Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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2 S THE PA.XT OX I Hill SCHOOL REFLECTOR have moldered into dust, yet the deeds this great man wrought, will live forever. Yes, a century in the political deevlopment of American institutions, and governmental policies—largely conceived by Alexander Hamilton—justifies the probecy of a spokesman at the time of his death. “The name of Hamilton will not die until that dark day shall come when the name of Washington shall be remembered no more.” (Ihr Alumni SUill According to the last school report published, the first class to graduate from the Paxton High School was the class of 1878. It consisted of but five members, three boys and two girls. Edgar N. Stevens was a member of this class. The class of 1878 consisted of but two members, Julia D. Bickett and Florence Moffett, neither of whom are now living. The records do not indicate the graduation of any classes during fhe four years following. Bach year thereafter, beginning with 1883, has added its class to the Alumni roll. The smallest number after the first two classes was six, and the largest twenty-six, and the total number now to whom diplomas have been awarded is 370, of which number 139 were or are boys, and 231„ girls. The present class has the distinction of being composed of the maximum number of graduates, 2G Only two other classes—those of '0G and '07, reached so large a number. Your reporter was asked to gather up some Alumni Notes for this Commencement number of the Reflector. The request, however, came too late for him to make any extended inquiry. The following items of interest were jotted down in an evening's round of inquiry: Harry E. Dunlap, ’84, is now manager of the Bureau of the “New York World” at Washington. D. C. He has gone to the top of the ladder in newspaper work, and is author of a number of good theatrical plays. During the last Presidential campaign, he traveled with Wm. E. Taft, and was with him on his trip to Panama. Harry E. Hanley, 85, is associated with Day Bros, in their law office in the Stock Exchange building, Chicago. Stanley Sutton, '87, was manager of the Employment Bureau for the Illinois Steel Co. when last heard from. This company employs thousands of men—taking in hundreds of new men every week. Belle Mercer, '90, is conducting a musical studio at Jackson, Tennessee. William E. Nowlin, ’90, is working at his trade in Seatlle, Wa-h. Since leaving Paxton, he spent several months in the Philippine Islands. Harry E. White, ’97, is interested in the shoe business at Memphis, Tennessee. Chas. B. Nicholson, ’95, has been with John A. Roebling’s Sons Co., Chicago, 111., for the last six or seven years. This is the largest company of its kind in the world. Charley enjoys the confidence of his employers and holds a position of honor and trust with them. Harry C. Flora. '97, after spending several years in the IT. S. Army— part of the time in the Philippine Islands, where he was secretary to General Bell, has settled down to railroading on the I. C. R. R. He occasionally visits home folks in Paxton. Arthur White, '95, is practicing medicine in Oklahoma City, Okla. He Is rapidly rising in his profession. Ada Patton, ’97. is now on the library staff, as cataloguer, in the University of Illinois Library. Clara Tcderstrom, ’97, is now a trained nurse in Chicago. Glenn Bicknell. '02, is planning to enter Armour Institute next fall. Harry Hill and James Lund, ’05, will graduate from the U. of I. in June this year. Fred Langford, ’04, holds an excellent position as Civil Engineer with

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 27 and put Into immediate and successful operation, a governmental financial |M)licy which has endured with little change to this day. As Daniel Webster so eloquently said: “He smote the rock of national resources and abundant streams of revenue gushed forth. He touched the corpse of the dead republic and it sprang to its feet. That famous birth of Minerva from the brain of Jupiter was hardly more sudden, than the birth of the financial system of the United States from the brain of Alevander Hamilton.” You know that oft quoted statement, “Hamilton could do the thinking of his time”; and how true it is! Well may we shun any attempts to demoralize the Hamiltonian ideals of government. Jefferson’s prosperity was the outgrowth of Hamilton’s ideas. The fundamental principles upon which the perpetuity of our government depends, are the outgrowth of the financial and political ideals of this genius. You know' of Aaron Burr. You know of the envy and hatred with which he watched the working of this brain that has never been excelled in the intellectual world. You all do feel that in the shadow of Hamilton’s prosperity there is a creature looking on with murder in his heart. When challenged to duel with Burr, Hamilton accepted against his moral principles. But he knew full well that he would be called a coward, and as he himself said, Just before the fatal meeting on the Jersey shore, “Who would trust a man in command in the event of war, if he had ever been called a coward?” As the morning sun cleared away the hazy mists on the eleventh day of July, 1804, the duel took place. Hamilton fell, and it was a fall that w’as heard in every civilized land and clime. Burr, his slayer, fled for his life. Like Cain, in the early world, with the brand of murder on his brow, he became a wanderer on the earth, and his name a new symbol for the taker of human life. We know that the name of Hamilton sounded in his ears Wherever he went. “Ah, the slayer of Alexander Hamilton!” exclaimed an Englishman to whom he was introduced, and turned his back. “Sir, I always have a miniature of Hamilton hanging over my mantel-piece”, said a French statesman, whose favor Burr sought. “By the death of Hamilton you have forfeited the right of citizenship,” said an American consul as he refused him pass-ports. During all the remainder of Burr’s life, he was shunned by his former friends, and strangers whom he chanced to meet, refused to clasp his hand. His name lives only as do those of the murderer and traitor of every age and time. How different the name of Hamilton! At the head of far-famed Wall Street, New York City, in old Trinity church-yard, there rests today the crumbling dust of all that is mortal of Hamilton, the Martyr.” The sacred historic spot is marked by a simple and unpretentious monument on which are inscribed these words: “To the memory of Alexander Hamilton, the corporation of Trinity Church have erected this monument in testimony of their respect for the Patriot of incorruptible integrity, the Soldier of approved valor, and the Statesman of consummate wisdom, whose talents and virtues will be admired by a greatful posterity long after this marble shall have crumbled into dust.” How true this estimate of his patriotism, his valor, and his political wisdom. Few in the ancient or modern world have surpassed him in these civic and political virtues. This estimate carved upon his tomb, a little more than a century ago, has been fully justified by the light of passing years, so also have the estimates that were penned or spoken, when the tragedy of his death, and the memory of his services, were fresh in the minds and hearts and sympathies of his countrymen. We know this to be true, for we read among these tributes, that the “name of Hamilton raises in the mind the idea of whatever is great, whatever is splendid, whatever is illustrious in human nature”; that “He was a man upon whom nature seemed to impress the stamp of greatness.” “His was the clearest head that ever conceived; his, the sweetest tongue that ever uttered the dictates of wisdom.” This head, this tongue,

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THE PAXTON HIGH SCHOOL REFLECTOR 2 9 the U. S. government on the Okanogan reclamation service project Helen Frederick, ’03, will discontinue teaching, and will spend a year in study at the Dekalb State Normal School. She expects to graduate from that institution in one year. Glenn Bainum, '05, will be principal of the Melvin Public Schools next year. Kthel Bushnell, ’04, will graduate from the Chicago Kindergarten Insti tute in June. She graduated from the U. of I. last June, and was valedictorian of her class. Howard Bushnell, ’03, is now in Memphis. Tenn., where he is engineering the construction of a large depot. E. J. Schneiter, '98, is still in Jacksonville, Ind., where he is inventing useful mechanical devices. We all know that he will ultimately succeed in inventing something of great importance, for he has it in him. Horace Bushnell, ’04, is succeeding as an architectural engineer in Seattle, Wash. He graduated from the U. of I. a year ago. Venum Lateer, ’03, is at present in Idaho prospecting with reference to a location for the banking business. Victor Laurence, ’02, graduated from Armour Institute last year, and is now engaged in the Electrical Engineering profession in Chicago. Henry Lundgren, ’07, is planning to take a course of medicine in Chicago next year. Harry Hill, ’07, of foot ball fame is taking a special course at Onarga Seminary. He is captain of the foot ball team. Glenn Mills, ’07, holds an excellent position in the Y. M. C. A. work at Peoria, 111. Morrey Pierson, '07, is studying law at the University of Michigan. Ruth Carlsten, ’08, has been tendered her old position as teacher of the Kemp school at a very material increase in salary. Miss Carlsten will take a special teachers’ training course at the Illinois State Normal University this summer. Lillie Carlson, ’08, will enter the Illinois State Normal University next September, where she expects to remain during the year. —Donald Bainum, ’ll. THE ANNUAL CONTEST AND DEBATE. The keen anticipation which had marked the weeks of preparation for !he Annual Contest and Debate between the P’atoniaa and Athenaeum Literary Societies of the High School had become intense excitement by the night of the Contest; for the performance of the contestants before their respective societies on the previous afternoon, had ma e it evident that the struggle for the cup would be one hard fought along all lines. Early on the f vening of April 30, a loyal army of Platonean soldiers, firm in their resolution to retain as their own the coveted silver cup, won in two similar contests, had marshalled themselves at the left of the rear of Clark’s hall. On the right, drawn up in battle array, swarmed the bands of equally loyal Atuenae-ums, sternly determined to wrest from their opponents that same silver cup. As the clans were gathering to battle, the audience was diverted and the players behind the scenes were encouraged, by mighty cheers from strong young kings. The volume of sound was most tremendous and amazing; and it would have required an earthquake register to tell which society out-rooted the other. There was a happy absence of hissing or any form of malice and nobody minded the noise. It promptly ceased when the contestants appeared upon the stage, and a tense silence which told the deep interest of all the audience, reigned thereafter. The contest for the serious declamation opened the evening’s program. Ruth McCracken, representing the Athenaeum Society, toll! with exceptional skill the story of the regeneration of Jpan Valjean, the hero of “Les Miser-