Greenfield High School - Evergreen / Exponent Yearbook (Greenfield, MA)

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10 THE EXPONENT ment made a fine showing. We were more than proud of “Andy,” our four letter man that year. Also, a great deal of credit should go to Bostley in track; Clarke and Nims in football; Cameron and McLaughlin in baseball. I must not fail to give praise to those of our regiment who made the Girls’ Basketball Team that year, for Elsie, Madeline and Muriel certainly did fine work. Shortly after this, sorrow entered our ranks on the wings of death. On Feb. 9, 1920 one of our “buddies” went “west.” One of the bravest and most loyal of the company, Private Morris, shall never be forgotten. A few days later she was buried with all the honor due to a soldier and many of her comrades followed her body to the grave. We had hardly recovered from this blow when we were again informed that the Midjams were preparing for an attack once more. We made ready for another fierce battle and again repulsed the enemy. They endeavored to take our little Eddie Fleming prisoner, but he is still among us. After this, things resumed their natural course. Toward the end of our second year at G. H. S. the 20th regiment planned to give a play and for the first time members of other regiments were asked to take part. The honors went to Private Fleming, Chickering, Verville, Muriel Crosier and Alberta Couture, all of whom helped to make “Nathan Hale” a success. And then the Finejams swarmed down upon us again. But we held our line until, after a week of hard battling, they retreated from sight. After this, our general granted the entire army a two months’ furlough which was much needed after the hard battle. And so ended our second year of training at G. H. S. Junior Year The 22d regiment of the stronghold, G. H. S. started on the third leg of its objective in Septem¬ ber, 1920. We elected Tom Nims as Colonel, Muriel Crosier, Lieutenant-Colonel; Elizabeth Freshour, Adjutant; George Corsiglia and Edward Kelley, Sergeants. After this political work was over, we were giv¬ en orders to prepare for action. The warriors of the Shelburne Falls country challenged us to bat¬ tle. Our Brigadier-General Nichols took a crack squadron onto the field at Franklin Park to meet the onslaught of Arms. After a mighty struggle we were defeated. Nevertheless our illustrious Andrews drove the opposing troops in the potato sector with great vigor and might, while the speedy Bostley, outpointed his opponents in the open field around the half-mile district. When the noise of battle died away, work was resumed in the stronghold for preparation for the big objective—the diploma. After a few weeks of intensive training, however, the members of the jazz company asked Colonel Nims for a dance. When the order was referred to Gen. Smith, he gave his approval, so the rookies took this chance to shake their hob-nailed boots. The next order was for football drill. Nims, Andrews, and Nichols responded and became bold and powerful in this line. Under Brigadier-General Nichols’ watchful eye, Andrews and Eddie “Mac” became very efficient basketball warriors. For the purpose of insuring plenty of jigs, that noisy jazz company set forth a list of candidates for the Dance Committee. Privates Croft, Pease, and O’Hara were chosen. Then, all at once, a mighty thunder was heard. A great dark cloud, as it were, hung over our stronghold. We all knew that our doom was near, because the sacred “Chicken” (whose natal cog¬ nomen is Raymond) would not eat, and all thought that our “Loveland” would perish. The Midjams attacked our mental fortresses and great was the battle. After a week, however, the enemy left, so we were relieved of much fighting. Next, Major-Gen. Stuart of the English tactics, issued a command to the effect that all soldiers of the 22d regiment must exercise their diaphragms in the way of shouting. Each soldier tried out, from private to Colonel, and then a few of these windmills were chosen. A night was appointed whereon these shouters (known as Junior Speak¬ ers) were to declaim. Admission to the extent of 35c was charged; thus great wealth was added to our treasury. Privates Lynch and Cameron won the prizes, while Erhart and Magoon received honorable mention. The baseball crown was yet to be seized, so Brig-Gen. Nichols started on the warpath with Privates Cameron and McLaughlin representing the noble 22d. The season closed with a long string of victories on our list. Then one day, a great clamor was heard and after inspection it was found that disagreement existed between the 21st and 22d regiments over which contained the keenest debaters. Each picked a team. Russell Jones, Capt., with Rebecca Eber- lein and Harold Tjarnell represented the 21st reg¬ iment. Those representing the 22d were V. Bost¬ ley, Capt., Fred Magoon and Phil O’Hara. The 21st won after a hotly contested battle, but we of the 22d were handicapped in that we had studied only a little about argumentation. We had hardly recovered from the effects of this encounter when the Finejams besieged us. This

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THE EXPONENT 9 ■what we should do. We elected Leo St. Lawrence as Colonel; Nina Pease, Lieutenant Colonel; Isa- ✓ belle Lynch, Adjutant and Tom Nims as Sergeant. Then things began to roll along wonderfully. However, just when we began to think we’d be running G. H. S. in a short time General Smith sent out the order that we were to be placed under quarantine indefinitely. Upon further questioning we found that an epidemic had entered our do¬ main and that the barracks must be closed. After six weeks, however, the quarantine was lifted, and again we went in for hard training. And for most of us, Raymond Chickering included, the training was very hard, as it was something we were not used to. The next big problem was. to discover some means of financing the fort. General Smith, being full of ideas, brought forth one to overcome this obstacle. The outcome was that we formed an organization known as the S. A. S.—in other words, the “Soldiers’ Activities Society.” Each member paid monthly dues of forty cents. (Two years later the dues were raised to fifty cents a month). A certain percent of this went for athletics, another percent for the army paper, etc., until it was all disposed of. This has proved very successful, sav¬ ing us from financial disaster many times. The business of finance being settled, we turned our attention to more interesting affairs. On No¬ vember 15th, through the efforts of the 21st regi¬ ment, we were granted a four hour furlough and had our first party where entertainment consisted of dancing and games. Some of us had too much of it and, sad to relate, were A. W. 0. L. when the furlough was up. But finally we were back at hard training won¬ dering what was to happen next, when one morn¬ ing, soon after bugle call, the news was sent through the barracks that Germany had sur¬ rendered. We were ordered out on parade amid great excitement and rejoicing. Picture us on our first dress parade! However, we did brave deeds that day, such as dragging an effigy of the ex- Kaiser through the dirt with as little respect as Achilles afforded the body of Hector while drag¬ ging it around the walls of Troy. Later we burned it in front of the barracks—with very little appre¬ ciation for Elsie’s and Dot Franklin’s needlecraft. Soon the call went out for volunteers to battle against neighboring armies in athletics. At once many of the 22nd regiment answered the call. Those chosen were Andrews to battle in football; St. Lawrence and Nims to help win victories in basketball. The army band was also made more melodious by the talents of Marianne Jones, Isa¬ belle Lynch and Tom Nims. Once again, we started our daily routine and were progressing smoothly until one cold morning one of our scouts came rushing into camp giving the alarm that the Midjams were preparing to at¬ tack the stronghold. Immediately, everyone was rushing here and there and everywhere making ready for the fight, for this enemy was one greatly feared by the majority. Crash! came the first sound of the battle early one morning and raged for a week. Our soldiers were gallant and strong, however, and at last drove the enemy back. After caring for the wounded and dying we cleared the fort of the debris of battle; and once again, resumed normal training. On the whole, we were a very orderly regiment and the army discipline was not interfered with. Yet, some of our members, Gert or Pinky, for in¬ stance, because of being A. W. O. L. or some other misdemeanor, were often given little pink invita¬ tions—issued by General Smith and his staff—to spend a repentant hour in the bullpen. The Gen¬ eral’s staff in turn presided here, and today very few of us can admit that we have been so ill-man¬ nered as not to have paid them at least, one call. When our first year in camp was drawing to a close our scouts came in to warn us that a terrible tribe of Finejams were about to attack. We, at once, called for reinforcements because this tribe was even worse than the Midjams. They came! We saw! We conquered! We drove them back, leaving half their army on the field. Our forces were in bad shape after this hard fighting so our kindhearted General granted us a two months’ furlough which we all accepted with rejoicing. Second Year When our furlough was up and we were again in the barracks advanced to first class privates, our enlistment had dropped to one hundred and two. We knew what to do this year and im¬ mediately called a meeting to elect our officers. Arnold Clark was made Colonel, Elizabeth Fresh- our, Lieutenant-Colonel, Bill Andrews, Adjutant, and Louise Donovan, Sergeant. We reelected “Mike” Dunnigan as regiment editor of the army paper; also, Phil O’Hara and “Mike” as regiment directors of the S. A. S. After this business was finished and training again started a committee appointed by our colonel obtained a four hour furlough for the army in honor of the 23d regiment. Everyone had a good time dancing and eating and regretted when the furlough was up. And now our thoughts turned to work. As dur¬ ing the first year, the call was sent out for volun¬ teers for athletics. A large number of our brave men answered the call and again the 22d regi-

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THE EXPONENT 11 Tattle kept us on duty all hours of the night, but, ' much to our relief, the enemy finally went away. Many of our regiment suffered keenly; some were wounded so badly that they had to stay behind, or be helped along with the aid of the staff. Now when the besiegers had gone, all planned for a good time. The Colonel called a meeting of our regiment for the purpose of choosing a place for a picnic. Lake Spofford was decided upon, so the regiment shouldered their pack of eats and journeyed there. Everyone enjoyed himself, even on the way home. A short while afterwards, training and drill were abandoned, and all the regiment wore serious faces. We said farewell to the 21st regiment, at one of the best “Proms” that was ever given to a Senior regiment. Snappy music, artistic deco¬ rations, and delicious eats gave everyone a whoop¬ ing good time. Then, after a few days, we solemnly and silently watched the older soldiers pick their way out of the old stronghold to join expeditions for other lands. In this way, we were left alone to enjoy a fur¬ lough of two months. Senior Year We returned for duty after our vacation, fresh and ready to work. In fact, we were so energetic that the Rookies looked enviously at us and ex¬ claimed, “Behold, the Senior soldiers.” Now when the routine work was over, we all were ordered to rooms 9 and 11 for a regimental conference. All agreed that we needed a working plan so Gen. Smith, Chief-of-Staff, submitted a Constitution. In order to carry out this plan, how¬ ever, we asked Lieutenant-General Hamilton to act as Parliamentarian. During the Conference we elected our officers. Tom Nims and Muriel Crosier were reelected Colonel and Lieut-Colonel respectively. Gertrude Miller was chosen as Ad¬ jutant, Bill Andrews and Bob Alberti, Sergeants, a clever and strategic head to lead our regiments all agreed. The annual battle with the Shelburne Falls war¬ riors was held on Franklin field, and repeating their last year’s feat, again made us go under the yoke. The score was close, 56 to 52, one of the fiercest battles ever staged on the field. The next day, there was a great deal of hustling and bustling, when the popular cry was heard, “Let’s give that bunch a thrashing in football.” Andrews, McLaughlin, and Nichols all started out to carry this into effect. Accordingly we met the Arms legion on Green River field and slaughtered them to the whitewashing score of 40 to 0. Things began to get down to working order again, when a request from the “Hoppers” was served on the Chief-of-Staff, asking for a dance. “Flop’s Syncopaters” were hired and all danced to their hearts’ content. Brig. Gen. Nichols again called for recruits for the basketball squad. Andrews, Bostley, McLaugh¬ lin, and O’Hara responded and helped boost the team. Nevertheless it lacked experience, and was a little upset by the factor aggregations. The next thing we heard was in the form of an order saying that the several English classes would have debating squads. Everyone knew that the English Department was getting in some of its “deep-stuff,” yet, all enjoyed the work since the debates were keenly contended and interesting. Our next sensation was in the nature of a visitor. Inspector “Good-English Week” examined our fortress and nearly covered the place with posters reminding us of our speech. Some way of other, this gentleman arrested “Bill” Andrews for using undignified and slangy expressions. His trial was divided into two scenes; the first of which was more of a minstrel show, while the latter was the celebrated court case. After due deliberation, Andrews was found guilty and just punishment was imposed for his bad expressions. Now after this legal matter had passed, we were granted a furlough through Xmas. Our thinking helmets and packs of thoughts were cast off in order that we might enjoy ourselves. During this leave of absence, a football dance was given in Washington Hall. Its purpose was to raise money for gold footballs and to give the team a banquet. Judging by the size of the crowd, the members of the squadron either received ordinary size foot¬ balls of gold or else were filled to bursting with eats. After this vacation, the sun must have eloped with his shadow, the moon, because everything seemed dark and dismal. Even Fleming forgot to talk and Tom Nims forgot his financial enterprises when the “Midjams” came again to bombard us. Some of us came through with flying colors while others lay about wounded, and dying. Work was begun at once in nursing the injured and the staff helped materially at this work. In fact, many of them were decorated with crosses, which they dis¬ played very plainly in the recitation rooms. From this time on, nothing worth noting oc¬ curred until the preparations for our regiment’s play began. Then all was hustle and bustle until the performance was moulded into shape. Finally this play, “The Adventure of Lady Ursula,” was given two nights in the Congregational Parish House, with Betty Freshou r and Vincent Bostley taking the leading roles, backed up by a star cast in every respect. The profits somewhat augmented our treasury, due in part to the members of the regiment who took the “sweet job” of selling candy