This past week The Marshall Democrat-News published a picture of what appears to be an old pilot at the Nicholas-Beazley flying school.

The picture, given to the paper by Ed Richards of Marshall (who is also a graduate of West Virginia University, my alma mater, and there aren't many of us in Marshall), shows the man standing in snow, his boots laced up and his flight jacket and hat on to bundle up against cold weather.

I put the picture in the paper and slugged it "Mystery man." Well, Ellie Butterfield may have tracked down our "Mystery man."

Butterfield brought in to the paper Thursday a copy of "The Sabiduria of 1931," the Missouri Valley College yearbook. More about the yearbook later.

On page 38, there is a picture of Edwin Jones in the senior section. The caption notes Jones received his bachelor's degree of arts and he was from Marshall. The caption for his picture says "A small man with big ways" and notes he was in the MVC Glee Club in 1927 and 1931, on the track team in 1927 and 1931 and participated in the Y.M.C.A,

I encourage readers to e-mail me at marshalleditor@socket.net if you have more information on our "Mystery man."

Turning to the yearbook, it is a perfect example of a time when the men and women dressed in their finest clothes to have their pictures taken. It has always pained me that society, as a whole, is much more casual in dress these days.

I remember when I started out in the newspaper business in Connellsville, Pa., in 1977 just out of WVU,

I always went to work in a coat and tie, and many times the coat stayed on during my entire work day.

As I sit typing this, I am wearing a polo shirt and slacks.

Yes, it is more comfortable and about the only place I wear a tie these days is to church, but that's because I don't want to look overdressed.

One particular striking photo in the MVC yearbook is that of Dean Claude L. Ficthorn, head of the School of Music. Ficthorn is adorned in a felt hat, worn at a slightly jaunty angle, coat and tie and a thick winter coat. Sporting a mustache and round, horn-rimmed eyeglasses, he's the picture of sophistication and cool all in one glance.

In the back of the yearbook, there are little jokes in books by the advertisements. This one caught my eye: "Borberg: "Miss Kopf, there's a fly in my ice cream."

"Miss Kopf: "Serves him right, let him freeze."

The end of another regular season

The Marshall Municipal Band concluded its 85th regular season Thursday, Aug. 10, with a fine concert on the Saline County courthouse east lawn.

Announcer Randy Shannon said people just aren't going to know what to do on their Thursday evenings and some people may be seen wandering around the square this coming Thursday looking for a concert.

For those who are in the need of a concert fix, the band will be making a special appearance at the "The Wall That Heals" exhibit of the Vietnam War Memorial replica which will be in Slater Friday, Aug. 25, Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27. The band will play from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on that Saturday afternoon.

The band also received another honor. State Rep. Joe Aull (D-Marshall) presented Director Kevin Lines on Thursday night, Aug. 10, with a proclamation by the Missouri House of Representatives commemorating the band's 85th year.

Mason is the editor of The Marshall Democrat-News. Spectrum appears on Friday.