West Salem High School - Neshonoc Yearbook (West Salem, WI)

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HISTORY OF CLASS OF 1913 On September 20, 1909, a great wave of barbarians, twenty-six in number, invaded the realm of the West Salem High School. They were called Freshmen, in other words, Greenbacks or Numbskulls. Of their former life very little is known, but if tradition may be relied upon they were collected from the various tribes within and about La Crosse County. The period immediately following the invasion may well be termed the Dark Age for very few evidences of culture and civilization were present. Soon, however, a great change was apparent, being influenced by different environment. Before these savages had no system of government but now they inet together and chose a chief who should direct them in their undertakings. This worthy was no other than Cyrus the Great, whose ancestor was a medicine man. They adopted the delicate colors of pink and white as their emblem in order to satisfy the tastes of the weaker sex. During their first year's sojourn in these regions many events took place. They began to mingle with the other tribes and to have common meeting places, one of which was a spacious hall over an old stable, where the social functions and athletic tournaments were held. There the young warriors learned to swing the huge war clubs and the fairer sex to dance the light fantastic toe. But a terrible pestilence ravaged its members and by the fall of 1910 only twenty out of the twenty-six remained and now they became known by their friends as Sophomores. They began to win the confidence of the older tribes and were admitted into their various undertakings and soon formed the backbone of their numbers. The characteristics of the Dark Age passed away and culture and refinement made their appearance. Again their ranks met with serious decrease through many causes, the most notable of which was the desertion by one, Ferd Nye, who jo ned the noble band of Amazons on September 4,1912, This left the total number of fifteen which was again increased to sixteen by the coming of a distinguished personage, Miss Ivanell Ford, from a distant clan. Not being yet satisfied with the title of this notorious tribe it was again changed, this time to the name of Juniors. They are now a highly cultured people, thanks to the influence of the West Salem High School. T. J. and T. S,

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SOPHOMORES META BECHTOLD MARIE BRENGGEMAN LILLIAN TORGERSON MARIE RAHM ETHEL SMITH FERD NYE LOUISE VON DER OHE BESSIE SEVERSON BESSIE BETTS GLADYS PIERCE