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History
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A Brief History of Marvell
Marvell was founded when Marvell M. Carruth
and his wife, Rachel, sold fifty lots of land given to him by his father,
Ladson Carruth, to the Arkansas Central Railroad. A train depot was soon
established. Marvell became an un-incorporated town on May 28, 1873, with
R.M. Jackson as its first mayor. Three years later, on October 3, 1876,
Marvell met the requirements to become an incorporated town.
For economic reasons, the railroad played
an important part in the history of Marvell. In 1877, the Union Trust
foreclosed on the Arkansas Central Railroad and sold all of its assets at
public auction. On December 6, 1877, the Arkansas Midland Railway Company
was formed. Under new ownership, the railroad became profitable, not only
as a freight line, but also by providing daily passenger service from
Clarendon to Brinkley and on to Helena, making stops in Marvell along the
way. This service ran until 1952. The tracks which ran from Marvell to
Holly Grove were abandoned in 1977, resulting in ramifications that are
still impacting Marvell’s economy today. Specifically, that lack of rail
transportation has retarded industrial growth.
Business had flourished in Marvell since
the very beginning. Strong and determined business men and women have made
this growth their lifetime goal. For instance, in the early 1900s there
were fifteen different merchants in the city of Marvell. One of the stores
that stayed in business the longest was A. Hirsch & Co., which did an
immense mercantile business and owned valuable land in the area. The Garner
Stave Company sold miscellaneous items, such as farming and manufacturing
goods. On average, the company produced up to $100,000. in yearly sales.
The L.J. McKinney Hardware Story sold general merchandise, farm equipment,
and hardware supplies. Harry Grauman sold plantation supplies. Other
businesses included grocer Sidney Hudson, pharmacist J.K. Moody, undertaker
S.H. Patch, and the Marvell Telephone Exchange.
In the early 1900s, Sam McDonald
established a spoke factory and the first horseless carriage was seen in
Marvell. A population of 310 and three sawmills contributed to the local
economy. Garner Mill employed about 90 people until it burned and was moved
to Helena. In 1903 the Bank of Marvell was established with S.L. Cooke as
its President.
Under great difficulty, with her sons off
to World War I, Marvell took important steps forward. Labor was scare,
prices were high, and the city was raising money for the war effort.
Marvell gave more money to the Red Cross than any town of similar size in
the state. During this period, work was begun on a sewer system; ten miles
of sidewalks were built; and a lumber mill, a bank building, and twenty-five
new homes were built. The Marvell Herald, a weekly newspaper, was
founded. The telephone system had more county lines than any town of its
size in eastern Arkansas.
The 1920s were a traumatic time for the
sons and daughters of Marvell. The depression years were beginning.
However, the American Legion Hut, now the Davidson Civic Center and
Courtroom, was built. The Hut was name after Robert F. Duff, who lost his
life in World War I. The Marvell Public Library was established in 1922 by
Mrs. Dave McDonald, who remained active until her death. In 1925, the
Marvell Bottling plant was built by James Williford, only to close shortly
afterward due to the high cost and shortage of sugar. A great flood rushed
through Phillips County in 1927, forcing people from Indian Bay, Turner, and
Elaine to take shelter in Marvell. Some lived above stores downtown, and
the ladies of Marvell established a soup kitchen to help feed the refugees.
At the beginning of the Great Depression all banks in the county closed,
with the exception of the Bank of Marvell. County Judge E.P. Molitor, a
Marvell native, began construction on a road connecting Helena to Clarendon
in 1930. J. L. Turner was mayor during the thirties. In 1939 the Marvell
School burned. M.M. Tate School burned at a later date. Also, during these
years, three major fires destroyed parts of Main Street.
During the 1940s the population of Marvell
was approximately 1,000. Cotton was king with five thriving cotton gins in
the area. The Federal Compress was expanded to handle the increase in the
amount of cotton grown in west Phillips County. The establishment of
commercial fertilizer plants exploded over the Delta. The Marvell Fair was
created with L.P. Anderson as its first president. In 1952, the fair was
renamed the Phillips County Fair, and in 1988, it became the Tri-County
Fair, representing Phillips, Lee, and Monroe Counties.
Marvell’s first fire truck was crafted by
Sib Davison at Erwin Motor Company, using an old 1934 model bus that had
been own by Brocato Bus Line. The “red light” on the front of the truck was
created by pouring mercurochrome on the clear lens. Since most able-bodied
men were fighting in World War II, Alan Hirsh, Billy Erwin, Maurice Hickey,
and Erwin Wallace were automatically dismissed from high school to serve on
the fire department whenever a fire occurred.
Two significant events took place during
the 1960s which shaped the town’s evolution. In 1966 Marvell Academy, a
private school was formed. In 1967 Marvell Public School became fully
integrated. In 1968 a new public high school was opened on Highway 49.
In 1977 the railroad tracks which ran
through the middle of town were removed. A new City Hall was constructed by
Mayor T.H. White. In the 1980s, under the leadership of Mayor Alma Norton,
the Marvell City Park and bike trail were built on the old railroad right-of-way. The Davidson Park was also built and given to the city by the Abe
Davidson family.
In the 1990s, the population of Marvell
was approximately 1565. The sewer system was expanded while Ed Wallace was
Mayor. Clark Hall was elected mayor in 1994 and under his direction the
Marvell Medical Clinic was built in1997 with citizen donations. The clinic
expanded in only one year to include dental services and interactive two-way
compressed video use for medical consultations and health education. In
1997 the City of Marvell received the Business of the Year award by the
Phillips County Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteer Community award from
the State of Arkansas. In 1998 Marvell was named Tree City, USA, becoming
the first recipient in eastern Arkansas. Also, in 1998, a $1,000,000.00
federal grant was awarded to the city to relieve its drainage problems and
to expand the sewage system to include many residents outside the city
limits.
Marvell is a town with “small-town” roots
and ties to the community. A strong belief in God, family, and love for
their fellow man, has allowed this small Delta community to overcome great
odds throughout the 20th century. We can only imagine the
changes the 21st century will bring. We believe this town has
both a history and a future.
(Reprinted with permission of Kimberly Hall and
Russell Hall)
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MORE HISTORY OF MARVELL
A partial list of
chronologically arranged events in the history of Marvell and its vicinity
(The following events were complied by Mrs. Alice Rowan and appeared in the
Marvell Herald in the early 1930s):
1832, Spring -- J.C. Swan, thought to be Marvell's earliest settler, came
here from Covington, Kentucky.
1835, July -- Authentic records show a deed from the
U.S. Government to John R. Sanford for property now known as the Carruth
Place.
1836, Summer -- Mr. and Mrs. Stern Kendall,
grandparents of John Crenshaw, a local resident, lands with children,
slaves, and livestock on a flat boat at Helena. Settles17 miles east of
Marvell.
1849, Fall -- Cyrus Taylor, father of Clayton Taylor,
grandfather of Conner Taylor of Marvell, builds home here, now the Watt
McKinney residence.
1849 -- B. F. Thomason arrives at the age of twelve
with his parents.
1852, Spring -- James Lawson Ward, father of L.C. Ward
settles in North Creek Neighborhood.
1853 -- W. B. Dalzell, father of Mrs. J. B. Swift,
Bruce, Frank, and Dick Dalzell, born.
1863, Winter -- Union soldiers burn 22 cribs of corn on Cyrus
Taylor's place.
1868 -- Ladson Carruth acquires present Carruth place
from William Moseley.
1869 -- Ladson Carruth deeds property to his son,
Marvell Carruth, for whom the town of Marvell is afterwards named.
1869 -- Simon Krow, father of Ira Krow, Mrs. Victor
Neumann, and Mrs. Josie Mundt settle in Trenton.
1873 -- M. M. Carruth donates right of way and depot
site to the Arkansas Midland Railway.
1862 -- Bart Green serves as sheriff of Phillips
County. Mr. Green was the grandfather of Ned Green of Helena, who is
the husband of the former Miss Mary Davidson of Marvell.
1870 -- R. M. Jackson and family move here and he
becomes Marvell's first Mayor.
1870, Sept. 10 -- Rose Seaman and Simon Krow wed and
make their home in Trenton.
1870 -- Dade and Impey establish a store here, located
about where the Willis home now stands. (Howard Willis home on the
southwest corner of Little Rock Road and Red Lane, now called Pike
Street.)
1871 -- George Cowan and family locate here.
1871 -- The firm of Cowan and Carruth is established.
1872, Nov. 18 -- Mollie Alexander and B. F. Davidson
are wed.
1873 -- Family of W. C. Cooke moves here with his
children, Mrs. Alice Jackson, Sam, Tom, and Virgil Cooke.
1873 -- Two new firms established,
Cowan and Webster; Cae and Clopton,
1873 -- F. R. Garner, age 13, arrives from Germantown,
Tenn., to work for his uncle, G. H. Cowan,in the firm of Cowan and Carruth.
1874 -- Cowan and Carruth build a store where Hirsch's
now stands.
1874 -- Red shirts stop first Republican convention in
this township.
1875, March 8 -- James Lawson Ward dies.
1876 -- Town of Marvell Incorporated. The
following property owners file a petition to incorporate. M. M.
Carruth, D. M. Webster, Jesse Clopton, Clayton Taylor, and Dr. D. E. Byrd.
Other prominent petitioners include the names: S. S. Welborn, B. C.
Goodwin, John T. Bush, W. H. Daniel, G. H. Cowan, J J. Raleigh, W. L.
Jeffries, John C. Davis, R. M. Jackson, Tom Hicks, Marco Brozarian Woodyard.
1876 -- Adolph Hirsch, pioneer citizen, settles here,
coming from Neirstein, Germany.
1877 -- The firm of A. Hirsch and Company is founded.
1978 -- Marvel citizens become alarmed over yellow
fever epidemic sweeping the country.
1878 -- Red shirts stop first Republican convention
ever attempted to be held in this township. This may have occurred in
1874.
1878 -- Gus Broom becomes citizen of Marvell, coming
here from Mississippi.
1878 -- Helen Hudson and Will Dalzell are married.
1881 -- Sallie Henderson and Gus Broom are married.
1889 -- The Garner Stave Company is founded.
1889, Dec 4 -- Della Dawson and George E. Penn are
married.
1894 -- A. Hirsch brings home his bride, Getty Weiil,
of Wurtzburg, Germang.
1895, April 9 -- Birth date of Robert F. Darr who lost
his life in World War I, and for whom the Marvell Post of the American Legion
is named.
1896 -- Firm of Cooke Bros, and Co. established by the
brothers W. T. and S. L. Cooke and their Brother-in-law, Henry Daniels.
1896, Sept. 1 -- F. M. Humphries and wife of
Hawesville, Ky., arrive to take up duties as principal in the Marvell
school.
1897, Dec. 25 -- Will Ragsdale, father of Will Ragsdale
of Helena, passes away at his home in the Midway neighborhood at the age of
33 years.
1898, Nov. 24 -- Belle Alexander and John Palmer are
wed.
1899 -- Dr. George F. Thomin and family move from
Marvell to Shandon, Ohio.
1900, Jan. 14 -- A large fire destroys several buildings
on Main Street; Mrs. Cotton, mother of Mrs. L. J. McKinney and grandmother
of J. B. Swift, Watt, and Jack McKinney, died; Mr. and Mrs. Miller Thompson
and children, Jessie, Bessie, Dora, and Ophelia, move to Marvell.
1900, Sept 8 -- Mr. Vernon Baptist Academy opens at
Trenton. L. P. Anderson heads school.
1900 -- Little Matt Garner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.
F. Garner, dies at the age of three.
1900, Dec. 30 -- Lula Butler weds Hal Williams.
1901 -- Sam McDonald establishes spoke factory here.
1901, April 9 -- Eva Carlock and Dr. H. M. Thompson
wed.
1901 -- Death takes Simon Krow, prominent merchant of
Trenton, father of Ira Krow, Mrs. Josie Mundt, and Mrs. Victor Newman.
1901 -- The Garner Stave Mill burns.
1901, Dec. 4 -- J. B. Swift and Martha Dalzell wed.
1901- First horseless carriage makes its
appearance in Marvell; A spring wagon propelled by a motor, it was perfected
by the father of the late Dr. Turner.
1902 -- Dave McDonald moves here from LaGrange.
1902, Jan. 29 -- Stella Bonner weds W. F. Beatty.
1902, Aug. 1 -- Firm of Williams and Brown is established
at Good Luck.
1902, Dec. 3 -- Mrs. Mattie J. Ward dies at the age of
64 years.
1903, May -- The First Bank of Marvell is established.
Its president is S. L. Cooke and its Cashier is J. B. Swift.
1904, Jan. -- C. F. Thompson and family move here.
1904, Jan. 13 -- Walter Calhoun and Carrie O'Neill wed.
1904, Nov. 9 -- H. B. Erwin and children, Hugh, Curtis,
and Harvey, move here from Jackson, Miss..
1904 -- Alice Haws marries Will Davison.
1904, Sept. 28 -- Shelby Erwin dies. He is survived by
his wife, Effie, and two children, Gertrude and Orlando.
1904, Oct. 6 -- Cassie Hall and Hal Brown marry.
1904 -- Turner Clatworthy dies.
1904, Sept. -- Clate Taylor dies.
1904 -- B. F. Thompson dies at the age of 67.
1904 -- The World's Fair at St. Louis attracts Marvell
people. Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Thompson and children, Lucille and Wilkins,
are among those who attend.
1905, Aug. 22 -- Olive Irby and Ed Kindel are married.
1906, Nov. 15 -- At a double wedding ceremony, David
McDonald marries Willye Carlock and J. K. Mast marries Daisy Moody.
1907, March 10 -- Stanford Godsey comes here from
Covington, Tenn.
1907 -- Krow and Newmann establish a firm here.
1907, Nov. 28 -- Mamie Davison and Travis Robinson are
wed.
1907 -- The firm of A. Hirsh & Co., builds store where
firm is now located.
1907 -- Mattie Pendergrass marries Larkie Dawson.
1909, March 8 -- Many Marvell citizens go to Brinkley
to view wreckage of disastrous cyclone.
1909, June 27 -- Bessie Goodwin and Guy Robinson are
married.
1909, May 1 -- Rev. J. W. Sims, prominent minister,
takes charge of Baptist pastorate here.
1909, Sept 15 -- School opens for first session in new
brick building. J. W. Best, principal, Mrs. Best, assistant, Miss Ruby
Turner, music instructor.
1909, Sept. -- Among the students leaving for college
are Evelyn Sims, for Central College in Conway; Victor Thomason and Laban Hall,
for the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; and Wilkins Thompson for Ouachita College
in Arkadelphia.
1909, Oct. 6 -- Byrd Womack and Barclay Jackson are
married.
1910, Jan.5 -- Ludwig Hirsch and Miss Freda Strauss are
married.
1910 -- Mrs. Rose Seaman Krow dies.
1910, Aug. 30 -- F. L. Carter and Ina White are
married.
1911, Feb. 15 -- Maude Davidson marries Dud Hudson.
1911, Feb. 15 -- Maude Anderson married to Neely Orme.
1912, Sept. 18 -- Olive S. Webster weds Andrew W.
Willis.
1914 -- The family of S. Davidson moves here from
Clarendon.
1914 -- Miss Clara Tschabold marries Dr. Foster
Holtzclaw.
1914, Aug. 3 -- J. W. Montague comes from Dennison,
Tex., to accept a position at McKinney's Gin.
1915, Nov. 21 -- Annie McGrew and Happel Sallis
are married.
1915 -- Abe Davidson marries Sara Rankin of
Russellville.
. . . (the first portion of the following is
missing) . . . here by J. W. Montague and Neill Snyder.
Officers chosen are J. W. Montague, captain; George Mast, 1st Lieutenant;
Wallace McKinney, first sergeant; T. O. Reilley, 2nd Lieutenant; John
Blaine, quartermaster sergeant.
1916, Feb. 7 -- Mrs. Virginia Kendall, pioneer citizen
of Civil War Period in Trenton, dies.
1916, April -- Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Bruce and children,
Clarence and Harriet, move here from Trenton.
1916, July 10 -- Mr. and Mrs. Abe Silverstein locate
here.
1916 -- S. L. Cooke erects handsome home here.
(A
reprint from the Marvell Messenger, Friday, March 12, 1976)
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HISTORY OF MARVELL SCHOOL
Marvell School, a two-story, brick building consisting
of what is now the auditorium,
the commercial room, and the math room and an upper story, was built in 1910
after several years of operating a school of some kind in a Marvell church.
Some historical data places the date of the opening of the school in the new
brick building was on September 15, 1909. Mr. L.P. Anderson was school principal. Horse-drawn school buses were
operated in those first years of Marvell School history. Although there were
not twelve grades, the first group to complete the available education of
Marvell School graduated in 1911. Among the eight graduates that year were
Margaret Aldridge, Grover Bass, Gertrude Erwin, Milton Hudson, Matt
McKinney, Morton Reichardt, Lucile Thompson, and Jennie Lou Underwood.
A School Improvement Association was founded in 1910
for the purpose of improving the school grounds and the student welfare. The
name of the organization was changed in 1924 to the Parent-Teacher
Association with state and national affiliations.
The first school yearbook, The Cannon Ball, was
published in 1913 by Nicholl's Printing Company of Helena, and in it were
pictures of the Boys' Baseball team, the Girls Basketball team, and an
Elizabethean and a Jackson Literary Society. The present series of MHS
yearbooks under the title THE MUSTANG was begun in 1948.
The Gymnasium was added in 1939. A school lunch room
behind the gym, sponsored by the P.T.A and operated by Mrs. L.P. Anderson,
was begun in 1943. A year later, because of insufficient funds, the lunch
room was discontinued, but began operation again in 1945. The Home Economics
Cottage was added in 1948; the Teen Club in 1952; the Emma Beebe Faust
Elementary School in 1953; and the Science Laboratory in 1956. The J.E.
Harris Elementary School was built in 1961. The class of 1967 was the last
class to hold its graduation ceremony in the original high school building.
A new high school building, located on Highway 49, was finished in 1968.
In 1968, Marvell High School and M.M. Tate High School
were combined to become Marvell High School.
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HISTORY OF THE
SENIOR CLASS OF 1944
OF MARVELL HIGH
SCHOOL
On
Monday morning, September 10, 1932, thirty-eight happy, frightened little
boys and girls started their first day of school in the little brown school
house with Miss. May Belle Terry as their teacher. They were: Joe Bear, G.
W. Barrett, Robert Carlton, George Chastain, Billy Cooper, Joyce Corder,
Buford Culp, Unice Duren, Gene Garner, Willis Haws, Willie Leverne Golden,
Howard Guthrie, William Guthrie, Georgia Guthrie, John Steve Hickey, Harvey
Hindsley, Mary Louise Hobbs, Deane Hollowell, Maxine Johnson, Alice Rose
Kemmer, Gerald Leach, Mamie Estell Leach, Mary Lee Mayse, Mable McDowell,
Jesse Moore, Trelice Nelson, Helen Orme, Joe Remely, Betty Rowan, Flora
Belle Schaffhauser, John Westly Smith, Dorothy Shipp, Frances Shipp, Pearl
Stout, Johnny Turner, Phillips Turner, and Jessielene Wells.
After nine months of hard work we moved up a step to the second grade; still
in the little brown school house with Miss. Terry as our teacher. A few of
our first year schoolmates did not return in the second grade, but there
were new ones added to the roll. Ruby Berry, Margaret Costello, Jessie
Belle Davis, Hiram Clay Forbes, James Hicks, Tracy Holland, Robert Holloway,
Christine Howell, O. C. Kelly, Olan Kelly, Dorothy Pearce, Gertrude Pyron,
Kenneth Rubble, Paul Steiner, Frank Tenet, Loweta Ward, and Juanita Wooten.
The next year came the happiest year of our school life. We moved over to
the big school house with Miss. Frances Batchelor for our teacher. The new
members added to the roll were: Billy Cooper returning after leaving us in
the first grade, Charles Henry Ford, Other Hensen, Jasper Patton, Doyle
Shipp, Ruth Woodall, and Gay Murrel Woodson. Fourteen of our second grade
members did not return.
In the fourth grade; still with Miss. Batchelor there were Robert Carlton,
returning after leaving us in the second grade, Ruth O’Neal, Alma Smith,
Sterlin Wallace, and Orville Wallace as new members.
The next year we moved across the hall to Miss. Letha Sugg’s room. The new
members added to the roll were: Lucile Bass, Everett Barnett, Maxine
Carpenter, John Edward Darr, Fred DeJarnett, Murry Grantham, Mildred Haws,
Louise Heidelberger, Elmer Patton, Agnes Wilkerson, and Mildred Woodson;
five members who were with us in the fourth grade did not return.
In the sixth grade only two new members were added to the roll: Cephas
Clemons and Cathrine Rodgers. We still remained in Miss Sugg’s room. In
April, the school building was badly damaged by fire, but we continued to go
to school in it. At the end of the year we had completed half of our school
life.
The next year we became a part of the Junior High School, and moved upstairs
with Miss. Corine Key as homeroom teacher. This year we had the privilege
of passing to different rooms for our classes. The teachers were: Mr. H.
G. Bunn, Miss. Emma Faust, Miss. Dorothy Gammel, Mr. Eddie heath, and Miss.
Vivian LaVasque. After Thanksgiving Holidays, the building of a new school
began; we moved uptown in the Masonic Hall over the bank, with Mr. Eddie
heath as homeroom teacher. We went to different buildings in town to have
our classes. The new members added to the class were: J. W. Chadwick,
Cathrine Corder, Morgan Davis, Orville Hill, Joe Littleton, Zack Lollar,
Naomi Mathis, and Peggy Walquist. Six of our sixth grade members did not
return in the seventh grade. We went to school in the Masonic Hall until
the first of May our grade and several others returned to the new school
building.
The next year we all started off the new year in the new school building.
This was our eighth year of school. Our homeroom was room four with Mr.
Eddie Heath as homeroom teacher. The other teachers were: Miss. Pattie
King, Miss. Emma Faust, and Mr. H. G. Bunn. Before the end of the term
Miss. King left us, and Miss. Corine Key took her place, teaching us
Civics. Mildred Dunaway, Kirk Ferrel, and Fay Hall were added to the
roll.
The next year was very important to us, for we were Freshmen in high
school. Our homeroom was in the study hall; rooms number eight and ten.
Miss. Emma Faust was our home room teacher. The other teachers were: Mr.
Jim Williams, Miss. Corine Key, and Mr. H.G. Bunn. This year, Agriculture
was one of the new studies. Mr. Earl Maxwell was the teacher. Twenty-three
new members from Trenton, Cypert, Good Luck, Hicks, and Postelle were added
to the roll – Ralph Carey, Pauline Bostick, Dorothy Carmical, Myrtie Mae
Charlton, Inez Duffel, Lucille Fielder, Carl Foote, Maxine Foster, Brooks
Griffen, Earnestene Hagar, Winifred Hall, Marion Hickingbottom, Boyd Hill,
Billy Jarrett, A. B. Jenkins, Jean Jenkins, Jennie Lee Loften, Pauline
Parham, Ola Belle Polk, Eva Quong, Robert Tschabold, Willis Ray Tucker, and
Norma Jane Waters. Nine of our eighth grade members did not return. The
number of students in our class was forty-two. To our sorrow before the
year was over ten dropped out leaving thirty-two.
The next year we moved up a step in our high school career. We became
Sophomores, remaining in the study hall with Miss. Emma Faust. Dorothy
Charlton, Edward Gunnels, Gene Jernigan, Mary Ella Stewart, Robert Winkle,
and four girls from Creigh, Frances Crisp, Pansy Grider, Lois Snyder, and
Bettye Webster, became new members of our class. Mr. H. G. Bunn, Mr. Earl
Maxwell, Mr. E. S. Jennings, and Miss. Jane Ware Morris were our teachers.
At the end of the first semester Mr. Jennings and Miss. Morris left us.
Mrs. Ruth Thompson and Miss. Lily Peter took their places.
At the beginning of our Junior year of school we had twenty-nine members.
Our teachers were: Mr. H. G. Bunn, Mrs. Ruth Thompson, Miss. Lily Peter,
Miss. Angeline Crymes, Mr. E. B. McCutchen, and Miss. Emma Faust, who was
still our homeroom teacher. There were no new pupils to enter our class
this year. In February, Boyd Hill left to join the Navy, to serve our
country. In May, we entertained the Seniors with a banquet. This year we
worked hard to become Seniors.
Finally came the year we had been looking forward to since the first day we
started to school on September 10, 1932 – our Senior year. Chester Terral
became a new member of our class. Jessielene Wells joined us again after
going to school a year in Helena. After being in Miss. Faust’s room for
three years, we moved to room five with Mr. H. G. Bunn as our homeroom
teacher and sponsor. Our other teachers were: Miss. Emma Faust, Mrs. Ruth
Thompson, Miss. Angeline Crymes, Miss. Lily Peter, and Mr. Bently Browning.
At the beginning of the second semester Lura Howard became a member of our
class. On April twenty-first, the Juniors gave us a banquet which we
enjoyed very much. On Sunday morning, May 14, baccalaureate services were
held by Rev. Jack Glass. Tonight, May 19, 1944, we have come to the end of
our high school career. There are eight members of our class who have
worked together each year throughout our twelve years. They are: Joyce
Corder, Johnny Turner, Helen Orme, Deane Hollowell, Willis Haws, Steve
Hickey, Jessielene Wells, and Flora Belle Schaffhauser. The other seventeen
members of our class are: Lucile Bass, Lura Howard, Maxine Foster, Dorothy
Pearce, Carl Foote, Bettye Webster, Pauline Parham, Winifred Hall, Lucille
Fielder, Joe Littleton, Orville Hill, Chester Terral, Inez Duffel, Frances
Crisp, Lois Snyder, Norma Jane Waters, and Marion Hickingbottom. As we go
out of this school building tonight, to choose our places in the world, we
will always remember the many happy years of our school life with our
schoolmates and teachers who have worked with us through these years.
By –
Flora Belle Schaffhauser (now Dubach), Class Historian
[published with her permission]
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HISTORY OF THE MHS ALMA
MATER
The Marvell High School
Alma Mater was written in the school year 1946-47 by Mrs.
Steel. At that time, she was the 6th grade homeroom
teacher for the graduating class of 1953. Mrs. Steel
came from a Tennessee school which had an alma mater.
She copied the words and tune from the Tennessee school,
changing the words as needed.
The Alma Mater:
On ole Marvell's northern borders,
Reared against
the sky.
Proudly stands
our Alma Mater,
As the years go
by.
Forward, ever,
be our watchword,
Conquer and
prevail.
Hail to thee,
our Alma Mater,
Marvell High,
all hail!
Cherished by our
sons and daughters,
Memories sweet
shall throng.
'Round our
hearts our Alma Mater,
As we sing our
song.
Forward, ever,
be our watchword,
Conquer and
prevail.
Hail to thee,
our Alma Mater,
Marvell High,
all hail!
Alfred "Doc" Eckles and Harry Williams in 1972 and 1973
changed some of the wording and used a different melody from
the one previously used. This later version of the Alma
Mater is different from the one that the earlier graduates
sang -- the text was:
Hail to Thee
alma mater,
Guidance of the
right,
True and loyal
sacred home, (True and loyal sacred honor)
Lead us to the
light.
Forward ever be
our watchword,
Conquer and
prevail,
Hail to thee our
alma mater,
Marvell High all
hail.
Thanks to Shirley Van Meter Freeman (class of 1953) and
Charles Duke Gill (class of 1973) for sharing a bit of MHS
history with us all. Mike Clatworthy (class
of 1978) offered that it was "True and loyal sacred honor."
Alred "Doc Eckles and Harry Williams also penned a Mustang
fight song, as follows:
We're Mustangs we're
proud of our name,
Be ever aware of our fame,
We'll always be bold,
Honor our blue and gold,
And victory forever we'll claim.
Our standards we'll
raise to the sky,
Our conquering foes we'll defy.
So, be it defeat or glory,
Sportsmanship tells the story,
Fight on for Marvell High.
Thanks to Mike Clathworthy (class of 1978) for sharing this
bit of MHS history with us.
If
any of you have bits of history you would like to share, or
bits of history you should share, please do so. If
you have questions, we can email the classes to find the
answer.
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