Jacksonville High School - Crimson J Yearbook (Jacksonville, IL)

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The Nautilus W. I. H. S. L. MEET Won by Petersburg.—Pittsfield Second, Jacksonville Third. Miss Sena Miller wins Second in Declamatory Contest. Friday, May 4th, the day for the Western Illinois High School League meet, was an ideal day, and early in the morning delegations from the different schools began gathering in to witness one of the greatest athletic contests ever held in Jacksonville. The streets were thronged with lively school boys and girls, flaunting and waving their colors. The Y. M. C. A. was made headquarters for the students of the different schools, and those on duty at this place, w ere busily engaged all morning providing for the visitors. Every school brought a large representation. Petersburg capped the climax when beaded by Jeffries Band, Sampson, the slayer of the Philistines with his troop of heroic followers paraded through the streets to their camp. THE ATHLETIC MEET. Fully 2500 people gathered on the Illinois College athletic grounds to witness the athletes from the nine different High Schools of the League contest for the W. I. H. S. L. pennant. The grand stand was filled with howling enthusiastic students, and the air was rent with ringing High School yells. At 1:30 the first event was cal- led off, and every other event followed in direct order, due to the promptness of the Illinois college officials, who had it in charge. Formerly our team thought that they had a fairly good show for winning the banner, but after discovering that Sampson’s hair had not yet been cut off, their expectations dropped to about 12 below zero. However, under the condition that we were competing with one of the strongest teams in the state, every boy on our team made a splendid showing, especially those of the team who will compete again next year. One first w'as taken by Wait in the hurdles, who bids fair to make one of the best hurdlers in the state, and who will help Jacksonville carry off the pennant next year. Wait also got second in the running broad jump; Young took second in the standing broad; and L. Johnston carried off seconds in the mile and mile runs. The remainder of the score was taken out in the thirds, won by Reid and Duncan. Petersburg certainly had a strong and winning team. They showed in every event that much time had been given to practice and training, which 20

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The N a u t i 1 alms-givers; pleasure-loving women cast aside their gay ornaments and rich attire, devoting their time to the care of the poor and the afflicted. A pyramid of what Savonarola called “Vanities” was made and burned in the public square. The intrepid friar spared no one, from the lowest peasant to the highest official, from the humblest monk to the Pope ihim-self. Men could not but heed him, could not but realize the truth of his preaching and strive to live in accordance with his lofty ideals; and thus it was that he helped to place humanity upon a higher level. Such was the political and moral reforms of this fearless enthusiast; but his influence upon history is of still greater importance. Although he was destined seemingly to ultimate failure —to the wrath of the Pope, to excommunication from the Church, to the disloyalty of those who had once been his faithful followers, to imprisonment, torture, and death upon the scaffold— yet his work had not been done in vain. He had awakened men .to their surroundings, he had stimulated their intellects, and thus had contributed largely to the progressive movement then taking place in Europe. His political reforms in Florence had created in the people of other nations a desire for liberty, enkindling that spirit of democracy which, then but the merest spark, increased until it became a furious flame, spreading over all Europe. His preaching against corruption and sin had originated a movement of mo- ral reform which was perpetuated through succeeding generations and which, though it did not teach rebellion against the underlying system and doctrine of the Church, was nevertheless instrumental in bringing about the Protestant Reformation. Thus the career of Savonarola is one of the most remarkable in history: for his bold opposition to tyranny and his consequent political reforms; for his zealous preaching against corruption, resulting in a great movement of moral reform; and for the far-reaching influence of his work, extending down through succeeding centuries. The world will ever honor him for his dauntlessness of purpose, his fearless denunciation of sin, his steadfast adherence to truth and right; and will look upon his work as one of the important factors in two great historic movements, the Reformation and the Renaissance. MEMBERS OF G. A. R, SPEAK IN CHAPEL. Wednesday morning, May 23, the Matt Star Post, G. A. R. had charge of the opening exercises, and interesting remarks were made by Capt. Lee and Comrades Williamson, Stevenson, Jordan and Mathers. Capt. Lee gave a history of the flag, which was greatly enjoyed and was followed by prolonged applause. Comrade Williamson spoke especially of two thrilling war incidents, with which he was connected. The remarks bv all these old veterans were thoroughly apprec-by the students. 19

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TRACK THAM