Gettysburg High School - Cannon Aid Yearbook (Gettysburg, PA)

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Famous Beyond the County's Borders ARIOUS countians made their influence fe-lt vq,,,f,fw,fe.l far beyond our southern Pennsylvania county. Even before there was a county ,QQ known as Adams, a woman's name, synony- mous with courage and fairness, was proudly mentioned by early settlers. Likewise, today we hail countians whose contributions are recognized far be- yond the borders of the county and state. Space per- mits us to recognize but five of them. EDWARD McPHERSON The name of McPherso11 has long been identified with the progressive growth of this county. The men- folk of the McPherson clan. wise and faithful public servants, have furthered the interests of the county and countians on numerous occasions. An illustrious son of this well-known family was Honorable Edward McPherson C1830-18955, who served his country, his state and his county, both in government and journalism. In the field of government he served as deputy commissioner of Internal Revenue, Clerk of the National House of Representatives, and Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. A mainstay in the Republican party, he served as editor of the Philadelphia. Press. Other editorial projects in- cluded the Handboole of Politics and the New York Tfribzmc Almanac. Although his duties frequently called him to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, Mr. McPherson came back as often as possible to his family and friends in Gettysburg, where he found relaxation from an arduous political life. MARY JEMISON Mary Iemison, born on the Atlantic Ocean in 1742, resided with her parents, two brothers and one sister at the head of Marsh Creek, in what is now known as Buchanan Valley, then a part of York County. When Mary was twelve, she was carried away from her home by the Indians who had massacred members of her family. Ten TQ? During her second year of captivity, Mary, now known as Deckewamis, since her adoption by the Indians. was married to a Delaware Indian, Sheninjee by name. In l759, Mary named her first-born child Thomas Jemison, i11 memory of her father. Her hus- band's death a few years later caused her deep sorrow. At the close of the French and Indian War, Mary could have returned to her white relatives and friends, since the victorious English were seeking to make this return possible. However, Mary refused the offer, claiming to prefer to live with the Indians who had shown her so much kindness and because she felt she could bring about a better understanding between the white race and the red by remaining with them. When Mary was twenty years of age, she married the fifty-five-year-old Seneca warrior, Hiokatoo. With him she lived happily for forty-eight years. Four daughters and two sons resulted from this marriage. Longevity seemed to mark this unusual marriage, Mary dying at the age of ninety-one and Hiokatoo at the age of one hundred three. A lovely statue has been erected to Mary Jemison's memory at St. Ignatius Church in Buchanan Valley by proud countians. Valley folks are happy to recall the sturdy pioneer girl, loved and respected by both white and red people. A similar statue has been erected to Mary Iemison at Letchworth State Park in the Iroquois Country of New York State in commemoration of her services i11 bringing about a mutual understanding between the two races. ELSIE SINGMASTER LEWARS One of the grand ladies now living in Gettysburg is Elsie Singmaster Lewars. Mrs. Lewars has been writ- ing novels a11d short stories for so many years right here in Gettysburg, that we unfailingly place her in the select group of well-known people. Countians are not too much concerned when Miss Elsie delves into our country's past history or lingers a while with the Pennsylvania Germans, for they know that the result will be a combination of good judgment, excellent English and interesting narrative.

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SOPHIA MUCHA Home Economics, F.H.A. Adviser C second semesterj N. LOUISE RAMER American History, Guid- ance Counselor 5 Journalism Adviser, Maroon and Wliite Qeditorialj, Quill and Scroll ELMER H. SCHRIVER Agriculture 3 F.F.A. Ad- viser JACOB M. SHEADS American History, Civics, Senior Class Adviser, Bat- tlefield Club HOWARD G. SHOEMAKER World History, Civics, As- sistant Athletic Coach ALMA S. SULLo Librarian M. KATHRYN WAGAMAN School Nurse 5 Nursing Club RUTH M. lwUNDIS Typing, Senior Class Ad- viser, Maroon and Wliite Qbusinessj, Quill and Scroll EDITH P. REINHART Girls' Health and Physical Education, G.A.A. Adviser, Cheerleaders' Club, Junior Class Adviser RICHARD D. SHADE Vocal Music, High School Choir Director ROBERT E. SHEADS Biology, Junior Class Ad- viser RUTH A. SPANGLER French, Spanish, English Hg Cannon-Aid Adviser, National Honor Society FRED G. TROXELL Algebra, Geometry, Student Council, National Honor Society, Athletic Associa- tio1I Treasurer RUTH S. WIsLER English Ig Junior Red Cross Council, Freshman Class Adviser

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It is not unusual for Mrs. Lewars to use county events, county scenes and county people in her writ- ings. This she does with sympathy and understanding. The same fine spirit that puts such thoughts into print prompts her to participate unselfishly in such activities as the Lutheran Church, the Red Cross and the Adams County Library. DAVID WILLS David VVills was born in the year 1831, in Menallen township, a son of James Wills. David, a very aggres- sive young man, had his residence in a substantial, comfortable home on the southeast corner of the square of Gettysburg in 1863. This home was destined to be- come historically famous. It was to this house that President Abraham Lincoln came on November 18, 1863, by invitation of Mr. Wills. Today everyone knows that in one of Mr. Wills' bedrooms, finishing touches were put on a speech that was destined to be one of the masterpieces of its type in the English language. In addition to playing host to the president of the United States, Mr. Wills was a public-spirited man of great distinction. He was intensely interested in the establishment of a Soldiers' National Cemetery at Gettysburg, after he had done valiant civilian service in the trying days of July, 1863. After securing the help of Governor Curtin, he saw fit to further his ideas and secured others to help him put them into execu- tion. Moreover, it was l',ludge Wills who personally invited Edward Everett, the acclaimed orator of the day, and Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States, to speak at dedication exercises for the cemetery. A lawyer by profession, David W'i1ls served his town as burgess and his county as the first county super- intendent of schools. In the world of Finance, he served as a director of the Bank of Gettysburg. CHARLES MORRIS YOUNG Charles Morris Young, the famous landscape and portrait painter, was born in Adams County, not far from Gettysburg. Although Mr. Young is now resid- ing in Radnor, Pa., he spent much time in Gettysburg fifty or so years ago. Despite the fact that for art's sake he was called to Philadelphia or to Paris per- haps, he came back frequently to Gettysburg for a sojourn of several months and set to work in a rented studio. During these occasional visits, he put his brushes to work to portray on canvas well-known friends and familiar scenes. Under such circumstances he made the portrait of Honorable Edward McPherson, a copy of which appears on these pages. Fifty years ago Adams countians hailed the genius of Charles Morris Young and today local residents con- tinue to speak with pride of Mr. Young, whose paint- ings hang in many of the famed galleries of the world. GETTYSBURG'S FIRST AVIATOR Back in the good old days of Adams County our grandparents could readily recollect Gettysburg's first accom- plished aviator. Now, he was not a common aviator of the airplane of to- day, but of the first gas-filled balloon. It is related that this ambitious soul had paid fifty dollars to the man who was exhibiting this bit of aircraft for the privilege of standing in the basket of the balloon. After pondering over the situation the dissatisfied customer be- came angered at the fact that he was only allowed to stand in it. Then, act- ing on an impulse, he cut the cables which held the balloon stationary on the ground. Up, up, he went until he became a speck in the never-ending sky. Much to the amusement and amazement of the county, he and the balloon were discovered hours later in the neighboring county of York. . till! it Eleven