Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 18 text:

THE LINCOLNIAN 17 EUNICE BACOTE B. W.— Oh, child! C. D. — Talking - to Gaynelle. A. L. — To publish a book entitled, “Beware of Girls.” WILLIAM McHUDSON B. W. — I don’t know! C. D. — Hitting the girls. A. L.— To acquire some gray- matter. GEORGIA MOORE B. W. — I’d tell ’er about it! C. D. — Arguing. A. L. — To settle down. When the 92nd Division returned from foreign lands and the Negroes of this city were called upon to give the home- coming heroes a welcoming such as men richly deserved who had fought and bled that you and I might be free the parade would not have been complete if Lincoln High had not been there. Mr. T. J. Taylor, our military instructor, who completed a course in military train- ing in an Officers’ Reserve Training School before coming to us, has been of great assistance to us. Through his un- tiring efforts and most competent instruc- tion we have learned and accomplished much along the lines of military service. His amiable disposition and fondness for fair and clean sports has inspired the boys very much, consequently interest in military training has been greatly in- creased. Friday, May the 23rd, there was a regi- mental review for the purpose of demon- strating what we had learned in military tactics. Major Coulter of West Point and Lieut. Col. Miller of the U. S. A., were the directors of this review, which con- sisted of more than 800 cadets. The en- tire regiment was assembled at 39th and Gillham Road and was drawn up at ' 9 o’clock in regimental formation with the white cadets on the right and the Colored cadets on the left. Maj. E. B. Perry and Adi. John E. Smith commanded our bat- talion with Capt. Howard Miller com- manding Co. A, Capt. Charles E. Buford commanding Company B, and 1st Lieut. Nathaniel Griffin commanding the band. After the regiment had been formed it passed in review headed by our band, with Lieut. Col. Miller acting as review- ing officer. We were then taken through battalion and company drill, which con- sisted of close and extended order, bear- ing and taking care of the supposed wounded who fell in the sham battle. Just as we went over the top our band under Maj. Smith, struck up the tune “A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight.” This mingled with our famous battle cry was highly accepted and reminded many army officers and men of the “real thing.” As soon as the battle was over our guard had to go on guard duty and relieve Man- uel High School. This was done just as the whistles were blowing for 12 o’clock and soon the buglers from the different companies were sounding the mess call which was joyful news to all. After lunch our boys seemed to be more en- thusiastic than the white cadets and wrestling and boxing matches were held. There was great rivalry among the com- panies and band each vieing in yells of en- couragement for their representatives. When the winners of these contests were finally declared, Maj. Smith formed our band in a hollow square and gave a con- cert. We soon had an audience, which included parts of Northeast, Central, Westport and Manual High school stu- dents, who at the finishing of the concert gave rousing cheers for Lincoln and its band. Directly after this the instructors, Majors and Captains were called together and given orders for the afternoon. The regiment was formed once more and the contests were on between the battalions, companies, signal corps and squads. While we were going through the grilling ma- neuvers in the hot dust and sun our band was rehearsing and the many beautiful strains that floated to us on the breeze heloed to enlighten our spirits and cheer

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THE LINCOLNIAN 15 JAMES GRANGER B. W. — Aw, Heck! C. D. — Telling- jokes to Lil lian. A. L. — To be a comedian. RALSTINE ROBERTS B. W. — Don’t kid me now! C. D. — Talking. A. L. — To preside over Old Maid’s Convention. JOHN HUNLEY B. W. Aw Naw Now! C. D.— Stalling. A. L. — To reside in New York. LINCOLN HIGH GIFTS TO THE GREAT WAR. At the beginning of the world-wide con- flict no institution was more active in performing its duty than was our own Lincoln High. All realized that the cause for which America entered the war was just and honorable, and acting under this cause Lincoln played her part and ' held her own. Many sacrifices had to be made in or- der to bring victory to our arms. We had to give up four of our teachers and three of our students who are as follows: Profs. H. O. Cook, D. N. Crosthwait, T. Gaillard and C. S. Smith; the students are : Edward Fladger, Robert Farrell and William Jones. There were also many of our alumni who heard his country’s call. Each of these brave men volunteered and fulfilled his duty. Not only has Lincoln High school given several of her valuable sons but she has aided and supported all activities or or- ganizations which were for the relief of suffering among the soldiers. She stood 100 per cent in the purchase of War Sav- ings Stamps ; she aided the Red Cross So- ciety by taking out subscriptions and by rallying to the Old Clothes week; by pur- chasing Liberty Bonds as well as furnish- ing part of the music for the’ Liberty Bond parades. In fact Old Lincoln made a most favorable showing in all war activ- ities. The gifts that our school made will never be forgotten. The good results that come from these sacrifices will multiply as the years go by. The memory of the good deeds which were done by the men of Lincoln High will always be cherished. These men not only set the example for other men, but they also helped our race- by placing it in a more exalted position before the eyes of other races. According to reports from our soldiers,, the hardships and struggles which they had to endure were very trying. The question which naturally arises is, was the sacrifice worth the suffering? Did we gain anything by helping to set an ex- ample? In the first place these black heroes have proven their worth. No na- tion can rightly demand a high position until it has again and again proved its worth. All of us believe that that democracy for which these Colored boys fought in Europe will some day be a part of his heritage at home. They are not discour- aged for full well is it known that “Truth crushed to earth shall rise again.” Have faith, dear old Lincoln; the jus- tice, honor and freedom for which your sons fought and bled will ultimately tri- umph o’er all the land; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth,, good will to men !

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16 THE LINCOLNIAN ROMA TUTT B. W. — It’s the truth! C. D. — Trying to bawl out Mrs. Marsden. A. L.- — To go off to school. CLEMENS WASHINGTON B. W. — Aw Granger! C. D. — Acting Cute. A. L. — To be a chemist. MARY BELLE MUKES B. W. — Oh, Tex! C. D. — Teasing Roberta. A. L. — To go to Tex — as. MILITARY TRAINING. Military training in high schools, col- leges and universities has been greatly discussed in recent years. Many noted men have been strong advocates for its adoption, among them being the late Colo- nel Roosevelt. No experience can furnish us better reasons for the discussion of military training than the war which has just closed. Germany required two years of service from every boy when he be- came seventeen years of age and 1914 found her with millions of well trained troops. Her ideas were good but her in- tentions were far from such. Instead of using her armies to safeguard and protect her people she in her lustful craze for world domination slaughtered and killed men by the millions and for four long years held the world at bay. When America in 1917 entered the great war she found her fighting strength very small, when compared with the other na- tions of the world. Out of all the men called to the colors half were found to be physically unfit. Think of the shame, think of the disgrace that this reflected upon the youth of America and it was largely due to the negligence paid to the physical development of the boys in this country. America profiting by thi c should be guided by the past and in the future make military training universal. Not for the purpose of raising large armies to dictate to the world; not for the purpose of raising large armies to conquer the world, but for the sole jurpose of making the youth of this country physically fit to compete with those of other nations. Military training not only teaches the boy the proper methods of standing and carriage, the habit of deep breathing, but it alsa helps him mentally, for when a boy learns to be prompt, when he thinks quickly, obeys and respects authority, he has gone far in making his life a success. The High School Volunteers of the United States is a national organization of bovs and girls in high schools aiming to promote better citizenship by a uni- form national plan. Lincoln High School organized such a corps more than two years ago and under the leadership of Major N. Clark Smith, a band and two companies were formed. When first or- ganized our uniforms were cadet greys trimmed in black, but this year the 4th Reg. of the High School Volunteers of the United States discarded them and donned khaki. Since our corps was first formed the cadets of Lincoln along with the other high schools have played an active part in the promotion of better citizenship and clean living in Kansas City. Of almost every civic parade that has taken place in Kansas City for the last two years we have formed a part. When the Lib- erty Loan campaigns were being launched to secure money to combat the terrible Hun, when the cry and plea was heard to help the starving babes of Belgium and France, our cadets marched to the strains of old Lincoln’s band. For the last two years the entire cadet corps of this city has been led by our band, and every Col- ored man and woman’s blood coursed a little faster and heart beat a little quicker, when they saw the white cadets with all pomp and dignity marching down gaily decked Main street headed by a Negro band.