The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1892-02-27
WashIngtOn's Day at Fort
Yuma.

number OF the good people OF this
town went to Fort Yuma, by invi-
tation to enjoy the program which
} had been so carefully gotten up not
only for their edi6cation, but also to
show the progress made by the
Indian pupils in their studies. In
a few words the SENTINEL scribe
will say the exercises and enter
tainment were of the highest order
and must have proven very pleas
ing to the kind and attentive in
structors who have labored so
patiently in teaching the Indian
boys and girls.
The assembly room which was
used was handsomely decorated
and the chairs conveniently ar
ranged to seat comfortably about
three hundred visitors. The stage
and setting appeared to good ad-
vantage. Immediately in front
a large flag of the Gland of the
Free and Home of the Brave" was
draped to represent shield, di-
rectly in the center of which a
portrait of Washington was placed.
On each side of the hag-shield, two
guns were crossed on a background
of the National colors. A grace
full arch made up of flags was in
place on the front of the stage and
appeared to good advantage. The
arrangement Of everything was
splendid and displayed a great
deal of artistic taste.
Three tables below the stage
were covered with fancy needle
work from the skilful hands of the
girl pupils who are rapidly becom-
ing experts in all kinds of sewing,
knitting and dress-making.
The evenings entertainment
opened with a song of welcome by
the entire class. The singing was
excellent and the organ accom-
paniment (by one Of the Sisters)
was musical gem. Then follow
ed songs and recitations all of
which were enthusiastically en-
cored. When the girls came on
the stage and went through the
fan-drill, every one present was
surprised at the perfect manner in
which the movements were ex-
ecuted.
The grandest success of the
evening was when with true mill
tary step and bearing the "Yuma
Cadets" some 30 strong, marched
upon the stage. Their drill was
perfect. Nothing could be done bet
ter. They moved with the precision
of veterans and showed that they
are suited to all the requirements
which are necessary in the "make-
up" of a good soldier. The Indian
cadets were neatly uniformed and
the commands of their Off
GERS were given in clear, authori-
tative manner, which attracted
much attention. The exercises
were brought to a close by the
pupils singing, ''The Hunters
song," which was given with dis
tinctness and met with much ap-
plause.
Mr.. P. J. Martin, who has
charge of the shoe-making depart
ment at the Fort, acted as mana
ger and to his earnest efforts much
of the success of the evenings en-
tertainment is due.
To the good Sisters who are so
patiently and earnestly giving
their lifes' work and talents to
educate the ! una Indian children,
the SENTINEL cannot say enough in
praise of them. They have reason
to feel proud of their work, which
is sure in the near future to be of
benefit to our country. Through
the efforts of the faithful and un-
firing Sisters of Saint Joseph, the
Yuma Indian children are redeem
ed from a life of ignorance, idleness
and perhaps vice, to one of in
dustry, intelligence and usefulness.
There are 100 pupils in regular
attendance at the school and all
are making diligent efforts to be-
come advanced in their studies.
The Fort Yuma Indian Training
school is under the charge Of
Mother Superior, Sister Ambrosia,
who is Superintendent, and she is
ably assisted by the following