North Georgia College - Cyclops Yearbook (Dahlonega, GA)

Page 31 text:

N. G. A. C. CYCLOPS i ' rutnr (Class l i ' n ibrrij One Spring afternoon, the warm sunshine and the balmy air enticed me from my studies. I, wandering about in the woods, in the dreamy half-awake feeling that Spring seems to bring, vaguely wondering where I should be next year at this time, began to think about my classmates. Where will they be? What is their future? I was questioning myself and wondering so, that when a miner cam.e hurrying along, with his countenance beaming like that of Columbus, when he first saw the American shores stretched out before his daring eyes, in the great Occidental. He seemed to be full of some news and eager to relate something wonderful. I soon learned the news and it was indeed strange. He said he had found a place in the mountains where there seemed to be a constant rain, with no sign of a cloud in the skies. I asked him to show or guide me to the place; he positively refused to do this, but pointed out the way so clearly that it was not difficult to locate the place. I turned aside from the road I was following and had gone about a mile or two when I came upon a very dense thicket of bushes grown to the hight ot ten or fifteen feet where water was dripping from the leaves and I knew it had not rained in Dahlonega for about ten days. Amazed! Well I guess so. I determined to investigate this phenomenon and solve if possible this puzzling mystery. I pushed and S(iuirmed my way into the interior of the shrubs where I found an open space at the foot of one of the mountains. I entered thru a very small passageway. I thought at first it was one of the tunnels for the miners, but out of the opening there came a kind of vapor and entered my nostrils as a sweet savor. I was awe stricken at first, and about to flee, when suddenly the earth ' s crust gave way: I fell heavily about fifteen feet on a sandy bed, I received no injure but was very much frightened. Dazed, I arose and surveyed the place about me, then jiroceeded about a hundred yards toward a light that shone in the distance. I came to a small rocky chamber, about twenty feet square, that seemed to be illumined by some natural light: the best I could judge the light was coming from the small crevices in the sides of the wall. In this chamber, there was pure water dripping from these fissures. In one corner, I saw a very small opening which seemed to be utter darkness. Upon exploring the new room, I found the following electrical inscription, written in strange and odd characte rs: ■ This is the home, and one eternal gate Thru which must pass the seeking race of man, When we would learn the blind mysteries of fate Ordained for man since myraid worlds began, Let him place here his worthy gift and wait.

Page 30 text:

N. G. A. C. CYCLOPS futnr (ElaHH litstnru. History repeats itself. The very title of this article bears me out in my repetition of this timeworn adage, and in compliance with the dictates of the ages, it is now my lot to glance backward into the dim past and recall some of the incidents connected with our college life. Our president, Mr. Palmer, was the first to find out the merit of the N. G. A. C. He entered in 1909. In 1910, he did not return in the fall term, but made good New Year resolutions to finish his education, and has been with us ever since. We could never do without Cal. He is one of our shining lights in Military and on the gridiron. Was Capt. of B Co. in his Junior year and now holds the position of Major. Owens, usually known as Ras, with Hatfield, joined our ranks in 1912, entering Freshman Class. Smith and McCaslan, Hatfield is a gridiron favorite, being Capt. of the team in 1915. Smith is Capt. of B Co. Ras has attained the position of Capt. of Band. Coon Lemon, Special, entered in 1912, but did not join our class until this year. In his first year he dropped out before Xmas, but next year returned for a special course. He is a member of the College Band. Frizzelle is one of our agricultural students. Entered Freshman in 1912. Haynes wandered from the N. G. A. C. for awhile, and then decided to finish with our class. ' allis, Special, is our latest addition. He entered Sophomore in 1914, and deciding that he wanted but a brief course in college, joined us at the beginning of this term. Both Wallis and Lemon represent us in football. And now the time is come for us to enter the Battle of Life, and we hope that every man in the class will face squarely toward the front and make a winiiing fight. In our school days we are daily conquering and there are fields yet to be conquered. The memory of these golden days will always be held sacred as the dearest possessions of our hearts. Even as these days are happy and suc- cessful, may those to come be still brighter and more successful. —Historian.

Page 32 text:

N. G. A. CYCLOPS Oh, happy thought! Could it be possible that I was in the presence of an Oracle? But alas, what gift had I and what was a worthy gift? I had only one dime in my pocket and one Dollar Ingersoll Watch, and that was all— no not all, for I had on my Senior pin, my most valued possession. Must this go? If so, let it be, the opportunity must not slip. I reluctantly placed the pin and dime upon the shelf of rock and withdrew to the top of the sand bank and sat down with my back against a ledge of the rocky wall. The penetrating fumes continued to surround me and fill the whole place. I felt a strange sensation coming over me though it was not altogether disagreeable. Suddenly there was a shower of rain which seemed to fall from the top of the cave. This was followed by the sound of the great rocks grinding together back in the darkness into which the door led; then all the cave seemed to be in m-otion as if an earthquake was near. The walls began to vibrate, as the pale, supernatural light illumined the cave, and before my eyes an immense circular rock began to revolve. But what was more astonishing than all, it seemed to have the shape of the pin of ' 16 I had placed on the ledge, and there in gilded letters I read: The Class of 1916 After this, I lost sight of the revolving rock and became absorbed in my classmates, for inde ed, I saw them projected several years out into the great future. As I stood there and gazed on, my blood chilled at the first sight of one of my classmates. I saw the Central part of the dark Continent of Africa for the scene of action. Dr. William H. McCaslan had been summoned to a tall, brawny native who had broken bis arm, and because the doctor had hurt him while setting it, the native fled and called his tribe together, and now they were preparing to barbecue the doctor. A little party, composed of Mr. James E. Owen and wife and Miss Bertie McGee, came to the rescue. After much pleading by the triple party, it was decided that Mr. Owen should sing a solo to appease the wrath of the revengeful Africans. When the natives saw him singing out of the side of his head, working his jaws like a Jack Ass when braying, they became very much frightened at his grotesque features and fled into the remotest parts of the jungles. The doctor abandoned his labors in Africa and embarked for America. Later he became the Surgeon General of the U. S. Army, and in 1945 was made Dean of the Medical Department of Johns Hopkins University, which place he held for life. James E. Owen, on leaving N. G. A. C., spent some time in Heidelberg University. Returning to the U. S. he became very active in politics. In 1938 he was elected a member of the 70th Congress, and he quickly forged his way to the front. He was a leader in 75th Congress of the Democratic Party and was Speaker of the House in the 7Sth Congress, and in 1944 was elected Senator from Ga.