Argentine High School - Mustang Yearbook (Kansas City, KS)

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Urgentia» 1048= 1040 lililisljrb Iiu Cfjr Mentor Class Argentine I;tgf) djool Clucutu- rcm ani» luihu Afrnmc pansas (Citu, pansas •• CtJitors iWutluj Crisp ittijrtle 3Hrab lilUalidli Hill Halplt «3lm(fr Cliris llrhrns Sports 3Jim 3Jrstrr djune Stanton Business 3f rances JTagatt canrttr Carrier Jfacultp atJbistr iWiss prances ii. (Tanlnr IS « tutorial taff 5:5 I IRS I ROW—Imler. Magathan. F agan, Hill, Blankenship. Head. Carriger SECOND ROW—Sexton. Stanton. Crisp. Johnston, Moffett. Jester. Davis. Vassar, Albright NOT IN PICTURE—Vedros, Bushnell.

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$ €l)e Jf ortp ilinrrs Although gold was found in California in the fall of 1848 the methods of travel and communication were so slow that the electrifying news failed to reach the Hast before the winter snows and winds set in, temporarily halting the rush until the spring of 1849. There were a few daring ones, however, who started the journey as soon as the news reached them. 'These people suffered through a long and bitter winter on the plains. As there were few trails and land marks, they usually followed the rivers: but when the spring thaws came, the rivers were swollen to twice their normal size. and. as a vicious destroyer, drove the travelers into the wide open plains. All kinds of people took part in the big rush. There were whole families looking for homes, young boys from large families who had been pushed out of their homes or sold to companies who promised the proper education for them, unsuccessful men hoping for a new start, gamblers, musicians, fur traders, thieves wanted in many coun- tries. discharged soldiers, hard, reckless women, and invalids grasping at the chance for health. There were those who could not stand the hardships who broke under the strain, and those who were strong enough to pull through. They are all remembered because they meant progress. In 1849 physical strength was the main asset in reaching the common goal, gold, but in addition to this, horses, mules, wagons, picks, shovels, straining pans, and their own feet were used to reach it, and success. No matter how they traveled, the pioneers had to face danger. The Indians resented the intrusion into the land which they considered theirs, and they would often destroy entire wagon trains by massacre, and, after taking everything they wanted, burn the wagons. When the pioneers finally reached their destination they found a scarcity of food, clothing, shelter, and most disheartening of all, gold. The families especially suffered from hunger. With the numerous killings and brawls it was not uncommon to see men equipped with pistols, bowie knives, rifles, and occasionally all three.