Even before attending the Du Quoin High School I remember being told that the fires of hell would turn me to ash if I stepped on or reached over the theater ropes (now plastic chains) to touch the Crazy Indian inlaid into the floor of the gymnasium lobby at the Du Quoin High School.
Standing watch over "DQ Joe" as he was called when first created and copyrighted by R.P. Hibbs in 1951 is the portrait of DTHS' first flesh and blood Indian mascot--Mike Coffel (1949-1953). The photograph was made at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds by the late studio photographer Al Kennedy.
They have been inseparable for nearly six decades in the soon-to-be demolished lobby at the Du Quoin High School.
Supt. Gary Kelly and architect Paul Lunsord are cognizant of an idea to incorporate both into the new gymnasium lobby once the 1955 building is demolished this fall and the new lobby constructed after that.
Saving the beautiful portrait of Coffel (which was made as the school's official mascot) is simply a matter of taking it down, covering it and somehow incorporating it into the plans for the new lobby.
Saving the school's inlaid tile Crazy Indian: not so easy.
The Crazy Indian was handcrafted--piece by piece--out of asbestos-laden tile which has never been disturbed after first being laid in late 1954. Asbestos was a component of tile manufactured between the late 1930s and early 1970s because it was tough and fire resistant.
By the mid 1970s it was also proven to be a health hazard if disturbed or not handled properly during its removal and disposal.
All admit there is nothing easy about dealing with this sacred 10-foot circle. At this writing District 300 is looking at the possibility of cutting out both the Crazy Indian and the 6-8 inch thick concrete floor beneath it. encapsulating it and getting it out of the building with a large forklift. The entire piece would then have to receive special asbestos abatement considerations before it could be used anywhere in the new building.
It's a challenge to save this pricey piece of history and may not be doable. General contractor Darin Fager of Fager McGee says it is clearly an asbestos removal contractor issue, which he would not be involved in. "I can tell you floors were thicker instead of thinner back then," trying to imagine how you would cut out then be able to save a slab weighing several tons. He said once the lobby is demolished, Fager-McGee will start on construction of the new lobby.
Part of the value in trying to save the piece of floor is in knowing how "DQ Joe" came to be.
The "Crazy Indian" was created in 1951 by the late R.P. Hibbs in concert with Lyle Flavel--a Du Quoin Township High School Board of Education member and executive of the Du Quoin Packing Co.--and packing company artist and advertising manager Jerry Givens, who actually drew "Joe."
Nine years later, the 1960 edition of the "Flashlight" yearbook states in its Forward: "DQ Joe" has come of age and this 1960 Flashlight acknowledges his manhood by adopting him as its official cover insignia. Every since he was born a few years ago as a spirit-raiser for the baseball uniforms, the little fellow with the winsome personality has popped up in new places: on our textbook cover, our school handbook, our basketball warmup jackets, the floor of the gymnasium lobby, on our athletic conference shield in the gymnasium, on our scholarship keys and some class rings and, recently, on the basketball floor jump circle as the cheerleaders' mascot.
His villainous, red-eyed demon glare, as he pursues his foes at full tilt is only a masquerade for the obvious delight he feels at chasing he 'enemy'. Let DQ Joe symbolize our best efforts and best sportsmanship! Sure, he goes "all out"--but who can dislike the little fellow for that."
Hibbs had the foresight to copyright the Crazy Indian with the U.S. Copyright Office which is part of the U.S. Library of Congress. The Givens drawing was registered by Hibbs in the name of the Du Quoin Township High School under Guideline 17902 on March 23, 1951. At the time of a copyright like this one, the life of the copyright was 28 years. The copyright for the Crazy Indian was never renewed after it expired, but upon the school district's inquiry about a renewal, Mrs. Jean F. Kridle, supervisory copyright bibliographer, wrote in August 1989: "Once a copyright expires there is no subsequent action which can be taken that will renew the copyright. Anyone (including the author) may use the work but NO?ONE can claim any exclusive rights in that work.
That's why "Joe" is so widely used as the Indian mascot and the image can no longer be secured for copyrighting, licensing or franchised. It belongs to all of us--and that's part of what makes it great.
