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

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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.

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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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18 THE LINCOLNIAN WILLA MAE SUTTINGTON B. W. — Quit ’cha ticklin’! C. D. — Advising ' Ray and Lonnie. A. L. — To settle down. THEO. BROWN B. W. — Uum know! C. D. — Sleeping n English Lit. class. A. L.- — To be a successful bookkeeper. ERNESTINE CRUTCHFIELD B. W. — Quit ’cha kiddin’! C. D.- — Teasing senior girls. A. L. — To go to Wilber- force. us on to victory. With the completion of these contests the entire regiment passed in review with this feat closing the pro- gram for the day. The Colored cadets showed up well and kept un the good records and standard that the Negro soldiers have always made. The Reviewing Officers spoke well of the cadets and said that the 800 boys car- ried their guns, stood at atention, and marched like real soldiers. We, the class of 1919, are very proud of the record made by Lincoln High and in farewell we hope that the good work will not lag but will be ever kept up and the cadets and officers of Lincoln press on to the heights of perfection. CAPT. CHARLES E. BUFORD, Co. B, High School Volunteers of the U. S. A. “FAREWELL.” Farewell old class of 1920, Our ways at last must part; We enter life’s grim battle With a joyful, hopeful heart. Who knows what may befall us, What waits at dawn — tomorrow? We may be plunged in joy and bliss, Or into endless sorrow. As time rolls on and light grows wane. Despair will sing her song. Do not give up and fall by the way, Cheer up, be brave, fight on. Your battles will be long and hard, Your hopes seem black as night, But in time the clouds will roll away, And skies above be bright. Though rough the way and dark the night. With thoughts of care and sorrow, Success may come at break of dawn, Cheer up “Old Class,” fight on. But God who never sleeps or wavers, Is waiting overhead, His love will lead us to the light When all our hopes are dead. Farewell, dear friends, we say good-bye, Our cares we leave behind ; We wish you luck in the days to come, In the turmoil and the grind. Your life can’t ever be black as night. Your cares some day must pass, Some day the clouds will break away, And you’ll see the light at last. Farewell, farewell, old Junior class; May your years be bright and sunny. With burning hearts we wish you luck, Farewell Old Class of ’20. CAPT. CHARLES E. BUFORD.