Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-02-22
Ariaona Enterprise.
I0RENCE- FEBRUARY 22, 1890
The Indian school

By kind permission of the author ities in charge of the Government indian school at Fort Yuma, the re- porter, ill company with several ladies and gentlemen, on February 9th, at tended the exercises of the children while celebrating the passage of the Dawes bill, which provides that In dians may in severalty take up l6O acres of land and, under certain con ditions, assume the rights and privil' eges of American citizens.
 The children, numbering twenty five girls and ninety boys, were seated in class-rooms according to the sexes. The rooms were handsomely decorated with festoons of boughs and twigs, and numerous small American banners were tastefully arranged about the walls. The little ones were neatly and tastelully attired, their bright, clean faces aglow with expectancy. Perfect order and strict attention to their duties was plainly apparent. The exercises proved d suprise to the visitors, especially that portion which included the singing of popular Ma tional songs, such as the "Star Spap- gled Banner" "Red, White and Blue" and "Marching Through Georgia" The voices were sweet and accurate time observed. The results, when viewed in the light of the fact that these little ones have attended school but comparatively short time, and that the school itself was started un- der the present management but three years or SO ago, is most astonish- ing. The ways of civilization have wrought wonders in these children of the desert who, snatched from the filth and degradation of babaric life, have been trasformed, through in telligent direction, never failing pa tience, and strict discipline into de corous and attentive students.
 The writer was also enabled to in spect the workings of the school-room During the past year great progress has been made. A large majority oI the Indian children have advanced in the elementary studies to a degree not always reached by students of cores bonding ages, in the Caucasian schools Many write beautiful hands, read and spell distinctly and accurately, while number are sufficiently versed ir arithmetic to cast up accounts O purchases made in town. The girli take deep interest in plain sewing and crocheting, cutting and making their own garments, while the boy not only care for tho horses and cattle belonging tO the government, bu also assist the carpenters in laying floor and completing necessary re pairs upon the public buildings, il which work they apparently talk much delight.
 The dining rooms and dormitorie are conspicuous for their extrem cleanliness as, in fact, are all tn quarters. Too much cannot be sai in praise of the admirable system ant able management of the superinter dent, teachers and assistants. The have accomplished results of whic they have every reason Co be proud.
 A visit was made to the hospita and dispensary in charge of Dr. F. C Cotter Here, as every where els' common sense methods prevai Since his accession to office, the Do, tor has treated 952 Indian patient with remarkable success, and this i less than two and one-half year The ridiculous practices of the med . cine-men is gradually being brokel lfu winch, Of course, IS universall ttnefcial t0 the tribe.
 Tie writer, in behalf of the visitor 1t well la'of himself, returns thanl fer :fs eou-tcf s extended during the ItnRthy visit, by the officials i fi'nfses Yunsa rimes. 'a