The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 June 1982 — Page 9

Dearest Dad— You remember, I remember MHS

BYJERI SEELY (EDITORS NOTE Th* following articlo wot prosontod at tho Milford High School Alumni banquot Saturday n'9 h » and ls an abbrouiatod history of tho school which Is slotod to bo torn down in October Boliovlng tho school ploys on Important part in tho tiros of tho citlzons of Milford, wo oro roprlnting It h*r» to prosorvo It for futuro gonorotions ) Milford High School is no more but her memory lives on in the generations of students who walked her halls. Our family is typical of many and tonight is very special to us — we each have our own memories, but we have memories to share too! No one really knows when or where Milford High School had its beginnings. A number of small schools were located on the town's Main Street. The first school being on Main where the home of Mr and Mrs JWayne Richardson now stands It was in 1878 that a two-story brick school building was completed in the town of Milford It would serve the students of the community until a new building was constructed in 1914 — just think, the span of that building was only 26 years It was also in 1878 that Milford’s school was graded The first graduating class listed in the Milford High School Alumni records is the class of 1903 A total of four seniors received their diplomas on graduation day — Nora Fuller. Martha Groves, Herb Baumgartner and Cleve Miles

FIFTH ANNUAL »3.3 And 8 Mile Mail-Journal Flotilla Road Race Syracuse City Park Syracuse, Indiana Saturday, July 3, 1982 — 9:00 A.M. Pre-Registration — 7:30 A.M. The Moil-Journal Flotilla Road Race is held in conjunction with the 4th of July Flotilla Festival sponsored by the Syrocuse-Wawosoe Chamber of Commerce. Both races are run near the shores of two of Indiana s most beautiful lakes. Rolling hills are a part of both events. Half Os All Entry Fees Go To Lakeland Community Daycare Center SHITS: One, Two. Four and Six Miles *lO OH COURSf: Water Will Be Furnished On The Course At Two. Four And Six Miles. TRAFFIC CONTROL: By Syracuse Police And Civil Defense, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. RESTROOMS: Park Restrooms, No Showers - AWARDS (Both Races) - •Trophy to first man and woman finisher in each race. •A custom Mail-Journal Flotilla T-shirt to the first 275 entries. •Plaques awarded to first three positions in each age group of each race (90 total) Mail-Journal Flotilla Registration Form Name ' „ . Sex ; Address . . . C i ty . S to te Zip Date Os Birth July 3, I Will BeYears Old I Want To Run In The C 3.3 Mile Run 8 Mile Run MEN WOMEN T-SHIRT SIZE I CATEGORIES c E YL S M. L, XL , 20-24 45-49 C 20-29 (Both Races) 25 29 c 50 59 c 30-39 030-34 (Z6o<Over „ 40 & Over ALL CONTESTANTS MUST SIGK FNE WAIVER, ALSO PARENTS IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE Th« undoesignad waives all rights and claims against the individuals, committee members and officials sponsoring or working on The Mail-Journal Flotilla Rood Race and landowners whose land borders the Rood Race course, both individually and severally and acknowledges bse above individuals and landowners assume no responsibility lor accidents injuries, or loss ol equipment prior to during or after the event. Signed . - Dote _____ — Parent s Signature If Above Is Under IB Years Os Age 2 1 - ENTRY FEE - PRE-REGISTRATION DAY OF RACE (Deadline: Friday, Jun® 25, 1982) S4OO SSOO Payable To Mail-Journal Flotilla Road Roca Moil Check And Entry Form To: Mail-Journal Flotilla Road Race C/O Carl Meditch 196 North Shore Drive Syracuse, Indiana 46567

A commission was received in 19U. through the untiring efforts of Superintendent James Shepherd. An interesting note in the history of the Milford schools is the fact that between 1883 and 1886 Herman Wilke was principal of the school and Henrietta Treesh was a grade teacher. They married at Milford and later became the parents of a son. Wendell A. Wilke, a candidate for President of the United States in. 1940. Henrietta became the first woman to be admitted to law practice in Indiana. 70 Years Ago — 1912 Milford had three graduates in 1912: Helen Vanderveer. Eugene W. Felkner and John Traster. The building we know today as the old Milford High School has known few principals: James Shepherd —I9OB-1915 Thomas Berry —1915-1917 Alva Stout - 1917-1926 Lloyd Eherenman —1926-1935 Harold Young -1935-1959 Donn Kesler- 1959-1968 I remember 1914 from my history books It was in that year that President Woodrow Wilson pushed for strong anti-trust legislation, including establishment of a Federal Trade Commission to guard against unfair business practices It is also the year that appears on most of the birth certificates erf the graduates of the class of 1932 In 1914 World War I was utmost m the minds of most people The Germans were on the move Before the w-ar ended, more than

two million Americans would serve in Europe . Thoughts in Milford, however, in 1914, were on the new school building. Dedication ceremonies for the school were held on December 18,1914. The first commencement exercises in the new building were held on May 1,1915. Before that commencement was held in the Methodist Church. On May 15, 1915, the Masons conducted a corner stone ceremony. It was very impressive and the whole town turned out. The crowd gathered uptown and marched in a long procession to the school, led by the band. ‘ In the early 1920 s basketball games were played in the old Milford Sale. Pavilion, located on the southeast corner of Emeline and James Streets. That building now houses Levemier’s Bodyshop While the old (and cold!) pavilion had no dressing rooms, the local team dressed in a nearby house. The county basketball tournament was played there in 1922. Through the years a number of annuals have been published by the senior classes of Milford High School In 1915 "The Rambler" came off the presses In 1921 ‘The Bomb” was printed. Between 1921 and 1930 a yearbook was printed every three years In 1924 it was called "The Milfordian." In 1927, "The Sansparel” and in 1930, "The Sundial " Between 1930 and 1940 no books w ere published The first “Trojanette" came

off the press in 1940 and a "Trojanette’’ was printed each year thereafter until 1968 when the schools consolidated, except in 1943 when World Ward! effected many things, includjhg the publication of high-school yearbooks. Most graduates remember . “The Blue and Gray.’’ It was first printed in 1920. John E. Gunter was editor-in-chief and Maude L. McLa*ighlin was in charge of litary. A copy from April 30.1920, Vol 1, No. 3, sold for 15 cents. The grade enrollment, according to the paper, was 210. A second grade report on the March weather indicated 184 sunny days, 84 cloudy days, one snowy day and three rainy days. All MHS graduates know that only "important" information was printed in “The Blue and Gray.” History tells us that the sophomore class made sl7 on a bake sale held in 1920. They used the money to entertain the seniors of 1921. It was in 1920 that a moving picture machine was added to the equipmentof the school The machine was one of the best of its kind and was especially adapted to school use in that the picture could be run backwards as well as forwards 60 Years Ago —1922 There were 22 members in the senior class in 1922. That was the first year that MHS alumnus Noble W. Neff taught here He taught for a period of 25 years. The laboratory and science room were "fitted up" in 1923 out of the east half of the old gy m nasium. It was very well equipped with a number of tables manufactured in the manualtraining room The tables were used for study, experiment and typewriting On part of the east side of the room there was a large blackboard on which assignments, etc., were written. At the south end of the east side of the room were two cases. On practically the whole west side of the room, built against the wall, was a verylarge equipment compartment, enclosed behind glass doors to protect the equipment from dust. Much of the equipment was purchased from Winona College in the fall of 1922. The science department was a big factor influencing state authorities to put Milford High School on the map as one of the best schools in the state. The MHS band was organized under the direction of Lloyd Eherenman during the 1920 s Eherenman was the director of the band until 1935. The first alumni banquet was held in the high school building on April 26,1924. The student council was organized two years later, in 1926. Remember Willi a® Rhodes? He was a member of the class of 1929. He was quite prominent in

Our Achievements BvJULLIAN KANTNER Written For 1929 Alumni w 1 I In the hallsof Milford High School. ) /I I In the classrooms and assembly. c, JMI / Stand the teachers, all the teachers. r- / // Guiding with their words, the students ij Through the paths of knowledge, onward To the goal of the Alumni Sweetly sings the High School Chorus, ’ •// •/' Adding fame to all its members; They will not let us forget them; CnHIAf rIHCC All the tenors and sopranos. O“1 11 vJ I L IUO J All the basses and contraltos; j HO/1 And the Chorus long remembered. DOG Hl "" I /vv As the students journey onward Traveling down the trail at sunset. Traveling on toward the shadows. re B oin ß to leave thee now. Fills each heart with joy and gladness. Departing hence for aye. = And the Band of Milford High School. And yet we all avow Guided by its patient leader, , We’re ready for the fray Will not rest upon its laurels. With demons we must slay Never working any harder; But with sax and tuba sounding to success we 11 fly. Roll of drums and sound of basses. And now we go away — And the French horn mild and dreamy. Drowning all the shriek of clarinet. Farewell to Milford High. Will give fame to Milford High School Bringing honor ever higher. We re B°ing to make our bow, "Til it puts the town of Milford , °Mr courage we must flay. On the map forever after ... „ We all. if you 11 allow. Dead was Latin ere our fathers. So anxious to stay. Came from England to this country. school all w as not pley. But this winter it has come back . . To its place among the subjects was ever nigh. This the mightiest of the studies. But still our lives were gay. - That will make us sweat and ponder, 4 „ Threw a challenge to a Junior Farewell to Milford High. And a Freshman seeking glory. They have won the county contest Gur eachersd ’ d en^° w __ Bringing honor to Iheir High School Our brains with matter gray. And the Junior working ever ... ... . Won the high score in the district The space behind the bro Will never say us nay! Watch us well, renowned Alumni, Upon our knee w e praj We are working, ever working. ~ u To bring honor to our high school; 1 God oUr h^2Tn a .. To bring fame home from the contests. Our mans aches allay. Farewell to Milford High! Wave the Blue and C ray unceasing. * ,th many a sob and s *? h - Save our school from all disaster That may creep across the threshold; 1 „ ° uiah 1 ” To the school may be the glory “Farewell to Milford High!

the southern states as a pro golfer. How about Ted Smith? He was a member of the class of 1930. He wrote detective stories and sold them to magazines. We can not leave the 1920 s without making a few remarks on Milford's new gym! Or, about the basketball team, "the green farm boys.” Work began on the new Milford High School gym in 1924. When completed late that year this building was easily the best gymnasium in this area. During 1924 games were played in the old gyms at Leesburg and New Paris. In early 1925 games were scheduled in the new gym. In 1925 the • county tournament was played here. That was also the year Milford won the county, sectional and regional tournaments and joined the fabled "Sweet 16” at Indianapolis. Vincennes upset Milford in the old fairground's cow bam — 2631. The game was the state tourney opener, and the Indianapolis newspaper, new at carrying photographs, showed tall (6'3”) Clayton (“Si”) Hollar jumping center. Si was considered among the state’s tallest that year. Members of the longremembered team included Harry and Roy Schultz, Eldon Miller. Royal Sechler. Harold Burns. Noble Miller and James Hammon. .59 Years Ag 0—1932 My history books tell me 1932 was a difficult time in America. The great depression had hit this nation and soup kitchens and breadlines were found in every large city. Herbert Hoover was president. He was hated by the masses and lost his bid for re-election in November with FDR promising to introduce his New- Deal. The members of the class of 1932 were in their final year of highschool... Dearest Dad: You remember the modem era as the USA became an industrial giant and a major world power. I remember the atomic age with its problems — its promises. —ln the fall of 1937, the Milford High School band began the year under the leadership of Joseph Judkins. Judkins’ first band consisted of 28 members, including the beginners. New band uniforms were purchased in the spring of 1939 for 39 members and one drum major. The 1940 s brought World War II and Social Security. It was on January 31, 1940, that Ida Fuller of Ludlow, Vt., received an initial check of $22.54. 40 Years Ago — 1942 The class of 1942 was composed of 24 members That year the activities of the band did not stop at the aid of the school year but extended through the summer with 10 open-air'concerts being

given for the town and a marching drill bang presented on Memorial Day. A new type of speed and accuracy test was conducted in typing class in 1942. The objective was a perfect copy for five minutes. Betty Cunningham typed 45 words with Max Wagoner typing*). Coach Bob Bushong started the track team in 1942. The boys showed great spirit and enthusiasm in the sport and track had its beginning at MHS. Milford held the record for the most consecutive softball championships — three. The Trojans were second in basketball championships with four, Syracuse was first with seven. The 1944 track team was undefeated in four dual meets and the school’s first sectional point was scored by G. F. (“Fritz”) Wolferman, who took third in the shot-put. In 1946 Milford coach Arlo Beiswanger put together what was to become a winner. With Carl and Bill Speicher and Don Wolferman. all three sophomores, spearheading the team, they won the sectional tournament. \This winning trio, with Dick Kaiser and Phil Beer, won the sectional in 1947. The three returned as seniors in 1948 and had as fellow regulars Dick and Ben Kaiser. Subs were Jack Klopenstein, -Duane (“Skipp”) Graff, Harry Om and Ralph Clawson. They won 25 straight games before falling in the first game of the Fort Wayne regional. Monroeville was the victor — 51-47: Robert Bushong was coach in 1947-48. The Footlights Club of the 1940 s should bring back memories for some. It was a dramatic club for students who received a B or better in English during the month. Anastatia Krider was the sponsor. The Future Farmers of America, were organized in 194849. It was an organization of vocational ag boys and was under Marion Stackhouse. Eldon Morehouse was the first president. 30 Years Ago —1952 Harry S. Truman was president in 1952. The MHS graduating class that year had 26 members. Bobby sox and saddle shoes were the style of the 50s. The class of 1951 was the first class to take a four-day trip. A new organization, the Music Parents, was formed in 1952 Its first project was the purchase of new choir robes. We found a copy of the last will and testament of the class of 1952. The following was tafen from the document: John Augsburger willed his “good knees” to John Yeater and John Replogle. Mary Ellen Bray willed her four years of cheerleading to Nancy Hall. Nancy Campbell willed her undecided ways to Rebecca Beer. Evar Troup willed his glasses to

Wed., June 9,1982 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

w s* f JCA & ' vwl 1 H All Ik **) jHmSSgwK ii ' ty h«ii< } If/ ■" -. a '<<■■■ ll* • A/? I OLD GRADS, MHS — They won't mind the appelation of "old graduates" of Milford High School. Vera Schell, left, at age 92. is the oldest graduate from the school, having graduated from the old school, long since demolished, in 1909. There were seven in the class with exercises in the Milford Methodist Church. She said she was a member of the school's first basketball team. Dorothea Groves Kerlin was a member of the class of 1917, the third graduating class of the new high school, the one soon to be demolished. Both, ladies received special recognition at the Saturday night Milford High School alumni banquet.

Jimmy Moore. Glen Wuthrich willed his ability to stay in agriculture to Don Hoover Between the years of 1939 and 1957, the high school band and choir participated in the Northern Indiana Band. Orchestra and Vocal Association contests During this time the band and chorus received a total of 31 superior and 14 excellent ratings in the state and district contests. That brings us to 1957 — 25 years ago... 20 Years Ago —1962 By 1962 there were 34 members in the graduating class. The class motto that year was. "Not Finished. Just Beginning " In 1965 a National Honor Society was started at the school. It was named the Noble Chapter in honor of Dr Noble Neff. The class of 1967 was the largest to graduate from MHS. On June 1, 1967, a total of 50 students marched across the stage to receive their diplomas from Charles H. Purdum, Jr., a member then of the Lakeland School Board and a 1938 MHS alumnus. Among the graduates

'4 ft DANCE RECITAL — The Lee Anne Stewart Dance School will be presenting “The Name Game” dance recital on Saturday. June 12. at 7 p.m. in the Wawasee High School auditorium. Shown in the photo are members of the Dance Magic Dance company who will perform a tap dance to a medley of Gershwin songs. The public is invited to attend.

DUST a SON MCORATOM r—PAINTINO—| INTERIOR • EXTERIOR ftUtSmiUmS RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL 457-2313 Qsolify Workmanship .Syracuse igo ijijwi ji■ ■ EESb I t I y—-ji 1 r • '‘ ' i’» kMo ' mrtO IdlM / Sharper color picture \ /than ever before poss/ble\ ( in home projection TV! )

was his daughter. Janet. In 1968 the last class to graduate chose. “We have crossed the valley, the mountain lies ahead!” for its motto. There were 26 graduates that year. It was a year for newspaper articles One full page of The Mail-Journal was given to the last basketball game in Milford's gym as the Trojans marked the 1 end of an illustrious basketball history at home A capacity crowd filled the gym to witness the 80-61 victory over White's Institute. Tall Dan Brown led the Trojans on the court and from the backboard. He got nine field goals and four free throws for 22 points and brought down 18 rebounds. The 31st spring concert was presented on Friday. March 29. It would be the school's last. A souvenir program was printed, giving the history of the music department. Many a tear fell that year as the seniors graduated ... the last leaf was turned ... an era came to an end.

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