History
Frances Maxson Roberts, Class of 1942, contributed a ton of pictures and information to be used as I see fit. I saw fit to open a "History" page to contain the material she sent and also provide a place to insert pieces of history that will, or should be, submitted by each one of us. To be fair, Noble Roberts should be thanked for his contribution. Due to the thoughtfulness of this past student and her husband we are given the opportunity to look back fondly on much our history.
Along with this contribution Frances sent just a short poem that says it all when looking back on time:
With rue my heart is laden
For golden friends I had.
For many a rose-lipt maiden
And many a lightfoot lad.
By brooks too broad for leaping
The lightfoot boys are laid;
The rose-lipt girls are sleeping
in fields where roses fade
A. E. Houseman
Along with this contribution Frances sent just a short poem that says it all when looking back on time:
With rue my heart is laden
For golden friends I had.
For many a rose-lipt maiden
And many a lightfoot lad.
By brooks too broad for leaping
The lightfoot boys are laid;
The rose-lipt girls are sleeping
in fields where roses fade
A. E. Houseman
WATSON CYMBAL
I'll bet that only a few of you were aware of the fact that the name of the Watson school paper back in 1940 and 1941 was "The Watson Cymbal". Anyway, I don't know when "The Yellow Jacket" came along, nor do I know how long the Watson Cymbal existed. I do know that I will extract articles from the Cymbal as space permits.
While reading through the February 10, 1941 issue of The Watson Cymbal I couldn't help but notice the following article:
BOYS PLAY BASKETBALL.
The Yellow Jackets, boy's basketball team, lost to the Tillar boys Tuesday, January 21, with a score of 15-13.
Fortenberry was the highest in number of points made.
Fortenberry was the highest in number of points made.
I did a little research in in my own history files and found that Auman Fortenberry was the only person that could have played in that game. That, of course, is according to my files and we all know that I beg daily for additional information. At any rate, assume my files are correct. Auman graduated from Watson High School with the Class of 1942. We don't even have a picture for this high scorer in a high scoring game. Please folks, help me out here. Send me one or more Fortenberry pictures.
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I thought it interesting that even in 1941 high school papers put students on the street to make money through advertising. Here we have Jeff Graves buying an ad for the February 10, 1941 issue of the Watson Cymbal. Jeff was the father of Tommie Nell Graves, Class of 1952.
Above stands Miss Dora Maude "Doty" Hale as she appeared around 1941 or 1942. Below I have extracted an article that appeared in the Watson Cymbal on February 10, 1941.
LOCAL GIRL WINS BEAUTY CONTEST
Miss Dora Maude Hale, junior of Watson High School, was the winner of the annual beauty contest at the Tillar High School gym, Saturday, February 1. The contest was a feature of the invitational basketball tournament of Desha and Drew counties.
Miss Hale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Hale, won over seventy-five other candidates from the various basketball teams. She was also voted the most beautiful girl in the recent Who's Who contest held in Watson High School.
Miss Hale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Hale, won over seventy-five other candidates from the various basketball teams. She was also voted the most beautiful girl in the recent Who's Who contest held in Watson High School.
If anything qualifies as history, this the old McKennon Cotton Gin still standing in Watson certainly does. I won't even try to guess how many stories were told by people waiting in line to have their cotton ginned. Some of the stories told may have even been true ones. I know one thing for sure, I wish I had copies of the conversations on tape. The stories told would make the "Grapes of Wrath" appear to be nothing more than a kindergarden tale.
The gentleman stainding at the rear of the group is Coach Andrew Widener. Left to right the players are Pete Lawrence, Eddie Porter and Theron Jackson. Theron Jackson was of the Class of 1940. I don't know where Lawrence and Jackson fits into our history. Notice the old school that burned in February of 1940.
At left we have Bob and Mae Willis. Ms. Willis was the Postmaster, Postmistress, Postperson, or whatever. She was in charge of the post office in Watson for many years. They were the parents of Bobby Willis who taught in Watson for many years.
At right you will see Maxson's Gulf Service Station right smack dab in the middle of Beautiful Downtown Watson, Arkansas. Actually it wasn't smack dab in the middle of town but it was standing out there pretty handy if anybody needed gas. Notice the hand filled gasoline pump. That type pump qualifies for history in anybody's home town.
The young lady is Marian, the youngest child of Noble and Frances Maxson Roberts. Frances informed me on 5 May 2010 that she couldn't believe that Marian would soon be 58 years old. Time passes, does it not?
The young lady is Marian, the youngest child of Noble and Frances Maxson Roberts. Frances informed me on 5 May 2010 that she couldn't believe that Marian would soon be 58 years old. Time passes, does it not?
At left is the Desha County Farmers Association as seen in 1952. The propietor of this establishment was none other than Noble Roberts, the husband of Frances Maxson Roberts, Class of 1942. I don't know what I was doing at that time for I don't remember the place and it stood beside Maxson's Gulf Service Station right there in Watson. I was certainly around in those days Shoot!
At left you will see Jimmy Saine, Class of 1940. I have extracted an article about Jimmy from the May 13, 1940 Watson Cymbal. I can't think of a better thing to print than this small offering made almost seventy years ago.
MEET OUR PRESIDENT
The president of the 1940 graduating class is Jimmy Saine. We seniors are very proud of him and we know the entire student body is too.
Jimmy is loyal and true to his class and school.
He plays piano well and entertains the students each day at recess and noon. Jimmy sings well too.
He has ambitions to go to college and he has the ability to succeed.
In behalf of the senior class and the student body, I wish to express our appreciation and gratitude to Jimmy Saine for what he has meant to us this year.
Jimmy is loyal and true to his class and school.
He plays piano well and entertains the students each day at recess and noon. Jimmy sings well too.
He has ambitions to go to college and he has the ability to succeed.
In behalf of the senior class and the student body, I wish to express our appreciation and gratitude to Jimmy Saine for what he has meant to us this year.
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Above we have Jane Monday holding her sister Judy Monday, Class of 1951, in about 1943. The picture was taken in what Jane calls "The Project" in Richmond, California.
At right is Brenda Diane Rice, Class of 1966. This young lady was voted the Most Talented of 1966. This picture was taken more than 40 years ago so it can easily qualify for the "History" page.
This pictutre was forwarded by Louise Rowe Holloman. It represents the ladies of the Class of 1956 although the picture was taken in June of 1955. They were probably stanting in one of their last gatherings as the school year must have been near at end in June. From left to right are: Judy Butler, Annie Harrington, Mary Jo Brasheres, Miriam Smith, Betty Rowe, Juanita Fehr, Louise Rowe, and Leona Prince.
At left you will see Louise and Betty Rowe. Betty and Louise were double cousins.
This picture was taken in the early 1950's.
Both girls were of the Class of 1956.
This picture was taken in the early 1950's.
Both girls were of the Class of 1956.
At right we have a part of the Class of 1956. From left to right are Dean Shields, Winfred Smith, Bonnie Allen, Louise Rowe, Jimmy "Chop Chop" Reeves and Beverly Craig. The picture was made in 1955.