Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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Former student Mickey Spillane earns international reputation as Mystery writer “All beer is good beer . But some is just bet- ter than others . ” (Mickey Spillane) n spite of his dash- ing looks and dar- ing feats , tele- vision’s Mike Ham- mer would have had difficulty outshining his 70- year-old creator at the Oktober- fest celebration Sept. 30. Mickey Spillane, whose mysteries have been widely translated, cracked jokes and signed autographs at the Miller Lite booth throughout the day. During the opening ceremonies, Spil- lane participated in tapping the keg and sipped a foaming mug of amber brew. When someone remarked that he wasn’t drinking Miller, Spillane’s face creased in an impish grin. ‘That’s OK,” he said. “All beer is good beer. But some is just better than others.” Spillane attended the university in 1939-40. He said he came at the prompt- ing of Herb Bender, a 1938 graduate of the university. Bender, Bella Vista, Ark., and Spillane once worked together in Gimbel’s department store in New York. Spillane came to the university with his best friend, Ray Wilson, to play foot- ball, but it was swimming that earned him a letter. He was unable to return after his fresh- man year because he didn’t have the money, he said. However, Spillane said he’d never for- gotten Hays, including the freshman- sophomore tug-of-war, which the fresh- man won, ice skating on Big Creek and parties at Custer Island. Beer for those parties was not easy to come by, Spillane said. “Kansas was a dry state, you know, but we did know some bootleggers. Of course, none of us had too much money.” Spillane majored in English while at- tending the university. His current writing philosophy would probably have caused his former instruc- tors to gasp in literary horror, Spillane said. He said he writes for money, not as an art form. A biography of him in Contem- porary Authors indicated he earns about $800,000 per book. Although Spillane will continue writ- ing his adult mysteries, he said he wanted to write some more children’s books. “I’m recognized because of my adult mysteries, but it’s my children’s books that won awards,” he said. When Tom Nelson, chairman of the Homecoming parade committee, heard Spillane would be atOktoberfest, he called him and asked if he would stay for the Saturday parade. Spillane said he planned to stay for the weekend to visit with his Phi Delta Chi fraternity brothers and agreed to par- ticipate in the parade. Nelson, a Hays senior, said he had never read any of Spillane ' s books until after he talked with him about riding in the parade. “I knew of him through Lite beer com- mercials and Mike Hammer,” Nelson said. “Now I’ve read six of his mystery books. They’re not real deep, and they’re street- wise, but they’re fun to read.” Jennie Straight 12 Mickey Spill ane

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Suds, spitzbuben, sausage, soup, song add atmosphere to Oktoberfest SNACK TIME, Tony Phillips, juggler and co- median, snacks during his performance. He also juggled knives and torches, (Photos by Jennie Straight) he tantalizing aroma of Ger- man sausage, bierocks, apple dumplings and spitzbuben lured hundreds of students and area residents to the Frontier Park on a brisk Friday, Sept 30. Long before the crowds arrived, Oktoberfest participants erected 64 booths, featuring everything from homemade pretzels to beer and carved onyx to western Kansas rocks. And for those willing to take a gamble, there was an opportunity to risk a few dollars playing Bossy Bingo. Oktoberfest, although often con- sidered an after-harvest festival, actually began nearly 1 80 years ago as a wedding celebration in honor of Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig I and Princess Therese Von Sachen Hildburghausen. The local celebration, in its 16th year, bears little resemblance to the original festival, with the exception perhaps of song and dance and mugs of foaming beer. The festival is a combined effort of the Volga German Society, the uni- versity and the city of Hays. The opening ceremonies began at 9:30 a.m. and included a German welcome encouraging folks to, “Essen und trinken und haben einen guten Zeit.” Eat and drink and have a good time. Throughout the day, violins, key- boards, drums, accordians and vari- ous brass instruments tempted even the least musical to tap a toe to the familiar strain of a favorite polka. Tony Phillips, part of the Phillips Brothers comedy show, poked fun at several of the villages surrounding Hays and periodically reminded his brother, “It’s a party, Dave.” He even dashed into the audience to place a towel on a balding pate. The glare, he said, was blinding him and mak- ing it impossible for him to continue his juggling. In addition to all the fun and frolic, Oktoberfest provided campus organ- izations an opportunity to earn some money. Cammie Farr, Hays special stu- dent, said the Sternberg Geology Club earned $500 selling soft drinks and Munjor sausage. She said club members smelled like smoked sausage after the day was over. Part of the money paid for a club party, and part of it purchased two video tapes. “Oktoberfest is a blast. It’s better than the parties it pays for,” Farr said. Jennie Straight Campus Life ll

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REMINISCING, Mickey Spil- lane, author of the Mike Ham- mer series, returns to his alma mater to take part in the Home- coming and Oktoberfest festivi- ties. Spillane spent the weekend visiting with his Phi Delta Chi fraternity brothers (Photos by Jean Walker) OKTGBERFEST DIGNITARIES. President Edward Hammond introduces author Mickey Spil- lane before the traditional tap- ping of the keg. Spillane attended the university during 1939-40, Campus Life 13