Special Events from the Neillsville, Clark Co., WI Crimson and White Annual 1927

1927 Neillsville, WI High School Annual

Special Events

ORATORICAL AND DECLAMATORY CONTEST

The local oratorical and Declamatory Contest was held in the main room of the High School on April 7. In order of their appearance on the platform, the contestants were: In oratory-Elmer Zaeske, “The Message of Flanders Field”; Owen Higgins, “The Unfinished Task”; Elwin Martens, “Spartacus to the Gladiators”, and Clifford Nelson, “The War of Righteousness”.

Declamatory – Mabel Alden, “The Soul of the Violin”; Frederick Bullar, “Laddie”; Alice Alden, “The Song and the Man”; Ruth Huckstead, “The Second Trial”; Marie Short, “The Death Disk”; Eleanor Reimer, “Just David”; reading – Pearl Chapman, “Dora”; Alice Alden, “Grandmother”; Marie Short, “The Italian in England”; Fern Olson, “The Lighthouse”.

The Judges’ decision was as follows – Oratory – Elwin Martens, first; Clifford Nelson, second; Owen Higgins, third. Declamatory –Marie Short, first; Alice Alden, second; Mabel Alden, third; reading – Pearl Chapman, first; Alice Alden, second; Marie Short, third.

On April 22 the two first places in each contest will go to Black River Falls, to the League Contest, and compete with the winners in Local Contests from Augusta and Black River Falls. Wonderful talent was displayed by the Neillsville winners. Walter Keller and Clifford Nelson will represent the school in the Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. Owing to the fact that only two entered, no preliminary was held for that particular contest.

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THE FRESHMAN RECEPTION

The Freshmen reception started at eight bells and wound up at ten-thirty. The first laughter was brought fourth by the appearing of two Senior boys dressed to represent a Frosh couple. They entertained themselves by sucking on sticks of bright colored candy. A grand march led by the Frosh couple started the program for the evening. After the March several students were called upon to take part in the games and races which were not of the common sort.

In the Library the Sophomores were serving punch. In the eastern left hand corner of the assembly room were seated the Neillsville Tune Shooters who furnished sufficient amusement for the remaining two hours of one of the most successful parties ever held in N. H. S.

JUNIOR-SENOIR BANQUET

The Junior-Senior Promenade given April 30, 1927, by the class of 1928, was easily the most elite social event of the school year.

The banquet was served in the lower hall which was decorated beautifully in the colors of the class of ’28. The faculty, school board and the seniors were guests at the excellent dinner prepared by Miss Jahr with the help of the Junior Committee. Glen White, president of the Junior class, acted as toast-master, and speeches were also given by the Senior president, Mr. Hansen, and members of the School Board.

After the banquet the chattering groups broke up as Perrie’s Orchestra burst into a lively foxtrot. Soon the light fantastic was under the way and such a Prom as it was—there were the beautiful dresses, and throbbing music, the babble of many voices in conversations, and above all were the happy, carefree faces of the young people! All too soon the clock chimed the hour of midnight, and the Prom of 1927 came to a close.

All in all, the Prom was a great big success and was an affair of which the class of 1928 can be justly proud.

G. W. ’28.

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JUNIOR SLEIGH RIDE PARTY

Amid the shouts and clamor of a happy throng, the Junior Class of N. H. S. wended its ways to the home of one of its old “Stand-bys”, Norma Kurth. This merry group was chaperoned by three Seniors who were out for a good time as well as the rest. Although the weather was ideal all were glad to get in over the register when the destination was reached.

The evening was spent in playing games, telling jokes, and eating a delightful luncheon, which all heartily partook of as the refreshing night air was just the thing to arouse one’s appetite.

After being led in a most noisy yell by our renowned cheer-leader, all started home after wishing Norma many thanks for the delightful occasion Reports the following Monday showed that all survived the trip and the ride home without any difficulties except Ken Smith, who ate too much ice cream, “Butch” Skroch, who had to walk most of the way and Marie Short, who couldn’t find room for her feet.

C. H. N. ’28.

A FRIEND OF HUMANITY

Rising from the soil of Illinois are two tall and beautiful monuments which are dedicated to the memory of two men. One commemorates the life of Stephen Douglas, known as the “Little Giant”, and the other the life of Abraham Lincoln, the “Rail Splitter”.

In 1858 these two men were each campaigning for the United States Senatorial election. The question of slavery was the main issue of that campaign. The Supreme Court had just handed down the Dred Scott Decision which caused a great deal of discussion in both the North and the South. This decision held that a slave, willfully taken into a free state by his owner, was still a slave. In regard to a state entering the union as a free or slave state, Douglas, who wanted to gain favor with the people, said that it was up to each individual state to enter as it pleased. On that other hand Lincoln, who well knew the painful, animal-like life that a slave had to lead, maintained that “a house divided against itself could not stand”. He firmly believed that this nation could not permanently ex’st half-free and half-slave. He further stated that all the states would have to free the slaves or all permit them to be owned. Seven times these two men met in public debates to argue the question for the people. Douglas, a great statement and capable orator, made many statements that for the time being seemed to favor the lawfulness of slavery. Lincoln handled his end of the debates so skillfully that he nearly tied his opponent at election. The ability of using common sense in his plea for the negroes won him a widespread reputation. Two years later, 1860, he easily defeated Mr. Douglas for the United States presidency, thus becoming America’s sixteenth president.

But before we go on father, let us find out more about this man Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln was born in extreme poverty in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. When seven years old his folks moved to Gentryville, Indiana. Here his mother died two years later; however his father married again in 1819. Abe’s step-mother proved to be a wonderful help to him as she did a great deal to form his youthful character. Being strong and vigorous he was not only able to help his father clear the farm and do the regular work but he could also hire out to neighbors, thereby earning a little money to help support the family. In 1830 his parents moved to Illinois near where Decatur now stands. As Abe was only twenty-one he also went with them. The following year he made a voyage down the Mississippi to New Orleans. The sight of slaves being chained, flogged, and otherwise maltreated made an impression on Lincoln that was undoubtedly the incentive for using those convictions in his later life. Little did the slave-owners who saw him working on that flat-boat realize that he was later to become the president of the United States and Emancipator of the slaves.

The life of Lincoln from 1831 to 1860 when he was elected to the presidency was filled with many events. He served as a lawyer, a clerk in a store, a member of the state legislature and held other responsible positions.

When the word was spread that Lincoln was elected, seven states seceded with the prospect of several more doing the same. Nevertheless, he was ushered into office very quietly.

Three months later his old rival, Stephen Douglas, died. Well for him was it that his earthly days ended so soon, as he was “a man without a country”. The South rejected him because he maintained that a state could forbid slavery and the North because he said a state could allow slavery. He did not live to realize the failure he had made and the downfall of slavery. His name is still with us but his greatness died with him.

The story of Lincoln’s administration is well known. The burden of responsibility that he so nobly carried on, the prolonged and terrible war in which he was engaged, the Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves, the death of the president in the hour of final victory are all matters that can be told by all. His public addresses reveal more perfectly than description can portray the character of that remarkable man who stood at the helm of our ship of state through the storm and peril of a great war; of that man of whom his conquered foes have unflatteringly said. “He was a Friend of Humanity”.

When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, April 14, 1865, the life of one of the world’s greatest workers of Humanity was deliberately taken. What would this country be today had it not been for the work of Lincoln? The character of this man was outstanding, the good that he left to posterity was such that his name will go down on the pages of history until Earth’s last picture is painted.

Clifford Nelson

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Dale S.: -- “Miss Piehl, I need some scratch paper”.

Fresh Pupil: -- “Give him some sand paper, he’s got a bite”.

Vernon S.: - - “Say Herb, “I’ve just solved a new algebra problem”.

Herb: - - “What is it?”

Vernon: -- “King plus Queen equals Prince”.

Room 2

Joe W.: -- “Say Erwin, do you know what Dreamy is?”

Erwin: -- “No, What is he?”
Joe: -- “He’s the unknown quantity; don’t you see the X on his back?”

It was on Dec. 4, 1926 that Mr. Olson unfortunately forgot to give us his daily speech.

Sophomores: -- “Ah, hark! I hear some one singing, can it be Galli Curci?”

Freshman: -- “Oh, no, it is only Elsie Zank reciting.”

Ernest – “Miss Piehl, did you say you kicked Bob Neff out of class today?”

Miss Piehl – “Yes, I did”.

Ernest – “Did you hurt your foot?”

Teacher – “Lynn, what have you for the first answer?’

Lynn – Scratches his cranium and remains silent.

“Bright remark – “Skull minus brains.”