On Friday, May 13, 1921, a new and unique literary society dedicated to the task of improving the political and social standards of Heidelberg as well as the academic standards was formed. Fifteen free thinking men of the class of ‘24 realizing their ambitions could not fully be realized in the old tradition-bound way, petitioned the faculty for permission to organize a third men’s literary society and on May 27, 1921, the organization was completed and the third men’s literary society became a reality.

A temporary president and secretary were chosen and Mr. Wolfe became the first president and Mr. Bailey was appointed the first secretary of the society. It was decided that the society would be different from the others in that it would be based around Indian folklore. It was given the name of “Aptonalton” (we speak with one another) because it was felt that this was the essential feature of the new organization. “Labor Omnia Vincit” became the motto because it was realized that such a venture such as the creation of a new and different society requires much labor, but that “hard work conquers all.”

The first official officers took their place in the chairs May 24, 1921, and they were as follows:

President: Mr. Gilmore
Vice President: Mr. Lutterbein
Recording Secretary: Mr. Bailey
Corresponding Secretary: Mr. Hoerger
Treasurer: Mr. Miller
Critic: Mr. Blanc
Sergeant of Arms: Mr. Foucht.

Maroon and Silver were voted the Aptonalton’s official colors and on November 18, 1921, the arrowhead was designated as the permanent insignia of the literary society. Since then the society has grown and yet held on to the unique Native American tradition, which is evident throughout the society’s meetings.

The Aptonalton Armorial Bearing: The Arrowhead

Arms: Argent, on the capital letter “A” an antique lamp, and a tomahawk inverted the handle crossing the letter’s transvers, all Sable, a bordure Arrowhead Gules.

Now, one may ask the symbolism behind the elements:

• Arrowhead = Remembrance of the Aptonalton’s Indian tradition.
• The Letter “A” = First Letter of Aptonalton, our society.
• An Antique Lamp = The Lamp of Knowledge
• The Inverted Tomahawk = Weapon of defense against injustice, inverted to mean it is at rest until needed.