Rome Free Academy - De O Wain Sta Yearbook (Rome, NY)

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL BOYS’ PROPHESY Time: A Rainy Evening in June, 1930. PLACE: Rome Free Academy Art Gallery, Room of 1917. It has rained, rained all day long, and although it is my first day at home, I just had to slip out and come here to the dear old R. F. A. Art Gallery to see the pictures of my former classmates. The fine new custom of hanging their pictures ten years after their graduation will show me what they have been doing since their triumphant departure from R. F. A. Well, I shall begin here, and go straight around the walls. Yes, of course it is Tom Barnard— ‘Lieutenant Colonel Tom H. Barnard, Military Instructor at R. F. A.” I remember reading such thrilling accounts of his exploits abroad—to think of his being an instructor! But I've heard that his hobby is veterinary surgery. No doubt, the seed planted in his youth has begun to grow. “James E. Bird Jr. Editor of the ‘Gabriel's Trumpet’, Rome’s new journal. One of our most ardent reformers. Inventor of the Wireless Instrument for Reading Minds at a Distance”. Alas, oh Prof. Boyd, how little you knew what genius lay unawakened in your Physics class! Next— The Reverend Clayson Wheeler Aldridge, Curate, assisting the Rev. E. S. Pearce, Rector of Zion Episcopal Church, Rome, N. Y.” Can you imagine it. Listen I'll tell you a secret-—They say that once during the deep silence of Meditation a sudden unaccountable muffled sound was heard, and that the Rev. Aldridge, seized with a fit of violent coughing, had to leave the Church.—How much will you wager that he had the giggles? “Harry Louis Segal, M. A., assistant instructor in Classic Literature, Cornell Uni- versity’. Honors are awarded to this brilliant young student erstwhile shark of our Virgil class. Who can this be? ‘“‘Our Society Man, Thomas F. Wheeler, Man-About-Town- Winner of the Searle Trophy Cup for fancy dancing”. The amorous rascal! Ah! Here we are! ‘Francis J. Lawler, Labor Leader, Orator, whose flow of impassioned eloquence has stilled many a violent heart into quiet’. The training gained in class meetings must have meant much to Choppy. Not that we were a violent mob— oh no! “Anthony John McGarty, Naval efficiency expert. Noted for valuable investiga- tions in Chemistry, also for a few poems’. Effusions dashed off in the midst of battle, ac- companied by the rain of shot and shell. But alas! The frame is vacant, because he is entirely too “occupied’’ to have his picture painted. “Albert R. Reese, successor to Wm. A. Searle of the Chambah of Commerce. Ris- ing young business executive. Inventor of the apparatus by which the Ford car runs equally well with or without the engine’. “‘Rising’” business man—we don’t see how he can rise much farther and still be among us. “Arthur Wetherbee, a trifle moth-eaten but still all there, enthusiastic bug hunter and student of bugology in general”. The general impression of two long legs and a pair of tortoise shell glasses still remains. “James Wallace Ayars, Architect, designer of the expensive hospital for the ‘Re- juvenation of Convalescing Fords’, also of the Insane Asylum run in connection with R. F. A. for the care of overworked students. A man whose business ability bids fair to make him a man of money! No wonder! did he not manage the business of our famous Annual ? “James Wesley Blood, Society editor of the Bingville Warwhoop. An able and ef- ficient news gatherer. He has not been seen since his excellent article on the wedding of 31

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL The soft strains of music sounded sweetly on the ears of light-footed artists as they assembled in the second story of the Hall, and soon everyone, or everytwo, were skipping gaily about to the fine music provided by the Misses Russell and Wallis. At twelve o'clock, the first call for supper sounded cheerfully through the building. A second call was not needed. Breaking all precedents, the Food Committee of the Class of °17 had fully and sympathetically appreciated its responsibility, and had pro- vided a delicious and completely adequate repast to resuscitate the weary gliders. In con- nection with the excellent menu, a little cabaret, featuring Mr. Art. Murphy, was enjoyed by the diners. At one o'clock dancing was resumed with renewed spirit. “‘Spec’’ Spel- licy, heretofore unknown, won the admiration of the ladies, and the envy of the gentlemen by his game endeavors in the Terpsichorean art. Finally, at three o'clock, all realized that an evening of such enjoyment and pleasure as that one could not last forever, and it was with pangs of regret that they bustled into their coats and wraps and tore wildly for the sleighs. The ride home was uneventful, that is, the Editor has been unable to find anyone who would impart even the slightest in- formation of what occurred during the homeward journey. Peg Wallis said she was hungry, but then Peg is usually in that condition, so it was all right. The silent company gradually disbanded until shortly the conveyances were empty, and the driver dared look around. So passed the last and best of the Senior Sleighrides, staged by the Class of '17. =: RAs 14. JUNIOR PROM 1916 Thoughts of the Junior Prom given to the Class of 16 by the Class of °17 still bring pleasant memories to those who were fortunate enough to attend this social function. The sentiments expressed on that evening that the Class of '17’s prom was the best in the history of this precedent have persevered till now, and will endure for all time as one of the gayest social events in the annals of R. F. A. The memorable event occurred April 28, 1916, and Seegar’s spacious Academy was tastefully decorated for the occasion in the class colors, Green and White. The stage was banked with palms and ferns, and as an added feature, a large electric sign “1917” in green and white bulbs adorned this end of the hall. The Grand March was led by the President of the Senior Class, Harry Beach, and Miss Florence Roberts. This proved to be a most charming and pretty scene, and made a profound impression on the large coterie of parents and friends who witnessed the reception from the gallery. The small hours of the morning found the gliders still enjoying themselves. As yet no one had suggested a departure, but prudence required that the Prom must end some time, and it was with reluctance that the happy couples left the hall on that evening. The thought of an evening’s pleasure that could never occur again was sufficient to dismay anyone. And I am sure that when the delightful memories of that evening fill the minds of the lucky ones, a sense of deep appreciation to the Class of ’17 will be renewed. M. A. B., 17. 30

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THE 1917 SENIOR ANNUAL i Miss Madonna Knowles and Mr. Albert Hiltbrand. In some way, he published that the room was tastefully decorated with saliva, instead of salvia. “Duncan Ross Anderson, Member of the U. S. Senate, Master of debate and Au- thority upon Parliamentary Law. An energetic, aggressive statesman, whose private hobby is Nature Study. He loves to observe the life and habits of birds and animals in their native habitat’’. “Frank Lederfeind, Grand High Keeper of the Mug and Razor, Official Barber te His Imperial Knobbs, the Grand High Mogul of Balaruze. Thrice decorated with the Order of the Pink Suspender by His Imperialistic Majesty. A truly unique character’. “George Bronson, Surgeon-with-the-rank-of-Major, a man of skill, nerve and good judgment. In moments of strain, during the critical moments of operations only, is his flow of wit and eloquence checked for a moment. Noted for his powers of expression’’. “The Hon. Harold F. Schue, P. I. Principal of the Homestead Select Seminary for Young Ladies. Just the place to send your daughters. Professor Schue 1s an authority upon etiquette. His column upon ‘Correct Manners and Social Usage’ in the Bingville Warwhoop rivals “Aunt Mary's Advice to the Lovelorn” in popularity and interest’. ‘Bert Baker Jr., political leader of the Eighth Ward. Well known for his vigorous campaign against vice, which terminated only when he had accomplished the abolition of tying tin cans on the tails of decrepit dogs and playing marbles at noon upon the Busy Corner’’. “Edwin Briggs, the Hermit of Hatch’s Corners. The extreme bashfulness of this modest youth led him to seek early in life the hut of the recluse. To hi m the sound of woman’s voice is torture, so great that some say he must have been crossed in love’. “Walter A. Juergens, Professor of Music in the University of Berlin. Nicknamed “The Absentminded’’. His soul is eternally wrapt in melody, so that even his earthly eyes become blinded to mundane existence’’. “T yndon Willard Graves, author, exponent of the mysterious and ghostly. His stories may become as famous as those of Edgar Allan Poe, whom he admires and copies in many respects. Famous stories, Homer’s Ghost, The Skeleton in the R. F. A. Attic, etc”. Matthew H. Brady, Butterfly of the Metropolis. This enterprising young person is said to have broken more feminine hearts than tongue can tell. His favorite color is still yellow’. “Arthur Jones, inventor of the successful one-man submarine. Instructor of Wrest ling in Vernon Center. Author of Serial, Healthful Hints to Wrestlers. It is said that he fashioned his first submarine by means of two Sunshine Biscuits, a can of spaghetti, and a banana. This is not authentic’’. Back-Admiral Howard Moore, who in a submarine with three trusty comrades blew up the German flagship, and 40 others of the fleet, distinguishing himself for his dashing bravery”’. “Edwin Parry, aviator, who has made aircraft the only practical means of travel by inventing the motorless propeller, something like wireless only different. So simple a babe could run it’. And so these are my old classmates! How changed are some! But yet, they all show the deep imprint of R. F. A. upon their noble brow. But here comes old George Freson, the guardian of these priceless portraits. In regretful tones he advises that it is time to draw the curtain over the works of art and beauty, and I leave with pangs of re- morseful memory. —j. Gc. M., “17. 32