The Journal News from Hamilton, Ohio • Page 29

Page D-Z Journal-News, Hamilton, Ohio Sunday, February 2,1975 Military school 'It's never too Iqte if kid's got it in hihri. He can do it if he knows what he (EDITOR'S NOTE: With the current interest in the area's juvenile situation, Journal-News writer Tom Grant interviewed an adult who, in his youth was probably considered a "juvenile delinquent." The solution to the problem then differes from those being suggested today, but it did work, at least in this ease.) By TOM GRANT Journal-News Writer "About four hours after I hit the place I knew there were going to be problems. It simply wasn't going to be what I was led to believe." "I thought I was going away to school to wear a little uniform." The school was "The West Point of the West," Kempcr Military Institute, Booneville, Missouri, the plebe was at that time in his own words a wildly- deranged kid. The time was some 20 years ago, as different as day is to night in the world of today. If society is permissive today yesterday it must have been! strict if not rigid.

This is not the story of success but the story of change, a change in attitude by that wildly-deranged kid who apparently did not conform to the standards of his era. Why was he' there, miles away from his home in Butler County. "I was there because I went off the deep end at home. I had been expelled from school. "I had a good sense of humor, I still do, I was a decent kid.

What 1 did wasn't done with malice or destructive intent at least at first or when I was on my own. "As part of a group that humor sometimes got out of hand. In that group I thought I had a lot of friends only years later 1 was to find that they were not friends but only acquaintances. "What did I do to get in trouble? My friends held the doors (double) open as 1 drove a jeep into the school gym. I laid rubber and drove out.

"Once a friend of mine, who was on the IM (intramural) bowling team had his bowling ball in the hallway at school. I told him bowling was easy and we made a bet. After home room I wagered $2 I could hit the door at the end of the 200 ft. marble hallway. I was lucky to win the $2 as the ball richocheted off the wall twice and into the door to room 205 taking the door and frame into and among the surprised students.

Unfortunately my friends bowling ball had his initials on it and when confronted he I did it. The final straw that saw the young sophomore expelled from school came some days later. The dean of students owned a prized 1940 Ford coupe. "He drove it on fair weather days. On mis particular wa'rm spring day (even now he laughed as he recalled) I dropped a dictionary on the car.

It was one of (hose big dictionaries they had in the library on the third floor overlooking the parking area. "The dean got me because some one ratted on me. I was in his office when he told me he had madq an appointment to take me to a psychiatrist. I jumped on his desk grabbed his tie, lifting him off his feet, and yelled 'No is taking me to a head shrink'." "MILITARY SCHOOL a reform school for rich kids." Today that same young man who had so many problems, by his own admission, is a- successful business man with a comfortable home, wife and two children. Kempcr Military Institute was steeped in tradition and staffed by West Point officers but the school was run by its cadets.

Kcmper graduates include Will Rogers. "I've always walked like a duck. It is very difficult to march when you walk like a duck. Often you march like you walk (like a duck). Consequently Twas never in step.

"The cadets in power handled me. They roughed me up and blacked my eyes. It was survival of the fittest. "When I had the opportunity I called my mother and told her I have been deceived and wanted to quit. She told me I could quit but said 'What then'? "I stopped and thought right then I decided to adapt to the system.

If he wavered from the "system" the plebe had help. Like the time he was placed in a laundry bag and tied to the fourth floor fire escape for four hours. "I thought it was a I was afraid to move. "You came around to the system real quick. "Kemper Military Institute meant nothing to'me at the time except survival and getting out.

"Today there is no place for military schools. Kids would not put up with them. Parents would not stand for them. the control. "All I can say about the system whether that system is the family, business or society is to make the best of it to excel to achieve success.

"I think Kemper Military Institute gave me spirit and a sense of I did not have when I left home to attend. COMPANY AT Kemper Military Institute troops to the parade ground for "practice" on a grey Saturday morning in liooneville, Missouri. "It is never too late if a kid's got it in him. He can do it if he knows what he wants. puts, so much pressure on him he has to do something just to please his own parents.

This story is not a story of the successful businessman with a large home, two cars, wife and children as a measure of that it is the change in attitude of a troubled boy whose attitude changed Ho give him the opportunity to adapt to society that imposes standards in order to survive. That spirit and sense of pride is most is evident it has been transmitted to his son and daughter. out of the confidence that they are loved. his wife understands. Bill MCDulin's Sunday Sketchbook Bless Bill Tussey's heart! I say that, 'cause here before me is a copy of the Greater Hamilton Exposition Souvenir Program, dated May which Bill has permitted me to view.

And, I figured as I view it, I'll share some of the little gems found in it with you area readers. The cover is blue, 'with gold printing and the 72 pages inside are printed on what I presume to be a slick coated paper of that era. At the bottom of the first page is the statement, "Auspices Loyal Order of Moose." Inside the front page is a photo of the Rentschler Building, and an advertisement for The Citizens Savings Bank and Trust with II. A. Rentschler, listed as president; Allen Andrews, vice president; C.

I. Anderson, cashier, and E. B. Ferguson, assistant cashier. PAGE TWO has a photo of the Soldier, Sailors and Pioneers Monument, taken from the northeast corner, where Hamilton's present city building is located.

PAGE THREE is a ad for the First National Bank, in which it is stated, "We are boosting for you. You are to be congratulated for the spirit you have entered into the Greater Hamilton Exposition. With such enthusiasm your success is assured." PAGE FOUR gives various facts on the City of Hamilton as of 1920. The population is listed as 42,000, and the slogan of the Hamilton Boosters Club is "A population of 75,000 by 1930 or bust." It further is stated: "The coming of Henry Ford to Hamilton has united the people more than anything that has been done in the past, civic pride being more prominent, and every one co-operating to make the city the most progressive in the state, and a desirable resident city as well as a manufacturing center." The legend then states: "The" Ford Tractor Plant, now in operation, is situated in the northern part of the city; these buildings are of the very latest modern construction. In course of a short time, employment will be given 5,000 people.

The coming of the Ford Plant to Hamilton means that the city will experience the greatest progress in all its history." Other facts listed include: number of important factories, 142; total factory payroll each week, More Hamilton history uncovered in 1920 exposition souvenir book number of savings and loan companies, number of public and parochial schools, 21; business college, one; daily newspapers, two; number of banks, four, total banking resources, over $10 million; churches, 35; hospitals, two; theatres, seven; population, U. S. census, 1910, 32,279, percentage of growth, 16 percent; THE NEXT PAGE includes photos of the late John A. Schwalm, president of The Jewel Photoplay and John II. Broomlialt, secretary and treasurer, as well as photos of The Grand Theatre, The Jewel, The Jefferson and the Rialto.

The Second National Bank of Hamilton lists Charles K. Heiser, president; George P. Sohngcn, vice president; Oakcy V. Parrish, vice president; John E. Heiser, cashier, and Clinton L.

Gcbhart. assistant cashier. The Hooven, Owens, Rentschlcr has three full pages of advertisements, featuring Hamilton Corliss engines, Hamilton Sugar Mills and engines, and other assorted products. The artists sketch of the Hooven-Owens-Rentschler Plant, shows more horse-drawn wagons and buggies on the streets around the plant than it does automobiles, which I' find most delightful. (Remember, this was 54 years ago) The ad of the Butler County Lumber shows a picture of the Main St.

planning mill, with these words underneath: "High grade lumber and special mill work. C. K. Sanders, manager." Two model Ford pickup trucks are parked in front of the mill. The next page is a full page advertisement for The Beckett Paper "makers of good paper in Hamilton, Ohio, since 1848." The ad continues: "To the Loyal Order of Moose, we give cordial greetings and our congratulations upon the spirit of progress that has led to assemble the notable products of Hamilton industry for public exhibition, and to rear a monumental structure that will be an example and an inspiration to others in the building of a city." The next page shows a picture of the Moose Home at that time (1920) but unfortunately, there is no address given.

It also shows a photo of the members of the Greater Hamilton Exposition Committee, which in- cluded the following: Stanley Ogg. chairman; William J. Welsh, secretary; Rudy Laubach, treasurer; Harry H. Schuster, assistant secretary; A. E.

Kfigleston, assistant treasurer; Frank W. Holt, Jack Sclicaf, Anthony Dattilo, Arthur L. Jacobs, Gus Wamhach, Wilson Arbaugh, Robert Hartman, Charles Bricka, Louis Atsheimer. A. R.

Laughlin and Charles A. Wysong. The next page has two half-page ads, one for The Hamilton Foundry Machine "light and medium gray iron castings," and one for The Central Foundry manufacturers of gray iron castings, office and foundry on Mill Road, telephone no. 118. NEXT IS A FULL PAGE photo of Mayor C.

J. Smith, with white moustache and vandyke beard. Mayor Smith really was a most handsome and distinguished appearing man. The members of Hamilton City Council are shown in smaller photos on the next turn 'of the page. They were: George Johnson; Truman Zilliox, George Renncr, John II.

Connell, Chris Kaefer, George Gralh- wohl, Dan Baker, Harry Koehler. city solicitor, and Carl Krieger, clerk of council, also are shown on that page. Opposite are advertisements for The Mosler Safe and The Fred J. Meyers Manufacturing manufacturers of "Genuine Hunter's Sifters" as well as iron fencing, iron cellar doors, gratings, sidewalk lights, iron stairways, jail work, fire escapes, railings of all kinds, window and machinery guards and wire and iron work of all kinds. THE NEXT PAGE shows the Shuler Ben- nhiRliofen Miami Woolen Mills, at Williams and Pleasant in I.indcnwald.

The sketch of mill is an artist's drawing, an aerial view, looking toward the mill from the northwest, with only five homes shown in' the background of the mill, or in the southwestern part of the drawing. There is an electric street car shown on Pleasant a street car and train on Williams with two horse-drawn wagons entering the mill, and one leaving if. (There are no automobiles shown in the sketch!) Under this ad, is one for the II. P. Duescher manufacturers of high grade gray iron castings and also "repairs for Ideal Furnace." There's a full page ad for Estate Warm Air Heating Systems, in which it is stated that "all of the new homes being built by the Harris-Moore Construction in Lincoln Park and Realtor Tract, and all the new homes being built in Lawn Park Syndicate on Dick will be equipped with Estate Warm Air Heating Systems." Park and Dick areas are in what we know today as the Highland Park Area, The next full page advertisement is for: "Max-E- Kph-Ralh.

exclusive clothiers for men, Hamilton Hotel Building, opposite Jefferson Theatre, S. Second 1 across from this ad are photos of five members of Hamilton Police Department in 1920. They include: Charles Strieker, chief of police; Joseph Cahlll, captain of police; Charles Hermann, chief of detectives; Herman Dulli and Ed. J. Riley, detectives.

Chief Strieker was the father of Adrian Strieker, who retired as a detective several years ago following an illustrious career on the police department. Adrian now lives on Harrison Ave. THE NEXT PAGE shows the 43-members of the Hamilton police department standing on the steps In front of The Monument. It also shows the old "Police Patrol Waeon" of jhat era. with several officers'fall unnamed) and a little white dog, with a spot on one eye and one ear, standing'alongside the patrol wagon.

Fire Company 2, hook and ladder Company no. and the fire chief's Model Ford roadster, are shown in the next photo, which I believe is in front of the old fire station located on S. Third near Sycamore St. The wooden hose lower, in which hose used in fires were hung to dry, is visible at the back of the firchouse. And, Engine Company 2's truck looks like an old touring car, with the back cut away, for space for firemen and a few rolls of hose.

I HATE TO TELL YOU, but we are at this time, only about one-quarter way through this precious little book, which Bill Tussey loaned to us. However, we will, in future Sunday Sketchbooks, give you a complete rundown of each and every page in the book. Dr. Hoy's 1975 predictions On the political scene in 1976, Ford will be out; Rockefeller will be out. There will be two new faces for Republican President and Vicc-President.

The economy will remain relatively stable overall, hut with several extreme pockets of unemployment and discontent. The South, including Texas, will be the key lo the 197B elections. The North Carolina coast will be battered by storms in March and April, suffering severe damage. Three plane crashes on east coast in the spring will induce nation-wide investigations Into private flying. Detroit will be the scene of major riots in 1975, as will Miami.

A lax on gasoline is inevitable, and willbe more than 10 cents per gallon. Two federal benches will be vacated as a continuing result of Watergate. A ship disappearance In the Caribbean; hijacking w)H lie suspected. Russia and China will be at odds through the uncovering of plans involving an attempt to overtake (he Kremlin. Heavily-armed gunboats from several nations will maneuver in Ihc Near East causing world-wide unease during the summer of 1975.

A train derailment in Southern Europe will be hlamcd on sabotage. Many injuries will result. The next so-called shortages will involve coffee and some spices. A strange attempt to overtake a city of 100,000 here in the U.S. will occur in May.

A new, innovative heat-producing unit will be unveiled hi A discovery of missing gold bars at the U.S. Depository will be the hush-hush story during the summer. There wilt be a strike al Disney World. Telephone company profits will result in large public suits 1975. Bill Bailey's old home giving way to renewal SINGAPORE (AP) The Grove Bar in Cuppage Road has been torn down in the name of urban renewal but not before a last round of reminiscing about its a American' proprietor, Bill Bailey.

The late saloonkeeper and vaudcvillian is establishd in local lore as THE Bill Bailey, the guy whom generations of singers beseeched: "Won't you come home Bill Bailey, won't you come home? "You've been away too long Bailey came to Singapore to stay in the mid-1930s. He died here more than six years ago at 80, in his sleep, the kind of finale he told foreign correspondents he would prefer. Snappy stories and songs accompanied by banjo or ukulele were his stage specialties. He. is said to have been a medium size star in (he firmament that was ten-a-day vaudeville.

Oldtimcrs recall Bill as a talkative host with a generous pouring hand who spun yarns about his early show biz cronies. He rubbed shoulders with W.C. Fields, Al Jolson and Mae West, he said, and the Great Houdini gave his career a boost." Bailey recollected when Cary Grant was selling hand- painted ties in Greenwich Village. He swore that he beat Bing Crosby and B.ob Hope at golf in the long ago. Bailey trouping around the Pacific in the 1930s when vaudeville faded back home.

He played Singapore for a 1935 before joining his wife, Jean, in opening a successful seaside nightspot called the Coconut Grove. "Its dance floor was built over the sea. The Grove was the IN place for people of high society," a local artist remembers. Tin miners, rubber planters, military officers and royalty from Malaya joined the swinging Singapore set at Bill's place before World War II. Tourists dropped in to ask the inevitable: why wouldn't he go home? Bailey's reply apparently depended on his mood but.

when pressed, he would point out that the tune was written in 1872. "Goddammit, I wasn't even born yet.".