(Main ISS ALUMNI Site is http://www.iss-alums.net/

Indian Springs School (ISS)
190 Woodward Drive
Indian Springs, AL 35124
(205) 988-3350
ISS Home Page

FAX: (205) 988-3797
School e-mail: E.T. Brown et@indiansprings.org

Things from the '55-'59 High School Era
Stories, People, '59 Graduation Class members and addresses
School's 40th Anniversary
Music of the Years, Articles, Pictures and current information.
Located South of Birmingham near Oak Mt. park at Indian Springs, AL

Please send any comments to M.D. Smith (mdsmith@HiWAAY.net) Return to MDS Home Page

"Ah...I think if all you boys make it this year and keep getting invited back, it will be a miracle!"
Quote from Mac Fleming, Prof. speaking to freshman class in 1955

Article on Mr. Fleming's 55 years at ISS (1952-2007)

from The Birmingham News (5-7-07).


In all these links below, you can find out a lot about a school that absolutely changed my life. As much as we alumni joke about it, it is truly one of the finest college-prep schools in the nation. It was all boys when I attended, but now is co-ed. Located about 20 miles south of Birmingham, they now have their own ZIP code and location at INDIAN SPRINGS, ALABAMA. I have stayed very active in Alumni events and anniversary years for our class of '59. It's a small school with only a bit over 200 students, many of which board at the school in Dorm Circle. If you want more information from the school, see the address and phone numbers elsewhere on this page.


Special Files Section


Special 50's music invitation
for the class of 1959 for the 30th Reunion in 1989. I used lots of 50's song titles to make the fictional letter, which was really an invitation to the party at Arthur Freeman's house. What a "blast" it was.
M.D. Smith's October 29,2004 OAY award Speech
which was finally delivered. This is a shortened, but different version than the one scripted to have been delivered listed below. Since they have different references and incidents, both are included.
M.D. Smith's spring 2004 OAY award Speech
which would have been delivered upon receiving the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award, if he had not been hospitalized that weekend for a blood clot. He's doing fine now. But here's what he would have delivered to Students on Friday, combined with Speech that was partially delivered by Roy Knight to alumni on Saturday.
Newspaper article on Glee Club of 1958
Photo and article 340k large so that you can read all the type from the article. Every member is named in this article. Thanks to George Starcher for the contribution.
John Tauxe '79 Glee Club Music site
ALL the Glee Club albums available for downloading in .mp3 format or the whole album in .zip format
Speech given to Alumni on 40th Anniversary of ISS
This was at The Birmingham Civic Center on May 22, 1993. It was the occasion of the school's 40th year and a representative of each of the 4 decades told a bit about ISS during their years. I got the 50's. Read and see what it was like and enjoy the humor (I hope) you find there.
Tale of a typical spring afternoon at the "Springs" in 1957
This "tale" was published in THE ISSINFO, November 1, 1994 edition. It recollects a typical afternoon after school until dinner time at the Dining Hall.
Image Of Man by "Doc" Armstrong and Photo of "Doc"
This poem was written by Louis "Doc" Armstrong in the 50's. Doc was Director of the school from the time it opened till he retired many years later. We students didn't understand it very much at the time, but now, as we are older and wiser, it makes a lot of sense.
Mr. Fleming Retires and Quotes from him. plus Photo of "Mac" with class in 1956
Article from the Birmingham News, June 8, 1994. Mac tells about his 41 years with ISS. [Mr. Fleming returned a year or two later to teach one class a day and still does as of 2003 - 50 years at ISS ]

Mr. Fleming's Military History Lecture to Seniors, Dec. 9, 2003 (.mp3 audio file to download - (running time 42 minutes - 39 mb file size)

"The Japanese radio men who sent morse code, each had a unique style of sending code. The U.S. radio men who were receiving these messages, knew which operator they were hearing and knew which carrier they were on. The only problem was, the Japanese knew, we knew which man was sending the morse code message, so they moved these operators to stationary ships in Japan and put different radio operators on the carriers and sailed out of Japan, on their ultimate way to Pearl Harbor. " (running time 42 minutes - 39 mb file size)

Mr. Fleming's Military History Lecture to Seniors, Dec. 9, 2003 (MPEG VIDEO file,small format to download - (running time 42 minutes - 215.5 mb file size)

"The Japanese radio men who sent morse code, each had a unique style of sending code.

Mr. Fleming's Military History Lecture to Seniors, Dec. 9, 2003 (MPEG VIDEO VCD quality file to download - (running time 42 minutes - 419.0 mb file size)

"The Japanese radio men who sent morse code, each had a unique style of sending code.


Snapshot Photos taken in early 1956
Taken by M.D. Smith with a Brownie roll film camera with B&W film.

1957 Plant Tropisms Biology Project

I did this project in Mr. Cobun's biology class. Just found this "WriteRight" notebook and I think you'll find these photos and comments interesting.

The CLASS of '59 : Names & addresses.

This is the most current list of our class members and their home addresses. If there are any errors, and you spot it, please let me know to correct it. Note we are still missing several members whom seem to have dropped from the earth and if you know their where-abouts, please let me know. Thanks.
Report of 35th Reunion of class of '59
Held in May of 1994 at the home of Joyce and Jerry Lanning in Birmingham, it was a "boppin' good time." Read all about it again or for the first time.
Songs of 30th Reunion of class of '59
These are the 5 tapes of songs played at Arthur & Linda Freeman's house in 1989 at the 30th class reunion. Much of the same music was played in '94 at the 35th reunion, but it had all been re-recorded from CD's onto DAT audio tape by then. Some of these songs in '89 came from the original 45's with surface noise, scratches and all.
Songs of the ISS 40th Anniversary Celebration (1993)
In honor of ALL the classes and years at Indian Springs, this music contained at LEAST one song from each year from 1952/53 to 1992/93. It's interesting to see how the music changed as the years went along. All of these songs made the Billboard Top 10 Pop Chart of these years.
1999 Photos of the 40th Reunion Party at Jerry & Joyce Lanning's Smyer Lake house.
These 1999 snapshots are in a directory. Just click on the photo you want to see. Thumbnail small sizes are also there to look at first to see if you want to take the download time to look at the full size photo. Hit back arrow button to return to main ISS page.
ISS 40th Anniversary Committee and Logo of 40th Gala
This is the big group (names & addresses) of those who worked on the school's 40th Anniversary celebration in May of 1993. It was a huge project, both the day at the school and the night at the Birmingham Civic Center.
List of Former Faculty of ISS - - Read and Remember Them.
Quotes and letters of Doc Armstrong, by Karen Armstrong Carter - - from "Selected Writings of Louis E. Armstrong" copyright 1983.
First D-Day at ISS, by Allan B. Cruse '59 - - Clearing a 50 foot, mile long powerline trail.
Allan Cruse - "How Doc Did It" - - His recollections of Doc talking to a freshman about the uniqueness of ISS.
Bunch of Memories - - Things from 40th Anniversary Pamphlet (poems, prose, facts, fun)
1952 Brochure text before the school opened. - From the ISS Home Page

THE ISS SCHOOL EMAIL LIST USED TO BE HERE. It has been deleted because of SPAM problems. If you want a classmate's email address, please contact the school. They will be more than happy to get you in touch.

Alumni Quotes about ISS - Thanks to Mark Noel and Benjamin Thomas


Stories from Alumni - A Dozen Great Stories


Stories from (Last Name) Carter, Thuss, Ort, Jones, Malloy, Jones, Mueller, Lentz, Bigger, Read and Byers. Great collection of stories of Events, Teachers, Classes and Classic Memories of their student years.

Your Idea of a Chair - By Frank Carter
Aerial Photos of ISS - By Chip Thuss
Lake & Springs - By Janet L. Ort
"Stegner's class" - By Bailey Jones
Weekends at Indian Springs - By Larry Molloy
Basic Studies - By Bill Jones
Glee Club trips & Other stories - By Harry W. Mueller, III
Bill Leverette - By Perry Lentz
I REMEMBER ISS - By John F. Bigger
Where Were You Raised - By Larry B. Read
Glee Club Memories - By Tom Byers
Indian Springs School Actually Mutant Training Facility - By Anonymous
Frisbee & MudBowl Tournament 2005 - By Austin Lyman, Class 2006


Other, Alumni Stories from old Alumni-Web (edited by Joseph Sack, Class of '99)



AUDIO Files Section


AUDIO, MP3 of 1969 Doc Armstrong & Everett Holle of Ch. 13
He's talking to Everett Holle of Ch. 13 before Glee Club performance at Christmas time. Doc talks about a letter from a ISS grad in Viet Nam and about love and to live in the light. (1:39), 294k file size.
AUDIO, MP3 of ISS Alma Mater 1957 Glee Club
This is the recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format (1:07), 1.056 mb file size.
AUDIO, MP3 of ISS Alma Mater 1999 Alumni & Student Choir
This is the recording Alumni Day 1999 at the Town Hall Dedication. It's the combined Alumni and Student Choirs in MP3 Format (1:05), 1.024 mb file size.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Barefoot"
"Barefoot" recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "In My Arms"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Jamaica Farewell"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Banana Boat Song"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Vive L'Amour"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Motherless Child"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Steal Away"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Battle Hymn Of The Republic"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "What Shall We Do With A Rowdy Sailor?"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "O Peaceful Night"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Dry Bones"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Whirlwind"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Christmas Concert - excerpts"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Ghost Riders In The Sky"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Shenandoah"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Folk Song Suite"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "Paul Revere's Ride"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, .mp3 "The God Who Gave Us Life, Gave Us Liberty"
Recording of the 1957 ISS Glee Club from LP record in MP3 Format.
AUDIO, MP3, Intro by James Scott of Senior Teachers, May 20, 2000
Intro of Cantey, Watkins and Fleming at Alumni Day 2000 in MP3 Format (3:17) , 1.532 mb file size.
AUDIO, MP3, Frank Cantey, Alumni Day 2000
Recollections and stories of Mr. Cantey in MP3 Format (28:32), 13.364 mb file size.
AUDIO, MP3, Lee Watkins, Alumni Day 2000
Recollections and stories of Mr. Watkins in MP3 Format (22:31), 10.548 mb file size.
AUDIO, MP3, Mac Fleming, Alumni Day 2000
Recollections and stories of Mr. Fleming in MP3 Format (5:20), 2.502 mb file size.
AUDIO, MP3, James Scott final comments
Closing of "Recollection" segment in MP3 Format (2:44), 1.294 mb file size.

Photo Section (Old and New Pics)


Photos of "Lake Project", September 2000 until --- MAY 2001.

"The maintenance crew works daily--and all day--dredging the lake. They are making great progress, but most of the task is still ahead of them. Our biology teacher is working on the planting plan (fish, flora, etc.) that will keep the correct ecological balance and hopefully, avoid future problems like this. The students will be involved too, so it should be a great experience for all."

(E.T. Brown comments:) "The picture of the dozer stuck by the beach happened on the first day. On the first day we only had one bulldozer, but brought in another one the second day. Lee Sanner, the head of maintenance, got the thing unstuck using the backhoe soon after I took that picture. Since then, they have gotten stuck a couple of times, but with the other dozer, get unstuck in about 5 minutes. No big deal."


Continued photos of lake project - October 16, 2000

  • Dry lake bed and Upper Pond
  • Causeway showing Upper Pond & dry lake
  • Old bottles are part of treasure found in mud
  • Much progress being made increasing depth of the lake
  • Another view of work with trucks in background
  • Close up of progress (all above photos Oct. 16, 2000)
    Other photos of lake project by M.D. Smith - October 22, 2000

  • Here I (MDS) am pointing at lake bed and opposite road side
  • Photo of lake bed with Town Hall and Dining hall behind
  • Scott Smith digs in bulldozed mounds
  • And finds treasure. Very Old Pepsi bottle
  • Causeway showing upper pond, swan and blocked pipe to retain water
  • Close up of Swan who seems to be doing well
  • This is me and my car deep in the bottom with dam wall behind
  • A wider shot of my and car in deep end of lake on hard ground
  • 3 bottles found in muck sit on bulldozer tread
  • Lake and canoes waiting for water to come back
  • Scott taking a "mock" drink from old Pepsi Bottle, dozer behind
  • Very wide shot of car in lake bottom with school in background
    Lake Starts Filling Up - December, 2000 [photos from E.T. Brown]

  • New boat dock before filling. Shows depth of this area.
  • View of New Dock as lake fills in background
  • Deep End of Lake as filling just began
  • Middle of Lake filling up
  • Long view of Deep End filling with school in background
  • Cross view showing new dock with deep and shallow parts
  • Upper part of main lake near causway filling up
    MAY - 2001 - LAKE IS FULL - FISH RELEASING [photos from E.T. Brown]

  • MAY - 2001- LAKE IS FULL - RELEASING FISH BY STUDENTS
  • MAY - 2001- LAKE IS FULL - More Fish Release
  • MAY - 2001- Students around stock-truck Comments from ISS folks on Lake Project
    Most of the comments so far are from E.T. Brown on the faculty at ISS. He's also run the bulldozer a couple of times for 4-6 hours at a stretch.


    1956 Brochure
    Large photo of Cover. Below are other photos from brochure.
    History of Directors at Indian Springs School; Louis Armstrong (1952-1972), Joseph Jackson (1972-1986), Mac Fleming (Interim, 1986-1987), Douglas Jennings (1987-2002), Mel MacKay (2002-2007), Lee Pierson (Interim, 2007-2008), Gareth Vaughan (2008 - present)

    You're the website statistics person to visit page since Dec. 30, 1995.
    Best Regards, M.D. Smith in Huntsville, Alabama
    Return to MDS Home Page

    Please send any comments to M.D. Smith (mdsmith@HiWAAY.net)

    This page created by M.D. Smith in 1995 and last modified on November 11, 2009 ©