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CYRUS: The CHS Class of 1918, & the class Reunion in '41 Graduation week, 1918 Columbia High School graduation activities abounded in 1918, and the May 15 and May 22 editions of the Adair County News carried all the salient details--and then some. Leading off the events was the Baccalaureate service on Sunday, May 12th, held at the Baptist Church. The Presbyterian minister, Dr. B.T. Watson, delivered the baccalaureate sermon to a full house, including nineteen soon-to-be graduates. It was noted that "The address was highlyappreciated and happily delivered, and was enjoyed by all present." And too, "The music upon this occasion was rendered faultlessly and melodiously by the class." The next evening, May 13th, "...a play, 'Claim Allowed,' was given in the High School Gym, fifteen students having parts." It was further reported that the gym was "crowded to its capacity" and that each part in the play was carried out to perfection. Everyone had Tuesday evening off to catch their collective breath, and quite possibly, that's when the op-ed introduction to the May 15th article was written, to wit: "This institution, under the management of Professor R.R. Moss, with a full corps of teachers has been a success. There has been no friction, and the school under the same Superintendent, will open again in the fall... "Columbia has been an educational point for more than sixty years, and as a result of good schools there is scarcely a boy or girl in the community who has reached the age of fourteen, but has a fairly good education." Wednesday, May 15th--Class Night, and what a night it must have been! Elder Z.T. Williams' invocation opened the evening, and the Senior class then rendered "Where Are You Going to My Pretty Maid?" John Henry Hancock related the Class History; Miss Marguerite Lovett admirablyfilled her role as Giftorian; and Miss Latitia Paull soloed with "Just a Baby's Prayer at Twilight." Fred Walker Harris, Class Poet, gave an exceedingly good production, and Miss Grace Huffaker, Class Knocker, "...knocked, bringing down the house." Sarah Mildred Coffey, Class Prophet, gave many interesting predictions, and Miss Anna Eubank beautifully read the Class Will. Miss Allene Montgomery, scheduled to give a piano solo of "Salut D'amour," was unable to do so because of a disabled finger. And finally, "The program was closed with a well-prepared address, by the President, Paul Clifton Blair." The denouement and closure of Graduation Week followed the next evening, May 16, at the Columbia Baptist Church, where the whirlwind had started four days earlier, and again, the church was filled. First on the program was the choir singing "America," followed by Ralph Taylor Garnett delivering the Salutatory address, "The Hope of Democracy." The News reported that "Mr. Garnett is very talented and was at his best upon this occasion, enthusing the many who heard him." Next came Shreve Tuttle Davis, who gave the Valedictory speech, "Would You Be Great?" The senior class then sang "For the Flag and America," followed by the commencement speaker, Dr. Boyd, of Lexington. "The closing was the presentation of diplomas by the Superintendent, Prof. R.R. Ross. Benediction by Rev. B.T. Watson." And last, but certainly not least to the nineteen graduates, "Every member of the class, nineteen in number, received many nice presents." Misses Latitia Paull, Margaret Lovett, Grace Huffaker, Anna Eubank, Minnie Ingram, Julia Miller, Sarah Mildred Coffey, Bonnie Judd, Alma McFarland, Ruth Stotts, Dorothy Gill, Allene Montgomery. Messrs. Paul Clifton Blair, Jno. D. Lowe, Jr., Chelcie R. Barger, Shreve TuttleDavis, John Henry Hancock, Ralph Taylor Garnett and Fred Walker Harris. The Largest & the First A 1941 News article (see following) reported that the Class of '18 was "...at that time, the largest graduating class in the history of the High School, and the first four year class to graduate from that institution." Of the sixteen surviving classmates, eight were in attendance, namely: Shreve T. Davis, Miss Allene Montgomery and Chelcie R. Barger, all of Columbia; Paul C. Blair, Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Julia Horton, Paducah, Ky.; Mrs. Latitia Patton, Mrs. Grace Smith, and Mrs. Anna Hardesty, ofLouisville, Ky. Guests of the classmates were Mrs. Shreve T. Davis, Mrs. Chelcie R. Barger, and Rev. J.B. Horton. Those unable to attend were John D. Lowe, Jr., Mrs. Sarah Taylor and Mrs. Ruth Allen, of Columbia; Fred W. Harris, West Point, Miss.; Miss Dorothy Gill, Ardmore, Okla.; Mrs. Bonnie Luther, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. Margaret Purdy, Dallas, Texas; and Mrs. Alma Crenshaw, Maceo, Ky. (It's somewhat interesting to note that of the sixteen surviving members, six lived out of state, four lived elsewhere in Kentucky, and only six lived in Columbia.)The deceased classmates were John Henry Hancock, Ralph Taylor Garnett, and Mrs. Minnie Ingram Hamilton. (Does anyone know when and where Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Hancock and Mr. Garnett died?) The article further stated that an interesting letter from Prof. W.M. Wilson, of Barbourville, Ky., was read to the group. Prof. Wilson had served as principal of the High School during the freshman and sophomore years of the Class of 1918."Reminiscencing of school days was the main theme of the evening." One can only imagine the topics discussed and the peals of laughter, the silent tears, and the memories evoked--perhaps high school hijinks and accomplishments; the cloud of war that gathered as their Junior year drew to a close and cast a somber shadow over their entire Senior year; the great wave of patriotism that engulfed America; the influenza epidemic that struck later in the year; possibly the bitter cold and snow that ushered in 1918, and most certainly, a moment of somber reflection as they remembered their deceased classmates. And in closing, "The evening was voted a great success and a permanent organization was formed to promote an annual get-to-gether." Central Ohio Bureau Chief, CYRUS Direct comments are not available. However comments, subject to editing, are welcome by sending to: ed@columbiamagazine.com or linda@columbiamagazine.com. or through Submit a Story. This story was posted on 2006-05-07 00:00:00
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. (AD) - Many Reunion organizing efforts are also advertised in our REUNIONS category in our CM Classifeds. These are posted at a very low cost. See RATES & TERMS More articles from topic Local History:
CYRUS: Birth announcement of Adair County Fourth District Magistrate Shelley CYRUS: History sleuth finds 1918 Milltown On the Road article CYRUS: Snow was deep in Columbia 59 years ago LETTER: Leonard Burton recommends new Burton web sites Cyrus / Miss Katie Murrell, ''A bit of sunshine'' Writers think Shepherd School should be Museum, home of historical society Cyrus / A Prodigal Son Returns After 75 Years LETTER: Jason Harmon wants to know more about Leonard Burton CYRUS: Henry Giles' brief biography of a Great Adair Countian, Buck Watson JASON HARMON asks: Are all the members of the Cowan family indeed Burtons? View even more articles in topic Local History |
 
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