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

Page 33 text:

A True Story About Nigger Nathan To most of us Nigger Nathan is the name of a hill on the North Road between La Crosse and West Salem.A few of us have heard of a mythical negro who one owned the hill, but probably none of you know that Nigger Nathan was very real character, who lived many years ago in this vicinity and whose grave in Hamilton cemetery is marked by a modest gray stone. Nathan, born a slave in the South, escaped through the Union lines during the Civil 7 ar and came to V isconsin. He owned the farm on the V est side of the hill that has ever since borne his name. About a mile across the fields lived my grandfather,who knew Nathan well and who has told me many stories about this interesting negro. With Nathan lived his wife, Aunt Sally, who was also an escaped slave. They had no children but raised two boys. George Taylor,the older,once ran for president of the United States on the negro ticket. The younger.Frank Butterfield kept house for him after Aunt Sally became blind. With a twinkle in his eye, Grandfather has often told me about the only wedding at which he ever officiated. In the spring of 1885 grandfather was elected justice of the peace in his township. A few days later, as he was plowing, he noticed Nathan coming across the field toward him. Grandfather always enjoyed a visit with this old darkey; so he stopped his team and waited for him. Nathan soon explained to grandfather that he wanted him to come over to his house that night and marry a young couple that had been working for him. Grandfather didn't feel quite equal to the ocassion, but Nathan assured him that it was one of the duties of his office and that he'd help elect him. That night grandfather arrived,a little nervous,at the little house at the foot of the hill. He rapped and Aunt Sally, with a bundle in her arms, let him in. 'What have you there? asked Grandfather. Aunt Sally pulled up the corner of the blanket; and showed him the cutest, blackest, little pickaninny. Then she explained that Nathan had waited for him to be elected so he could marry the couple and that the pickaninny had arrived before election. This, however, seemed a minor detail. Old Nathan marched Eb and Liza up before grandfather and held the tallow candle high while Grandfather read the marriage lines. Aunt Sally gave it an extra shake and said, Shut up, you little brat, can't you see your mammy's gettin' married tonight? Small Town Amusement A Beautiful girl with eyes of blue, Walked down the street with a guy named Hugh. She falls in love using great tact, Curtain, now, this ends the act. The curtain goes up on banjo eyes Standing there with a head full of lies He's going to propose, when the girl he does meet The curtain again, he's got cold feet. The girl again comes into the scene. Comes toward the front and get cracked on the bean The villain steps out to get his prey The curtain goes down, the girl ran away. Lullaby Hush-a-bye, my baby, Close your big blue eyes While you're sweetly sleeping I've got to make some pies. Hay the angels guard you, Hover over your bed, Keep you sleeping soundly Till I set the bread. Kay your path be rosy; I love you when awake. But slumber, slumber, precious, I must make a cake. What will I name my angel? Perhaps it will be John. Now he's soundly sleeping I'll put the dinner on. The girl ran away, but she came back. Now the villain's got her locked in a shack She's waiting patiently,but oh how she pines. But the hero can't come, he forgot his lines. The material in this section has been written by: Henry Paustian, Bill Sylvester, Florence.GriswoId, Jane Leicht, and Jane Heinze.

Page 32 text:

The Weak Stronger Sex As I weaved my way homeward through the thick traffic, I wondered a trifle uneasily what my wife would say when she found that I had brought a friend from the office home for supper. I didn't see any reason why she should object, but you know how women are. I was prepared for anything. I drove the car into the garage and started walking up the sidewalk with my friend when suddently I remembered something.My wife was at a club meeting, and wouldn't be home for several hours. Jumping Jehosaphat'. Not that I thought my friend wouldn't understand; for he was a good sport; but we were hungry. I broke the news to him. He took the dreadful news like a man. We held a short business meeting, and decided to prepare our own meals. We had often seen the weaker sex prepare meals, and if they could do it so easily,so could we.In looking about the pantry I spied some eggs,and we forthwith decided on an omelet. I sought the cook book while he hunted up the skillet. After several minutes, we both reported success. You read the recipe to me, Bob, and I'll follow your instructions implicitly. The recipe called for 2 eggs and as I was plenty hungry I suggested we make several omelets. Bob read the recipe. Separate the eggs. I put one egg on one end of the table and one on the other. OK , I said, Go on. Bob informed me that this meant to separate the shell from the insides. Well, that was easy. We threw the eggs into the bowl, and then picked out the resultant pieces of shell. Now fold them several times. How the dickens can you fold anything as thin as the insides of an egg? I tried it, but it wouldn't fold, and I only got the slippery gue all over my hands. Bob tried it v ith no greater success. Bake in moderate oven, our oven surely was better than moderate, we paid 75 bucks for it,--in fact, it was the best to be had; we used it anyway. I set the skillet into the oven, and together we managed to light the stove. After a half hour I pulled it out, and the eggs were burned to a crisp. The reason probably was the lack of grease in the pan. I dumped this into the garbage can,and we decided on boiled eggs. Anybody could boil eggs! We put several eggs in water and put them over a fire. We waited about twenty minutes so acetylene torch to cut those eggs. These eggs followed the rest into the garbage can. By this time we knew we weren't cut out to be cooks, and we decided to quit. In about twenty minutes we were both sitting on stools in Joe's Sandwich Shop, eating pancakes. That Explains It! I was about to open the door when I heard peculiar words inside; What 'dye' think ye are? Git down.’ There was silence for a few seconds. Then the angry voice again spike; Lie down, you fool! D'yd' want me to hit ya? Down! Where dya' think your're goin'? Do I have to tie you down? In about two Jerks I'm gonna' pat ya' with this rake. It seemed to me as if this had gone far enough; so I threw open the door, to see-------my cousin combing his hair. -2e-

Page 34 text:

Carnival The greatest and most successful event of the year was the carnival which took place in High School on February twenty-fourth. The lower hall was the place where the noise-makers and confetti, that were heard and seen through the building, could be obtained. The main show was held in the assembly. A very colorful garden was the setting for the operetta Big Bay which was presented by the Home Economics Club. Elizabeth Oldenberg, The rich man's daughter ,her Aunt, Ida Mae Atwater,and Florence Griswold, manager of the Retreat,did remarkable work; as did the maid,working women,singing chorus, and dancers. The Hut Factory closed the show;Al Blackburn,Horman Motschenbacher Glenn Thomas, and James Johnson were a sensation as the four nuts. Major Rowes Amateur Hour was a big event of the evening. The boy soprano(Bon Hiller) will not soon be forgotten. The Fish Pond .Picture Gallery, Beauty Shop, Motion Picture room and Bingo were all well attended. A Colonial Tea Shoppe served many patrons during the evening. Jitney dancing in the gym was enjoyed by many. At ten-thirty the King and Queen were presented with a gilded scepter and corsage respectively. Millmen Mengelt, the King, was a Junior, and Lorene Garbers, the Queen, a freshman. Beulah Griswold, Horman Helson, Elizabeth Oldenburg,Betty lee .Robert Hiller and James Johnson were court attendants. Play Cast of '35 The Junior Class play Hew Fires was presented The players were (as appeared) Lucinda Andrews------------------------------------ Suzanna Tober-------------------------------------- Sid Sperry----------------------------------------- Jerry, his son------------------------------------- Stephen Santry------------------------------------- Billy, his son------------------------------------- Phyllis, his daughter------------------------------ Anne, his wife------------------------------------- Olive, his daughter-------------------------------- Eve, his daughter-in-law-Bick's wife--------------- Bick, his son-------------------------------------- Br. Lynn Gray-------------------------------------- Mary Marshall-------------------------------------- Mrs. Harshall-------------------------------------- Angie Sperry— ------------------------------------- Hovember 7 8, 1935. ------Nona Mae Bunlap --------Esther Hemker --------Bonald Sprain ---------A1 Blackburn -------Hillman Mengelt --------Henry Paustian -----Lucille Storandt -----Lois Ann Johnson ----Florence Steensen —Elizabeth Oldenburg -------Bill Sylvester ---------Glenn Thomas ----------Evelyn Ehlo ------Thelma Anderson -------Anna Mae Moran The Tin Hero Bouglas Goodyear, a timid young man-------------------------Horman Nelson Mrs. Blanche Goodyear, his mother-------------------------Borothy Peterson Grace Goodyear, his sister----------------------------------Beulah Griswold Virginia Ferguson, his fiance-------------------------------Ruby Quackenbush Baxter Warner, the President of The Hero's Club -----------Ralph Cullmann Mrs. Baxter Warner, his wife--------------------------------Lorene Pralle Bunny Wheeler engaged to Grace----------------------------Bonald Miller Annette Coverdale, only female member of The Her's Club -Betty Schomberg Adelaid Young, a friend of Grace's--------------------------Lillian Garbers Barbara Bally, also a friend of Grace's---------------------Elizabeth Ender Victoria Esmond, a newspaper woman--------------------------Erma Tauscher Mil. Claudette Bordoni, a young French woman--------------------Ruth Ender Spike Ryder, a champion swimmer--------------------Norman Motschenbacher