Thanksgiving greetings

I like to post happier things when I either find them, or remember them. Today's memory is a song grandpa Fred taught us, and before that he taught it to my aunt, father, and cousins. He learned it as a child so I imagine Uncle Charley knew it too.

(sung to the tune of Did You Ever See a Lassie) 

Oh here we come marching,
Our fine feathers arching.
Oh, gobble, gobble, gobble,
Fine turkeys are we. 

We are for Thanksgiving,
As sure as you're living.
Oh, gobble, gobble, gobble,
Fine turkeys are we.

Author Unknown

A search on Google brings up some similar songs but not an identical song. Apparently it changed a bit as it was orally taught to each generation.

However, a similar version was found in a 1902 (the year Charley was born) manual for teachers: Outlines and Suggestions for Primary Teachers:

Oh, see us come marching,

Our fine feathers arching.
We're kings of the barnyard
Plump turkeys are we. 

We strut all so proudly.
We gobble so loudly
Oh, 'Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!'
Plump turkeys are we. 

 

Another similar version is in the April 1904 (the year Grandpa was born) School Work, Volume 3 by Leon W. Goldrich and Olivia Mary Jones:

Oh, see us come a-marching,

Our fine feathers arching,

We're kings of the barn-yard—

Plump turkeys are we; 

 

We strut all so proudly,

We gobble so loudly—

Oh, "gobble! gobble! gobble!"

Plump turkeys are we. 

 

Oh, would you think—scarcely—

That dressed up in parsley,

We kings of the barn-yard

Soon roasted will be?

Oh "gobble! gobble! gobble!"

Plump turkeys are we.

Do you have any family Thanksgiving traditions?

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The billboard song

Grandpa Fred used to recite a poem that fascinated me as a child. Where did he learn it? School? Campfires? Uncle Charley? The fraternity? I can certainly see its lyrics becoming a bit more "off color" in that situation.

Sadly, I never wrote it down or recorded it as a child and there are many, many, many versions online. This is about the best I can do:

As I was walking down the street a billboard caught my eye.

The advertising that was there would make you laugh or cry.

The wind and rain had almost washed that old billboard away.

But the advertising painted there would have that billboard say:

Have a smoke of Coca-Cola. Chew catsup cigarettes.

Watch Lillian Russell wrestle with a box of Cascarets.

Pork and beans will meet tonight in a finish fight.

Hear Chauncey DePew speak upon Sapolio tonight.

Bay rum is good for horses; it is the best in town.

Castoria cures the measles, if you pay ten dollars down.

Teeth extracted without pain, a nickel or half a dime.

Ingersolls are selling now, a little behind the times.

Chew Wrigleys for that headache. Eat Campbells for that cough.

There's going to be a swimming bee at the village watering trough.

Buy a case of ginger-ale, it makes the best of broth.

Shinola's good to curl the hair, it will not rub it off!

Author unknown 

Apparently as it changed over the decades people began singing it to Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious which curiously works.

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Brothers who were, but are now with the stars

I recently found this obituary in the April 1925 issue of The Phi Gamma Delta Magazine under Fratres Qui Fuerunt Sed Nunc Ad Astra:

CHARLES H. HULS

(Ohio State '25)

Phi Gamma Delta paid a large share of the toll taken by either stupidity or criminal intent when strychnine was mixed with quinine in the college of pharmacy dispensary at Ohio State University.

One of the two student deaths caused by this fatal confusion was that of Brother Charles Henry Huls, '25.

Huls died suddenly on January 31, 1925, in the chapter-house a few days after having a tooth extracted. The cause at first was thought to be tetanus.

Another student death followed shortly and an investigation showed that strychnine had been dispensed for quinine at the college of pharmacy where many students were wont to get remedies.

Further investigation disclosed numerous sudden and serious illnesses had followed the taking of capsules from the dispensary.

For two days during the investigation, a virulent and strange malady called "spotted fever," a form of meningitis, was suspected and several Fijis, intimates of Huls, were held under constant surveillance by doctors. 

Brother Huls was one of the leaders in student activities at Ohio State. He was editor of the year book and a member of Sphinx*, Bucket and Dipper**, Pi Delta Epsilon**, Sigma Delta Chi**** and the varsity band. He was also active in chapter affairs and at the time of his death was corresponding secretary.

Ae a student, he was respected by his colleagues and professors; as a Fiji, he was beloved by his brothers; as an all around good fellow, he enjoyed large popularity.

Huls' home was in Logan and he is buried near there. Among his survivors is Brother Fred Huls, a junior at Ohio State.

*SPHINX is the oldest honorary at Ohio State University. Since 1907, SPHINX has recognized 24 exceptional senior students with membership annually.

**Bucket & Dipper is a Junior Class Honorary comprised of up to 30 members dedicated to scholarship, leadership, and service. Since its creation as a student organization in 1907, Bucket & Dipper has been ​a dedicated group of juniors at The Ohio State University. This tight-knit group is rooted in tradition surrounding the Illibuck (Illi), Mirror Lake, and local service. 

***Pi Delta Epsilon, founded in 1909 at Syracuse University, is an American honor society for student journalists. It merged with Alpha Phi Gamma(ΑΦΓ) on June 1, 1975 and became The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ).

****Sigma Delta Chi, now known as The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), is the oldest organization representing journalists in the United States. It was established on April 17, 1909, at DePauw University.

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