West: Auburn High book a treasure

By MIKE WEST

Did you attend Auburn High School?
If you did, you are in for a treat in the form of a new book published by the Auburntown Historical Society. That august group recently released A Pictorial History (1922-1977) of Auburn High School.
The book is a well-researched collection of photos, documents and history of the high school beginning with Auburn's Alma Mater.

"On the city's Southern border
Reared against the sky
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
As the years go by.

Forward ever, be our watchword
Conquer and prevail
Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Auburn Hi! All Hail!

Cherished by her sons and daughters
Memories sweet shall throng
Round our hearts, our Alma Mater
As we sing our song."

And why mention this little song? It reveals much about the way the school's graduates regard the "cherished" lessons they learned. Perhaps the most telling slogan was "Forward ever. Backward never."

Contributors to the book include Mable Hawkins Turney, Susie Robinson Kennedy, Jewell Patterson Dale, Edward Leach, Gordon Summar, Ward Lane Odom, Winfred Gaither, Sara Hamilton Gaither and Janice McAdoo Fletcher.
This group provided many of the photos in the book and more importantly worked hard to identify the people in the pictures. That's not an easy process, believe me. Jewell Patterson Dale proofread the publication at least twice concentrating on misspellings and name variations.

Serving on the publication committee were Editor Mary Hughes, Bobby Dutton, Joe Davenport and Sue Davenport.
An invaluable part of the book was the meticulous alphabetical index. If you have a friend or relative included in the book, you can just look them up and see what pages they have photos on. A list of all the high school's teachers and principals are included on a yearly listing.

Want a copy?

New books can be purchased at the following locations: Rita's Hairstyling and Auburn Library in Auburntown, Cannon County Register's office, Adams Memorial Public Library and Cannon County Arts Center in Woodbury, E.Z. Webb & Sons, Pharmacy & Gifts in Smithville, and B&P Printers in Murfreesboro.

For mail order copies send check for $50 plus $6 for postage and handling, along with name, mailing address and phone number to: Auburntown Historical Society, P.O. Box 114, Auburntown, TN 37016.

For more information, see the group's Facebook page- Auburntown Historical Society.

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Just a brief note: I want to thank the Courier crew for their assistance and support following the death of my father, WC West. Thank you Ron, Teresa, Tony, Amy and Candice for your many kindnesses.

And I must thank the many friends and relatives who visited Woodbury Funeral Home with their expressions of sympathy. Each kindness helped my family to endure.