First row L-R: Ima (Hester) & Kemper T. Glasgow, Jr., Lela Ross (Tompkins) & Kemper T. Glasgow Sr. (parents of Maxine, James and Kemper Jr.)
Back row L-R: Solon Gregg, County Superintendent, Lucien R. & Maxine (Glasgow) Tidwell, James & Ruby (Britton) Glasgow, Rev. John Will & Daisy (Crowe) Pike.

Sunday May 5, 1963
The Northwest Alabamian Advertiser

BEAR CREEK -- Tribute was paid Thursday night, May 2,1963, to Kemper Glasgow Jr., principal of Phillips High School for the past nine years.

Faculty members, relatives, local and county school officials gathered in the lunchroom to honor the man who is said to be largely responsible for making the Bear Creek school system “one of the best in north Alabama.”

The honored man, visibly shaken by the ‘surprise’ awaiting him at the school, said “not so.” He told his friends that “I had wonderful help, and without you no improvements could have been made. As long as parents, Board Members and teachers remain honest and dedicated -- like you -- then a good system can be enjoyed.”

Mr. Glasgow said he had followed one big rule in trying to constantly improve the local school. “I put myself in the other person’s place and acted accordingly. If we imagine ourselves as the other fellow more, then our decisions will be more honest and more constructive.”

Special guest of honor, besides his wife and children, were parents of Mr. Glasgow, from Belgreen, Mr. and Mrs. Kemper T. Glasgow Sr. enjoyed the occasion, as did the honoree’s brother and family, Principal James A. Glasgow of Phil Campbell, sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Lucian Tidwell of Bear Creek.

Otis Williams of Haleyville was master of ceremonies. Rev. Bill Pike, school bus mechanic, did a major share of handling arrangements. A special guest speaker was Supt. Solon Gregg of Hamilton who had some nice things to say about Mr. Glasgow. Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Shirley of Haleyville were also invited guest.

Gifts Presented

Mrs. Bill Arthur, on behalf of those gathered, presented Mrs. Glasgow with a pretty white orchid. Principal Glasgow received a beautiful gold plated desk clock with table pen attached.

Cooks of the school volunteered their services for the very good meal featuring fried chicken. Many others volunteered to help also.

As the honoree entered, late with his wife, everyone stood and sang “For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow.”

Wonderful Family

Each speaker spoke praise for the fine job Kemper Glasgow has done at Bear Creek. He came there when the system was at its lowest ebb, Horace Phillips said, and today there have been numerous improvements and additions.

It was noted the senior Glasgows were mostly worthy of high praise also. A farm family, they saw each of their seven sons and three daughters finish college, with two - James and Kemper Jr. -- getting their Master’s degree.

Tom is a football coach at Waterloo, John is principal at Mountain Star Junior School in Franklin County, Spence works for TVA, Houston and Ross are employed at Reynolds. Mrs. Jane Feary and Mrs. Doris Sweda live in Chicago and the other daughter , Mrs. Maxine Tidwell, is 4th grade teacher at Bear Creek.

Both the elder Glasgows are retired teachers.

Others who lauded the honoree were Rev. Bill Pike, Otis Williams, Commissioner Boots Tidwell, PTA President Billy Barr, Bro. Lewis Witt and Attorney Neil Taylor of Phil Campbell.

Local Trustees Denver Pickard and Silas Mann were present and introduced. Retired teachers Mrs. Berryhill and Mrs. Ella Smith were recognized.

Supt. Gregg said it was a privilege to pay tribute to a man such as Mr. Glasgow, who in the past few years had done so much to help the Bear Creek school system. With proration the past five years practically cutting off operation funds, aid had to come from the local level, he said. In spite of this handicap he said Principal Glasgow had improved the system and it has grown since he came to Bear Creek.

When Kemper Glasgow came to Bear Creek the high and elementary grades had a total of 480 students. Today they have 637, and Mr. Glasgow said he can see where 800 students will be attending there in the future.

It was a great, warm tribute to a fine school man, and everyone present recognized Kemper Glasgow Jr. as such a man.

From the May 5, 1963, edition of the 'Northwest Alabamian' a local area newspaper.