Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-05-22
Indian School.
Ed. Independent:
CARLIsTE, Pa, May 18th, 1856.

4
Thinking hriefdescription of
Indian School, situated near the
suberbs of this town, would be in
teresting to some of your readers, |
| furnish one for the INDEPENDENT.
The school is in the Northeastern
part ofthe town, located upon very
pretty enclosure, nicely laid off with
walks. There are quite number of
buildings, which are used for differ
cnt purposes. The old barracks,
which were formerly used by the
soldiers, have been turned into head
quarters for Indian pupils, The
school house property is very nice
building, containing fourteen rooms,
all of which are supplied with lady
teachers. The pupils in the prima-
ry department are taught by object
lessons, and the farther they adj
vance the less need they have or
those. They remain here for FIVE
years, and during that time, 60 to
school the half of each day. The
first section attend school in the
morning in the afternoon they work
at their trade in the shops. The Sc
cond section work in the shops in
the morning, while the former are at
school. So, by this arrangement,
larger number can be accomodat-
cd than otherwise. They (the boys)
are at liberty to choose their own
trade The girls are taught the art
of sewing, housekeeping, aud other
matters pertaining to domestic
affairs. At the expiration Of five
years they are required to return to
their former homes, after which they
are at liberty to go wherever they
desire. On last Wednesday, May
10Th, they celebrated their seventh
annual commencement. In the
morning, an examination of the
school rooms, work shops, ETC., was
made. At 1880 p. IN. the commence
ment took place in their large and
commodious dining rooms, in which
were seated fully q thousand or more
spectators. There was also Il con
gressional committee from Wash
ington present, among whom were
Senators Conger, or Michigan,
Dawes, Of Massachusetts, Chair
man OF Indian Committee, Skinner,
Of North Carolina, Hale, Of Missou-
ri, and many others. Also @. G.
Painter, Agent Of Indian Rights
Association, Hon. II. II. Hammond,
the Indian Legislator Of the Legis-
ture OF Massachusetts and La
Fleschc, an Indian employee of the
| Indian department at Washington.
The exercises consisted Of short
original speeches, dialogues, dec
larations, singing, and gymnastic
exercises. Those exercises were in
terspersed with short enthusiastic
speeches delivered by the different
senators.
Senator Dawes eulogized in the
highest terms the efficient workings
of the school, and Capt Pratt's de-
votion to the cause. He related
many of the wrongs they had been
subject to, heretofore, but assured
them that Congress was willing to
do anything hereafter for them in
the way Of education. As he truth
fully said, it was the most christian
as well as the most economical way.
He verified this by stating that in
1870, the public appropriation for
their education was $4,000 and has
annually increased until now this
year the amount set q part for them
is 81 100000. 1t was feared at one
time that the schools would be re-
moved back to their reservations, as
the report Of the Holman committee
discountenanced the eastern school,
and suggested that they be remov-
ed But the report was defeated,
and the appropriation made, not
withstanding the many who sought
to defeat it.
Many specimens oftheir work were
exhibited, which would compare IA
yorably with that of any person,
who has spent no longer time at
their trade. Mr.. Editor if you de-
sire printer send over for him, as
they have several. They edit two
newspapers--one weekly, the other
monthly. There is at present about
500 students, (male and female,)
ranging in age from six to twenty
five years old. And many of the
girls are by no means wanting in
beauty. | noticed an exceptionally
pretty one, whose form was quite
graceful, and / understand that
several Of the "boysn were mashed
on her. Fearing I have already