Central High School - Centralian Yearbook (Minneapolis, MN)

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M n N. Greer, Principal

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The Hon. Samuel Chester Gale The Hon. Samuel Chester Gale was a native of Massachusetts, born at Royalston, Worcester county, September 15, 1827. He had five sisters and four brothers. His father died in middle life, leaving the family very poor. He had very little education up to his seventeenth or eighteenth year, when he entered an academy. He afterwards entered Yale University, from which he graduated in 1854 with high honors. He came west to Minneapolis in 1857 on a visit, and recognizing the natural advantages and growing prosperity of the city, he determined to remain. Mr. Gale has made Minneapolis his home ever since. He is one of the few who have seen Minneapolis grow from a small town to the metropolis of today. It is due, in no small degree, to his untiring eflorts and thoughtful attention that the school system has reached its present excellent standard. He has always had a particular interest in the Central High School, from the time when he was instrumental in starting it over a hide store on Washington avenue, with fifty or seventy-five pupils, to the present day. In a very short time these quarters were found to be too small to accomodate the increasing number of pupils. In spite of the opposition of the city council and some of the citizens at the time, Mr. Gale finally influenced the board in 1874 to erect a new building, and the west wing of the present school building was built. Mr. Gale was chairman of the committee in charge, and while the school system cannot be said to be the work of any one person, yet, we are indebted to a great extent to his efforts for the present excellent standard it has reached. In fact, he may be called the father of Central High. In February, 1888, Mr. Gale gave to the Board of Education $1,000, from which the annual income of $60 was to be used for prizes, the prizes being awarded to the members of the graduating classes of Central High writing and delivering the best original English orations or essays. Mr. Gale did this because he thought it was for the good of the school and would create an interest in and encourage not only original thought, but also public speaking. It will serve as a monument that will live as long as Central exists, and should be an inspiration to all pupils passing through its doors. GENEVIEVE KING. Vice President ’09.

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Classes of 09 T he classes of ’09 deserve our heartiest congratulations. You came into Central when we began to feel the presence of numbers too much increased. For three years you bravely and without complaint stood the ever increasing throng, until in your junior year you could scarcely find your friends each day. In your senior year only have you known what it is to have things comfortable and roomy. When I consider your merits from all the different standpoints, I am very proud of you. Your scholarship is excellent. Your conduct is all that I could ask. Your spirit and good will is a “triple plus.” You passed through the period very annoying to us all. when the “frats” were exterminated. You all now agree with me that there is not a feature of the real work of the school but that is much improved because the “frat” is no more. Every one has noticed and spoken of the “united spirit; everybody works and cheers for Central.” Old Central is united and herself again. The knockers seem to have disappeared from every class room. For all this we are greatly indebted to you who have been in the very midst of it all and borne it as true soldiers, battling for the right. Besides you lost a full third of your number by the opening of the West. It was not easy to let so many good friends go. They, however, have gone forth to establish a worthy standard in a new school. You have not faltered, but closed up the ranks and made good for Old Central. No class, even though unbroken, has made a better record than you. I want you to know that your principal and faculty appreciate it. You will soon go forth to advanced work. Old Central expects you to do your duty. I hope no “flunk records” will come back to me from your different colleges and universities. 1 his will not happen if you will only c’o as you have been so often urged to do. Do all you can to help Central to get “remodeled.” Come and visit us when you can and give the undergraduates a “boost” when they need it. Do stanch and strong work wherever you may go. Be stanch and strong men and women for truth’s sake. Affectionately, your Principal, JOHN N. GREER. 9