Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-02-02
An Indian Christmas.

Territory lies square piece of land re-
served for the Nee Perces Indians, about
three hundred in number and prisoners of
war tn the United States Their reserva-
ton Joins that of the Poncas and these
two tribes are under the same agedt. On
Christmas Eve very kindly invitation had
teen sent to the white employees at Poncas
to dine with the Nez Perces the following
day Sunday morning about sixteen Of us
left the Ponca reservation for our fifteen
mile ride. Before us lay great brown
streches of pralrle, without a trace of
snow or even frost. The sun had risen
like conquelor, and starting ''in his tri-
nmph marched across the sky" had dis
missed every cloud and trace OF mist. The
air was chilly but not cold.
Gliding along the smooth prairie road,
we soon reached our destination. Here
lies the agency, whose buildings consist OF
two little dwelling houses for white en-
ployps, commissarY for stores, carpen-
ters shop and little school house, used
also as church. This last building we
entered Just as the members were reCeiv-
ing tie sacrament. Around the room, In
rows, the Indians sat, all neat and clean,
the women In the bright colors which even
the sternes. civilization cannot deny them.
Before little stand stood Archie Lawyer,
the minister, his kind and benevolent face
greeting all. He spoke to his people in
their own language, and then, services
being concluded, we left the little church
and walking short distance through the
woods, came upon the tent. Not tent,
but the tent, an historical institution,
which Is put up only on grand occasions
and measures one hundred feet IN length,
holding on that day four hundred persons
with room for manp more. Ii is made
of stroag canvass, stretched on poles and
made warmer by hanging up hides and
blankets. We did pot know what super
stltious rites what fiery councils at whose
results even brave white men have cowed,
what barbsrous ceremonies of taelr past
religion may have been enacted under this
smoke-stalned canvas; but to-day 1t Is ded-
icated TO a sweeter use and a more endur-
ing religion. We are given a place on
piles of quilts at the farther end of the
tent. By our side is Nez Perez Joseph
and beyond him is the head men OF the
tribe, and ranged in rows around the sides
and squatted ON bedding are all the rest
men women and children. SO still and
respectful are all that we can hear the
wind shaking the tent poles. See them
All IN citlZen's dresS-the men with short
hair, the won en- with their black plaits
hanging down the back. Little mixing of
the race here, for most of the heads are
black and shining as ''brokeD anthracite"
and very few of the faces present the fad
ed yellow look of the unsavory half-breed,
whose face bears theevideuce of the wuIst
traits of the bad Indian and the bad white
man.
Alter we are comfortably sealed, James
Rubens, nephew OF Chief Joseph, teacher
ana interpreted of his tribe, rises to speak
This man is one of the few who are born
leaders and philanthropists. He has been
the Moses of his tribe, leading them frem
the darkness of their supertitious beliefs
into tie light OF the true religion. His
education is such as an Indian school has
afforded, but his wonderful intellect, his
advanced ideas his true nobility Of char
acter, his ambition and pride for his peo-
pie have so led him TO work for them. that
the transformation is truly wonderful and
their rapid progress in the work of civil
Zation is without parallel among Indian
tribes. All Indians cannot become like
him, for he has but few superiors. But if
the government will persist In carrying out
its system OF edvcation for the indians, the
education OF heart, brain and hands, in
every tribe will rise some who will be the
deliverer of their tribe. He maintains a
day school which, in regularity of attend
ance, Is ahead of any white school Of its
size in the State. During one school
month h's enrolment was fifty-four and
the average daily attendance being fifty
three
After sperking to his own people he
spoke to US in English. ''To you, few
white people, who, in your different cap.
acitIes represent to us the government OF
the United States, will repeat what !
have TO my people. 1t is with glad hearts
that we welcome you to the warmest place
in our wigwam. The feast we have made
for you is in celebration of no hsathenish
rite, no relic OF barbarism, but an act of
Christianity and love. We feel glad that
On this day, when Christ our common Sa-
viour, was born, that We, the representa-
tiveB Of people who have often and long
been at war, meet here to drink of the
same cup and eat of the same dish. War
disease and trouble have brought US to a
sad pass. Wea the sOrrowtul remnant
of once large tribe. Here the speakers
voice faltered and tears came in his eyes,
But we forget that we have wrcnged each
other, and feel glad that we meet you as
our fliends our brothers and our sisters.
We hope you VIII tell all those who do
not believe the Indian can be civilized and
have no faith in the plans of the govern
ment how you have been treated to-day
by your Indian friends"
He then proceeded to lay the cloth in
picnic fashion on the ground and hospita-
bly, placed before US the feast. Reflect
that the Indians receive only flour, beef,
sugar, coffee and beans as their rations and
you may know how much of our dinner
was provided by our Nez Perces friends
-venison, turkey, beef, chicken, lambs
tongue, sardines, canned salmon, Irish and
sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, bold
eggs, ght bread, short bread, butter cam
ed cherries, piums, strawberries, and
peaches, PLAIN cake, apples and coffee.
Our long ride and PERIOD of waiting had
gwen us good appetites and we almost out
did or Indian friends in our zeal 10 do
Justice to the really excellent things placed
before US. At the close CUR AGENT, Gen.
Jordan, recently of Philadelphia, Pa, in
few fitting words thanked the NeZ Per-
ces 1Or tnelr Kln0ness ia us.
A Royal Visit.