Vol. 29 No. 1 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. May 1925
Entered November 23, 1903, at Boston Mass., as Second-Glass mitter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
Start of the Baseball Season
A few nights ago we chose up forbase-
ball. The captains are: Charles Claggett,
Team A; Arthur Blackwell, Team B;
Raymond Thomas, Team C; Marshall
Hall, Team D. The boys practiced dili-
gently for a while before the schedule
games started. The practice was interrup-
ted temporarily by the coming Memorial
Day track meet.
The first game was played between
teams A and B, Team A won 14 to 12.
It was a loose game as each team made
at least five errors. The pitching was
good except for a few times when they
seemed to let up. Team B led until the
sixth inning when A tied the score and
eventually won the game.
In the second game of the season the
score was not so close. Team D defeating
team C. 17 to 5. It was a poorly played
game. Nobody on team C seemed able to
deliver a hit when it was needed. Cap-
tain Thomas was the only consistent hitter
on the team. A large number of team
D's scores were drives through C's infield
which made a lot of errors. But practice
is what is needed and we hope to have
better games later on. We hope to
play some outside teams soon.
James Libby
A Trip to WEEI
Early one evening about ten boys be-
longing to our radio club got ready for
town. We went to Station WEEI of the
Edison Illuminating Co. Mr. Emery, a
graduate of this school, also Big Brother
of the Big Brother Club showed us the
sending sets and different studios. After
we had seen everything of interest con-
cerning radio broadcasting, we went to
the main studios, and sat around the
microphone. George Russell, one of our
boys, spoke a few words about the School.
We all joined the Big Brother Club,
which is a Radio Fraternity made up of
young "listeners in". It is conducted five
evenings a week. The club has no adver-
tising purpose. Its aim is to entertain and
educate also to create good will among its
members. The members are not urged to
do greater things; they are simply inspired
to do better, the ordinary things of life. It
is easy to join, but membership isnot solicit-
ed, it must be voluntary. The club pin is
white enamel, in the shape ofan incandes-
cent electric light bulb, with the letters
"BEBBC" in gold, inscribed down the
center of the bulb. Underneath is pictured
"The Friendly Glow" and the call letters
of the station WEEI. There is no limit to
membership. The age limit is from 7 to
17. We all think it is a very helpful and
interesting club.
James Johnson
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Firing Methods
Boilers may be fired by hand or by
mechanical strokes. Firing by hand is
laborious and is usually an inefficient
process.' There are four methods of firing,
each of which has its advantages and faults.
These methods are:
1. Spreading methods
a. Even spread
b. Alternate side spread
c. Alternate front and back
spread
Even spread firing means what its
name signifies if the fireman spreads the
coal evenly beginning at the back of the
grate and working towards the door. The
intervals between firing and the amount of
coal used each time varies with the fireman
or engineer, kind of coal used and amount
of draught in use. Some coals burn better
with a thick fire, with the coal filled in
large quantities and at long intervals.
Objections to Even Spread System
1. When the coal is spread evenly
over the whole grate the coal chokes the
air passage through the bed of coke on the
grate and reduces the air supply at the
time when it is most needed to burn the
water gas and hydrocarbon gases, distilled
from the fresh coal.
2. When the coal is first fired, it is
spread evenly over the furnace, the mois-
ture in the coal is distilled from it and a
cooling process takes place all over the
grate.
Alternate Side Spread Firing System
This system seems to have all the
advantage of the coking system without its
disadvantages. It consists of spreading the
coal evenly on one side of the grate over
its whole length and also on the other
side at equal intervals of time. That is,
fire on^ side with fresh coal; then after a
period of time fire the other side. Instead
of covering the whole grate with fresh coal
at long intervals, only-halt of the grate is
covered and the firing intervals shortened
to one half the time. With this system of
firing, economical and complete combus-
tion depends largely upon the skill of the
fireman, also upon the combustion cham-
ber and the opportunity it affords for thor-
ough admixture of two currents of gas.
Alternate Front and Back Spread Firing
This system is the same as above ex-
cept that fresh coal is fired alternately first
on the front half of the grate and then on
the back. The actions of the gases are
practically alike and results are almost the
same.
The Coking Method
In this system fresh coal is piled on
the front of the grate, while the rear half is
covered with practically burned coke.
When the coal is nearly coked, it i< pushed
back to the rear of' the furnace. Then
fresh coal is put on the front half again
and allowed to coke. The object is to
keep a bed of incandescent carbon at the
rear of the grate, in passing over the coke
which the volatile gases from the green
coal at the front will be burned.
As I work in the Power House I have
to fire in a certain way. At first I experi-
mented with different ways and found
that firing by the alternate side spread
system was easier and better. It does not
leave as many holes as the coking method
is apt to.
George D. Russell
Calvin Goolidge
A living story always interests me.
This one especially for it is honest and
real. The story ot the boy is the story of
the man.
He was a plain boy on a plain farm.
While a boy, farming was a part of his busi-
ness. As a man it became his avocation.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Thus he knows the plain people. He is
one of them, for his atmosphere is a simple
one.
When he became a member of the
General Court of Northampton he and his
family lived on his annual income of one
thousand dollars. When he became
governor he vetoed a bill to raise the in-
come of legislators from $1000 to $1500 a
year. He lives out his policies, which
are not simply theories. He is careful of
his official pocket as he is of his personal
pocket. Thus as mayor he cut down the
municipal debt, as now he sets out to cut
down taxes and the national debts.
The secret of his success is, and has been,
his capacity to see and seize an opportun-
ity. His father's words were "He's al-
ways done well and I ■ guess he always
will."
His only sports have been love of ad-
venture and walking. His teachers say
he was a good student. His father says he
never had to tell him what to do. He has
always been regarded as silent. He was
born with two ears and one mouth.
Hence he saw that he was made first to lis-
ten and learn.
He was born in a sparsely settled
country in Vermont, where there are few
neighbors and small temptation- to talk.
Vermonters have a reputation for silence.
He is quick to act.
His first statement to the American people
went as follows
"Reports, have reached me, which I
fear are correct, that President Harding is
gone. The world has lost a great and
good man. I mourn his loss. He was
my chief and friend. It will be my pur-
pose to carry out his policies which he has
begun, for the service of the American
people and for meeting their responsibili-
ties wherever they may arise. For this
purpose I shall seek the cooperation of all
those who have been associated with the
President during his term of oiTice.
Those who have given their efforts to as-
sist him, I wish to remain in office, that
they may assist me. I have faith that God
will direct the destinies of our nation."
This story is an inspiration. It sym-
bolizes the force of those great words of
scripture:-
"Thou hast been faithful over few
things.
1 will make thee ruler over many."
Such are the characteristics of the
man, Calvin Coolidge who was inaugurat-
ed as President of the United States.
March 4, 1925. Carl H. Kuphal
My Work
Thursday and Friday mornings I go
down to the drawer-room to get the Boys'
clean clothes ready for Saturday night.
First I put the night-shirts, shirts and the
underwear in the boxes. Then I help
with the work in the clothing-room until
8:30. Alan B. Scott
Scraping the Pilgrim's Cabin
My work is quite interesting for I am
a steamer boy. There is quite a variety of
work.
During the last week we have been
scraping- the cabin of the Pilgrim. We
take steel scrapers three by six inches and
file them so they have a burr on the edge.
We then scrape off all the varnish and
stain. It is very hard to get it off in some
places.
We scrape until we reach the wood.
The cabin is made of mahogany and white
pine. We then sandpaper it and stain it
with Burnt Sienna which gives it a nice red
color. We then put on two or three coats
of varnish which makes it look very good.
Next we shall scrape the deck which is
more easily done. The Pilgrim will look
nice and fresh when it is finished. We
take pride in her appearance.
James A. Brain
THOMPSONS ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
IVERS E. WlNMlLL Editor
James M. Libby Asso. Editor
Vol. 29 No. 1
May, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowel!
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
"Ambition is the germ from which
the growth of all nobleness proceeds."
In order to make life a success, ambi-
tion is the requisite factor which spurs one
on to his goal. Without ambition we are
lost!
All mortals are come to this earth for
a purpose, but that purpose may never be
realized if we lack that power to battle re-
sistance and plunge foward — thus making
the Best of our lives. So long as a man
has ambition, no limit can be placed on
his rise in the world. And what man or
boy has not felt the urge and prod of the
desire to do!
Let us as Boys at The Farm and Trades
School cultivate the fundamentals of am-
bition while our lives are in the plastic
stage. Let us instill that fervor and indomi-
table spirit into our hearts , which repeats
itself again and again - "I can do and I
will do"- until it becomes a part of us.
Let us perform the various tasks as-
signed us each day to the Best of our abil-
ity. Before we realize, we have formed
the habit of not only doing things , but
doing things well.
By allowing this little habit to creep
gradually into our lives, we are climbing
slowly and steadily, yet higher and higher
up the ladder of Opportunity. Spurred
on by Ambition, we at last reach the door
of Success. This door, I assure you, will
be unlatched to receive any conscientious
boy who knows no such word as Impos-
sible.
"Ambition is a pearl without price.
Let no man rob you of it. It would be
better to give him everything you own in
the world than let him stifle your desire to
get on. For while you hold on to that,
you can never be completely disarmed in
the battle of life."
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
April 1 Tried out new spreader to-
day, and finished up the dyke road at the
South End.
Cottage Row Government held a
caucus this evening.
Willard Schroeder, '24, on a vacation
from Tilton School, is visiting here.
April 2 The Pilgrim was beached
this morning to be cleaned and painted.
April 3 A number of boys were giv-
en the opportunity this evening to visit
Station WEEI. This courtesy was extend-
ed by Big Brother, Claire Emery, '16.
Butchered pig weighing 2661 2 lbs.
Steamer Pilgrim was taken to Law-
ley's today for general repairs.
April 4 Roger Smith, '23, and
Howard Sturtevant. '24, visited the School
this afternoon.
April 6 Scow, John Alden, was
calked and painted today.
A group of Harvard students came
over this evening to entertain the Boys.
The veterinary was here this morning.
April 7 Cottage Row election was
held tonight: Mayor, Clarence Hobson;
Treasurer, William Warnock; Assessor,
Hildreth Crosby; Chief of Police, Marshall
Hall; Aldermen, Arthur Turner, Chair-
man, Jack Hobson, James Brain, Ray-
mond Thomas, Seymour McFadyen;
Clerk, Raymond McQuesten; Street Com-
missioner, George Poole; Librarian,
William Long; Janitor, Carl Kuphal.
April 9 Rhubarb uncovered today.
April 10 Sowed oats in field by Ob-
servatory.
April n Doctor Taylor was here
this morning to examine the Boys' teeth.
Manager and Mrs. Robert Gardiner
and children were here for the afternoon.
A shoe-sewing machine was received
to-day, the gift of Manager Thomas J,
Evans.
April 12 Our annual Easter Concert
was given in Chapel this afternoon by the
Boys.
April 13 Painting of the walls of the
court was completed today.
April 14 Sowed peas. Launched
scow.
April 15 Captains and teams were
chosen tonight for baseball. Team A,
Charles Claggett; B. Arthur Blackwell; C,
Raymond Thomas; D, Marshall Hall.
April 16 Early potatoes were plant-
ed today and orchard seeded to oats.
Members of the Forging Class with
their Instructor attended an exhibit at
Technology this afternoon.
April 17 Thinned out in the hot
frames.
Manager Henry Jackson visited the
School this afternoon.
April 18 Big Brother, Claire Emery,
'16, with a number of his entertainers from
Station WEEI came over to entertain the
Boys this evening. Fine entertainment.
April 21 John Goodhue, '21, was
here for the afternoon and evening.
Cottage Row Government held a
trial in Assembly Hall this evening, Judge
Winmill presiding.
April 22 The shingling and paint-
ing of the Poultry House were complet-
ed today.
President Arthur Adams and Mana-
ger Moses Williams and son Moses
Williams, Jr., were visitors this afternoon.
April 23 Planted onion seed.
April 24 Butchered cow weighing
453 pounds.
Steamer Pilgrim was brought back
from Lawley's today where she has been
undergoing repairs.
Workmen came to-day to put galva-
nized iron lining in the sink in the Boys'
washroom.
Three masons began work this morn-
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
ing on the new brick lining in the fire box
at the Power House.
April 21 First group of boys went
over to have teeth filled.
April 27 Went to Charlestown after
supply of fertilizer.
April 28 Two new registered cows
arrived today from the Ames Estate at
North Easton. Mr. John Ames has given
the School one of these cows.
First Friends' Day, 272 friends of the
Boys were here for the afternoon.
April 29 Cut first asparagus.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
April 1 Today completes the twenty-
fifth year of my sojourn on this Island.
Hundreds of boys have gone out from this
institution with influences received from
me, either good or bad. Which have
they been? God knows that my heart's
desire has been to instill, such precepts into
the hearts of all, — and to accompany those
precepts with such examples as should
develop true manhood and nobility of
purpose in this life, — and an earnest de-
sire for an inheritance in the life to come.
April 13 Today we have had one
of the severest snow storms of the whole
season.
April 26 Got new scow from Mr.
Stearns at Neponset.
April 27 Mr. S. G. DeBlois came
this P. M.
April 29 John Evans, a graduate,
visited us.
April Meteorology
Maximum Temperature 73' on the
26th.
Minimum Temperature 37 ' on the
19th and 20th.
MeanTemperaturefor the month 48\
Total Precipitation 1.63 inches.
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours is
on the 19th and 20th.
Three days with .01 or more inches
precipitation, 9 clear days, 5 partly
cloudy, 16 cloudy.
The Farm and Trades School Bank
Statement May 1, 1925
RESOURCES
U.S. Securities S 500.00
Other Investments 942.13
Cash 97.49
S1539.62
LIABILITIES
Surplus $ 466.39
Deposits 1073.23
S 1539.62
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK BURTON DORMAN
President Cashier
WILLIAM R. HOL.MAN
Teller
A Sloyd Model
In our Sloyd Course, as we finish one
model we start another until some happy
day we find ourselves working on our last
and best model, the tool chest.
The other day I started another new
model which was the nail box. First I se-
cured a piece of white wood and planed
its highest side to a certain level. This is
called face one, I next planed face two, or
the side adjacent to face one. When face
two was square, I then gauged the width
and thickness. We do this to the pieces
for the nail box. After having the two
sides, andends, bottom, and handle allplan-
ed to the right dimensions we sandpaper
each piece and then we nail them all
together, after this is done sometimes we
either varnish or shellac it.
Charles Claggett
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
A Parade
On Friday afternoon, May \, our
Band went to Lawrence to take part in the
parade held that afternoon in honor of
Boys' Week. When we arrived there, the
streets were crowded with people, and sev-
eral other boys' bands were marching in
the parade also. We marched a distance of
about two miles, stopping at the same place
from where we started.
After the parade was disbanded, we
went to the Lawrence High School, where
there was a large lunchroom in the base-
ment. We were given some sandwiches^
cocoa, doughnuts, and ice cream for re-
freshments.
We had a pleasant ride on the way to
the Island until one of the busses which
conveyed part of our Band, had a blow-
out. The bus I was on, turned back and
stopped at Spot Pond, where the other
bus was We remained there, walking
about the pond reservations until the tire
was repaired. We arrived home tired, but
happy, with pleasant thoughts of the inter-
esting aftenoon we had spent.
Otto Kohl
Initials on Chests
Since last year many boys have put
initials on the covers of their chests. It is
quite a task. First it is necessary to cut out
a piece of maple for the initials. We
make the initials correctly out of paper.
After this we glue the initials on the
piece of maple and with a fret saw we cut
them out. This fret saw is good for
particular work of this kind. After we
have these initials cut out we get a piece ot
mahogany or walnut and trace the initials
on this piece of wood.
This wood is generally about four in-
ches long and two inches wide and a quar-
ter of an inch thick. After we have the
initials all traced we chisel the panel out
so that the maple initials will set even with
the walnut. After this is all done, we
glue them in and then decide the shape
we shall have. Some boys have ovals
and some have them the shape of a dia-
mond. After we have them the shape we
wish we trace this on the inside of the
panel and chisel it until it sets even with
the panel. We then glue them in. After
this is finisHed we can either stain it or
put linseed oil on. Both make the initials
stand out well. They call this inlaying.
John A Arkerson
A Waiter
My new work is waiting in the Instruct-
ors' dining-room. I have the Instructors
to wait on at early meals. I go down to
the dining-room at 6:20 A. M. for break-
fast, again at 11:20 A. M. for dinner, and
at 5:20 for supper. When I get there, the
tables are all set with food, so I put on a
waiter's coat and wait for the gong to
sound, which is a signal to call the Instruc-
tors to meals. Then I serve them what-
ever they would like, that is on the table.
After they have finished, I give them their
dessert if they wish any. As soon as they
go out, I clear the tables and crumb them.
I then set up the tables again for the late
meals, putting two small spoons and a
knife, with the sharp side toward the plate
on the right, and a fork at the left of the
plate. At each end of the table are two
serving spoons and dishes. The large
dishes containing food are put at the foot
of the table in the morning and noon and
at the head of the table during supper. I
like this work very much.
Ross S. Lloyd
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che n\mn\ Association of Che farm ana trades School
Will Frink Davis, 79. President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Vice-President Merton P. Ellis, '97, Secretary
llEusTis Street, Chelsea Thompson's Island 38 Spafford Road, Milton
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett. '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
It is the endeavor of The Farm and Trades School Alumni Association to be-
come better and stronger each year, each week, in fact, each day. Its organization
was for the benefit of all Farm and Trades School graduates, and the graduates
make it a source of great strength by their support, or weaken its influence by their
non-support. The officers of the Association, whose names and addresses appear
at the top of this page each month, are ever ready to assist Farm and Trades
School graduates as individuals, or as a whole, through the Alumni Association.
Show your appreciation to your Alumni, its officers, and to your Alma Mater by
writing them of yourself and of your classmates. Get in touch with the members
of your class and schoolmates. Secretary Ellis will gladly send you names and
addresses that you may desire to help in this work.
Below you will find the name and address of YOUR Class secretary. He wants
to hear from YOU!
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
Merton P. Ellis
Howard B. Ellis
Thomas R. Brown
Alfred C. Malm
George G. Noren
John J. Conklin
Charles H. Bradley, Jr.
Walter D. Norwood
C. James Pratt
Don C. Clark
Leon H. Quinby
Frederick W. Marshall
George J. Balch
Alfred W. Jacobs
Bernard F. Murdock
C. Robert Emery
Edmund S. Bemis
Geoffrey E. Plunkett
Benjamin L. Murphy
Howard F. Lochrie
G. George Larsson
Frank E. Woodman
Malcolm E. Cameron
Daniel E. Smith
Theodore B. Hadley
Kenneth E. Kearns
George D. Russell
Howard H. Sturtevant
38 Spafford Road. Milton 86. Mass.
494 Broadway, South Boston 27. Mass.
Box 401, Hollywood, Florida
89 Malvern Street. Melrose 76, Mass.
105Woodside Avenue. Winthrop, Mass.
325 Main Street. Medford 55, Mass.
294 Washington Street. Boston 9. Mass.
1533 Beacon Street, Brookline 47, Mass.
101 Bellevus Avenue, Roslindale 31, Mass.
789 No. Main St., North Leominster, Mass.
90 Mt. Vernon Street. Dover, N. H.
43Warnock St., Lowell, Mass.
7 Cypress Park, Melrose, Mass.
Main Street. Hingham Centre. Mass.
36 Bickerstaff Street, Boston 17, Mass.
28 Greenleaf Street. Maiden 48. Mass.
156 Morrison Avenue. Somerville 44. Mass.
295 PHmpton Street. Walpole, Mass.
44 Elaine Ave., East Saugus, Mass.
85 Pinckney Street, Boston 14. Mass.
18 Haviland Street, Boston 17, Mass.
263 Forest Street, Arlington 75, Mass.
242 Pleasant Street, Stoughton. Mass.
9 Atherton Street. Somerville 42. Mass.
32 High Street. Bridgton. Mame.
Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N. H.
6 Harwood Street, Beverly. Mass.
Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, N. H.
The following instructions have been sent to each class secretary. "Keep in touch with each member of
your class, make every class member an alumnus, put the Beacon in the hands of every class member, and
establish a class gift." Will you help your class secretary to carry out these instructions?
Vol. 29 No. 2 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. June 1925
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston Miss., as Second-GUss
under Act of Congress of July Ift. 1874
THE SCHOOL BAND 1925
Standing Left to Right.
Ivers Winmill, Edward Floyd, George Russell, Howard Gostello, Arthur Blackwell, Raymond
McQuesten, Herbert Gove, James Brain, Jack Hobson, Willis Drake, Clarence Hobson, Marshall Hall,
Paul Butts, William Warnock, Bradbury Rand, William Young, Otto Kohl and Albert Cheney.
Front
William Reeve, James Libby, Clarence McLenna, Raymond Thomas, John Arkerson, George
Adams, Donald McKenzie, Warren Burriss, Seymour McFadyen. Thomas Hall, Arthur Turner, Ralph
Swan, Henry Gilchrist, Paul Turner, Carl Kuphal, Burton Dorman, George Libby and Carl Wijk.
Broadcasting
May Fifteenth, our Band went over
to broadcast from Station WEEI. The
Band had this opportunity through the
kindness of "Bob" Emery a j^raduate of
this School.
We left the Island at five o'clock, ar-
riving at the Radio Station about six o'
clock. The members of the Band were
told to sit in the Broadcasting Studio
while a man was giving an imitation ot an
aeroplane ride through the West. At a
given signal our Bandmaster led the Band
while it played a march, "Imperial Coun-
cil." After that "Bob" Emery spoke a few
words while the Band got ready to play
"The Jolly Blacksmiths," a novelty over-
ture.
Meanwhile graduates and friends of
the School sent telegrams telling how
they enjoyed the concert. The Band play-
ed "America the Beautiful." a march, and
that ended the program. The Boys ai
the School went to the Assembly Hall and
listened to the program over Mr.
Swasey's radio set.
Clarence H. McLenna
Work on the Farm
One morning I was told to get in the
farm line. When we got down to the Barn,
some other Boys and I were told to gtt
some hoes. Then we went to the garden
by the Farm House. When we got there
we were told to weed the cabbages. I like
the farm work very much.
Carle Nichols
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Memorial Sunday
When Memorial Sunday came, a
hymn was played to wake the Boys instead
of reveille.
When all the Boys had dressed we
marched downstairs to get ready for
breakfast. After this the neccessary work
was done.
About half-past nine we put on our
uniforms and the Band Boys got their in-
struments.
When the clock struck ten, we were
on our way to the Cemetery, marching
with the Band. As we approached the
cemetery the Band stopped playing and
we marched to the beat of muffled drums.
When we reached the Cemetery, the
exercises began.
The program follows:
Hymn Onward Christian Soldiers
Quartette and School
Invocation
Mr. Putnam
Address
Clarence P. Hobson, Mayor
Recitation Gettysburg Address
Thomas A. Hall
Hymn Abide With Me
Quartette and School
Recitation Flander's Field
Arthur Brown
Recitation America's Answer
Carl O. Wijk
Selection
Band
Recitation Spires of Oxford
William M. Hall
Recitation Invictus
Fredrick Austin
Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy
Quartette and School
Recitation The Blue and the Gray
George Poole
Recitation The Debt
James Libby
Roll Call
Clarence Hobson
Decoration of Graves
Rolling of Muffled Drums
Taps, three times
Hymn Nearer, My God, To Thee \
Quartette and School I
After the exercises we marched back
and had our dinner. We spent the after-
noon quietly as usual.
Charles L. Wheeler
An Auction
One Wednesday evening Cottage
Row Government held an auction to sell
some shares in the Ionic Cottage as well
as the new cottage. The new one has
been named The Bradley in honor of Mr.
Charles H. Bradley who instituted Cottage
Row.
Ivers Winmill was the auctioneer.
There are twelve shares in each cottage.
The first set of three shares was sold for
three dollars and sixty-five cents, the sec-
ond set of two shares sold for two dollars
and sixty cents, the third set of two shares
sold at two dollars and sixty cents, and
the fourth set of five shares sold for five
dollars. I bought the third set.
Francis Floyd
My Work as Cobbler
Most of the shoes that have to be re-
paired need to have new heels. When put-
ting on new heels I first spread rubber ce-
ment on the heel of the shoe and allow it
to dry. I then file the rubber heel, so that
it will stick better. After this I put in the
nails. When shoes need to have leather
soles, I saw the leather out on the band-
saw and then put them in water to soak.
Some shoes get ripped in the back. These
I repair with needle and thread. However,
the next cobbler will have the benefit of a
sewing machine, which has been presented
to the School by one of its Managers.
Since the change of work, I no longer am
cobbler, but w^ork in the shop.
Fredrick Austin
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Memorial Day
Memorial Day dawned bright and
clear and we were pleased for we enjoy
our sports on this day. The Boys all jump-
ed out of bed at the first note of the bugle
which sounded at 5:45 A.M. When we
were all dressed we passed downstairs to
get ready for breakfast.
This over, all the Boys worked until
nine o'clock when we were dismissed for
the rest of the day.
The Boys were divided into six teams
that were chosen the week before. They
were all trained and ready for their work
to help win the shield for their respective
teams. There were three teams picked
from the larger boys and three others from
the smaller boys. The larger teams com-
peted against each other and the smaller
teams were matched against each other.
The team that won the largest number
of points among all six teams, won the
shield. Each team chose a name for itself.
They were as follows;
Captains Teams
M.Hall U. of California
R. McQuesten Princeton
E. Floyd Penn State
G. Libby Yale
J. Libby Dartmouth
A. Butler Harvard
The day began with the cross country
run which the small boys ran first. The
first place was taken by Harvard.
The award was a certain number of
points for the three leading boys and the
team having the most number ot points
at the close of the races won the prize.
When the cross country had been run
the Boys next went to the playground for
the jumps and pole vault. These races
were close and very good all through.
In the pole vault the first two places
were taken by Princeton, the first place
was vaulted at 10 feet. After these races
had been run, the bell rang and the Boys
went to the house to get ready for dinner.
After dinner, the foot races were held on
Beach Road and were very exciting.
When these had been run, the last of
the races, which were the aquatic sports,
were eagerly watched from ihe Stone
Wharf. When these had been run oflf
the races were finished and the Boys play-
ed ball until supper was ready.
When the points had been totalled,
it was found that the University of Cali-
fornia had won with the score of 84
points. Yale was second with 71 points.
Hildreth R. Crosby
A Good Time
May 30, we had a good supper on the
beach. Mr. Swasey told us that we could
build fires together on the beach and cook
our own suppers. We had frankforts.
rolls, pickles, lemonade, cookies, dough-
nuts, and marshmallows. We then had a
tug of war. The boys had even numbers
on one side and odd numbers on the
other side. The evens won and they
received a bag of peanuts. We all enjoyed
the good time and went to bed happy.
Burton Dormdn
My Work in the Sewing Room
Every Tuesday it is my duty to do the
socks and finish as many as I can.
Wednesday, we have underwear which I
dislike very much because of so many
little holes. Thursday we have cord-
uroys or khakies. Friday we have socks
again. Saturday, we first wash windows,
then clean up for over Sunday. I like my
work very much, and try to take pains with
it. I have been in the Sewing Room three
months now and each week the work
seems easier than last week.
Theodore Vitty
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Tsland Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
iVERS E. WlNMlLL
James M. Libby
Editnr
Asso. EditDT
Vol. 29 No. 2
June, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
Kindness is not just being easy.
True kindness contains iron.
Very often when men of acquirements
and accomplishments appear cold and un-
responsive to appeal, they are asking of
others merely that which they have ex-
acted of themselves.
We have a friend, a hotel keeper,
down at Columbus, Ohio.
He says that he w-as brought up in a
very poor neighborhood in Detroit, that
very few of his boyhood friends ever a-
mounted to anything, and that their ideal
seemed to be getting something for noth-
ing.
The best of them, he says, got only as
hi^h as some political job that cost more
in wardheeling effort than it was worth.
This friend of ours ran ofTfrom home
in his early youth, got a job as a bell hop
in a Chicago hotel, saved his money, suc-
ceeded in one job after another, and learn-
ed the hotel business.
Then, with his s.-'vings and the back-
ing of a few friends he bought this hotel in
Columbus. He made money from the
start.
The news of his success found its way
back to his boyhood freinds in Detroit. j
One after another they came to him, '
all with a hard luck tale. He not only
gave them bed and board, but very often
clothes and money.
He says that in the first tlush of his
success he rather took a foolish pride in
his ability to do all these things for his
boyhood friends— that it was a manifest-
ation of vanity.
One befriended aquaintance told an-
other, and the more he did for them the
more they came.
Like tramps, they marked the house
where hand-outs were easy to get.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
He said that these fellows began to
play return engagements about every six
months with the same hard luck story.
They were all believers in luck— mostly
hard luck.
Each of these fellows believed that his
success was a matter of luck rather than ef-
fort and thrift. They took what he gave
them as a matter of course, in the belief
that he was only supplying the results of
what he had and they did not — luck.
Finally our hotel friend mustered his
courage and refused hospitality to all of
his mendicant friends.
They soon passed the word around
that his money had turned his head, that
he had grown cold, and considered him-
self above ihem.
He says that all his kindness had re-
verse English in its effect.
So long as he was doing for them
they were doing nothing for themselves.
By his refusal of further charity, he caused
them to put forth effort of their own, and
to just that extent he destroyed their be-
lief in luck.
He exacted of them only what he
had exacted of himself -effort and thrift.
That which is too freely given is
more of a loss to the receiver than to the
giver.
— Ilarr isso n ' s Magazin e
Calendar
May 1 The Boys' Band went to
Lawrence today to take part in a parade
for the observance of Boys' Week.
Began work on new road in rear ot
Boat House.
May 5 Finished planting six acres
of corn and cut a bushel of rhubarb.
The new cottage, The Bradley, on
Cottage Row was completed today.
The monthly meeting of the Board of
Managers was held at the School. Among
those present were: President Adams and
Managers Foster, Evans, Sears, Saltonstall
and Lowell.
May 6 Planted early carrots, beets,
lettuce, radishes and parsley. Sowed field
in rear of Farm House to oats.
May 8 Cultivated the early potatoes
and the peas.
May 9 John Schippers, '21 is here
for the week end.
Several new oaks were transplanted
today in the rear of the Power House.
May n Set out 1000 tomato plants.
May 12 Nearly 2000 cabbages were
set out today.
May 13 Butchered cow weighing 385
pounds.
The semi-annual meeting of the A-
lumni Association was held at Young's
Hotel in Boston this evening.
May 14 Finished planting potatoes,
53 bushels including early ones.
Painting of the dining-rooms was be-
gun today.
May 15 Built new corral for the
young stock.
Boys' Band broadcasted a concert this
evening from WEEI. This is their first ex-
perience over the radio and the oppor-
tunity was afforded by Big Brother, Bob
Emery, '16.
May 16 Team D defeated Team A
this afternoon 10 to 9.
May 18 Began practicing music for
graduation this evening.
May 19 Two hundred tons of coal
screenings arrived today.
The re-arrangement of Cottage Row
6 THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
was started today. Two cottages were Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
mOV-ed. As Kept by the Superintendent
May 20 Finished fertilizing corn , , ^ -m r- ... , . ,
^ , , D • . ^ .u (■ ^/f • ^^y ^ 1 he first visiting day of this
field. Painted north firescape on Main \^ .,, ,, t^%,, . .t
D .,,. ^ season. Managers Weld, DeBlois. Hom-
Building. J V
ans and Young were present.
May 21 Hauled nearly two tons of iv/i -7 a u ,1 . , . ,
, , , ^ n. r> ■ ^ ^ ^^y ' ^ cold rough day with wind
baled paper to City Point. 1 wo more .1 . , . o .r
^ , n ^. ^ v> . northeast and some rain. Self wrought in
cottages were moved on Lottage Kow to- ,
northeast grove pruning, etc.
^^\, ^'^ o , , . f ■ , f May 8 Planted first fodder corn on
May 22 Seeded piece for balance of gouth End. also buckwheat and set rasp-
sweet corn. berries. There have been discharged dur-
May 23 Cleaned the beach. Team ing the month seven boys: Augustus Doe.
B was victorious this afternoon defeating Francis Richards. Geo. W. Pierce. Has.
Team C, 12 to 4. N. Williams, J. E Naron, Bryon L. Rider
May 24 Professor William Howell and Augustus Brown.
Reed of Tufts College was here this after- -tm r- j t^ j o , . r^ .
, 1 . .u o J her arm and 1 rades School Bank
noon and spoke to the Boys.
May 25 Mixed fertilizer for vege- Statement June 1, 1925
tables, cleaned Storage Barn. ,, ^ ^ .. ^^esoukces
U.S. Securities % 500.00
May 26 Blacksmith was here today. ^,, t , r^.^,-,
^ ^ Other Investments 942 13
May 28 Started cultivation of the Cash 97 49
corn. Mr. Burton L. Hess, General Sec- —
retarv of the Massachusetts Society for So- j)ioo9.o2
. •- . , „ ^ . LIABILITIES
cial Hygiene gave the Boys a very instruc- Surplus S 466 39
tive talk on "Science of Life" this evening, t^ •• i^-,^ ^-.
T.. , , . , , . ^ Deposits 1073.23
1 he lecture was accompanied by moving
pictures. ^ 1539.62
TV /r on T- • 1 1 , . , WILLIAM R. WARNOCK BURTON DORMAN
May 29 finished planting the vege- President Cashier
tables and butchered cow weighing 442
, ^ ^ WILLIAM R. HOLMAN
pounds. .j,^,,^^
Edward Osberg, '24, a student of
Brewster Academy, is here for the after- May Meteorology
noon. ., . rj. ^^^
Maximum lemperature 80 on the
May 3U Usual athletic and aquatic 21st.
sports were enjoyed in observance of the 'Minimum Temperature 40^ on the
day. 14th.
Assistant Treasurer Alfred C. Malm. Mean Temperature for the month 56.
00, and son are here for the week end. t- . 1 r» • • • -> t^n^ . ,
_. , - - ,-^ , Total Precipitation 3.08^^4 inches.
Kenneth Kearns, 24, student at Brew- Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours .70
ster Academy, came to spend the night. q^ j^e 11th.
May 31 Memorial Day program Ten days with .01 or more inches
was given at the cemetery at South End precipitation, 0 clear days. 13 partly
this morning. cloudy, 18 cloudy.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Our History Lessons
In the latter part of this year we have
3een studying the World War. It is a little
3ook written by McKinley, Coulomb and
Gerson. These are new books and we are
[he first class to use them. The book de-
scribes many facts and gives its readers a
5ood knowledge of Europe before the
War, during the War and later. It de-
scribes many events and facts of interest,
Desides the general history.
We like the manner in which we
study it. Each boy reads a paragraph.
Later the class discusses it. After com.
3leting the chapter we study for a written
lesson. We are now studying the results
of the national problems, international
problems and the League of Nations. An
interesting topic we have just studied was
President Wilson's speech to Congress, on
Jan. 8, 1918 in which he set forth the
aims, and peace terms of the U. S. His
famous speech is known as "The Four-
teen point speech".
With a few more lessons we shall
complete the book and then shall begin a
review of the whole book. We have en-
joyed the book, and have learned a great
deal about the World War.
William M. Hall
A Scow Ride
One Sunday afternoon the Band Boys
were told to get their instruments and
bring them down to the Wharf. The
other Boys carried their chairs and racks.
When we got to the Wharf we got into the
scow, which was tied along side the
steamer. In a little while we started in
the direction of South End. We went as
far as Lawley's shipyard, which is in Dor-
chester. We saw a great many interesting
places. The Band was playing nearly all
the time, which added to the enjoyment
of every one. In a little while we turned
around and came back to the Island. We
enjoyed the trip very much.
James M. Libby
Moving Cottages
Mr. Swasey and Cottage Row Gov-
ernment thought it would be a good plan
to move some of the cottages back and
have two streets. Six of them were
moved back.
There are now twelve cottages. A
new one. The Bradley, being added. City
Hall is in the center of the second row.
After the cottages had been moved
back we started to build new streets. We
dug a trench about six inches deep, thirty
inches wide and the length of Cottage
Row. We then filled it up with stones
and put ashes on top, rolling them in to
form a tlrm and hard surface.
We then seeded down the lawns in
front of the cottages. There is a triangu-
lar plot of grass in front of City Hall. At
the head of this we put the flag pole. I
think this is a very good idea.
Ralph I. Swan, Jr.
Gardens
Every spring the boys who wish may
have a flower garden. Seeds are given
out and the Boys loosen the dirt and plant
them. The different kinds of seeds are:
Chinese pinks, zinias, asters, coxcombs, cos-
mos candytuft, dalias and gladiola bulbs
and other kinds. The boys who keep their
gardens best are given prizes by Mrs S. V.
R. Crosby, wife of one of the Managers.
The first prize is five dollars and the last
is one dollar. Ten boys may get a prize
and the money altogether equals twenty-
five dollars. About sixty boys have
gardens and we all enjoy them.
Thomas A. Hall
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che JHumni dissociation of Che Tarm ana Crades School
Will Fnnk Davis, 79. President Elwin C. Bemis, '\b. Vice-President Merton P. Ellis. '97. Secretaf
llEusTis Street. Chelsea Thompson's Island 38 Spafford Road, Milto^
Augustus N. Doe. 75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett. '14, Hi
Wellesley Walpole
On the front page we have a picture
of our Band, taken this last spring wnen
the Boys broadcasted. The ; bove picture
may be interesting to some of you gradu-
ates. Howard ElHs who we see standing
on the right has always kept his interest
in the Band and acted as leader of the
Boys' Band from 1912 to 1924.
Alexander McKenzie, '24, is work-
ing as messenger at the Webster Atlas
National Bank in Boston.
Karl Van Deusen (Brackett)
spent an afternoon at the School. Karl
can be located at 621 West 189th Street,
New York City.
All graduates who know Franklin
P. Miller, '18, will be pleased to know
that he has passed examination and re-
ceived his appointment to West Point,
to enter the first of July. Miller is mak-
ing a fine record for himself. At the
pre^ent time he is completing his second
year at Brown University. Good work
Miller, keep it up.
What has happened to class secretar-
ies? Their notes are still needed for this
page.
Harold Buchan. '21, who will grad-
uate from VVentworth Institute in June,
has accepted a position with the Ver-
mont Marble Company in Procter, Vt.
He will go to Vermont soon after his
graduation.
David E. Long. '22, is now living
at 49 Worthington Street, Boston, Mass.
Bernhardt Zerick '12, has written
that he is Chief Engineer of the steamer
"Hera ' of the Standard Oil Company.
He has been with that company since 1917
with the exception of the time he spent in
the Navy during the War.
Vol. 29 No. 3 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. July 1925
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston Mass.. as Second Class matter, under Act of Con(ires8 ofJuly 16. 1874
GRADUATING CLASS OF 1925
Standing Left to Right: Kenneth A. Priest, Raymond H. McQuesten, Edward L.
Floyd, Ivers E. Winmill, Donald McKenzie, and George D. Russell.
Center Row: Joseph G. Wasson, Clarence P. Hobson, and Warren J. Burriss.
Front Row; Clarence E. Stevens, William F. Anderson, George A. Adams,
Carl H.Kuphal, and Stanley W. Higgins.
Graduation
One of the most interesting days of
the year is Graduation. For us it means
the completion of the course at The Farm
and Trades School. This year it occurred
the ninth of June. The day proved to be
pleasant and the exercises were held on
the Front Lawn.
The boat arrived at 1:15 bringing a
large number of people. The Band es-
corted them to the Front Lawn. Here they
took seats that were reserved for them.
The Band played a march, while the
boys of the Graduating Class of 1925
marched to their seats.
The program follows:
OVERTURE-Pastime L. P. Laurendeau
Band
INVOCATION
Rev. Howard A. Morton
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
SALUTATORY
George D. Russell
SONG OF THE ARMOROR George B. Neven
School
CLASS PROPHECY
Edward L. Floyd
SELECTION-Jolly Blacksmiths S. Suckley
Band
CLASS WILL
Clarence E. Stevens
SONG-UNDER the BANNER of VICTORY
Franz von Blon
School
VALEDICTORY
Ivers E. Winmill
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER
President Arthur Adams
ADDRESS
Rev. Vivian T. Pomeroy
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOvlAS
Mr. Swasey
SCHOOL SONG
School
M ARCH'-America the Beautiful Jean Missud
Band
Raymond Thomas
Classes Completing Courses
Academic
Class of 1925
George Adelbert Adams, William
Fernald Anderson, Warren James Burriss,
Edward Lee Floyd, Sranley Wendell
Higgins, Clarence Paton Hobson, Carl
Henry Kuphal, Donald McKenzie, Ray-
mond Hadley McQuesten, Kenneth Austin
Priest, George Drysdale Russell, Clarence
Eugene Stevens, Joseph Gordon Wasson,
and Ivers Erwin Winmill,
Grammar
James Archibald Brain and Ralph
Merton Cheney.
Sloyd
George Adelbert Adams, John Albert
A.rkerson, Ralph Merton Cheney, Willis
Benjamin Drake, Francis Elwin Floyd,
Thomas Augustus Hall, William Marshall
Hall, Jack H. Hobson, William Rollin
Holman, James Edward Hughes, Kenneth
Austin Priest, Ralph Irving Swan, Jr..
Clarence Eugene Stevens, Arthur Royal
Turner, and Joseph Gordon Wasson.
Forging
William Fernald Anderson, Stanley
Wendell Higgins, Clarence Paton Hob-
son, Donald McKenzie, Kenneth Austin
Priest, and Joseph Gordon Wasson.
Giving Out Basketball Cups
Monday, June 8, we assembled for
grade reading in the Assembly Hall. After-
wards Mr. Swasey awarded the Sears' bas-
ketball shield and cups. The shield went
to Team A, which won 8 games and lost
1. The shield team is as follows:
George D. Russell Captain, Center
Seymour C. McFadyen Left Forward
James M. Libby Right Forward
James A, Brain Right Guard
Joseph G. Wasson Left Guard
Substitutes
Alton B. Butler Left Guard
Albert Cheney Left Forward
Fredrick Austin Right Guard
The boys who received cups are:
Raymond Thomas, Team D Left Guard
George A. Adams, Team B Left Forward
James M. Libby, Team A Right Forward
Raymond McQuesten, Team D Center
James A. Brain, Team A Right Guard
The boys who received substitute cups
are:
Edward L. Floyd, Team C Left Forward
Philip H. Young, Team C Right Forward
William M. Hall, Team D Right Guard
Two boys, George D. Russell and
Ivers E. Winmill, were not eligible to
receive cups for their positions on account
of already having won six cups. They
each received a blue sweater with The
Farm and Trades School monogram on
it in place of the cup.
Cecil A. Morse
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Constellation Ride
Each year Mr. Herbert Sears, broth-
er of one of our Managers, Mr. PhlHp
Sears, invites the Boys and Instructors to
enjoy a ride on his yacht, Constelhuion.
This year the ride came on the day after
graduation, June 10.
The morning was pleasant and each
boy was given a new pair of sneakers. We
left the Island about half past nine. The
launch with a row boat in tow, took the
Boys to the Constellation. Three trips
were made. As the Boys and Instructors
went on board they were greeted by
Mr. Herbert Sears, and Mr. Philip Sears
and guests, Mrs. Sears and Mrs. Lowell.
Soon the anchor was hoisted, and the
sails were put up, and we were moving
down the harbor. We sailed about three
hours and on returning, we anchored in
front of our Wharf. Refreshments ot
sandwiches, lemonade, ice cream and
cake were served.
We were each given a box of choco-
lates before leaving the Constellation. We
were sorry when the time came to say
goodbye to Mr. Sears, his brother and
guests.
When we were all at home on our
Wharf once more, we gave three cheers
and a tiger for the Constellation, its owner
and guests. We thank Mr. Sears very
much for this pleasant time each year.
Willis B. Drake
Glass Ride
Through the kindness of our
President, Mr. Arthur Adams, the Grad-
uating Class each year enjoys a Class Ride
to some interesting place. This year the
Class went to Gloucester.
They left the Island about 12:30
Thursday, June 11. When the Class re-
turned, one of the boys told me what an
interesting time he had. He said when
the Class reached City Point a large White
Star Line automobile met them and they
soon started. They went along the
North Shore passing through Swampscott,
Prides Crossing, Beverly, and Marblehead
where they saw the Constellation, the
beautiful sailing yachr which takes us on a
ride down the harbor each year. They
went through Marblehead to Gloucester.
In Marblehead they visited the hall where
hangs the original painting of "Spirit of
76". They also saw the small dory in
which one man crossed the ocean. They
also visited the Gordon Pew fish packirg
factory and saw many interesting and
beautiful homes. In Gloucester they
i-topped for ice cream and cake. I know
the boys of the class and the Instructors
who accompanied them enjoyed the trip
very much and found it inrer.^sting.
Ralph I. Swan, Jr.
Alumni Field Day
Alumni Day is an annual event at
our School. It occurs June 17, which
happened this year to be on Wednesday
of the week following graduation. The
Boys worked from 7 to 9 o'clock then
the Band boys got their instruments and
went down to the Wharf with the other
Boys. When the boat was coming in the
Band began to play. The people follow-
ed the Band until we reached the lawn.
Here the President of the Alumni Associ-
ation spoke about various things. The
Band played a few numbers and then in
about a half hour the Alumni Association
had dinner by the tennis Court. After
dinner thty had a few races for the Boys.
There was a baseball game between the
married and single men. The married
men won. A play. Professor Pepp was
given at four o'clock in the afternoon by
the Boys of the F. T. S. The Alumni
left the lawn after this and went to the
Wharf. Everybody had a good time.
Burton Dorman
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbomp$on'$ Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
IVERS E. WiNMILL
James M. Libby
Editor
As30. Editor
Vol. 29 No. 3
July, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
1ANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B, Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
The visiting clergyman in a summer
colony was asked to preach in the local
church and his young son accompanied
his father on Sunday morning. In the
entry, the clergyman noticed the collec-
tion box and dropped in fifty cents. At
the conclusion of the service, the deacon
came forward and announced that it was
customary to give visiting clergymen the
contents of the collection box. Accord-
ingly, he opened the box and handed the
minister fifty cents. Outside the church
the little boy tugged at his father's arm
and said, "Daddy, if you had put more
in the box, you would have gotten
more."
With this apt illustration, Mr.
Pomeroy gave us on graduation day. a
principle we will do well to ponder.
"What ye sow, that shall ye also reap."
Graduation is a time of reckoning.
We look back on the years just past, real-
izing our successes and our failures. We '
look eagerly forward to days of new ex-
periences, new challenge. Let us go for-
ward joyfully, giving ourselves whole-
heartedly to the things which seem worth
while. Our ideals and visions will grow i
as we do. We can only be true to our
deeper selves, keeping hearts and minds
alert for truth and beauty. "Today is
ours, and today alone." Unstintingly let
us give ourselves and in so giving we shall
find not only success, but the more
abundant life.
Calendar
June 1 Cultivated silage corn and
measured South End for wire to enclose
pasture land.
June 3 Sowed out piece by Compost
Shed.
June 4 Started cultivating the pota-
toes.
Boys slept out on Oak Knoll tonight.
June 5 Sowed out piece on the flat
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
below the Poultry House.
June 6 Hauled boulder from North
End for War Service memorial.
Weather continues very hot and all
Boys except fourth grade boys slept out
on North Grove.
June 7 Baccalaureate service for
the hoys in the graduating classes was held
at Phillips Church in South Boston this
morning.
Towed President Adams' Yacht to
Lawley's shipyard this afternoon.
Severe hot spell was broken at noon
today when a heavy squall broke upon us
from the east.
June 8 The Shaw Conduct Prizes,
Temple Consolation Prizes and the Sears
basketball shield and individual cups were
awarded this evening after Grade Reading.
The awarding of the prizes was followed
by the dedication of a tree to the Class of
1925.
June 9 Graduation exercises were
held this afternoon. Reverend Vivian T.
Pomeroy of Milton, Massachusetts, was
speaker and he gave the Boys an interest'
ing and instructive discourse. Sixteen
boys received literary diplomas, fifteen,
sloyd diplomas and six, forging diplomas.
The guests included President and Mrs.
Arthur Adams, Secretary Daland, and
Managers Sears, Foster, and Pierce.
In the evening a dancing party in
honor of the Class of 1925 was given in
the Assembly Hall.
June 10 The Boys and Instructors
with Mr. and Mrs. Swasey, enjoyed a sail
on the Constellation today. This is an
annual pleasure of graduation week, a gift
of Manager Philip Sears and brother,
Herbert Sears.
An epidemic of chicken pox broke
out among the Boys today.
Edward Osberg '24, arrived today and
will work here for the summer.
June 11 The annual Class ride to
Gloucester, a gift of President Adams, was
enjoyed today by the Class of '25.
Mowed first hay of the season this
afternoon.
Osmond Bursiel, '22, came today and
will be employed on the farm during the
summer vacation.
June 12 The firescapes and conduc-
tors on the Main Building are being re-
painted.
Went to Lawley's shipyard with the
Launch Winslow to get President Adams'
yacht the "Dolphin," which we towed
down the harbor.
Instructors' Day. The Instructors
spent the day at Lake Nagog.
June 13 The Class of 1919 of M.I.T.
were here for an outing this afternoon.
June 14 Manager and Mrs. Roger
Pierce and guests visited briefly at the
School this afternoon.
June 15 Picked first strawberries of
.the season today.
The Winslow is being scraped and
repainted.
Merton P. Ellis, '97, spent the after-
noon here.
June 16 Moved pigs to corral.
The rearrangement and repairing of
the Cottages on Cottage Row were com-
pleted today.
June 17 Alumni Day with usual cele-
bration; games, and contests, dinner on
the lawn and in the afternoon the play,
"Professor Pepp," was given by students
of the School. There were one hundred
and eighty-two people present.
June 18 Graded and seeded grounds
around the cottages and marked off lots
on Cottage Row.
The graduates who left the School to-
day included: George Adams, William
Anderson, George Russell, Carl Kuphal,
Stanley Higgins, Edward Floyd, Clarence
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Hobson, Clarence Stevens, Raymond
McQuesten, and Donald McKenzie.
June 19 Ivers Winmill and Kenneth
Priest, both of '25 and Philip Young,
grammar course, '24, left today.
Raymond Metcalf, '24, a student at
Tilton Seminary, is here for the night.
Assistant Treasurer Alfred C. Malm,
'00, came over tonight and will audit the
books tomorrow.
June 20 The Daughters of Vermont
and members of the Vermont Association
were here for an outins this afternoon.
They provided ice cream for the Boys.
Ralph Cheney, grammar course. '25,
left today to join his mother in New
Hampshire.
June 21 Through the efforts of
Bandmaster Mr. Warren, the 101st Engi-
neers' Band came over this afternoon to
give us a concert.
June 22 A row boat, the gift of the
Massachusetts Humane Society, was
brought over today.
June 24 Began building fence a-
round pasture at South End.
Assisted Manager Saltonstall and his
friends, whose boat had gone aground ofT
Hangman's Island.
June 25 Seymour C. McFadyen, '24,
left today for Portland, Maine where he
will work during the summer.
A new Singer machine for the sewing
room arrived this afternoon.
Manager W. B. Foster is here for the
afternoon.
June 26 Installed new aerial on
Cottage Row.
A cable leading to the barn is being
renewed.
June 27 Warren J. Burriss, '24, left
the School today.
The first peas of the season were pick-
ed today, also the first currants.
Painted No. 1 schoolroom.
June 30 Boys left this morning on
their annual furloughs of seven days.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
June 3 The Second Visiting Day of
the season. Managers Young, Storer,
Emmons, DeBlois and Homans present.
By request left Boston this eve for New
York to bring on the new steamboat
which has lately been purchased.
June 11 Went to city with boat to
get cabbage and tomato plants.
June 14 Were visited by twelve of
our Managers, the Overseers of the Poor
and others to the number of forty to whom
we gave a collation. The day was fine
and the occasion very pleasant.
June 21 Our steam yacht, Jane
McCrea arrived.
June 24 Very warm, 88 at noon.
June 29 The graduating class of the
Everett School with Master Hyde, Messrs.
Crufts, Learned, and S. G. DeBlois of the
School Committee. Reverend Mr.
Wright of the Berkley Street Church, Mr.
Page of the Dwight School, all the teach-
ers of the Everett School, and Mrs. S. G.
DeBlois, visited us today and had a fine
time. The whole was under the direction
of Mr. S. G. DeBlois. Mrs. Hyde sent
fruitcake to the Boys.
June Meteorology
Maximum Temperature 95' the 6th.
Minimum Temperature 52' the 18th.
Mean Temperature for the month 69^
Total Precipitation 3.30 inches.
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
.811 4 on the 16th.
Eight days with .01 or more inches
precipitation, 13 clear days, 5 partly
cloudy, 12 cloudy.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON 7
The Farm and Trades School Bank 10th Frederick Lloyd George 1.00
George Libby
Statement July 1, 1925
RESOURCES The Temple Consolation Prize
U. S. Securities ^ o???o Every year prizes are awarded to the
Other Investments >>42.U ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^
^^^" ■ the year, and have the least number of
$1459.15 marks. There are ten money prizes
LIABILITIES given by Mr. Francis Shaw to the ten
Surplus 6 465.^y ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^.^ ^^^ ^j^gj pj.j^gg g^j^g
Deposits ^ 992.76 ^^^^^ j^gj j^j^g ^j^jg jjgf^ g^ there are Conso-
$ 1459.15 lation prizes of books, given by one of
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK BURTON DORMAN our Mangcrs, N. Pcnrosc Hallowell. The
P--^^'^^"* ^^^^'"^ boys who won Temple Consolation
WILLIAM R. HOLMAN . , ,,
jg„gj. prizes are as tollows:
_, . 11th Seymour Calvin McFadyen -
The Shaw Conduct Prizes ^^^^ ^^ Machine Drawings.
Through the kindness ot Mr. Francis 22th George Johnston Knott - Boys'
Shaw, a former Manager, of our School, g^^^j^ ^^ Model Boats,
there are ten prizes of money distributed ^3^^^ Arthur Ramsdale Blackwell -
every six months for good conduct, g^^^' g^^j^ ^^ Machinery.
Twenty-five dollars is divided into various ^4^1^ Ralph Henry Martis - Funda-
amounts. These go to those boys who n^^^n^als of Baseball.
have the best record according to the ^5^1^ Donald McKenzie - Produc-
grade chart. tjve Farm Crops
Mr. Swasey announced the winners Honorable Mention
Monday evening, June 8. after Grade j^^j^ William Rollin Holman
Reading. As each successful boy heard ^j^^ j^^^^g Everett Johnson
his name called, he went forward to William R. Reeve
receive his prize. The money was given t., t- • ' u j
1 IT u u u I The Engmeers Band
in a long envelope. Each boy shookc x c s
hands with Mr. Swasey as he received his One Sunday afternoon the 101st
prize. We applauded each happy win- Engineers' Band came over to give us a
ner. We like these prizes very much band concert. The leader is Mr. Warren
and congratulate the boys. The list of who is also our bandmaster.
names follow: A number ot marches and overmres
Rank Name Amount were played. A trombone solo was
1st George Drysdale Russell $5.00 played and the piece was named Katherina.
2nd Clarence Eugene Stevens 3.25 This was very good and was played again
3rd Raymond Byron Chamberlain 3.00 by request. When the Engineers had an
4th Fredrick Austin 2.75 intermission our band played a few
5th Raymond Thomas 2.50 numbers.
6th Ivers Erwin Winmill 2.25 This is the third time the Engineers
7th Robert Edward Cunard 2.00 Band has come over through the kindness
8th Jack H. Hobson 1.75 of Mr. Warren. We are thankful tor the
9th George Adelbert Adams 1 .50 f^ne entertainment. Henry E. Gilchrist
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che J^lumni ilssociation of Cbe farm ana Crades School
Will Frank Davis, 79, President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Vice-President Merton P. Ellis, "97, Secretary
UEusTis Street, Chelsea Thompson's Island 38 Spafford Road, Milton
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
The Annual Alumni Field Day was
held on the Island June 17th. There was
a large attendance of members and their
families, due to the glorious weather that
prevailed, and the efforts of the new class
secretaries. The members and their
guests arrived at the Island shortly after
ten o'clock, and were met on the Wharf
by the School Band. They were escorted
to the Front Lawn where a brief business
meeting was held. President Will F.
Davis, '76, presided. Mr. Davis called on
Superintendent Paul F. Swasey who wel-
comed the guests and extended to them the
courtesies of the Island. Manager Walter
B. Foster read the treasurer's report and
announced the Alumni Fund to be $8173
after an addition of $425 this year. Jimmie
Graham was asked to pass the hat, which
netted $100.00 (not so bad for Jimmie).
Picnic lunch was eaten on the
North Lawn where the graduating class
were the guests of the Alumni.
Following the lunch a ball game
was played between the married and
the single men, which resulted in a
victory for the married men. Games and
spectacular contests were run off with cash
prizes for the winners and amusement for
the spectators. A distinguished member
in the person of Bob Emery, '12, director
of the Big Brother Club, Station WEEI,
was present and assisted greatly in the
management of the sporting events, al-
though the ladies' pie race ended very
disastrously for Bob.
An interesting feature of the day was
the presentation of the comedy. Professor
Pepp, by the upper class boys. The
play was very entertaining and added
greatly to the success of the day.
Registrations June 17, 1925
Roger K. Smith
Albert H. Paterion
Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Loud
Cyrus W. Durgin
Wm. J. Long
Sherman G. Boucher
John H. Schippers
John Powers
Elwin Bemis
Ernest V. Wyatt
Edrick B. Blakeman
Webster S. Gould
Charles H. Bradley, Jr.
Ivers Allan
Robert MacKay
Walter D. Norwood
Merton P. Ellis
S. Gordon Stackpole
Bernard Murdock
T. J. Evans
Mrs. W. E. Shurtlsff
Ruth Loud
Earl C. Marshall
Richard H. Long
Soloman B. Holman
Theodore F. Miller
G. George Larsson
Richard Bell
J. H. Partridge
James A. Peak
Alden B. Hefler
Fred B. Thayer
Will Frank Davis
Luke Halfyard
Claire R. Emery
Glenn Furbush
Geoffrey E. Plunkett
Franklin E. Gunning
H. E. Warmbold
Mr. H. Woodbury
Edith Loud
Robert Giese
Russell A. Adams
Alice Holman
Walter Herman
George Bennett
George Buchan
William T. Marcus
Emerson S. Gould
James H. Graham
Alfred W. Jacobs
Theodore J. Gould
Edward Robertson
Charles C. Shaw
William A. Morse
Ernest M. Catton
Edmund Bemis
Henry Peterson
William Loud
David E. Long
Walter J. Kervin
Mr. &. Mrs. Scudder
Ruth & Roger Scudder
Harold Buchan
Charles Duncan
Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Littlefield
George Hartman
Chester W. Buchan
Spencer S. Profit
Howard E. Keith
Malcolm E. Cameron
Willis Smith
Alfred C. Malm
Wallace A. Bacon
Vol. 29 No. 4 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Aug. 1925
Entered November 23. 1903. at Boston Mass., as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress ot July 16. 1874
The Fourth of July
The boys who were on the Island on
ihe Fourth ot July had a fine time.
We worked in the morning, until nine
o'clock, and at ten o'clock we went for a
swim. The water was cold, but we had a
tine swim nevertheless.
At eleven thirty, we had a good din-
ner. After this, we did as we liked until
five o'clock when the firecrackers were
given out. We set these off until about
five-thirty when it started to rain.
We had our picnic in the gymnasium
instead of on the beach as had been plan-
ned. When the supper was over it had
stopped raining, so we went down to the
beach. Mr. S^vasey set off the large fire-
works, of which there were plenty.
We went to bed very thankful for the
fine time the Instructors had given us.
George Libby
My Vacation
Tuesday morning, June 30, some of
the boys went home on their vacations.
We dressed in our uniforms, went down
to the Wharf, and boarded the Steamer.
At City Point our friends were waiting to
take us home. Mr. Swasey called out our
names in alphabetical order.
My sister was waiting for me and she
took me to see my father. Then we went
to Nantasket Beach and spent a pleasant
day. The next day I visited anothersister
in Dedham. I went in swimming that
morning and in the afternoon we went
automobile riding. In this manner each
day of my vacation passed quickly.
I know the other boys had a good
time also.
Thomas J. Kennty
Friends' Day
The Friends' Day for July was on
Friday the 26th. After dinner the Boys
washed and dressed in their uniforms.
When it was nearly time for the
Nantasket boat to arrive, the Boys es-
corted by the Band marched to the Wharf.
It seemed a long time that we waited for
the boat, although it was only a few min-
utes.
After the friends had left the boat, we
marched up to the front lawn where the
Band played and Mr. Swasey made a few
remarks. Then we were dismissed. We
went with our friends and showed
them around the school, inside bounds.
Some boys were without friends and they
worked.
When the bell rang we went down to
the Wharf to see the friends off. At sup-
per time all of the bundles and packages
of food were on the tables. Every boy
had something, as those who received the
bundles shared with those who didn't.
On the whole we spent a happy day.
Douglas D. Holton
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Our Quarterly Election
Tuesday evening, July 21, our quar-
terly election of Cottage Row was held.
First the shareholders voted and then the
non-shareholders. The non-shareholders
did not vote for Assessor. The officers
for the coming term are as follows:
William Holman Judge of Superior
Court.
Marshall Hall Judge of Lower Court
Raymond Thomas Mayor
Arthur Turner Chairman of Alder-
men.
Aldermen
Charles Claggett Shareholder
William Warnock Shareholder
Willis Drake Non-Shareholder
Gilman Day Assessor
William Long Treasurer
Jack Hobson Chief of Police
George Poole Lieut, of Police
Alton Butler Sargt. of Police
Patrolmen
John Arkerson, Albert Cheney, Henry
Gilchrist, and William Kenning.
James Libby Clerk
Herbert Gove Street Commissioner
George Libby Librarian
Bradbury Rand Janitor
The Mayor chooses his Chief of
Police, Clerk, St. Cf)mmissioner, Librari-
an, and Janitor. The Chief of Police
chooses his officers and Patrolmen.
George O. Poole
Working on the Coal Pile
Last Monday, the coal barge came
and the farm boys helped to unload the
coal and keep the coal pile level. We
worked quite hard at times, but we had a
rest once in awhile. We had to work
until twelve o'clock at noon, but I didn't
mind because it gave me a larger appetite
for dinner, and we probably enjoyed it
more.
Theodore L. Vitty
My Bakery Work
After I finish my dinner, I go in the
bakery for my work. I first go to the
stockroom with another boy and get a bag
of flour. I then bring it to the bakery
and sift it into the bread mixer. After
that I sweep the floor and scrub it. I next
grease the bread tins and report to the
Kitchen Instructor who dismisses me. It is
then about two o'clock, I have the rest of
the afternoon off until quarter of five
when I go in to mix the bread. 1 put in a
half pound of soaked j'east, two quarts of
grease, two and a half cups of salt, and two
and a quarter pails of water. I mix all
this with the flour. I then take the bread
that the morning boy has baked, into the
dining room. After that I get the wood
up from the woodcellar and go to supper.
I come from supper, take the dough that
has been mixing by use of the electric
mixer and put it into the trough so that it
can rise until the next morning. The
morning baker and I take turns getting up
in the morning at a quarter of five to
weigh and put the dough in the tins.
After breakfast it is baked by the morning
boy. It usually comes out good.
William N. West
Mosquito Inspecting
One Monday, I asked the Supervisor
if some boys could go mosquito inspect-
ing. First we made out a slip to notify
him what boys wished to go. We went
down to the tool-room and got hoes and
pails. Then we got some crude oil at
the Compost Shed and went over to
South End. We spread the oil on the
ditches. Then we went around the beach
tipping over and removing tin cans, filled
with stagnant water, to prevent the mos-
quitoes from breeding in them. Wlien we
got up to the house, it was 8:45 P. M.
WiHiam C. Kenning
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACCN
My Daily Routine
In the early dawn, when the sun is
just peeping over the horizon, at quarter
of six, the bugle sounds reveille a^d I
jump from my slumber ready to start ofif
the day with good humor. The first thing
1 do aft^r getting dressed is to go down to
the washroom and wash for breakfast. ,
After washing and combing my hair,
brushing my teeth and shoes, 1 have a few
rninutes to walk around or read a book.
At twenty-five minutes past six, Mess
Call sounds which means to get ready for
breakfast. :At half past six, the bugle
sounds Assembly,, and I get into line for
breakfast. After reporting the absent
ones, 1 face with the other boys and file
into the dining room, where breakfast is
ready for us. After we have repeated
Grace we sit down to eat.
At seven o'clock, we are through
breakfast and file out of tht^ dining room
for work. Some of the boys work and
others go to the sloyd room. I am one
of those who goes to the sloyd room.
When the bell rings at half past eight, I go
to the Main Building with the others and
get ready for school. At quarter of nine
I fall into line and march to the school
room where we study and recite until
quarter past eleven when we are dismissed
and have 15 minuets to get ready for din-
ner at half past eleven.
At this time we report again, face and
file into the dining room for dinner.
At twelve o' clock we file out and fall
into line for dismissal. When we are
dismissed we have a whole hour to play
and do anything we wish.
At one o'clock the bell rings and we
get ready again either to work or to go to
school. I go to work in the afternoon, so
at this time I report for work at the Steam-
er. Here 1 do several duties such as
scrubbing the decks, shinning brass, wash-
ing windows, etc. 1 work the whole after-
noon, from one o'clock until five o'clock.
At this hour the bell rings and I go up to
the Main Building to get washed for sup-
per. At twenty-five minutes past five the
Mess Call sounds and we get ready for
supper.
At half past five the Assembly sounds
and we fall into line. After reporting we
face and file into the dining room. At
six o'clock we file out and are dismissed.
We have another whole hour in which to
play. At seven o'clock the bell rings ancj
we get washed for bed. At half past seven
the Assembly sounds and we fall into line
again. After reporting we face and march
to the dormitory for bed. We stand still
as Taps is sounded. When it is over we
undress and get into bed far we are tired
from a hard day's work. Next morning
we start the daily routine again.
Carl A. Carlson
New Johnnies
Friday, July 10. fourteen new boys
came to the School. We had been look-
ing forward to this day. The new boys
did not arrive until nearly nine o' clock
that evening. By that time we were all in
bed so we did not see them until next
morning.
When they were ready for breakfast we
showed them around the Island and told
them about the grade system and what
they may be checked for.
They were treated like visitors, until
they got used to the routine. After this,
they were given regular work and were
treated the same as the other Boys. The
new boys like the School very much and
we are glad to have them here.
William H. Van Meter
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby
Jack H. Hobson
Editor
- Asso. Editor
Vol. 29 No. 4
August, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward WiggJesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
A favorite quotation of a favorite
author reads —
"The world is so full of a number of
things,
I'm sure we all should be as happy as
kings."
We feel this especially true as July
approaches. She brings Independence
Day, with its joyous celebration. We are
not unmindful of the great significance of
this glorious day, but like boys every-
where, we thrill with the booming of the
cannon, the cracking of the torpedoes,
and the explosion of the fire crackers. We
celebrate the day in typical American
fashion. We love our country and know
it is the best on earth. As our flag is
raised each morning and lowered at sun-
set, we are proud to pause and stand at at-
tention whether at work or play. We
know patriotism is a fundamental virtue
of strong character.
July also brings those long anticipated
furloughs. Eight days we are away from
our School visiting home and friends.
These days are for fun and pleasure. Of-
ten they are planned through sacrifice of
someone. We enjoy them and enjoy
thinking about them later.
We also welcome new boys this
month. Admission day is always a red
letter day with us. We are eager to see
the new boys. We know just how they
feel. Perhaps we shall find a new friend.
After vacation, furloughs and admis-
sion day are over, the bell sounds which
calls us to our class rooms. This happens
on a July morning, too. Here we be^in
another year of study. We find different
tasks set for us. Often they are very in-
teresting and challenge our best efforts.
Activities of various kinds, thoughts
and many interests fill our days, weeks,
and months.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Truly we find our world full of many
things and each a king of his own life, if
he so chooses.
Calendar
July 3 First Grade boys are camping
out tonight at Bowditch Grove.
July 4 Usual celebration today with
sports on the beach in the afternoon and
beach supper and fireworks in the even-
ing.
July 5 The few boys remaining here
and Instructors enjoyed a ride up the
Neponset river to Milton this afternoon.
July 6 Joseph Wasson,'25, left today
and will work this summer at his home in
Suncook, N. H.
July 7 Forty-one boys returned this
afternoon from their annual fiirlough of
seven days. Twelve other boys left this
morning to begin their week's vacation.
There was a severe thunder storm
in the early evening during which the
lightening struck a tree in the grove
between the Avenues.
July 8 Finished weeding cabbages.
Painted schoolroom number two.
July 9 Telephone man came over
this morning to repair line.
Excavations are in progress for a new
drain by Gardner Hall.
James Johnson, Ex '28, left this after-
noon and will return to his home in South
Weymouth to help his mother.
Manager Henry Jackson, M. D.,
visited the School during the afternoon.
July 10 Finished haying at the
South End today.
Ivers E. Winmill, '25, was here for
the afternoon.
Fourteen new boys were admitted
today: Karl Adams, Royl Augustine,
Gordon Baxter, John Hallewell, Carl
Herman, Douglas and Roger Holton,
Bertrand Newell, Arthur Sherry, Horace
and John Taylor, John Walter, Waldo
Waters, and Almon Whitmore.
July n The painting of schoolroom
number three was started today.
Clarence Hobson, '25, came tonight
to spend Sunday.
July 12 Band played on the Wharf
this morning during the assembly of the
yachts from the Dorchester Bay Yacht
Clubs for their annual outing at Paddocks.
July 13 Haying at the North End
was begun today.
School teachers returned today pre-
paratory to the opening of school to-
morrow.
July 14 School work was resumed
today after the annual summer vacation of
one month.
The Steamer "Pilgrim" was beached
and given a new coat of paint today.
Twelve boys returned this afternoon
from their vacations.
July 15 Second crop of beets, pars-
nips and carrots were planted todav.
July 17 Painted firescapes and con-
ductors on Power House.
July 18 Exciting game of baseball
this afternoon running into thirteen in-
nings. Team C defeated Team D 12 to
11.
Warren Burriss, '25, is here for the
week end.
July 20 Laid new floor on Farm
House porch.
Barge arrived this morning with four
hundred and seventy-five tons of coal.
July 22 Finished hauling coal this
afternoon.
July 23 Finished haying at North
End.
Managers Edward Wigglesworth and
Henry Jackson, M. D.. visited the School
this afternoon.
July 24 Dug first ot early potatoes.
July 25 Harvested early cabbages.
6 THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Edward Floyd, '25, and Howard The Farm and Trades School Bank
Siurtevant, '24, are here for the week end. Statement August 1, 1925
July 26 Cleaned beach. resources
July 27 Picked first of the summer U. S. Securities S 500.00
squash. Other Investments 761.45
July 29 Turned young stock to pas- Cash 174.15
ture at South End. $1435.60
The launch, Winslow, was taken to li.^bilities
Lawley's for new ^uard rail and corner Surplus S 452.39
plates. Deposits 983.21
July 30 Cleaned Old Barn and 3 1435.60
Root Cellar. william r. warnock burton dorman
July 31 Cut second crop on field President Cashier
, ^, , WILLIAM R. HOLMAN
by Observatory. Teller
Went to Pemberton with the Pilgrim
to get Managers Charles E. Mason and -'^ Fig'it With a Pig
Walter B. Foster and Mrs. Mason and One day I was told to take some sour
two sons, who spent theday atlhe School, milk down, to the pigs. Being a "New
Johnny" I did not know how to put the
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875 "lilk into the trough, so I unlatched an
iron door which was in front of the
As Kept by the Superintendent trough. A pig saw the door open and
July 5 We celebrated the 4th today. "^^^1^ ^ ^'1^ rush for it. He pushed so
Quite a number of graduates here. hard that I could not hold him in. Icalled
Gave the Boys rides in boats in the ^^''^^ for someone to help me, but no one
A. M. All had a good time and enjoyed ^ame. I was afraid if the pig got out. he
tne splendid regata of the Boston Y«cht ^'0"'<^ ^o a lot of damage. ; As the man-
Club which took place just oflf the Point. "r^ spreader was in front of the door, I
July 6 Boys in School, eighty-five. ^,''^^^^, "^f ^'^ ^^/'"?^ ''' '" «" ^^""'^ to
,' • ' -, - o /^ 1^ i.i - close the door of the pig-pen. The pig
Ju y 11 Manager S. G. DeB 01s u- u 1 • . *u \^ • ,u u
,../,. ^, raji back into the pen. My weight on the
ficiated at services today. 1 * •» • . .u 1 t-l -^
^ door sent it into the pen also. The pig
- , ., , came back and pushed again. Finallv I
July Meteorology managed t, lock the door. 1 still had ihe
... .,, at^c , n , SOU r iiii 1 k . SO I climbed on top of t he pen
Maximum 1 eiiiperature 89 the 7th. „„ j ^^,,^.a :, :„ ,u ♦ -u t i i j
* and poured it in the trough. 1 hope 1 do
Minimum Temperature 52' the 1st. not have to fight a pig again.
Mean Temperature for the month 72\ Horace A. Taylor
Total Precipitation 3.13 inches. A Grade Party
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours A first graders' party was held in the
one inch on the 27th. gymnasium. Wednesday evening. July 22.
c^. ., , • u ni 1 V\'e had a very enjovable time and several
Eight days with .01 or more inches . • . . n r i e
interesting games. Retreshments of cook-
precipitation, 11 clear days. 8 partly -^^^ lemonade, and candy kisses were
cloudy, 12 cloudy. served. Rogor L. Holten
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
How Trouble Came Into the World
Long ago in the Golden Age when
iron and gold were buried deep in the
ground, every one was happy. No one
had to work hard or do anything unpleas-
ant. Peace reigned over the world. Dur-
ing this age there lived Prometheus and
Epimetheus, two brothers. One day Pro-
metheus stole fire for man. He thought
that Jupiter, the ruler of gods and men
would be angry, so he went on a long
journey. He had told his brother not to
accept any gift from the gods.
After he had gone, Epimetheus saw
Mercury coming in the distance, leading
a beautiful maiden, whose name was Pan-
dora. She was so lovely that Epimetheus
took her into his cottage, and he was no
longer lonely. After that a heavy box was
brought to them by the satyrs, as a gift
from the gods, and Epimetheus was told
not to open it. One day while he was out
hunting. Pandora opened the box just a
little, and a whole swarm of Trouble tlew
out. They bit and stung her badly. Just
then Epimetheus happened to be in the
doorway, when he was stung by them too.
After this people began to have headaches,
rheumatism, and many other illnesses.
They became unfriendly and quarrelsome.
They began to grow old too. But there
was one more beelike creature in the box
and when they let her out. she went
around undoing all the evils that the
troubles had done, as fast as one good
fairy could undo the evil work of a
swarm. No matter what evil thing hap-
pened to the poor mortals, she always
found some way to comfort them.
William Thompson
A Launch Ride
During vacation week, some boys
who had stayed here and were in the
first grade, enjoyed a launch ride up the
Neponset River. Before we started
Mr. Swasey wanted to take some cans of
milk out to the Boston Floating Hospital,
which had anchored near our wharf.
The hospital boat pulled out before we
could signal them, but Mr. Swasey ran
alongside in the launch and gave the
people the cans of milk. After that the
launch returned and the boys were taken
up the Neponset as far as the falls. We
passed Lawley's Shipyards and saw some
line boats. I enjoyed the trip very much
and was glad I was in the first grade.
Ross S. Lloyd
A Baseball Game
Saturday, July 11, 1925, was my first
day at the Island. In the morning all of
the new boys worked on the Farm. After
dinner we played until two o'clock and
then there was a baseball game. I asked
the captain of Team A if he v^^ould let me
play and he consented. Team A had a
good start at the beginning. The score was
6 to 1 in our favor. But in the last part
of the sixth inning our team lost 11 to 10.
I had a very nice time for my first day. I
like it here very much, and I hope all of
the other boys do also.
Almon H. \^ hitmore, Jr.
Cleaning Out the Root Cellar
Every year when the time comes to
harvest vegetables, the Root Cellar is
cleaned. I helped this year. First we
took out all of the decayed vegetables and
sand. We then brought in two loads of
fresh sand and spread it around. Then
we cleaned the shelves and bins. After
this we brought in some cabbages and
hung them up. It was then time to
go to the Barn to get ready for milking.
This finished the day's work.
Herbert E. Gove
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che fllumni Association of Che ?arm and trades School
Will Frank Davis, 79. President
llEusTis Street, Chelsea
Augustus N. Doe, 75, Tr
Wellesley
Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Vice-President
Thompson's Island
jrer Geoffr
Merton p. Ellis, '97, Secretary
38 Spafford Road, Milton
E. Plunkett. '14, Historian
Walpole
It is the desire of the Committee on War Service Records to complete the list of
Boys who were in the service. On Alumni Day a false bronze tablet was prepared
with the names of the Boys who were in the service as far as records show. There are
still a number of corrections to be made. A list of these names are printed below and
the committee urgently requests you to carefully look over the names and make any
corrections or additions that you may know. Send any imformation to Merton P.
Ellis, Gen. Sec, 38 SpafTord Road, Milton 38, Mass., or direct to the School.
Allen, Eldied W. '16
Balch, George J. "09
Barker, Leslie H. '13
Barnaby. Irving M. '16
Barton Frederick J. '09
Batchelder, Raymond H.
Bemis. Edmund S. '13
Bemis, Edson M. '13
Bemis, Kenneth A. '17
Bickford, Edward M. '10
Blakemore, Edric B. "12
Bla.<emore, James A. '12
rtlancnard, Preston M. '1
Blatcnford. Charles H
Bradley. Charles H. Ji
Buottner. Louis C '91
Burton. C'arence F. '12
Casey. Alfred H. '13
Casey, George W. '16
Cisey, John J. '1 1
Cdsey. Robert '13
Churchill, Forrest L. '15
Cleary, Henry '89
Coolidge. Erwin L. '15
Collins, Byron E. '15
Colson. Frederick J. '81
Coombs, Perry '14
Cowden, Lester E. '16
Cowley, William E. '13
Darling, Louis W. '08
Deane, 'William B. '03
DeMar, Clarence H. '03
Dierkes, Herbert A. '06
Eaton. Stephen '10
Edwards, Harold W. '10
Enright. John O. '12
Fessenden, Harry D. '14
Flynn, William J. '03
Foster, William F. '97
Freudenberger, Franklin F,
Gerecke, Bernhardt '12
Gordon, Ralph L. '97
Gordon. Victor H. '15
Gregory, James R. '10
Gregory. Robert W. '09
Gunning, Franklin E. '14
Hadley, Ralph G. '14
Hill, Charles '02
Holmes, Gecrge M. '10
Holmes, Ra ph "03
2 Holmes, Warren '03
12 Horsman. Walter R. ' 13
04 Hynes, Carl D. '14
'03 Hynes, Frederick '12
Jacobs, Alfred W. 'lO
Jacobs, Haro d Y. "10
Jefferson, Charles R. '14
Jordan. Cecil O. '13
Jordan, George R. '13
Kenney. Herbert H. '1 1
King, William N. '15
Laighton. Daniel W. 01
Leach. Hubert N. '16
LeStrange, John '1 1
Lewis Llewlyn H. '14
MacKenzie, George A. '06
MacKenzie, Henry E. '99
MacKeown, Cecil E. '11
Mandeville, Frederick J. '15
Marshall, Frederick W. '08
Marshall. J. Herman '11
Marshall, William M. '10
Maynard, Everett W. '14
May. Philip S. '17
McCarragher. Thomas G. '07
Miller, Earle C. '14
Miller. Theodore '09
Milne, Theodore "09
12 Milne, Thomas "12
Moore, Elmer E. '16
Morse, Harold D. '12
Murdock, Bernard E. '11
Murphy, Benjamin L. '15
Nelson, Jackson C. "16
Nichols, Charles E. '06
Noble, Dexter L. "13
O'Conner, Charles H. '04
O'Conner, William E. 07
Paul, Bruce L. '07
Paul, Mathews H. '06
Perdergast. Jcs;ph L. '16
Phillips. Wiliiam N. "94
Plunkett, Geoffrey E. '14
Porchi, Evariste '07
Pratt, C. James '04
Roby, Joseph L. '07
Rolfe, Charles O. "15
Sargent, James H. '97
Sowers, Henry W. '14
Starrett. George W. M. '!4
Swenscn. Paul C. P. "lo
Tabbell. Frank H. '13
Taylor, Clarence L. 05
Trask. Levi M. '12
Upham, Roy D. '12
VanDeusen, Karl k. "15
VanValkenburg. Frederick E. "14
Walbourn. Cariquist W. '15
Watson. Herbert F. '08
Weston, Samuel "07
White, PerleyW. '09
White. William J. '09
Wittemore, Ralph A "11
Wi:ey, George P. "06
Wilson Charles W. '83
Wilson. Frederick J. "09
Wittig, Carl L. "04
Vol. 29 No. 5 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Sept. 1925
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston Mass., as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
Going to The Movies
On August 21, a few boys went to see the
moving picture of "Abraham Lincoln"
hrough the kindness of Mr. Warren, our
Band Instructor. At twelve fifteen the
boys who were in the first grade were told
to get ready for town. They were ready
at one o ' clock. We then went down to
the Steamer and went to City Point. At
first we were going to see a baseball game
at Fenway Park. On account of rain
they called the game off. so Mr, Warren
took us to the moving pictures at
Tremont Temple. The picture was about
Abraham Lincoln. It began when he was
born and continued till he was assassinated
by Booth. The picture was very good.
We returned to the Island at five
o'clock very glad and thankful for the
opportunity Mr. Warren had given us.
Raymond Thomas
A Steamer Ride
Sunday afternoon, August 23, all the
first grade boys were called to the old Elm.
We lined up and went down to the Steam-
er. As the "Pilgrim" went out into the
main channel, the "Cedric" of the White
Star Line was steaming into the harbor,
and the "Northland," had just started on
a voyage to Nova Scotia. Our Steamer
was very close to these boats, and we had
to hold on fast, as great swells came in the
channel after these ships had passed. We
passed the "Constitution" in the Charles-
town Navy Yard. Then we came to nu-
merous drawbridges which were opened
to let our Steamer through. We finally
reached a lock, and remained in there for
a few minutes. Then we proceeded up
the Charles River, passing under several
bridges. When we came to Cottage Farm
Bridge, we could go no farther, as no one
was there to open the draw. We turned
and came back.
Raymond B. Chamberlain
An Interesting Evening
One Thursday evening we had special
moving pictures. There were six reels. A
man from Boston came over to run the
machine which was a new one and smaller
than the one we have.
It is called the Kodascope. We had
two comedies. We also saw how some of
the most famous players in the big league,
bat.
First they would show how the player
swung in an actual game, and then they
would show the same thing in slow motion.
We greatly enjoyed a Tom Mix picture
and a picture of a logging scene in Canada.
They were very interesting pictures and
pleased us very much.
Robert F. Van Meter
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Instructors vs. Boys
A short time ago the Instructors and
Boys phiyed their annual baseball game.
This game is never played like a cham.
pionshipgame but is played just for the
enjoyment of the game. As is usually the
case the Boys won 15 to 8. This is the
closest, I think, the Instructors have come
to winning from the Boys for a long time.
But their younger rivals play everyday
and are prepared to play. It was close at
the start of the game, each team playing
about even. But the Boys started rallies in
the middle of the game that put the game
safely away. We enjoy playing the In-
structors very much. The lineup was as
follows:
Instructors Pos. School
Mr. Beebe P. W. Drake
Mr. Bursiel C. R. Thomas
Mr. Day S. S. C. Claggett
Mr. Osberg 1st B. M. Hall
Mr. Tibbetts 2nd B. J. Libby
Mr. Bemis 3rd B. W. Long
Mr. Babb L. F. G. Libby
Mr. Swasey C. F. F. Austin
Mr. Jupilatt R. F. H. Crosby
James M. Libby
My Work in the Office
Another boy and I work in the office.
He works in the morning, and I in the
afternoon, and we each work one hour ot
our playtime. We also take turns doing
night duty until 9:00 o'clock, when we go
to bed. We learn to do banking and
bookkeeping, and run the adding machine,
etc. We keep the office clean, run errands
and do work in the lofts and attic. The
work is quite interesting. When we are
needed we have bells to call us to the
office and apartments.
Ralph H. Martis
A Beach Party
On August eighteenth the first grader>
were given a party on the Beach near the
Wharf. There were about thirty-six boys
present and most of the Instructors.
We had four fires, three for the Boys
and one for the Instructors. The Boys
were divided into tfiree groups with
Hughes, Day, and Holman as captains of
the groups.
We fried bacon and eggs and roasted
corn. We put the bacon and eggs
between slices of bread. Baked potatoes
w^ere served to those who wished them.
We also had punch and two cookies for
each boy.
After supper we held races and talked,
sang, and had a pleasant evening. We
returned to the house about 8.45 P. M.
We all are thankful to the Instructors for
the pleasant time we had.
Douglas D. Holton
The Observatory
We have seven boys whose regular
duty is to go to the Observatory at seven
o' clock each evening. Other boys go in
the morning and at noon. Each boy has
his regular duty to perform there. One
boy takes the readings of the barometer,
another the temperatures, another the
wind direction and velocity and so on with
the humidity and sunshine. There also is
deputy and a chief. A boy stays on each
instrument two- months, and then moves
up until he is chief. Once a week we
have meetings and the Instructor talks to
us about other observatories in other
places and we compare our records with
theirs, or study out of a book. I like the
Observatory and find it instructive.
Arthur R. Turner
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Putting up a Corral Fence
In the past we have not had a large,
serviceable, permanent, corral for our
cows and have usually built a small make-
shift corral each year. This year instead
of repeating this experience, the School
ordered 6 or 7 rolls of five-foot corral
wire to be used to enclose a large space at
the South End of our Island. This was
done so that a boy would not need to
watch the cows, and yet they might have
plenty of room to roam and feed.
We first collected a great many posts,
dug holes for every third post which w^as
larger than the others and was used to
connect a block and tackle for stretching
the wire. After this was done we put in
the posts, the smaller ones were put in by
making a hole with a crowbar, and
driving the post in with a mall, the head
of this mall weighing about twenty-five
pounds, making it rather strenuous work.
The wire was then unwound a small
amount at a time. After being stretched
tightly by a clamp, made of two pieces of
wood five feet long bolted together and a
block and tackle attached to a large post,
it was stapled to the post. It took us five
days to put up about one mile of fence.
This vvas very interesting although some
times hard work.
Howard S. Costello
Kites
Several of the boys have made kites.
These kites are all sorts of shapes and sizes.
The largest one made is about eight feet
tall and six feet wide. One kite had the
School colors tied to it. Most of the
bovs thought that if you were over at City
Point, you would be able to see the Blue
and Gold colors on the banner, as the kite
was much higher in air than the flagpole.
The Boys had some very good fun flying
kites for a few days.
Harold E. Floyd
Cottage Row^ Flag Pole
One afternoon, 1 was told to dig a
hole in the ground in front of the triangle
on Cottage Row which was in front of
City Hall. I was to dig this about four
feet. deep. After that we put a block and
tackle on the flagpole and tree. We pulled
the pole up and set it in the hole. We
then set three stakes in the ground and
tied them. When the pole was straight in
all ways we mixed some cement and put
it around the base. After it hardens I will
take down the ropes, then the task is all
complete.
Willis B. Drake
Filling Our Silo
Every morning now when I report
to the farm I take a pair of horses and
hitch them to the hayrack and ^o out to
the corn piece for a load of corn. This
has been cut by hand and put in piles that
a person might well lift and put on the rack.
After getting a load 1 drive up to the silo,
and unload it. An Instructor and other
boys feed it into a cutter and blower, which
cuts and blows it into the silo.
This ensilage is fed out to the cattle
during the winter and the following sum-
mer, before the corn is cut again. A boy
with a team brings in two or three loads
each morning.
John A. Arkerson
A Stray Cat
One day last week, when the steamer
boys went down to the Wharf, they notic-
ed a cat walking around. It looked very
hungry, and a little frightened. The color
of it is gray with little streaks of black run-
ning down its sides. The last few days it
has been around the barn catching mice in
the hay. I think somebody threw it off a
boat near the Island to drown it, but it
managed to get on the Wharf. They say
a cat has nine lives.
William J. Long
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's island Beacon
Published Monthly bv
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Ilar'.inr
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWV NTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
James M. Libby
Jack H. Hobson
Edit.
Vol. 29 No. 5
September, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
Through the shining summer days,
we have all come to love and listen for the
call ot our cheerful friend "Bob White."
Whether we were weeding in the garden.
working in the paint shop, busy in the
schoolroom, even above the whir of the
sewing-machines, his persistent call reische
us, "Bob White," and occasiora-ly a pre
liminary note which sounded likf "P'oor
Bob White." Many times lie seemed
very near, but no matter how long I
waited and watched for a glimpse of him,
I never saw him. He is a tiny friend to
have brought so much joy to us all, r.nd it
makes me wonder if any persistently cheei-
ful effort of ours can brighten the day.s
and bring as much happineps to other
folks. It hfls been fun to listen and
answer his call and we hope that another
season will bring him to his island nest
again. Edgar Guest has apparently share(l
our own experiences and, with h;if; happ\
gift of expressing such joys in verse, h;
written the following poem, "Pr bWhitt:
"Out near the links where I go to p'sy
r/y favorite gsme from day to day.
There's a friend cf mine that I've rever met
Walked with or broken bread wi'h yet
I've 'alked to h'm oft and he's ta!ked to me
Whenever I've been where he's chjnced to be:
He's a cheery old chap who keeps out of sight.
A gay little fellow whose name is Bob White.
Bob Vhite! Bob White! I can hear him call
As I follow the trail to my little ball-
Bob V/hite! Bob White! with a note of cheer
That was just designed for mortal ear.
Then I drift far off from the world of men
And 1 send an answer right back to him then:
An" we whistle away to each other there.
Glad of the life which is ours to share.
Bob White! Bcb White! May you live to be
The head of a numerous fam.ily!
May you boldly call your friends out hers
With never an enemy's gun to fear.
I'm a better man as I pass along.
For your cheery call and your bit of song.
May your food be plenty and skies be bright
To the end of your days, good friend Bob White."
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
August 1 Team B defeated Team A
at baseball this afternoon with a score of
18 to 11.
Eric Schippers, '21, is here for the
week end.
August 2 The Boys and Instructors
enjoyed a scow ride down the Harbor this
afternoon.
August 4 Howard B. Ellis, '98, and
one of his workmen are making repairs to
the roofs and conductors.
August 5 Began fall ploughing on
field beyond Cottage Row.
August 7 Blacksmith is here today.
August 8 Finished digging potatoes
at South End.
Team D won from Team P this after-
noon with the close score of 10 to 9.
August 10 Started harvesting second
crop of alfalfa today.
August 11 Assistant Treasurer Alfred
C. Malm, '00. came to spend the night.
August 12 Mowed asparagus bed in
preparation i'dv renovating.
Battery man here to examine and
recharge the batteries at the Povvtr House.
August 13 Set out new strawberry
bed today, 1500 plants were reset.
August 15 One sided game in base-
ball this afternoon but nevertheless inter-
esting, Team C defeated Team B, 5 to 0.
Teams A and D also crossed bats this
afternoon. Team D won 19 to 16.
Edward Floyd, '25, was here for the
afternoon.
August 17 Finished haying second
crop today.
August 18 Carpenter here to make
repairs to the stairways.
August 19 William B. Cross, '17. first
musician, U. S. N., visited the School this
afternoon. He is stationed at Charleston,
s. c.
Cottage Row flagpole was erected in
its new site today.
August 20 Trimmed trees al(;ng
Cottage Row.
Clock repair man is here for the day.
Merton P. Ellis, '97. visited us this
afternoon.
Team C vs Team A, Team C took
away the honors 8 to 4.
August 21 Boiler inspector mac-e
annual inspection of Power House and
Steamer boilers this morning.
Carpenter completed laying new
treads and risers on front hall stairs today.
Loaned scow this afternoon for boys'
races at "L" Street Baths.
Seventeen boys had the opportunity
of seeing the picture "Abraham Lincoln"
at Tremont Temple this afternoon.
Manager Walter B. Foster, '78, spent
the afternoon at the School.
August 22 The 101st Engineers
Band, through the efforts of Bandmaster
Frank Warren, came over this afternoon
and gave a concert for the Boys.
Hauled bricks to South End to repair
Inc'nerator.
August 23 Thirty-two first grade boys
enjoyed a ride up the Charles River today
as far as Cottage Farm Bridge.
August 25 Fifth Friends' Day. there
were 248 people here for the afternoon
August 26 Hauled gravel from
South End to barnyard and drivts
around the Barn.
August 27 Telephone man is here to
repair line.
August 29 Built a new base for corn
cutter and set up machine in preparation
for cutting silage.
August 31 Herbert A. Souther, '12,
spent the afternoon here.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
August 1 Mr. George Beals came
6 THOMPSON'S
and talked very finely to the Boys.
August 2 Anumber of the Boys were
taken ill today.
August 14 James D. Smith who has
served in the U. S. cavalry during the past
five years came today from the west, Mon-
tana, Texas, " Fort Ellis."
August 16 Doctor Homans here this
morning. The boys are all better.
August 17 Visiting Day, present of
Managers, Messrs. Storer, Homans, and
S. G. DeBlois.
August 20 Went to city with steamer
carrying wool to Rowland & Luce.
August 30 Col. Theodore Lyman,
Vice President of this School, visited us
today.
August Meteorology
Maximum Temperature 95° the 10th.
Minimum Temperature 55'' the 27st.
Mean Temperature for the month 7V.
Total Precipitation 2.13 inches.
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
.60 inch on the 5th.
Six days with .01 or more inches
precipitation, 14 clear days, 4 partly
cloudy, 13 cloudy.
The Farm and Trades School Bank
Statement September 1, 1925
RESOURCES
U.S. Securities $ 500.00
Other Investments 761.45
Cash _218.13
$1479.58
LIABILITIES
Surplus $ 452.39
Deposits 1027.19
$ 1479.58
WILLIAM R.WARNOCK BURTON DORMAN
President Cashier
WILLIAM R. HOLMAN
Teller
ISLAND BEACON
Uniform Inspection
One Saturday afternoon we had an
inspection of uniforms, shirts, shoes, hair,
face, hands, ears, and neck. We had two
days to prepare for the inspection.
We cleaned our uniforms and had
them pressed. At three o'clock we lined
up and marched up by the Boys' gardens
on the croquet lavv-n. Mr. Swasey
inspected the Boys' appearances. Each
fault found counted one mark against a
boy. The inspection ended at five o'clock,
and the highest number of marks received
by a boy, were eight.
\N illiam R. Warnock
My Work at the Farmhouse
There is a Farmhouse on our Island
where some of the men Instructors stay
during the summer. My work over
there, each morning, is to make the fire in
the kitchen stove, and to make the beds in
the five rooms which are occupied.
I clean one room a day. I first take
out the rugs, sweep them off, then sweep
and wipe up the floor with a damp cloth.
I bring in the rugs and place them on the
floor. I also dust everything in the room.
About three times a week I wash the
lamp chimneys and fill the lamps with
kerosene.
Henry A. Schramm
A Band Rehearsal
On Sundays, during the last month,
our Band has played in the afternoon for
Mr. Swasey and the Instructors.
One Sunday we played some marches
and an overture "Paradise of the North."
Then we were dismissed for ten minutes.
Assembly sounded and we took our seats
again. We played another overture, and
a snappy march which closed ourprogram.
Otto Kohl
Setting Out Strawberry Plants
The other day another boy and I
were told to take some trowels and go
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
with the Farm Instructor to the Farm-
house. When we arrived we found a sack
of strawberr)' plants waiting for us.
We marl^ed out a line from one end of
the bed to the other. Then we made
about fifty holes about three inches deep
with a span of seven or eight inches
apart. We then put a plant in each hole
and filled it in. We put in about four
rows in all. There were about five 'hun-
dred plants in each row.
John W. Baxter
Radio
Several of the boys here have radios
which they have installed in their cottages.
There is also one large set in a little
hallway on the top floor of the Main
Building between the lofts where some of
the boys "listen in."
I have a small crystal set, and I can get
the different local stations quite clearly.
Sometimes I can get WEEl but the
WNAC wave length is much stronger
so I get that the clearest. I like to "listen
in" very much.
Bradbury A. Rand
My Work in the Kitchen
One week during the month I get up
at 4:45 A. M. Four boys work in the
kitchen during the morning, and the pan-
try boy gets up early. These boys change
work once every week. First I empty the
ashes, and then I get the milk cans and the
strainers ready for the milk, which is
brought in from the barn. At six o'clock
1 start making toast for breakfast. At seven
o'clock I put coal on the kitchen stove,
and then I have my breakfast. After
breakfast I work in the pantry helping my
Instructor make puddings, cakes, pies,
doughnuts, cookies, etc.
Paul E. Adams
Echo
There was a nymph named Echo
who always wanted to say the last word.
One day she spoke rudely to Juno, and
Juno said, "Since you are fond of havi-ng
the last word, from now on you may re-
peat only the last words of other people."
Echo felt ashamed of herself and hid in
the woods.
Day after day Echo would see Nar-
cissus, a young man with golden hair and
eyes as blue as the sky. One day Nar-
cissus who became separated from all his
friends heard a rustle in the leaves. Nar-
cissus said " Who is here ? " and Echo
answered, " Here. "
" I am Come, " said Narcissus, and
Echo repeated, " I am come." When
Narcissus saw Echo he was surprised not
to see one of his friends and walked away.
After that Echo was never seen again,
and she faded away until she became only
a voice. This voice mocked the barking
of the dogs and repeated peoples' own
last words. It always had a weird and
mournful sound and seemed to make
lonely places more lonely still.
Carle A. Nichols
Gathering Vegetables
Yesterday afternoon, when I went to
the farm I was told to go with an Instruct-
or and some other boys to get vegetables.
First we pulled a bushel of beets, cut the
tops off and put them in a box. We then
picked a bushel and one half of shell
beans, three bushels of turnips, and six
summer squash, these were put in boxes
which were put in the wagon and brought
to the kitchen.
William H. Van Meter
THCMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
the JHIumni Esscciation of ZU farm and trades School
Will Frank Davis, "79, President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Vice-President Merton P. Ellis, '97, Secretary
II EusTis Street, Chelsea Thompson's Island 38 Spafford Road, Milton
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
Group on Alumni Field Day
Harold w. Edwards, '10, is em-
ployed as Assistant Purchasing Agent for
the Lever Bros. Co., manufacturers of
soap, at Cambridge, Mass. His home
address is 78 Gordon St., Somerville, Mass.
Ernest V. WyatT, '12, is at present
time stationed a cress the Bay from the Is-
land on the Coast Guard Boat No. 225.
He is in command of this cutter, which is
doing coast patrol work. Ernest has
made us a number of visits to the School.
William B. Cross, '17, was a recent
visitor at the School. William is a first
at the School, June 17, 1908.
cla?s musician stationed at the Naval Base at
Charleston, South Carolina. William ex-
pects to finish his enlistment period short-
ly and will enter private business in South
Carolina.
G. George Larsson, '17, after com-
pleting the course in the Sloyd Training
School has taken a position as teacher in
the Prince School, Boston, Mass. Our
best wishes go to George in bis new work.
His new address is 18 Haviland Street.
Suite 9, Boston, Mass.
Vol. 29 No. 6 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Oct. 1925
Entered November 23, 1903, at Boston Mass.. as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
View of the Flower Garden
A New Flower Garden
Among the many things which espe-
cially interest us is our flower gardens.
Last fall, Kenneth Priest, one of the
Boys, started a large flower garden. It is
located off Back Road near the Power
House. Its area is about one-fourth of
an acre.
The purpose of the garden is to supply
flowers for all. Also to start plants in the
hot bed for the Boys' gardens.
The garden consists of nine beds sep-
arated by paths about two feet wide.
There is a hot bed near the road, in which
to grow plants in the spring. At one en-
trance is a rose arbor near which two ram-
blers were started this year. The other
entrance is shaded by hawthorne trees that
are a mass of bloom in spring. The gar-
den is surrounded by many shrubs.
This year we had many diff^erent
flowers. I liked the asters best. The fol-
lowing are some of the many kinds of
flowers we had in bloom. Gladiolus,
stock, dalhias, zinnia, lilies, calendulas,
carnations, calliopsis, selosia, clarkiaelag-
ans, cosmos, dianthus, hollyhocks, sweet
peas, marigold, mignonette, pansies, phlox,
drommondia, petunias, salvia and many
others.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
I have been its Gardner since gradua-
tion when Priest, who started the garden,
left. I work there four hours each after-
noon. 1 greatly enjoy the work.
The garden is now being prepared for
winter and nearly all the flowers have
gone by.
Charles L. Wheeler
A Corn Roast
Last Labor Day the Supervisor told
six boys to choose boys whom they wanted
at their table for the supper. Each boy
chose about the same number.
We all lined up, were dismissed to
get our sweaters and then we followed our
leader down to the beach. We marched
around to the bulkhead and some were
sent for boxes, logs, kindling wood, and
paper.
Then we marched around to the front
of the refrigerator room and got the punch
and food which we carried down to the
tables on the beach.
After the fires were lighted and burn-
ing briskly we all lined up to get frank-
forts, pickles, biscuits, mustard, butter, corn,
and punch. We roasted the corn and it
tasted delicious.
Our desert was in the form of two five
pound bo:Jes of marshmallows which we
roasted and some lovely stick candy was
given out to the Boys. There were three
sticks for each boy, and we were all so
pleased with it.
The Bays all had a good time and they
enjoyed the beach supper very much, and
at about half past seven we gave three
cheers and a loud "Tiger'' for the corn
roast. At nine o'clock, a happy day end-
ed by the sounding of taps.
Charles L. Keller
Making a Tackling Dummy
The other day with the help of an In-
structor we made a tackling dummy. We
have been talking about having one for
some time. Our football games at the
Island are interesting but lack the proper
methods of playing. We are trying to
correct this and by making this tackling
dummy we can learn to tackle low and
hard.
I got two grain sacks and put one
inside of the other and filled them with
shavings and sawdust and put the whole
into a canvas sack. I then attached a
strong piece of half inch rope to the top
of the bag and tied two puUies about eight
feet apart on the top of the apparatus.
Then I strung the rope through these pul-
lies and attached a weight on the end and
the dummy was suspended in the air.
When the tackier let go of the dummy,
after the tackle, it would resume its former
position. I think we will enjoy it especial-
ly as it is our first one.
William M. Hall
Making a Microphone Stand
One day we received a letter from
"Big Brother," Bob Emery asking if some
wood-worker would make a microphone
stand for him. We started one immedi-
ately.
We first made the base of two layers
of four pieces in a layer, and one layer ot
six pieces of three-fourths inch mahog-
any. We then built a layer of eight blocks
of the same stock. Then we made a piece
to fit in between the base and fop.
This was made of eight pieces of three-
fourth inch mahogany glued lengthwise.
When this was trued down it was glued
into the base with a short tenon joint.
On top of this was built one more layer of
six pieces. The stand is ten inches high,
eight inches in diameter at the base and six
inches at the top. At the thinnest part it
is about four inches in diameter. Felt was
put on the top and the base. It was made
of thirty-eight pieces.
Fredrick Austin
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
A Day at Brockton Fair
On September 25 three other boys
and I were told to get ready to go to
Brockton Fair. Two Instructors took us.
We left our Wharf about 8:4S A. M. We
arrived at the South Station five minutes
late for a train, having taken a surface car
from City Point. We waited until 9:15
for a train.
After arriving at Brockton we took an
electric car to the fair grounds, a distance
of about one mile from the station. After
we went through the gate we went
to the Agricultural Building. The main
feature of interest to me here was a large
shoe made of vegetables such as beets, car-
rots, onions, and radishes. After visiting
njost of the cattle, horses and other farm
animals of interest, we went to a tent and
had dinner.
After this, we made our way to the
grandstand. There, we saw the governor
and his procession, also several horse
races and sulky races. We saw a chariot
race. There were two chariots with four
horses abreast, with one man in each
chariot. We saw a Highlanders' Band
give a perfomance. We also saw a roller
skating exhibition. There were several
other features. The best of all I think was
auto Polo. Several times the cars turned
turtle, only to be righted again. There
were two men in each car, one to drive
and the other to hit the ball and to crank
it when it stopped. They changed into
fresh cars at the end of a half. We enjoy-
ed it very much.
We started for home about 5:50 P.M.
We thank the Instructors and Mr. Swasey
for the good time we had.
Douglas D. Holton
Equalizing the Batteries
One Monday afternoon, when I went
to the Power House at 1 o'clock the Instruc-
tor told me to equalize the batteries which
are in the basement of Gardner Hall.
First I put them on charging and let
them charge until the specific gravity read-
ing wasthesame at three half hour readings
or about 1205° and then 1 took them off
charging. The next thing to do was to
read the specific gravity of each individual
cell. When this was done and I had
marked down all the readings I took the
sheet of paper which is called a battery re-
port and went over to the engine room
and made a copy of the report which is
turned into the Office before eight o'clock
Tuesday mornings. The batteries have to
be examined every half hour during the
equalizing charge.
At 3:30 I again went to the battery
room and took the readings. They were
the same as at three o'clock which was
1250° and at four o'clock they were the
same as at three o'clock and the equal-
izing charge was over.
This is done to the batteries every
other week to keep them charged proper-
ly. The batteries are used each noon for
about one hour and at night the lights in
the Main Building are kept going from
eleven o'clock to four thirty the next
morning by these batteries.
Hildreth R. Crosby
Taking Care of the Horses
Every night at five o'clock I have to
go to rhe barn and clean three horses.
I clean Jim, Jerry, and Dick; first I curry
them and then I brush them all off. After
that I feed the horses either oats or hay.
Another barn boy and I take turns doing
it. After the horses are all fed we sweep
the floor. Then we carry the milk up to
the kitchen, I like this work very much.
Christopher McFadyen
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby
Jack H. Hobson
Asxo. Editi,
Vol. 29 No. 6
October, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Y^ar
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
In recalling the pleasures of the sum-
mer months, we must reckon not the least
of these the enjoyment we have found in
growing things, — flowers, trees, vegetables.
The picture on the first page shows our
most recent venture in raising flowers.
Those of us who spent hours in plowing,
planning, planting, weeding, watering, and
caring for gardens can most appreciate the
final results. And yet all the world is
brightt-ned and made beautiful by the
beauty of flowers. The whole atmos-
phere of a room can be changed by the
presence of flowers. And it is more than
miraculous to consider the process by
which all this growth takes place beneath
our eyes and is accepted as part of the
commonplace. In reality it is far from
commonplace.
Let us trace the growth and struggle
which must take place in order that thi
perfection of form and color may exist!
for even a short time. First comes the*
seed, which is collected in the fall and lies
dormant through the winter months, hold-
ing all the potentialities for growth and
beauty. But the seed must be placed in
soil suitable for its needs, it must find
warmth, moisture, and sunlight, and then
it must work for a living. Its life is made
up of struggle, work, and play just like
yours and mine. And what is the reward?
A perfect flower, beauty of form and
color, — truly a life of service showing us
one of the most beautiful works of God.
As the flower represents the highest
development of the plant kingdom, so
man stands at the pinnacle of develop-
ment in the animal kingdom. In our
early life we have within us potentialities
for growth and development inherited
from many generations of ancestors.
How do our lives compare with the
growth of a flower? Placed in an atmos-
phere where there is opportunity for
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
j^rowth, in warmth and sunlight, v/e must
struggle and work and play. There is no
development for a lazy person. A lazy
flower cannot grow. It withers and dies.
And what is our reward? It is most truly
found in a life of service. If we can make
our lives show forth the beauty of a true
work of God, then we shall not have lived
in vain. A life of beauty and of service is
a goal worth striving for. Let us think of
that when we see beauty in any form,
either in the life of a flower or in an
example of splendid manhood.
Calendar
Sept. 1 Edward Osberg, '24, who
has been working at the School during
the summer months, left tpday to return
to Wolfeboro, N. H. He is a student at
Brewster Academy.
Sept. 2 Started cutting corn into the
silo this morning. A new cement walk
from the Power House to Gardner Hall is
being made.
Winter's supply of flour came today.
Sept. 3 A dredge is off the south
end of the Island getting gravel for the
new road which is under construction at
Savin Hill.
Ernest Wyatt, '13, of the U. S. Navy
and who is located at the Coast Guard in
the Harbor, visited here briefly this morn-
ing.
Sept. 4 New lining is being placed
in one section of the kitchen range.
Osmond Bursiel, '20, who has been
employed here during vacation, left to-
day and will resume his studies at Lyndon
Institute, Lyndonville, Vermont.
Sept 6 Raymond McQuesten, '25,
came tonight to visit over the holiday.
Sept. 7 Labor Day, Boys have hol-
iday. Two football games; smaller boys
in the morning and older boys in the
afternoon. Instructors and Boys enjoyed
supper on the beach.
• Row-boat, Barnstable, was beached
for the winter.
Sept. 8 School orchestra has been
reorganized and rehearsals have been re-
sumed.
Boys are finding much pleasure in
making and flying kites.
Sept. 10 Cleaned Old Barn thorough-
ly and hauled away worn out machinery.
Flagpole at playground is being re-
painted.
Sept. 12 The first scheduled game
of football for the season was played to-
day. Team C-37,Team A-0.
Sept. 14 The Launch Winslow was
beached and cleaned and repainted to-
day.
Sept. 15 Towed President Adams's
boat the "Dolphin" to Lawleys this
noontime.
Sept. 16 Rained all day, cold and
damp. Finished cutting corn into silo.
Sept. 17 Reset strawberry plants in
strips on new bed.
Sept. 18 Finished laying new floor
in cow run.
Sept. 19 Close game in football this
afternoon Team B lost to Team A 19 to 20.
Sept. 20 Began digging late potatoes.
Sept. 23 Friends' Day. 178 friends
were here for the afternoon.
Sept. 25 Finished digging potatoes
this afternoon with a total of 600 bushels.
Sept. 26 Harvested 3580 pounds of
cabbages.
Football this afternoon between D
and C. Team D won 20-14
Sept. 28 Harvested 1400 pounds of
squashes and 7250 pounds of pumpkins,
Clarence Hobson, '25, left today after
having been here for the week end.
Sept. 29 Swimming float was
beached today for the winter.
Sept. 30 Finished fall seeding.
6 THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Two crates of new pullets came today, boat, for which I received $20. I to pay
The construction of a new west end the freij^ht.
on basement of stockbarn was completed Sept. 28 Went to city with 10 bar-
today, rels of potatoes.
Sept. 30 Carried 10 barrels of po-
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875 tatoes to city and returned with Mr. and
As Kept by the Superintendent jy^^.^ g q DgBloig ^^^ ^-^^^ ^^ f^^ ^^
o 1 A* 1 • . u hour or two.
Sept. 1 Men working on marsh.
Sept. 2 Much fog in the A. M. September Meteorology
The annual regatta of the Boston Yacht Maximum Temperature 93^ the 8th
Club took place at mid-day. j in u
o /^ iv/r 11-. J u and 10th.
Sept. 6 Men thrashmg and marsh-
j^ Minimum Temperature 40*^ the 25th,
Sept. 7 Report day. Number of 26th, and 27th.
boys in school, 93. MeanTemperaturefor the month 63^
Took 10 barrels of potatoes to market. Total Precipitation 3.00 inches.
Sept. 10 To city carrying 11 barrels Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
potatoes. ^ ^ ^ 1.60 inch on the 4th.
Sept. 11 Took Steamer to Boston ^ , . , m • ,
V u. /^i u -ixru en-. t> • ^ *^ u ;„ rour days with .01 or more inches
Yacht Club Wharf, City Point, to be in- ...
spected precipitation, 7 clear days. 6 partly
Sept. 12 Doctor Codman came and cloudy, 17 cloudy.
officiated for us today. He is of the firm r^^, t- j t- j o . . t^ ,
f ^ J o cu <i «• T f Cf Jher'armand 1 rades School Bank
of Codman & Shurlleir, Iremont St.,
r. , Statement October 1, 1925
Boston.
o ir IT- • • r\ £ xU RESOURCES
Sept. 15 Visiting Day for the y. g. Securities S 500.00
month. Present of the Managers, Messrs. ^, , -7^-, .-
n^ \i7 ij D J-. u T-i ^^A Other Investments 761. 4^
Emmons, Weld, Bowditch, Homans, and
Storer. Collector Simmons came in his ^^^" _19L65
boat accompanied by a number of his off- $1453.11
icers to visit the School. The Band play- liabilities
ed for him and he made a very pleasant Surplus 6 452.39
speech, alluding to the time of his stay Deposits JD0072
here many years ago. $ 1453.11
Sept. 23 Doctor Homans here. william r. warnock burton dorman
Sep.. 26 The boa, "VVhi.e Win^ '""""";„uam k. holm.n ""'""
capsized off the red buoy. It fortunately Teller
did not sink and its occupants, a Mr. Cum- a i- • • -r-
mingham of Milton, with three children ^" Exciting Time
succeeded in getting on the side where all Early one evening I went over in the
were kept safe until taken off. All were Steamer to the Marine Landing. We
taken in here and kept until dried when met the doctor there, and he took me into
they left via Squantum. our locker at the Landing. While the
Sept. 27 Very windy, went with doctor was lancing an abscess on my
Steamer to carry three sheep to Portland arm, a coast guard power boat caught on
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
fire, while returning from the Landing to
the Coast Guard Station. The three men
in it jumped into the water and swam for
shore. Mr. Swasey, who was in charge
of our Steamer was afraid that the gasoHne
tank in the boat would explode and dam-
age the "Pilgrim." The burning boat was
drifting in near the stone wall at the Point.
In the meanwhile the doctor rang the iire
alarm and the fire apparatus from South
Boston came and put the fire out.
John A. Hallewell
Recreation
Practically all of the Boys have from
12 to 1 o'clock and from 6 to 7:15 o'clock
in the evening for recreation. On Sat-
urday we have the whole afternoon
besides our noon and night hours for
recreation. Some boys, go to the Band
Hall and practice on their instruments,
others go to the Sloyd Room, and a few
go to the Cottages to read or to "listen in,"
on the radio. Every Saturday afternoon
a scheduled game in either baseball, foot-
ball, or basketball is played, depending
on the season of the year.
Harold E. Floyd
How I Spent Friends' Day
On Friends' Day a friend came to see
me who had never visited Thompson's
Island. When we met I asked her if she
wished to walk around and see my daily
work. She was interested and I first took
her to the school-room, the reading room,
and chapel. After she was told about
these, I took her to the Boys' dinning
room and showed her where my table
was located. I also showed her the Boys'
assembly room and pointed out my num-
ber and box. We then went across the
walk to the printing office and laundry.
Later we went to the Power House where
she saw the machines and the boiler. We
then went to the forging room where she
could see the models I made and then we
went to the sloyd room, here I showed
her my chest which was finished. Then
we went to the barn to see the horses and
cows, etc. From here we went to the
Poultry House. Then went on the other
side of the barn and sat down for awhile
till the boat came when we said, "Good-
by."
Willis B. Drake
Potato Crop
Early in the Spring I wrote an article
for the Beacon which told the readers
about a potato project. Two of us planted
a crop of potatoes that in the fall we
should be paid a certain percent of the
market price minus the running expense
and cost of seed.
The crop has been harvested. Out of
nearly three and a half acres we produced
about 600 bushels of potatoes. After cost
of seed and running expenses have been
deducted we shall recieve an increase in
our bank account. But really money is
not the point in the project. The
experience we gained in raising and caring
for them is far more valuable. We have
liked and I believe benefited by this
experiment. It has furnished a great deal
of interest to both of us.
Howard S. Costello
Gathering Pumkins
One Monday during September we
started for the peice of land on which the
pumkins are planted. This is over by
the Farm House. This year they are put-
ting the pumkins in the Corn Crib,
where they will be kept in better condition.
In the afternoon we took over four loads
to the Corn Crib. Last year there were
quite a few that decayed during the winter.
These will now last nearly all winter.
They are used for pumkin pie for the In-
structors and Boys. It was a lot of fun
taking them in,
George J. Knott
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che J^lumni Association of Cbe farm ana Cradcs School
Will Frank Davis, 79, President Elwin C. Bemis,
llEusTis Street, Chelsea Thompson
Augustus N. Doe, "75, Treasurer
Wellesley
'16, Vice-President Merton P. Ellis, '97, Secretary
s Island 38 Spafford Road, Milton
Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Walpole
George A. Adams, Adv. Course '25,
is working in Dennisons' Mfg. Plant in
Framingham, Mass. GeorgE is taking
cornet lessons and hopes to join an or-
chestra soon.
William F. Anderson, Adv. Course
'25. enters Brewster in his Junior year.
"BlLLIE"has spent his summer months on
the John Endicott, a steamer on Lake
Winnipesaukee.
Warren J. Burriss, Adv. Course
'25, enters the Junior year of study at
Brewster.
Clarence P. Hobson, Adv. Course
'25, enters Mechanic Arts High School as
a Junior. CLARENCE has been working
this summer at pattern making in which he
found his shop training at the School a
great help.
Karl H. Kuphal, Adv. Course '25,
will enter Hyde Park High School as a
Sophomore.
SEYMOUR C. McFaDYEN, Adv.
Course '24, is working in West End Hotel,
Portland, Me., as bell boy and is attending
night school there.
George D. Russell. Adv. Course
'25, enters Colby Academy as a Junior.
George has been v^orking this summer
on an estate on the North Shore doing
general w^ork about the grounds.
Clarence E. Stevens, Adv. Course
'25, enters Marlboro High School, as a
Junior. CLARENCE has been working on
a farm in Vermont this summer.
IVERS E.WlNMILL, Adv. Course '25,
enters Mt. Herman. IVERS has spent his
summer months profitably at Whalem
Park, Fitchburgh, Mass., where he had
charge of a refreshment booth.
Howard E. Keith, Edward V.
Osberg, and Kenneth E Kearns.
Adv. Course '24, enter their senior year at
Brewster.
Howard H. Sturtevant, '24. en-
ters his Sophomore year at Brewster He
took a trip South to Virginia during his
summer vacation to visit relatives.
Clifton E. Albee. Adv. Class '23, is
taking a Post Graduate course at Brewster
Academy, preparatory to entering New
Hampshire University. "Al" is the first
boy to attend Brewster from F. T. S. and
was honored with the University Schol-
arship prize.
Theodore Milne. '14, is employed
with the Babcock and Wilcox Boiler Mtg
Co. at Bayonne, New Jersey. "Ted" fin-
ished his course at Mass, Inst. Tech. in June
and received a S. B. Degree.
Herbert A. Souther, '12, made us
a visit a short while ago. This is the first
time Herbert has been to the School fora
long period. He enjoyed his visit very
mjch and noticed quite a few changes.
He has been employed with the New
England Telephone and Telegraph Co.
and is living at 18 Asticor Road, Jamaica
Plain, Mass.
Charles Howe, '82, surprised us with a
visit this month. He came all the way
from San Antonio Texas, for medical
treatment in a Boston Hospital. He is
engaged as a construction foreman at San
Antonio, and will soon return there. His
home address is San Antonio, Texas.
Walter Herman. '79, has placed his
son Carl at the School, and is a frequent
visitor. Father and son can be seen walk-
ing about the campus, "talking it over."
Vol. 29 No. 7 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Nov. 1925
Entered November 23. 1903. ft Boston Mass.. as Second Class matter, under Act o{ Congress of July 16. 1874
Columbus Day
Monday, October 12th, was Columbus
Day. When I got up I washed and had
breakfast. Then I went to the Printing
Office and worked all morning.
After dinner we chose up for football.
We played until two thirty o'clock when
the game started with Drake and Thomas
as captains. It was good weather for a
football game. Drake, Thomas, Costello.
and Blackwell played very well. The
score was twenty-one to seven in favor of
Drake's team.
That evening we had a dance. We
put on our uniforms and went to Chapel.
The orchestra played most of the time
but once in a while an Instructor played
the piano while the Boys in the orchestra
danced. The danced lasted until about
ten thirty. We then went to the drawer
room and took off our uniforms, and put
on our kahki clothes. We went to bed
happy. We thank Mr. Swasey for the
privilege of dancing.
Robert F. VanMeter
Hallowe'en
As usual we had a fine party on Hal-
lowe'en. To open the festivities of the
evening, we had a ghost walk which was
greatly enjoyed.
After this we went to the gymnasium
which was decorated to resemble a barn.
Hay was hanging from the beams. It was
also strewn around on the floor near the
walls. Pumpkins were also placed around
the room. There was a haunted chamber
and different signs to tell you where the
various games and contests were being
held. The food booth was very pretty
and attracted us with many good things lo
eat. We had apples, pie, pickles, cider,
doughnuts, marshmallows, kisses, and
peanuts. A short program was given
which included a poem by Robert Van
Meter entitled, "When The Woodchuck
Chuckles," and Mr. Adams recited a
poem entitled, "The Creamation of Sam
Magee," next a little play, "Why I Never
Married," by several boys, half of them
were dressed as girls. The next was a one
act farce called, "The Rickety Rackety
Radio," by six boys dressed as negroes and
a mysterious voice over the radio.
We had games such as bobbing for
apples, the dart game, digging for marsh-
mallows in a dish of flour with your
hands behind your back, eating doughnuts
off a string, tossing balls into some cans,
and palmistry, these we all enjoyed very
much.
The evening's fun closed with a ghost
story, told in darkness, then we went to
the house and to bed tired but very
happy.
Ralph H. Martis
Election
We held a Cottage Row election in
the Assembly Hall, October 6th. The
boys who were elected or appointed to
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
the various officers are as follows:
Alonzo G. Day Mayor
Raymond Thomas Chairman of
Aldermen
Aldermen
Howard S. Costello Shareholder
Francis E. Floyd Shareholder
Ross S. Lloyd Non-Shareholder
Carl A. Carlson Non-Shareholder
Jack H. Hobson Assessor
Howitt R. Warren Treasurer
William R. Warnock Chief of Police
Fredrick Austin Lieut, of Police
Willis B. Drake Sargt. of Police
Patrolmen
William J. Long, Henry E. Gilchrist,
Thomas A. Hall, and Arthur R. Blackwell.
Arthur R. Turner Clerk
Carle A. Nichols Street Commissioner
Gilbert M. Collins Librarian
Raymond B. Chamberlain Janitor
The Mayor chooses his Chief of
Police, Clerk, St. Commissioner, Librari-
an, and Janitor. The Chief of Police
chooses his officers and Patrolmen.
William R. Warnock
A Motion Picture Camera
Mr. Swasey has received a camera
which takes moving pictures. It was
given to The Farm and Trades School by
the Alumni Association. It takes one
hundred feet of film which is started by
pressing a small lever on the side of the
camera. This releases a spring. The
camera is stopped by taking the pressure
from the lever.
This camera was made by the East-
man Co. and it resembles a folding kodak,
only it is slightly longer. A short time
ago Mr Swasey took some pictures of a
football game which will be shown on the
screen when they are developed. They
will be sent to Rochester for this purpose.
The reels that this film fits on, can be used
in our moving picture machine, which was
presented to the School by Mr Hallowell.
We are very enthusiastic about these
gifts as they give us great pleasure.
Fredrick Austin
The Ghost Walk
We celebrated Hallowe'en Friday
evening, October 30. The first event we
had was the Ghost Walk. We assembled
by the Old Elm at eight o'clock P. M.
With one of the men Instructors leading
we started down back road. When we
had gone a little way a ghost jumped out
of the bushes and began throwing waterat
us, also hitting us with cornstalks. W^hen
we reached the barn and started down
stairs the lights suddenly went out and
we couldn't see a thing.
We followed the leader by holding
on to each other's shoulder. When we
were downstairs all kinds of sounds were
made by ghosts and a hose was turned on
us. We then v/ent up Rear Avenue to
the west basement. When we started
through the last door of the basement,
we each received a glass of water in the
face and a mop over the head. This fin-
ished the walk which we all enjoyed very
much.
Thomas A. Hall
Repairing a Cart
As I work in the shop, the Instructor
told me to make four iron braces for a
broken dump cart. First, I went down in
the forging room and took a hack saw,
with which I cut out the pieces. I then
started a fire and heated the iron, so I
could bend it into a right angle. I next
took it to the machine shop, and drilled
four holes in each piece with the big ma-
chine drill, and counter sunk them. I
then took them and fastened them in place
on the cart.
Arthur R. Turner
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Old Ironsides
The Constitution was built at Hartt's
shipyard, in Boston in 1797. It was de-
signed by Joshua Humphries after some
of the fast French frigates. It carried a
very heavy battery of twenty-four pound-
ers on the gun deck which was unusually
high above the water line, so that the guns
could be fired when fighting on rough sea.
She was built of very heavy timber.
The copper bolts and sheathing were
made by Paul Revere. Her first flag was
made by Betsy Ross with fifteen stars and
fifteen stripes, which the Constitution car-
ried.
It carried four hundred officers and
men. They were all of iron will and cour-
age. The Constitution's weight was 1,500
tons and carried forty-four cannon, firing
cannon balls weighing twenty-four to thir-
ty-two pounds each. The capacity of our
modern war vessels is three hundred times
greater than the Constitution when it was
new and fully equipped. In the three
years' fighting she was never defeated.
She was first commanded by Captain Isaac
Hull who was a great sailor as well as a
fighter. You may wonder how the Con-
stitution received the name Old Ironsides.
In the battle with the British ship Guerriere
in 1812 some of the largest cannon balls
from the Guerriere hit the sides and fell off
into the sea. The men seeing this, cried,
"Hussa, her sides are made of iron."
From that time on she was called Old
Ironsides.
From 1821 to 1858 she was suppress-
ing the slave trade on the African coast.
During this time she was rebuilt. From
1861 to 1871 she was used as a naval
training ship. In 1878 she made her last
cruise carrying the U. S. exhibit to the
Paris exhibition. Later she was used as a
receiving ship at Portsmouth navy yard.
In 1897 she was towed to Boston on her
one hundredth anniversary of her launch-
ing where she was reconditioned and plac-
ed in the Boston Navy Yard to be kept as
a relic and an inspira;ion to the youth
of America.
Raymond Thomas
A Snake
One bright sunny afternoon when I
had finished with my work in the dining
room, I was going down to the basement
of Gardner Hall. On the cement was
something that looked like a small gray
twig. I stooped to pick it up, but before I
could, it wiggled away. It was a small
snake. This was the first snake I had seen
on the Island. I pointed it out to a boy,
and he tried to pick it up with two sticks.
One of the Instructors told us to kill it, and
we did. I hope I never see any more
here. This was a great surprise to me.
Arthur H. Sherry
Seeing a Football Game
Through the kindness of Mr. Walter
Tibbetts of the Phillips Brooks Association
at Harvard, the Boys again had the privi-
lege of attending the football game at Har-
vard Stadium. All of the first graders
went over to see the game between
Harvard and Dartmouth, October 24th.
Everyone enjoyed the game and it
was very interesting. Harvard at the be-
ginning of the game did very well. It
seemed at first Harvard would win the
game as they made the first score which
was a field goal.
After a while Dartmouth seemed to
get stronger and they began to start for
their first touchdown. Oberlander of
Dartmouth was the star of the game, mak-
ing some very good runs and throwing
forward passes to his speedy ends which
resulted in many touchdowns. We en-
joyed the game very much and are grate-
ful to Mr. Tibbetts. Henry E. Gilchrist
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbomp$on'$ Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby
Jack H. Hobson
Editor
As30. Editor
Vol. 29 No. 7
November, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBIois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C, Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
October brings the birthday of one of
America's most beloved statesmen —
Theodore Roosevelt. He lives still in
our memories as an example of the high-
est type of American manhood with his
undaunted courage, keen insight and
quick sympathies. He is still the ideal of
American boyhood and it seems fitting
to quote here from an article written by
him in "The American Boy."
He says in part: "Of course what we
have a right to expect of the American
boy is that he shall turn out to be a good
American man. He must not be a cow-
ard or a weakling, a bully, a shirk, or a
prig. He must work hard and play hard.
He must be clean-minded and clean-lived,
and able to hold his own under all cir-
cumstances and against all comers. It is
only on these conditions that he will grow
into the kind of American man of whom
America can be really proud.
"The boy can best become a good
man by being a good boy — not a goody-
goody boy, but just a plain good boy.
I do not mean that he must love only the
negative virtues; I mean he must love the
positive virtues also. 'Good', in the larg-
est sense, should include whatever is fine,
straightforward, clean, brave, and manly.
The best boys I know — the best men I
know — are good at their studies or their
business, fearless and stalwart, hated and
feared by all that is wicked and depraved,
incapable of submitting to wrong-doing,
and equally incapable of being aught but
tender to the w^eak and helpless.
"In short, in life, as in a foot-ball
game, the principle to follow is:
Hit the line hard; don't foul and
don't shirk, but hit the line hard!"
Calendar
Oct. 1 Cleaned beach and harvested
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
29 bushels of beets.
Five boys attended the Brockton Fair
with Mr. Swasey this afternoon.
Oct. 2 Four boys, accompanied by
two Instructors, enjoyed the fair at Brock-
ton this afternoon.
Oct. 3 Raked and burned weeds on
ten acre corn peice at South End of the
Island.
Oct. 4 Mr. Merton P. Ellis, '98, and
Mrs. Ellis were here for the afternoon.
Leon G. Andrews, '23, James Brain, '25,
and Edward Floyd, Advanced Course, '25,
also visited the School this afternoon.
Oct. 5 Twenty-three boys left today
on their furloughs which had been post-
poned from summer because of the Chick-
en Pox epidemic.
Started whitewashing and painting the
west basement, drawer room, and clothing
room.
Oct. 7 Worked on roads and hauled
several loads of gravel to barnyard.
New herd sire, Meredith Squire, a
gift of Manager Wigglesworth. arrived this
afternoon.
Nine new boys, Russell Bent, Alfred
Bryant, Keith Gray, Kenneth James, Ray
and Roy Towne, Ralph Milliken, Ernest
Overton, and Kenneth Van Meter, were
addmited today.
Oct. 8 Built new calf pen in barn
cellar this afternoon.
A new moving picture projector, a
gift of Manager Hallowell, was tried out
in the gymnasium this evening, with great
success.
A very enjoyable dancing party was
given in the Assembly Hall this evening by
the of^cials of Cottage Row.
Oct. 9 Built new cover for cesspool
in barnyard.
Oct. 10 First frost and snowstorm of
season, wind blowing sixty milesper hour.
Dragged roads.
Rollin Holman, Grammar Course '24.
left today to enter Bryant Stratton. Bert-
rand Newell, Ex. '31, left this noon to live
with his mother.
Oct. 11 Robert Giese, '23, Edward
Floyd and Raymond McQuesten, the lat-
ter two of the Advanced Course '25, are
here for the week end.
Oct. 12 Columbus Day, half holiday
with choose-up football game in after-
noon. A dance was held in the Assem-
bly Hall during the evening.
Boys returned from their furloughs
today.
Oct. 13 Picked the last of the grapes
this afternoon.
Oct. 15 Classes in Agriculture began
in-door sessions today.
The Boys' gardens were judged today
preparatory to the awarding of prizes.
Oct. 16 Began harrowing six acre
piece this side of Bowditch Grove.
Beached, cleaned, and tarred north
side float.
Sweaters, mittens, and caps were given
out to the Boys today.
Oct. 17 Repairs to the dike just be-
low the Power House were begun today.
Eric Schippers, '22, is here for the
week end.
Double-header football game this
afternoon, Teams C 31-B 6; Teams A 19-
D12.
Pictures were taken of the game with
the new moving picture camera, a gift of
the Alumni Association.
Oct. 18 Hauled planks and gathered
drift wood.
Oct. 19 Exercises, promoting the
restoration of Old Iron Sides, were held
in the Assembly Hall this evening after
Grade Reading.
Oct. 21 A seaplane took a nose dive
ofifthe Island near Oak Knoll. Machine
was damaged but no serious injuries
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
resulted.
Took steamer "Pilgrim" to Lawley's
for minor repairs.
Commenced ploughing the ten acre
corn piece at South End.
Oct. 22 Team A defeated Team B
34 to 6 this afternoon.
Planted new buoy at City Point.
Oct. 23 Last Friends' Day of the
season. There were 225 relatives and
friends here for the afternoon. The S.
V. R. Crosby baseball cups and shield
were awarded, also the Grew Garden
prizes.
Oct. 24 Twenty-seven boys attended
the Harvard-Dartmouth game this after-
noon through the courtesy of Mr. Walter
I. Tihbetts.
Oct. 26 The McKenzie Garden
prizes were awarded this evening after
Grade Reading.
Oct. 27 Secretary Tucker Daland
visited the School this afternoon.
Oct. 29 Blacksmith here.
Oct. 30 Last order of grain arrived
for the winter.
New furniture was brought over this
morning including four large tables and
forty chairs for the library in Chapel.
President Adams was here for the
afternoon.
Hallowe'en was celebrated with the
usual entertainment in the gymnasium
which was preceded by a ghost walk.
Oct. 31 Beached launch "Winslow"
for the winter.
Double header football game. Team
C won from team D 49 to 0; and C also
won from B, 39 to 6.
Carl Kuphal and Clarence Hobson,
both of the Adv. Course '25, are here for
the week end.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
Oct. 1 Dull rainy day.
Went to Readville to attend the
annual exhibition of the Norfolk Co .Agri-
cultural Society. I had the pleasure of
listening to Col. Lyman' s address and of
seeing the famous horse " Smuggler. "
Oct. 5 Monthly report. Number
of Boys in School 98.
Oct. 7 Went to City this afternoon
to carry onions, tomatoes, squash, etc.
Oct. 10 Mr. A. S. Wheeler of our
Board was here and officiated all day.
Oct, 11 Carried up eight bbls. on-
ions, four of squash and three of green
tomatoes.
Oct. 13 Carried up three bbls.
onions to Portland boat to go to Steep
Falls, Maine.
Oct. 14 Visiting Day and a very
pleasant one too. Messrs. Emmons,
Weld, Lyman, Homans, Storerand S. G.
DeBlois were present. Mr. Lyman re-
mained and took his cup of coffee after
which I carried him to Squantum in the
Steamer.
Oct. 16 Went with steamer and
scow and got 12 tons of coal from the
wharf of Bosworth and Hamlin.
Oct. 19 Went for Mr. and Mrs. S.
G. DeBlois, Col. Shepard, Superintendent
of Reform School, Westboro, and Mr.
Hubbard, one of the Trustees. Took
them back in good style in thirty minutes.
Oct, 22 Lovely weather, men har-
vesting beets, unloading coal, etc.
Oct. 25 Went to East Boston for
Mr. Bowditch,
Oct. 27 Carried fourteen bbls. on-
ions to Hill and Tibbetts.
How I Spent My Vacation
My vacation came in October this
year, instead of July. I left the Public
Landing at 10:00 o'clock and was met by
a friend who took me to the South
Station. Here 1 had my lunch and
bought my ticket for New Haven, Conn.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON 7
I boarded the train at 11:30 and arrived summer birds have gone south,
at New Haven at 3:30 P. M. When we think about winter it makes
I played with some boys that I knew, us teel sad and happy. We seem to wish
and went to the movies. I also saw a the summer back again, yet there is so
football game and went roller skating, much fun in the winter, we forget about
I had a good time for a week and came the swims and ball games and think there
back to start school again. is nothing so pleasant as winter sports.
Burton Dorman George J. Knott
The Farm and Trades School Bank An Extraordinary Job
Statement November 1, 1925 Recently we received an extraordin-
RESOURCES ary big job at the Printing Office. It
U. S. Securities $500.00 was an order for 1000 pads of store receipts
Other Investments ..... 761.45 for Thomas F. Coogan of South Boston.,
Cash 260.34 Nearly every phase of printing was used in
$1521~79 n^'s^^in^ the job.
After we had set it up, the stock was
LIABILITIES K r . , ,
c, , m Arc ^^ cut. As two forms Were going to be uscd,
Surplus $ 465.15 , ,, .u • (7 x- • u j
we cut the paper the size ot two finished
^^Pomts 1056.64 receipts. In one of these blocks there is
$ 1521.79 first one sheet printed in black ink and
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK RALPH H. MARTis then ouc printed in red ink. The purpc se
^'■*'^'''^"* Cashier ^f ^j^jg jg jj^gj carbon paper is put between
HENRY A. SCHRAMM , j . i i i i ,
jeller the red and black papers, and when you
write on the black printed paper, the same
October Meteorology thing is written on the red printed paper.
Maximum Temperature 80° the 18th. So we cut 25,000 double sheets of bond
Minimum Temperature 32° the 31st. P^P^i" ^o^ the black receipts, and 25,000
Mean Temperature for the month 49°. double sheets of manila paper for the red
Total Precipitation 4.30 inches. ones. It took two weeks to run the whole
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours i^b ofT. While they were being printed
1.00 inch on the 8th. some of the boys were collating. That is.
Six days with .01 or more inches they counted up the stock in numbers of
precipitation, 11 clear days, 5 partly one hundred and put one black and
cloudy, 15 cloudy. then one red piece of paper on another.
After this they went on the stitcher, two
stitches were put in at the top of each
When we look at the trees and see block. They were then trimmed on the
their leaves turning different colors and p^pgr cutter and cut in twain. Then one
falling we know that frost has been in the of the boys inserted a sheet of carbon
air. Then the fruit is ready for gathering p^pgr, the same size as the receipt inside
and we sometimes shiver in the morning, of each pad. When this was done to all ot
The pumpkins turn yellow and makes us them the job was finished. They were put
think of Hallowe'en. Other signs of in boxes and shipped away. It was a great
approaching Fall, are seen, also. Flocks relief when the job was completed,
of ducks and geese move, and we notice the James M. Libby
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe fllumni Association of Che ?arm ana trades School
Will Frank Davis, 79, President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Vice-President Merton P. Ellis, "97, Secretary
11 Eusris Street, Chelsea Thompson's Island 38 Spafford Road, Milton
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, "14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
Edward L. Floyd, Adv. Class '25,
is employed as bookkeeper for the Sin.
clair Sales Company. He finds his course
he took at the School in bookkeeping, a
great help to him. His home address is
73 Perkins Street, Somerville, Mass.
Robert L. Carney, '24. is attend,
'ing high School at Noble, Ohio. ROBERT
is a junior and recently won prizes that
were ottered for literary work. He is
much interested in the School and writes
quite often.
Waldo E. Libby, '22, who is attend-
ing Keene. New Hampshire, High
School, received an injury to his back,
while playing on the football team, that
will keep him out of the game for the rest
of the year. Our best wishes go out to
him for a quick recovery. He is at the
present time at the Elliot Community
Hospital, Keene, N. H.
Nicholas M. Suarez, '19, who is
in the advertising business, writes that he
has just accepted a position as District
Advertising Supervisor for the Pillsbury
Flour Company. He has charge of five
branches, namely, Pittsburg, Scranton,
Philadelphia. Baltimore, and New York.
It is his hope that he will be advanced
later to Eastern District Advertising Man-
ager. "Nick" has asked for addresses of
his classmates and they have been sent.
He adds that he would like to hear from
some of the "old gang". His address is
1414 North 6th. Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
Howard F. Lochrie, '16, has sent
us the announcement of his marriage on
Wednesday evening, October 28th, to
Miss Harriet Foster, daughter of Walter
L. Foster of Brookline. HOWARD has
been employed since leaving the School
with the Walter Lowney Company, Com-
mercial Street, Boston, in their advertising
and sales department.
Richard W. Weston, '13, since
leaving the School has been engaged in
farming. His home is in Amherst, N. H.
He is also Road Agent for that town.
"Chick" is married and has two children.
Edric Blakemore, '12, is em-
ployed as a machinist at Newton Upper
Falls and is living at 20 Bowen Street,
Newton Center, Mass.
Chauncey Page, '00, writes that he
would like to hear from members of his
class. He is Manager of the Gennell
Brothers Music House, Hillsdale, Michi-
gan. Get busy class of 1900!
William G. Cummings, '98, we are
pleased to announce, has just published his
second novel, "Passion and Glory," a tale
composed of dramatic episodes in the
lives of simple people, primarily the story
of simple man's search for love and God.
"Passion and Glory," CummiNG's second
book, according to critics develops splen-
didly all the qualities that made his first
novel, "An Island Chronicle," so fine a
piece of fiction.
Will Frank Davis, '79, has moved
his business quarters to 6 Alden Court.
Boston, Mass. Will is a member of
Baalbec Lodge, A. F. & A. M., East
Boston, Mass.
VoL 29 No. 8 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Dec. 1925
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston. Mass.. as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
A School Banner
On November 11th, which was Arm-
istice Day, Mr. Foster, a Manager, a grad-
uate and a very kind friend of the School,
presented the First Class with a banner.
This banner is made of silk, half blue
and half gold, the School colors, and has
the School seal in one corner. The boys
of the First Class are very grateful for such
a fine gift.
As this was Armistice Day, a short
formal service, appropriate for such a day
was held in chapel. After a few boys had
given recitations Mr. Swasey explained to
us the meaning of the School seal. In
the center of the seal, which is a symbol
of the spirit which has animated our
School since its foundation, are three fig-
ures grouped together to represent fellow-
ship, equality, and teamwork. These
three fisures also represent different ele-
ments that make up the life of a boy here
at The Farm and Trades School. The
left hand figure represents the training or
discipline, respect for law, obedience and
self-control. The central figure signifies
training in crafts or trades, ability to
co-ordinate hand and mind. The figure
in the right hand corner offering fruits of
the soil, represents the basis of life every-
where— agriculture. These three figures
show the boy as a student of the Book of
Life with the emblem, a Greek torch sym-
bolizing Education or the search for Truth.
In the background of the seal is the School,
our Alma Mater, offering home and shel-
ter to us while preparing us for life.
Mr. Foster then gave us a talk in
vv;hich he said that he wished not to talk
to us but to talk with us. He wished to
be a boy with us. He told us about the
School as it was when he was a boy here,
and how it has changed since that time.
He told about the first time the School
banner was hoisted to the top of our flag
staff, of the cheering and clapping of the
Boys. The School colors he wished us to
remember as signifying "The hope and
prayer of our School Mother that each of
her boys will become a man whose char-
acter will be true blue, that is, of rigid
honesty in principle, fidelity, unyielding
loyality and good as gold, that is, of ster-
ling value, genuine, conforming to the
highest standard." It was his hope and
desire in giving this banner to our Class
that we might live up to the meaning
these colors symbolize.
This banner is greatly appreciated by
all the Boys and we will strive to be true
blue and good as gold, or c»f strong and
honest principles and of sterling value.
Program
GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION Alvan T. Fuller
Henry Gilchrist
SILENT PRAYER
BATTLE HYMN OF REPUBLIC Julia W. Hoice
School
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
RECITATION Clifton Chapel Hriiry Newhnlt
Laurence Wheeler
RECITATION Breathes There a Man With
Soul So Dead Sir W. Scott
Horace Taylor
BRASS QUARTET Faith of Our Fathers
Arkerson, Rand, McLenna, Hall
RECITATION Spires of Oxford W. Jl. Letts
Alton Butier
SONG America the Beautiful J. S. Fearis
School
REMARKS
PRESENTATION
Mr. Swasey
Mr. Foster
ACCEPTANCE
Raymond Thomas
L'ENVOI rnKJijard Kipling
Thomas Hall
SONG
School Song
School
Henry E. Gilchrist
Our Thanks
In accordance with our custom, each
boy at Thanksgiving time writes his par-
ticular reason for being thankful. The
articles are varied in thought and are
selected with the idea of having each class
represented: —
FIRST CLASS
At Thanksgiving time there are many
things for which 1 am thankful. When
we compare our situation with the boys in
the city, who have not the fresh air, some
one to show them what is right and what
is wrong, also some one to tell them about
God. When we think of the fresh air that
we breathe each day the helpful lessons we
learn every day and the wholesome food
that we eat, and many other things, we
can readily appreciate these blessings.
When we sit down at the large Thanks-
giving dinner this year, with the fruits of
the year's hard work before us on the table,
we shall give a thankful prayer, to our
Heavenly Father that we can enjoy His
wonderful gifts that surround us each day.
James Vt. Libby
I am thankful I have a mother, father,
and sister. I also am thankful for good
health. I am thankful that I am at The
Farm and Trades School, where I can
learn everything any man requires to
make a living. I am thankful for the
many things nature has given us. I am
thankful that I know there is a God to
whom I may bring all my troubles and He
will help me to the right path. I am
thankful for my friends.
Charles L. Claggett
SECOND CLASS
I am thankful for my friends and rel-
atives. I am thankful to this School for
what it has done and is doing for me. 1
am thankful for the sunshine and other
wonderful works of God, as well as the
fellowship of other boys and beautiful sur-
roundings.
I am also grateful for the opportunity
of playing in the Band, participation in
sports and games. 1 am not only thank-
ful for this, but appreciate all that is being
done for me.
Ross S. Lloyd
T am thankful that our forefathers set
aside a day on which we may thank God
for the many blessings He has bestowed
upon us. I am grateful to my friends and
parents. I am thankful that I was fortu-
nate enough to come to such a School, as
The Farm and Trades School. I am
thankful that I have a healthy body, so I
can play in sports. I am thankful to my
mother who has tried to bring me up well
and who has sacrificed things she would
like to have, to please me. I am thankful
for the Board of Managers and Alumni
who help in everyway to give me a
pleasant school home in which to live. 1
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
am thiinkful to the Instructors who help
me do right.
George O. Poole
THIRD CLASS
I am thankful for my father, brother
and sisters. I am thankful that I own a
cottage on Cottage Row and have a chance
to play in the sports. I am glad to be in
the Band. I am thankful for our Superin-
tendent, Managers, and Instructors. I am
grateful for the help they are giving me.
Anton C. Ericsson
About this time every year it comes
to the minds of many boys here at this
School to look to God for the many things
and advantages we have for which we are
thankful. I am thankful that He gave the
life of His Son that we might live in peace,
contentment, and happiness. We cannot
explain how thankful we are that God has
given us good, kind, loving mothers,
fathers, and friends whom we can never
repay for what they have gone through
for us. We are thankful we have had
given to us the Bible which is written of
the perfect life He led while here on earth
that we might follow His example and be
true men of God.
We are thankful for the good educa-
tion we are receiving while here at this
School. We realize that many boys do
not have these opportunities. We are
grateful to the Managers, Superintendent,
and Instructors who are always willing to
help and encourage us in time of trouble.
I think that the best way we can show our
appreciation to all is to be true Farm and
Trades School Boys and live up to our
School Banner which has just lately been
given to us by one of our Managers. The
colors on it are Blue which means to be
"True Blue" and the other color is Gold,
meaning to be as "Good as Gold."
William L.Young
FOURTH CLASS
Most of our thanks are beyond ex-
pression yet all of us are thankful we are
here at this School.
I am thankful that I have a father,
mother, a brother, and three sisters. I
am also thankful to our loving God who
keeps watch over us and helps us to do
right. 1 am thankful to our Managers,
Superintendent, and Instructors for the
help they have given me during the
past year.
Howitt R. Warren
There are many things for which I am
thankful. I am thankful for the line
School in which my mother placed me. I
am thankful to Mr. and Mrs. Swasey and
the Instructors for what they do for ns. I
am also thankful to the Board of Mana-
gers for the interest they take in us. I am
thankful for God and His Son who came
to save the world. I am thankful for our
minister and what he teaches us about the
Word of God. I am thankful for my
mother, brothers, and sisters, and all they
do for me. I am thankful that I live in a
wonderful country. I am also thankful for
the sports that we have here and for the
Boys with whom we make friends.
William C. Kenning
FIFTH CLASS
I am thankful that I am in such a good
School and that my mother put me here
to be a member of the School. I am
thankful that we have such good Instruct-
ors to help us to be fine, strong men.
Earle C. Nichols
I am thankful I have some people to
take care of me. I am thankful that I am
in a fine School and can receive such a
fine education. I am very thankful for all
that is being done for me.
Christopher McFadyen
Continued on page 7
THOMPSONS ISLAND BEACON
Cboitip$on'$ Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
.J.\MES M. LiBBY -
Jack H. Hobson -
Editor
Asso. Editor
Vol. 29 No. 8
December, 1925
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
Gottage IRow Government
BY HIS HONOR
ALONZO G. DAY
Mayor
A PROCLAMATION
In accordance with our usual custom,
Cottage Row Government sets apart a day
for Thanksgiving.
We thus follow^ the example of our
Nation and Commonwealth. On' this
day, we shall suspend our usual activities
that we may more fittingly observe this
time in the manner of our forefathers.
Thus there shall be feasting, festivities,
and prayer. With grateful hearts we shall
give thanks on that day for the blessings
we enjoy. We are thankful for our
friends, health, and happiness. We are
grateful to those who maintain this School.
We are thankful for our strong and pros-
perous nation.
Therefore I, Alonzo G. Day, Mayor
of Cottage Row, with the advice and
consent of the Board of Aldermen, set
apart Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of
November, as a day of
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
to the Almighty for the blessings He be-
stows upon us.
Given at The Farm and Trades
School this eighteenth day of November,
in the year of our Lord, one thousand
nine hundred and twenty-five, and the one
hundred and eleventh year of our School,
and the thirty-seventh year of Cottage
Row.
ALONZO G. DAY
By his Honor the Mayor of Cottage Row,
with the advice and consent of the Board
of Aldermen.
Arthur R. Turner, Clerk
0O& Save the ©overntnent of Cottaiic "Kow
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar
Nov. 1 Screens are bein^ removed
today and will be replaced by storm win-
dows.
James H. Graham, '79, and Mrs.
Graham were here for the day.
Clarence Hobson and Carl Kuphal,
both of '25, returned today, having been
here for the week end.
Nov. 3 Cleaned cesspool in barn-
yard.
Nov. 5 Began painting farm wagons
this morning.
Mr. Britton was here this morning to
inspect our bees.
A pianola attachment with records,
a gift of Manager Karl Adams, arrived
today.
Mr. Rogers, President of the Ameri-
can Bible Class, gave the Boys an interest-
ing talk this evening on his trip to Guam.
Beached scow for the winter.
Nov. 6 Cleaned Poulrry House and
put covering on strawberry bed.
Gymnasium floor is being re-oiled
and waxed.
Nov. 7 Hydrant houses were put on
today.
Assistant Treasurer Alfred C. Malm,
'00, Mrs. Malm and son John, visited the
School today.
Double header this afternoon. Team
D beat Team B, 20 to 3 and Team C
defeated Team A, 22 to 12.
Nov. 8 Boys enjoyed the privilege
of the chapel as a reading room for the
first time tonight.
Nov. 9 Killed hog, dressed to weigh
320 pounds.
Joe Lorraine, Y. M. C. A. entertain-
er, made his annual visit to the School
and entertained the Boys during the even-
ing.
Nov. 10 Finished ploughing head-
land on South End.
Put sheathing on the "Pilgrim" and
painted her.
Nov. 11 Repaired track to door on
stock barn.
Armistice Day, half holiday. Appro-
priate exercises were held in chapel.
Manager Foster was present and presented
to the Senior Class a School banner, made
of the School colors, blue and gold, with
the School seal in the corner.
Annual Alumni meeting was held this
evening at Young's Hotel. New officers
elected are printed at top of Alumni page
of the Beacon.
Teams A and D played during the
noon hour. The score was a tie 19 to 19.
Nov. 12 Finished ploughing piece
by Farm House and began ploughing by
Power House.
Nov. 13 John Goodhue, '21, is here
for the afternoon.
Nov. 14 Last scheduled football
game of the season. Team D won from
Team B, 21-12.
Team C, Howard Costello, Captain,
won the Crosby shield. Team C won five
of the six games it played.
Nov. 16 Cleaned gutter on New
Barn and also cleaned the cellar in the
New Barn. Began putting on storm win-
dows.
Nov. 17 Put in brace supporter in
cellar of Old Barn. Killed hog weighing
310 lbs. when dressed-
Nov. 18 Commenced work on dike
at South End.
Nov. 19 Hauled gravel to finish re-
pair on wall in rear of the Power House.
Nov. 20 The fall ploughing was com-
pleted today. Cattle inspector was here.
Nov. 21 Fifteen boys attended the
Harvard — Yale game, acting as ushers.
External inspection of the boilers at the
Power House and in the Steamer
"Pilgrim" was made today.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Clarence Stevens, '25, is here for over
the week end.
Nov. 24 Completed painting and
repairing farm wagons today.
Nov. 24 Oiled harness.
Thirty-five members of the Pierian
Sodality Orchestra of Harvard, accompa-
nied by Mr. Walter I. Tibbetts, gave the
Boys an unusually fine concert in Chapel
this evening. Mr, Stanton, the leader,
gave a very interesting account of the
orchestra since its organization in 1808.
Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day. Two
big football games today. The smaller
boys representing the University of Illinois
and Yale played in the morning. Illinois,
won 6 to 0. In the afternoon the Harvard
and Yale game resulted in a tie 6 to 6.
Nov. 27 Clifton Albee, '23, came to
spend the night.
Nov. 28 Warren Burriss, '25, is vis-
iting the School for the afternoon.
Manager Thomas J. Evans, '64, came
this afternoon to spend Sunday.
Nov. 30 Killed hog which dressed
406 pounds.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
Nov. 8 James Frank Frazier died
today. While here at the School he was
one of our best boys,
Nov. 10 Went to City, the boat
leaving me at the Point. It became so
rough and stormy from the East that I
came home via Squantum thinking it too
bad for the Boys to cross. After rowing
myself home from Mr. Reed's found that
the Boys had gone over to South Boston,
the wind being fair, but were unable to
return tonight.
Nov. 11 Awfully rough. The Boys
came all right this morning having stayed
at Church Home last night.
Nov. 12 Carried fourteen bbls. on-
ions to city, the last for this season.
Nov. 15 Went for flour and also
brought home 850 bricks for the cistern.
Nov, 16 Mason came to lay cistern
in Farm House and a carpenter came to
do repair work.
Nov. 17 One of the very worst days
I ever knew. It has blown a perfect gale
from the N. W. all day without the least
let up. The Emma boat sunk at her
moorings. The steamer labored hard and
the floating wharf is badly injured.
Nov. 22 Cold. Dressed thirty-two
turkeys and two hogs.
Put on double windows and threshed
rye.
Nov. 23 To city with steamer.
Carried up 150 lbs. of turkey to Mr. Bird
at Faneuil Hall Market.
Nov, 25 Thanksgiving Day. Pres-
ent of graduates, William Follansbee, Joe
Kelley, Frank Crehore, Donald Hatch,
George Hartman, Augustus Doe, Henry
Lobes, Arley Dudley, Joe McCabe, Geo.
Clune, and Eugene Roucarty.
Nov. 26 Men here to make cradle
for the Steamer. Placed the cradle, but
too windy to get boat on.
Nov. 29 Another fearfully windy
day and cold.
The funeral services of Vice President
Wilson took place today and his remains
were interned in Natick, his home.
Nov, 30 Very cold, one degree below
zero, with plenty of ice and more making.
Continued from Page 3
SIXTH CLASS
There are many things for which I
am thankful, I am thankful I have a
mother and that she does not have to
worry over me. I am thankful I am here
with my two brothers on Thompson's
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON 7
Island. I am thankful we have a minister Thanksgiving Day
who teaches us to live nearer to God. I -ru i x- • ^ t^ u ^ -.u u
, , , , , 1 hanks^iving Day be^an with a cold
am thankful we have teachers so we may , ... ^ , • i ,,
, , , r , c and biting west wind, so the prospects
get a good education. 1 am thankful tor ^ - j x i r .u n
,, , , . ^ , , r 1 were not good for our annual football
all the things God does for us. I . • ^u • ., u . .u
, \. , , , , , ^ames; one in the morning between the
am thankful for the Instructors who n u u • .i r.
. , , smaller boys, another in the afternoon
teach us right from wrong. , ^ ^u i ^ u
, ,_ n ,, . . between the larger boys
Kenneth P. Van Meter *^ ., r> nrv » i i
We worked until 9:00 o clock and
I am thankful that we worship a good then were dismissed for the rest of the day.
Lord, and that we have a good minister, The game between the smaller boys began
who helps us to live closer to Him. 1 at 9:30 sharp. The two teams, Illinois vs.
am thankful for my dear mother and Yale, played very good football. At the
grandmother. I am thankful for the In- close of the game the score stood Illinois
structors, who teach us right from wrong. 6 — Yale 0.
I am thankful that we have a day set aside Then came the thing which to every
for Thanksgiving. boy in these states, where we observe
Karl R. Adarrs Thanksgiving, is the happiest ti me of the
November Meteorology yf.^'' except Christmas,-his"Thanksgiving
Dinner. We had for dinner: turkey, sweet
Maximum Temperature 70° the 13th. potatoes, gravy, squash, cranberry sauce.
Minimum Temperature 14^ the 29ih. celery, bread and butter, mince pie, apples,
. Mean Temperature for the month 45' . oranges, bananas, grapes, raisins, and nuts.
Total Precipitation 2.13 inches. After dinner the wind had gone down
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours considerably and the sun was welcomed
.60 inch on the 16th. ^-^^ -^^ warmth. At two-thirty the ball
Five days with .01 or more inches ^^^ kicked off for our annual game be-
precipitation, 13 clear days, 5 partly tween two teams under the assumed names
cloudy, 12 cloudy. of Harvard and Yale. This game being
The Farm and Trades School Bank t^^ big event cheering squads yelled their
Statement December 1, 1925 '^^d^^^' ^^"^^ P'^^^^' ^^He penuantS and
tags with witty remarks on them were dis-
■RPSOllRf^FS
U. S. Securities $ 500 00 P'^^^"^" ^^'' ^^^.^ P''^^^^ ^° ^' ^"'^ °^
^, , ^^ , ,^ life and very exciting. The teams tied the
Other Investments 761.45 r ^
score 0 — 6.
^^^" JJ,b.oo jp, t|-jg evening we enjoyed moving
$1486.81 pictures and some stereoptican slides of
LIABILITIES ^^^ School and its surroundings. This
^ , n. .^i ,^ ended a happy day. After taps we all
Surp us S 454.15 I J ■ . u J u 1 f I f »u
^ «^ w . w crawled into bed very thankful for the
^^Po^'^^ 1032.66 events of the day and with thoughts turn-
$ 1486.81 ed toward Christmas.
WILLIAM R.WARNocK RALPH HMARTis We are, I am sure, all very thankful
President Cashier and grateful to those Managers. Instruct-
HENRY A. SCHRAMM ors, and fHeiids, who made the day and
Teller dinner what it was. Howard S. Costello
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che fliumni JlssocUtion of Cbe Jam ana trades School
Merton p. Ellis, '97. President Alfred C. Malm. '00, Vice-President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Secretary
4 Martin Road. Milton Melrose, Thompson's Island
Augustus N. Doe. '75. Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14. Historian
Wellesley Walpole
The twenty-sixth annual meeting of
the Alumni Association was held on
Wednesday evening, November 11th, at
Young's Hotel, Boston, with President
Davis in charge.
Reports were read. The Alumni
Fund report showed that $8173.00 had
been contributed to date. Ten new mem-
bers were added during the year and the
attendance at the gatherings were as fol-
lows: - Annual dinner 70, semi-annual
meeting 14, field day 182, and annual
meeting 24.
The following were elected to office
for the ensuing year:
President, Merton P. Ellis, '97, Milton,
Mass.; Vice-President, Alfred C. Malm,
'00, Melrose, Mass.; Secretary, Elwin C.
Bemis, '16, Thompson's Island; Treasurer,
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Wellesley, Mass.;
Historian, Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Wal-
pole, Mass.
We were next favored with remarks
by Supt. Swasey of the School. He re-
ferred to the composite picture of the
Curtis Club on the walls of the meeting
room which included former Managers,
Melvin O. Adams, Fred P. Field, Charles
T. Gallagher, and Richard M. Saltonstall.
Recent happenings at the School have
been the Armistice Day exercises, at which
a Farm and Trades School banner was
presented by Walter B. Foster, '79. Four
large tables with chairs have been placed
in the chapel for the convenience of the
boys wishing to read in the evening, the
present reading room being too small. A
letter was read from Solomon B. Holman,
'50, now in his 88th year, regretting his in-
ability to be present. The annual dinner
was announced for Wednesday evening,
January 13th, 1926, at the Hotel Bellevue,
Boston, at 6:30 o'clock. The meeting
adjourned at 9:45 o'clock. Those present
included: William Alcott, '84, Elwin C.
Bemis, '16, George Buchan, '97, Will F.
Davis, '79, Augustus N. Doe, '75, Merton
P. Ellis, '97, Walter B. Foster, '79, Ralph
H. Gilbert, '16, James H. Graham, '79.
Clarence P. Hobson, '25, Leroy S. Ken-
field, '82, G. George Larsson, T7, David
E. Long, '22, Alfred C. Malm, '00.
William A, Morse, '76, Samuel L. White-
head, '23, and Ernest V. Wyatt, '12.
Committees for 1926
Membership
Merton P. Ellis, Chairman
William Alcott
Elwin C. Bemis .
David E. Long
Alfred C. Malm
Entertainment
James H. Graham, Chairman
Elwin C. Bemis
Edward Capaul
Merton P. Ellis
G.George Larsson
Finance
President. Secretary, Treasurer
Alumni Fund •
Walter B. Foster, Chairman
Augustus N. Doe
Will F. Davis
James A. Graham
Alfred C. Malm
Nominating
Will F. Davis, Chairman
Harold W. Edwards
Clarence W. Loud
Auditing
William A. Morse, Chairman
George W. E. Bvers
Ralph H. Gilbert
Vol. 29 No. 9 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Jan. 1926
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston. Mass.. as Second Class tnitter. under Act of Congress of July 16. 1874
Christmas
Christmas was a happy day for all of
us at The Farm and Trades School. The
night before Christmas, the Instructors
tried to get "Merry Christmas" on us, but
did not succeed. When we awoke the
next morning, our stockings were filled
with good things to eat, such as chocolates,
fruit, peanuts, candy, nuts, and apples.
After breakfast we were told by the
Supervisor that we would be dismissed
from our work at nine o'clock. When
the time came, the Band boys dressed in
cloaks, marched with the other Boys of
the School down to the barn, where the
Supervisor stationed certain boys at dif-
ferent places. We did this to wish Dr.
Bancroft a "Merry Christmas" as he went
by. We all thought he would be our
Santa Claus this year, but were mistaken.
When the Steamer landed. Dr. Bancroft
got ofT first and Santa Claus followed.
Then all of the Boys helped to pull
them in the carriage to the house. At ten
o'clock we went to the assembly hall, and
waited for our presents to be distributed.
Soon Santa took of!" his mask. Behold!
it was Captain Peterson. All the Boys
were pleased with their presents. From
the School each boy received a gift that
was greatly appreciated.
The trees were all lighted with bright
colored lights. The big tree was loaded
and had all our presents around it. It
looked very beautiful to us.
William N. West
The Christmas Concert
Each year a Christmas concert is
given by the Boys. It is held in chapel
the Sunday before Christmas.
About two or three weeks before, we
began rehearsing. A choir of about
twenty voices was selected from the Boys.
The program consisted of songs by the
choir, recitations, and special musical
numbers. One thing interested us partic-
ularly. It was a vocal solo rendered by
Leslie Brown, accompanied by a brass
quartet.
Chapel was decorated very prettily
this year, which helped us to enjoy our
Christmas concert and other festivities.
Everyone enjoyed the program as it was
a very pleasing one. The program was as
follows: —
Program
SONG
PRAYER
Choir
Mr. Quine
RESPONSIVE READING
Albert Cheney
SONG
Hail Your King
The Song of Love
RECITATION
PLAYLET
Choir
Visit of the Wise Men
George Hamilton
The Christmas Flowers
Eleven Boys
At Starlight Time
Waldo Waters
CLARINET QUARTET Silent Night
Arthur Turner, Ralph Swan. Jr., Thomas Hall,
Alton Butler
RECITATION The Best Tree
SOLO
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Almon Whitmore
RECITATION The Modern Miracle
Waldo Waters
SONG Let the Bells Ring Out
Choir
RECITATION Christmas in France
Douglas Holton
SOLO The Holy Child
John Taylor
EXERCISE The Message Old
Horace Taylor, George Taylor, Carl Wijk
SONG Tht Story of the Morn
Choir
RECITATION The Christmas Snow
Kenneth James
BRASS QUARTET with VOCAL SOLO
Mi'rry, Merry Christmas Bells
Leslie Brown
Raynnond Thomas, Marshall Hall, William Reeve.
Bradbury Rand
RECITATION J Christmas Legend
William Young
SONG From Far Away
Choir
RECITATION ' Twas the Night Before Christmas
Kenneth Van Meter
DUET Night of Nights
Marshall Hall. Carl Carlson
RECITATION A Russian Legend
George Poole
SONG Hail to Thee
Choir
George O. Poole
Making a Christmas Present
One Saturday afternoon I went down
to the sloyd room with several other
Boys to make presents for my friends.
Every year it is a custom of all the
Boys who have had sloyd or who are tak-
ing the course to make presents for their
friends at home.
I started a reed tray first. I cut the
spokes for the sides and handles. When
this was done I soaked them in water for
fifteen minutes before I started to weave.
When I had them all in the bottom of the
tray, I started to bend them over. Taking
any spoke first and by skipping the next
one, I put it in back of the third one. I
kept going around in this order until I had
all the spokes turned down and the tray
then sat evenly on a table. I then began
to weave the reed around these spokes
making the sides and handles. I finished
my tray that afternoon and shellaced it,
leaving it to dry.
I enjoy making presents for my friends
because I know they will enjoy them more
if they are hand made. It is a very happy
boy who sends presents of his own making
to his friends and folks at home.
Hildreth R. Crosby
Greeting Doctor Bancroft
Doctor Bancroft has been our School
doctor and freind for a number of years.
He generally comes each Christmas morn-
ing to spend the day with us. We try to
give him the best time possible.
Thisyear the Band marched down to
the Wharf to meet him, as he came across
on the Steamer. Ten boys drew the car-
riage in which he was to ride. The rest
of the Boys were hidden around the Boat
House, Back Road, Power House, and
Gardner Hall so that when the Band and
carriage came along they could jump out
and call "Merry Christmas" to him. W$
enjoyed doing this very much.
William H. Van Meter
Plucking a Duck
One Saturday while I was working in
the barn, a boy came in and asked if any
boy knew how to pluck the feathers from
a duck. I raised my hand and told him
that I knew how. The Instructor let me
go up to the basement of Gardner Hall,
where the duck was.
It was a wild duck that Mr. Swasey
had shot a few days before. The duck
looked nice and plump with its feathers
on, but when they were taken otT he looked
very small. After the duck was roasted,
I had a piece of the wing, which was very
tender and good.
Thomas J. Kenney, Jr.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Grade Prizes
Each half year money prizes are giv-
en out to the ten boys whose conduct has
been the best for that period of time.
These prizes are given by Francis Shaw, a
former manager and friend of the School.
On Monday, December 14, 1925, the
semi-annual grade prizes were given out.
The total amount of money is $25.00; first
prize being $5.00, down to 10th prize
of $1.00. We are always interested to
know who wins the grade prizes and as
each boy steps up to get his prize, he is
given good applause by the other boys.
The happy winners are as follows:
Rank Name Amount
1st William Ronald Warnock $5.00
2nd Raymond Thomas 3.25
3rd Jack H. Hobson 3.00
4th Fredrick Austin 2.75
5th Ross Summers Lloyd 2.50
6th George Johnston Knott 2.25
7th Raymond B. Chamberlain 2.00
8th Theodore Lee Vitty 1.75
9th Thomas Augustus Hall 1.50
10th William Marshall Hall 1.00
There are also the Temple Consola-
tion prizes given by Mr. Hallowell, our
treasurer, given to the five boys who just
miss getting a grade prize. These prizes
used to be given by Thomas Temple, a
Manager. When he died, Mr. Hallowell
consented to keep giving them. These
books are always of interest. The five
boys to receive prizes are:
11th Arthur Royal Turner - The
American Boys' Handy Book.
12th PVancis Elwin Floyd - Friends
and Rivals.
13th Howard Salisbury Costello -
The Boy Scientest.
14th Alton Bassett Butler - The
Book of Athletics.
15th James McCall Libby
Basketball.
James M. Libby
The Harvard Orchestra
During grade reading one evening,
Mr. Swasey announced that a part of the
Harvard Orchestra was coming here the
evening of November 24th, to entertain us.
All the Boys were happy when they heard
this. We all looked forward to this hap-
py time. This was brought about through
the kindness of our good friend, Mr.
Walter I. Tibbetts.
The Orchestra has an interesting
history. It was organized in 1808. Its
purpose then was to entertain friends in
the surrounding community. Later, it
adopted a more serious mission, and
decided to play only classical music. In
this way it helped to educate the musical
taste of the general public. It is known
as the Pierian Sodality.
Thirty-five members came. They
gave a wonderful program under the di-
rection of their conductor, Mr. Stanton.
It was he who told us about its beginning.
We greatly appreciated this rare treat.
Herbert E. Gove
Carols
Every year on Christmas Eve, carols
are sung outside the windows, this year I
was a caroler. We started to practice about
a week before Christmas. On Christmas
Eve, after the other boys went to bed, the
carolers started to sing. We sung our first
song up by the Gardens and the next one
in the Court, we went to the different cor-
ners of the house when we sang the
others. Money was thrown to us by Mr.
Swasey, our Superintendent, and Instruct-
ors. We thanked them for it.
Then we went up to the apartments
where we had lunch and saw some moving
pictures of the School. We also counted
our money and had $12.35. We put $5.00
aside for charity. When the rest of the
money was divided among us, we each had
39 cents. Ralph I. Swan, Jr.
THOMPSONS ISLAND BEACON
Cb)iiip$on'$ Island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby
Jack H. Hobson
Editor
Asso. Editor
Vol.29 No. 9
January, 1926
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul P. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
{Oriyinally printed September 21, 1897.)
Is There a Santa Glaus?
We take pleasure in answering at once and thus
prominently the communication below, expressing at
the same time our great gratification that its faithful
author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
"Dear Editor 1 am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no
Santa Claus.
"Papa says If you see it in The Sun it's so."
"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa
Claus?
'Virginia O'Hanlon.
"115 West Ninety-fifth street."
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They
have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical
age. They do not believe except they see. They
think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible
by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether
they be men's or children's, are little. In this great
universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his
intellect, as compared with the boundless world about
him, as measured by the intelligence capable of
grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists
as certainly as love and generosity and devotion
exist, and you know that they abound and give to
your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how
dreary would be the world if there were no Santa
Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no
Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then,
no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this exist-
ence. We should have no enjoyment, except in
sense and sight. The eternal light with which child-
hood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well
not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to
hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas
eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not
see Santa Claus coming down, what would that
prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no
sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real
things in the world are those that neither children nor
men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on
the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that
they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imag-
ine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in
the world.
You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what
makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering
the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor
even the united strength of all the strongest men
that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith,
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that
curtain and view, and picture the supernal beauty and
glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this
world there is nothing else so real and abiding.
No Santa Glaus! Thank God! he lives, and
he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Vir-
ginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now,
he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
— Gourti^syof The Xt-w York Sioi
Calendar
Dec. 2 Dragged Beach Road, work-
ed on dike and ploughed corn field.
Repaired door to Root Cellar and
began whitewashing the basement of New
Barn.
Dec. 4 Repaired horse stall.
Assistant Treasurer Alfred C. Malm,
'00, was here for the afternoon.
Dec. 5 President Arthur Adams,
Managers Leverett Saltonstall, George L.
DeBlois and James H. Lowell, were here
this afternoon to consider proposed im-
provements.
John Schippers, '21, and Clarence
Hobson, Advanced Course '25, are here
for the week end.
Dec. 7 Repaired door to Old Barn.
Dec. 9 Dragged Highland Road to
Compost Shed.
Alton Butler, Manager of Trading
Company, Assistant Manager Thomas
Hall, and Clerk Ross Lloyd, went in town
this afternoon to purchase goods for their
holiday opening.
Dec. 12 Cleaned beach.
Barton N. Slade, '22, came this after-
noon to spend Sunday.
Dec. 14 Completed painting bakery.
The Shaw and Temple prizes were
awarded after Grade Reading tonight to
those boys excelling in conduct during the
past six months.
Dec. 16 Gathered drift wood and
built winter covering for the bees.
Dec. 17 Trees and holly arrived to-
day for Christmas decoration.
Dec. 18 George D. Russell, '25, is
visiting here briefly during the holiday re-
cess at Colby Academy.
Dec. 19 Hauled seaweed.
Manager Philip S. Sears is here for
the afternoon.
Howard Sturtevant, Grammar Course,
'24. came over for the afternoon. He is
spending the Christmas vacation with his
mother in Brookline.
Kenneth Kearns, Advanced Course '24,
is here for the week end, having come
from Brewster Academy to spend Christ-
mas with his sister in Boston.
Finished the painting of the printing
office today.
Dec. 20 Christmas Concert this even-
ing. Unusually fine program by the
Boys.
Dec. 21 Cleaned Poultry House.
Managers Charles Wiggins, 2nd, and
Mr. John G. Wiggins of Pomfret, Conn.,
visited the School this afternoon.
Clarence Stevens, Advanced Course'25
spent the afternoon here.
Dec. 22 Sorted potatoes and butch-
ered hog.
Dec. 23 Boys began sending out their
presents today which they have made in
the sloyd room.
Dec. 24 Harold Buchan, '23, em-
ployed by the Vermont Marble Company
in Proctor, Vermont, is here for the after-
noon.
Everyone busy finishing preparations
for Christmas.
This evening the carol singers instilled
the spirit of Christmas with their songs as
they walked around about the buildings.
Dec. 25 Christmas day. The Boys
enjoyed their tree at 10:30 this morning
and Santa Claus accompanied by Doctor
Bancroft came over early to help make
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
things "Merry."
In the afternoon there was an enter-
tainment in the assembly hall by Pearsal
and Eccles of the White Entertainment
Bureau.
Dec. 26 Veterinary was here this
afternoon.
Dec. 27 Ivers E. Winmill, '25, and
Kenneth A. Priest, '25, Advanced Course,
spent the week end here.
Dec. 29 Warren Burriss,'25, Advan-
ced Course, and Robert Giese, '21, were
here today.
Dec. 30 Worked on woodpile.
Moved everything from the west loft.
Waldo Libby, '22, a junior at Keene
High School, Keene, N. H., came to
spend the night.
Basketball choose-up tonight. Team
A, Raymond Thomas, Captain; Team B,
James Libby, Captain: Team C, George
Libby, Captain; Team D, Howard Costello,
Captain.
Dec. 31 Clifton Albee, Advanced
Course, '23, and R. McQuesten, Advanc-
ed Course '25, came tonight to spend
New Years'.
Dancing party in the assembly hall
tonight to welcome in the New Year,
Twenty-six boys accompanied by two
Instructors attended a Christmas party at
the Metropolitan Theatre this morning.
This opportunity was made possible by
Miss Robertson, a social worker at the
North End Mission.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1875
As Kept by the Superintendent
Dec. 6 Messrs. S. E. Brackett and
S. G. DeBlois visited us today.
Dec. 7 Mr. Bibber and man came
and assisted me in hauling the Steamer
out.
I arose at 3:30 this morn to place her
on the cradle by lantern light, and had
splendid luck. We got her up without
accident.
Dec. 13 Carried 12 pigs to Mr. Reeds',
Squantum, for Mr. A. D. Weld. Had
very good going over but very hard com-
ing back as the wind blew very rapidly.
Dec. 15 Went to city via Squantum,
taking George L. Nichols to Mr. Edward
C. Rand who has a place for him with
Lawrence Weld & Co., upholsters.
Dec. 28 Was visited by Messrs.
Eliot, DeBlois, Homans and Storer of the
Committee on School.
The year closes with ninety-nine boys
in school at an average of 12 yrs. 10 mos.
Twenty-two have been admitted during
the year and fourteen have been discharg-
ed. Whole number for the year, 113.
The farm has produced well: hay, 95
tons; corn, 70 bu.; rye, 20; barley, 25;
oats, 20; beans, 8; potatoes, 700; mangles,
300; table beets, 200; carrots, 150; onions,
175; cabbage, 700 heads; apples, very light
crop, 16 bbls; pears, 5 bbls; veal, 583 lbs.;
fowl, 361 lbs.; lamb and mutton 409 lbs.;
pork, 2200 lbs.
The stock consists of one horse, two
oxen, fifteen cows, two heifers, IS months
old, one Jersey bull, 3 years old. one bull,
8 months old, 27 sheep, 75 fowls.
December Meteorology
Maximum Temperature 55° the 8th.
Minimum Temperature 6"^ the 27th,
29th, and 30th.
Mean Temperature for the month 31 .
Total Precipitation 4.60 inches.
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
1.79 inch on the 3rd.
Six days with .01 or more inches
precipitation, 20 clear days, 1 partly
cloudy, 10 cloudy.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON 7
The Farm and Trades School Bank tors and said, "Good Night."
Statement January 1, 1926 We thank Mr. Swasey very much for
RESOURCES giving us the chance to dance. We all
U. S. Securities $ 500.00 enjoyed the dance and hope to have more
Other Investments 761.45 in the future.
„ , o^T nn Willis B. Drake
Cash 242.99
$1504.44 Oiling the Tower Bell
One day the Supervisor asked me if I
'^•^^'^''^'^^ would like to oil the tower bell. Of course
Surplus $ 453.65 I wanted to, because this would be a new
Deposits 1050.79 experience for me. He told me to go
$ 1504.44 down to the drawer-room and put on my
sneakers. Then he told me to go up to
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK RALPH H. MARTIS . . . , • r i •
„ ., „ ^. the east-loft and wait for him.
rresident Cashier .. i i -i i i • •
HENRY A. SCHRAMM I" ^ ''"le while he Came up, bringing
jgjjg^ a long rope. Then he tied the rope
around my waist and let me sit on the win-
New^ Year's Dance dow-sill. My brother and the Supervisor
New Year's Eve all the Boys in the held the rope while I slid down the roof
first three grades who wished to dance until I came to the gutter. Then I moved
the Old Year out and a New year in were along the gutter, and climbed up along the
told to get washed, put on their uniforms roof until 1 came to the bell. The Super-
and wait in the assembly room until visor threw me an oilcan. Then I started
everyone was ready. to oil the bell, which was very rusty.
We then marched to chapel at eight Then the bell was tried to see if
o'clock. The Instructors and Mr. and it rang more clearly, and it did. I like to
Mrs. Swasey came in, and the orchestra oil the bell very much,
played for a grand march. Leslie W. Brown
The orchestra consisted of Mr. Making A Type Book
Kihlstrom, piano; Thomas and McLenna, Recently in the printing office we
cornets; Mr. Ayer and Jack Hobson, vi- have been making a type book. We first
olins; M. Hall, trombone; C. Albee, bar- set up the Recut Caslon type, then the
itone; R. McQuesten and Gove, bass; Gothic and so forth. The type was next
A. Turner, clarinet; Drake, drum. locked in a chase and put on the small
It was a very good orchestra and we press. It was run off by one of the boys,
danced until ten o' clock when we had Next we arranged them in order, and we
intermission. Mr. Swasey gave each one began making the cover. The cover was
a box of candy. We then danced till five of heavy brown stock with two halftones
minutes of twelve. The piano began to on the front, representing pine cones,
play a note that sounded like a bell. It The book is very helpful in finding type
was lowered and went almost away. Then that puzzles us and we appreciate it very
it came back again and gave a loud bang. ^uch. We are now planning to make a
Everybody called out, "Happy New book of cuts, halftones, and ornaments
^^^'"- which will also be very helpful.
We then shook hands with the Instruc- Chester P. Lindgren
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
the JHumiti Association of Cbe farm ana trades School
Merton p. Ellis, '97, President Alfred C. Malm, '00, Vice-President Elwin C. Bemis. '16, Secretary
4 Martin Road, Milton Melrose Thompson's Island
Augustus N. Doe. '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
J. H. Partridge, '55, has sent us the
ollowin^ letter on request, of his record
S. Army, from '62
U.
as a soldier in the
to '65.
"I enlisted in the spring of '62 in the
2nd Massachusetts Cavalry. At the time
I enlisted there were about thirty members
who were in barracks on Beach Street,
I'oston, in what was originally a meat mar-
kit. We had to use the stalls as bedrooms.
"The 2nd after I enlisted, the Colonel
' f the regiment came in and made him-
s If known to me by tapping me on the
s loulder and asking me my name. He
nsked me if I had ever done any military
service before. I told him I served two
> :?ars as Corporal in the Home Guard and
i.iat I was now sweet 16 years of age.
"He gave me a few orders as to taking
the names of those men who had arrived,
:■. id ordered some straw for the beds. He
i\ ive me a key to close up the barracks at
<) o'clock and ordered me to call the roll
■A 9 o'clock, and to also give him the re-
p )rt in the morning. There were men
old enough to be my Pa but nevertheless I
(i )ne the job. In the morning I reported
t . the Colonel whose name was Charles
Pv. Lowell of Boston, a graduate from
\\ est Point.
"He read my report and told me to
f^r jer the men into line. I did so. He
i! en stood up in front of the men and
s lid, T, as your Regimental Commander,
a 'point James H. Partridge as Coporalin
1 'e 2nd Massachusetts Cavalry.' My re-
(• rd shows that I served only one day as
;i Private in the Army. When I was dis-
c sarged July 1865, I was Commanding
Sergeant, Quartermaster Sergeant, and
Acting Orderly Sergeant.
"I was captured June 16, 1864, and was
released February 22nd, 1865, after all
that time in a prison pen and eating corn
meal and drinking brook water. I was
given a month's rest to regain my strength
after which I took up my former duties
until discharged July 1865.
"When I was discharged I was not
quite twenty years old. My Regiment
was in twenty one engagements, the last
one was at Lee's surrender."
Partridge's address is 103 Vernon
St. Norwood, Mass.
Charles E. Colson, '80, who will
be better remembered as "Pop" Colson.
is finishing 30 years' service in the U. S.
Navy Band at Charleston, N. C. He has
been playing alto and bass violin and
has a rating of first musician.
Merton P. Ellis, '97, who has been
elected president of the Alumni Associ-
ation, has completed a notable term as
secretary of the Association. He has been
active in the organization from its begin-
ning, when he was elected a vice president.
The next year he was made secretary.
That was twenty-three years ago. He has
served under every president of theAssoci-
ation, and has acquired a knowledge of the
Association and its personnel equalled by
no other person. Now he has been elect-
ed president, and is certain to fill the
office with the same fidelity and efficiency
that has marked all his work, both with
the Association and in the business world,
through-out his career.
Vol. 29 No. 10 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Feb. 1926
Entered November 23, 1903, at Boston, Mass., as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
The First Basketball Game of the Season
Friday, January 1, was New Year's
day. Teams A and B were scheduled to
play the first basketball game of the season
of 1926.
At nine o' clock in the morning the
Boys were dismissed from their work and
were allowed the rest of the day to them-
selves.
In the afternoon at 2 P. M. the game
started. It was a clean, fast game all the
way through, although it was rather one-
sided. Claggett was the outstanding player
for team A. Captain James Libby played
well for team B. The lineup was as follows;
Team A.
Position Player
Left Foward Raymond Thomas. (Capt.)
Right Foward Charles Claggett.
Center Arthur Blackwell.
Left Guard Clarence McLenna.
Right Guard Jack Hobson.
Substitute William Warnock.
Substitute Ralph Swan.
Team B.
Position Player
Right Guard Marshall Hall.
Left Guard Henry Gilchrist.
Center George Poole.
Right Forward James Libby. (Capt.)
Left Foward Cecil Morse.
Substitute Herbert Gove.
Substitute Christopher McFayden.
Score, Team A 41 - Team B 14.
Cecil A. Morse III
The Election
We have just begun a new term by
electing new Cottage Row Officers. We
held the election in the East Basement on
Tuesday night, January fifth. We used
the pigeon holes in the big rack for elec-
tion booths. The Officers for the coming
term are as follows:
William Warnock, Mayor
George Poole, Chief of Police
Arthur Turner, Clerk
Oilman Day, Assessor
Albert Cheney, Treasurer
Henry Schramm, Librarian
Theodore Vitty, Janitor
William Reeve, Street Commissioner
Patrolmen
Charles Claggett, Lieutenant
Howard Costello, Sergeant
James Hughes
Willis Drake
John Arkerson
Hildreth Crosby
Aldermen
Jack Hobson, Chairman, S. H,
Francis Floyd, S. H.
Howitt Warren, S. H.
Ralph Swan, N. S. H.
William Long, N. S. H.
Ralph L Swan Jr., II
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Instructors vs. Boys
Tuesday night, January 19th, the
Instructors played the Boys in a game of
basketball. At seven o'clock the School
team changed into their basketball suits.
We then went to the gymnasium and prac-
tised for about fifteen minutes. Then the
game started. At the end of the first
quarter the boys were leading by quite a
big score. The game was called in the
third quarter on account of one of the In-
structors wrenching his shoulder. The
boys won by a score of 29-3. The lineup
is as follows:
Boys
Raymond Fitch
Charles Clagget
Raymond Thomas
Marshall Hall
Willis Drake
Right Foward
Left Foward
Center
Right Guard
Left Guard
Subs
James Libby
James Hughes
John Arkerson
George Libby
Instructors
Mr. Tibbetts Right Foward
Mr. Walbridge Left Foward
Mr. Ayer Center
Mr. Swasey Right Guard
Mr. Jupillatt Left Guard
Raymond Thomas I
Skiing
One of the winter sports which the
boys like is skiing. When it snows a track
is made on one of the hills with a little
jump at the bottom. The boys try to
keep in the same track as much as possi-
ble to make it smooth and hard. A num-
ber of the boys have skiis which they
enjoy very much.
Thomas A. Hall II
Feeding Calves
Every morning when the Boys go
down to the Farm each one is thinking
what work will be assigned him to do.
One of the jobs that I like is feeding
the little calves. There are four of these in
one pen. When we go in to feed them
they all crowd around to get their meal.
It is fun for the one who feeds them because
he has to keep three of them away while
he feeds one at a time.
These four calves are very playful and
if one goes to the Barn he will generally
see them jumping around after each other.
Some times they are all lying together
asleep. I think calves are very interesting
and I like to feed them.
John A. Arkerson II
Feathered Friends
During the summer we see many
kinds of birds and insects. When the win-
ter comes most of them go away, but oth-
ers take their places. They are the pheas-
ants, ducks, and a few quail. The barn
swallows can be seen occasionally, but are
not as evident. In the fall the ducks be-
gin to come and they huddle upon the
shore on the East Side of our Island.
They often go on the end of the mud flats
to feed on the shell fish and refuse. A
few hunters often bagged several. Al-
though some of them were quite small
they make a good meal. After winter set
in their numbers increased and now there
are a great many of them.
The pheasants are funny birds to watch
with their quick movements, stately walk
and funny noises. They are to be seen in
the groves and plowed pieces feeding in
flocks of two or three, sometimes as many
as twenty or twenty-five. They often fight
against each other and seem to be stopped
by the approach of another one, perhaps
their leader. They are very timid and
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
hurry away at a run and launch themselves
into the air amid a loud squauking if dis-
turbed. They often come near the build-
ings and afford a queer sight.
There is also a black and white bird
that can be seen swimming in the harbor
near the shore that is amusing to watch.
He dives down to the bottom and feeds
and stays down about twenty seconds at
each time. He stays on top long enough
to get his breath and then goes down again.
William M.Hall II
A New Book
The Linc&ln Library
One morning, Mr. Swasey brought
into each schoolroom a book which he
had purchased entitled, "The Lincoln Li-
brary." It is very hejpful and contains
information about a multitude of things.
It contains pictures of noted authors,
inventors, artists, sculptors, etc. It also
gives true facts on botany, geology, history,
geography, and many other sciences.
When one wishes to know about the World
War he can open this book to a certain
place and get an interesting account of it
with illustrations. It has two thousand,
one hundred and seventy two pages. We
are very thankful for this book as we shall
be able to learn many facts from it. It is
very well bound with red covers.
William N. West III
Putting on Sheetrock
We are putting sheetrock on the walls
and ceiling in the West Loft. It is neces-
sary to handle the sheetrock very carefully
because the corners and edges chip easily.
It is a very interesting job, and requires
careful work. After the sheetrock is put
on, the cracks and nail holes with which it
is fastened on are covered with sheetrock
cement. This comes in cans with the
sheetrock. The sheetrock is cut to the
right dimensions by sawing it with an old
hand saw. We are making good progress
and doing a good job in the West Loft.
It will later be used for a dormitory.
Arthur R. Blackwell I
A Grade Party
One night at the seven o'clock line-up,
the Supervisor told all the first-graders to
stay in the assembly-room while the rest
filed to bed. We dressed warmly and got
our skates for a skating party. When we
arrived at the East Side of the Island, we
began to put on our skates. While we
were doing that, some of the other boys
kindled a bonfire. Then we skated, play-
ed games on the ice such as, "Crack-the-
Whip," tag, etc. Some of the boys began
to pop corn, which they had brought down.
They put melted butter and salt on the
corn, and it tasted very good to us. We
put out the fire and came up to the house.
We took care of our skates, then we had
doughnuts and cocoa for refreshments.
We lined up afterwards and went to bed,
happy.
Kenneth James VI
Skating
The Boys have had a fine time skating
on the Tennis Court and East Side.
Many Boys received skates for Christmas
from their dear friends at home. I re-
ceived a pair of tubular skates for Christ-
mas and I think a great deal of them. I
go skating quite often and I like it very
much.
The Boys play hockey most of the
time. Sometimes we form a line, hold-
ing on to each other, and skate as fast as
we can. The leader turns, stops, and the
boys on the end snap around at a fast rate.
The boy on the end releases his hold and
goes "whizzing" down to the other end
of the court. It is great fun "Snapping
the whip."
William R. Reeve III
THOMPSONS ISLAND BEACON
CI)Otnp$on'$ island Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS.
TUITION FEES AND SUSSCR 1 PTIONS.
James M. Libby Editor
Jack H. Hobson Asso. Editor
Vol.29 No. 10
February, 1926
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Yeai
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Hallowell
SECRETARY
Tucker Daiand
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBlois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
"I would know a great deal more if I
could forget a lot I should never have
learned" is a bit of philosophy handed
down to us by our Indian brothers. And
how much time we spend trying to forget.
"Al" Smith, governor of New York
state, stands as a person who seems to
have made the most of his time and
opportunities in accumulating worth while
knowledge. He was born and grew up on
the lower East Side of New York and re-
ceived no formal schooling after thirteen.
To say that he is a student would be mis-
leading for he has done little general read-
ing. But he has devoted his life to
studying human nature and human prob-
lems. Under the kindly but rigorous
schooling of Tom Foley, the Democratic
Tammany boss in his neighborhood, he
studied politics, and, in a larger sense,
statemanship. For Governor Smith
believes that the government ought to
solve the problems of the people and di-
rectly serve them. By his sense of fair
play and common sense in dealing with
problems, he commands even the respect
and attention of his enemies. He studies
his problem, insists on facts and figures
and carves away useless details. His mem-
ory is remarkable. He never has to guess
or draw vague conclusions. To an unusual
degree, this poor boy with few so-called
educational and social advantages, seems
to have acquired the faculty of distinguish-
ing between the wheat and the chatY. He
does not have to "forget a lot he should
never have learned", as the Redskin would
say.
Calender
Jan. 1 Skating on East Side, In the
evening the boys enjoyed F. T. S. movies
taken with the camera presented by the
Alumni Association. The film represents
different phases of a boy's life here at the
School. It is called "Dodger the Story of
a Boy and his Dog". Assistant Treasurer
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Alfred C. Malm, '00, with son, John, visit-
ed the School this morning.
Jan. 2 Clifton E. Albee, Advanced
Course '23, George Adams, '25, and Clar-
ence Hobson, '25, are here for a visit over
the holiday. Team D won from Team C
in basketball this afternoon 19-14.
Good skating on tennis court.
Jan. 5 The third term of school be-
gan today, following the Christmas recess.
Cottage Row Government elected officers
tonight for the ensuing term.
Jan. 7 Five new boys were admitted
today: John Belham, Richard LeRoy Bol-
ingbroke, Joseph Diamond, Eugene Ray-
mond Lurchin, Gordon Lewis Whalen.
Jan. 8 Started to build retaining wall
in front of site of David Thompson's cabin
to keep sea from washing,
Jan. 9 Hard northeast blizzard.
Jan. 10 Dr. Delano here.
Cleaned out hen house and pig pens.
Jan. 11 Frank A. Robbins '21, spent
the afternoon at the School.
Jan. 12 Began putting sheetrock on
walls of the West Loft today, preparatory
to using it as a dormitory.
Team D won from Team B tonight,
20-9.
Jan. 13 Annual Alumni Dinner held
at the Hotel Bellevue in Boston. George
Libby, '26, Head Proctor, and Raymond
Thomas, '26, President of the First Class,
represented the School.
Charles L. Wheeler, '26, who has
been ill with pneumonia for several weeks,
was removed to the City Hospital this
afternoon.
Walter Herman, '79, and Robert H.
May, '12, visisted us today.
Jan. 14 Dr. Delano here.
First graders had a skating party on
East Side tonight.
Jan. 16 Winter sports are holding
full sway. Conditions ideal.
Basketball game resulted in Team D
defeating Team A, 24-11.
Jan. 17 Alfred W. Jacobs. '10, with
Mrs. Jacobs and Stephen, spent the day
here.
Jan. 18 Hard rain took ofT most of
the snow.
Dr. Delano here.
Started to reinforce the brick arches
in Wood Cellar.
Jau. 19 Killed hog which weighed
331 pounds dressed.
The Instructors played the Boys in
basketball this evening, the latter winning
29-3.
Jan. 20 Boys had size up tonight,
new numbers were given out and new
monitors appointed.
Jan. 21 Hauled gravel on Highland
Road today.
Jan. 22 Salted down pork and sort-
ed potatoes at the Root Cellar.
Jan. 23 Stanley W. Higgins.'25,and
David Long, '22, are here for the afternoon,
Jan. 25 Two crates containing 52
hens received today.
Jan. 26 First ice of season in harbor
this morning.
New sash put in kitchen window.
Cottage Row trial this evening.
Jan. 27 Manager Walter B. Foster,
'78, was here for the afternoon.
Jan. 28 General Achievement Tests
are being given to the Boys of all Classes
this week.
Extremely cold tonight, ice forming.
Jan. 29 Continues cold.
Busy today keeping water pipes in
barn from freezing.
Put trucks on barn door.
Mr. Williams came to go over the
proposed changes in plumbing for the new
dormitory-
Donald McKenzie, '25, spent the
afternoon at the School.
6 THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1876 MeanTemperaturefor the month 25.
As Kept by the Superintendent ^qj^j Precipitation .82 inches.
Jan. 1 The year ushered in by a day Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
so warm and spring Hke - so out of season AO inch on the 10th.
that it is almost uncomfortable, and yet Six days with .01 or more inches
delightful. precipitation, 8 clear days, 12 partly
Jan. 2 Warm, 62 degrees at noon. , , ., , ,
, ^ ^ , . , . J cloudy, 11 cloudy.
Jan. o Lialm in the morning and
until 3:30 P. M. when a gale commenced j^ie Forging Class
from the west. Four men were blown a-
shore from off City Point. Each Friday afternoon some of the
Jan. 8 To city with annual report boys of the First Class have forging. In
and to settle with the treasurer. ^'^^ Forging Room are seven anvils and
Jan. 13 Windy. Self and one boy f"^'' Gorges. The class consists of eight
went for Dr. Shaw who is connected with boys under Mr. K.hlstrom, the Sloyd In-
the Overseers of the Poor who came to structor.
see what boys were here who would be for '^^^ere is a set of models for us to do
aid from the Boylstone Fund. before we finish. These models include
Jan. 27 Carried thirty pairs of boots bending, twisting, welding, etc. During
over to be tapped ^^^ ^^^^ lessons, our Instructor showed us
Jan. 31 A comfortable day. To city ^bout starting the fire of the forge and
with boat and got seats and other fixings bow to keep it supplied with coke. He
for the schoolroom. ^^^° showed us the difference between iron
and steel, by their different rings. All the
The Farm and Trades School Bank boys of the Forging Class enjoy this work,
c» * * c u 1 iQo^ and are thankful to the Instructor who
Statement rebruary 1, 1926
teaches us. After a boy has finished his
RESOURCES 1 , . , ,
U. S. Securities ..... .$500.00 course he may make a bridge lamp or
^, J OA'^ ^'^ something for himself.
Other Investments 942.13 Alonzo G. Dav I
Cash 199.53
$1641.66 Cottage Row
During the winter there is less activity
LIABILITIES _ ^„ A • • ,j
on Cottage Row. As it is too cold to use
^^''P'"^ ^ 466.39 jj^g cottages in the winter they are board-
Deposits 1175.27 ed up in the late fall before the winter sets
$ 1641.66 in. Pennants, pictures, and other articles
are taken from the walls and are all pack-
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK RALPH H. MARTlS , , , mi f
„ ., ^ „ . . ed away where the snow will not harm
rresident Cashier ■■
HENRY A. SCHRAMM them. In this way they are left throughout
Teller tbe winter.
As spring comes again, bringing signs
January Meteorology °f good weather, the cottages are opened
up. The little paths are all relaid with
Maximum Temperature 54° the 18th clay and ashes. Window-panes are re-
Minimum Temperature 3" the 29tht placed and set, roofs shingled, and the
\
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
cottages painted if necessary. Then the
pennants, pictures, and curtains are put up
• and we wait for the first Friends' Day
which is so much looked forward to by all
the boys. The cottages are used contin-
ually throughout the summer.
Christopher McFadyen V
The Knight's Toast
(To a Mother)
The other day for our English lesson,
we had to learn a poem entitled "The
Knight's Toast". The story tells of a ban-
quet held for the nobles at a certain castle
in England. St. Leon, a knight, is the
chief character of the poem. After Stan-
ley, the host, had said that each noble was
to stand on his feet and give a toast to the
lady of his heart, St. Leon arose and said
that his toast meant more than any pledg-
ed by other guests at the banquet. At this
all the other nobles jumped to their feet
and handled their swords, with their eyes
flashing angrily:
And Stanley said "We crave the name,
Proud knight, ot this most proud and peerless dame,
Whose love you count so high."
St. Leon paused as if he would
Not betray her name in careless mood, thus lightly to
another
Then bent his noble head as though
To give that word the reverence due
And gently said, "MY MOTHER".
It is thought that Sir Walter Scott
wrote this poem. It shows St. Leon's loy-
alty to his mother. Every Farm and
Trades School boy feels more or less the
way this knight did. Carl O. G. Wijk IV
The Three Kinds of People
There are three kinds of people in the
world.
The wills, the won'ts and the can'ts.
The first accomplish everything.
The second oppose everything.
The third fail in everything.
What kind of a person are you?
Thomas J. Kenney VI
The Milker's Routine
P'ive o'clock in the morning the
watchman awakens me. I get dressed and
go down to the barn with the other
milkers. After we finish we bring up the
milk to the kitchen. Then we get washed
for breakfast, and have the rest of the time
until breakfast lineup, to read, play
marbles, etc.
We take a magazine or a book in the
dining room to read after we finish eating.
We come out from breakfast at seven
o'clock. Some of us go to School and
others to dilTerent departments. At quarter
past eleven, the bell rings and we come
from our different departments to get
washed for dinner. We line up at half
past eleven and file into the dining room.
We come out from dinner at twelve
o'clock then we have an hour to play, go
to the sloyd room or band hall and do
many other things, if we are in the right
grade. Then the bell rings for us to get
ready to go to school or to our different
departments.
The boys that went to school in the
morning, go to difTerentdepartments in the
afternoon. The bell rings again at five
o'clock and we line up (the milkers) and
we give a report. Then we get our pails
and milk cans and march down to the
Barn. We finish our work, about quarter
of six. We clean up, and bring up the
milk to the Kitchen. Then we get washed
and go in to supper. We come out as
soon as we have finished eating. Then we
have the same privileges that we have at
noon. We line up at quarter past seven
and most of the boys go to bed. Some
boys with good conduct go to various
places until nine o' clock, such as
schoolroom, loft, readingroom etc. We
are all in the domitories at nine o' clock.
Saturday and Sunday our routine differs a
little. Raymond W. Fitch I
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbe JWnmrn J1$$oclation of the farm and trades School
Merton p. Ellis, '97, President Alfred C. Malm, '00, Vice-President Elwin C. Bemis, "16, Secretary
4 Martin Road, Milton Melrose Thompson's Island
Augustus N. Doe, 75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
The 20th Annual Dinner of the
Alumni Association was held at the Hotel
Bellevue, Wednesday evening, January
13. There were 58 members and guests
in attendance. Merton P. Ellis, '97,
President, presided, Mr. Arthur Adams,
President Board of Managers, gave an
interesting account of the financial
condition of the School. He paid tribute
to Mr. Solomon B. Homan, '50, oldest
living graduate who is always present at
the gatherings.
Mr. Paul F. Swasey, Superintendent
of the School was next called on and told
in detail the events of the year. He men-
tioned the changes that are being made in
the Building to create more room for the
Instructors. He charged each Alumni
member with the duty of keeping in
close touch with the School and being a
subscriber to the Beacon which is the real
connecting link between Association and
School. He made special mention of
Howard B.Ellis, '98 who conducted our
Band for so many years and is always,
with his son, a conspicuous figure at our
Dinners.
We were very fortunate this year in
having as the speaker of the evening a
Manager of the School. Mr. Charles
Wiggins, 2nd, Head-Master of the Noble
and Greenough School, Dedham, Mass.
Mr. Wiggins, paid a high tribute to the
work of the School and to the principles
of education that are in vogue here and
have been for the past century. He re-
minded us of our indebtedness to our
Mother School. Through this page the
Association wishes to thank Mr. Wiggins
for so kindly addressing the members.
The presence of three native sons of
the Island had a significant bearing on the
gathering. The sons in the person of Mr.
William A. Morse '92, Mr. Norman
Morse '77, and Charles H. Bradley, Jr.
03 were born on Thompson's Island.
The Senior Class of the School was
represented by Raymond Thomas, Presi-
dent of the Senior Class and George
Libby, Head Proctor of the School.
They carried their Class Banner which
is a gift of Manager Walter B. Foster. '78,
and which will be handed down to each
succeeding class.
Other remarks were made by Mr.
Littletield, former Instructor at the School,
who commented on many happy periods
spent at the School. Mention should be
made of Arthur Fearing's annual joke,
which made a hit, but came rather hard
on Walter Herman, '79, whom Arthur
demonstrated on. Other remarks were
made by Mr. Howard Ellis, '98, George
Larsson. '17 and Mr. William Alcott^
'84. Mr. Alcott complimented the enter-
tainment Committee, which is headed
by no other person than our good friend
Jimmie Graham, on their splendid form
of entertainment.
It was a splendid Dinner and now
lets get started on our next big event which
comes on The Field Day in June. We
want a larger attendance at our gatherings.
Every member must cooperate with this
in mind.
Names of those present will be printed in next months BEACON.
Vol. 29 No. 11 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. Mar. 1926
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston, Mass., as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
King Philip's War
On February 22nd, Washington's
Birthday, we celebrated our annual King
Philip's War.
This year we had a combination of
King Philip's and a Snow Ball Battle.
The first quarter of the game the Indians
got in their fort and the Settlers in theirs.
All the bags were in the Settlers' fort.
Two bags were red and counted 25 points
apiece. Ten black bags count ten points
apiece. All the others counted five and
one point depending on whether they
were all white or white with black stripes
respectively. The object was to get the
bags for one side and the other side tries
to defend.
When the whistle blew the Indians
led by Charles Claggett (King Philip)
charged on the Settlers' fort. There was a
little fierce struggling at first but the Indians
finally broke their way over. It was hard
to get a bag at first, but as a number of the
larger boys were on the Indians side the
bags were taken out rather freely. When
the whistle blew to end the quarter it was
found that the Indians had all but eight
bags. The next quarter the Settlers were
the offending side. The Indians had built
an enormous fort about 10 or 12 feet high
which was hard to get up on. The Settlers
made a game try however to scale the
breastworks. The quarter ended without
the Settlers getting a single bag. All the
bags the Indians had, counted for them.
The next half was given over to Kin^
Philip's War. This is played on all
around the island. The bags were put on
the ground halfway between the two forts.
When the whistle sounded to begin, both
sides ran for the bags. They then hid
them in the place they had chosen for
there camp. This mad scramble lasted
the rest of the game with the fighting about
even. The game ended with the Indians
the overwelming victors.
The boys in the band got their instru-
ments and led the victorious Indians to the
stockroom, where the trohpy was. They
then had an "Indian War Dance" for the
benefit of the camera men. The victors
then marched to the gym where the spoils
of war were divided.
The day was a huge success. A great
many newspaper men, photographers,
moving-picture men and others were here
for the day. The game was probably the
most exciting King Philip's War for a
number of years, in spite of the one sided
game.
James M. Libby I
Student Council
The student council has been re-
organized and has started its work. There
are ten members. Each member is at the
head of some department or activity, such
as Mayor of Cottage Row and Judges.
President of the Bank, Manager of
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Trading Company, Chief of the Observa-
tory staff, President of the First Class,
Secretary of the Band, President of the
Radio Club, and Head Proctor.
The duty of the Student Council
is to promote fair play between different
Boys, also between Boys and Instructors,
and to help Boys do right.
Alton B. Butler I
Fixing the Gymnasium Rings
One morning after breakfast the
Supervisor told another boy and me to fix
and put up the swinging rings in the Gym.
The tirst thing we did was to put a
plank across the beams on which to walk.
We then got some pulleys and some I4
inch rope and started to fix the traveling
rings at the north end of the gym.
These were easy to fix as they only
needed a rope for hoisting them up.
Next came the climbing rope which we
had to hitch on to a ring bolt in the roof
before we could put up the hoisting ropes
and pulleys.
When this was done and the pulleys
and rope fixed, we then put up a swinging
ring but did not have time to finish
putting up the pulleys and hoisting ropes,
as the bell rang. We went to the washroom
to get cleaned up for our school work. I
like to do jobs like this.
Hildreth R. Crosby I
Horse Boy
Two other boys and I get up at five a.
m. and go down to the Barn to clean off
the horses, feed them and bed them.
After we get that done, we sweep the
floor and help fee"d the cows. When that
is finished, we take up the milk cans, and I
have to strain the milk. I like the farm
work very much.
Carle A. Nichols VI
A Talk on David Livingston
One Sunday evening we had an inter-
esting talk on the great missionary and
explorer, David Livingston. We enjoyed
it very much. It was given by our
minister, Mr. Adams. It was illustrated by
stereoptican slides, which showed all about
the African jungle and natives. He spent
his life in Africa, preaching and teaching.
It showed the falls of the Zambesie River
which he found and named after Queen
Victoria.
He was finally lost but was later
found by Henry W. Stanley who was sent
out to find him. One picture showed
them shaking hands and greeting each
other.
During a journey in Africa the death
of Livingston happened. The last picture
showed the faithful natives carrying his
body back to the coast where it was finally
taken to England.
George J. Knott I
Repairs
Every morning I go to the carpenter
shop, where we make necessary things or
repairs old things. Some things we repair
are chairs, tools for the farm, wagons and
other things. One of the jobs I have
been doing is interesting. I have been
weaving a cane seat and a back of a chair.
I have also been cleaning it.
A few weeks ago a desk was brought
down to the shop. We have scraped off
the old stain and varnish from it and sand-
papered it. We then stained it anew and
gave it a couple coats of shellac. When it
was all finished it looked like new. At
Christmas we had a number of presents to
make. Among them were two smoking
stands, a lamp, two bowls, a wood basket
for a fire place, a pair of book ends and
two foot stools.
James E. Hughes II
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
An Enjoyable Evening
During the evening of an eventful
day February 22, the first graders went to
Mr. Swasey's apartments "to listen in"
over the radio. When all were seated
around the radio set, Mr. Swasey tuned in
and we heard an orchestra from station
WEEI.
Mr. Emery, who is a graduate of the
School and had been spending the after-
noon here, spoke. We heard him tell of
his three days' vacation. The last day of
his vacation having the privilege of watch-
ing our annual King Philip's War. He
told about the battle which he had enjoyed
watching.
When the Big Brother Club had sign-
ed off, we listened to some more music.
A large piece of candy was given to the
boys. A little after eight President
Coolidge spoke. We went to bed tired
but happy after such a pleasant evening.
Henry E. Gilchrist I
Helping the Plumber
One day when I was getting ready to
go down to the farm, the Supervisor called
me to him and asked me if I would like to
help the plumber. Of course I was pleased
with this oportunity to learn something
new. I reported to the plumber and helped
him with his work. He is here lo change
some plumbing in different places, I have
now helped him for two weeks and I like
the work very much.
Herbert E. Gove I
Grade Reading
There has been quite a change made
in grade reading and it is more interesting
for both Boys and Instructors.
First, Mr. Swasey reads the boys'
grades and then he explains what certain
boys did in the past week, whether good
or otherwise. He also announces import-
ant events with our school life.
After this we sing several songs out of
our new song books. Then the band plays
a selection. When the band has finished,
the class who has charge of the program
gives a short talk or composition, on
some good topic. These programs vary.
So far we have had programs on Abraham
Lincoln, and George Washington. After
the program we sing several more songs.
The band then plays a closing number.
We march out of chapel to the music of
the piano and climb the stairs to the dor-
mitory and bed.
Charles L. Claggett I
Reward of King Philip's War
After the King Philip's War was over,
it was found the Indians had won by a
large score. The Indians formed in line,
also the Band Boys and marched around
the Building.
At the stockroom door they stopped
for some of the boys to get the trophy box.
This was a long oblong box and we carried
it to the Gymnasium.
The officers of the Settlers were invi-
ted to join us. Then Philip who was
Charles Claggett gave out the trophy,
which consisted of hard candy, oranges,
bananas and cookies. We then went
down and, some of us divided with the
boys on the losing side.
Robert Van Meter I
My Regular Work
Every day after the boys go in the
dining room, I stay outside to clean up
the washroom. I pick up the soap,
brushes, paper, and other articles which
have been scattered about, and I put them
in their places.
On Saturday and Wednesday nights
I get a supply of soap for foot wash and
bath. I have been washroom boy for
three months.
Chester P. Lindgren III
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbonipson's T$land Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS. SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby Editor
Jack H. Hobson ^sso. Editor
Vol.29 No. 11
March, 1926
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESIDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose Halloweill
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Kari Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBIois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H. Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D.
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Sutierintendent
Assistant Treasurer
There is one word, the importance
of which is seldom realized, and that is
the word "loyalty." How many of us
could be happy without a home or a
mother or a principle to be loyal to!
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, when
a man fails in life, it is because he no
longer finds anything or anyone to which
he considers it worth being loyal. He is
usually led to this conclusion by having
chosen the wrong object to give his loyal-
ty.
For true loyalty we must choose a
worthy object or cause. Many of us are
never loyal to our "Alma Mater" until we
graduate and go out into the world. Then
we look back and appreciate what our
school has done for us. Some of us never
appreciate our families and friends until
we are separated from them and then we
look back and wish we had been loyal.
For every cause that succeeds, whether
it be a baseball game or the establishing of
a nation, there are loyalties behind it which
"put across" the victory. Nothing ever
succeeded without loyalty, the banishment
of minor disagreements, the putting aside
of petty desires and the uniting of all
efforts in making the enterprise a grand
and glorious success.
There is a community which seemed
destined to become great. It was located
on a good harbor, and a railroad was to
be put through the town. But some of
the families wanted the railroad to go
through the west end of the town and the
others wanted it to go through the east
end. So they squabbled among them-
selves and each side declared it would re-
fuse to use the railway if it were put
through the other side of town. So the
railway company decided to put the rail-
road through a neighboring town, and the
latter became a big city, while the squabb-
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
ling village is still a petty squabbling vill-
age- They established a church but the
members quarreled and it broke up. A
community center was also established,
but they couldn't agree and each member
found fault with the other. So it also
broke up, and they never will accompish
anything until they learn the lesson of
loyalty.
Loyalty does not mean the ignoring
of faults of the person or organization to
which we are loyal. It means working
with all our might for our "pal", our
school, or our country. If we can abolish
any fault or defect we will do so. But if
we really give our loyalty to a person we
will never slander him. We will stand up
for him through "thick and thin". We
will believe in him and he will not disa-
point us.
Let us give this kind of loyalty to our
school. It is worth it. One of the boys
said, with pride, a few days ago, "This is a
real mans school!" So "here goes" for
making it the very best school in the
country!
Calendar
Feb. 1 Plumber started alterations
to bathroom. New bathroom is being put
on the second floor.
Feb. 2 Cleaned hen house and hog
pen.
Killed registered cow no. 23. Old age.
Feb. 3 Took moving pictures of
snow storm this morning.
Strong northwest wind accompanied
by snow.
Feb. 4 Heavy blizzard from north-
east.
First Graders played games in the
gym., followed by a Sugar Party in the
Boy's Dining Room in the evening.
Feb. 5 Dr. Delano here to see one
of the horses.
Feb. 6 Beautiful day. Cancelled
Basketball game so that Boys could enjoy
out door sports.
Feb. 9 Basket Ball game A 29-C
27.
Feb. 10 Another big blizzard today.
Chose sides for King Philip's War on the
22nd. Ice forming in the Bay.
Feb. 12 Boys busy shovelling out
Front Avenue. Drifts over six feet deep.
Feb. 15 Songs and entertainment
features added to our regular Grade
Reading Program.
Feb. 11 Basket Ball Game A 11-D
36.
Feb. 18 Horses shod. Cleaned
Hen house and Hog pens. Hauled coal,
Feb. 20 Salted new pork. Basket
ball game C46-B26.
Feb. 21 Two boys conducted even-
ing services. Topic "Manners".
Feb. 22 Annual King Philip's War.
Indians won by a large score. "Bob"
Emery '12, Mrs. Emery, Leslie Jones '06,
Moving Picture men and Newspaper
Reporters were here for the battle.
Feb. 24 Cottage Row Dance.
Feb. 27 Forrest Haskell who was
considered at the Admission Meeting in
January was admitted to the school.
A number of blue and gold sweat shirts
were given to the boys with the highest
grades.
Mr- Sanborn of Ames Agriculture
implement Co., was here looking over
the Farm equipment and making a list of
new parts needed.
Feb. 28 Evening Service conducted
by two boys. Topic "Success" .
Feb. 29 Mr. Tropp here to assem-
ble Acmeflex radio set. Gift of Mr. Frank
Whall.
6
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1876
As Kept by the Superintendent
Feb. 1 99 Boys in the School to-day.
Feb. 2 Gale throughout the country.
Much damage done on land and sea.
Feb. 9 5 bbls. salted pickels to Will
Tibbets & Co.
Feb. 10 My 52nd birthday. Gave
the boys play all day and a good entertain-
ment in the evening.
Feb. 21 All hands wrought in North
End Grove cutting down trees.
Feb. 25 Very cold. Managed to get
to the city by way of Squantum taking our
small boat across the island to open water
and rowing to Mr. Reed's whence we take
his car to Neponset -thence by car.
Willie went to school and Milton Day
to Exeter, N. H.
The Farm and Trades School Bank
Statement March 1, 1926
RESOURCES
U. S. Securities $ 500.00
Other Investments 761.45
Cash 297.81
$1559.26
LIABILITIES
Surplus $ 433.20
Deposits 1126.06
$ 1559.26
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK
President
HENRY A.
RALPH H. MARTIS
Cashier
SCHRAMM
Teller
February Meteorology
Maximum Temperature 52° the 18th
Minimum Temperature 12° the 29th.
Mean Temperature for the month 27.
Total Precipitation 3.58 inches.
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours
1.28 inch on the 4th.
Five days with .01 or more inches
precipitation, 9 clear days, 11 partly
cloudy, 8 cloudy.
My Regular Work
In the afternoon, I go to the laundry,
where I work until five o'clock. On Mon-
day afternoons we wash nightshirts, socks,
khaki shirts, towels, napkins, handker-
chiefs, and put the sheets, pillow cases,
napkins, handkerchiefs, laundry bags, and
towels through the mangle and fold them.
We then put the things we have in the
extractor, later putting them in the dryer.
On Tuesdays we fold the night shirts and
iron the Instructors' shirts and handker-
chiefs. Wednesday we iron the waiters'
coats and sew buttons on the night shirts
if neccessary and deliver the Instructors'
laundry. Thursday we scrub the laundry
and wash windows and finish up the work
that is left. Sunday morning we collect
the Instructors' laundry bags and sort the
boys soiled clothing.
Anton Ericsson III
A Basketball Game
On Tuesday, February 16, at 7:30,
teams A and C played a game of basket-
ball. At the beginning of the game team
A took the lead and held it the rest of the
game. At the end of the first half, the
score stood 22-16 in favor of team A.
Team C came back in the last half and
was only 2 points behind team A when the
final whistle blew.
This is the closest game, so far this
season but we hope to have more like it
later. The final score was team A-29
team C-27.
Cecil Morse III
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
The Guernsey Cow
The most useful domestic animal is
the cow. At the School we have one
breed of cows which are Guernseys.
An island in the English Channel
with an area of only 24 square miles and
only about 10,000 acres of productive soil;
inhabited by a thrifty race of people of
French descent, is noted for its mild
climate, its gardens its greenhouses, and
its granite quarries, and above all, for its
cattle. Such is the seagirt home of the
golden Guernsey cow.
Guernsey cattle are fawn colored,
marked with white, and are larger than
their widely distributed sister breed of
Jersey. The School has about twenty
cows and two bulls, all of which are
Guernsey breed.
Carl A. Carlson III
Putting Initials in my Chest
When I had finished my tool chest in
sloyd, I asked the Instructor if I could cut
my initials in it. He gave his consent.
First, I found the type of letters I
wanted in a paper. These I pasted on a
piece of white maple. I then took a fret
saw and cut around the letters. This being
done, I filed the edges smooth and shaped
them. Next, I took a piece of black wal-
nut, and planed one surface, so I could put
them on and trace them. Having done
this I cut out the place I had traced and
glued in the letters. Next, I took a piece
of oval shaped paper and traced it, placing
it over the initials,which I had planed
down even with the black walnut. I cut
around the oval with a fret saw. Next, I
put the wood on the chest cover and
scored around it with a knife. This I cut
out with a chisel. Later, I glued the piece
of wood into the chest cover. When it
was dry I planed the wood even with the
panel and then sandpapered the initials
and panel.
Arthur R. Turner I
Band Practice
Every Saturday morning the regular
band goes out to practice. We play
overtures, marches, and hymns. Some-
times we stay out all morning, other
times we stay out until nine o'clock.
There are two bands. The regular band
share their instruments with the boys in
the beginners band. I play the snare
drum in the regular band. I am second
drummer. I like the band very much,
and I am glad that I have the privilege
to be in it,
Thomas J. Kenney VI
A Coasting Party
February 3rd, the coast guard 225
tied up at our Wharf in the afternoon.
Mr, Wyatt, the captain of the boat, who
is a graduate of the School decided to
drop in and pay us a little visit, while off
guard duty. They made the evening trip
for us.
After supper, about 7:45 the first grad-
ers were allowed to go coasting on Front
Avenue, We had lots of fun with a few
spills.
Douglas D. Holton III
Cottage Row Dance
Last evening, February 24, the
Cottage Row Government gave a dance.
At eight o'clock the dance started with a
grand march led by the mayor and one
of the teachers.
We danced until ten o'clock, when
the refreshments were served. These
consisted of lemon sherbert and cookies.
After the refreshments had been enjoyed,
the dance continued until ten thirty. The
school orchestra furnished the music.
Raymond Thomas I
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che Jllumni Jlssociatioti of Cbe farm and trades School
Merton p. Ellis, '97, JPresident Alfred C. Malm, '00, Vice-President Elwin C. Bemis, '16, Secretary
4 Martin Road, Milton Melrose Thompson's Island
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
Continued from February Beacon
Those Present at the Annual Dinner, January 13th, 1926
Guests
Arthur Adams
George L. DeBlois
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler
Charles Wiggins
Paul F. Swasey
Charles E. Littlefield
Alcott, George J. '80
Alcott, William '84
Barton, Fredrick J. '09
Bell, Richard '73
Bemis, Elwin C. '16
Bennett, George '95
Blakeraore, Edric B. '12
Bradley, Charles H. Jr. 75.
Brain, James A. '25
Buchan, George '97
Capaul, Edward '02
•00
'17
Ex.
'03
19
Carr, Joseph A.
Collins, Carl H.
Clark, Robert L.
Conklin, John J.
Conklin, Don
Davis, Will F. '79
Dudley, Herbert L. '16
Dudley, Robert E. 16
Ellis, Howard B. '98
Ellis, Howard B. Jr.
Ellis, Merton P. '97
Fearing, Arthur D. '84
Fearing, Fredrick P. '82
Floyd, Edward L. '25
Giese, Robert J. '21
Gilbert, Ralph H. '16
Graham, James H. '79
Hanson, Richard H. '21
Herman, Walter '79
Hobson, Clarence P. '25
Holman, Solomon B. '50
Jacobs, Alfred W. 10
Larsson, G. George 17
Libby, George "26
Marshall, Earle C. '10
Morrison, William P. '76
Morse, William A. '76
Morse, Norman F. '85
Moss, Norman '20
Nelson, Jackson C. '16
Peterson, Albert A. '21
Powers, Michael J. '00
Shippers, Eric O. '21
Shippers, John H. ,21
Silver, Lawence '11
Smith, Daniel E. '20
Smith, Willis M. '22
Thomas, Raymond '26
Weston, Richard W. '13
Whitehead, Samuel L. '23
Wyatt, Ernest V. '13
33 Pearl St., Dorchester, Mass.
January 11, 1929
Dear Mr. Swasey:
In reply to your request, I wish to
say excuse my personality. It seems to me
I ought to refer to my entrance to the
Boston Farm School.
At the time I was only 8 years old
and did not enjoy the privileges of the F.
& T. S. of today. We did not have the
gymnasium, the sloyd, blacksmith, print-
ing and other privileges they do at present.
Instead of this we worked a week at a time
on the farm and then a few weeks at school
and enjoyed a few simple games, then our
time was again to work on the farm. This
would seem quite monotonous to the
present doings of The Farm and Trades
School, but I have laid all the success I
have had to this kind of training. I am
not wealthy yet, but have enjoyed a degree
of success; the foundation of which I think
was the training received at the Boston
Farm School. Success in about all the
transactions I have entered (and they are
numbered) I have been enabled to give
something over ten thousand dollars away,
all owing to my training at the Boston
Farm School.
Perhaps this statement might induJe
the Boys of The Farm and Trades School
to be earnest and studious, not that they
may do as well, but better than I have.
With these few and wandering
thoughts, hoping they may be of use to
the Boys of F. T. S.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) S. B. Holman
Vol. 29 No. 12 Printed at The Farm and Trades School, Boston, Mass. April 1926
Entered November 23. 1903, at Boston, Mass., as Second Class matter, under Act of Congress of July 16, 1874
Our Easter Concert
KECITATION
The First Crocus
Kenneth James
BRASS QUARTETTE There is a Green Hill
On Palm Sunday afternoon, March 28, Far away
we had our annual Easter Concert, which Raymond Thomas George Libby
I thought was very good. The front of Otto Kohl IVIarshall Hall
the Chapel was transformed into an arbor RECITATION Things We Get by Giving
underneath which the members of the
choir sat, and where the speakers stood.
There were potted plants and cultivated RECITATION
flowers, including tulips, jonquils, rambler George Hamilton
roses, Easter lilies and hyacinths placed DUET The Magdalene
about the room. These flowers helped John Taylor, Russell Bent
greatly to make the room look real attrac- I>IALOGUE
live and spring-like.
SONG
Paul Butts
Choir
Still Was the Night
Wonderful Jov
Thomas Hall
George Poole
The program was as follows:
SONG Life Eternal
Choir
RESPONSIVE READING
Hovvitt Warren
INVOCATION
Mr. Swasey
SONG Day of Days
Choir
RECITATION Welcome Easter
Almon Whitmore
R:|CITATI0N The Date of Easter
Gordon Whalen
SOLO Life Over Death is King
Waldo Waters
RECI TA ITON The Thorn Crowned Christ
Otto Kolil
EXERCISE When the Bells of Easter Chime
Joseph Diamond, Ralph Milliken, Hoger Holton RECITATION
SONG Rejoice
An Easter Hike
Marshall Hall
Francis Floyd
RECITATION Four Little Seeds
Kenneth Van Meter
SONG Seek Ye the Garden
Choir
RECITA'J'ION I Find No Fault with Him
Harold Goulding
BRASS QUINTETTE Easter Reverie
Henry Gilchrist Clarence McLenna
Bradbury Rand Marshall Hall
Herbert Gove
RECITATION The Crowning of Spring
Russell Bent
SOLO The Holy City
Carl Carlson
SONG Jesus is Risen
Choir
RECITATION The Glad New Day
Robert Van Meter
The Garden of Easier
Carl Wijk
Choir SONG Lo, He is Risen
RECITATION The Glint of Springtide Sunshine
Choir
William "West
Theodore L. Vitty IV
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Our Trip to Weymouth
Last Saturday, March 13th, Mr,
Svvasey told some of the First Class Boys
and two boys from the Second Class to
change into their uniforms. We knew at
once that we were ^oing to Weymouth to
visit the Edison Electric Piant. Mr.
Swasey had previously told us of the pro-
posed trip.
When we were ready we all went to
the steamer. We enjoyed the scenery
on the way down very much, but it is
more pleasanter in the summer.
When we reached the dock of the
Edison Plant, there was a collier unload-
inji coal for the plant. The coal was
dumped into a crusher on one side of the
road and all the lumps were broken. After
it is thoroughly crushed it falls on a
moving belt that weighs it. Then itfollowed
this belt under the main road up a very
long incline and at last was dumped into
the bunkers at the top of the building.
iVfter the man who guided us through
the Piant finished explaining the coal
process we went into the main building.
As we went through the door he gave us a
picture of the plant of today and the plant
they hope to build.
After this we visited the feed pump
room. One of the pumps is the only one
of its kind in the world. It pumps against
a pressure of 1200 lbs. per sq. inch. Then
we went up to the turbines. They have
two. Only one was running when we
were there. It takes about two hours
to warm them up before running. You
cannot see any motion. Everything is
100 percent casing.
Then we went into the boiler room.
We looked at the fire through a blue glass
shield. At the back of the boiler was a big
ash pit and we could see the molten
material running like lava into the pit.
All the boilers ( four in all ) are
automatically stoked. The coal comes
down a big shute into a bunker, and their
big rames push it into the fire. One of
the boilers is specially made. Its shell is
4^2 inches thick and it causes a pressure of
1200 lbs. persq. inch. The best place we
visited was the control room. Weall thank
Mr. Emery for making it possible for us
to visit this plant.
Arthur R. Blackwell I
Working on the Gravel
We have been having good weather
and the snow has been melting fast, so our
Supervisor started boys on the gravel and
some with teams to brin^ it up from the
beach.
After it is brought up from the beach
it is sifted through a fine screen to get the
sand out.
After that has been done, it is sifted
through a coarse screen, it is again sifted to
get the small stones all about the same size
which are used for the avenue. What does
not go through the coarse screen is still
put in a coarser screen and is sifted.
What is sifted is called large gravel which
is used around the building. The process
of making and sifting the gravel is interes-
ting. We get large quantities of it. We
are thankful to have an Island where we
can get gravel without cost.
Otto Kohl III
Our New Dog
One afternoon I went down to the
drawer-room to watch some boys put the
new lockers in place. I just opened the
door when a great dog ran up to me.
Mr. Swasey called her back and I found
out that she was to be the Boys' dog.
She is a German Police dog and her name
is "Freida". She likes all the Boys and
the Boys like her too. We have two other
dogs also. They are "Ace" a fox terrier
and "Dodger" a wixe haired terrier.
Thomas J. Kenney V
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
The Glass Dance
The class of '26 held their annual
Class Dance on March 12, 1926.
The dance opened with a Grand
March, each boy taking his partner.
The guests were Mr. Ellis(our form-
er band instructor) and his family, Waldo
E. Libby '22, and Mr. and Mrs. Coulter,
former instructors, were here. A number
of boys and Instructors attended, besides
the Senior Class.
The music was furnished by the School
orchestra assisted by Mr. Ellis and Waldo
Libby. During the intermission we had
ice-cream and cake for refreshments.
The programs were blue and gold and
could be opened in the shape of a fan.
There were blue strings attached and the
boys had pencils on the ends of the string
and their partners had tassels on the ends
of theirs.
The dance was a huge success and we
all enjoyed it.
George Libby I
Mr. Swasey's Birthday Party
On Monday evening March 15, all
the Boys assembled in chapel to celebrate
Mr. Swasey's birthday, which was the day
previous. Before we went to chapel, we
were requested not to make any unneces-
sary noise, so that Mr. Swasey would not
investigate into the matter.
When we were all there, a small table
was set in the middle of the room. The
table cloth was strewn with flowers, and in
the center was a huge birthday cake orna-
mented with 30 candles. One of the
the Instructors lit the candles when the
lights were put out.
Finally, when all was ready, two
boys acting as policemen, were sent to
arrest Mr. Swasey. He was led in,
blind folded and one of the boys acting as
judge, asked him if he was guilty or not
guilty of having a birthday. To this of
course he pleaded guilty, and was sent-
enced to the hard and laborious task of
cutting the birthday cake. After the
candles had been blown out, varicolored
streamers (which had been passed around
previously) flew over his head in what
seemed like a great dome-shaped en-
tanglement of many colors. After this,
refreshments of ice cream and cake were
served to the Instructors and Boys.
After the mass of streamers was
cleared up, and the benches put in place,
Mr. Swasey had a birthday surprise for
us. An entertainer was present and he
told us many jokes and played for us on
the violin and piano.
We spent a splendid evening, and
the entertainment was one of the best we
have ever had.
Carl O. G. Wijk IV
A Talk On Wild Flowers
On March twenty-second, the Boys
heard a very interesting lecture on Wild
Flowers. This was given by Mrs. S. V. R.
Crosby the wife of one of our managers
and a good friend of The Farm and
Trades School.
The bell rang at three o'clock in the
afternoon. We cleaned up and went to
the Assembly Hall.
The lecture was given to show us the
need of caring for and protecting our
native wild flowers. The lecture was ac-
companied by stereoptican slides showing
numerous kinds of wildflowers. The talk
was very instructive and worthwhile.
We feel very grateful to Mrs. Crosby
for her kindness to us, as well as her
interest in us. Through her generosity we
receive the Grew Garden prizes each year.
James M. Libby I
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Cbompson's Tsland Beacon
Published Monthly by
THE FARM AND TRADES SCHOOL
Thompson's Island, Boston Harbor
A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR BOYS OF LIMITED
MEANS, SUPPORTED BY ENDOWMENTS,
TUITION FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James M. Libby Editor
Jack H. Hobson Asso. Editor
Vol.29 No. 12
April 1926
Subscription Price
50 Cents Per Year
BOARD OF MANAGERS
PRESIDENT
Arthur Adams
VICE-PRESSDENT
Charles E. Mason
TREASURER
N. Penrose HalloweO
SECRETARY
Tucker Daland
MANAGERS
Karl Adams
Gorham Brooks
S. V. R. Crosby
Charles P. Curtis
George L. DeBIois
Thomas J. Evans
Walter B. Foster
Alden B. Hefler Robert H, Gardiner
Henry Jackson, M. D,
James H. Lowell
Roger Pierce
Leverett Saltonstall
Philip S. Sears
Charles Wiggins, 2nd
Edward Wigglesworth
Moses Williams
Paul F. Swasey
Alfred C. Malm
Superintendent
Assistant Treasurer
In God We Trust
If I want to be a Happy useful citizen:
I must be brave-^This means I must
be brave enough and strong enough to
control what I think, and what I say and
what I do, and I must always be hopeful
because hope is power for improvement.
I must act wisely — In school, at home,
playing, working, reading or talking. I
must learn how to choose the good and
how to avoid the bad.
I must make my character strong — My
character is what I am, if not in the eyes
of my own conscience. Good thoughts
in my mind will keep out bad thoughts.
When I am busy doing good I shall
have no time to do evil. I can build my
character by training myself in good habits.
I must make my mind strong — ■ The
better I know myself, my fellows and the
world about me, the happier and more
useful I shall be. I must always welcome
useful knowledge in school, at home,
everywhere.
I must be truthful and honest — I
must know what is true in order to do
what is right. I must tell the truth without
fear. I must be honest in all my dealings
and in all my thoughts. Unless I am hon-
est I cannot have self respect.
(The remainder of this Code will be printed in the
next issue.)
Calendar
March 1 "West Loft" opened as a
new Dormitory to take the place of North
Dormitory.
March 3 Pictures of the Snowball
Battle shown at the Metropolitan Theatre
in Boston.
March 4 No School. Teachers visit-
ing the schools in Boston.
March 5 Fire Insurance Inspector
here.
March 6 Basketballgame.C-18.D-20.
March 8 Fire Drills started.
March 12 Ten Boys went to the
Auto Show through thekindnessof Walter
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Norwood '05.
Class Dance. Waldo Libby, '22, here
for the night. Howard Ellis, '98 and
family here for the Class Dance.
March 13 Twelve Boys went to
Weymouth to visit Edgar Station of the
Edison Electric Illuminating Co., through
the kindness of Bob Emery, '12.
Basketball game. A— 21, C— 35.
March 15 Birthday party for Mr.
Swasey, followed by an entertainment by
Mr. Taggard.
Gilman Day sent to City Hospital for
observation.
March 18 Twelve Boys went to an
exhibition at Wentworth Institute.
March 20 Dr. Taylor examined
Boys' teeth in the morning.
Doubleheader Basketball game. A —
10, D— 24; B— 21, C— 26.
Eric Schippers here over Sunday.
March 22 Mrs. S. V. R. Crosby gave
us a most interesting lecture on Wild N. E.
Flowers.
March 24 New lockers arrived and
started setting them up in the Drawer
Room.
Mrs. James H, Graham's funeral
this P. M. Mrs. Graham was loved by
all the Boys and has been a fine friend to
the School.
March 25 Alfred C. Malm '00 and
Merton Ellis '99 were here for the day.
March 26 Band Concert directed by
Mr. Warren.
End of Winter Term of the School.
March 27 Last Basketabll game D
-20, B— 8.
March 28 Easter Concert.
March 29 Making "John Alden"
ready for water.
"Frieda" a German Police dog was
given to the School by Harold Morse '12.
March 31 Painting Boy's washroom
and toilet.
Calendar 50 Years Ago 1876
As Kept by the Superintendent
March 4 Dr. Gould visited Willie
who is getting on very well. Has scarlet
fever.
March 6 Very mild and spring like.
Wind southwest.
March 7 Monthly report day.
Boys in school one hundred.
March 13 Went in P. M., for Dr.
Gould for Willie who is pretty sick.
About four o'clock the wind changed to
N.W., and blew very hard. We had a
severe time getting the Dr. over. Were
nearly an hour crossing. Kept one boy
baling water from the boat.
March 14 Cold and windy. No
crossing.
March 15 Cold, windy and rough.
Capt. Bibber with two men came to
work on our steamboat which is in the
Old Barn.
March 17 Snowstorm from the East.
March 21 A very heavy storm from
the S. E. Snow and rain with dreadful
wind.
March 24 David Moore visited us.
We are always glad to welcome him. he
is such a nice man.
March 30 Windy and several snow
squalls. Sent boat to city for meal and
was glad when it returned as it was so
squally and bad.
Launched scow.
March 31 Launched the Steamer
and put her to her moorings. Cold and
windy, and hard working in the water.
Calendar 90 Years Ago 1836
As Kept by the Superintendent
March 2 In the evening the grades
for February were read to the boys. Be-
sides other privations, the fourth graders
were deprived of the privilege of going
near the Barn for the term of one moath.
All those who gain a place in the firstgrade
6 THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
during this month have a promise of hav- had to get the steamer's rudder rope
ing a letter written for them to their friends repaired, also the engine of the launch,
approving their conduct. which refused to run.
March 10 Boys often change their Some men came down and worked
sports— as coasting and skating fails they on the launch. Later, a man came to fix
resort to jumping the rope and flying the the rudder rope.
j^jfg Around one thirty the Instructor
brought some sandwiches to us.
March Meteorology Later in the afternoon, the Steamer
Maximum Temperature 54° on the made a trip to the lumber yards, a short
25th^ distance up the bay. On the v/ay we saw a
Minimum Temperature 38° the 25th large boat being made,
and 22nd. When we returned, the men were
Mean Temperature for the month 48". still working on the launch. While we
Total Precipitation 1.65 inches. were standing around we looked over
Greatest Precipitation in 24 hours the many boats in storage. Among
50 inch on the 2nd. them we saw the Constellation, Wander-
Five days with .01 or more inches er, and Seyon. We also saw a submarine
precipitation, 15 clear days, 9 partly chaser.
cloudy, 7 cloudy. We started for the Island about four
fifteen P. M, We ate our dinner and
The Farm and Trades School Bank supper combined, and were hungry
Statement April 1, 1926 enough.
RESOURCES On the whole the trip was very
U. S. Securities $ 500.00 interesting and 1 hope to go again.
Other Investments 761.45 Douglas D. HoUon II
Cash 2S3M ji^g Coming of Spring
^ Winter has passed and spring is with
LIABILITIES yg again. Perhaps the first real signs of
Surplus $ 433.20 spring are heralded by the robin, the first
Deposits 1111.31 bird to return to its northern haunts. On
$ 11:44 51 April 1st we saw the first robin.
As we walk beneath the trees we can
WILLIAM R. WARNOCK RALPH H. MARTIS , , , , , . , .
President Cashier ^^^ ^^1^"^ ^^^^" '^"^^ P"^^'"^ their way
HENRY A. SCHRAMM out. 1 he crocuses around the building are
Teller in bloom also.
Saturday the Supervisor announced
A Trip to Lawley's ^^^^ all j^g ^^y^ ^^^ wanted to start
Tuesday March 30th, Mr. Swasey painting their cottages would be allowed
took four first graders to Lawley's with the to do so. Many of the cottages are nearly
launch and steamer, also an Instructor and ready for the first Friends' Day.
the Steamer crew of three. We arrived at The grass has begun to appear green
the shipyard about ten thirty. We tied up once more. These signs are enough to
on some posts. Soon a man came out in convince most of us that spring is here,
a scull to see what we wanted done. We Howitt R. Warren IV
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
The House by the Side of the Road
Our class has been studying many
interesting poems. The one which I like
best is "The House By the Side of the
Road," by Sam Walter Foss. Mr. Foss
was Somerville's beloved poet. He was
librarian of the Somerville Public Library
for many years, where he spent the
greater part of his life, reading books and
writing poems.
The poem is as follows:
There are hermit souls that live with-
drawn
In the peace of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their
paths
Where highways never ran.
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the
road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who
are bad.
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Or hurl the cynics ban —
Let me live in my house by the side of the
road
And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the
road,
By the side of the highway of life.
The men who press with the ardor of
hope
The men who are faint with the strife.
But I turn not away from their smiles and
their tears
Both parts of a infinite plan —
Let me live in my house by the side of the
road
And be a friend to man.
I know there are brook — gladdened
meadows ahead.
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on though the long
afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travellers
rejoice
And weep with the strangers that
moan.
Nor live in my house by the side of the
road
Like a man who dwells alone.
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road.
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are
weak, they are strong.
Wise foolish — so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of
the road
And be a friend to man.
William R. Warnock IV
Launching the Scovv^
Every fall the John Alden, is taken
out of the water and put by the Sachen.
In the spring after it is calked and painted
it is put in the water. This is done by
placing planks from the scow to the water.
Rollers are put under her and she is pulled
by the boys to the water.
The rollers have to be put in front as
fast as they come out the back. When the
scow gains enough momentum to roll to
the water some boys have to hold it back
so that it will not come off the rollers.
After it is launched it is anchored by the
Wharf.
Clarence H. McLenna II
A man should not be praised for do-
ing right. It is only what the world ex-
pects of him. What he should expect of
the world is censure for wrong doing.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND BEACON
Che Jlluttini ilssociation of the farm and Craaes School
Merton p. Ellis, '97, President Alfred C. Malm, '00, Vice-President Elwin C. Bemis, 'lb. Secretary
4 Martin Road, Milton Melrose Thompson's Island
Augustus N. Doe, '75, Treasurer Geoffrey E. Plunkett, '14, Historian
Wellesley Walpole
Mr. Frank L. Warren, Bandmaster
of the 101st Engineers Band and Instructor
of our School Band, is recruiting a Bugle
and Drum Corps, and he would like to get
as many F. T. S. Boys as possible to sign
up with him. If you are interested get in
touch with Mr. Warren at the Cambridge
Armory any Sunday morning between 10
and 12 A. M. This is a real live proposi-
tion with remuneration and a period at
Camp during the summer, which is equiv-
alent to a two weeks vacation.
The time for our Annual Field Day
is drawing near. We all had a most happy
time last year and there is no reason why
we should not do even better, this year.
Mark down the date on the calendar.
which is the 17th of June, and tell the
family to be ready for a joyous day on this
beautiful Island.
Have you sent in your contribution
for this year? Remember there are no an-
nual dues, and we rely on each member
to do his part in financing the Association.
Send contributions to the Treasurer,
Augustus N. Doe, 111 Devonshire Street,
Boston, Mass.
Kenneth E. Kearns, '24, who is
attending Brewster Acadamy in Wolfeboro
N. H., visited the school this past month,
He stayed one week working on the Farm
and in the Paint Shop. Kearns has a fine
record at both the School and Brewster.
A New Pump
A short while ago, we received a new
pump for the Power House. It is a
Worthington Duplex Pump, used for
pumping water into the boiler, from both
city and return supply.
One morning when I was on duty,
my Instructor decided we should set up
the pump. It stands on a cement founda-
tion which sets about eighteen inches off
the floor and is fastened by four ■'y
inch bolts embedded in the cement. The
old pump which has been discarded was
made by the Dean Pump Co. and has
different piping, therefore it was necessary
to change the piping. This resulted in a
very strenuous, but a very interesting and
instructive task.
After the pipes had all been "tied in,"
we packed the rods and valve stems and
started the pump. It started off rather
slowly and stiffly. This is always the case
with a new pump or in fact most any piece
of machinery. After it has run for a while
this stiffness wears off. It now runs very
smoothly and does it's duty very well.
Howard S. Costello II
Views
On our Island we have many pleas-
ing views. On the north we see the big
liners going out, and all kinds of other
boats. We notice the busy little tug boat
which is always coming in or going out of
the harbor.
On the east we see Moon Head and
Squantum on the south. We see some of
the biggest ships in the world. In the
distance we can see the Blue Hills and
historic Dorchester. We also see many
aeroplanes which fly over our Island.
Ralph I. Swan II
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