Peru High School - Narcissus Yearbook (Peru, IN)

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NARCISSUS, 1932 As: when the golden sun .salutes the morn, And 116661.12-Q gzlt the water wztlz. lux beafmsf' see the electric right-of-way from Peru to Lafay- ette dismantled. It seems that the truck is de-- stroying its rival. the electric railway. The same may not be true of the struggle be- tween truck and steam railroads. At any rate. Peru is vitally interested in this latter struggle. Since ours is a railroad town, our people are naturally sympathetic with the railroad and are hopeful that it will win out in its struggle against its rivals. The new type of transportation has been made possible by a remarkable system of State and Fed- eral highways, most of which are paved. Peru has been fortunate enough to get two Federal roadsg No. 2-4 and No. 31 pass through our city. Besides these two Federal highways, Peru is lo- cated on State road No. 21 which promises soon to be paved and probably will become part of the great Appalachian Highway, running from At- lanta, Georgia, to Chicago. VVith this historic background and traditional past, is there any wonder, then, that Peru should be such a remarkable center for recreation and pleasure '? The excellent highways that enter Peru afford its citizens with a rare opportunity to go on sight seeing pleasure trips and vacations. And now, what can be said of the places to go and of the things to be done in the vicinity of our com- munity? Peru is situated in the very midst of Northern Indiana's richest natural beauty. The entire Wa- bash River valley is noted for its rare scenery. As one motors toward Peru from north or south there is a beautiful sight in store for him as he comes out on the crest of the hills, just before descending into the valley proper. Suddenly he sees, spread out under his view, a wonderful landscape of fer- tile fields, neat buildings and happy highways. Far away in the distance across the valley can be seen the hilltops of the other rim of the valley. Somewhere in this view the eyes of the entranc- ed traveler meets the sight of the historic Wabash River, rich in legend and tradition. wending its way towa1'd the Ohio and later joining the Great Father of Waters-the Mississippi. The Wabash river affords us a really beautiful sight. Song writers have longed to see the moonlight on the Wabash, and to smell the new-mown hay which is so familiar to us. The Mississinewa River which joins the Wabash a short distance east of Peru is also a historic river. So beautiful is the scenery in the valley of this tributary of the Wabash that the State of Indiana will probably make it into a great State park. We who live so near this natural beauty should learn to appreciate it more. In this proposed State park will be included the famous Frances Slocum Cemetery which attracts so many pilgrims and sight-seers every year. The whole vicinity of our community is saturated with relics of the past, speaking of the days that have gone and of the struggles of our predecessors to hand down to us the great heritage of govern- ment and convenience which is ours. Because of the stores of relics hidden in the CCont'nued on Page Fifty-sevcnj Page Five

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NARCISSUS, 1932 'Twill murmcr on ct thouscmcl years And flow as now it flows. PERU---A RECREATIONAL CENTER FROM the very day in 1826 when this part of Indiana which we call our old home town changed from an Indian possession to a Govern- ment possession, Peru has been rich in tradition and legend. In its earliest days, this community was known as Miamisport. At that time the Wabash river was the most important artery of trade and com- merce, and Peru profited greatly from the travel which came up and down the river. Soon after 1830 the little village of Miamisport found itself in the path of the great Wabash-Erie Canal, which paralleled the Wabash river. Al- though this canal never was a paying proposition to the State of Indiana, it contributed a great deal to the growth and prosperity of this little village. This canal altered greatly the life of the com- munity. It made possible such advances as fac- tory and shop-which had previously been of little importance. The main street of the town was First Street because it faced, or rather, paralleled the canal. Shops and factories sprang up and the building of one of them still stands. The Hackley Plow was invented by one of Miamisport's leading citizens. In those days the biggest problem of the farmer was to keep his implements in repair. The great advantage of the Hackley Plow was its de- tachable plow-point. If the point were broken it could be removed and replaced by a new one which could be obtained at Miamisport. Needless to say, this industry thrived. Boatloads of scrapiron Page Four were shipped via the canal and the Hackley Plow Works contributed immensely to the growth of the town. The building still stands on East First Street that housed this concern and if one looks closely on the front of the Standard Cabinet Fac- tory, he can see the dim words-Hackley Plow Works. But the canal was doomed. A greater day was coming. With the advent of the railroad the canal was quickly abandoned. Since those days, Peru has grown to be recognized as a railroad town. The Lake Erie Sz Western fwhich later became part of the Nickel Platej, the Wabash and the C. and O. railroads all pass through Peru, and until recently all these railways have considered Peru as a division point. It can very truthfully be said that since the coming of the railroad, Peru's growth has been very largely due to the railroad business. Near the beginning of the 20th century, a new type of transportation made itself known-the electric railway. Peru again became a center for various systems, the Indiana Union Traction, the Wabash Valley Traction, and the Winona Trac- tion, all contributing to Peru's prosperity and growth. But today we are witnessing a death-struggle between the electric and steam railroads on one side, and the bus and auto-truck on the other. Electric transportation seems to be losing and many lines are being abandoned. Soon we are to

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NARCISSUS, 1932 H. A. TI-IRUSH A. I-I. COLE J. H. JENKINS GLADYS MCDOWELL PRESIDENT TREASURER SECRETARY CLERK BOARD OF EDUCATION THE city of Peru has entrusted the responsibili- ty of management of the entire city system of education to this small group of Peru's most worthy citizens. Few people realize the responsi- bilities connected with such a position. To this board falls the duty of providing teachers, janit- THE ADMINISTRATION THE administration of Peru High School is di- vided into five classes, namely: 1. The Prin- cipal. 2. The Assistant Principal. 3. The Facul- ty. 4. The Student Council. 5. The Secondary Council. Each of these is vital to the efliciency of a well-managed school. The Principal, J. P. Crodian, during the years that he has been in the high school, has worked to make it possible for our school to develop and un- fold the capacities of the students for a more use- ful life. He has always emphasized the import- ance of good scholarship, clean character, high morals, and sound habits, all of which students must strive to attain if they are to realize the greatest opportunities afforded by an active school life. Those who work with him through the Stu- dent and Secondary Councils have come to realize' that he constantly has kept the welfare of the school uppermost in his mind. The Assistant Principal, Miss Elizabeth Wilson, also serves as girls' adviser. Her schedule is so arranged that there is time for conference daily. Any girl with questions concerning school regula- tions, choice of courses, or personal problems should feel free to ask her advice. The faculty is composed of an intelligent group of men and women who are vitally interested in the students and their progress. Qualifications for the positions which they hold are very high, es- pecially since our whole school is a member of the North Central Association. The Student Council of Peru High School was organized in 1924. It consists of fifteen members: Page Six ors, buildings, equipment and supplies necessary for the proper training and enlightenment of the youth of our community. One of their pleasant tasks, and one long to be remembered by the Sen- iors, will be the presentation of diplomas by the president of the board. OF PERU HIGH SCHOOL the president of the Student Body, who presides at the Council meetings, the presidents of the four classes, four Seniors, three Juniors, two Sopho- mores, and one Freshman, elected by their re- spective classes. Its purpose is to create good will, promote good citizenship, and give students training in Student Government. lt is not a social organization, and therefore has very few social activities. It meets weekly to discuss matters per- taining to the school, and does its best to make P. H. S. a better school. The Council appoints monitors and supports worthy school projects- one each year-such as publishing the students' handbook. Although it is a small organization and works quietly, it works to boost the activities of Peru High School. Miss Reed is the faculty sponsor. The Secondary Council was formed in the year 1927 for the purpose of aiding the Student Coun- cil. At the beginning of each semester, each first period class elects four officers. The presidents of all Home Rooms constitute the Secondary Council, and meet once each week to discuss problems and to carry back to their respective rooms informa- tion concerning school activities. This council has proved a great asset to P. H. S., for it is through this organization that the Scholarship, Attendance, and Spelling Contests are carried on. The Secondary Council works hand in hand with the Student Council. In this way, the Student Council is able to get the opinion of the students as a whole through their Home Room President. The faculty sponsor is Miss Wood.