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THE HILLTOP, MARS HILL COLLEGE, MARS HILL, NORTH CAROLINA.
cThe Hilltop
‘Plain Living and High Thinking’
Published by the Students of Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, North
Carolina.
Entered as second-class matter February 20, 1926, at the Post-
office at Mars Hill, North Carolina, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Issued semi-monthly during the college year.
Subscription Rate Year $1.00
MEMBER OF ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS
DISTRIBUTOR OF COLLEGIATE DIGEST
STAFF
Editor L. Russell Jordan
Managing Editor John Chandler
Business Manager J. P. Young
FACULTY ADVISERS
Rachel Templeton Ramon DeShazo
Mildred Hardin
CONTRIBUTORS
Andree Huff . Maureen Bennett . Sara Sigmon . Elliott Donnels
Nancy Jones . Maurine Lovingood . Rebecca Horton . Anne Johns
Edward Parnell . Charles Broun . Catherine Monteith
Grace Westmoreland . Callie Noland . Jeanie Sloan
Advertising Manager Bill Williams
Circulation Managers Jerry Laughlin . Bob Clodfelter
Typists Ruby Hudson . Haywood Wheeler
Volume XVII. October 10, 1942. Number 2.
7w This Our Life
(Editors' Note: This letter is a personal letter and was not
written to be published. Because of its timely message to all
students, we of the Hilltop publish it. Mr. Clarke, a graduate
of 1942, is now enrolled at Wake Forest college.
Box 854,
Wake Forest College,
Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Mr. Bill Williams,
Mars Hill, North Carolina.
Dear Bill: I hope you are in the mood to read what I want
to make a serious letter. 1 have something to say. I feel it
will do more good in your direction than any other.
As a former Philomathian writing to my ex-roommate, a
Euthalian, I wish the Eus all the success possible in the year's
activities. Many people judge the whole campus by the de
gree of ability the societies show; so do the best possible.
On the campus there are numerous outstanding examples
of Eus and Phis living by the ideals of Dignity, Simplicity,
Conservatism; Truth, Purity, and Fidelity—just as there ore
those non-society members who do not live by them.
You know what Society means. At first it is just for amuse
ment. It is true that amusement is a by-product of the activities,
but any true and loyal member will have our noble ideals
instilled into him as few other media can. Philomathia and
Euthalia represent something that is made only too clear by
the war situation. In a few words, they represent what humanity
has been fighting for since the dawn of history. That, even
the most radical cannot deny. They represent the inalienable
right of free men to organize themselves into societies for
mutual benefit.
The importance of perpetuating these ideals, not altered by
the selfish desires of one person or a minority of persons,
cannot be too highly emphasized. That sounds extremely
idealistic and impracticable—perhaps so, to those who would
succumb to the 'factual' propaganda of those who seek to de
stroy us. But, if in this most serious crisis in human history,
America is weighed in the scales of destiny and found want
ing, there is no hope for mankind's civilization.
The Mars Hill College Societies and the thousands of other
influences like them will be enough to culminate the conflict
into an Allied victory, and consummate those scarred by
tyranny, only if every source of fortitude is taxed to the
utmost. This is realized by everyone; but, to set an even faster
pace, the pre-war luxury and riotous living must be sacrificed.
The dignity of a Hamilton, the simplicity of a Lincoln, and the
conservatism of a Theodore Roosevelt; the truth of a Jefferson,
the purity of a Washington, and the fidelity of a Wilson:
these are the things we in America must instill into the souls
of all men after this war. To accomplish this, we must be
saturated with them ourselves. That is self-evident.
So to you who remain active members, the only thing to say
is: The task is yours. Progress; do not retrogress. And some
day, all over a free world our posterity can look back and
proudly declare: 'This was her finest hour.'
Sincerely yours,
James S. Clarke.
OUR PART
Once again as the leaves
turn a golden yellow and the
air becomes brisk and cool, we
feel the tinge of Autumn and
rejoice in its beauty. Yet, we
do not feel the thrill that we
have known in other years be
cause our skies are filled with
war planes and black smoke.
Far across the sea, our own
American boys are freezing,
starving, and being ridiculed
and humiliated as Japanese
prisoners. Certainly we say
that we are sorry and we make
known to others our attitudes
with an endless current of
words, but that is beside the
point. Are we really doing our
part in helping win this war?
Let us answer truthfully these
important questions: Have we
bought our share of war
stamps? Have we contributed
to a war salvage campaign? Do
we fuss about tires and gaso
line when we should be thank
ing God that we can sleep at
night without fear of Japanese
bombs? Do we complain be
cause we have to give an old
tube in return for a new tube
of toothpaste? What are our
answers? Are we as inventive
and energetic as we must be
to win this war on the home-
front? If we are, we will win
it in spite of Japs and Hitlers.
Yes, it is easy for us to say,
"If J were President, J would
do this and that. J would clean
up the war production board or
lower the age for military serv
ice; or J would speak to the
cabinet." Since we are not the
President, and since he seems
to* be carrying his responsi
bility admirably, why not turn
our energies into useful chan
nels and attend to pur own part
here at home?
"Oh, say, does that Star
Spangled Banner yet wave?"
Yes, it waves and we will keep
it waving as we preserve our
beautiful America. Hitler with
all his ruthlessness and cruelty
does not frighten us. We still
have ideals and a spirit which
even he cannot destroy.
Stars and Stripes, we stand
by and salute thee!
Missionary To Africa
Visits Campus
The Mars Hill College Y. W.
A. was glad to welcome to
the campus October 1-3 Miss
Mary Currin, our state W. M. U,
young people's leader, and
Miss Ethel Harmon, missionary
to Nigeria. While here. Miss
Currin had conferences with
the Y. W. A. council to help
them plan their work for the
current year. Miss Harmon
gave inspiring talks in vespers,
chapel, and Y. W. A. She also
held conferences with students
who plan to do foreign mission
work. While in Africa, Miss
Harmon spends a great deal
of her time organizing Sunday
schools and Baptist Training
Unions, and teaching study
courses.
One of the most astounding
facts that we learned from Miss
Harmon's talks was that an
African boy can be sent to
school for a whole year, with
all his expenses paid, for
twenty-five dollars. Someone
in the audience was so deeply
impressed with this that a
check for half that amount was
handed to our Y.W.A. presi
dent to be sent to the Foreign
Mission Board.
Grandpop Fights Back
By Charles Broun
In this modern day and time
we consider the customs and
traditions of grandfather's day
as completely outmoded and
antiquated as the buggy and
other relics of a past age; but
let us examine this m^atter more
closely. Actually, the old folks
had a great deal of good clean
fun with not one-third the ex
pense that we consider neces
sary to having a good time.
When a young man had a
date, he usually escorted his
girl to a meeting, or possibly
to a square dance, or to some
sort of good wholesome home
entertainment. Now the modern
deb must be taken to tha
beach, to a dance, or to a
show. Moreover, she can never
be asked to walk anywhere.
She must be taken in a car. A
fellow who asks a girl to ride
the bus need never bother
about asking for a second date.
All of this incurs a consider
able amount of expense, and
since those who are careful of
expenses are considered pikers,
it is with some misgiving that
I mention the matter of cost at
all. Now after taking all this
into consideration, gentlemen,
J wish to ask you of the dating
age one question: Which was
better. Grandpa's day of the
old hay-burner, or this day of
gas-gulping automobiles?
Those Days Are
Gone Forever!
If grandma could come to
Mars Hill today, what would
be the first attraction she would
look for? Why, the springs, of
course! The . present students
of Mars Hill ask, "What
springs?" Well, back before
water came in pipes, the Mars
Hill water supply was obtained
from two beautiful and roman
tic springs. One is at the back
of the fire truck garage, and
the other near the old beech
tree in Mr. Kendall's yard. The
students used to meet at the
springs in the afternoons to get
water. Many romances were
results of this cupid's paradise.
Today we have many modern
conveniences, but we, the stu
dents of Mars Hill, do not have
a wooing ground as beautiful
as did the flapper co-eds of
the gay nineties!
OLD JOE
The story of Old Joe is very
exciting. Joe was a slave of the
president of the board of trus
tees, Rev. J. W. Anderson. Aft
er the first building on the
campus was completed, the
board found it lacked twelve
hundred dollars having enough
to pay for its construction. The
contractors for this building
brought the sheriff of Buncombe
County to try to collect what
the school owed them. Old Joe
was taken to the county seat
and put in jail to be sold for
twelve hundred dollars which
was to be paid on the contract
ing debt. Joe, however, was
never sold because the people
here in Mars Hill collected
enough money among them
selves to buy him back from
the firm of Clayton and
Shackleford, contractors. Old,
Joe lived all the rest of his
life thanking the good people
here for returning him back to
his master.
Alumni News S6th F
G
Former Mors Hill men
women are now serving 1 (Contin
country in almost every 5 taken
of the world. d prog
Dr. Moore, who keeps u^dows (
date records of the activiti% the h.
former students of our colljrks unt
has the names of approxirrd better
ly 275 students who are inure plar
service listed in his recQote Dr.
There are students stationeginning
practically every state in;)gram o
union, and also in Great >re than
ain, Australia, Iceland, PJildings
pine Islands, Hawaii, the Oen add
bean, Puerto Rico, and Alornt. In
Three out of this roll 3,000 ha;
women. G. Nell Burgesdowmen
Canton, N. C., is with ids. A s
WAVES at the University been
Wisconsin. Marie Compto? of func
Wilson, N. C., is with 11 and
United States Army Nurse purpo
Shaw Field, Sumter, S. C. n to gc
dred Elmore of Arlington, action o
is with the American Red C soon as
in Great Britain. le."
Two former students havtpi
ready paid the supreme S' j
fice in this war. Leonard Q. ^
of Mars Hill, N. C., was k^°^®
in an airplane crash in Pii.
Rico. Loris Dover of SheWrf
C., was killed in an airp[\\^®' ^
accident in New England. '
Lieutenant (JG) Herman
Kennickell, Jr., 21, son
and Mrs. Herman Mac P
nickell of Fairview, is P/ p
youngest "skipper" in th^P ' ^
S. Navy. At the time he P
placed in command of a
sweeper, he was only twf^®
years old. The five-fooG
officer, who looks younger ^ ^
his twenty.one years, has ,cher'he
under his command 1 bv t ]
twenty-three years servic(^y^ ®
the navy. They call him^ r ,
"Old Man."
Mr. K e n n i c k e 1 1 The ori
graduated from Mars Hilliich the c
lege in 1940. While he >od on v;
here, he "‘'as an engine^tle Circl
student, a 1 hilomathian, Dtge bricl
ateer, and a member of’des. Dc
coaching staff. The same wide ha
of his graduation he wer back, ■
sea for the first time, and iher side
attended Midshipmen's sc one lai
at Northwestern Univel!oks fror
where he received his W be se
mission as an ensign, M^^r© buiL
10, 1941. He studied at Coh^ons 1
and became diesel enginefc^
the U. S. Demand, patrol Lu
Two of our Mars Hill te ru P,
ers have been called to^^ P
colors and another is expa.^j^
to be called any dayCS ?Ut
Herbert L. Sebren is witbjjj^j P ,
air corps in St. Petersburg,su
Captain Isaac N. Carr, fottory of t
dean and teacher, is statii,2e
at Camp Beale, MarysCp tL
California. Dean R. M. he ^
now av/aiting final word
cerning his departure. Qi:
We have former student
the navy with rankings
apprentice seamen to lieute
commanders. In the arm^^^^^^P
ui« Ullliy
have them listed from priV
to colonel. '
Wherever they are, wha(^' ®
they are doing, we wish
good luck. May God T'*'*-*-*'*^
them!
F R O I
• ►
Flash!
Ethel Bells Komegay, BAN'
played Mrs. Fairfax in I
Eyre, the summer producti^
the Wake Forest little the
has been cast in their fall T
duction. You Can't Take It P ,
You. Ethel Belle, a gradud
1942, was a dramatic
last year.