Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-23
The Visit to the Indian Training
School.

The ladies and gentlemen who left here Fri
day to visit the Indian training school at Car
Isle barracks, Pa, returned at p. m. Saturday.
highly gratified by their visit. Unfortunately,
only a small number could be entertained by
Capt. Pratt at the barracks, where they were
made very comfortable, and the others, inclu-
ding Mr.. Scales, the chairman OF the Indian
committee, and his family, We're forced to put
up with the inferior hotels OF Carlisle, all of
whose public buildings appear to be on a scale
which would lead one to expect better accom-
modations for visitors
Secretary Schurz, who did not leave here until
Friday evening arrived at Carlisle on Saturday
morning, accompanied by MeSSrs. Stickney and
Smile, Of the peace commission, Mrs. Smile and
Mr.. Ainsle, OF the Indian committee Of the
House, and his WIFE They were received by
Capt. Pratt, the superintendent of the Indian
school, and conducted at once to the barracks
where the various departments Of the school
are situated. The remainder Of the visitors, all
of whom arrived at Carlisle by special passen-
ger car at o'clock p. m. Friday, were: Mr..
Scales, the chairman Of the Indian committee,
who was accompanied by his wife and daughter:
Messrs. Hooker, Poehler, Errett, Deering and
Pound, Of the committee; Mrs. Hooker Mrs.
Deering and Mrs. Pound; Representative Osmer
mittee Mr.. Bickford. of the N. Y. Tribune; Mr..
II. H. Smith, the journal clerk OF the House, and
his little daughter; Mr.. Williams of Boston; Col.
and Mrs. O'Beirne, and Mr.. Warren, chief clerk
Of the bureau of education.
In spite Of the violent snow storm OF Satur-
day morning, the party made tour OF 1nspec-
tion Of all the buildings at the barracks used as
schoolrooms or dormitories or eating rooms,
and the gymnas um. One hundred and fifty
eight children, of whom about forty are g!r.ii5
are now there. They arrived IN October last
They are mostly the children Of Chiefs and the
parents in all cases gave their consent to their
children coming to Carlisle. The following
tribes are represented:-The Sioux Cheyennes,
Arrapahoes, Kiowas, Comanches, Pawnees,
Poncas, Nez Perces, and those found at the
Rosebud, Pine Ridge and Sisseton agencies In
Dakota, and the Green Bay agency in WiScon-
sin. OF course, when the children, whose ages
range from six to twenty years-though most
of them seem to be between ten and fifteen
years old-frst arrived, they were in their
native dresses, including dirt and yermin, and
the first work of those who have charge of them
was by no means agreeable, but they have en-
tirely succeeded in transforming their pupils
into neat, cheerful and obedient young people,
whose orderly habits and quickness to learn
compare very favorably with the children in
our public schools, born in the midst OF ctvilfza-
ton. AS several weeks were necessarily occu-
pied in preparing the children Scarcely one of
whom spoke any but their native tongues when
they arrived) to begin their StudieS they have
actually been learning the elementary branches
only about three months, yet go through
ing, writing, drawing and arithmetic. Their
quickness in calculations and the legibllity OF
their writing of words and figures on the black
board is very astonishing. Their progress made
such a favorable impression on their visitors
that their teachers, all of whom are ladies, have
reason to be profoundly gratified.
IuCIt dTt luuuStTIdl SCuOOlS lUT UOIl Ulit UUyS
and girls, in which the latter are taught sew
ing, to make and repair their own and the boys
clothes, and are also instructed In cooking. The
boys are taught agriculture and trades. The
aim Of the school is to give education only in
the common English branches adapted to the
students condition in life, to fnculcate habits OF
industry and thrift, and to impart to them such
knowledge of the common useful pursuits as
will make the pupils self-reliant and 1ncfte them
to be something better than government pau
pers.
Secretary SchurZ made the scholars an ad-
dress on Saturday, which the interpreter made
plain to them, in which he greatly commended
them for their progress, and promised them that
their parents might come to see them after
time and that after they had finished their
studies they should return to their homes to aid
in the instruction OF their people. He and all
the visitors expressed conviction that the ex-
pertinent promises peaceful solution Of the
Indian question. The children appear perfectly
contented and really interested In their studies.
They have the; regular hours for play and are
evidently ruled by kindness alone