West High School - Senior Occident Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

Page 14 text:

The Early Inhabitants of the Genesee Valley Realm of the Senecas ! no more In shadow lies the Pleasant Vale Gone are the chiefs who ruled of yore, like chaff before the rushing gale. Their rivers run with narrowed bounds, Cleared are their broad, old hunting grounds, And on their ancient battle fields The greensward to the plowman yields. Like mocking echoes of the hill Their fame resounded and grew still, And on green ridge and level plain Their hearths will never smoke again. Even to this day. relics of the Indians arc constantly found all along the Genesee; evidences that the Indians inhabited this section of the country not very many years ago. The only knowledge which we possess of the Indians came from some of the writings of their chiefs and noted men. The Senecas, called Ho-nan-nc ho-ont were most closely connected with this section of country. They came about five hundred years before Columbus made his discovery of the New World and remained until the last century. The Senecas belonged to the league of the Five Nations or Iroquois, which included all the Indians in New York State. The Senecas were not civilized to any extent, and their homes were not the best. In early times the cone-shaped hut was built of poles covered with bark or skins. Later, when the axe came into use, the hut was oblong-shaped. Hunks, covered with skins, were built around the walls a foot from the ground. The fire was built in the center of the hut on the ground, so that the smoke might creep out through the chestnut branches spread over the top, which were the only protection from the weather. The hospitality of the Seneca was one of his most prominent characteristics. He would share his last morsel with his despondent brothers. Although the Scncca was gentle at home, he was the fiercest upon the war-path. No foe ever entered the territory who was not immediately exterminated. Among the noted chieftains of the Senecas we must not overlook Red Jacket, Complanter or Handsome I-ake. They grew to be benefactors of their people and men worthy of a place in history. Each one strove to promote the welfare and civilization of his people. Like more civilized nations, we sec that they had men upon whom they could depend in times of danger. The Senecas had held a place in the region so long that it was hard for them to give it up in 1825. when a greater and more civilized band stepped in to clear away the forest and hold undisputed sway. 10 M. H. 06

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The Abell, F. H. Latin Ball, Winifred Latin and Greek Brnnett, Wm. N. . Physics Bowles, Nellie M. . Secretary Bryan, Mary F. . Latin Campbell. Jessie R. . Mathematics Caring, Katharine Mathematics Carpenter. H. A. Physics Carpenter, F. H. . . Drawing Clackner, Marv A. l.atin and Greek Crippen, Ruth English Curtiss, Harrietts A. . English Davis, Mattie H. . English Dunsford. Mabel H. . English Kllis, Clara B. . Elocution Ford, Edward E. . Physics Hendricks, Helf.n M. . Commercial Lotz, Emma E. . German Mason, Mary A. . . Latin McMahon, Theresa . Mathematics Mekskkeau, S. F. Manual Training Milliman. Claribel . Biology Munson, Ella I. . History Faculty Nichols, F. G. Commercial Nor mile, Mary . English O Herx, J. P. . English Otis, Kate E. . German and French Paget, Frances German and French Paulsen, Charlotte . Music Preston, Mary E. English Purcell, Mary . . English Rosenberg, Annie Mathematics Sias, A akiaii R . English Silsby, Dos H. Physical Training Stow ell. Roy S. . History Toaz, E. Mabel 1-atin Weaver, Margaret K Librarian Wot, H. S. Principal Wetmore. Mrs. E. P. . History Wetmore. Katharine S. Biology Wilcoxes, Ella S. . Biology Wile, Auram J. Mathematics Wight, Barbara Physical Training Wright, Belle E. . German Wrigiit, Marion E. English Young, Leith a A. . . Latin