Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-03-06
A Civilized Indian.

Many seem TO think that kindness is thrown
favor which can be conferred upon him, is
to accelerate his progress to the happy hun
ting grounds. This is the view advocated
by James Parton and that famous assem-
blage, commonly known as the Confederate
House of Represent atives, who passed a
bill, turning the Indians over to the tender
mercies of the regular army. Fortunately
for the poor redskins the measure was de.
feated in the Senate, and they have yet to
learn of the civilizing and elevatng in.
fuence which the close proximity of regi-
ment of soldiers exerts. The question is
being put to practical test on small scale
by M. John Dornfeld, a farmer in the town
of Lebanon, about miles from this city.
About years ago wandering company
of Winnebago Indians were camping on his
farm, and one day one Of their number
brought to him little boy, apparently about
years of age, and asked Mr.. Dornfeld to
take him and keep him for a time at least
|
as he feared if he did not, the child would
die, owing to the neglect and cruel treat
ment Of his step mother, who had conceived
an aversion for him. and food being scarce,
was disposed to deprive him of his share.
for the purpose of nurishing her own off
spring. Mr.. Dornfe.d has large family
of his own, but being OF charitable dis
| position, took the poor little fellow from his
unnatural parent, and resolved to bring him
up as his own, stipulating with his father
that he should be allowed to keep him
Til be was Is years old. This his father
readily agreed to do, and the lad was
straightway clad in the garments which a
civilized nrchin " ears, was baptized and re-
| ceived a christian name, and to all outward
appearances resembled the other children
Of the neighborhood, except, that like the
Ethiopian, the Indian, cannot change bis
skin Ever since be has been living with
| his foster parents, who have treated him as
one of their own children, and he has, by
his amiable disposition and his willing
obedience to their commands, endeared him
self to them, and they would not On any
account think of allowing him to return to
his savage kindred. Nor does he himself
ever manifest any desire for such a change.
On the other hand nothing Will cause him
so much distress. as to tell him that his
! Faith 70 RI fok Ia
has nearly forgotten his native tongue,
speaks German fiuently, and has learned to
read.
A few days ago the writer Of this sketch
while driving over his foster-fath ers farm,
saw him in the barnyard feeding the hogs,
and calling to him in the German language,
asked him to open the gate. The little tel
low promptly obeysd, and on being asked
several questions relating to himself, an
swered with as much intelligence as white
child of the same age usually shows. In
stead of being encased in the ancestral
mocassins, pair of wooden shoes of the
most approved style ornamented his feet,
and the shutfling gait of the Indian was ex-
changed for the measured tramp of the civ
ilized Teuton in fact the only step possible
with the feet weig hted with such covering.
He has the Indian features, but his skin is
not Of so dusky hue, as is usually seen
| among the full-blood members of his tribe,
his father being a half Mr.. Dorm.
field thinks that he is not so dark as when
| he adopted him. Whether the fading is due
10 his civilized surroundings, or to the fire.
| quent application of water, we are unable
to say. While looking at the little fellow
busily engaged in his work, we could not
help thinking of the great change in his
future which apparently, a mere accident
had brought about. From life of ignor-
ance and misery which from his surround
iugs at his BIRTH he seemed destined to live,
be has been redeemed by a noble act of
charity, and now bids fair to become USE
full citizen of the State, and a civiiz ed
christian man. If into the thousands Of
childless homes all over our land, little
dusky savages could be introduced who, in
stead Of learning stories of the White
Mans per6dy, the lying treaties of the Great
Father at Washington, and growing up bit
ter enemies of their civilized neighbors and
anxious to follow in the footsteps of Sitting
Bull and Crazy Horse, they heard nursery
tales which have delighted generations of
our more highly favored children, and that
old, old story of the babe in the manger of
Bethlehem, who came into the world to
suffer and die, that they might live, the
Indian problem would be solved and the
perfdy and cruelty which has characterized
our dealings with the poor unfortunates,
would be in a measure atoned for. We think
Mr.. Dornfeld's example is one we'll worthy
of imitation. ''Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these, We Fave