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

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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

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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

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Prairie du Chien was then a shabby French settlement, of about eighty buildings, situated on the west side of the St. Maria de Ferrole, and consequently on an island the greater part of the year. Old Fort Crawford occupied the northern end of the town. The people were a mixed race, and traded extensively with the Indians. Tea sold for six dollars a pound; eggs were one dollar a dozen; calico was two dollars a yard; and anyone desiring to get married, paid the Justice of the Peace one hundred pounds of flour, and for a divorce, two hundred pounds. In 1817 a Sergeant taught the first school here, and when he left other non-commissioned officers filled the position, receiving fifteen cents a day besides their five dollars a month as a soldier. Several private schools were also established outside the fort; and were had in wealthy families for some time. As early as 1846, taxes were levied and money appropriated to establish a public school. In the fall of 1826, Fort Crawford was evacuated and the people were left to the mercy of the Red Bird and Black Hawk uprisings. Zachary Taylor took command at Prairie du Chien in 1829 and erected the now practically destroyed Fort Crawford. Since then, Prairie du Chien has grown step by step. A postoffice had been granted in 1824 with Judge Doty in charge. The first railroad to come to the Mississippi, came to Prairie du Chien, when Milwaukee and this place were connected in 1856. After that more immigrants came. A few years later the C., B. Q. built a railroad through here. A railroad bridge was thrown across the Mississippi. The Old Sanitarium was built and became the first in the world to use mineral water for baths. The Catholics established a college and an academy here. The white school house, now torn down, was built in 1875; in 1896 the red building was constructed, and this year, on the site of the white building, a modern high school is being erected. The New Sanitarium, receiving patients from all parts of the country, was built by business men of the town, as were the Woolen Mills and the Canning Factory. Thus has the second oldest town in Wisconsin grown to be of great importance in the state, and been made a chosen place of residence for many people. —Oscar O. Fritsche. SPRING When birds begin to trill and sing. And the sun shines warm outside. And brooklets gurgle and laugh with glee, And stumble, and slip, and slide, And call to the flowers along the way, “Come, come from your dark damp beds. Open your eyes, see the cheery blue skies. And lift up your modest heads,” Should you be quarrelsome, moody, and glum. And make all around you be sad? Or should you be merry, and happy, and gay, And have all your friends feel glad— Glad that they are alive this day And with you, dear Lassie and Lad ? —Myrtle M. Hintze. 30