Decatur High School - Ravelings Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

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RAVELINGS Andrews, Miriem Fledderjohann, Ralph Lha- mon, Ralph Myers, Wayne Beavers, Frank- lin Freuchte, Ralph Rabbitt, John Clark, and Martha Tucker. 4 Now the class of '17 entered upon its fourth cycle. We were favored by an addi- tion to our ranks by Dortha Shady and Vic- tor Byerly, who came from Peterson high school. Almost beyond apprenhension did it seem that we had succeeded in our efforts at climbing and were iinally approaching the top of the peak. Class officers were elec- ed, our class flower retained, and we chose our motto, Out of the harbor into the deep. Miss Cravens was unanimously chosen as class supervisor. We decided to change the form of the Ravelings both as to shape and contents. On March 7th, 1917 we stag- ed the Colonel's Maid, and exquisitely dis- played our talent in dramatics. We wish hereby to thank all those people who helped eo make our class a success. As a lasting momentum of our 'good feeling toward the school, we leave the statue of Diana. We are now only twenty-eight in number a very few indeed compared to our original enroll- ment, but we trust in the adage: Valuable parcels are done inhsmall packages. o CLASS PROPHECY-JUNE, 1930. A few days ago I chanced back to old De- catur. As I walked down the street I could not help wondernig at the changed aspect of the scenes of my schol days. De- catur, no longer a small town, had grown into one of those large populous cities where the hum and buzz of traffic reigns supreme. Memories of my school days rushed back as if only a year ago I had left old D. H. S. for the last time. Along with these recollections came a desire to see the old campus where the '17 students and the many predecessors and successors were accustomed to stroll. As I drew near the site of our former school I noticed that a beautiful house had been built on the very spot once occupied by our Alma Mater. On the broad veranda sat a man reading a book. Strange as it seemed, the form loked familiar. I looked more attentively and as a dream it dawned on me that it was my old friend Bill. I hurried toward the house and after greeting each other we both seated ourselves in large comfort- able chairs. Well, Bill,' I began, how did you ever happen to settle down in De- catur? Well, you see it's this way. A few years ago I inherited a million dol- lars through the death of an uncle in Chi- cago. I really didn't know what to do. You see I never married. Finally I de- cided to build a home and run a bachelor's estate. I enjoy life very much, especially since Hubert Gilpin has been living with me. Why, Bill, that sounds good. Tell me about things since we left school. It cer- tainly seems good to sit here and think of by-gone days. -And in the very shadow of the old steeple, too. Bill took a case from his pocket and handed me a cigar. We each lighted one. Finally Bill broke the silence. Yes, it certainly seems pleasant to see you after so many years. I suppose I am better informed of our classmates' lives than you. Gilpen, you see, has made a fortune as a cartoonist. I suppose you have seen his work in the Literary Digest and all the other first-class magazines. Yes, I know he has made a success in life. He always was the kind of a chap to have around. How about Dauer? What's he doing? Oh, he went to Europe shortly after the war. Fell in love head over heels with some princess over there. Last time I heard from him he was posing as a fashion model in Paris. Well, he always was more or less a lady fusser,' but I never expected him to cop off any of the nobility of Europe. Say, how about the girls? You know there used to be' about four girls to every fel- low. Well, Myrtle Wilder and Pauline Krick eloped with Milton Werling and Noel White. Don't you remember that old Ford that Bismarck used to drive? I think they started for Hillsdale, Michigan, but had an

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RAVELINGS .7-Xa P Eenart CLASS HISTORY 1 We relate this hisory in order to allow others to enjoy with us a brief review of our high school career. On Sept. 1, 1913, the bells of the Central Building rang long and loudly and her por- tals opened wide for fifty-eight seekers of wisdom were, for the first' time turning their ,steps to the Assembly room. The greater number of them came from the eighth grade, yet a goodly number came from the country districts, and still a few came from other halls of instruction. And then it dawned upon us that we were gre-an Freshmen or rather it was impressed upon us in the form of jeers and torments by the upper classmen who were veritable experts in this line. Happily, Mr. Worthman came to our rescue in helping us get organized. We choseafter due consideration and sol- emnity our class officials, and class colors which were scarlet and gray. We soon, however, recovered from our state of timid- ity and were left unmolested, and so we con- cluded this trying year. Some of our num- ber succeeded having their heads stored with sufficient knowledge, consequently dropped out seventeen of our number who were: Mary Bender, Ruth Brokaw, Hazel Butler, Rosa Johnson, Florence Leichen- steiger, Zelda Melchi, Donald Patterson, Ralph Oakley, Reuben Robinson, Aloysius Schmidt, Freeman Schnepp, Marie Smith, Naomi VanCamp, John Luttman, Edna John- son and David Wells. F'our girls had fallen victims to Cup-id's dart. 2 And thus with practically all the new- ness and greenness worn off, we entered up- on our Sophomore year. We added to our number John Clark, Roy Goldner, Raymond Keller and Martha Tucker. Our oflicials were elected, white rose was adopted as our 13 class flower, and Mr. Robert J. Mallll chosen as class 'guardian. In this eventful year it chanced that the Freshies had a class party as all Freshmen do, and the Sophomore boys made themselves famous by succeed- ing the said Freshies in disposing of a quan- ity of wholesome eats. Due reparation was made, however, but we were thoroughly re- buked and were threatened to have revenge visit us some time in the future. But we hope this affair has been forgiven and for- gotten and has become a thing of the past. Well represented was our class in athletics, claiming a number of the winners in the various track meets and possessing some eminent basket' ball players. And thus destined to be an unusual class we closed the term with the following people vacating: Dallas Brown, Earl Cushman, Harold Cush- man, Floyd Hunter, Catherine Carey, Ray- mond Keller, Orval Lenhart and Albert Ges- singer. 3 Early in September our class again :ip- peared on deck with an added member, Leone Peterson and an uncommon supply of enthusiasm at its command. My how great it seemed to be Juniors! Our officers were elected, and it seemed to be the popu- lar wish of the class that our colors be changed to gold and white. The white rose was adopted as our class flower. Mr. R. C. Penrose was elected class supervisor. And then it happened that a grave crisis faced us financially, for it became our bur- den duty to entertain the Seniors. We met this emergency by which provided a and in establishing a name for us. Proving entertainers we fnrnisn- presenting the Hoodoo success both financially ourselves as royal ed a splendid reception for the Seniors. XVe were also fortunate in expending every cent of our money in the treasury. By the time we completed 'this year several more dron- ed out or moved away, who were: Alina

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RAVELINGS accident on the way when they ran into a ditch. ' Say, that's interesting. How about some of the others? Eva, Sophia, Naomi, and Vera for instance?' Last time I heard of Eva she was a cow-girl in Texas, branding steers and iighting Greasers. Sophia is employed in a large department store in N. Y. as a buyer of ladies' fancy and fashionable gar- ments. As for Naomi she became an aviator during the war with Germany. She gain- eddistinction for her daring and bravery. She flew across the Atlantic to France. During the war she destroyed twenty-one German aeroplanes, three submarines and six Zeppelins. And strange to say while combatingiwith one of the Zeppelins she saw a man drop from it. It happened in the battle of Cale in the N. Sea I believe. After routing the enemy she descended. There in thewater, supported by a life belt, floated a man, and who do you think it was. None other than our classmate, Dortha Shady. Of course, they were mar- ried after that bit of romance. I never knew what became of them afterwards. And Vera, I think, is leading the suffra- gette movement in New York. How about Doris and Vivian? Why, Doris is running a peanut stand in Bobo. Vivian, I think, is working for the government at,Washington. She is in the weather forecasting department. She serves as anchor for a captive balloon while the observer is making his predic- tions. Let's see, who are some of the oth- ers? Oh, yes, Roopy and Grace are quietly settled on the farm and Mildred married Rev. Byerly. Ida Gunsett is a German school teacher in Egypt and her old chum, Thelma, is a foreign missionary in India. Izzy is selling Fords and editing the F'ord Weekly as a side line. Don't you know where some of the others are? Well, Bill, I recently saw Bob and Gladys Suman at the state fair at San Francisco. You see Bob is a racer and Gladys takes care of the betting end of the game. I suppose you know that Snyder is a professional base ball player. Last year he played with the world's champion Chi- cago Cubs. Mary l+'uhrn1a11 and lreta Mil- ler are playing in grand opera. Rowena Shoaf is leading a lonely life at Poe since her rejected love suit with Haney. Dick Gay is leading a fast life in Boston society. His wife, Gertrude, is the cause of his rapid advancement. And Florence Haney is a professional flirt, scouring the country as a seller of patent medicines. Sounds pretty good, but what have you been doing all this while?' Oh, I have been living a sequestered life in Idaho. You see I own a sheep ranch out there and put in my time trailing the herd. Just then an aeroplane swooped down and gracefully landed on the street at the curb. A handsomely dressed young man with a shining plug hat and black moustache alighted and came up the walk swinging his cane. And who do you think it was? None other than our old class- mate, Hubert Gilpen. We had a sociable talk and after eating supper attended the ball given in the parlor by my host. The next morning Bill took me to the sta- tion in his limousine, but not before I had promised to sell my ranch and live a retired life in Bachelor Hall. 0 CLASS SONG Our High Schcol life will soon be o'er, Of learning we have quite a store. We leave our school in smiles and tears, To grow in wisdom as in years. Oh our dear old Decatur High To you at last we say goodbye. Fond love for you throughout all time Still in our hearts you'll always find. A cheer for thee Decatur High To you at last we say goodbye Goodbye to you our underclassinen. Goodbye to you dear Faculty. As from the halls we must depart. We leave the love of every heart. We leave you with a sorrow keen. Farewell, farewell. from Seventeen. FINIS.