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

Page 8 text:

Another great handicap of the forty-niners was the communication system. The Pony Express teas the only federal means. As is told in stories, riders were often killed by Indians or outlaws, thus making it difficult to get new riders. If anyone wished to send a message hack East, he had to wait until someone was returning and ask him if he would deliver it. The graduating forty-niners of Argentine are, in a way. much like those in the I800's. These students are entering an experience different from anything they have ever experienced. Tor the first time in the lives of most of them, they will be out earning their own money making their own way in the world. The forty-niners were also entering a new experience. It is true the land they were traveling through had been partially explored by others, but most of them had never traveled the strange trails. Each of the two groups had and has a goal to accomplish. I he goal of the forty-niners was the hope of striking a rich gold mine and becoming rich. The goal of the seniors is the hope of success in the field of earning their own living and perhaps making a name for themselves in the world. Many of the original forty-niners accomplished their goal and it is the hope of the faculty and students that this year’s forty-niners will accomplish their goal.

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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.

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MR. F. L. SCHLAGLE Superintendent f MR. J. C. HARMON Principal MR. ROY T. BAKER American History Constitution Basketball Coach MISS EDNA BARNES English. Dramatics MISS CHARLENE BOUSE Office Secretary MR. GUY BRADFORD Vocations. General Business. Cooperative Part-Time Training MR. G. C. BRINK Shorthand. Typewriting MISS STELLA COLE Clothing. Homemaking MISS GLADYS CONGDON American History. Reviews MISS GRACE DALE Shorthand. Bookkeeping. Office Machines MISS EDITH DELANEY Mathematics MR. KENNETH I. DICK History. Mathematics Football Coach Junior High Track Coach MISS NORMA GISH Office Treasurer jfatultP ?:$ MR. C. G. HEATH Mathematics. General Science Senior Track MISS MAUD HEWITT Crafts. Art. English MR. F. S. HOOVER Biology. Physics General Science MISS LILLIAN JESSUP Geography World Geography MISS EVELYN KOESTER School Nurse MR. C F. KUKUK Applied Mathematics Algebra. Junior High Football and Basketball Coach Miss Myrtle McCormick Latin. English Mr. Thomas I. Matthews Metalwork. Welding MR. E. A. MOODY Mechanical Drawing MR. HAROLD J. MOULD Instrumental Music MR. C J. OLANDER Physical Training Physiology. Health MRS. RUTH PATTERSON English. Homeliving Foods I MISS BERTHA PLUMB Food. Cafeteria MRS. HATTIE POPPINO Librarian MR. C. L. RICHARDS Woodwork MISS PATTI SANKEE English. Spanish MR. FRANK SCOTT Auto Mechanics MR. N. F. SHELL Ma t hem at ics. Chem ist r y MR. J. R. SIMPSON Electricity MISS FRANCES TAYLOR Journalism. English MR. V. E. 'TIMMINS Civics. World History International Relations MISS SUE UNRUH Physical Training Physiology. Health MR. G. W. WALLING Machine Shop MISS MONA WALTER Vocal Music MISS BESS WILHITE English