Wapakoneta High School - Retrospect Yearbook (Wapakoneta, OH)

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99 t I ♦ ♦ t «•«♦ «•»♦ ROWING NOT DRIFTING CLASS PROPHECY A shrill sound of the whistle and a sudden jolt brought the train to a quick stop in the little town of Brownville, Missouri. All the passengers made a great rush to the platform to see what th« excitement was, and having found it to be a terrible wreck of a freight train were either returning to their seats or making further investigation, when to my surprise I heard my name called out. A surprise, yes a great surprise to hear my name called in a little place where I knew no one, but upon turning to the call, I recognized the speaker to be my old friend Katharine. After a little informal talk and finding that the train would not leave until early next morning, we went to the Blake Hotel which was situated just across the way where we registered. Upon finding that there was no vaudeville or picture show until evening, wc walked over the whole town to find a magazine but could secure none. Returning to the Hotel we were advised by Mr. Blake to go to his apartment where we could find some old papers and magazines. To our surprise we found his wife to be our classmate, Blanch Dixon. She gave us an immense number of old papers, and we proceeded to read. This was very interesting reading because we found that: Gladys Alter, a prominent lawyer, had just been successful in the Jones-IIoward law suit. Melville Shaw, the Governor of Ohio, and Bertha Aufderharr, his private secretary had returned from the Governors’ Convention which was held at New York. John Nichols, a renowned specialist, had assumed partnership with the Mayo Bros., Rochester, Minnesota. Harold Shuler, a millionaire, had just bought a large wheat mill in South Dakota. Marcella Hoge and Violet Barnes had entered Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, to take up a Nurse’s course. Caroline Brands and Margaret Platvoet, the great suffraget leaders, had celebrated in view of'the fact that the women were successful in securing the vote. Anna Bailey had gone abroad to study music, and that Margaret Flynn had gone to National Park Seminary to take up elocution. Election returns said that Cyril Paul and Roger Swartz has been the successful candi- dates for Senators in Ohio. And that Paul Hainan was chosen Representative lrom our home district. Great honor had come to Adrain Feikert, a well-known scientist, who discovered a serum that would kill the germ of infantile paralysis. Celeste Braun, a social Butterfly, had just announced her engagement to Jack Clayton, son of J. H. Clayton, the well-known millionaire. Esther McDougel has accepted a position as Professor of Latin in Ohio State University. Wilson Brockman, Ambassador to France, had returned to this country and was met at New York by his wife, formerly Miss Wilda Shafer of Botkins, Ohio. ' Milton Neff, the noted mathematician, had been chosen President of the Colorado school for women. Helen Walter, buyer for Marshall Field, Chicago, had arrived in New York to get the fall supply of furs. Thelma Glassford, the well-known society leader, had given a dance in honor of her house-guest Mrs. J. C. Callahan of Atlanta, Georgia, formerly Miss Ethel Bush. Miriam Elliott, Matron of Washington Childrens’ Home, had returned from a visit with her parents at Wapakoneta, Ohio. Dick Streight, the leading hypnotist, had been at Mall Theater, Cleveland, May 4 and S. Miss Lauretta Headapohl, a well known lady of this city, had received the degree of C. P. A. The National Reds had recently been defeated bv the World’s Champion Basket Ball Players in which Raymond Runkle starred as center. M isses Mildred Kerst and Edna Koch had returned from Yellow Stone National Park to their positions as stenographers, in Lima, Ohio. John Wheeler had just received his degree of Doctor of Laws at Ohio State University. Clementine Guese, a bride of the near future, had given up her position as governess. Ira Fessler, who had spent several years in India as a Missionary, had returned to this country for an indefinite time. Norman Koepke and Ernest Miller, wealthy

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 ? a « «. «. » 661[ ‘ROWING NOT DRIFTING 99 CLASS HISTORY Many years ago, twelve I should say, we, little tots, started on our first journey in a very large steamer, Education, on the sea of life. In our leisure we would go on deck and amuse ourselves by gazing at the reflection of the sun or moon on the tranquil waters. One day there could he seen in the far distance a beautiful island. It was the Land of Dreams, “Our Goal.” We sailed and sailed, sometimes thinking that to reach this land of dreams was an impossibility, but our pilot guided us successfully past the land known as “The Eight Grades” and also took us to the island known as “High School.” We anchored our ship here and set foot on this beautiful island whose inhabitants were very friendly so that together we enjoyed many jollifications. We stayed in this beautiful place four years. The first year (1917) there were eighty-eight members in our crew. The land was strange and new to us. When we would lose our way in the very thick ambush our instructors, the guides of this island, always put us on the right path. After we learned the methods of this new place we bravely worked on, enjoying the sunshine and fearing the storm. We embarked for another portion of the island and to our amazement we found there were only sixty-seven members in our crew. In our second year (1918) we found still more interesting things to learn and every endeavor had the word mastery attached to it. The great “World War” was in full sway and many of our dear boys were “Over There.” We sold many War Savings Stamps and Thrift Stamps to the inhabitants of the land, for the interests of all were the same, “Their victory, Our victory”. Toward the spring of the year we entertained the people of the whole land and surely portrayed the talent and skill of our beloved members. One beautiful September morn only fifty-six members of our dear crew set sail to a very distant portion of the island. The scenery was perfectly beautiful. Our third year (1919) was darkened by a very black cloud. The wind blew and the rain fell heavily, forcing us to stay inside the ship. Those long days passed drearily by and we entered upon a great School Drive. We were all comfortably fixed in our big steamer and entered a very exciting race with “Time”. We did not beat Old Time, but to our credit we came out tie. Then came the biggest event of the season : we were to entertain the most choice and select members of the isle. The news was spread broadcast, and when the evening came, to be sure, we successfully gave to them the Junior-Senior Reception, the most enjoyable time they had ever had. With the memories of this last good time we once more set sail to the land of dreams. To our great joy we found that altho many members of our old crew were not with us there had been quite a few new members added, whom in a very short time we loved and made one of us. Our fourth year (1920) has been to us the most beautiful of all our adventures. We were delightfully entertained by various members of our crew and gave a Valentine party for our own members and instructors. The delightful feature of this party was the merry making and dancing, indeed, a real novelty to all future inhabitants of the beautiful isle. Oh! the joy of living! Those dear old times shall never be forgotten. While we have had many good times we have earnestly worked to obtain all the treasures of this island. The Guides have taken us over the island and while it is beautiful it is not our goal. For we have discovered that in the distance there are still more beautiful lands to be obtained. We eagerly look forward to the next ship that sets sail. After graduation we shall again embark taking with us all the treasures we are able to carry. Our hearts are set on a more beautiful land than we have ever seen before. We are very happy, indeed, to begin this journey of adventure. Some of our crew are missing and there are new ones in their places. Our old crew is scattered, they have taken different routes. But our most fervent hope is that at the end of our journey we shall all meet again and once more see the faces of those we love. 23 GERTRUDE VEIT.

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 • »••• ♦» «♦« »♦•♦»♦ ? ♦ ♦ ♦ • ; citizens of Wapakoneta, had contributed large sums to the V'. M. C. A. of their city. Kermit Zint, leader of Zint’s ()rchestra. had given a concert in Mammoth Building, New York. 'Plie favorite movie actor, Byron Davis had changed from the Artcraft to the Paramount Company. Gladys Holtkamp had just opened up her kindergarten for the fall season and had twenty-five enrolled. Ralph Emrick, the well-known stock dealer. had purchased the Northwestern stock farm. Marcus Puetz and Franklin Kreitzer had won great favor as the new comic artists for the New York Times. I.ehr Swinehart, the worthy vice-president of the National Bank of Philadelphia, had been chosen President because of the death of the former president, Y. A. Lewis. Cleona Albright, the young social settlement worker, had just taken up her work in the slums of Chicago. Russell Hey wood, who had completed his college course as a doctor, had taken up his practice in his home community. Opal Specs and Estella Sielschot were managing a large department store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gertrude Veit had just completed her book, “The Perfect Ideal.” Andrew Schrocr had succeeded Mr. Max Menschel as professor of Chemistry, and Cecil Hull had succeeded Miss Basinger as teacher in Home Economics in Blume High School. Helen Schurr, the renowned pianist, had been the director of music in the Singer Building, Memphis, Tennessee. Ruby Feikert had just finished her poem, “The Reverie”, which is considered the best of her many works. After we had finished looking over the papers and magazines which we enjoyed very much, we had a conversation with Blanch and she informed us that Florence Miller, Mildred Ramga, Mildred Sillin, and Gladys Schuler had married. Having said good-bye to Blanch we went to the Musical Comedy, “Seventeen”. To our surprise we found two of our classmates starring. Dean Bitters taking the part of Wm. Baxter and Matilda Kohler that of the mother. We enjoyed the show more than f can tell and upon reaching the town square, we were informed that the train was ready to start. KATHARINE F. VOSSLER EMMA ANN LANGHORST |[ c 25