The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1891-09-19
Report Of Sup't c. A. Burton.
INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL,

F4TT STEvENTON, N. ~, 0opG. 4, 1oSA'
Sir: As I assumed charge of this school
the first of June last, am unable to speak
of the progress made during the past year.
The former Superintendent, George E.
Gerowe, looked carefully after the proper
ty of all kinds belonging to the school, and
the stock had more than doubled in num-
Der. Various needed Improvements had
been made during the years he was here,
that show on the part of my predecessor
forethouoht and consideration for the COM
fort of tine school.
s The farm and stock have been under the
charge of Mr.. Daniel Leroy for more than
two years with the most gratifying results
The wheat, oats, barley corn and potatoes
are as fine crop as this latitude and soil
will produce, while the garden furnishes a
supply of many kinds of vegetables. Since
Mr.. LeRoy's taking charge the stock has in
creased 100 per cent at least, and to his
energetic efforts and painstaking care is
due in great measure the success attained
in this department of our school work, both
as regards the ability of the boys to do
most kinds of farm work and the fine crops
in field and garden, now being gathered
for food for the children and stock. The
carpenter and shoemaker shops were closed
when I assumed charge and had been for
some months. We have now carpenter
of experience and one well adapted to the
position. No permanent shoemaker has
yet been employed. The blacksmith and
tin shops have been used of late years
only to do the necessary tinkering and
repairing.
The girls under the general guidance of
the matron, Miss Jennie M. Hull, have
made an advance toward civilization that
all the years of their future can never en-
tirely overcome, no matter how unfavor-
able their surroundings. The sewing
room has been one of the most valuable
features in connection with our school, as
nearly all the girls clothing, the sheets,
pillow-cases, table-cloths and towels have
been made here. In addition to this, the
mending for the entire school is done in
this department.. Nearly all the work in
this department is done by the girls, many
of whom are quite skillful in darning and
generalsewing. This work has been under
the direction of Mrs. Sarah M. Gerowe,
who resigned August Goth. Since her
resignation Mrs. Daniel Leroy has had
charge, and under her skillful management
it will lose none of it's former usefulness.
The laundry, under Miss Allie E. Tower,
is a pattern of neatness and dispatch.
Here hundreds of garments are carefully
washed and ironed each week; -four medi-
um-sized boys, two each forenoon and af-
ternoon, assist in running the washing
machines, which helps to Tighten the work
of the girls in this department..
Miss frankie Brintnell presides over the
kitchen. This is the place where the hun
cry are fed, and here more than ton of
meat, -four, meal and potatoes are cooked
each week, besides many other articles of
food, such as beans, hominy, rice and oat-
neal. Dishwashing, setting of tables,
scrubbing floors, and nearly all work of
this character is done by the girls with
Miss Brintnell to direct them. This. shows
that our girls know how to work and are
able to accomplish 9 great deal when
properly directed. A large boy is detailed
to cut meat and mold bread in the kitchen,
also smaller ones t.. bring in wood and
coal, or anything that is needed. The
food is plain, but wholesome; tea and cof-
fee are used sparingly, and the children
under ten years are given nothing but
milk to drink at their meals. A few of
the girls under the direction of the matr0n
have become quite valuable help in caring
for milk and making butter.
The teachers at present number threes
Dr.. J. R. Finney, principal teacher; Mrs.
Mary F. Burton, intermediate, and Miss
Ellen NJ. Judd, primary. They have all
had years of experience in the school-room
Miss Judd comes to US highly recommends
Cd, and SO far has proved herself equal to
all requirements.
The doctors proper place is that Of
clerk, but as our principal teacher has not
arrived, he is obliged to I'LL this position
which he does with credit, as he has had
much experience in educational work.
On the first day of the school, August
31st, there were 100 children in attendance
the largest number in the history of the
school. Major Murphy has taken hold Of
this matter of filling up the government
school with much zeal, and it is owing in
. great measure to his kind Offices that the
school has arrived at it's present numerical
standing. Some features not new to schools
Of this kind, but new here, have been In
troduced: the court, presided over by the
I, superintendent, where many of the gravel
cases of discipline are tried, and where
tslks are given on the object to be attained
by rules in the school, laws. in the STATE
ths necessity Of obeying them, ETC., With
4 the hope thst the pupils may be vel
grounded in the, principles underlying
civil government. The military drill IL .
a nsw feature much enjoyed by the boys
& Tie larger ones are divided into two com
&3s MAS NJ kualtv .fiye each and are drillei