Grants Pass High School - Toka Yearbook (Grants Pass, OR)

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THE TOKA 7 Once there the king was a prisoner and for seven months Cortes ruled the Empire through the king, who was his captive in hiB own capitol and surrounded by millions of loyal subjects. At last the Mexican people lost patience. An attack was ordered on the Spanish. The king tried to stop the war but he was assassinated while speaking to the army. After the death of the king the war began in earnest. Soldiers poured into the city from all over the empire. Thousands of these were killed by the Spaniards but others came to take their places. At last, hard pressed, Cortes decided to leave the city. He made the attempt after dark. The army of the natives, however, learned of the attempt and made an attack on the retreating soldiers. The Spanish were completely routed, over two-thirds of the entire force being destroyed. Later, Cortes returned to the city and conquered it after a prolonged siege, then changing it from a New World Empire to a Spanish Colony. Almost four hundred years have passed since Cortes first landed on the Mexican coast. Today all that Is left of the millions of highly civilized, well-governed people are a few wandering bands of Aztecs who weave blankets or string beads for the tourists, who travel through that region. And of proud old Spain, the country that carried on this great conquest, stripped of her great colonial possessions, humbled among nations, and with dissension at home, nothing remains. ®hr Nujlit Hrfnrr ffiaUnuip’rn 'Twas the night before Hallowe’en And all through the school Not a creature was stirring Or breaking a rule. The doors were all locked With greatest of care. In the fear that bad boys Ere long would be there. When all of a sudden There arose such a clatter That no one could tell Just what was the matter. Such a hurrying of feet. And trying of doors. Then wailings infernal Were mingled .with roars.

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6 THE TOKA (Umiqueat nf ifextrn. Wherever Spanish arms went In the New World a trail of blood, hate and a desire on the part of the natives for revenge was left. And of all the nations carrying on explorations in the New World Spain was the least scrupulous, the most cruel. In the southern part of what is now the United States, extensive explorations were carried on. These were originated by a desire for the precious metals only, no thought of colonization ever coming to the adventurous Spaniards. In Peru, too, the same greedy, cruel spirit was shown. The natives were first conquered, then robbed and at last reduced to slavery, working their own mines and fields for their Spanish conquerors. It was In Mexico, however, that the most cruel spirit was shown and the highest form of civilization reduced by the Spaniards. The conquering was carried on here by the most gifted and daring Spaniard of his time. Hernando Cortes, a man trained both at court and In the battlefields of the Old World, with enough service in the New to make him thoroughly acquainted with the people he was to conquer. Cortes was perhaps the only man at that time who could have reduced the Mexican people with the small force at his command. In 1519, Cortes landed at the bay of Champeachy with a force of veteran soldiers trained in the New World warfare and well fitted for the work before them. He was at once attacked by the “half-wild people” of that region, but he of course defeated them very easily. Soon after this battle, Cortes was met by embassadors from Montezuma, the powerful Mexican king. These ambassadors gave Cortes presents of gold and silver and requested him to go no farther inland. Cortes with his characteristic decision burned his ships and started at once for the capital of Mexico. Several times during the march of Cortes toward the capital he was met by embassadors from Montezuma, who requested him to turn back. At last when the king saw that it was impossible to persuade Cortes to turn back he sent him an invitation to visit the capitol so as to raise an open war with the Spaniards. Never during their adventurous lives had the Spanish soldiers seen anything that would equal this city in splendor or beauty. The beauty, however, was lost upon Cortes. Those wide streets, paved and dustless, were merely looked upon with an eye that saw only their value to the heavily armed cavalry. The large temples were ideal places in which to barricade his army. That beautiful lake, a place to float small armed vessels which would aid in the reduction of the city and the gold which he saw on all sides was a means of buying favors with the King of Spain. Soon after his entrance to the city, Cortes persuaded the Mexican King to accompany him to the place where his soldiers were housed.

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8 THE TOKA Then out through the door And down to the gate A figure rushed quickly. But, Ah! ’twas too late! For fast was it locked And high to the top And though made of Iron There was danger ’twould drop. So back up the stairs In haste then it flew. And all through the building The air became blue; While over the floor Ran rivers of tears That would fill any soul With thousands of fears. The boys just outside Were kicking the ball And making such noise That they heard not a call. Then dusk came at last. And up to the hall There wandered one boy To dispose of the ball. He unlocked the door And fell back in fear; For within a ghost screeched And his doom he thought near. But he gathered his courage And entered with care. When whom to his joy Should he see standing there But a dainty young maiden With a deep, frowning brow And smiling through tears Stood Miss McAdow. The door had been closed And as no one was nigh To rush to her aid She was ready to die. But the sight of a human So lessened her fright That she welcomed him gladly And beamed with delight. With a loud cry of Joy She sped on her way; They were friends evermore From that memorable day.