Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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PROPHECY As the Century Limited rolled toward New York, two business-like young ladies sat near the front of the car talking earnestly. Across the aisle was an attractive looking man, evidently an attorney, who was watching them from behind his paper. It did not take him long to identify them with the pictures of two women who were heading the Anti-Cigarette League campaign. “Why Velma Puett and Mildred Pierce, how are you!” he exclaimed as he went over to them. “Virgil Anderson! Wherever did you come from?” Mildred said as soon as she recognized him. “How is everything back in Paxton?” “Well, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Peterson are becoming quite famous through their work in the hospital there.” “The hospital! So Donald is a surgeon! But who is his wife?” “Lelah Danielson who was his head nurse for a while. Irene Cothern and Hazel Thompson are there too.” The time passed so quickly that soon they were in the station saying goodbye. As they proceeded down the platform, a heavy set man approached them. “Welcome to the city!” he exclaimed. “Neal, is it really you? What are you doing here?” “Oh, I’m the Mayor and I thought I’d come down and give you the keys to the city. Come up to the office with me and then I'll take you out to see Joan. She just had a letter today from Ruth Blackford, the manager of the Capitol theatre, saying that Truel Lindgren’s orchestra with Helen Belton as a solo toe dancer, are playing there this week.” “How interesting,” said Velma. “Do you know any more news?” “Yes, Madame Virginia Wagner (Virginia Benjamin, back in Paxton) is singing for the Metropolitan Opera Company. I’ll see if I can get tickets if you’d like to go.” “Oh, we’d love to!” they both cried. By this time they had reached the office and there sat Edna Anderson, Helen Carlson, Lucille Hyde, and Helen Elliott busily typing. When the greetings were over, Helen Elliott asked, “Oh, have you heard about Dorothy Adamson sailing for England to take part in the International Tennis championship games?”

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SENIOR CLASS HISTORY President Vice-President -William Martin -Truel Lindgren Eldora Swanson Virgil Anderson Secretary. Treasurer In September, 1924, fifty-nine intelligent young people made then-entrance at the high school across the way. Their advisers were Miss Hammond and Mr. Garnett. After the upper classmen were satisfied as to initiation, they settled down to their duties as high school students. The president elected was Bruce Turner. Several picnics and bob sled rides were enjoyed during the year. About the first of April they surprised the upper classmen by selling the most tickets for the Stunt Show and did their bit in it as “Better Babies.” As the days sped by, their knowledge increased, and thus, passed the Freshman year. 1925 found the same group collected but also found them entering a new school house as Sophomores. The president this year was Maurice Sexton and the advisers were Miss Hammond and Miss Teeters. The boys were awarded the silver trophy for inter-class basketball. As they began with selling the most Stunt Show tickets, so they continued. Clarence Stiegman called forty-five Juniors to order in September, 1926. Great problems lay before the class but they were all successfully solved. As they wished to entertain the Seniors with a banquet they presented the play “Dulcy.” Just a few were able to take part in the acting but the rest did their part to make it a success. With the money earned from the play the banquet was given at the Middlecoff Hotel in May. Preceding the banquet, however, was the long remembered Stunt Show in which, as dolls from Tovland, they won the prize. Again they sold the most tickets. Through all of their activities of the year they were advised by Miss Hammond, Miss Williams, and Mr. Simpson. Their last year saw William Martin presiding over a class of forty-four. This being their last chance for activities in P. C. H. S., everyone ■worked hard. Miss Hammond and Miss Washburn were the advisers. The Senior boys took first place in inter-class basketball and the girls’ team came in second. The Stunt Show was given on March 30 and $225 were netted for the Reflector. Then came hard work on the play, the last of the activities of the year. As graduation draws near, they turn their faces to the future and leave the dear old school with many pleasant memories.

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“And about Bob Hoffman playing professional basketball with the New York Bears and Condon Guy booked to fight Jack Dempsey, Jr., next month?” put in Edna. After they had finally torn themselves away they started for Columbia University to interview the president, Glen Sexton. On the way they passed a busy corner where Maurice Sexton was acting as cop. From Glen they found that Leroy Frette was head of the science department, Edith Kroon, Dean of Women, and Lucille Myers, a professor of French. Having completed the campaign, they returned to Chicago and stopped at the Stephens Hotel. To their surprise they found Earl Anthony was a bell hop there and Ruth Turner, a waitress. “Isn’t that Bruce Turner sitting at that table?” asked Velma as they sat down in the dining room. At the same moment he recognized them, came over to their table, and immediately they began plying him with questions. He told them that he was at Chanute Field. “Oh, you must know all about Paxton then!” said Mildred. “I was there not long ago talking to Holland Kemp who is city editor of the Record now. Milburn Peterson is coach at P. C. H. S., Delmar Williams is principal of the grade school, Lillian Ernst is teaching kindergarten and Eldora, music. Orlen Volden is pastor of the Swedish Lutheran Church. Clarence Stiegman is president of the Bachelors’ Club, Walter Danielson, county clerk, and Bill Martin is running a garage. “Oh yes, I know about Bill,” Mildred said. “He is my brother-in-law. But go on.” “Well, Madonna Archer is a movie star, Elwood Mortweet features as Mamma’s Angel Child in comedies, and Linden Hinton carried out Jeannette Kennemer from the disastrous Paxton Laundry fire recently.” “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see them all again? I don’t suppose we can though for we are going straight to New Orleans,” said Velma. “Why not come with me in my plane? I’m heading for Rantoul. That would give you time for at least a day’s visit,” said Bruce. Of course they accepted and before they knew it, were roaming the streets of Paxton again. There they found Elverna, now Mrs. Goodwin, busily engaged in raising chickens; Ruth Moline, helping her husband paint the house; and Theodora Gee, the owner of a thriving taxi business. The two campaigners hated to leave but as business was pressing they said farewell to Paxton and departed for the South.