Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-01
EDUCATING TEE INDIANS.
Grace Howard Tells of Her Expert
 ence lin the West.

| Grace Howard Tells of Her Experi- ence in the West.
 It IS one thing to educate and recall from dark ways and one quite as important to continue the good work begun. The first step in the improvement of the Indians has ! been long one. Years ago practical meas. | ures to promote civilization among the native American tribes were instituted by philan. spirit, and we see the results of their 1aborf l in the numerous schools for the education oi the Indians through the East particularly the institution at Hampton.
 Miss Grace Howard, daughter of the fa- nous journalist, Joseph Howard, four years ago began trips to the Indian country to perfect her plans for the establishment of 8 civilizing influence to be continually present with the red men. A year and half ago she took up her residence among them in Dakota. She is now in the East on short visit. An account of her work there will be most ina teresting in her own words:
 eve live on the Crow Greek Reserve in Southern Dakota, the middle point of the Sioux territory" she said. "There are no white people within thirteen miles of our house. No houses except the Indian huts are on our plain. You know, my idea was to combine mission and industrial work at the same time, and with the assistance of people who were pleased with the plan I was able to have a large house built on land oi our own, right among the Indians. The house is great, roomy affair, the lower floor being given up as meeting place for all the Indians who desire to come. Il contains wide, open fireplace and a good supply of reading, and they seem to enjoy gathering there.
 'sIn the house have from four to seven Indian girls, almost always those who have graduated from Hampton or the Reservation schools, who do the housework and sewing. The Indians there seem to desire to dress after our custom, to an extent at least, foI we can sell all the flannel and ordinary shirts we can make. This work gives the girls love for civilized life, and it's effects seen when they settle down. The girls are proud. You can never make 8 servant of one. They will labor hard if treated as part of the family, but when separated as ordinary domestics they will sullenly leave. At present can only keep two or three boys busy about the farm work, iH caring for the horses and the gardens and fields on which we raise oats and supplies for the cattle. When the mission develops employment can be given to greater numbers in raising stock and general farm work. AS soon as they learn our ways they become good farmers, and are able to support themselves. They learn very readily use the four field machines we have, and when those who have seen such things while at school know that they may be and are used in their own country the desire to improve themselves and use the knowledge already gained springs up and continues. We have chapel where the Indians regularly worship. The deacon, Tatiyopa, is full blooded Sioux and well educated
 ''The Rev. Luke 0. Walter, full blood, is priest in the Episcopal church and has charge of chapel on the opposite side of
 the river. He has more influence than any other man there. He is Sioux and all his people signed the Sioux bill through his influence. The Indians are very quick to
 learn Take white man who has lived
 their life for years and you could not beat
 into their head what it takes an Indian very they may not know what knife. and fork
 are intended for, but after short. experi-
 enee they use them perfectly. They quickly
 take to refining influences. It is not right
 to say that the returned students are all
 failures. My great idea is to prevent these
 graduates from relapsiug into their uncivi-
 lized state. But there are few of course
 just as there are among college boys-who
 become rather wild or fast. If they go to a
 dance in the old costume once in while
 they are not necessarily failures. But unless
 there is something to keep in mind their new
 education a tendency to fall back may be
 noticed. A civilized house like ours-a
 'shome center" defines it-exerts the right
 influence. The Indians appreciate it, for
 they come to it willingly. On Wednesday
 afternoon the women meet in regular sew
 ing circle, and there is just much discus
 sion among them as there is among the east
 ern circles as to whether the articles made
 shall be sent to home or foreign missions.
 On Thursday afternoons the girls meet and
 give their energies to the same kind of work.
 They are an exceedingly hospitable and gen.
 erous people, and do lots of good, though
 there are heathen among them of course.
 The Sioux not thieves. Our doors are
 never locked. and among themselves they
 take no precautions against robbery.
 "As to the present school system there is
 one improvement needed. Such institutions should be more numerous in the west.
 "It is certainly injurious to an Indian's health to move him so far away. 1 think one reason why such propress has been made among the Sioux is the presence of Major Anderson, who is agent at Crow Creek and Lower Brule. All the townspeople say he
 has advanced the Indians further in four years than anybody else in ten. I expect to return soon and resume my work. like the west and like the Indians, and hope that this kind of work will increase. There Is great need of it and the Indians them selves appreciate it."