Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-07-29
NEE Perez AGENCY, July %, 1892


NEE Perez AGENCY, July %, 1892.
Enron FREE Press:
The invitation being given and space
granted "Barkers is always willin'" to
take advantage of good opportunity.
My chronicles begin about the close of
the fiscal year, June 80. Both the Lap
yai and Agency schools closed at that
time. The children belonging to the
Agency schools returned at once to their
homes. Those of the Lapwai school
were retained until after July 4th in or
der to take part in the Lewiston cele-
bration. They made a creditable dis
play on that occasion. Both schools
made. good progress during the year.
etTucting was made more difficult on &C.
and quite a number of pupils at first en-
tering being unable to speak or under.
stand English. But after they did once
acquire the use of the language, they
coon learned to read readily and to
write legibly. In figures too they were
moderately apt. Nearly all were good
ht pemorizing. They also soon learn
ed fairly correct habits of person and of
dress. From an uncouth, untutored
condition at their entrance into school
they became rather tidy and mannerly
ut its close. The change wrought was
truly .wonderful. Only those who were
present to observe would believe such a
change possible, and only those who
took an active part in the work realize
the amount of patience and of labor it
costs to bring about such a TRANSFORMED
tion. Employees, aud teachers especial
'1y. deserve great credit for the work
they do in these Indian schools. 1t is
very evident that, under the benign in.
Huence of the teacher with the spelling
book and the missionary with the Bible,
the Indian is rising slowly but surely,
step by step, to higher plane of morals
and intelligence.
, AT the close of the school Miss Good
In, one of the teachers, feeling that she
had grievance. preferred charges
against the agent. These charges, as
constructed. Indirectly involved ali of
the school employees, so we have had to
undergo along with the agent the ordeal
OF an Investigation which had the APP
ipearsnce of onesidedness AS against the
agent. The Special AGENT. A. Leonard
after concluding his labors, departed. ta-
king with him numerous affidavits and
fseiina confident, suppose, of having
somebody's head in basket. The agent
has been directed by the Indian depart
'ment to transfer the Agency school and
property to Col. McConville, superintend-
'ent of Lapwai school. 1t becomes
'thenceforth a department Of Lapwai
school. The transfer will be made prob
ably next month.
Besides the agency and school, we
have also bad q church investigation
;News had gotten to the Presbyterian
Missionary Headquarters that the In
dams at THIS place had become dissatis.
ned with their pastor, and Rev. Woods
qf Lewiston was directed to investigate
the matter, which he did, when it was
shown very conclusively that there was
no truth in the report but that the
troubles originated from anothar source
that the only troubles they had in the
church were caused by an appointee of
che Missionary Board.
The Indians celebrated in due form,
taking about six days for it. On the
fourth proper they INDUCED in barbe-
parade. The remainder of the time
Il
am informed that James Reuben made |
she principal winning, which consisted
Of dfty dollars in money, q number of
ponies. saddles, blankets and moccasins.
"A few Jays ago Miss Fletcher and her
protege. Miss Gay, proceeded to the
north fork of Clearwater for the pur.
pose of alloting land. 1t is understood
and generally believed that she will fin.
ish the work of alloting this year, and
II not this year, then next.
The new ferry boat authorized by the
government to be built at this place was
and launched about the first
Of the present mouth, but by some i'll
luck broke loose from its moorings
Twice. Messrs. Crea and Hall finally
look charge of it and, thanks to their
skill, it is again in position and with
some one competent to handle the tiller
Is ready to transfer passengers and
freight. Indians and their belongings
will probably he transferred free; others
will be charged usual rates.
IN the matter OF stock running at
arpe on the reservation, the Special
Agent intimated that he would recon-
mend that they be permitted to do so at
. certain rate per head, per annum,to be
4xed, l suppose, by the Indian depart
ment.
Reports being true, Camas Prairie has
boom. The day of its hard times is
past. and upon the new era the sun of
prosperity has arisen, dispellng by its
brightness the clouds of adversely that
have SO long been hanging over it.
Very good.
Agent Robbins is busy directing af-
Iairs about the agency and keeping cool
Mr.. r. ID. Stanton, formerly a typo in
your employ, is doing efficient work as
clerk at agency headquarters.
Mr.. Crea is making himself generally
vseful. His genius seems to compre-
bend everything in the line of machine
~ from a flutter wheel to Touring
mill. At present he is on the prairie
having.