Farragut High School - Where the Action is Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 12 text:

SES ll0PPOC Mr. Moses Hoppock fwhose picture you see on page two alongside the one of Admiral Farragut in the rigging of the U. S. Hartfordj was born in 1858 and lived at Shadow Lawn at Hastings-on-the-Hudson where Admiral Farragut came to live at the beginning of the Civil War. On the United States Frigate Hartford at the battle of Mobile Bay fsee picture of the painting by W. H. Overend on Page twol was a huge flag which will have a particular interest to all students of Farragut High School because it came into our possession this spring. In 1865 the Admiral was given a reception in the Dutch Reformed Church by the people of Hastings. Seven year old Moses was sent to get the Hag from the Farragut home, to drape over the pulpit. After the reception the Admiral gave the flag to Mr. Hoppock, Moses' father, saying it would look fine on the tower of Shadow Lawn, their home. It flew over Shadow Lawn until 1889. In March, 194-1, Mr. Hoppock kindly donated this memorable relic of the Civil War to our school with an affidavit giving its authentic history. On the back of the flag is discernible U. S. Hartford and Admiral Farragufs name. There are 38 stars on the blue field. Each stripe is 1121 inches wide and the stars measure eight inches from point to point. Almost 12 feet high, the Hag is 15 feet wide. When the Hoppocks used to hang it out of the cupola window at their home in Westfield it came so close to the ground that the children hung on it and tore it. Some of the blue field as well as two stars have disintegrated. Mr. Ernst Josi, shop teacher, is making a dustproof glass case for the flag and affidavit so that future generations may view this historical memento. A bronze tablet will bear Mr. Moses Hoppockys name and the date of the gift and will hang in our library.

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FABB famous words, Damn the torpedoes. Full speed aheadln That year he was promoted to Vice-Admiral, the first to hold this rank and two years later became the first Admiral in the United States Navy, as a national recognition of distinguished service and exalted patriotism. In 1867 he was permitted to take Mrs. Farragut with him on a European coastal cruise of good will. To his death on August 14, 1870, he lived up to the words published about him in the British Army and Navy Gazette after his capture of Mobile- his feats of arms place him at the head of his profession, and certainly constitute him the first naval officer of the day as far as actual reputation, won by skill, courage, and hard fighting, goes. When David G. Farragut was but ten years old he was referred to as three pounds of uniform and seventy pounds of fight: because even then he had self-restraint as well as self-respect and he would fight when the proper time came. Although as a grown man he attained a stature of only five feet seven inches he continued to command respect wherever he went. Rear Admiral Schley, writing about him during the Civil War period, declared: His gait and step were those of a very young man, and in conversation he was an animated and interesting talker. His information and experience were general, and upon almost all subjects- professional, scientific or political-he was interesting and attractive. Like all great men he was affable and accessible. His manner was one of great mildness and self- poise. His ideas were clear and his methods of doing things were always decided. In any of the emergencies of battle, his towering genius was readiest and his cool self- possession was an inspiration to everybody. The wide difference that was apparent between this sprightly, kind, mild and pleasing gentleman, even when under a heavy load of responsibility, and his lion-like character and presence when battle was going on, was the contrast between sunshine and storm. His judgment of men was excellent, as the choice of officers with whom he surrounded himself indicated. The unvarying and complete success he met in everything he undertook in that great war was due largely to his strong personality, unerring purpose and dashing examplef'

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DEDIC TIO X SH ,fur 1,4 ,,,,,,,,x t J wl1fW ' uvvu lM ' 5 5 w ww v,ii,,w,, J'-' ,fmmfliff ' Z W, 5 4 ,,,Wf,. .,,i.f,,,,,.,,HZ Ty ff, ,WA : .nu Q, 5 2 QQ- 1 1 oi J E E 4 V MZ 7 ? . 5 5 2 ee W1 5 Z Z? A 6 119. J: 1 Y 3 A 1- ,tl It nf 1,4-U., I , ' A '. Fwy? 9' rfffra 2 l I .E as . , u,,,vl To our First Matew-lVlr. William C. Prottsman, we proudly present the 1941 edition of the Farragut Log in appreciation of the time and effort he spends in making a perfectly co-ordinated school as evidenced by the fact that classes start promptly on the first day of each semester. Among his principal duties are assembling the entire school programg preparing individual programs for pupils entering from other schools and evaluating their creditsg planning programs for pupils entering the school after the first week of the semester, supervising prospective graduates, adjusting the scholarship and attendance, and answering numerous questions of pupils and teachers. Our 'Tirst Matev came to us in 1934 and since that time has built an unshalceahle niche for himself in Farragutis halls. It is with sincere gratitude for his patience and tolerance with our stumbling efforts that we dedicate our Log to Prottsie as he is affectionately known among the students. Graduating Classes of 1941.