University of Wisconsin Oshkosh - Quiver Yearbook (Oshkosh, WI)

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H. S. Youker “The-Ruler-of-Growing-Life” Par liack in the ages of mists and shadows there dwelt in the land of the living, a ruler strong and true. A powerful helper was he of Gitchce Manitou, mightiest Ruler of all. And this ruler’s dominions included the forests and plants and flowers.—all the world of wild, happy, growing things. Patiently worked he. and long, transforming the ugly, deformed children of his realm into glorious Icings, each one a dispenser of Sunshine and Light And then did Gitchce Manitou. Gracious Helper of all mankind, receive from a far-distant tribe, a cry,—beseeching, insistent. nd the cry was for one who could change and transform the children of Oshkosh to glorious, helpfu' dispensers of Sunshine and Light. And . in his kindness of heart, to Oshkosh did Gitchce Manitou send the Ruler-of-Growing-Litc.” and there you may sec him today,—ever patient and helpful.—transforming, inspiring the Youths ami the Maidens. tS

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JOHN A. H. KEITH “Keeper-of-the-Paths-of-Men” In the early ages, when the nations and the tribes were strong and mighty, there was one nation which was mightier and stronger than any other. And this nation the Great Spirit ruled himself. But as he thought of all his tasks and cares, he said. For this my strongest nation I must have a strong helper. And so as his helper he chose the greatest brave of all the nations, and he called him. Keeper-of-thc-Paths-of-Men. As the moons came and went, far to the north there sprang up another nation, younger than this greatest nation, and very ambitious and vigorous. And the Great Spirit communed thus within himself: “ ‘The-Keeper-of-the-Paths-of-Mcn' has become too great to be merely a helper. In the north is needed a young and active chief. I will send him to lead this new nation of mine. And so it was. that the Keeper-of-the-Paths-of-Men became the ruler of the Oshkosh nation. And under his wise, watchful leadership this strong, ambitious nation has become great and exceedingly successful. Inspired is each brave and maiden within it. by the chieftain's matchless talks, which earn.’ winged messages straight from his heart to theirs and sow the seeds of earnest, unselfish purpose in their lives. Great and glorious has been his career, and splendid his victories, but in the mind of the Great Spirit his mightiest achievement has been the transformation and ennobling of the young lives beneath his care, which he has molded into helpful, noble men and women. ‘7

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' 6 Rose C. Swart “She-of -W ide-Experience” For many moon have tlic people listened to tin wlie counsel of the gifted daughter of the Nation. Great Is her Inllueneo In the Counell Chnm-her and In the aeeret meetings of the wise men assembled to speak of youths In their keeping. Freely she minifies with the Youth of the Nation, always ready In notlnK wherein they excel. Her care are many and varied, but she frees herself of them with a will. Her hopes, too. ore many—her latest Is- -that the Maidens of u 11 lands may gain and enjoy the rights in the life of Nations that the Youths now have o Emily F. Webster “ Magician-of-the-Digits-Nine Lome summers uro the Great Spirit called his people together and they rame from the four uuarters of the Wind. They came from the cold lands of the North Wind, from the balmy South Und, from the laiml of the Rising Sun. from the land of the Golden Glow. Amnnit them was a young maiden eager to hear what the Great Spirit had to tell his people. The Spirit talked long and solemnly to the gathered throng. Good words he spoke of alms ami ideals: but Ills people gaxed at him with troubled faces. They could not understand what the Great Spirit wanted, and their hearts were uneasy. Hut the little Malden looked at the Mighty Ituler with bright eyes. She knew what he meant, and the Spirit looking sadly down on his troubled people saw her. He called her to hint and said. O Small One. you have heard my teaching. Your bright eyes tell me you have understood and the Great Spirit's heart is glad. I will whisper to you a secret and you must carry It fair away among the people and teach It to them. Then will your work be good. And the Malden carried her secrets always with her. She built her lodge among the Oshkosh Tribes. Many came to listen to her wondrous teachings, ami on the walls of her lodge they find the secrets written. o Lydon W. Briggs Keeper-of-the-Nation’s-Wiimpum” In the Council Hull at Oshkosh, in a wigwam called an office, sits a warrior with a sculp lock white ais are the snows of winter. Keeper of the Wampum Is he. guardian of the Nation's treasures. How came he to dwell among them respected so by all the chieftains? Hearken then unto a legend, to an old and strange tradition. Long ago before the white man cutne here lo destroy our people, when o'er plains and hills and forests roamed our Nation unmolested, a great warrior dwelt among us. None there was In all our Nation who could send so swift, an arrow—none so licet of foot, so tire-less—none so sighed for by the maidens. While he yet was young, his chieftain mighty, called Ills braves upon tin- war path. In a long and hitler struggle. Many moons our warrior followed his great chieftain to the southward. Many were the hardships hitter he was called upon to suffer. One night folded In Ids blanket, lie began to think and ponder. Was there need for all this bloodshed? Could not all the tribes he governed so that there would he peace among them? And he thought of laws and orders that would help to banish warfare. Next morning forth lie went to battle pondering still Upon these questions. All day long waged the great struggle and this warrior at the day's dose shot Ids last arrow at the enemy. Hut in doing so his bow snapped and fell broken from Ids finger . Some great Impulse that he knew not hade him follow his last arrow. ATter a long and tiresome Journey, pressing ever toward the Northland, lie found Idmself among a Nation on the shores of Winnebago. There he stayed and trained these people. taught them laws to guide their children. And so faithful was lie ever that they made him Keeper of the Nation's wampum, guardian of their many treasure . Mary E. Apthorp “Reader-of-ihe-Tongucs-of-Many-Nations One day the Robin said to a Malden of the Quincy Tribe. Mv child, you know the speech of the birds and animals: go. now. and learn the tongues of the nations. It Is the will of the Great Manltoii.-' The Malden then went to the tribes of the Rising Sun and to the Iowa Nations, and learned their speech. Then a white-winged ship bore her away to the home of the White-Man and she learned many of Ids languages also. After she had returned to the village of the Chicago , the great Manlto himself came to her and said. My child, you have done my bidding well. You shnll now be called •Reader of the Tongues of Many Nation .' and you shall leach all people the languages you have learned. 10