Mercer County High School - Highlander Yearbook (Harrodsburg, KY)

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The Bagpiper Piper at Parade Clan Mercer Tartan

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Dedication The Graduating Class of 1966 proudly dedicates the HIGHLANDER to a real champion, Mr. Amos Black. His easy-going disposition enabled him to survive four years as our class sponsor, enduring such trials and tribulations as prom-planning, toothbrush and hosiery-selling, and float-designing. The early life of Mr. Black was centered around sports. He fulfilled his life’s ambition when he graduated from the University of Louisville with a major in health and physical education. This native Mercer Countian then returned home to coach basketball at McAfee High School for two years. When Mercer High was established in 1955, Mr. Black began his career as coach of football, basketball, and baseball. As coach, Mr. Black encouraged his players to do their best for the school. Although no longer coach, Mr. Black still shares his knowledge with others by teaching health and sponsoring our class. In deepest gratitude to one whom we know as a friend, we offer the 1966 HIGH- LANDER.

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What’s in a Name? Do you know why our yearbook is called the HIGHLANDER, why our school is called MERCER HIGH, why our school newspaper is the BAGPIPER, why our school colors are RED and BLUE, and why the SCOTTIE was chosen as our mascot? The answer to all these questions can be found in a brief biographical sketch of General Hugh Mercer, a Revolutionary War hero, renowned medical doctor, and true American patriot. General Mercer's exact birthdate is unknown, but he was born about the close of the first quarter of the eighteenth century in Aberdeen, Scotland. Reared with all the culture and manners of that chivalrous age, Hugh Mercer was prepared for and then sent to Mareschal Col- lege, where he studied medicine. Doctor Mercer was a Cavalier in politics and believed in the right of the Scottish house of Stuart to the thrones of Scotland and England. In 1745, Charles Edward Louis Philip Cassimir Stuart, known as the Young Pretender and as Bonnie Prince Charlie, supported by the Scottish Highlander clans, raised the standard of his father, James Stuart, as Pretender to the thrones of England and Scotland. As assistant surgeon of the army, Hugh Mercer went to Edinburgh, Prestonpas, was in the march on London, at the defeat at Derby, the victory at Falkirk, and the final defeat at Culloden Moors. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Highlanders were cruelly defeated and the hope for restoration was aban- doned after Charles, disguised as a maid to Flora Mac- Donald, wife of the chief of the MacDonald Clan, made his escape to the sea and fled to France. The High- landers were forced to take an oath of allegiance to King George of England, swearing never to wear their kilts again nor to play their beloved bagpipes. Having hidden from the British officers for nearly a year, Dr. Mercer arrived in America in 1747, and settled near the present Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Infatuated with military life, he joined General Brad- dock's troops against Fort Duquesne where he later was appointed commander. He left Pennsylvania after his return from Fort Duquesne and settled at Fredericksburg, Virginia, prob- ably upon the suggestion of General George Washington to whom he had become attached. Both the rich ana poor of Fredericksburg welcomed the cultured Scotch- man into their homes as he again took up the practice of medicine. Dr. Mercer spent seventeen of the hap- piest years of his life here, serving his patients. When the war clouds of the revolution gathered, Dr. Mercer was given command of three regiments of minutemen. His office became the meeting place of patriot leaders. Here Washington laid many of his plans. When the storm broke loose at Lexington, Massachu- setts, the services of Dr. Mercer were given to raise an army. In 1776, he was made the first colonel in the Virginia regiment. Very shortly afterward, Congress, at Washington's request, promoted Colonel Mercer to the rank of Brigadier General. General Mercer and Commander-in-Chief Wash- ington were together at the retreat through New Jersey, the attack at Trenton on Christmas night, and the night march on Princeton which was led by General Mercer. During the battle of Princeton, his horse was shot from under him; fighting on foot with only his saber, and attempting to help his men stand the charge of the enemy, he was mortally wounded. Thus, his life had been sacrificed for the country of his adoption. Everywhere patriots grieved, for his death created a profound loss throughout the Colonies and in the Army. Twenty thousand attended his funeral. A monument was erected to him by the St. Andrew Society of Phila- delphia and a bronze statue of him on horseback still stands at Fredericksburg. Illinois, Missouri, New Jer- sey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky have counties named for him. No more beloved physician, no finer gentleman, no more gallant soldier, no truer patriot can be traced through the pages of our history. Mercer County, Kentucky, formed in 1783, and our own Mercer High School, established in 1955, were grateful to be able to use the name of this truly great man for their own. From the nationality of General Mercer, the Scottie was chosen as our team mascot. From the red and blue plaid of the Mercer Clan tartan, our school colors are taken. The traditional Scotch bagpipes fur- nished the name for our school newspaper, and thus our yearbook bears the title, THE HIGHLANDER. 5