Long ago on independence square (Kansas City, Lee's Summit: upkeep, architectural, firm)

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Do any of the old timers on this thread remember the unofficial holiday celebrated on the first Saturday in November, with variations, at many high schools and colleges?

A man with the unlikely first name of Hekzebiah started the holiday.

William Chrisman High School was one of those schools observing the holiday.

The holiday spawned a celebration that many girls looked forward to and probably the guys, also.

I suspect Sally36 has some fond remembrances.

I do also.

Are you speaking of "Sadie Hawkins Day"?

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

Are you speaking of "Sadie Hawkins Day"?

Right you are.

Hekzebiah Hawkins started the holiday when his homely 35 year daughter, Sadie, was still unmarried and still living at home. He had to get rid of her somehow.

Of course, Hekzebiah could not have started the holiday without the help of Alfred Caplin, better known as Al Capp.

Capp introduced Sadie Hawkins day in his cartoon strip "Lil Abner" in the late 1930s. The girls in the American schools caught on rather quickly, although Hekzebiah's version had Sadie chasing a number of Dogpatch bachelors in a foot race. Whereas the school girls could ask any boy they wanted to a dance. I seem to recall I got a boutonniere from the young lady as a result.

Sadie Hawkins day went on annually in the comic strip until 1978 when Capp died. The celebration might or might not have lasted that long in the schools.

The 1930s was a simpler time and a number of popular comic strips had an influence on the American people.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Right you are.

Hekzebiah Hawkins started the holiday when his homely 35 year daughter, Sadie, was still unmarried and still living at home. He had to get rid of her somehow.

Of course, Hekzebiah could not have started the holiday without the help of Alfred Caplin, better known as Al Capp.

Capp introduced Sadie Hawkins day in his cartoon strip "Lil Abner" in the late 1930s. The girls in the American schools caught on rather quickly, although Hekzebiah's version had Sadie chasing a number of Dogpatch bachelors in a foot race. Whereas the school girls could ask any boy they wanted to a dance. I seem to recall I got a boutonniere from the young lady as a result.

Sadie Hawkins day went on annually in the comic strip until 1978 when Capp died. The celebration might or might not have lasted that long in the schools.

The 1930s was a simpler time and a number of popular comic strips had an influence on the American people.

I never knew the history of the holiday. Thanks!

[MRG Dallas]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

I never knew the history of the holiday. Thanks!

I knew it had Li'l Abner roots but that's about it. I think Leap Year's Feb 29 is now considered Sadie Hawkins Day

Still waitin for the hot, rich babe to propose to me Maybe 2016.

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by MRG Dallas

I knew it had Li'l Abner roots but that's about it. I think Leap Year's Feb 29 is now considered Sadie Hawkins Day

Still waitin for the hot, rich babe to propose to me Maybe 2016.

PLUS, she owns a liquor store!

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

Here is a cut and paste from Wikipedia showing notable graduates of William Chrisman High School:

• Harry S. Truman - 33rd President of the United States
• Bess Wallace Truman - former First Lady of the United States
• Charles Ross - White House Press Secretary/Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist
• Forrest "Phog" Allen - KU basketball coach
• Paul Henning - TV producer (The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres)
• Tava Smiley - TV actress
• Don Buschhorn - Former MLB player (Kansas City Athletics)
• Mort Cooper - Former MLB player (St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Braves, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs)
• Walker Cooper - Former MLB player (St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs)
• Russ Morman - Former first baseman and outfielder for the Florida Marlins, Chicago White Sox, and Kansas City Royals; and current hitting coach for the Fresno Grizzlies, Pacific Coast League AAA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants

If I may add another name, while not nationally notable, at least mentionable for his local connection:

Layle "Petey" Childers- Owner and operator of "Petey Childers' Prescriptions". Also, he was husband to Paul Henning's sister Drusilla.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

If I may add another name, while not nationally notable, at least mentionable for his local connection:

Layle "Petey" Childers- Owner and operator of "Petey Childers' Prescriptions". Also, he was husband to Paul Henning's sister Drusilla.

There is an oral history interview with him at http://www.nps.gov/hstr/historycultu..._interview.pdf

[SilverDoc]

Originally Posted by WCHS'59

There is an oral history interview with him at http://www.nps.gov/hstr/historycultu..._interview.pdf

If that's the one I've read, it pretty interesting. Even in his interview, you can tell that he's a low-keyed, laid-back, easy going person. His wife was the same way. I had been in their huge home on Main on numerous occasions, as my Mom used to clean their home. She had that job for 20 yrs until my Dad retired, and the folks moved out of state.

[WCHS'59]

Originally Posted by SilverDoc

This might help: William Chrisman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

What Wikipedia does not mention is that William Chrisman was a local slave owner.

As was William McCoy after whom McCoy grade school was named.

This is not a condemnation of either man. It was just the way things were back then.

[MRG Dallas]

Was there only one Rx location? I thought there were several around town. 10900 Winner Rd (just west of Sterling) Englewood Cafe/Theatre block

PC was a long-time sponsor of Independence little league football and baseball teams