Wentworth Military Academy - Yearbook (Lexington, MO)

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HIGH LIGHTS OF 1937-38 DECEMBER 10th: The doctors decided to give us the onceover today, I didn't like thr funny look the medico gave me in this physical examination ... as if to say. Well, I pity you if you run up against Joe Lewis or Max Schmeling !’ DECEMBER 16th: Though Major Wikoff has vigorously denied bagging that elk, we still question his veracity (a duckey little word, isn’t if). Anyway, those elk steaks hit the spot, and I'll sec if I can't work in a standing invitation fur all future steak dinners wherein an elk is involved. DECEMBER 28th: U. G Gibbon comes struttin in like a brigadier general, and no wonder, he s a West Pointer now. JANUARY 17th: Our onc-and-only genius, the versatile Sergeant Matthew Connolly has gone and produced his own play based upon the life of Benedict Arnold. Jim McCormick did a remarkable bit of acting as Arnold and he had a good supporting cast JANUARY 29th: The night of the grand military ball. Pretty gitls have been arriving all day. There is ouite a bit of speculation on the campus as to who is to be acclaimed battalion sponsor This event, incidentally draws more of a crowd than any other Wentworth social event. Quite a few of the prominent men from all branches of the service were represented. Win all the colorful uniforms on must really say that the name military ball is an appropriate one. FEBRUARY' 21st: Mr. F. L Evans, vice president of the Emery, Bird, Thayer department store, Kansas Gty. formally presents to Wentworth a replica of the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence after the modeb to be found in Washington. D. C FEBRUARY 22nd: A light class schedule for me today, so 1 decided to relax in the recreation room for t couple of hours. After all we are proud of that ' rcc room ' and a fellow has to get a little fun out of life. That night we had an informal dance. Strenger sure was hotter than a pancake when I beat him to the draw and his Cuddles said she would be glad to go to the dance with me FEBRUARY' 28th: Colonel Ralph Truman spent the day with us and entertained us with a history lecture. After luncheon we mcmbcis of Mii|or Brown's history class listened to him a second time. By George, that fellow Truman know? his history and his military! MARCH 1st: Though I have been here a year now I am just learning the meaning of the phrase 'the Charlie McCarthy crowd. This is a designation for those boys who are unable to carry regulation rifle because of height or illness or some other excuse approved by the Commandant .. . hence the Charlie McCarthy crowd! MARCH 3rd: Colonel Sanford Sellers. Sr., died after a lingering illness resulting from exertion in the gymnasium. The Giloncl was one of die best-beloved gentlemen tliat I lutve ever met. He had a personal interest in each and every cadet. He really made Wentworth the school that it is today. For 58 years he controlled the destiny of the school, and now he is called to his last reward. Tbc news came as a shock to the entire battalion Colonel Sellers was a gentleman and scholar of the old school, steeped in classic traditions, ever a drinker at the Pierian springs. MARCH 6th: The funeral of Colonel Sellers was held today. He was accorded full military honors by the battalion. Without a doubt this was one of the largest funerals ever held in this part of the country. Masonic rites were held at the grave. We marched to and from the cemetery, the least and the last little thing that we could do for our beloved Colonel. f.T A J'W

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HIGH LIGHTS OF 1937-38 Editor's Noth: This account is based upon the diary of Cadet John J Kadet. SEPTEMBER 15th: Checked in this afternoon at one o'clock. Imagine my surprise to learn tint the old campus was even more beautiful than ever. I found Mrs Sandford Sellers working at her flowers. She told me about all the old boys who had been down to school to make short visits during the summer. SEPTEMBER 14th: Intelligence tests were given to the new boys, and they seemed as confused as was I a year ago. They all seemed rather discouraged, but I cheered them up, advising them not to let a mere I. Q. develop into neurasthenia. SEPTEMBER 20th: The Red Dragon football squad had a real steak dinner out at Pryor Lodge. For a little fellow Harry Ice sure can punish the meat! SEPTEMBER 27th: Mary McCormick gives a concert at Wentworth. We put on a special dress parade for her, and even made her an honorary colonel. She seemed to like her title. Now that she his a title she wants to know if she can hand out any demerits. OCTOBER 18tb: Well, school has been on for some time now and we’re getting set for Homecoming The local alumni met in the dining room and a few of us football players were asked to nuke short speeches. Sure' we were game! Why not when it means an extra meal and a chance to skip G Q. OCTOBER 26th: Dancing classes start and I finally get up enough nerve to sign up for the course. What a pretty little doll Mrs. Jones imported from the city to demonstrate these lessons. Say, had I known this, I would have signed up for dancing last year OCTOBER 29th: The first military big guns visit Use campus. Lt. Colonel Robert C. G. Goerz inspects Wentworth in connection with his periodical check of activities in the 7th Corps Area. NOVEMBER 8th: J. Peterson, a super-luminary of the billiard world, made us all perk up our cars and put on our specs when he started doing tricks in the recreation room. After that splendid exhibition, it will be a long time before those fellows down in B Company will start bragging again. NOVEMBER llth: A special service was conducted in front of the Soldiers' Monument on the campus Many visitors were on hand for the ceremony. Mrs. Sellers placed the wreath at the foot of the statue while Colonel Mac delivered the eulogy, NOVEMBER 17th: The local Rotarians decided to play the part of good Samaritans to all cadets whose fathers were members of that group. Wc had a grand meal and made hud of friends. Visiting with the Rotarians is indeed a pleasant pastime; it is quite a contrast to reciting in class or working off excess. NOVEMBER 20th: Colonel E. A. Hickman, formerly a Commandant at Wentworth returns hcie to pay a visit to Colonel Sandford Sellers. He seemed mighty pleased with our lines, and thought that we were pretty good. We think so, too! NOVEMBER 25rh: The roost exciting day on the Wentworth campus. Yeah, man, of course you can guess it. We play Kemper today, and to Boonville wc go by special train . . . (about fourteen hours later) . « . well, well get them next time ... they cant win all the time. NOVEMBER 50th: Captain James McCormick paid us a visit and had all the Texas cadets as dinner guests down at the Victory. Wc cornered him later and he told us some tall yarns about his experiences in ridding Texas of its badmen. Wc dug up some old firearms that Colonel Sellers had in his collection, and Captain McCormick gave ui a few pointers on the use of these weapons.

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HIGH LIGHTS OF 1937-38 MARCH l fih: Dr. Charles Lee, Washington University, lectures here on vocational guidance work today A good thing, too, for many of us boys have been up in the air about our future plans. Dr. Lee did bring us a consoling message. Despite a depression and n manifest overcrowding in certain fields, he pointed out where many businesses still had openings for ambitious youths. Thank the Lord for that ... at least we won t have to stand in the bread line when wc do get out. MARCH 17th: Colonel Mac Scllets leaves for Washington, D C, to attend the annual meeting of the National Association of Military Schools. Mis. Sellers will accompany him but will also continue on to New York. I can’t say that I blame her. New York is a little more exciting at this time of the year. MARCH 18th: The spirits of Patrick Henry and Edmund Burke arc tu be found roaming the campus. Ah, yes, the annual Interstate Debate Tournament is being held here, and wc have all sorts of manifestations of forensic ability. Wc thought we'd get out of a few classes because our faculty members would have to |ud e the debates. Major Ford, reading minds it seems, fooled us and brought in outsiders to |udgc There were a couple of very pretty girl debaters down here. too. Maybe I had better look into this debating proposition; there must be something to it if oracling blondes and luscious redheads go in for this pastime. MARCH 1.9th: Major Wikoff has been elected President of the Inter-State Athletic Conference. APRIL 1st: For once wc boys cun take faculty members for a ride. If wc make a wisecrack in class it means a zip in the instructor’s gradebook. At this W ’ Club show, wc can get even with teachers who are too prone to give out Fs and I’s. Were some of their faces red when Ice and Morley brought them under the spotlight! APRIL 2nd: The second day of ’W Club festivities and we find dial an apron-overall dance is scheduled. Quite a unique picture when contrasted with the battalion arrayed in full dress uniforms. Captain Tom Emerioh proved to be a regular fellow this night, appearing at the dance in the prescribed dress. His lady friend was dressed in blue rompers. Wc wish die other faculty men were not so highbrow! APRIL 20tb: Government inspection is on and wc art all on edge. The one inspector who barged into C Company fired questions at me at the rate of a thousand a minute. A few of the plebes were almost petrified, this being their first such experience But then I uric help feeling that we put on a good show. APRIL 30th: The annual C” Company hiyride and dance has been looked forward to for a long time. Capain Simpson was M. C. and when he shouted giddybp, horsey, giddyiap. those horses did his bidding. I am in favor of more such affairs. Who says that a fellow can’t have much fun in a military school. MAY 1st: Augic Wulfckuhler has been talking about that itsy-bitsy little yum-yam down at Christian College. Now that he is down at Columbia, Mo., to attend the M. I. P U. with other members of The Trumpeter staff, we suppose that he will drop in on her and feed her that old Leavenworth line , . . you know, fellow, that old army line. MAY 2nd: “Augie's” Sportoscopt is awarded a prise at the journalism convention, and ye editor is more than happy.