased in size and when I inquired about the high school I learned that it had correspondingly grown since a fine new building had been erected an a large choice of courses was offered. Hearing so much concerning the school, I decided to visit my alma mater first of all. 1 found Lmma Brown as teacher of sermonizing and of its advantages, a position which 1 decided was very fitting and proper, as in high school, we, her poor fellow classmates, had more than once been swamped by her discourses and incomprehensible vocabulary. Helen Smurr was also teaching in the high school with the subjects of advanced commercial arithmetic, Latin and Greek as her work. Upon interviewing the superin- tendent of the school, I found that both Emma and Helen had given excellent satisfaction. I next visited the down town districts where a man in a lumber wagon

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singer, I was told that this man was Ora Blaker and that lie was considered the world’s greatest evangelistic singer. It was unusual for him to come to cities even the size of Butler but for the sake of his former connection with the town he had condescended to come and let the people of Butler enjoy the beauty of his voice. After the services were over 1 managed to have a little talk with Ora. 1 asked him what had become of Kermit Oberlin, and he said that Kermit who was then traveling with a renowned Chautuaqua, was specializing in minstrel work in which he was very successful. A few days later, hearing that Madge McClellan was residing in Auburn I decided to go there aand learn what she had been doing since leaving high school. Upon arriving in the city, I inquired concerning her whereabouts but no one seemed to know anything about Madge McClellan. I had almost de- cided to give up the search when I noticed a lady going up the steps of a beau- tiful dwelling. I instantly recognized this lady as Dorothy Ilavertsoek. and after telling her my name I inquired what she had done since leaving school. She told me that after laving school she had married a farmer near B------and was now enjoying the pleasures of a happy farm life. She said she had come to the city to deliver some fresh farm produce to an old school friend. Before I had time to inquire who this school friend might be the lady herself appear- ed at the door. Madge recognized me. for it was no other than Madge Mc- Clellan. also immediately. She invited me into the house and commenced tell- ing me what she had been do’ng s nee leaving dear old B. II. S. She had spent two years teaching school after which she decided to enter the dressmaking profession. However soon becoming dissatisfied with this work she was mar- ried to the man whom all her classmates knew had been her choice, during the last year of her high school career. After spending a few delightful hours with Madge, T decided to return to Butler again as my mission to Auburn had been fulfilled. As I passed down the street my attention was drawn to two boys one tall and rather dark com- plexioned the other much shorter and of slightly lighter complexion. The boys seemed to be between eighteen and twenty years of age. As I observed the lads more closely, 1 thought that they surely must be Otis and Edson the pals inseparable. Then 1 remembered that thirty years must have made great changes in the appearances of my former classmates. I decided, however, to learn more corncerning these boys and followed them until they were about to enter a beautiful home, when I called to them and asked the taller of the fellows where bis father worked. He told me very politely that he would es- cort me to his fathers office if I wished him to do so. I gave my consent and after a short walk we came to a large building, over the entrance to which the words, Fisher Klinkel, Attorneys at Law, were written. I walked in boldly now fully determined that my suspicions had been correct. After a short