Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-10-09
P0oa "A.r


"nos . 14omooo woman says Q
The Condition ofshs Indisns.
Il The following letter, published ii
the West Chester Local News, is from
lady engaged In humane worl
amongst the Modoc Indians, to Mrs
Lydia 6hipley, of West Chester, ant
we'll known In Wilmington
| MoDoC CAMP, 9th mo. 23d, 1888
MY DEAR AGBn FKxSD. LYDIA SHTPLEY =
A. ! promised to write thee Of my worl
among the Indians, now feel the time has
come. ! came out - expected and entered
the neld. which IL indeed white unto harvest
and II may be said tho labOrers are few. Hov
! would be delighted to take thee through
this Modoc camp which reaches In circle
three miles. There are some older women
than thee. yet ! DO not know how thee would
endure the suffering and privations which
witness daily 10 going the rounds among the
Sick. This has been an unusually wet sea-
son, and vegetation is great, and the chills
are almost In every house Some are In the
lsst stages Of consumption and have he
chills, too. Their comf0rtiess homes are be-
yond description. l often wish for house
where could have clean beds and clio thes
for them, and something to cook which
would tempt their appetites. make choco-
late, my tomatoes and get what ! can and
take II to them, but really, could not eat
with my eyes open in such places as their
homes.
Ono sick woman raised no off her
blanket, which was on the floor, 9Th day. as
! went IN with her dinner and took what |
prepared and ate 1t with e8gerness, and a
chill on her or Just off,. III stay here and
work for these people, must have q place
TO nurse the sick. There are consumptives
Or Or both men and women. Many Of the men
have sore eyes one Is perfectly blind. /
think there are but few healthy ones In camp
and NO comforts, the houses arc 80 poor
and cOmf0rtless They have canvas tents
and sleep out. The agents talk OF putting
each family on q forty-acre farm, 80 they
osn have more land. They now have tive
wheat. The men have made the most
rapid progress, In the time, Of any other
1t is lust ten ye.rs this fall since they came |
The women Except the young ones) have
never been In school the men have had |
evening school, and some have learned TO
to 70 TO school this winter, and see n We
can't teach them I, read and speak English.
M y great work here now 10 tO elevate the
women. We have certain days or afternoons
for them to come and learn to sew. Perhaps
thou knowest these Modocs are prisoners OF
Or what t. ey call half rations. The sugar
Is nice, granulated, but the -four Is black,
Or dark and musty, and they will not
sat IT.
They have not much means except what
they get from the Government for their work
The sale Of their bows and ARROWS and
bead work the women do. Poor things =
lr others feel they have anything to 10
'or the Indians, this Is the place and peo.
pie to help. We need muslin, chick goods
or skirts and dresses, bed ticks, sheets; in
n fact every garment for women and child
'en, blankets, spreads, towels, flannel for
Is was packed for the sufferers from the
foods Is what we need, and II any one
cells willing to give US something toward
'ur fund for the sick. II will be very ac-
eptable. We have nothing to help them
o, only as is don ated, or Of our own. ,
! do not get anything for my services
pay my own expenses and have very poor .
could not winter here as
hlngs are, but hope to get some means |
0 fix up and make the two rooms co fort |
BILE. You mny add what you please for
he mission house. My bureau and wash
tand are dry g0ods boxes. II the house was :,
'xed up we could get along very well ;Ahs
nd count the stars We can't stand up
traight except in the iddle Of the room.
We think OF having stiff paper or box
cards put on instead Of plaster, and have
hat papered, which we think will make the I
pstairs more comfortable. l have become
cciimated so that can get along until IL is
older.
l am willing TO share the hardships Of y
hese people and don't feel my privstiOns 10 /
luch as would II they were comfortable. q
here are three Of US here. women-the teach
:, who has the day school for the chi dren
nd Friend somewhat older than myself
ho fills up hermeasure In every department
he teacher is paid by the Government, we
re- not. All are needed here, and do what
Q can. and leave much undone. l do q
reat deal OF sewing on the machine. sent Q
line out ahead OF me 1t got broken, 20 we Q
mt get it to work but got new one, and q
ave done great deal Of work 'fOr the sick. {
ometimes have to give my own clothes.
slievs the Government allows each woman
We yards Of muslin a year the men two b
riped shirts or the material for them, AMI
me for children. a
Well, my dear friend, must tell thee ofa -
enc which took place two weeks to-day
ne of the best M0d0c men fell from his horse v
ID broke his neck. never sawsuch time. o
he dead yell rang through the camp; men C
rang upon their horses and started to the
,ld women followed with their babes bound r.
their backs on boards, all wailing AMI
purning as they went; the air was filled
lth lamentations. The funeral took place
,xt day not one man. woman or child was
II in the camp. The corpse was brought to
10 school or meeting house, and 1t was al
Ost deafening to be there. They were 81.
need by the chief but after the services were
'er the wailng began, and continued until y
lence was again requested by the chief
no speaking over, the coffin was wrapped In a
hite blankets and lowered into the grave h
t the sound of the first shovel Of dirt on the q
fin the widow threw herself on the earth y
I'd beat herself with her hands. Poor thing!
was great blow to her to have her husband b
ken home dead. 1t was a bad sorrOwful b
w. and the wailings and lamentations are n
1t heard in the camp early In the morning a
Id at night But must not tire thee with !"
y long letters of MOdoc troubles-they are Il
ore than can tell. Love to thee and all 8;
9 family Don't forget my poor lndians. /
ten weep. to and from camp, and wish l
uld do more tor them. Lovingly, thyl
lend. H. H. BoMvILL, o
MoDoc CAMP, Seneca, Mo. II