Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-08
EIGHTY-FoUR INDIAN MAIDS.
The Interesting Experiences so Far with
the PupIIs at the Lincoln Institute.

The Interesting Experiences so Far with
the Pupils at the Lincoln Institute.
eve have eighty-four little Indians in
our INSTITUTIONAL giris-and they are
doing remarkably WE'LL" said House
mother 4. NJ. seivwright, Of the Indian
Department Of the Lincoln Institution, to
a Philadelphia Times reporter, as she sat
in the spacious reception rooms OF the
building at 324 South Eleventh street.
This branch was started last September
by Mrs. John BeIlengee Cox, a lady who
has for years been identified with chart
table schemes and Indian mission work.
The plan. Of course. has been successful
and we have every reason to be en-
-couraged. our home is mainly supported
by the church and "A small appropriation
from this government. We have represen-
tatives from the Sioux, Chippewa, Pawnee,
Usage. Ojibway, YanktOn, MOdOc, Omaha,
Navajo, Comanche, Cheyenne, Miami,
Wichita, Delaware. VI ohawk and Santee
nations. OF these the Sioux are the most
intelligent, and in the schOol-room show
an aptitude that is really astonishing.
Their ages range from 6 to 20, and after
becoming accustomed 20 their surround
ings, they are exceedingly peaceful and
tTactable. An occasional Outburst will
occur, however, between the little Sioux
and Chippewas, for the Sioux don't like
the Chippewas and the Chippewas don't
like the Sioux. But the Pawnees are the
great fighters when they do get started.
Whyp-and the lady threw up her hands
as the scene rose before her-s'thev fight.
bite and scratch with the spitefuIness and
tenacity Of Young tigers. Such incidents
seldom occur, though.
Inc nTst thing to do when new pupils
arrive Is 70 give them names that will be
rs nearly consistent with our civilization
as possible. This is quite a difficult task.
Some of their names are quite unutterable
and would strike terror TO the heart of the
average reader. Here is a sample Of a
comparatively easy one" said the
speaker, smilingly, as she handed me re-
porter a roll book and with her finger
denoted line Of letters which looked like
q line of pied types: 'MinawaniqueWrai
maQue.' The most literal translation of
that continued Miss SeiYwright. sis
-aTTis Mcdonald. Then we have Jennie
Iron Nest, Euniee Bears Shield, Sarah
Bring the Pipe. Bessie Big Soldier and
Edna Eagle Feather. Sounds rather odd,
doesn't it, But, with a good education
Miss Bring the Pipe or Miss Bear Shield
can secure herself all the advantages of
civilization and probably civilized hus-
band. too. Who can telli
SsAfter the ordeal of giving the names
has been passed then comes the real work.
some Of them are so welded to their wild
customs that il takes quite while to
make them accept cOnteutedly the civil
lied ways. Many upon first entering
would prefer to lie down upon the floor or
a hard bench to pass the night, and 1t Is
only by the strint~St vigilonna that this IL
1Feye nted We have seven dOrmitOries
and each dOrmitOry is in charge Of a Cap
tain, who is one of the older girls, whose
duty is to see that all Of the pupils say
their prayers and retire TO bed.
The older girls attend school half
a day and the other half is devoted
to washing, ironing, sewing and other
duties, which every thrifty and poor
housewife should know how to discharge.
When the girls leave here they 60 back to
their tribes and either teach or engage in
mission work. Every Sunday we have
them attend service at the Church Of the
a sceHsiOn. on Lombard street, above
Eleventh, Rev. Mr.. Hodge, pastor. Our
children behave in church admirably, for
they are very devOut and have great ven
Grafton FOR the Supreme Being. Eighty
four white children would be compare
lively difficult to manage and require a
deal more Of attention to preserve Order"
A visit was paid 10 the schOOlrOOms,
where were assembled number of Indi-
an children, whose compilations ran from
the dark copper hue with raven hair TO
the pure white with blonde hair. The
teacher explained that the little blonde
was One-sixteenth part Indian and was at
the opening Of the institution used as in
terpreter. Her name is Josephine La
desu, a remarkably bright and attractive
child Of thirteen years and Brule Sioux.
Next week the little dusky maideus will
begin their summer sOjOurn at Wayne,
where Mrs. Bellengee Cox has hired the
Spread Eagle Hotel and had il renovated
for theiI occupancy. Quite feature will
be a choir Of Indian girls, who will every
Sunday sing the service at the Episcopal
chapel az Wayne.