The "Last Will and Testament" section of the 1950 Marlinton High School

 

 

The "Last Will and Testament" section of the 1950 Marlinton High School yearbook provides a humorous glimpse into the graduating class's personalities and relationships, as students jokingly bequeath various items and traits to their underclassmen. Here are some examples of the items bequeathed:

• "Cassanova ways": Hale Alderman leaves his "Cassanova ways with the girls (and Teachers)" to Norman Shaw, hoping he will be as successful with women as Hale was.
• A seat in the Thomas Grocery truck: Herbert Ardell wills his "shy ways" and his seat in the Thomas Grocery truck to Jack Bear. This suggests that Herbert's delivery job was a defining characteristic, and he playfully passes it on to Jack.
• A "real engagement ring": Mayonna Astin bequeaths her "real engagement ring" to Evelyn Curry so Evelyn won't have to wear cheap rings that turn her finger green. This humorous bequest implies that Mayonna wants Evelyn to find true love, symbolized by a genuine engagement ring.
• A book: Mary Alyce Beard wills her copy of the book, "Ten Ways to be Popular," to Jane Ruckman. This playful bequest suggests that Mary Alyce believes the book holds the secrets to social success and hopes Jane will benefit from its advice.
• Baby-sitting jobs: Sue Harper leaves her baby-sitting jobs to Ramona Wooddell, assuming Ramona will need something to do while "Teddy is away." This bequest hints at a possible romantic relationship between Ramona and "Teddy" and playfully suggests that baby-sitting will fill the void of his absence.
• Cigarette butts: Eddie Lightner bequeaths all his cigarette butts to the boys in Smokology class, claiming, "They're good to the last drag." This humorous bequest reflects the era's more lenient attitudes towards smoking and Eddie's lighthearted approach to his habit.
• "Love of mischief": Virginia Liptrap wills her "love of mischief" to Annabelle Crawford, hoping Annabelle will keep things lively in the following year. This suggests Virginia's reputation as a prankster and her desire for the school to retain its sense of fun.
• The position of class treasurer: Neal Long wills his position as treasurer of the Senior Class to Nancy Adkison, warning her, "It's no snap, my dear!" This bequest highlights the responsibilities associated with the role and Neal's humorous way of passing on the torch.
• A motorcycle: Herbert Mace wills his motorcycle to Norman Shaw, suggesting that Norman can use it to "scare the girls to death." This humorous bequest likely reflects the perceived excitement and danger associated with motorcycles at the time.
• A typing desk: James Mann wills his typing desk to Bob Williams so Bob can "pester the person in..." Unfortunately, the sentence is cut off in the source, leaving the target of Bob's potential pestering a mystery.

The "Last Will and Testament" entries offer a fascinating blend of humor, insight into student personalities, and glimpses into the social dynamics of the graduating class. The items bequeathed, while often absurd, reveal the students' perceptions of themselves and their classmates, as well as their hopes and predictions for the future.