Born To Be a Newspaper Man

by Martin J. McGowan Jr.

Campus Politics

My dabbling in politics began at Notre Dame. In my sophomore year a group of us decided to elect a candidate for class president. We chose a husky, handsome starting tackle on the football team named Paul Lillis. We were successful in our endeavor and with the victory came certain responsibilities. Foremost among these was the planning for the Sophomore Cotillion, a major formal social event.

I was named publicity chairman but my assignment for the event was to procure the band. We had about $1,000 to spend on the band and in 1939 that was big money. I worked through a booking agent in Chicago and we nabbed a big name for that day.

I had another problem-who to take to the dance. I hadn't established any social connections. Trying to date somebody at St. Mary's of the Lake across the highway was like breaking into a convent. The girls over there were kept on a tight leash. In my only visit there I went with a group of fellows all dressed up for the occasion. We were escorted into a large sitting room. This was in the middle of the afternoon. Before long some young ladies were also escorted into the room and we all sat round at some distance from each other. There was some polite visiting, all under the close supervision of the nuns. After a while we hiked back across the highway to our home base. We thought we had it tough on our campus but those poor girls must have felt imprisoned.

So I couldn't get a date there for the dance. One of my friends, Jack Bergen, mentioned that his sister, Frances, in Indianapolis would like to attend. So we worked that out and I had a fine time with this lovely girl. She is pictured with me in the formal photo taken of all the class officials at the dance.

My other problem for this event was what to wear. I didn't have any formal attire. My Dad must have come up with the funds to acquire the complete job, long-tailed coat, striped pants, stiff white shirt with white vest and white tie. I must say I looked quite spiffy in that outfit.

Fortunately, that wasn't the only time I got to wear it. Much later when I was taken into the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the highest rank of the KC's, that formal outfit was the regular attire. We wore it with a red lined cape, sword and navigator's hat trimmed in white feathers. I am entitled to be buried in that outfit but I hope my heirs choose something less ostentatious. When we moved to Pequot Lakes Betty tried to sell the regalia to some KC's in Brainerd. Instead of selling the gear, the KC's tried to reenlist me in the local unit. I still have the outfit.

In the usual circumstances I would be expected to provide by my date's lodging but Jack took care of his sister. I did come up with a corsage, however. The Cotillion was a success and I was given some credit for obtaining a good band.

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