La Porte High School - El Pe Yearbook (La Porte, IN)

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lakes that afforded cool drinking water for thirsty sojourners. An abundance of game in their camps, made this spot not only the best but the most ideal camping ground along the trails. A little to the south and west of the lake region there was a natural opening between two bodies of timber through which travelers going either wav emerged upon a broad prairie. A French explorer making his way through this region was impressed with the scene and with the poetic instinct of his race called it I.aPorte (The Portal). Those who passed this way were inspired by the beauty of the wild flowers and the sparkling waters to believe that this was more than a mere “place with a name”. It is no wonder then, that pioneers were attracted to this place. From 1833 settlers increased so rapidly and the village of I.aPorte grew so unfalteringly that a town was incorporated. This was followed by the erection of public buildings and the installation of public officers. The coming of the railroad greatly increased the prosperity of the growing community center. It was not long until the thriving town of I.aPorte could boast a newspaper and a daily mail. Public education was fos- tered by the erection and maintenance of a grade school. In 1865, al- most thirty years after the community was established, a high school course was added. This forward step in Education did much to bring about our present opportunity for high attainments. I.aPorte has made itself a good neighbor in its relations with other towns and cities, and has shown a wealth of ability through its citizens in many branches of life. When the call came for men during the Civil and World Wars, I.aPorte willingly contributed her share. Aside from having representations in Congress, many worth-while men have rendered invaluable public service. “The Maple City” invites ambitious citizens to make their homes here and to enjoy the benefits accruing from its general prosperity. Quiet dawn rising in the Fast repeats its message to the world. Nestled in its paradise, a beautiful, thriving city breaths up a prayer to the Manitou who has kept it in its growing years, and has blessed it in its various enterprises. But this city does not breathe that prayer alone, for out of the realms of phantom and mystery, of influence and time comes that welcome symbol of truth, honesty, sincerity and success —the Noble Savage. —Edwin Steei.r. Eight

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QUIET dawn lighting up the East, sent its message to all the world that the sun was not far behind. Standing on the highest point of elevation the noble figure of an American Indian was silhouetted against the sky, stretching his hands to the great Manitou above, who had kept him through the hardships of the winter and tin seasons of shortage. Now he had plenty and he was grateful. The Indian, as a native of a vast and varying land, has not been re- garded with the reverence due him. It would Ik impossible to find a race of people that would surpass the American Indian in bravery and cour- age. The Iudiun was athletic, lived in the open, and had clean habits. This true patron of nature lived with and loved nature. From Her he learned to talk and to understand many things. He un- derstood the problems of the different animals and sympathized with them when they were in trouble. Nature was the sole background for his simple life. He was not an Indian who killed wantonly and indiscrimi- nately, for self satisfaction; instead he considered his food a provision for his need given to him by the Manitou. He had experienced starvation and appreciated his bounties. The Indian was honest, loyal and true to all he knew. Upon being befriended he always remained true and nothing but the breaking of his trust would make him an enemy. He would not hesitate to share his last morsel of food with anyone. Back of all this was the one dominating influence in his life, religion. The Indian’s religion was not brought over in the Mayflower, hut seems to have been an outgrowth of his communications with Nature. The fact that the Indian had been found to have a comprehensive conception of a Great Spirit that ruled all things, is welcomed by all followers of re- ligion and social science. It is no wonder then that we take the Indian as a symbol of our felicity and prosperity. For years, wandering bands of Indians were continually going and coming from the East to the West, sometimes in search of food and other times on the warpath. With the soft, marshy Kankakee region lying to the south, and the sandy rolling country lying to the north, travelers were forced to direct their course either to the only passable strip of land that fortunately lay between the barriers or make a long detour to the south. The convergence of the trails in this manner, and the fact that it was only a day’s journey from the Chicago river caused many travelers to stop over night by the shores of a group of sparkling Seven

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