West High School - Senior Occident Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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136 THE OCCIDENT PROPHECY OF THE CLASS OF JANUARY, 1916 It was in the year 1930. After rush- ing madly through the depot gates, I just managed to board the Erie Aeroplane Limited before it started. When my natural composure had returned I ex- tracted from my bag the numerous arti- cles necessary to continue my latest book called “The Mystery of the Sewer, or Who Clogged up the Sink?” I had written two words when a maga- zine was thrust violently under my nose and bending over me stood a magazine boy. Great Caesar! It was Fred Pel- low, of the Class of ’16, of dear old West High School! He didn’t recognize me and hurried off before I could say a word. Not feeling in a writing mood after that, I allowed my eyes to roam about the aeroplane. In the seat ahead sat a very loving couple, whose eyes were for each other alone. Their antics had amused me for half an hour, when I no- ticed who they were, and, in my amaze- ment. I leaned forward and shouted: “Emily and Charles, how long have you two idiots been married ?” They seemed glad to see me and the blushing Emily replied: “Oh, we’ve been married al- most a week. Chuck has a wonderful position in Woolworth’s.” “What does he do?” “Sings popular songs.” “Isn’t that lovely! Tell me all about your wedding.” Emmy was only too willing. “Do you remember Jenny Latimer? She was my maid of honor. She shines as reporter on the N. Y. Star. Frank Islcr, who is the wealthiest bachelor in New York, was best man. There is a rumor that he is infatuated with the actress, Gladys Tozier, whom they call the second Theda Bara.” During this steady stream of words, Emmy’s eyes wandered, and suddenly she said: “Say, isn’t that Verna Toung across the aisle?” Sure enough, there sat our former classmate smiling vacant- ly over her knitting. We called her over to find out how much she knew and were informed that she was President of the Eastern Star and devoted spare hours to her Home for Cats. We were soon interrupted by the con- ductor, who was none other than Ray- mond Brooks. He had no time to chat but threw Verna a sweet smile. Glancing through the window we caught sight of a kite to which was at- tached a billboard with a dazzling head- line “THAT DARING TRIO.” Below the headline were the likenesses of Lucille Dean, Cassie Mee and Emily Donnellan, in acrobatic array, jumping wildly from one trapeze to another. The aeroplane swooped towards the earth, and looking out of the window we could see in the near distance the smoky chimneys and tall sky scrapers of some large and bustling city. As we glided nearer to terra firma we could make out an immense sign over what looked like the City Hall, and as we spelled out the sign it read “BUSHNELL’S BASIN.” “THE HOME OF ANHEUSER BUSHES.” As we came to a halt at the station Chuck raised the window and whistled. Two women rushed up with bottles of “COLD TEA.” (New York being a dry state.) Lo, and behold! The two women were Anna Beaman and Margaret Van Billiard. They were as surprised to see us as we were them. Chuck asked them what they did to oc-' cupy their time between trains and they said they kept busy FILLING THE BASIN. They told us to be sure and keep our eyes out about a mile out of the city .and we would sec Lowell Harder digging potatoes in a field. We also learned that Marion Cartwright was teaching school there, Harold Smith had a large chicken farm, and Margaret Gul-

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Roth Gillsttk, President Elizabeth Gay. Vice-President Louise Schknck, SecreUry HISTORY OF THE CLASS OF JANUARY, 1916 Once upon a time, many years ago, (four, to be exact) a great many chil- dren, diplomas, papers and entrance cards in hand, presented themselves in good time at the portals of West High School. When the doors were opened, they timidly entered, and went at once to their study rooms. How large and terrifying everything looked! Neverthe- less, they did all they could to appear nonchalant and entirely at home. Yet how the day dragged! In thinking of the four years ahead of them it seemed as though “To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to- morrow Would creep in petty pace, from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time.” Yet it seemed scarcely a week until the first term was but a memory. Wc were freshman finals, and could sit back with amused glances for other new- comers. The class was organized, and the pins purchased. This was the begin- ning of our career. In the second year, tableaus were given, which were known as the “Sopho- more Character Sketches.” Our class also set a new precedent by transform- ing the old “Sophomore Dance” into a truly informal and social occasion, for the members of the class alone. The evening was a great success, and was much enjoyed by every one. Our third year was marked chiefly by the Junior Dance, held in the corri- dors of the school, and the Junior Farce. The play selected was “My Lord in Liv- ery” and was presented by an able cast, trained by Mrs. Ellis. And now we come to our fourth year, the last and best of all! There are so many things that we must not forget! Our Christmas party, held in the girls’ gymnasium, met with the success which seemed to attend all of the undertakings of our fortunate class. Our play, the “Piper, given by both the June and Jan- uary classes of 1916, was the most elab- orate production ever staged at West High. January 14th is a night that will long be remembered by every member of the class. Senior Day, Class Day, ex- aminations, follow each other closely. And now comes graduation, and the end of our brief reign. We go to swell the ever increasing number of the alumni. You who follow in our foot-steps, re- member and honor us, not only for- what wc have done, but for what we have been. Mary R. Cowles. •

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THE OCCIDENT 137 len was a whirlwind gum chewing wait- ress in the largest hotel. We bid hurried good-byes as we flew on our way and the city faded from view. The next stop we made was New York where we all alighted, and, after separat- ing, made toward home. I was delayed for a time by a crowd gathered about the Salvation Army of which Louise Schenck was leader. A few blocks farther on I came to a corner black with people surrounding the greatest Suffragette of the time, Marion Cook. I listened as long as I could stand such a flow of language accompanied by gestures and shrieks and then tried to elbow my way out of the street. Some tall, athletic woman pushed me aside with one hand and was away, but not before I recognized her as Wilhelmina Stein- kamp. She was escorted by Jess Willard. In my next scramble for safety, I tripped over the: brush of a street sweeper, who help l me to my feet. Good Night! It was Orton Lannin, as full of ambition as ever. He handed me over to a jolly Police Woman, Anna Iloesterey, who took me to my boarding house. There the landlady, Mrs. Mar- garet Smith O’Brien, let me in. Comfortably settled in my room, news- paper in hand, I turned to the “Beauty Talks,” written by Elizabeth Gay. Be- low was a headline “ARRESTED FOR NOT PAYING FARE IN JITNEY.”' This lawbreaker proved to be Fanny Thomas. In the Society news was an account of a Grand Ball given by Carolyn Cushman, wife of Lord Helpus. Among the guests present were the famous Lady Senator from East Avon, Mildred Coffin, Louis Murphy, C. O. D., R. F. D. and Eliza- beth Janes, the noted Philanthropist. An exhibition dance was given by pupils of the aesthetic dancer, Ruth Gillette. Another page revealed the name of Helen Dodds soprano, Irene I less- pianist, Mabel Stallman, violinist, to be heard in a concert that night. My eyes next caught the words “Beautiful Young Aviatrix, Margaret McKelvey, Unhurt By Fall of 2000 Feet.” • I was reading about a successful book that had been written by Viola Van Buren, when Mary Cowles rushed into the room to tell me that she had been made Chief Overseer of the City’s Refuse Grounds. Helen Erickson, the noted artist, came in then and said she had been to the thea- ter with Fireman Mark Kirchmaier. They had seen Rheba Wilbur, Champion Ice Skater, on the stage. “What a day!” Elsie Anderson. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT We, the noble Senior Class of West High School of the City of Rochester in the County of Monroe and State of New York, being of sound mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this, our last Will and Testament, in manner fol- lowing, that is to say: First.—We direct that all our debts and graduation expenses be paid. Second.—To the egotistical class of Jan- uary, 1917, we leave and bequeath our Hallowe’en Social which was so suc- cessfully given by us, on the condition that they do not sell hard cider with- out a license which must be granted by the advisory board. Third.—To the exalted class of June, ' 1916, we give and bequeath the plan, originated by us, that the menu of the lunch room be changed once every term. Foiylh.—To Elwood “Tiglath Pileser” Snider we leave a new girl to take the place of Helen Cleopatra Dodds who now passes out of existence. Fifth—To Seth Widner we leave a re- served place under the clock just out- side Mr. Bennett’s office. (Continued on page J. )