Linden High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Linden, IN)

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PROPHECY The class of '55 deciding to have a class reunion in Linden, after 20 years, came back to meet some of the class of '54. Since state highway 43 and US 231 had bypassed Linden, which wasn't on the map any more, we found it almost a ghost town. Jim West, leaning his head back and yawning as if bored, saw a metropolis a few miles to the east. All of us were very curious because when we were here last, only Kirkpatrick was over in that direction. Junior Waltz suggested that we all get in a car and go to see if any of the class of '54 were to be found. On our way into the city, Joe Guinn noticed that we were entering Kirkpatrick. Patty screamed, Today a circus is in town. Larry Payton's, and Mary Ruch is the star aerialistf' None of us had seen Mary since she graduated from school. We thought she would know where we could find the members of the class of '54. When we arrived at the circus grounds, everyone searched for the tent of the star. Walking along, Jim Eutsler tripped over a rope, causing his head to tear a big hole in the tent. The rest of us heard a scream from inside, then a laugh. Donna said, I know that laugh. It's Mary. Mary came out, looking as young and beautiful as she did back in high school. After talking to us a few minutes, she said that she was very much surprised to find Martin Padgett Mayor and Sheriff of this great metropolis. She said he attributed his success to his coming to Lin- den to finish his Senior year. Mary told Carolyn that Martha Hudson's shorthand had gotten her a job as Martin's private secretary, and that she took care of all his political and charity campaigns. It was getting near lunch time and we had to be going. Jerry McBee told us to look for a filling station because he was low on gas. As we pulled into a Shell station, who should come to wait on us but Jerry Forrest. We commented on the fact that he had followed in the footsteps of his father, when Jerry broke in and said, Hardly, I now have my own Shell bulk plant a few miles out of town. Oil has been found on the old Kahle place, and I bought the farm from Mrs. Dunkle at a low price, cutting Jerry Kahle in if he promised not to tell anyone of the findings. With his part of the cut, Jerry now was part owner in the Donnelly plant where he had worked after graduation. Donna asked if Jerry K. had ever married. Jerry said that after she lDonnaJ had jilted him, he had never married. We waved good-by to Jerry Forrest and went on our way into town. Up ahead Jim Eutsler saw a big sign Clement's International Harvester Sales and Service. Since Jim and Bill had always been good friends, he

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HARLAN VAIL Oct. 20, 1936 Basketball 7-12, Baseball 9-12, Track 9-12, Hi-Y 9-12, Class Reporter 10, Class Play 11-12, Ambition: Coach. MARY RUCH KGraciej Aug. 4, 1936 Class Treasurer 11, Chorus 7-12, Band 8-12, Cheer Leader 7-12, .Sun- shine 9-12, Class Play 11-12, Ambi- tion: Secretary. JERRY FORREST Dec. 4, 1935 Basketball ' 7-12, Baseball 9-12, Track 9-12, Hi-Y 9-12, Student Coun- cil 11, Class Reporter 11-12, Class Play 11-12, Ambition: Navy. BEVERLY ROYER 1BevJ Oct. 4, 1936 Class Pres. 9, Vice-Pres. 10-11, Chorus 7-12, Band 8-12, Student Coun- cil 11-12, Sunshine 9-12, Class Play 11-12, Ambition: Secretary. 4

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asked us if we would stop. Bill said that his Senior agriculture had given him the basis for his knowledge of equipment. He, also, said that with everything else speeded up today he had put a step-up on all of his tractors. After lunch we all wanted to see the revolutionary new 1974 Fords, which we had heard could do everything but talk. On our way into the showroom Joe noticed a big plaque Allen Leroy Lyon, President of Kirk- patrick Ford Division. Junior asked one of the salesmen where he could get in to see Mr. Lyon. The salesman sent us up to the top floor where, seated in a big easy chair, smoking a big black cigar, and dictating to seven Q75 secretaries, was Mr. Allen Leroy Lyon. He dismissed his secre- taries and told us to come right in. Jim West asked him how he rated. Allen said, It's just initiative, aggressiveness, and work. Speaking of initiative, the former Phyllis Johnson, now Dr., or Mrs. Joe Storms, really has climbed into a high position. She had gone only through 2 years of nurses' training when Joe convinced her that she should marry him. Phyllis planned to quit training but Joe persuaded her to go on and finish. She did so well, inspired by Joe, that she was awarded a scholarship to become a doctor. Now she is one of the leading women doctors in North America. Speaking of outstanding women, the former Beverly Royer now has a chain of Square Corner Hardware stores all over the Midwest. A year or so after she had graduated, Beverly and Jerry Forrest were married. They now have 10 children. It seemed to us Bev and Jerry had made up for the rest of the class. About then, the telephone rang and Allen said after he hung up, that Joyce Vail, now Mrs. Ted Cummings, had taken over the telephone office and was doing a good job. When we left Allen, we felt that the female section of the class of '54 had done very well, especially Beverly. As we were walking down the street surveying the town, Jim W. noticed a sign Vail Locker Plant . We stood outside wondering if Joyce, also, was running this establish- inent. While standing there, who should come out to paint a sign on the window but Don Krise. Jerry asked him what he thought he was doing. Don said that he was working as meat cutter for Harlan Vail. This solved the mystery of who owned the store. After having met all the members of '54, or heard how successful they were, we headed back, to our own destinations. '