The Kings of Oak Springs - Episode 50 - May 1882 Karla King 11th Birthday

Karl and Katherine King decided that celebrating Karla’s 11th birthday, which occurred on May 11 this year, should be a low-key activity with just her best friends. Karla liked that idea very much. As so often happened during the school year, while the three girls saw each other every day, on the school coach, and in school, they were rarely able to just get together for ‘play time.’ Saturday afternoon, May 13th, was their time to do just that. Rachel Dent and Missy Yokum spent the entire afternoon together in Karla’s room in the King farm house.

In mid-afternoon, they took a break for birthday cake and ice cream. Before long, they went back to doing what they were doing before the break; doing what 5th grade girls do. Katherine and Kate were pleased to hear their occasional giggles, but otherwise simply went about their housework as they hosted the ‘birthday party.’ Kate busied herself with final preparations for her upcoming high school graduation exercises, as well.

Earlier, Karla had gotten a birthday letter from her oldest brother, Keith, now about to finish his second year in the Civil Engineering program at the University of Missouri in Columbia. In his letter, he let the family know that he would be visiting during the first week of June, before his summer work and study schedule took effect. The entire family was pleased to hear that he would be coming for a visit. They missed him, but knew he was pursuing his own dreams, and they were very proud of him for the success he was finding there.

Although Kate, and her family, had been talking about and planning for her high school graduation, on Saturday, May 20, for well over six months, as the actual date approached, they each felt they were not ready for it at all. The graduation exercises would be held at the school on Saturday afternoon. With some disappointment, but mostly relief, Kate received word that John Carver had been named ‘top scholar’ and would be required to be the student to give an oration at the graduation exercise. All five graduating students had achieved high levels of scholarship, but John was deemed by the administration to be the best.

A reception for the graduating students and their families and friends was planned at the school following the formal graduation exercises. At the exercises, School Board President, Thomas Crane, had the privilege of giving her graduation diploma to his daughter, Charlotte, as well as to William McDonald, Vic Campbell, Kate King and John Carver. John Carver spoke on “Being the best you can be.” Superintendant Quinton Chambers gave the keynote address charging the graduating seniors to ‘make a difference’ in the world in whatever role they each chose to pursue following graduation. In his remarks, he also took the opportunity to tell a positive, uplifting story about each of the five graduating seniors. He had seen each of them come up through the grades, so he had a few years of observations to draw upon. Each set of parents, and both of Vic’s sets of grandparents, sat near the front so that they would be among the first to congratulate the graduates following the exercises. They were all very proud of each of the graduates’ accomplishments.

Her brother, Keith, had also sent Kate a special letter of congratulations for her graduation. She was very pleased to receive it, and looked forward to thanking him in person on his visit in a few weeks. Kate would begin working at the bank on Monday, the 29th of May, so after the graduation exercises were over, she devoted her full attention to getting ready for that new adventure. She was also looking forward to working closely with Vic in this new relationship for the first time.

Augustus Ward led the several members of the local Patton Chapter of the G.A.R. in the Memorial Day exercises on Tuesday, May 30th, the date approved by the President for this recognition ceremony. The activities were held at Centennial Park, and about 50 persons were in attendance. Many of the farmers chose to stay in the fields to finish getting their crops in after the especially wet spring rains that had continued for what seemed like an excessively long period this year. It wasn’t that they were not patriotic, but their livelihood depending on getting all of their crops in for the year as soon as possible. It was already late for most of them.

Mayor Joseph Cox also gave a short speech, as one of his first duties as newly designated Mayor. The audience gave him a rousing round of applause when he finished his speech. G.A.R. Commandant Lewis Truesdale, also the local State Representative, spoke briefly as he had done on previous occasions. This however, was his first public appearance since the death of his only son, Jimmie, a few weeks earlier. Some in the audience noted his subdued nature, following his remarks, in contrast to the strong, patriotic approach he had always taken on prior occasions. It was also noted that his wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Myrtle, were not present for the ceremonies and his remarks. Many wondered whether or not he would stand for re-election to the State House in the fall. He had yet to make an announcement either way.

Local merchants had decorated their stores in red, white and blue to feature Memorial Day specials. Many of the men, women and children in attendance at the activities stopped by the various stores to check them out before making their way back home. School had finished the prior week so many of the students enjoyed this day in town not having to go to school.