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

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JincolniaN Js The ’27 class has stars who have shone brightly in the various activities of the school. Mildred Kimbrough, Alberta Mar- tin, Cornelia Horn, Earlene Wright, Anna Jeanne McCampbell and Roland B. Scott have demonstrated their ability as scholars. Booker Wilson, Earl Evans, Cortez Gordon, Charles Gates and Claude Elliott were varsity athletes. Wilbert Berry proved an untiring worker in the role of Student Man- ager. From the tongues of Fern Beck, Wadsworth McGee and Elizabeth Caldwell has flown a golden stream of oratory. In dramatics Judd Swannegan, Alma Scott, Earlene Wright and Carl Chandler have neared perfection in their art. In the person of Anna Mae Lyons, the class held the distinction of presenting the first girl in Lincoln High School’s history as president of the Student Council. In- deed her election was a novel triumph for femininity. As cheer leaders, Mary Chris- tian and Steward Kincaid will long be re- membered for their classy work with the megaphones. And now the shades of night are falling fast. We have reached the station; our train is ready and we must depart. How- ever, the fond memories of Lincoln High School, its inspiring faculty and beloved principal will ever ring in our ears and linger in our hearts as our train rumbles down the uncertain roads of life. Roland B. Scott, ’27 Class Historian. i. r HILE lying upon my couch one night, thinking and contemplating upon the future of my classmates, I sank in- to a semi-unconscious slumber. I was awakened by the sound of a voice calling my name. Opening my eyes, I saw in the middle of the room a soft glow of lip-ht. Startled and nervous, I shook off the drowsiness of sleep and looked up again. This time I saw the form and figure of a human being dressed in flowing robes of white. So frightened was I at the unearth- ly and ghostly appearance of my unan- nounced guest that I could not speak. My visitor must have understood the terrifying expression that was written on my face, for he put an end to the agoniz- ing suspense by saying, “Be not afraid, my boy, for I am the future. ’Tis I who con- trols the destiny of every object in the uni- verse, both animate and inanimate. Come with me and I will show you happiness and rich rewards that I bestow upon those who believe in me and serve me faithfully.” In a twinkling of an eye, instead of be- ing in my bed I found myself in a beauti- fully constructed theater with beautiful paintings on the walls. I was astonished when my guide told me that here was the Parthenon Theater, owned by Gordon Franklin, now an architect of no mean ability ; built by Kenneth Whitmore, the coming engineer of the times. The paint- ings were done by Alfred Johnson. “But Future,” I exclaimed, “I was with these boys only yesterday. How could they accomplish so much in such a length of time?” Before I could make a reply I caught sight of the members of the orches- tra, who were in the orchestra pit, rehears- ing the songs for the play, which was be- ing rehearsed on the stage. I was struck dumb with surprise to see that the leader of the orchestra was Wilbert Berry. I also recognized Daniel Andrews, who was play- ing the oboe. One of the violinists was Earl Woods, while Martin Mackey was playing the drums. When I turned to watch the rehearsal of the play I was again surprised to discover that the members of the cast were Judd Swannegan, Earlene Wright, Carl Chand- ler, Marjorie Lee, Katie Mullens, Thomas Bibbs, Luethel Cox, Charles Gates and William Lawrie. As I looked around to see if I could recognize any one else I found myself look- ing through a door marked “President”. Seeing no one I turned back again to watch the play, and to my amazement, I discov- ered that the stage, theater and all had dis- . appeared. On questioning my guide as to our whereabouts he informed me that we were in one of the largest banks in Chicago. He then took me through the door marked “President” and what I saw there forced me to grasp my guide by the arm for sup- port, for there in the President’s office oc- cupying the President’s chair was none other than Wade Jordan. When we entered the office he was dictating a letter to his private secretary (who, by the way, was Mary Christian). The letter was to be sent to the directors, notifying them to be present at a directors’ meeting the follow- ing evening. I heard him give names of the directors as follows: Sylvester Collins, William Bell, William Ross, Fred Jeffer- son, Wallace Saunders, George Donaldson and Theodore Reams. Suddenly the scene changed again and this time I found myself in a gay modiste shop. Models were parading around dem- onstrating the newest fads and fashions to the crowd of interested customers. I was told that the owners of the shop were Goldie Lillard, Rosetta Irvine, Mildred Kimbrough, Ethylbert McGee, Frances Moore and Elizabeth Merrill. Page Twenty-four 1927 l»

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s IincqlniaI V Class of ' ■x’j On a bright September morn in 1923, the then dignified Seniors, honorable Juniors and even the wild-eyed Sophomores turned their faces toward the balcony in our fa- mous old Assembly Hall and looked into the faces of four hundred and eight little for- lorn Freshmen. The half-frightened “new comers” met the stares of the old residents, knowing not whether they were glances of envy, love, inquiry, malice or pity. How- ever, the warm greetings from the Prin- cipal soon drove all fears away and even the thoughts and pains of a recent “haz- ing” were erased. Such was that ever memorable “first day”. Many other days followed and the “newcomers” were finally assimilated into the Lincoln population, and were “at home” in the motherly arms of Lincoln High School. The Freshman year typifies Spring time in the school calendar and the 1923 Fresh- men by their silly pranks and “green” capers added a spice of life to the staid and venerable Lincoln population. However, they soon collected themselves and staged a dra- matic production, “Rescued by Radio”, which was supported by Jean Williams, John Levy, William Lawrie, Ruby Elmore, Earlene Wright, Hattie Horn, Anna Mae Lyons and a few others. The play yielded a net profit of $35.32. In January, 1924, the band elected offi- cers as follows: Junior Vaughn, president; Roberta Tolliver, vice-president; Wade Jordan, secretary; Gladys Laden, treas- urer; Ralph Smith and Mary Aikers, cheer leaders, and Carlos Reams, sergeant-at- arms. The Freshmen ended a year of hard struggle by placing fourth in the annual inter-class track meet. The Sophomore year typifies Summer and many of the “Hot Headed Sophists” deeply engrossed in “loafology” and over- come by a sophisticated complex, saw the Freshmen overshadowing them. In fact, many thought them to be dead but at length they came to life and sent Charles Gates, Hattie Horn, Edward Sales, Kenneth Whit- more, Earlene Wright and Harold Gamble as representatives to the Student Council. As Sophomores we were represented in the high school band by Ira Hightower, Perry Jones and Roland Scott. William Lawrie and Wade Jordan were members of the Athletic Council while Junior Jones, Earl Evans, Cortez Gordon and Claude Elliott were making their debut in football. Alberta Martin, Anna Jeanne McCamp- bell, Cornelia Horn and Earlene Wright re- ceived Honor Roll pins for their scholar- ship records. The class elected Claude Elliott, president; Wade Jordan, secretary; and Elizabeth Caldwell, treasurer, and closed their second year of battle, striving hard to deserve their motto which was, “Nothing But the Best Is Good Enough for Us.” The Junior year typifies Autumn, the season when the harvest is gathered. So it was with the Juniors of the ’27 class for the fruits of their labors began to be evi- denced and they left a path strewn with achievements. The triumph of the year was the election of Kenneth Whitmore as Stu- dent Manager over the Senior candidate. To add to this jubilee, the Junior basket ball team, under the captaincy of Charles Gates, won the inter-class championship. Roland Scott, Marjorie Lee, Cornelia Horn, Alberta Martin, Anna McCampbell, Earlene Wright, Cortez Gordon and Ed- ward Sales were admitted to the National Honor Society by virtue of their scholar- ship records. Elizabeth Caldwell was awarded a bronze medal for excellency in oratory. Alfred Johnson was honored when his art contribution was accepted for the cover of the 1926 Lincolnian. Amid this show of prosperity the Juniors were suddenly reduced to sorrow by the un- timely death of Ola Mae Brown, a beloved classmate. Even death could not defeat the hope of those determined Juniors, so under the leadership of Harold Gamble as president they kept up their steady climb to the top. The annual Junior play, “The Kingdom of Hearts Content”, found Carl Chandler, Alma Scott, William Lawrie and John Webb starring in their respective roles. On May 18, 1926, the Juniors made merry in a colorful Stunt Day Dance and on June 9 we bade farewell to the Senior class in a gala reception. Lo! It is 1927 and the days of short trousers, empty heads and cotton stockings have long vanished. We are now grave, dignified, sober Seniors. The harvest has been gathered, the piper paid, and the Lord thanked; we are in the Winter of our lives — soon to be turned out into the cold, cruel world. At times we wish we were again silly, giggling, “green” little Freshmen in the Spring time of our lives and again dancing about in our swaddling clothes. Nevertheless, we are Seniors and great Seniors we will be. I Page Twenty-three

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JlNCOLNIAN fi Then the scene shifted again and this time I heard the humming of motors and the clicking of typewriters. I soon discov- ered that I was in a large newspaper house. Picking up a paper that was lying on a table I happened to glance at a news item which had the heading, “Colored Women ' s Federation to Meet Here Next Week.” Then followed an account of the purpose of the meeting. The names of the prominent women of various states who would be pres- ent were stated. I did not recognize any of the names here because they had been changed by marriage. But here is where mv guide came to my assistance by telling me the maiden names of those whom I knew as Vera Baber, Frieda Harrington, Mamie Harris, Vernessa Harris, Hattie Horn, Mabel Lange, Eurabelle Houston, Dorothy Westmoreland, Elizabeth Lewis, Anna Mae Lyons, Joyce Reedy, and Esther Clark. I remember my guide telling me that Esther Clark had long since become the bride of J. R. King, vice president of the Johnson Drug Co. Turning to the editorial page I read the name of the paper which was the Chicago Chronicle, Roland B. Scott, editor and owner; Miss Elizabeth Caldwell, city editor; Misses Fern Beck and Winona Booker, chief reporters; Steward Kincaid, advertising manager; Charles Gates, Sport Editor; and Jeanette Donaldson, society editor. Glancing up from the paper I caught a glimpse of Kincaid through the door try- ing to explain something to his wife who was formerly Alberta Martin. Turning to the sport section I saw the picture of Cortez Gordon who had been recently put in charge to coach the Howard University foot-ball squad. A mong other articles that I saw was that Anna Jean McCampbell had been engaged as a gym teacher at Tuskegee Institute to replace Miss Rosa Crawford, who had re- cently become engaged to Dr. Perry Jones. Mrs. Celestine Chandler had been granted a divorce from the noted actor Carl Chandler, and was given the custody of their four children. Just as I was folding the paper to lay it aside my eyes caught the head lines “Gen- eral Holmes Appointed Head of Colored Forces in China.” The following composed the General Staff: Major Gen. Emmanuel Aikens; Col. Samuel Brown; Lieut. Col. Hugo Fowler; Major Haskel Lewis; and Adjt. John Smith. Then my guide took me by the hand, and I felt myself once more being whirled through space. After a while sweet, soft notes of music reached me. Then as if from no where sweet melodious voices burst forth into song. Ah! such singing, as I heard, I fear, was never issued from human lips. Turning to my guide with tears in my eyes I asked him on which one of God’s planets we were. He informed me that we were in the Auditorium of the Boston Conservatory of Music, and that what I heard was a recital given by some of the most prominent musicians of the world. Looking around I discovered that I really was in an auditorium. I then looked down at the stage. Ye gods! what I saw there made me disbelieve my eyes. For among the persons singing in that most wonderful chorus were the Misses Lorene Bates, Win- nifred Kelley, Thelma Foster, and Anna Saunders. At the piano playing accompani- ment was Thelma Martin. After the close of the number the announcer announced that the next number would be the “Dance oi the Fairies,” by the Misses Maxine Billings, and Ethel Fisher. Just then some one called me. Thinking that it was Future I turned, only to discov- er that he had vanished and in his stead stood mother in the door way of my bed room telling me that it was time to get up. And I arose not only to meet the dawn of a new day but the dawn of new hopes and inspirations for the future of my class mates. Edward Sales, ’ 27 , Class Prophet Page Twenty-five