Arizona republican., 1891-03-15
AN INDIAN SCHOOL Teaching the Red Skins at
 Yuma. Work of the Noble Sisters of
 St. Joseph. Great Improvement Made in the Con. ditiOn of the Yuma Tribes
 in Five Years.

Editorial Correspondence of THE REPUBLICAN
 YUMA, Ariz., March 7.-Across the Colorado river from the city of Yuma stands the old and historic military post of the same name. For many years dur. ing the early days of California and Arizona this old post was haven ol rest and protection for the brave pic, neers, who dared the burning sun oi the desert and the vengeance of the In dians to seek for wealth and homes in the great southwest.
 But following the railroad that great engine of civilization, the need of the soldier grew less and finally in April, 1886, Fort Yuma was abandoned. In May the Sisters of St. Joseph moved into the abandoned fort to establish an Indian school, and, where officers with gay trapping of war issued military orders black-combed sweet-faced Mother Superior now directs in His name the schooling of the children of the desert. Where troopers swords clanked and glistened, boys and girls practice calisthenics, and where cards were played and oaths abounded, school books are studied, and "Our Father" is uttered in supplication to the giver of all.
 Unlike the savage Apache or the war like Comanche, the Yuma Indian had few of the traits of his brother red men. Living in an almost torrid zone he grew lazy, indolent and de- prayed until all the proud spirit of his brothers to the east had forsaken him, and he was content to live in squalor and misery. When the Sisters took charge of the school five years ago, they found but few willing to allow their children to attend, and great difficulty was experienced in getting them to don suitable clothing in place of the simple covering of nature. But by patience and firmness in the right, success, has been attained, and today over l35 boys and girls are attending the school, and recently as high as l56 were enrolled.
 The pupils are divided into various classes and the officers quarters and soldiers barracks turned into domitories and classrooms. The kitchen and din- ingroom are presided over by one of the sisters, and the larger girls are taught to assist in the work and learn the ways of civilization. Then there is a sewing room in which they are taught the use of the needle. The girls now make all their own dresses and aprons, and be- sides fl nd time to do considerable fancy work, which is sold to visitors. Much of it would do credit to the most skilled needlewoman. At present but little work has been found for the boys. They are, however, taught to take care of the boys dormitory. carry the wood and do such minor work. Preparations are be- ing made to establish farm on the res- vation, and shoe shop at the school, so that the boys can be taught useful oc- equations.
 It is really remarkable how quickly the children learn. 1 was shown class of little girls making drawings on the black board and they showed great con ception of form and position in their work. Writing and figures, in one of the boys classrooms, were fully equal to what you would see in any grammar school in the land.
 "We had great difficulty at first in getting the boys to cut their hair," said Sister Ambrosia to me. But at last we persuaded them it was right and now few objections are raised. The influence of the school is good upon all the tribe too, as we'll as upon those who come here. When the boys and girls go home, dressed in civilized garb and looking neat and clean, the others realize the superiority of education and want to be like them. 1 see a great difference in the tribe now to what it was five years ago. What is most needed now to aid our work is farms, so the boys can go to work when they leave the school. There is something like 32,000 acres of land on the reservation and some of it as rich bottom land as there is in California, but it is not irrigated and hence cannot be utilized. Agent Rusk, at Colton, is expecting to soon have some of the land allotted in severalty and water for irriga- tion taken from the Colorado river. If this can be carried out another genera tion.will completely transform the Yuma Indians of California"
 Inspection of the school showed that cleanliness was one of the first principles of the course of instruction. Sister Ambrosia, the Mother Superior, is ably assisted by Sister Mary Joseph, Sister Anicita, Sister Edmund, Sister Loren cia, and Sister Elvira. The first two named have been at the school ever since its establishment five years ago, and to their patience and unselfsh de- votion, the Yuma men and women of position in the years to come can raise monuments of honor.
 wish especially in this to call atten- tion to the fact that all instruction is carried on in English. Nor are lessons Tn patriotism lacking. The children are taught all the national airs and the boys can sing "My County 'tis of Thee" with spirit and vigor that makes one proud of his country and proud of the glorious Stars and Stripes. In fact l question if there are any white schools in either California or Arizona where the same attention to country and patriotism is incorporated in the curriculum as here at this Indian school conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
 During the recent flood the doors of the school were thrown open to sufferers and great numbers were cared for from their open hospitality. It is noble work that these brave Christian women are doing and all the help the Govern ment can give should be freely be- slowed. F. s. G.