The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-11-05
INDIAN GIRLS AT EAGLE, PA.
How They Are Progressing la the Civilized
Arts.-Rcady LEARNERS MT Noediework.

The sewing room is in charge of one
seamstress. Here every girl is taught to cut
and make her own clothing. When the
girls were first brought to the Lincoln Insti-
tuition they were given plain dresses, but
were told that they could have trimmed
ones as soon as they learned to make and
trim them for themselves. Now quite q
number of the larger ones are wearing ruff
hes, oyerskirts and sashes, and it is wonder.
full to see how quick they are to exercise
their taste and ingenuity. The instructive
Indian love of finery will never be eradicat,
ed but only differently directed. Within
year or two it is quite probable that they
will know how to dress as well as their
white sisters. They show none of the bar
barrie, even ridiculous, taste so observable
among colored girls, for even their gayest
combinations are,beautiful
This will be seen in their fancy work, in
which the most wonderful effects are pro-
duced from the simplest materials. By way
Of pastime many of the larger girls make
bags and other ornaments of bread-work,
showing quite artistic d,signs. Others dress
dolls in Indian fashion, which always find
admirers and purchasers. Lately all have
been preparing for the tableaux to be given
in Wayne Hall, Thursday evening, Septem.
ber 25. Hiawatha's dress Is quite royal ir
appearance, but it is made simply of ecru
canton flannel, looking like deer-skin, and
trimmed with leather fringe and crescents
OF red flannel, profusely embroidered with
beads. Some of the most gorgeous head
dresses have been evolved from chicken
feathers and colored tissue paper. The
arger girls experimenting the preparation
of costumes have consulted Catlin's Indians
OF North American, which they consider
good authority. The lodge is work of art
as well as genuine Indian wigwam. The
framework Is of sticks, tied together in
point precisely like the one in the old tav-
srn yard, which any passer-by may see and
recognize as playhouse. The cover for
the lodge is white muslin sheet, painted
with grotesque animal forms in bright colors
and further adorned with chintz applique
figures.
Some OF the names of the Indian girls are
quite suggestive. Among them are: Bessie
Big Soldier, Alice Good Soldier, Lizzie Big
Bird, Lizzie Charcoal, Edna Eagle Feather
and Lizzie Spider. The pupils from st.
Regis, as might be expected, have French.
names, as Lazoux and Beauchamps. Hattie
Gho-coola is the girl who has lover now a
'tudent at Hampton. During the summer
ae was permitted to see Hattie, although 1t
hos been found necessary to forbid regular
correspondence. At the same time quite a
number of Indian boys from Hampton and
Carlisle visited their sisters here.
In appearance the Indian girl as rule,
is not pretty. She is coarse featured, large
boned and Informed, though her hair is
glossy and abundant her eyes are bright
and her color no darker than that of an
Italian. She is likely also to be predisposed
20 consumption or scrofnla, as her people
seem ignorant of the simplest hygienic laws.
In manner she Is dignifed and graceful, but
lhe is shy and sensitive. little disposed tc
salk to strangers. II Is plain to be seen that
these Indian girls have learned and improy.
ed wonderfully.