Goshen Central High School - Yearbook (Goshen, NY)

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THE PIONEER 11 was abolished, and the stockholders were given power to regulate the affairs of the company themselves. On June twenty-eight, sixteen hundred and twelve, Governor Yeardly, believing that the colonists should have a voice in governing themselves, called the first legislative body that ever assembled in America. This meeting was held in the church, and was called the House of Burgesses. It consisted of the governor, council and deputies, or “ burgesses,’’ chosen from the various plantations or boroughs.” Its laws had to be ratified by the company in London, but, in turn, the orders from London were not binding unless ratified by the colonial assembly. Afterward (sixteen hundred and twenty-one) these privileges were embodied in a written constitution—the first of the kind in America. In this way a measure of freedom was granted the young colony, and thus, you see, Jamestown became a nursery of liberty. Tobacco was now raised for the first time, by the colonists, in sixteen hundred twelve, and it became a great article of export, and was so common that it was used as currency. To my knowledge, the best use of it was made when a boatload of young women of good character was brought over and sold to the settlers for one hundred to one hundred fifty pounds each. The colony had, up to this time been a company of bachelors, but with the advent of the women came happy homes and firesides. In this way the social life was very much elevated. Slavery was introduced in sixteen nineteen, when the captain of a Dutch trading vessel sold twenty negroes to the colonists. Their labor was found to be very profitable in cultivating the tobacco, so large numbers were afterward imported. Jamestown was saved, some time after this, from a terrible Indian massacre by the timely warning of a friendly member of the Indian tribe. Jamestown's most exciting year undoubtedly was the year of sixteen hundred and seventy-six. A governor named Berkeley was sent out to Virginia, and by his tyranny and dishonesty nearly ruined the colony. The people now took matters into their own hands, and, under a young leader named Nathaniel Bacon, they commenced a civil war against Berkeley and his followers. In the midst of this struggle Bacon died, and his followers lost heart, and were defeated by Berkeley and his men. As soon as Berkeley obtained the power again he revenged himself by hanging more than twenty of the leading men who had opposed him. This brutal act was too much for the king, so he at once recalled Berkeley, and took control of the colony himself. During these troubles Jamestown was burned. Today, on going up the James river, one may see, on the right hand bank, the ruins of an old church—the one in which the House of Burgesses met over two hundred years ago—and this old tower, with its arched doorways and crumbling walls, is all that remains of that Jamestown whose struggles I have attempted to record. Peter Pan.” Lecture Course. THE following “Afternoon Talks to the Students,” were arranged by Prin. M. C. Smith: Nov. 28, “Thanksgiving in a Land of Plenty.” Prin. U. F. Axtell, Tuxedo. Dec. 21, Christmas as a Social Institution, Rev. Andrew Schriver, D.D., Chester. Jan. 11, Reminiscences,” Rev. Floyd A. Crane, D. D. Feb, 1,“Abraham Lincoln—Forty Years After,” Supt. G. H. Baskerville, White Plains. Feb. 21, The George Washington of the Netherlands,” Prof. S. B. Howe, Jr., Plainfield, N. J. March 8. Subject to be announced. Com. Wm. P. Kaufman, Port Jervis. March 22, Wonders of the American Canyons,” Dr. E. R. Varcoe. April 5, “A Talk on Journalism, George F. Gregg. April 19, “Ancient Systems of Justice,” Percy V. D. Gott. As can be imagined, these proved to be the source of much information and interest to the students, and to the teachers as well. The subjects were so varied and the speakers were so well adapted by knowledge or personal experience to treat each individual topic that interest had no opportunity to flag. This was one of the most successful of all departures of the high school entertainment and enlightenment projects.

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10 THE PIONEER The Minisink Prize Essay. THE following essay won for Miss Marie Parker the prize of $5 offered by the Minisink Chapter, D. A. R.: JAMESTOWN. It had been a hard voyage for the men on board the Sarah Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery—this crossing of the ocean from their native to an almost unknown land—for they had spent four long, lonely months on the great sea, in the roughest of weather. Nevertheless, on the th:rteenth of May. sixteen hundred and seven, the adventurers, under the command of Captain Newport, sailed boldly into Cheaspeake Bay, and saw for the first time the land (Virginia) which, in England, had been described to them as ‘' a promised landand called ‘ ‘ Earth ’ s only Paradise.” After sailing for about fifty miles up the Powhatan river, which they called the James, in honor of the then reigning English monarch, the site of the first permanent English settlement in America was chosen, and named Jamestown. The colonists brought with them a charter, given by the king, in which it was stated that for five years all labor was to be for the benefit of the joint stock, and that the government was to be administered by a council, nominated by the king. The council must reside in Virginia. As soon as the one hundred and five emigrants landed, the council was organized, and they chose Edward Wingfield to be their president. The men were all jealous of one of their party, Captain John Smith, who was the proper person to be at the head of afiairs, because he had more talents and more zeal for settlement than any other man. However, complications soon arose, and they were then very glad to appoint Smith as their leader. Under his direction a rude church, a fort, and a few huts were built, and, in order to keep starvation away, he forced the settlers to plant corn, and declared that he who would not work might not eat.” Most of the men had never worked before, so Smith trained these tender gentlemen till they learned how to swing the axe in the forest, and then he marked out for each man nis daily labor, and saw that it was done. During the summer many died of the deadly ague-and-fever, ” and danger from the Indians was ever present. Notwithstanding all these miseries, everything went on well while Smith remained at Jamestown. He was, however, rather fond of wandering about in the new country, and while he was away the colonists would neglect everything, and spend their time in idleness. It has been said, whether upon fact or not, that once, during one of his wanderings, he was taken prisoner by the Indians. The great Indian king, Powhatan had condemned him to die, and the death blow was just about to fall, when Pocahontas, the beautiful daughter of Powhatan, rushed forward and begged that Captain Smith’s life might be spared. The king acceding to his daughter’s wish, released Smith and sent him back to Jamestown. Pocahontas became a firm friend of the whites, and did them many a service. She afterward married John Rolfe, a young Englishman. About two years after the settlement of Jamestown, several hundred more emigrants arrived, most of them sent over the sea as a good riddance to England. They brought with them a charter vesting the authority in a governor instead of a local council. Smith made these men work and compelled them to obey him, but he was soon injured by an explosion of gunpowder, and was obliged to leave for England to obtain medical assistance. Idleness and disorder began again, and Indian troubles broke out anew. By spring only sixty of the five hundred colonists were left alive. This period was known as the starving time. At last the men determined to leave the wretched place, and not cne of them shed a tear, for none had enjoyed one day of happiness. The next morning their despondency was turned to lightheartedness, for as they moved slowly down with the tide, they met their new governor, Lord Delaware, with an abundant supply of provisions, and a company of emigrants. They all returned to the homes they had just deserted, and the Jamestown colony was once more saved from ruin. A third charter was granted the colonists in sixteen twelve. The council, residing in London,

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12 THE PIONEER Notes on Baccalaureate. Mary McCormick has her eye on a Man(n). The Senior Class is indeed a curiosity, the president is merely accompanied by some Brown Wood and a Marsh. Although Earl Roosa has reached the high school room, his childish pleasure in watching the Carr(s) is noticeable. Alfred Wyker has a strange fascination for a Co(a)l(e)man. It is to be hoped that since Mary McCormick is interested in a Man(n 1 she will cease her baby talk. Junior : “ I’ve found out something lately.” Senior : Well, what is it ?” Junior: ”K. A. T. has decided that to live without H. A. M. is impossible.” What are Oscar Marsh’s favorite Biblical women characters ? Answer : Martha and Ruth, of course. ‘ ‘ Margaret Terwilliger has changed her religion! ’ ’ ” How ?” “Oh, she’s worshipping an image of Ivory. Mr. Brown keeps up his interest in the little room across the hall. Marie Parker has gained a lap on Minnie Wood in their competition for something “(B)empty.” Teacher: ‘ ‘ What use do tears have in the human body?” Scholar: “To wash the eyes.” Teacher: “ Yes, and the eyelashes.” Another scholar: “Oh, Gee! they are the wash rags.” Our ’' Grace ’ ’ ful opera singer is on a still hunt for a beau. Teacher: “John, stop that laughing out loud, this minute!” John : “ I was only smiling.” Pupil in next seat: ‘ ‘ Please, m’am, the smile broke. ’ ’ “25.” Sayer: “Would you like to own a puppy, Edith?” Edith : “ Oh, Sayer, this is so sudden ?” “The smile that won’t come off.” Guess. “ Now, school ma’ams, take note that many teachers come to Goshen single and go away double.”—Judge Swezey(probably the year 1907.) Oscar says he’s more fond of Day(ton) than night, especially since some one has plucked his pretty little flower, the Myrtle.