Phillips High School - Wabasso Yearbook (Phillips, WI)

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Z' A? Fi fi wx r MBASS ' f .. 2. 'na - ,gr :g a qg, ,E 'f-b3gilEslsf.. . 3 WL., ,gtg , s .sq-1 who is about to die gasps for breath, and then the cabin was in darkness, save for the reHection on the wall of the firelight. The storm continued to rage. But where was Dan, the old trapper who had spent nearly seventy years in the wilderness? Several nights later, after the storm had passed, all the bold creatures of the forest were out beneath the clear, starry sky, seeking for something to satisfy their hunger. Several miles up the river, at the head of his pack, the old cunning wolf, which Dan had tried to lure into his traps on several occasions, raised his nostrils to the wind, sniffed the ai1', and giving a loud, fearful howl, which seemed to be a mixture of savage delight and human anguish, bounded eagerly over the snowdrifts, darting through the shades of the forest as something made of air, with the rest of the shadowy forms of his pack in close pursuit. Their cry seemed to tell of revenge and to sing of the death of the old trapper, who never returned to the cabin. Henry Landa '26 Glhe Ziiriumph uf Phillips A spirit of anxiety prevailed and there could be detected that feeling of doubt and unlest which prevails when the monsters, fear, and uncertainty, threaten the hearts and homes of men. It was stiningly hot and sultry, there was smoke in the airg a sense of impending chaos reigned, as the torrid rays of the sun beat mercilessly down upon the struggling frontier city of Phillips, which was filled with smoke coming from the northern woods. At that time this city, one of the largest and most beautiful in northern Wiscon- sin, held two thousand five hundred staunch souls-pioneers-men of rare calibre, in whose hearts burned the principles of progress. They had braved the dangers and dis- comforts of the northern wilds, that they might establish homes and leave as a monu- ment to their efforts, a complete and settled community, a place better fo1- their having been there. For many days before this, hre-man's most deadly enemy-had been raising havoc throughout .ne surrounding forests, leaving naught but destruction and desolation in its wake. Such was the enemy faced by the citizens of Phillips on that fatal day, Friday, July 27, 1894. The fires had been Working close to the city, and men had almost continually been fighting them. The greatest menace, however, were the burning peat bogs, south and west of the city. Up to Friday noon, the iight appeared to be successful. Then there arose a heavy wind from the southwest, and the Hre swept on toward the city, destroying everything in its path. It first devastated Beebe-town, Kimball's and Palm's additions on the west side of Phillips. Then the entire city, like chaff before a hurri- cane, was swept by the great blaze. Nothing but total ruin remained. Thus the early city, valued at over one million and a quarter dollars, fell before the fire-but only to rise again-to again become one of the leading cities of northern Wisconsin, Leland Lucas '26 Gihe Bistnrg nf Phillips In 1879 the county of Price was organized, which, up to that time, had been a part of Chippewa County. Such men as Charles F. Williams, E. W. Murray, Chris Dardis, .sq 72 Il.-

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f .tg wh ,i W, -5 9g 1 -. 5 5: 5 , QQ' l 1.1.57 Lyn- ,Eze-.:::S -: fl. f-.9 -'j N9-F ' -5- -.gn if 'dlhe 019121 Glraxpper There was a long silence. Nothing was heard but the howling of the Wind around the corners of the cabin, while from the distant tree tops came a moan, as from one in distress. Now and then, as a stronger gust of the gale swept the shack, it shuddered as though fearful of what would happen should it lo.se its hold on the frozen ground. The ire in the little tin heater roared fiercely as if burning with a desire to get out into the wild night and to take part in such deeds as the mad elements enjoyed on a night like this. This gives one but a vague idea of the kind of night that was raging outside the little cabin. Although the inmates of the cabin were comfortable enough physically, their minds were anything but peaceful. Somewhere out there in that merciless storm was one of their number, the one who would be least able to resist the assault of the wind and frozen snow as they beat his face and weakened body. Old Dan, who had built the cabin several years ago, had gone out to look over his trip-line the morning of the previous day. For over a week he had not felt well, but the call of the wilderness was irresistible for such an old time cruiser as he. By his practised eye, he knew, as he passed out of the cabin, that a storm would be raging by nightfall. But he assured his companions that he would be back at noon, for he intended to go only so far as the Red Banks. His absence this stormy night was the cause of all the anxiety felt by his comrades. At last the silence was broken as Spike slowly rose from his place on the edge of his cot, unfolded his six feet three inches of height, and going to the door, opened it carefully lest the wind should tear it off its hinges. He peered intensely into the gray blackness of the night. Is he coming? asked Pep who was by far the most talkative and inquisitive of the whole camp. Long and earnestly the tall youth peered into the darkness, trying to pie1'ce the snow streaked air. At last he closed the door and silently took his place on the cot. It was unnecessary to ask the question again. Each understood his silence perfectly. Poor Dan! Where could he be? Such was the thought of each as he sat look- ing down at the floor. Under these conditions, it took but a, little stretch of the imagin- ation to change the shrieking and moaning of the wind into a human voice, calling for help. Let's look for him. Who'll go with me? It was Salley who spoke. That slender youth, with a face as gentle as that of a girl, had nerves and muscles of steel. I responded Pep, with a sinking sensation within, at the thought of facing that mad blizzard, whose only ambition seemed to be the sweeping of everything to destruc- tion. Boys, it's no use. It can't be done. You can't see ten feet ahead of you. Besides you don't know where to look for him. He's gone. You can't walk across a forty and find your way back in this storm. Wherever he is, he's at rest. The words fell upon the ears of the listeners, as those of a judge pronouncing a death sentence. Each realiz- ed the soundness of the old man's reasoning. By this time the red flame in the smoky lantern had grown dim, and as no one replenished the supply of oil, the dame fiickered, leaped upward several times, as one -dl 71 pc..

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l' X . 93215 :fi S-X!l..-Q - . ,qi gy . lg gan, 3 Hgxvff c VWBASS ' :-: ' 5 , 1. ch ef. . ,.,v-f-Sfc5.L.---1' 1. an Af- 65,11 I ,f I William Farrell, and W. F. Turner planned to organize a settlement on the bank of the Elk River. The village was named Phillips after the manager of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. Lots were soldg but all lots were not on the market, because D. C. Beebe of Arcadia, New York, who owned the land in what is now called Beebe town, had platted an addition, and the owners of the Phillips plat did not propose to encourage the sale of these lots. W. D. Gumaer was the first settler in Phillips. His daughter Priscilla, was the first white child born in Price County. The first logging operations were started in 1882. All the virgin timber was still standing. The pine trees were especially beautiful, often attaining a height of one hundred feet, and a diameter of five feet. The timber was cut by the John R. Davis Lumber Company of' Phillips. This company has since changed hands, and is now known as the Kneeland McLurg Lumber Company. On May 8, 1877, Lake Street in the village of Phillips was declared a public high- way. Previously it had been an Indian trail. The red men often came to pay their white brothers friendly visits. They belonged chiefiy to the Chippewa tribe, which now resides on a reservation near Willow Lake, in Oneida County. The first election was held in September, 1878. The village plat had been re- corded but three days and only half a dozen families composed the town, but over three hundred votes were cast. There was no Australian voting system at that time, but at the next election, a new method was used, which had the essential features of that .sys- tem. The people realized by this time that they were in need of a church. The first religious services held in Phillips were conducted by the Catholic Father July, of Stevens Point, in October, 1876. The organizer of the Presbyterian church in Phillips was the Reverend Jacob of' Stevens Point, who preached to a congregation of four on April 10, 1881. The first Methodist sermon was given January 21, 1877. The German Lutheran Church was founded July 6, 1885. The first newspaper of this village was The Phillips Times, a democratic paper, the editor being F. W. Sackett. The first issue of this paper was printed January 4, 1887. Although news was scarce, there were several subscribers, considering the limit- ed number of families residing in the village. Later Charles H. Darlington published the Republican paper, The Phillips Bee . The first school was conducted in a ware-house. Miss Matilda Dunn was hired as teacher for a three months term. In most of the districts, school was in session but six months during the year, three months in the spring, and three in the fall. The salary received by the teachers was about forty dollars a month. On July 27, 1894, the Phillips Fire broke out, coming from Kennan and destroy- ing everything in its path. Of the entire city, only a few shacks remained standing. When the fire came, everyone hurriedly carried away his valuables or buried them. One man, who lived where Friedlfs store now stands, was burned to death when the roof of the house collapsed as he was trying to take out a trunk. People took refuge in the water, wrapping wet blankets around their heads, that they might breathe without in- haling the smoke. The fire traveled to the box factory and from there to Tannery town. Twelve men, who were in a boat, were either drowned or burned to death. Later a relief train came from Prentice to carry the people to temporary refuge. -41 73 pe..