More from Class of '49

This is the fourth column in a series. It has two stories: The first by Joe Bailey, Class of 1949. The second story by Garland Sellers, Class of '49.

Hi Marilyn,

I spent my entire "growing up time" in Fort Scott. Like many of the rest of you, I was not aware that we were "deprived." My dad supplemented what he grew in a garden at my grandmother's farm west of town by hunting and fishing. We didn't eat "high on the hog" but were never without. I went to Central School and thought that my first-grade teacher, Miss Enloe, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Alas, she married, and was no longer allowed to teach in the city schools.

I was frequently punished for misbehaving, but not without cause. The summers were great and I did many of the same things that others have recalled. Fred Clem wrote about working at Martin's Ice Cream Shop. I also worked there at the same time. I believe that this was in '47 or '48. The hours were long, and that is where I learned to hate "Nature Boy" as it played incessantly during the late afternoon. It was a great time to be alive and to be with all of you through our high-school years. I would not trade that time for a million dollars, but I wouldn't give a dime to repeat it. Thanks to Marilyn for ramrodding this.

Joe Bailey

Class of '49

Hi Marilyn,

I will try to tell you why the Class of '49 was and still is the best. Every time I run into Lawrence Allen he calls out "The Cass of '49 is the best." It was the best because we are the only ones in Fort Scott to be "The Class of '49" We may not have been the most outstanding, but we were the best ever. We have our reunions and everyone who was in our class always tries to make it. We always have some that for one reason or another can't attend. We were taught to be good and kind to each other, and most of the time we were. We pulled pranks, but it was all in fun. We knew almost everyone, and it did not matter who they were. Our teachers were the best and had fun right along with us. I hope this letter will be ok, and I think a lot of our class.

Class of '49 is the best.

Garland Sellers