Hamilton High School - Hamiltonian Yearbook (South Hamilton, MA)

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The Hamiltonian i the Revolutionary War was Israel Putnam, who was horn in Danvers, Massachusetts. He had seen action in the French and Indian War and, upon hearing of tiie fighting at Lexington, he left his plow in the field where he had been working and rede to join the colonial forces. Because of his foresight and good ad ice, Breed s Hill was fortified and he was one of the commanders in that battle. General Wash- ington commissioned him a major-general in July of that same year. Now we will leave the battlefield and heroes of the Revolutionary War and con- sider heroes in a different line — the lit- erary men and orators of Massachusetts. At the mentioning of the word orator, we naturally expect the name Daniel Webster. On January 26 and 27, 1830, Webster de- livered the greatest and most important speech ever heard in the United States Senate. It is known as Jf’cbster’s Reply to Ilayne. Webster rcse to speak to packed galleries. In appearance, he was grave and dignified. He was smooth-shaven, heavy- featured, with swarthy skin, brilliant eyes, and beetling brows; and his rich voice had the range and melody of a chime of hells. ' Fhe simplest man could follow his plain talk while his logic corndneed the most learned. His speech at the laying of the cornerstone cf Bunker Hill monument added to his fame and is considered one of his most touching, yet arousing, pieces of oratory. About the time of the Civil Var, there were many poets and orators who later became famous. Among these is Wendall Phillips who was born in Boston. After being graduated from Harvard, he began his career as an orator. In 1835, he saw William Lloyd Garrison being draggel through the streets of Bost n by a pro- slaverv mob. This enraged him, and two vears later he delivered his famous Faneu 1 Hall speech which made him a leader of the abolitionists. The foremost educator and founder of public schools in America was H ' race Mann, who was born in Franklin, Massa- chusetts. After he was graduated from Brown LTni ' ersitv. he established in Lex- ington the first public school in the United States. He was a member of Congress for five years, and he served as the first presi- dent ot Antioch College. Because ot lus great interest shown in education, he was elected in WUn to the Hall of Fame. In Cambridge there lived the foremost poet of his time, Henry Wadsworth Long- , fellow. Because of his literary contribu- tions, a bust was erected in Westminster Abbey in memory of him. He was an American who was a citizen of the world and a loyal son of his own country and was highly recognized by two English uni- versities, Oxford and Cambridge, when they bestowed honorary degrees upon him. John Greenleaf Whittier was born at Haverhill of sturdy Quaker ancestry. Very little education did he have until he was twenty years of age and went to Haverhill Academy for two years. He was not a scholar, not a philosopher, and distinctU not a polished poet, but one who could write of common things, spontaneously and yet sincerely. In Francis Parkman, we have a man who was determined to be an historian. As a result of his study of the wars between k ranee and England in America, he wrote many hooks pertaining to these conquests. Fhis gave him the distinction of being a recognized historian. Most of his writing was done under severe handicap of physi- cal frailty and poor eyesight. Francis Park- man, in his effort to benefit the people of America, became a physical wreck and nearly blind. One of the greatest pulpit orators of America was Phillips Brooks, who for tw ' enty-two years was rector of Trinity Church, Boston. He was made Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Churches in Massachusetts, and became o re of the best- kn wn men in America, distinguished for his broad, liberal views and winnimr pe’’- sonality. Throughout an active life, by his dramatic oratory and literary power, Phil- lips Brooks was a leader of American thought. In conclusion, I would like to say that if it were not for these courageous men from M assachusetts, from the landing of the Pilerims onward, our country would not be what it is today. We are richlv indebted to these nren and they certainh ' deserve our gratitude and praise. — Walter Fowler.

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b The Hamiltonian rived in this country and established a settlement which they called Salem. Later his colony merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Endicott had previously established a settlement at Cape Ann near what is now (jloucester. 1 here were lifty men in this colony but they grew restless and soon moved to Salem. John Endicott was a man of dauntless courage, benevo- lent, and of a rugged nature. Graduallt, he developed Salem, and in I03b he u a ' appointed one of the magistrates of tli . Salem court. Nine years later, John Endicott was chosen governor of Massa- chusetts so he left his work at Salem and went to Boston. Another famous man in the colonies was John VVinthrop. In 1630, he crossed the Atlantic and became governor of Massa- chusetts Bay Colony. To him, Boston owes its foundation ; and, except for brief inter- vals, he served as governor of this colony until his death. John Winthrop was a mild-tempered man who reasoned out his course of action and his decisions frequently saved the colony fia m Indian massacre s and from interference by the English gov- ernment. Even after his death, his influ- ence remained as a strong factor in the development of the colony. In the meantime, a church had been es- tablished at Plymouth and B homas haunce was given charge of it. He knew many of the Mayihtzver’s passengers and they showed him the place where they landed. Upen hearing that the rock was to be covered by the erection of a wharf, he was deeply affected and he protested vigorously to the erection of any edifice over that sacred spot. More than likely it was the pleas of I ' homas Faunce that saved Plv; mouth Rock frem oblivion. During the beginning of the period of witchcraft in Salem, Cotton Mather was ordained as an assistant to his father in the pastorate of the North Church, Postoi. He became exceedingly interested in the problem of witchcraft in Salem and the text of manv of his sermons centered about this subject. Because of the things he said about witchcraft, many people denounced him : but, until his death, he kept his opinions and occasionallv preached sermons on the black magic in Salem. .After a lapse of time, the colonics gained sufficient strength to ask for their indepen- dence from England. However, England disagreed with her colonies and soon a Revolutionary War was in progress. James Otis was sent to the English Parliament to speak in behalf of the colonies. He de- livered many speeches that were very dra- matic but which seemed to make no effect on Parliament. He returned to America very much discouraged and told the people there was no hope for independence e.xcept through war. Soon afterward, Otis re- ceived a blow on the heael from one of the British Revenue Officers ; this led to recur- ring attacks cf insanity. Because of this, his able defense and leadership were lost to the colonies before the armed conflict came. In spite of his unbalanced niental condition, he fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill and survived. Eight years later, he was killed by a stroke of light- ning while reading in his home. Meanwhile, thirty men enrolled them- selves as volunteers to watch over the moves of the British Army. At their head was Paul Revere. When it was known that the British were intending to march to Lexington, a lantern was hung in the belfrey of Christ Church in Cliarlestown. This was a signal to Paul Revere who im- mediatelv leaped up!)ii his horse and sped toward Concord to spread the alarm. Rufus Dawes, his companion who had started on the same errand, was stopped ; but Revere escaped his pursurers and rode rapidly on through the night, arousing the people in the sleeping villages as he passed until he reached Concord. The next day, because of the watchfulness and courage of Paul Revere, so-called minute men were ready to face the British troops on the Green at Lexington, d ' he war with Eng- land had actuallv begun ! The next battle of importance took place at Bunker Hill where Col. Prescott camped for the night of June 16th. The next dav, these troops were besieged by the British. In this battle, a well known, dearly-beloved man was killed, Joseph AVarren, who after the Battle of Lexington, was made major- general of the Massachusetts troops. He was offered chief command at Bunker Hill but refused it because he thought he was incapable of the position. One of the outstanding patriotic men of

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8 The Hamiltonian PROPHECY O N clay, a sliort time ago, a most ex- traordinary person rang my doorbell, and, upon being admitted, addressed me in tins wise: “Madam, 1 have in this little black case the most amazing, stupendous, colossal in ' ention of the age. If ou will but let me give you a demonstration, 1 will prove that this is positively the most mar- velous, astounding, gigantic — ’’ Vhile I ' .e was floundering for more adjectives, 1 had time to ask him what this remarkable invention was. He replied that it was the see-;diead-ograph, one of the many brain children of the prolific Colonel Stoopnagle and Hudd. It was guaranteed to reveal the future on a screen in a way similar to mo ’ing pictures. Of course 1 as delighted at this opportunity to find out what the futures of m ' classmates might be and asked the man to set up his apparatus. This done, he told me to simply watch the screen and 1 would learn all 1 wished to know. The first picture showed the thrilling finish of a race. A long, lanky runner crept up on the leader, passed him, and won the race by an extraordinary burst of speed at the last minute. Locking more closely at the winner, 1 realized that he was none other than Valter Fowler, our genial class president, who without doubt Avould some day become a famous track star. The scene changed and I saw the spot- less interior of a hospital and heard the following conversation carried on by two white-clad figures. A rather shrill, sharp ' oice said, “I don’t care wb.at the doctor says. I still think I’m right. What do you think. Dot?” d ' he person thus addressed was content to answer in her lackadaisical voice, “I don’t know.” h ' rom this con ersation, 1 realized that Harbara Maxwell and Dorothy Fletcher would both achieve their ambitions to be- come nurses. Another picture flashed on the screen and I saw an attractive, but rather nervous, oung woman busilv autographing copies of her first book. How to Drh’r Fremk Teachers to Distraction. I knew that of course no one was as well fitted to write such a book as Barbara Ham, and thus 1 gathered that she would become a famous author of books based on her own amusing experiences. This picture faded and 1 heard a deej), beautiful voice singing the justlv famous “ Foreador Song” from “Carmen” on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New ’f ork City. After the singer had re- ceived tremendous applause, 1 heard a well- known music critic say, ‘AVhy, 1 consider that young man, Richard Peale, the succes- sor to Lawrence I ' ihbett, the first great American baritone.” As this scene was fading out, I saw the familiar kitchen of Hamilton High School, flowever, it was not Miss Featherstone who was conducting the cooking classes, hut Lillian Kmeney, who, I was sure, would fill that position very capably. I ' he next picture showed a group of trained dogs who were performing in Radio City Music Hall. Wdien I saw that this act was billed as “The Donlon and Hamil- ton I ' roupe,” 1 realized that Ellen and Bob would form a very successful partner- sbi] ' ) in raising and training dogs. Next 1 saw tbe Senate where a speech was being given by W ' allace Knowlton, the greatest filibuster of tbe age, who had risen to the position of senator by use of his oratorical powers. I realized that he would become the backbone of his partv by using his ability to speak extemporaneousK ' . He could be called upon at anv time to fili- buster and thus hold up unfavorable legis- lation. Again the picture changed and this time I saw the deck of a ship. A fine-looking officer, whose hearing showed that he was well aware of his good looks, was severely reprintanding a sailor who had fallen asleep at his work. I was not surprised to see that the officer was Bill Moore and the sailor, Droop Beliveau. After their part in the minstrel show, I felt that both had a definite inclination toward the sea. The next scene showed an executive office in the headquarters of the First National Stores, Inc. On the door, I read “ ' Fhird Vice-President” and when the door was opened, I saw Milton Sanford seated