Keokuk High School - Comment Yearbook (Keokuk, IA)

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30 FFHE COMMENT . In the fall of 1912 we re-entered high school with that feeling of importance known only to Sophomores. We enviously watched the rivalry between the upper classes which started early. But being un- der orders of Dr. Reid to remain out of any scraps we had to limit our participation to gossip .and speculation about the outcome. The first social function of the year was a Halloween hayrack to the home of Hubert Boyce. Though the writer was unable to at- tend it has been reported that every one had ia most enjoyable time and returned home early. That is early enough to eat a hurried breakfast before the school bell rang. Everything remained quiet in the school during the rest of the fall and up till Friday, February fourteenth, which was official roughneck day. Though it speaks little for their desire for peace and quiet in the school the class of 1915 along with the rest bedecked themselves in gala costumes of varied styles and color. Alas for that fatal day. Some only gained the yard of the schoolg others found their way to the lower hall and wardrobeg while a few mounted the stairs to the very door of the assembly, only to be given permission to retrace their steps and remain exiled from the school until a more fitting and sedate apparel be donned. On the evening of February 14th the class was entertained at a Valentine party at the home of Miss Helen lVIcKee. Though inter-- esting games were played the principal source of amusement furnished during the evening was from the outside, where unfortunate ones re- ceived free water baths, hot or cold. One unhappy youth it is re- ported wears .a cracked skull to this day due to a well directed blow with a frying pan received while trying to scale the roof of the porch. Delightful refreshments were served during a lull in the battle. Everyone returned home with a feeling of having spent a most en- joyable evening. The rest of the year passed uneventfully. lWany of the class show- ing literary .ability contributed to the Comment and Keohi Society valuable works of art. Soon after school started the following September the junior class held their first class meeting with the election of the following officers: Adrian Kirby, presidentg William Crane, vice-president: Howard Banks, secretaryg Jewett Fulton, treasurer. The class colors for the year were Red and White. . Early in the year the class developed some geniuses in the field of Science. We all remember the sorrow of John Hulson after pouring concentrated nitric acid on his hands so he would look like a chemist.

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THE COMMENT 29 H1SToRY or THE CLASS or 1915 ln the space that is allotted for the history of the class of 1915, the largest as Well as the most noted class ever graduated from dear old K. H. S., we realize that it would be impossible to cover the four years of our most marvelous course here, without eliminating all events but those which are of the greatest importance, and which most concern.,and interest those assembled here this morning. The fol- lowing, therefore, will be a short sketch of the events occurring during the four years of the high school career of this most illustrious class. On the morning of September 6, 1911, we made our triumphal entry into the portals of this noted institution. There is not a boy in the- class, who will not give testimony that the time honored custom of kicking the freshmen had not at that time been abandoned. But during the next few weeks we were gradually healed of our many wounds, band at the same time were filled with the importance that we were a part of this great organization. Even at this period of our infancy we entered into the athletics of the school with an energy that gave much promise of great things to come. Crane, a now important member of our class, made sub to the football team that very fall, and showed ability which caused much anticipation of the place which he held in football three years later. Sevefal weeks passed during which time we became accustomed to our new position and environment. That strange, lost feeling havinil worn off we decided to give our Hrst class party. Cn Qctober 31 we were invited to the first of a series of Halloween hayracks to the home of Hubert Boyce. We left Fifth and Grand Avenue at seven o'clock and immediately began the fun that was destined to continue until about two-thirty the following A. M. On arriving at our desti- nation every one entered into the spirit of the occasion and you will be shocked to hear that matching pennies proved .a most popular form of amusement. Later in the evening we all enioyed a delicious oyster stew, but it is rumored that one Frank T-Tarshman received a double ration of oysters owing to the generosity of a certain kind maiden of the class. We started home about twelve o'clock a tired but happy bunch of Freshmen. Nothing more of importance happened during the year, and in the spring we settled down to our studies with a determination to show the faculty that we were no sluggards and that we had an eye to business as well as pleasure.

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Lof. 1915. These unfortunate youths, namely Adrian Kirby, john THE COMMENT 31 Who hasnlt smiled as he pasesd the door to see jewett Fulton, our head hemistry experimentalist, standing on a stool in front of his laboratory desk, heating dark ominous looking liquid in large flasks and test tubes, while evil smelling gases were wafted in on the spring breeze and pervaded the assembly. lVIixing this and weighing that, Iewett was certainly the pride of all who saw him. On the evening of Qctober 29th the junior Class enjoyed their Halloween hayrack to the home of Hubert Boyce. We were enter- tained at a barn party and barn dances and appropriate games were playedwith a will. Before returning we were served to a delicious oyster stew. November was the month in which the never-to-be-forgotten party was given at the home of Hayden Wilcox. Anyone on a rest cure should have been far away from Keokuk that night. The Seniors were out in full force, and with the aid of cars the under classmen made themselves as conspicuous as possible. With all their efforts and planning they succeeded in capturing only three boys of the class Hulson and Roy Dimond, were tied and given a free ride around town and then taken out to Pricels Creek school house. But the plan to have them walk in was foiled by Irwin Anschutzls timely arrival in his ever ready Buick. He quickly ran the gauntlet and returned the boys to ithe party. During the evening two rival newspapers were published amid much merrim-ent. Delightful Victrola music was fur- nished and a delicious supper was served. Un the whole everyone agreed that the party was a grand success. On the evening of November 24th Miss Solomon delightfully en-- tertained the class at the Y. W. C. A. It was a Thanksgiving party and the decorations and delicious refreshments were in keeping with the occasion. Everyone participated in the clothespin race and other games and puzzles and a jolly time was enjoyed by all. Those present at the athletic field one Tuesday afternoon in De-- cember saw the first organized junior-Senior class fight in the history of Keokuk High School. The class of 1915 are proud of being the Hrst to establish aprational means of settling this ever-present class rivalry. Eleven bags filled with straw were placed in the center of the field and at a given signal both classes rushed from their goal, and in the next twenty minutes tried to return as many as possible of the bags over the line. The Seniors won by a small majority but the class of 1915 acquitted herself creditably not giving up 'till the whistle blew, and the possession of one sack was still disputed when the time was up