Staff Editor-in-Chief.....Maybel Underwood Asst. Editor-in-Chief.....Nina Smith Business Manager.....Glenn Memmen Department Editors Athletic.....Herman Halfman, John Heiken, and Sena Geiken Literary.....Margarey Davison Joke.....James Ryan Art.....Esther Vissering, and Violet Parks Advertising.....Esther Wiltz, Esther Vissering, James Ryan, and Glen Memmen Local.....Gertrude Hughes Cartoon.....Rufus Charles, Sophomore and Reed Ruestman, Freshman To Gretchen Schiffbauer Who has so kindly and ably assisted us in performing our duties in the Minonk High School, the Class of 1917, respectfully dedicates this volume. Appreciation We, the Senior Class, wish hereby to express our appreciation - To those who have advertised in the Caldron, may they everyone on consequence enjoy a large measure of prosperity. To Miss Ruth Miller, who has helped us so faithfully and earnestly. To the faculty for their earnest work with us during these long years; may God bless each one and every one, in their noble work. To those who have so heartily given us their time and labor in preparing materials and drawings for this book. To those, who by their sympathy and support, have made this, our first Annual, possible. Minonk High School From the time of its foundation, Minonk High has been loved by all who regularly attended it for four years and also, by the inhabitants of the surrounding community.  It has won its honor and lost its battles, rejoiced over victory and regretted its defeats, but smiled and was brave with its many true and loyal supporters through the many trials. The old school house was a green, frame building which set near the street.  There were two entrances on the north, with board walks leading to them. In the '90's, there were only two teachers in the high room.  Two courses were taught:  The Scientific, including Chemistry, Geometry, Botany, Zoology and those studies which are now combined under the head of Physics, and some English; the Classical, including the foreign languages, advanced English and History in detail. A new school house was very much needed so in 1902, a very handsome stone building was erected.  The main entrances were now on the west and side entrances on the north and south.  At that time the following were members of the school board:  Thos. Kennedy, Pres.; J. A. Simpson, Sec.; Tom Pichard, P. M. Evans, Wm. Janssen, C. M. Golden and Conrad Kohl. Since then the school has witnessed many changes, but always for the better.  The enrollment has increased rapidly during the last twenty years.  The library was refitted in 1906, in memory of Donald Austin Stoddard, but in 1916, last year, the Filger Library was built and the fiction from the school library was taken there.  Nevertheless, there still remains a large supply of references.  Domestic Science was established in 1912 and besides, being very interesting to the girls, it certainly teaches many practical things.  It instills into the hearts of the girls, after learning how to cook and sew some, a desire to explore farther into the regions of cooking and sewing.  Manual Training was abandoned in 1914, after Prof. R. B. Morris left.  Music was introduced into the school in 1915 with Miss Nettles as director. The annual Stoddard Contest creates a great interest as it is the preliminary for the County Meet.  Through the generosity of the Stoddard family, prizes are awarded to the winners.  At the county meet Minonk always tries her best to come home with banners flying.  Also the school may boast of the Basket Ball teams that it has had in the last decade and especially the present team with its coach, Prof. Guy R. French. Form year to year the school board has changed until not one of the members of 1902 are on the present board.  Those who now make up the Board are:  E. J. Henderson, president; Dr. W. S. Morrison, secretary; W. O. Pope, John Vissering, A. H. Parks, R. B. Stoddard and Dr. H. A. Millard. Great has been growth and success of the Minonk High School and with bright respects for the future, may it ever attain fame and honor.___M. U. '17 Alumni 1914 Barth, Kathryn - rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Bowman, Maude - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Eckhart, Eldon - Rural teacher Minonk, Illinois Meierhofer, John - At home, in Minonk, Illinois Memmen, Dean - At home, Minonk, Illinois Matuszewicz, Veronica - Student, Champain, Illinois Ridge, Beth - Student, Oberlin, Ohio Seidle, Waler - Rural teacher, Benson, Illinois Tucker, Roland - Student, Champain, Illinois Vissering, Eckhart - Student, Champaign, Illinois Wiltz, Lucille - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois 1915 Bennington, Bernice - Student, Normal University Christians, Rachel - Bookkeeper, P.S. Co., Minonk, Illinois Davison, Adeline - Student, Shurtleff, Alton, Illinois Davison, Lester - At home on the far near Minonk, Illinois Davison, Victor - Student, Champaign, Illinois Goliwas, Joe - At home, Minonk, Illinois Harms, Arthur - Married, Minonk, Illinois Jones, Fern - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Jones, Irma - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Janssen, Curtis - Student, Moody Institute, Chicago King, Oscar - At home, Minonk, Illinois Kohl, Adalia - Student, Ferry Hall, Lake Forest, Illinois Millard, Homer - Student, Military school, Charleston, South Carolina Oyen, Eddie - At home, Minonk, Illinois Pratt, Claris - At home, Benson, Illinois Ryan, William - At home, Minonk, Illinois Schneider, Susie - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Stewart, Eunice - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Vissering, Viola - Student, Wesleyan, Bloomington Von Nordheim, Elma - At home near Minonk, Illinois 1916 Abels, Margaret - At home, Minonk, Illinois Barth, Lena - Rural teacher, Roanoke, Illinois Bennett, Ray - At home, Minonk, Illinois Eich, Ninnette - At home, Minonk, Illinois Fehring, Otilda - Rural teacher, Eureka, Illinois Harms, Hilda - Student, Aurora, Illinois Heiken, Adolph - At home, Benson, Illinois Hindert, Lavina - At home, Minonk, Illinois Hughes, Lorene - At home, Minonk, Illinois Jansses, Emma - Student, Normal University, Normal, Illinois Jury, Howard - At home near Minonk, Illinois Kelly, Mary - Rural teacher, Eureka, Illinois Kettelhut, Armin - Student, Dental School, Chicago Klatt, Otillie - Married, now Mrs. John Janssen Livingston, Thomas - Student, Champaign, Illinois Mammen, Clara - At home in Minonk, Illinois McChesney, Grace - At home near Minonk, Illinois McOmber, Katharine - Student, Wesleyan, Bloomington Onnen, Hannah - Rural teacher, Minonk, Illinois Pratt, George - Learning telegraphy, Benson, Illinois Skinner, Beulah - At home, Minonk, Illinois Tallyn, Brainerd - At home near Minonk, Illinois Tallyn, Chester - At home, Benson, Illinois Vogel, Irene - Rural teachers, Benson, Illinois __I. B. N. '17 Teachers Guy R. French Southern Collegiate Institute, Albion, Ill. University of Illinois.  Superintendent of schools:  Eureka 1910 -1914; Minonk 1914 -1917. "For he spoke as one having authority."   Gretchen Schiffbauer Normal University, Normal, Illinois. Illinois University, Urbana, Illinois Instructor in German and Household Science 1913 -17.  Principle of High School '14 -'17. "Simple and sweet, we all love her." Gretchen Schiffbauer Normal University, Normal, Illinois. Illinois University, Urbana, Illinois Instructor in German and Household Science 1913 -17.  Principle of High School '14 -'17. "Simple and sweet, we all love her." Katherine Hodgkins Northwestern University A.B. Instructor in Latin and English, Rutland High School 1915 -'16. Instructor in Latin and Science, Minonk High School 1916 -'17. "Whatever is popular deserves attention." Georgia Nettles Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Columbia School of Music, Chicago, Ill. Supervisor of Music and High School English, Roanoke 1914 -'15. Supervisor of Music in El Paso and Minonk 1915 -'17. "Her voice was ever soft, gentle and low." Senior Class James Ryan President of Senior Class Joke Editor Boys' Glee Club Mixed Chorus Senior B. B. Team Yell Leader W. G. G. Society Declamation in Stoddard Contest '16 -'17. "A deep thinker; but his thoughts are too deep for expression." Katharine Parks Center School Secretary and Treasurer of Senior Class Girls' Glee Club '15 -'16 Alethean Society '13 -'14 Mixed Chorus '15 -'17. "As is quiet, wise and good." Glenn Memmen Vice-President Senior Class Business Manager of "The Caldron" Glee Club Chorus W. G. G. Captain of Senior B. B. Team '16 -'17 Vice-President of Junior Class "Tall, slender, lean and lank, Good in almost any rank" Maybel Underwood Editor-in-Chief Class President of Sophomore Class '14 -'15 Periclesian Society Girls Glee Club '15 -'16 Mixed Chorus '15 -'16 -'17 Oration in Stoddard Contest '17 Sub-Forward of Girls' B. B. team '13 -'14 Forward on 1st B. B. team and Senior team '16 -'17 "A fair exterior is silent recommendation." Gertrude Hughes Graduated from St. Patrick's Parochial School '13 Entered High School '13 Forward on Girls' 2nd B. B. team '13 - '14 Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 Mixed Chorus '16 - '17 Guard on Girls' 1st B. B. team '16 - '17 Local Editor Member of M. M. C. "So wise - so young - she cannot live long - single." Herman Halfman Graduated from Eighth Grade and Business Course at St. Patrick's School Entered M. H. S. '14 Track Team '16 - '17 Guard on 1st B. B. Team '15 - '16 and '16 - '17 Member of W. G. G. "One vast, substantial smile." Esther Stonier Pattonsburg School Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 Periclesian Society '13 - '14 Mixed Chorus '14 - '15 Guard on 1st B. B. team '13 - '14 "We would not have her otherwise." Mildred Green Toole School Declamation in County Meet '16 B. B. '13 - '14 Guard on Senior Team '16 - '17 Member of K. K. K. and M. M. C. '16 - '17  Periclesian Society '13 - '14 "For she was such a bright little, slight little, slim little craft." Oliver Parks Oration in Stoddard Contest  and County Meet '16 Business Manager of Boys' Basket Ball team '16 - '17 President of W. G. G. Track Team '16 "When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for us to bluff, let us bluff." Esther Vissering Guard on B. B. team '14 - '17 Girls' Glee Club '16 County Meet Preliminaries '16 - '17 Art Manager M. M. C. Society "Stands up one hour after eating so she won't take on flesh." Florence Wylie Treasurer of Junior Class Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 Chorus '16 - '17 Periclesian Society '13 - '14 "A dainty little maid is she so neat, so nice." Victor Seifert Benson High School '13 - '16 Track team '15 - '16 Boys' Glee Club '17 Chorus '17 "Not only gook but good for something." Fanny Uphoff Adams School '13 Declamation in Stoddard Contest '16 - '17 Girls' Glee Club '16 "None as fair with no earthly care, Save the fixing of her golden hair." Margaret Davison Essay in County Meet '15 Oration in Stoddard Contests '15 - '16 President of Junior Class '15 - '16 Literary Editor '17 Periclesian Society '13 - '14 Mixed Chorus '15 - '16 - '17 Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 "We expect great things of her." Judd Evey Garfield School Alethean Society "Don't bore people by talking too much, is my advice." Esther Wiltz Girls' B. B. Team, Guard '13 Girls' Glee Club '15 M. M. C. Society "A maiden never bold; a spirit so still and quiet." Gladys Eckhart Benson High School '16 Vice-President Benson Senior Class B. B. Team, Benson '13 M. G. R. Society Minonk High School as Senior Captain of the Monday B. B. Team, Minonk M. M. C. and K. K. K. Clubs "She wouldn't be good if she could, And she couldn't be good if she would." John Heiken Benson High School Basket Ball and Track Teams, Benson Minonk High School '16 - '17 Baseball, Basket Ball and Track Teams. "Man was born for two things - sleeping and eating." Violet Parks Center School '06 High School Chorus '14 - '17 Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 Center on Senior Girls' Basket Ball Team '17 Assistant Art Editor Alethean Society '13 - '14 Essay Contest. "No cupid's darts for her." Nina Smith Alethcan Society '13 - '14 Vice President of Sophomore Class '14 - '15 Mixed Chorus '15 - '16 - '17 Librarian, Bell and Telephone Girl '16 - '17 Assistant Editor in Chief, '17 "I feel competent to teach it myself." Irene Nellinger Washington School Grant School H. S. Chorus '14 - '17 Girls' Glee Club '15 - '16 Alethean Society '13 - '14 "If I am not great I am what I am." Sena Geiken Garfield School Benson High School Girls' B. B. Team, Benson '13 Treasurer of Senior Class, '16 Forward, 1st Team and Senior B. B. Team '16 - '17 M. M. C. and K. K. K. Clubs "A twinkle in her eye, A twinkle in her cheek, A jolly little scul As you would chance to meet." Memories of the Seniors Superstition frowned when the Senior Class of '17, marched in a halting line into the Assembly as Freshies in the year of 1913.  But fate smiled and in the brief conflict of four years superstition was conquered and now, destiny ever kind, floats the flag of the Orange and Black. Our professor in that first period of our High School career was Mr. R. B. Morris, whom we watched from afar with a sense of awe because of his superiority.  But we were drawn as iron to a magnet for he was a kind and congenial man.  The thought of our principal will ever cause us to smile.  Invariably at 11:40 a.m. we were favored with a ten-cent lecture which as invariably began with "Some people---." The Freshies had no love for their Latin and Algebra Teacher.  Order was forever uppermost in her mind and our class was constantly told, "We will have order.  We'll have it one way or another."  However the prophecy was false for we never saw it in those classes.  Roll call was an oasis in the day's routine for response was, "On deck," "Absent" or "Yours truly."  The others looked to the Freshmen for Latin Stars and watched the Alg. I test grades for bargain prices. Our salvation in that perilous beginning was Miss Schiffbauer and we are glad to be able to say she remained with us throughout our H. S. course. All the tragedies of country-joke and hayseed were visited on one poor, little, red-headed, freckled-faced Freshie whose Irish wit did not serve him well.  In intermissions he was forced to dance jigs to the tune of Dixie till all the school roared in unrestrained merriment.  Undoubtedly when we stand before the Judgment Bar we shall tremble as we recall his absence from our ranks in the years that followed. The fun of the Fresheman year, being light, rose to the top while work sank to the depths of shadow.  Fund consists of frolicsome amusement and our amusement took the form of a waste-paper basket traveling around our classes or a class stampede to the windows in order to see a flock of wild geese soaring southward.  The Freshman were especially liberal with their supply of candy.  Like Mary's little lamb, cheese sandwiches and pickles with peanuts or apples for dessert found their way to school.  Four o'clock Algebra sessions were popular and non-instructive. Much to the discomfort of our class the High School was divided into two literary societies, the Alethean and Periclesian.  The Freshmen were equally divided so as to balance the literary talent. The Sophomore year witnessed a radical change in the faculty.  Our former professor was succeeded by a real live-wire.  Guy R. French, whom we have found to a keen observer of the Golden Rule.  Miss Schiffbauer became our principal.  Gretchen Sharp took the English department and Effie Sutton took charge of Latin and Science.  Miss Sharp was splendid in the class room.  We shall always remember Miss Sutton by her stately tread and her dignified bearing.  Miss Sutton and the Sophomore Girls resented the fact that the mirror disappeared from the hall. Marshmallow toasts and wiener roasts started the school year on its joyous round.  As most classes, the Sophs did not have the faculty of cohesion but we did manage to do a few noteworthy things.  When winter snows made sleighing a delight, we were invited to the hospitable home of Margaret Davison where a most splendid evening was spent by playing charades and indulging in dainty refreshments.  The ride home was made exciting by the crowded condition of the sled, but it was all winter sport. As the Seniors and Juniors had each distinguished their class loyalty by a social gathering, the Soph felt it their duty to have a Valentine Party.  Through the kindness of Violet and Katharine Parks, a spacious home was given over to our enjoyment for an entire evening.  St. Valentine decorated the rooms and Cupid superintended the entertainment and midnight lunch with all the skill of his long experience. Another class party was given at Esther Stonier's home near Pattonsburg, where we were driven in cars.  The novelty of the evening was middies and even the boys had donned them for the occasion.  We played out-door games and amused ourselves with chatting and music.  Brick ice cream and cake were served. Though we had a great deal of fun, our second year was decidedly a year of hard work.  The contrast between the first and second was vast.  We are glad it was a change for the better.  Those who found Latin discouraging tried German and found it much easier to comprehend.  The class delved in the interesting facts of ancient History, some finished their domestic Science Course and others began their work in other sciences.  Those in the Botany class enjoyed a day's outing while gathering specimens for our herberiums.  Miss Sutton acted as chaperon. After a restful vacation, we returned to our Alma Mater as Juniors and attempted to uphold the traditions of the Senior Class. Our only new teacher of this epoch was Miss Nettles, the music instructor.  For a time we did very well with this subject but after a year's work it was decided that music should be optional with the scholars and one-fourth of a credit given per year for satisfactory work. On the night of Hallowe'en we were welcomed to the home of Irene Nellinger where we found appropriate and interesting decorations.  all was as weird as it should be on such a night and many shivery ghost storiss were related. In class conflicts of Basket Ball we always gave our boys all the support of banner and voice we could muster. During the year we enjoyed the dramatization of "Hamelt" and "Macbeth" and the stage in the gymnasium was the scene of many a cruel (dramatized) murder.  We began to read classics and became acquainted with the important authors of English Literature.  Our class made a good record in Mathematics.  Some too Economics, one of the the most practical of High School studies.  A few took up Medival History, the link between the ancient and the modern. The Juniors were well represented in the Stoddard Contest and county Meet, both from a literary and an athletic standpoint. When Spring proclaimed the close of school our class gave a banquet at the Woodford Hotel in honor of the Seniors.  It was a joy to be excused from school in order to decorate the rooms.  The dining room was decked in old rose and silver, the Junior colors, while the reception room was light with those of the Seniors, pink and gold. When we gathered as Seniors there were numerous changes in our class.  Two had graduated with the Class of '16; some had moved to other cities and other schools; and many who were unable to endure the pressure of school life long, had failed to enroll.  Benson High had given us its very best which made us number twenty-two. We have been fortunate this year in having as our English and History teacher, one of Minonk High's own graduates, Miss Ruth Miller.  She is a member of the Class of '10, and is a splendid example of conscientious work and stick-to-itiveness. Miss Katharine Hodgkins succeeded Miss Sutton and fills well in language and science chair. In our Senior year we have attempted to set a standard but we hope that as the minds of the other classes develop their ideals will also expand.  Seniors of the future should bear in mind that where they go, the rest are sure to follow. At the beginning of our fourth year the Literary Societies were revived but the Seniors backed a petition against them and it was accepted by the one in authority. As Seniors we have had many debates and have written many papers which show the earnest teachings of those most interested in our psychic welfare.  according to our decisions, the press is the greatest public benefactor; the Fifteenth amendment to the Constitution should not be repealed; and capital punishment should be abolished in the United States. The Presidential election caused us no little excitement as did also the war problem.  "Current Events" has kept us well informed as we have been subscribers to the newsy little paper all year. With the aid of Prof. French and our Physics texts we have looked into some of the phenomena of our everyday life. Through Miss Miller's kind interest we have been able to visit the City Council at its regular session and the bank with its vaults and many kinds of money. We have studied intensively American Literature and have committed to memory many beautiful selections of poetry.  Even a modern novel, Octave Thanet's "The Man of the Hour," has entered our curriculum.  Our English class has had several spelling contests and we have been in charge of the H. S. section of our local newspaper. We have had the seniors' trials of agents with invitation samples and class rings or pins. During the year, we presented to our school a framed duplicate of the original of the Declaration of Independence.  Later a beautifully framed escutscheon of our flag and its history was hung beside this document, on the wall of the assembly hall. We love our school as only Seniors can love their school and when many a year has passed away, memory will lead us back again and we shall walk right in and give again the good old Oskee-wow-wow that they yell at Minonk High. __Nina Smith '17 Our Minute Biographies Name Pet Name Favorite Pastime Cause For Fame Intends to be Favorite Saying Fondest of Nina S. Happy stuffing the Prof. her sarcasm school ma'am "I'm mad!" Willie Mc James R. Curley bluffing his gayety a great orator "Let's go!" yelling Esther W. Es attending movies her kodak society belle "What!" Tickle Violet P. Vi basket ball her pride an old maid "You don't say?" work Herman Dutch grinning his guarding a base ball star "Gee" Gertrude with the rosy cheeks Esther V. E. V. flirting her curl married "You know" herself Sena G. ? mischief making her laugh a star dancer "No?" W. G. G. Katharine P. Katrina studying her height a nurse "My stars" Latin Oliver P. Parksie preaching war his car an aviator "I can't" (Eng) Hilda Irene N. Sis studying letters of Marque (Mark) her gasps a missionary "Mercy me" the burg Florence W. Flossy whispering her good nature a peace maker "My land" cats Gertrude H. Tudie blushing her rosy cheeks a movie actress "Oh no" mischief Victor S. Snoozer nodding his complexion Kaiser "Gosh" the Germans Esther S. Stonier sleeping her eyes popular "For Pat's sake" Pattonsburg fellows Maybel U. ? eating her nose famous "Gee whiz" fun Gladys E. Eck giggling her hair someone's darling "Oh shoot" Brainerd Margaret D. Maggie being good her cleverness university graduate "Sugar" cracking jokes John H. Heiken whistling his good looks a bum "Golly" the Freshies Mildred G. Mid dreaming her haughtiness a flirt "for heaven's sake" talking to Joe B. Judd E. "Juddy" looking on his bashfulness a bachelor "I guess so" keeping still Glenn Mamie humming his singing good "Oh dear" girls Fanny U. ? chewing gum her dimples an elocutionist "For John's Sake" laughing ___E. S. and M. U.