"Terre Haute"
or
Confessions of a Fanboy
September 7, 2021
G.D.O'Bradovich III
1
Before there was underlining, double underlining, strokes, double strokes, eyes with a smile, smiley faces, NBs, stars, and stars in a circle filling the margins of works by Spinoza, Nietzsche, Plato, and Leo Strauss, there was “Terre Haute”, a novel by Will Aitken. Early in our acquaintanceship, future Apprentice Sarah Louise and Yours Truly haunted the Special Collections section of the public library researching the history of Terre Haute and stumbled upon “Terre Haute”. Although a work of fiction, the depictions, characterizations, and the worldview of Hautens of 1963 were identical to our personal experiences in the twenty first century. Our obsession with the novel betrayed our belief that confirmation of our ideas would provide “proof” of the correctness of our opinions. After long and painful experiences, we now understand that correct conclusions are the result of reasoning from the evidence, regardless of a consensus.
The surface narrative regarding the city of Terre Haute, as promoted by the Convention and Visitors bureau, touts the birthplace of the Coca Cola bottle. At times, the Historical Society will offer tidbits on the history of the Red Light District and other scraps of Hauten history, equally bland. For example, the Terre Haute House was originally named the Prairie House, yet the Historical Society cannot explain why a prairie exists in the midst of a forest stretching from the Atlantic Ocean through Missouri and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. The employees of the Historical Society mindlessly states that “Terre Haute” is from French and is interpreted as “high ground”. Of course, this explanation cannot be accepted, as English has borrowed “haute cuisine” and “haute couture”. Terre Haute means “risen ground”.
However, future Apprentice Sarah Louise and Yours Truly were not satisfied with this incomplete portrayal of Terre Haute’s history and we found many facts that are in conflict with the accepted view that Terre Haute is one of many unremarkable Midwestern towns.
The number of individuals either born in or resided in Terre Haute who have influenced the world is not large, however their obscure contributions are significant. These contributions would not be met with any surprise for cities like New York, London, Paris, or Rome, that is, larger populations with longer histories. We cannot list all of Terre Haute’s accomplishments and subtle influences in this essay, but we must mention the following:
The surface narrative regarding the city of Terre Haute, as promoted by the Convention and Visitors bureau, touts the birthplace of the Coca Cola bottle. At times, the Historical Society will offer tidbits on the history of the Red Light District and other scraps of Hauten history, equally bland. For example, the Terre Haute House was originally named the Prairie House, yet the Historical Society cannot explain why a prairie exists in the midst of a forest stretching from the Atlantic Ocean through Missouri and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. The employees of the Historical Society mindlessly states that “Terre Haute” is from French and is interpreted as “high ground”. Of course, this explanation cannot be accepted, as English has borrowed “haute cuisine” and “haute couture”. Terre Haute means “risen ground”.
However, future Apprentice Sarah Louise and Yours Truly were not satisfied with this incomplete portrayal of Terre Haute’s history and we found many facts that are in conflict with the accepted view that Terre Haute is one of many unremarkable Midwestern towns.
The number of individuals either born in or resided in Terre Haute who have influenced the world is not large, however their obscure contributions are significant. These contributions would not be met with any surprise for cities like New York, London, Paris, or Rome, that is, larger populations with longer histories. We cannot list all of Terre Haute’s accomplishments and subtle influences in this essay, but we must mention the following:
the world’s first airline stewardess, Ellen Church
the first female city editor of a metropolitan daily, Agness Underwood the founder of Falcon Studios, Charles Holmes the developer of Beverly Hills, William G. Kerckhoff the first successful flight of a monoplane, Johnson Brothers the first Chemical Engineering degree (1889) by Rose Poly, [first class, 1883] a pioneer in the use of the X-ray machine, Frank Wiedmann the first hotel in the world with electric lights in every room, the Terre Haute House the world’s largest greenhouse, the Johnson Greenhouse |
In conclusion to this part, Terre Haute had greater political influence than Indianapolis in the 1920s, as the national highways (US 40, from New Jersey to Colorado, and US 41, from Wisconsin to Miami, Florida) would intersect at 7th Street and Wabash Avenue, the “Crossroads of America”, not at the more populous state capital.
2
“Cross Road Blues” is one of twenty nine songs that Robert Johnson (1911-38) wrote and it captures the myths that surround his life: He sold his soul to the Devil at a crossroads to become a guitar virtuoso and was the founder of rock 'n' roll.
In 1966, the band “Cream” added the lyrics: “Well, I'm going down to Rosedale… We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.” Wikipedia lists fifteen towns with the name of Rosedale in the United States and one of these is outside Terre Haute, founded by Chauncey Rose. With the additional lyrics, it seems reasonable to conclude that “Cream” wants the thoughtful listener to ponder “the crossroads” (not “a crossroad”), possible “deals with the Devil”, and a city of Rosedale. Although Rosedale, Mississippi is a viable possibility, only Terre Haute has a half mile pentagram formed by streets in land formerly owned by Chauncey Rose.
In 1966, the band “Cream” added the lyrics: “Well, I'm going down to Rosedale… We can still barrelhouse, baby, on the riverside.” Wikipedia lists fifteen towns with the name of Rosedale in the United States and one of these is outside Terre Haute, founded by Chauncey Rose. With the additional lyrics, it seems reasonable to conclude that “Cream” wants the thoughtful listener to ponder “the crossroads” (not “a crossroad”), possible “deals with the Devil”, and a city of Rosedale. Although Rosedale, Mississippi is a viable possibility, only Terre Haute has a half mile pentagram formed by streets in land formerly owned by Chauncey Rose.
3
While recently researching the history of Indiana State University's conference affiliations, we found the following Wikipedia article:
Searle Truman "Cy" Proffitt (October 26, 1911 – February 13, 1996) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Indianapolis Kautskys in the National Basketball League and averaged 4.3 points per game.
We immediately recognized the name, “Cy Proffitt”, from “Terre Haute” and contacted Aitken through social media. Aikten attended McGill University and after graduation, taught film studies at Dawson College. While McGill University may not be well known in the US, it is ranked among the top universities worldwide and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The AAU has 64 member schools, including all of the Ivy League and all, but one, Big 10 universities/
I was researching Indiana State University basketball when I stumbled upon an obscure player, Searle Truman "Cy" Proffitt. I immediately recalled "Cy" Proffitt from your novel "Terre Haute". Since the odd spelling of "Proffitt" is unlikely to be a coincidence, I am curious if there is a significance that I don't understand. Thank you for your time. [The Vigo County Library has removed your book from general circulation and placed it in Special Collections.]
I added the fact regarding the behavior of Special Collections as a means of providing some credibility to Aitken. [Upon reflection, the number of insincere questions regarding this book likely approaches nil.] Experiences with the staff of Special Collections cannot be explained to the Gentle Reader; as with many things in life, generally, and Terre Haute, specifically.
Aikten replied:
Aikten replied:
“Cy Proffitt was principal of Wiley High when I was there, 1964-67.”
We added:
Thank you for responding. One can read the books in Special Collections; I think they placed it there so it wouldn't be "lost" or not returned. Terre Haute remains the same. Your observations of the different types of Hautens was spot on- I enjoyed it.
Aitken responded that we offered “a different angle”, that is, “protecting the book”. Being a bibliophile and amateur historian, our view betrays our interest in preserving history and we overlooked the possible discomfort a fictional story might affect the typical Hauten. Otherwise said, we have to be “in character” to reason like a typical Hauten.
Our clarification:
Our clarification:
I didn't think that the library was "protecting" the readers, but now that I think about it, yes, they are. I enjoyed it. Lots of notes in the margins and underlining.
We interpret “protecting the readers” as limiting access to the content of the book.
And the ending, where Jared gives in since he is going to Hell anyway-expresses the view of so many Hautens.
We messaged Apprentice Sarah Louise that we were chatting with Aikten; she wrote:
“That is awesome.”
I responded:
“I'm bouncing off the walls.”
Our childlike excitement was due entirely of our decades old view of Aikten being not only another story in the ongoing history of Terre Haute, belonging to the group that includes, but is not limited to, Demas Deming, Curtis Gilbert, Max Ehrmann, Chauncey Rose, and Ellen Church. Our interest in Aikten is not due entirely to his novel (as previous Hautens wrote novels), but because he is a living alumnus of Terre Haute: a co founder of the city's first LGBT bookstore in Montreal.
Our final inquiry to Aitken:
Our final inquiry to Aitken:
In “Terre Haute”, Jared and his mother’s birthdays are close to one another, so they celebrate it on one day, which was either in late June or early July. Astrologically speaking, this would make Jared a Cancer and Julian Clay was a Capricorn. Jared and Julian would be, on the surface, astrologically compatible. Was this astrological connection intentional, or am I reading too much into it?
Aitken responded:
"this is all pure coincidence"
Our emotional reaction:
terre haute
What place is lovelier than Terre Haute:
The foliage of her many trees, That trembles as the cooling breezes float Across the grain fields' yellow seas? The gentle river that caressing sings Past shop and mill waving corn Each day some happy inspiration brings; Each day a thousand hopes are born. Here workers wend their way to pleasant homes; And students spend romantic days. Here lofty spires and gilded domes Reach up to touch the sun's first rays. Here many a youth and maid their faith have kept, Labored, lived happily, grown gray. Here bolder ones with keener eyes have crept To paths where fame and fortune lay. Vast growing fields and treasures in the ground, Art, learning, too, here find abode; And many a forward-looking son has found The gifts the gods have here bestowed. What various aspirations man pursues! It matters not what visions lure, Here many ambition all its talents use; Here is the world in miniature. Max Ehrmann, “Terre Haute” |