Mount Vernon High School - Hoop Pole Yearbook (Mount Vernon, IN)

Page 11 text:

0,000 ...25 . ,,,,gaP L.-- WHY CALLED HOOP-POLE lt is an erroneous conception on the part of most people that the term Hoop-pole County was given this locality because of ' the hoop-poles grown here. In the early days Mt. Vernon was a very important river port. Flatboats dotted the river from New Orleans to Pittsburg. Products of every description were transported on these crafts, the most common being lum- ber. For some unaccountable reason, prob- ably because of its shipping location, Mt. Vernon became the noted center for cooper shops. Common belief has it that hoop- poles themselves were grown in great abundance in this county. Instead they were shipped here from regions farther south to be made into barrels. This coop- THE COLISEUM ering industry flourished about seventy years ago. The common custom upon both the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in those days was for all boats passing to hail each other and to find out the other's business. People along the shore would so hail the passing boats. Whenever a ilatboat bound for or away from Posey County hailed, this conversation followed: Where ye from ? Hoop-pole County, Indeeanief' Whatche got on board ? Hoop-poles and dried punkins. I MAIN ST.-BEFORE THE OAKLAND CITY GAME Seven

Page 10 text:

,f lint N' '- e 4' .f2 . . 44 g Six CARGO I ...................... Crews II ................... On Watch III ................. Maneuvers IV .................. Fish Tales HAIL M. V. H. S! We will shout for the Red and White, A,nd we'1l yell Mt. Vernon Highg Never taunted, never daunted, We will root M. V. H. S.----1 RAH! RAH! RAH' .Loyal to our school, boysg Till we die, we'll praise her name In victory or defeatg We-'ll never dare But fight for her the same. boys, retreatg

Page 12 text:

New 1 ' fi. n ' W fig.. ll PORTALS-NEW HI This became so common that I-Ioop-pole County, Indeeanieu was known everywhere in the United States. In the midst of this period of coopering prosperity occurred a fight between the coopers of Mt. Vernon and a low class of river men landing at this port. It was a com- mon event for these rufiians to go into the town and to tear things up in general. The peaceful citizens, tired of this bullying element of peo- ple, united to drive them out. Armed with hoop- poles and barrel staves they encountered the riv- ermen and a battle royal ensued. The boatmen were finally beaten and in great haste they em- barked and went down the river. They pre- sented a sorry looking aspect and upon inquiry as to their plighted condition they would reply that they are a rough set at Mt. Vernon. Unfortunately the fame of this episode has spread with the fame of the hoop- poles. Hoop-pole is now used with respect and tribute, rather than with shame. Eight THE OLD CASTLE