Medford mail tribune., May 19, 1957, Image 13

Medford
Tribune
MEDFORD. OREGON. SUNDAY, MAY 19. 1957
By Olive Starcher
On May 30, 1907, seven young women were graduated from Medford -High
school. Because it was an all-girl class, they were dubbed "The Seven Sissy Seniors."
Only four of the seven original members of the 1 907 class are now living, and these
four held a reunion Monday and Tuesday.
Together again were Inez McCray, now
lived here almost continuously since grad
of Ashland; Flora Gray, now Mrs. Frank P
Altadena, Calif.
Plans for the reunion were started ab
wrote to the other three former classmates
Monday the four women spent the day i
their school days and events of the 50 yea
classes together in Medford's one schoolh
Oakdale avenue.
Mrs. Dave R. Wood of Medford, who has
uation; Ethel Curry, now Mrs. C. H. Putney
umphrey of Portland, and Helen Watt of
out two years ago by Mrs. Putney, who
and made arrangements for the gathering.
n Ashland at the Putney home talking of
rs which have elapsed since they attended
ouse at the corner of West Main street and
Tuesday was spent Jn Medford hunting up old landmarks and visiting with two
former teachers still living here, Miss Jane Snedicor and her brother, Fred Snedicor.
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In 1907 when "The Seven Sissy Seniors" were, graduated, Medford's entire school system was housed in this building which stood where the
present Jackson county courthouse is now located. M. B. Signs was superintendent and Miss Bessie Hill was principal. Also on the faculty
were Miss Olive Huffer and Miss Jennie (Jane) Snedicor. Fred Snedicor first taught in Medford and then resigned to teach in the Grants Past
High school. After the erection of a separate- building to house high school classes, this brick structure became the first Washington grade
school. The picture is from the collection of W. E. Thomas, 41 Ashland avenue, who as a boy attended grade school here. -
v4
In 1907 high school senior girls all wore handmade white shirtwaists with high necks and elaborate embroidery and
tucking. All seven of "the sissy seniors" had long hair, of course, and some wore big bows of taffeta or grosgrain ribbon
ot the back. Photographed one day after classes the seven girls were (left to ri$ht) Flora Gray, now Mrs. Frank Pumphrey
of Portland; Sadie Van Dyke, member of a pioneer valley family; Ethel Curry, now Mrs. C. H. Putney of Ashland; Inez
McCroy, now Mrs. Dave R. Wood and the. only one of the remaining four who lives in Medford; Helen Watt, who came
from Altadena, Calif., for the reunion; Minnie Corey, who later became the first wife of the late Mayor Clarence Meeker
of Medford, and Eleanor Maule,' member of another old-time family. -
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Fred Snedicor and his sister. Miss Jane Snedicor, who were on the faculty
of Medford High school when the Class of 1907 was in school, were hosts
Tuesday afternoon to the four remaining members of the class. Mr. Snedicor
taught science and his sister art and other classes. '.: -'
The four remaining members of Medford High school's class ot 1907 gathered Tuesday afternoon at the home of
Miss Jane Snedicor and her brother, Fred, who were on the faculty when the four were attending high' school. Pic
tured (left to right) are Mrs. C. H. Putney, Ashland, (Ethel Curry); Mrs. Frank Pumphrey Portland, (Flora Gray); Mrs.
Dave R. Wood, Medford, (Inez McCray), and Miss Helen Watt of Altadena, Calif. Mrs. Putney, wife of a retired rail
road man, raised two sons; Mrs. Pumphrey, who taught piano for a time, and her husband, retired businessman,
collect antiques for a hobby; Mrs. Wood, whose late husband was a Medford orchardist, is known for her ability as
a gardener, and Miss Watt, a businesswoman, teaches English classes for the foreign born as a hobby.
The 1896 graduating class of Medford High school was composed of five girls and three young men. Shown (left
to right, front row) are Helen Holtan, G. A. Gregory, school principal, Zoa Bruns and Ida Weaver; in the back tow
(left to right) are Floyd White, Edith White, Warren Cameron, May Phipps and Walter Ferguson. Only Walter Ferguson,
who now lives in Central Point, still makes his home in the valley. Mr. Ferguson left Medford after graduation and
for 25 years lived in various Washington cities, returning to Jackson county in 1927 to make his Home permanently.
Mr. Ferguson is not in touch with any of his former classmates. This picture was loaned by Mr. and Mrs. John Black,
216 South Orange street.