Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-07

tno stage, ne informed me that he Was going
to Yankton agency to place himself at the
disposal Of Bishop Hare met him this
morning and he introduced me 10 the biz.
hop, Reverends Cook, Ashley snd Tatiyop.,
an Indian clergy nen. The mission is com.
posed Of p clereymen including two
Indiana, 4 was shown through the
mission. and could not but expess my
astonishment at the organization
and its work. I visited the church
which is twice larger than the Episcopal
church Of Yankton, and much more ele-
gsnt. I visited the school building, and
was very much pleased to see that every
thing is kept clean and orderly. The
kitchen, dining room and dormitory are
neat and elegant. In passing through the
school room, I heard an Indian boy play
ing the organ and had TO acknowledge that
Indians were as susceptible of improve
ment o. white people. hao very inter-
esting conversation With the reverend mis-
stonaries, about the progress of the Indians
towards civilization. but as 1t would take 90
much space to give you their different
views l will close my letter by giving you
Z general idea of the advancement of the
Yankton Indians.
In the afternoon called on DR.. aud Mrs.
Daniel, and found the doctor and his wife
very much pleased with the agency and the
work done here. The doctor is very busy
and from what / learned from the interpre-
ter, Is we'll liked bv the Indians. after
ward called on Rev. Mr.. Williamson, pastor
OF the Presbyterian school, and learning
that he was at the church, entered that
building and found there, worshippiog
God, about SO Indians. men and women.
dressed in civilized attire, aud we'll behaved.
After service, introduced myself to Rev.
Mr.. Williamson, and that gentleman Kindly
gave me good deal Of Information about
the Yankton Indians. and the work of his
mission. Mr.. Williamson's father, Rev.
Thos. s. Williamson, died last week in 81.
Peter. MINI. He was the first protestan,
missionary among the Sioux nation.
l also visited the blacksmith shop, grist
mill. saw mill. carpenter shop. tin shop,
machinery warehouse, and have nothing
but praises for the order and cleanliness
about these different branches of the agency.
The interpreter took me to the CARPET
factory, and there counted four looms in
operation. Mrs. Garfield, wife Of the gov
ernment school master, will have the su-
pervision Of this work until Mrs. Brszesu.
. halfbreed, 10 able to take charge. There
are four Indian women learning the trade
From all the information gathered las,
night and to-day from the gentleman
above named. learned that 20 years ago
this reservation was nothing but great
waste, Inhabited by rowing bands of wild
Indians. Since then. through the efforts of
the missionaries; first, the Presbyterian
mission, which was started in 1869, and
which now plumbers SO members in good
two churches and three day
schools. with over 100 scholars; and sec.
ond, through the efforts of the Episcopal
mission. which numbers l3 c!ergymen, sew.
eral churches and eight school houses, and
also through the continued efforts of the
government Of the United States, there has
been remarkable change. Instead of
wild and naked Indians, with the scalpinp
knife. tie battle *. and bows and arrows.
We meet Indians dressed as white men. till.
Ing the soil and riding in wagons and
buggies. The young squaws carry UNI
bre'las, aud put on just as much style as the
bellies of Broadway. The ground around
the agency which used to be covered with
wood. and brush. is now under cultivation.
and log and frame buildings are seen iu all
directions. Though there Is yet much to
DO, still We cannot help being impressed
With the fact that there is every probability
Of civilizinR the Indian. For myself do not
believe exactly with those good miss,ouar
lee that the quickest way ofenliehte ding
and civilizing the Indians, ie to teach them
religion in The Dakota language, aud then
Ehe English. vet. I cannot but ackuo ledge
that religion contributes TO great extent
towards ,bripxine these Indians to civiliza.
lion. l would rather ado. t the idea of Col.
which Is to inform the Indians
that after one year or two they would have
to be self supporting. and that 90 more ra-
lions would bs issued to them, compel the
children to go'to the English school, and
not teach them the Dakota language frst.
ls Is the case With the missionary schools.
and have no doubt that In year or two
he majority of these Indians would made
as good farmers as white people.
The Indians here have had to endure
the incompetency of good msuy
Indian agents, and their dis.
trust Of these agents has hindered to
some extent their advancement. From sew.
eral Indians. through the interpreter, l
learned that their former agent was yerv
much disliked. The Indians would meet
in council every day. and deliberate on some
plan to get rid Of him. They proposed