Ottumwa High School - Argus Yearbook (Ottumwa, IA)

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number of every recitation room and thus gave our elder brethren and “sistern”, the Sophs, no opportunities to indulge their sarcastic propensities. Our first class meeting was conducted without any of the riotous revelry with which some of the later Freshmen classes have cele- brated that momentous occasion. Our modest and dignified deport- ment so impressed the other classes that, not only did they offer us no molestation, but a decided improvement was noted in the behavior of our elders. As a further proof of our intellectual precocity the Lincoln Debating Society was organized and the Clionian Society by the girls. The completion of our first year of development was celebra- ted by joyous festivities at the home of Miss Calhoun on North Court St. As Sophomores, we taught the Struggling Freshmen the in- tricacies of school life and, incidentally, the respect due to the sophomore. A defeat in basketball in no way damped our ardor but served to display our class-spirit. The social functions of this year consisted of parties at the homes of Miss Tisdale and Miss Hall. Recognizing the extraordinary abilities of the girls in this much respected class, we entrusted the administration of its affairs in the Junior year to their tender mercies, with the result that the gayeties of that year will remain forever in the memories of the participants. A Christmas party at the home of Mr. Root, a grand old bob-sled ride after which we were entertained at the home of Mr. and Miss Whitcomb, and finally the reception for the Seniors, when Mr. Damn kindly offered us his home, displayed such origin- ality as had not been exhibited by any class previously. It was, in the words of one of the guests “unique, brilliant and entertain- ing”. According to custom, we elaborately decorated the Opera House for the Commencement exercises and the Baptist church for the Dacca 1 aureate service. We opened our Senior year by decorating the flagpole of the High School with a class pennant, which however, owing to the diligence of our estimable janitor, remained on high only until he could ascend to the roof and with blazing torch reduce its glorious folds to ignominious ashes. The social whirl was begun by a hay rack ride in the fall. After a seemingly never ending journey we arrived near morning at the home of Miss Baker. After satisfying the inner man we had a hilarious ride home arriving in town in time for school the next morning. Our next attempt at gayety took the form of a sumptuous banquet at the high school building during the Christinas vacation. Owing to a sudden and unexpected return to Mother Earth a bob-sled ride, while exciting, became a source of pain and sorrow. «

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2 Beclaration of 3ntJepenlience. (Class History) HE unanimous declaration of the Senior Class of 1908. When, in the course of human events, it becomes for the feeble struggle of the remaining classes necessary for one class to throw off t lie educational bands which have connected them with the High School and to assume among the alumni, the sep- arate and equal station to which the diploma en- titles them, a heart felt feeling of commiseration requires that they declare the causes and means by which they have attained to such a degree of excellence. We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are not created equal; that some are endowed by their Creator with extra- ordinary powers of intellect, with superhuman athletic prowess and with capabilities not given to ordinary mortals. (With such qualities is the (Mass of 1908 endowed) : That to secure the greatest fulfill- ment of their mission and the attainment of the highest school loyalty class organizations are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the principal: That when such class has presented to the critical eyes of an admiring throng, the most perfect example of Senior dignity, studiousness and school spirit, it is the right of its members to abolish it and to take their stand among the powers of the earth. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that organizations long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, but when a class has so demonstrated its superiority by a history of repeated successes in every branch of scholastic life, it is their right, it is their duty to throw off such restraint and to leave the history of the means by which they have attained to such perfection for the benefit and instruction of chaotic and infinitesi- mal blot of darkness,—the “Junior”. The history of the present Senior class is a history of repeated exploits, of remarkable efficiency, of achievements—philanthropic, administrative, athletic scholastic. To prove this let facts he submitted to a candid world. As Freshmen, we displayed none of the greenness and innocence common to the ordinary variety of that species. We lost no time in becoming familiar with the location and

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Mr. T. 1). Foster, an honorary member, entertained the class most royally at his home on April 16th, and this party will always be remembered with gratitude and pleasure. The Wapello County State University of Iowa Club entertained ns at the Congragational church with a most enjoyable program on the evening of the 18th. As for the Junior reception we can only tender our utmost thanks and appreciation for the time and labor spent in preparation for that brilliant affair. On June the 5th we attained to the height of our glory by the unprecedented success of the class-play, “Miss Hobbs” combined with “Madam Butterfly”, the curtain-raiser. A curtain-raiser had never been given before but no doubt will be hereafter. The Baccalaureate service and graduating exercises were as usual solemn, sedate affairs, for each one realized that the dear old high school days were ended. As Seniors, we always endeavored to instill in the minds of our younger brethren the respect due to Senior dignity and the realization of the transcendent glory of the Seniors of 11)08. We have always conducted our class meetings with utmost dignity and good behavior, having in mind our far-reaching influ- ence among the lower classes. We, therefore, the representatives of the Class of 1008, in council assembled, appealing to the Student Council of the Ottumwa High School for the rectitude of our intentions do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of the School Board, solemnly publish and declare that this class is, and ought to be, free and independent, and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the faculty and that all educational connection between it and the Ottumwa High School is and ought to be totally dissolved, and that as free and independent citizens, they have full power to contract alliances, visit school, address the chapel and do all the other acts and things which alumni may of right do; and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. Signed, Howard Boot, Chairman Laura McCarroll Florence Tisdale Stuart Swinney.