Prairie Du Chien High School - Blackhawk Yearbook (Prairie Du Chien, WI)

Page 32 text:

place where I educate such as you, who, dissatisfied with a normal life, must needs seek me. After they have gone through all the pain and hardship which I can give them by my method, they may return to their homes with more experience, and a little more wisdom. If you follow the path, you will find your own horse and your proper raiment. Go, and seek happiness in some other way.” As he proceeded on his return journey, the Prince mused, “Have not the tales which have been told me been exaggerated? It was Adventure, but not nearly as pleasant when met with personally as when told of by someone else. I have my mount and my own clothes, and also some added experience and wisdom. Happiness I will have if I wait, and with it I will find contentment. I know now that things are not always as they are represented.” —Myrtle Hintze. EXTRACTS FROM A FRESHMAN’S DIARY Sept. 5—The first day of High School for me. How those “upper classmen” do stare at us. I wonder if we do look so green. Someone came up behind me this noon and told me to move on and not loiter in the halls. Of course, I thought it was one of those Seniors always ready to correct or advise a Freshie, so I just said, “Move on yourself.” If I ever was surprised in my life it was when, on being ordered to the office, I found that the supposed Senior was one of the teachers. Sept. 18—Just scared stiff to pass one of those Seniors or Juniors. They never mind their own business and no telling what they’ll do. I found out though this noon. Before I knew what was happening, they had me down in the basement and gave me a good ducking. Guess maybe they thought I hadn’t washed my face this morning. They said I was being initiated—I’ll have to look that word up in the dictionary. Sept. 29—What a relief to think this is Friday. I’ll have two days of “peace” anyway. Wonder how they expect us to find ourselves in that big building. Went into the “G” room this afternoon by mistake, 'fell you I got out of there in a hurry. It was those Seniors again— they were talking awfully funny, (think they called it German) but it sounded rather suspicious to me. Didn’t take me long to make myself scarce. Oct. 2—Began another week of agony this morning. I just wonder who invented that subject they call “Algebra.” My, I’d like to get hold of that man. I’d like to know what good that A, B, and C, is anyway; I’ll work my problems out with numbers any day. Oct. 13—They tell me I’m on for “Freshmen Rhetoricals” soon (whatever that is). Guess I’ve got to get up and speak a little piece. Good idea to skip that morning. Oct. 30—Well I’m still alive. One can’t take a step or make a misslip of any kind, but what there is a Junior or a Senior behind him to tell him about it. Don’t mind the teasing so much as I do the cold baths. Have had three or four now. Marched out with the girls today. Don’t see much wrong in that, but, of course, the school laughed. Nov. 2—Two of my classmates gave their little speech this morning. My I did feel sorry for them. They were as white as ghosts and you could see their knees shaking from the back of the room. When I do my little stunt, I won’t act as they did, I’ll be very calm, and composed. Nov. 14—Doesn’t take much to make these upper classmen laugh. 28

Page 31 text:

So it happened this time Prince Discontent had barely got out of sight of his father’s castle when Adventure came, in the guise of a band of robbers, who burst from the forest and surrounded him. Quickly, they stripped him of his clothing, giving, in exchange, the ragged coat of a beggar. For his splendidly caparisoned mount, he received a wornout horse which had done service for innumerable years in carrying the baggage of different masters. It had at last fallen into the hands of the outlaws and, so old and disabled was it, that they were only too glad to get rid of it. Sir Discontent, after the robbers had left him, was in a most pitiable plight. Not only was he in raiment totally unsuited to his rank, but he was cut, and bruised, and almost exhausted, for though he knew it was hopeless, he had fought bravely when the bandits attacked him. “Surely,” he said, “this is Adventure, this is what I have wished for. Yet, truly, it is not so desirable as I thought. Perhaps this is not the usual Adventure, though, so I will go on, and, perchance, I may find her in a better mood.” The road led on through a dark ravine. On one side, huge trees shut off the light, their branches dropping and interlacing with those across the way. On the other side, the trees were separated from the path by the sinuous windings and twistings of a deep, black-bedded brook. Indeed, everything was so gloomy that the Prince could scarcely repress an apprehensive glance over his shoulder. VVliat he saw startled him, for there, close at his heels and silent as a shadow, came a gnome, riding on the back of a huge, black bear. When he found that he was noticed, the gnome spoke, saying, “You are welcome, Sir Knight, to my humble home. We are almost there, and perhaps it would be best for me to lead, so as not to miss the door.” The Knight, struck speechless by the gnome’s evident knowledge of his identity, followed him into what appeared to be merely an especially thick hedge. He found himself in an underground passage, and having left his horse outside, now proceeded on foot. As the passage widened, a gleam of light came from ahead, and the muffled sound of an anvil reached his ears as from a great distance. Suddenly, the walls on either side opened, and he found himself in a huge, underground cavern, dimly lighted by the glow from a circle of forges, at which tiny figures were working as though their life depended on the amount of energy they put into each stroke. As h.c stood, amazed by what he saw, his companion touched his arm, calling his attention to the first forge on the left, which was idle. The prince, seeing jewels glittering in the handle of the hammer near it, reached out to examine it. But, the minute he touched it, an irresistible power compelled him to go on with the work. Now, the Prince knew that this was caused by magic, but he had no way to break the charm, so he had to work, and work. Strange to say, though his muscles were tired, he always had strength enough for another stroke. A long time afterwards, the dwarf, who had disappeared, came back, leading a young man, in much the same condition in which the Prince had been. Prince Discontent found himself at the next forge in line, and the new traveler took his place. After that, he was moved again and again, until, when taken from the last forge, he arrived in a narrow passage leading away from the place of torture. Following this, he met the gnome who had led him into the gruesome cavern. “I am Adventure,” he said. “Have you had enough? This is the 27

Page 33 text:

This noon they about doubled up because I stuffed my handkerchief in my mouth. Nov. 23—I’m going right back to eighth grade; I’m not going to stay in High School one day longer. A fellow doesn’t know his soul’s his own. I made my first appearance in rhetorical work this morning. Speaking of being “calm and composed,” it’s easier said than done. Why my knees began to shake before I got to school; but I managed to stumble through my piece. I’ve had enough High School. Eighth Grade for me. Dec. 8—That Thanksgiving vacation made me feel pretty good, and I’m still in High School. Had lots of fun this morning—a regular circus. Couple of the boys got up in front (they didn’t seem a bit frightened) and did all sorts of stunts and led the others in singing and yelling. I was surprised the teachers would allow them to behave that way, but they seemed to be making a good deal of noise themselves. Went to the Basket Ball game this evening. Tell you that was some game (that’s what one of the Juniors said). Don’t know much about it myself but our boys won. Guess I’ll stay in High School for a while—’tisn’t so bad after all. —Louise Rowley. A SHORT HISTORY OF PRAIRIE DU CHIEN The plain on which Prairie du Chien is situated was first seen by white men in the spring of 1659, when two French explorers, Radisson and Gorseilliers. came down the Wisconsin and explored the upper Mississippi. In October, 1662. Father Menard followed the same course in his mission among the Indians. Eleven years later, this region was again visited by two Frenchmen, Joliet and Marquette, while making their celebrated exploration of the Great bather of Waters. LaSalle established the first trading post here, in 1683, and three years later, Perrot built Fort St. Nicholas, but both fell into disuse during the Fox Indian Wars. The broad alluvial plain was a famous place of rendezvous for the Indians, and was named Prairie du Chien, or Prairie of the Dog, from LeChien (Dog) a Fox Indian chief, who made the prairie his summer camp. Not until 1726 did a white person come to make Prairie du Chien his home, but in that year, a French soldier, Card-inell, brought his wife and became a hunter and rude farmer on the nrairie. His wife survived him. and is said to have lived until 1827, being then one hundred and thirty years old, and having married twelve times after the death of her first husband. The settlement was slow to grow, and by 1755 there were only some half dozen families here, and eleven years later, when Jonathan Carver visited tr.e region, he found neither fort nor white settler. The English established a fort here in 1777, but the trader in charge surrendered the place to General Clark, American leader in tiie West. Prairie du Chien was an active center in the struggle for supremacy in the West. In 1871 the English Governor in Canada purchased the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien from the Indians, but when peace was made all the Northwest territory passed to the Americans. The first permanent settlement, and one from which land titles date, was made by three French Canadians, Giard, Ange. and Antaya in 1781. In 1804 the American Government built Fort Shelby on the island, and five years later, John Jacob Astor established a trading post here. During the war of 1812, Fort Shelby was taken by the English and changed to Fort McKay, but was returned after peace. Old Fort Crawford was erected in 1816 on the site of the English fort. 29