River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-06-29

oxen, few cows, pigs, and chickens,
and in their houses are found all the
paraphernalia of domestic life, such as
chairs, bedsteads, stoves, crockeryware,
etc. What is better still, the old bucks
are taking great interest in the edu-
cation of the young. the mission
school being constantly filled with
bright little Indian boys and girls who
are as far advanced in their studies as
the children of the whites. The mis-
sion building is comodious brick
structure built in a beautiful grove on
the bank of the lake. around it is the
farm and garden of the mission under
a high state of cultivation. The mis-
sion, calledMission of our Lady of Sew
en- Dolors, IS in charge of seven sisters
of charity, under the direction of Sis
ter Chopin. mother superior. There
are about eighty scholars in attendance
at present, ranging from five to eleven
years OF age, and about the same num-
Der of boys as girls. The are all well
fed and comfortably clothed. Sister
Chopin informed the Herald represen-
tative that they were easily managed,
diligent in their studies, amiable and
affectionate. Ihe girls do their own
sewing, besides considerable fancy
work, which is sol to the citizens and
soldiers at the fort, and the boys do
outside work. In the time after the
arrival of Gov. Ordway and party the
children we're assembled in the school
room where very pleasant hour was
spent in Witnessing interesting exercises
by the children. Songs and recitations
were rendered in both the Sioux and
English languages, after which Gov.
Ordway addressed the children express
ing MS great surprise at their rapid and
substantial advancement, and offering
words of encouragement. After this
a thorough inspection of the building
followed, which added more to the
surprise and admiration of the visiting
party. Every room was found plainly
but neatly and comfortably furnished
and everything betokened peace, hap
piness and prosperity.
A TALK WITH IRON HEART.
The Herald reporter gives the results
of an interview with Chief Iron Heart,
Mrs. Major Cramsie acting as intcrpre-
ter. In answer to questions relative to
the title of the Chippewas to the Turtle
mountfin country. iron Heart said
he thought it was valid, and that sim
pie Justice demanded that they be paid
for it. He said that the Sioux never
claimed the country north of Devils
lake and west to Dogs Den, on the
Missuri. In his own opinion the Tur-
tie Mountain Indians had never
ceded that territory to the government,
and should be paid for it before settlers
overrun it. He said considerable
about former treaties with the Sioux,
upon which subject he appeared to be
whether he had ever visited Washing
ton in the interest of his people, ne said
he had not; that he supposed he knew
too much to be of service to the men
in whose interests Indians were gener
ally taken to Washington. Questioned
further as to what he meant, he cast
some reflections on the intelligence of
the chiefs who were taken to see the
Great Father, conveying the idea that
they were mere tools of designing per-
sons, who didn't know enough to stand
up for their rights. They would prom
Use and cede about anything that was
asked. He wasn't that sort of an In
dian. He stated that, with one excep
ton, he was happy and contented with
his lot. He would not "feel strong"
in the possession of his home I'M
til the government decided him
and the other Indians on the reserva-
ton tract of 100 acres, the same as
it did to white men. He was uncertain
about the permanency of his home and
feared that he might be removed some
time and be obliged to do much of his
hard work over again. He desired to
live on his farm, and when he died to
to leave it to his children. This uncer-
tainty vas all that troubled him When
he had paper from the Great Father
granting him his home, he should be
fully satisfied. 81 have been fat ever
since / have lived on the reservation"
he stated, and was not at all disposed
to leave it. He spoke in the highest
terms of the post trader, Maj. Cramsie,
and of the officials at the fort. He was
not altogether displeased at immigra-
ton and the prosp ct of having neigh
bors, as that would bring him prosper
ity. Iron Hearts house was comfortably
furnished, and the interior presented a
neat appearance. Several pictures from
illustrated papers adorned the walls, and
a few books and papers were observed
resting on the shelves.