Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-07
IDEAS, NOT ARROWS,
Are the Implements With Which In
dianS Are Taught to Shoot
ATTHEIRINSTITUTIONINCARLI In
Their Peculiarities and the Rare Ease Of
Educating Them.
REDSKINS VITA A SENSITIVE NATURE
rcORnrsrOxDrrcn OF THE D1srArcn.l

CARLISLE, PA, December 6.-The In
clan question now, as never before, is near
ing its solution. The growth of the Carlisle
institution under the charge of Captain R.
b. Pratt is attracting the attention Of lead
ing thinkers upon education and race prob
lens in this as we'll as other countries. Es-
tablished only ten years ago, Its success
proves what may yet be done for the Red
Man. There is something wrong, and al
ways has been, in our treatment of the In
dian; but when the War and Interior De-
partments ordered the starting Of school at
Carlisle it was the dswning of better days
for the Indian. The Government appropri-
ates $167 year for the education of an In
dian; but Captain Pratt says: son an an
nual appropriation of $100, 900 1 will under
take to educate 1000 children annually" !"
The school started with 140 pupils, but
now numbers 6S5-quite number of whom
are out on farms as means OF education
and civilization. They all 60 to school one
half day and work the other half-the indus
trial training being just as carefully super-
intended as the educational. Farmers re-
ceive these boys and girls into their fami-
lies, pay them for their work and send them
to school in the winter The demand is
always large, and the Indians thus trained
are in the midst of the best influences of
civilized life.
NO TWO TOGETHER.
This is Captain Pratt's idea, who says
'tIf had my way 1 would distribute the
whole $50, 900 Indians all over the United
States-not allow a single Indian on res
ervation; not allow two together TIL they
are civilized" The skill Of the boys in the
carpenter, blacksmith, harness and tin
shops, the girls in the laundry, cooking and
sewing rooms, is surprising. A stimulus
to their energies has been the payment Of
wages. Part of the Government sppro-
priation is given to them in this
form instead of clothing, out of which
they are expected to buy their own
clothing except their school uniform.
There is some waste, no doubt, but the prac-
tice is teaching the relation of labor to capi-
tai The co-education of the sexes is re-
garded as essential to the development of
this race in which woman has been so de-
graded. There are more boys in the school
than girls, for the reason that on the reserva-
tions girls constitute q part of the material
wealth of the family, and on arriving at
manageable age, bring a certain price in
horses or other valuable property.
The improvement of the girls is as marked
as that Of the braves; they cut, make and
mend their own clothes, as well as those of
the boys, and, like their white sisters, the
tender maidens sweeten industry with senti-
ment, and carefully rummage the darning
basket for the stockings of the boys they
like best. Ali the industries. mechanical
and industrial, are under the control of
master workmen, and the articles manu-
faetured in the shops taken by the Govern
ment for the agencies.
"A LITTLE ARMY OF REDS.
The pupils are all under military rule,
and well behaved, and, as they march in
charge Of a sergeant to and from chapel,
school and other occasions Of assembly, they
are quite a little company. In ages they
vary from to 80 years; the older ones being
dull in school, but very good in the shops.
The Indians have quite pleasant times in
their quarters and are very quick to appre-
ciate games, music and entertainments Of
every kind. ''Sociable Night" occurs once
a month in the large gymnasium. This,
they think, is worth living for. A few
evenings ago, large boy was accosted by
his teacher, thus:
"why, James, at a social without col
Iar?''
Said be coolly: "No girl, meI'
The Apaches are regarded by our Govern
ment as the most intractable Of all the
tribes; yet Captain Pratt testi6es that the
pupils from this tribe are the best students
in the school. The Indian observes caste.
The Sioux regard themselves as the ''big
Indians" of all-are aristocratic, overbear-
ing and tyrannical; but they are coupled
with the Indians from other
tribes at table, in the dorm
itory, and are soon taught they
Carlisle represent at least 40 tribes, includ-
ing a few Alaskan Indians. The English
tongue is used exclusively, as it is consid-
cred very important to break the Indian dia-
lects, no two of which are alike. Tobacco
is strictly prohibited. The discipline largely
self discipline.
VERY SHORT ALLOWANCE.
The Government only allows five years for
the education of the Indian. Too short a
time, thinks Captain Pratt, to accom-
wild tribe of the plains. It is
difficult to associate the gaunt young
gamins that enter the school for the first
time, with the bright busy groups of boys
and girls at study or play. Even "a hours
make difference in their appearance-new
scenes, soap, water and different dress effect
a change. Books, of course, are for q long
time of no avail, and every device is resort
ed to TO keep up the interest; yet nothing can
equal the charm of the printed page. "If
cannot read when 60 home," said young
brave, ''my people will laugh at me-"
The blackboards of an Indian recitation
room are usually rich in works of art, illus
trative OF the days doings, or memories of
home life. Many strangers visit Carlisle to
see the Indians. Some of them are disap-
pointed. "We thought we might see some
real Indians. Haven't you some real In
in blankets, you know, and feath-
ers and long hair" Aboriginal picturesque
ness is certainly sacrificed in Carlisle civil
ization, and instead we find school of neat
ly dressed boys and girls with bright eyes.
and full of fun and frolic as If they were
of the Mayhower freight. With
more regard for their own amusement or
curiosity than for wasting courtesy on
savages, many visitors ply the students with
questions: "What is your name?" care
you wild?" "Csn you speak English?"
Patience exhausted, one little girl answered
her inquisitor: ''Yes, very wild. Are you
wild?" and ''No, I cannot speak word of
English"
VERY SENSITIVE PEOPLE.
The Indians are sensitive of their former
condition. Many interesting little things |
are occurring every day, which touch |
the hearts and enlist the sVmpaChies |