University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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WHERE THE TRAIL BEGAN IN 1905. Pioneer 11istory of the Trail. Answering the call of the wind-wisps, sprites of the out-lying prairies. State Superintendent Fowler aroused in the House and the Senate Worthy men and true who heeded the call of the prairies; Followed the leader's suggestion to push the frontiers of learning Out on the plains and the prairies, home of the ranchman and farmer. Majors and Fowler and Ludden, Delzell and one Rogers, Scouts for the youth of Nebraska, the teachers of innocent children, Prospected wisely and well for a satisfactory location, Site for the settlement new, which they found in the city of Kearney. Eighteenth October in nineteen hundred and five was a day of Days; t’was the day of the christening service by lodges Grand, and a meeting addressed by Chancellor Andrews and others; Jubilant, confident, grateful townsmen of Kearney, Nebraska. Scouts, the aforesaid, wisely chose A. O, Thomas as pioneer leader. Twenty-six pioneer helpers of men and of women were chosen; Aids for this valiant man with his genuine pioneer spirit. Fearless, a worker untiring, optomistic, with vision. Ready and genuine sympathy, friend of both student and teacher. Soon the new normal at Kearney gained the just reputation, Due to the spirit of service the leader aroused in lus helpers, Pioneer leaders and plainsmen, of being a family harmonious, Faculty most united in all the state of Nebraska. Dauntless, (hough facing great odds, overwhelming, tremendous Led by this spirit of service, the plainsmen and pioneer leaders Blazed a long, a well-marked, ever-broadening trail, an ascending Trail with its goal at the topmost peak of achievement. -14—

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5o lorig as hearts with thy mem'ry be filled. The songs in thy praises shall never be stilled. ” -13-

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Lured by mystery, by the golden hopes of the unknown. Came these adventurers, pioneers, trusting their all to the prairies; Came, as their leader has said, these men and women of purpose. Rich in experience, in native ability, scholarship, vision; Came from the various fields which compose educational service; Came to the city of Kearney and pitched their camp on the school grounds. Campus of Kearney High School, and started a vigorous back-fire; Opened the way for the hundred and twenty young pla nsmen, Youdi of the prairies, who wandered in over the newly-made clearing. September nineteen hundred and five, in truly pioneer fashion. Plainsman and pathfinder wended their way along worn cowr paths. Leading through sunflower patches, and ripening corn fields and gardens, All on their way to their new educational quarters. Nor were the hardships of pioneer life left out of the picture; Nowhere to go but the floor at the top and no stairway but ladders; Nowhere where wielders of hammer and saw were not present; Nowhere escape from the deafening noise when they polished the marble: Nowhere to get any heat but from traction engines and oil stoves; Nowhere a grumbler, everywhere smiles of a sturdy, a happy note Enthusiastic big family of four hundred thirty young plainsmen, Eighteen of whom were ready in May to be leaders of plainsmen. As each year contributes its quota of well-prepared leaders. Trails over which other plainsmen, Keep Koming to Kearney Grow in number and length. We shall reach the uttermost corner. Frequent and definite blazes which point unmistakably upward Mark the well-defined path of the pioneer trail-blazers skillful. Blazes of various forms and devices mark this pathway of progress: Plans for growth in the years as they come in the grounds and the buildings Bulletins filled with ideals and ideas so needed to kindle Fires of ambition and purpose; the enthusiasm essential. Needed in clearing and blazing new trails for the feet of the plainsmen; Catalogues marking the trail as to standards and certification. Catalogue nineteen and six contains the Bachelor’s degree; Correspondence and study center classes were offered. Work in absentia for worthy, ambitious young plainsmen; Manual training equipment, an agricultural garden. Later a room was equipped in the training department, Room for demonstration classes essential for teacher and pupil. Antelope blazes appear on the trail in nineteen eleven; Characteristic, attractive, demanding and getting attention; Trail-markers second to none for pointing the way for the plainsmen. Blue and Gold are the blazes recording the life of the plainsmen. Varied and helpful with numerous organizations. Fifteen of w'hich came to life in the early years of the normal. Not the least aggressive of these is the tribe of Hall-Spooners. Another feature of plainsman life is tribal organizations. Decorative, unique are the blazes they leave at their passing; ■ w k —IB—