The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-11-16


success
At presentthe old chuseh buildings indicated
on the map and one adjoining the Agency, all
equally diapdated uuinviting and OF no
| value in bad weather Schoolhouses are nsed
both for public worship and Sunday school
gatherings as the popuiationlis neither numer-
ons nor rich enough toseFcrt aud sustain indie
pendent churches. ,u
Tile erection by the Government of suitable
building near the agency for public meetings
and use npon the Sabbath by the different de-
nominations in turn would meet the demand
and prove great benefit In the people Reli-
gi0us denominational jealousies and proselytism
have had their part in his apparent religious
declension, and the Indians are no less suscep-
tible to such influences than white people. AT
present the rules adopted for the management
Of the common or district schools by Superin-
tendeDt w II. Spray, of the Cherokee train
ing school, who has charge of all the schools as
well, are decidedly in the direction of religious
and moral progress throughout the territory.
No teacher is employed who is not Christian
man or woman, but no preference in the seiec-
tion of teachers is shown as to the different
evangelical denominations of the Protestant
church. There are no Catholics among the
Cherokees.
The school buildings are also readily opened
for religions meetings and in addition to this
the training school. while nominally under
in spirit, and wholly without bigotry or prose-
lytism in its management. The attendance at
this school habituaily Of about one-fourth OF
the children of school age where religions
training forms a cardinal feature of the work,
has its wholesome effect elsewhere.
The absence of the Cherokee from the crimi-
nal courts, the uniform observance of the
marriage rite, the character and developments
of the schools, and the industry of the people
are signs of real progress. Evidence on file at
the Interior Department shows that tiegItl-
mate births are less frequent than among the
white people. The detern nation of the lead
ing Cherokee Councilmen and citizens to make
morality, fair education, and temperance the
essential prerequisites of their candidate for
Principal Chief is true index to the purpose
of this people as to their future.
There are no formal temperance organIza-
tions among the Eastern Band of Cherokees,
but incompetence is not common.
There are at present among the Eastern Band
of Cber0kees three schools of a common school
grade in addition to the Cherokee training
school, initiated by an eminent Christian
scholar, Barnabas Hobbs. of Indiana, a member
of the Society of Friends. There was also a
grammar school in Graham County, but it was
abandoned because the children were few and
scattered, and several Of them attended the
training school.
Big Cove School j. 10 miles northeast from
River 1t has two teachers, both males, and is
sustained at cost $s19.S4. There are accom-
modations for 80 pupils. The attendance is
over 60, about half males and half females, all
between the ages of six and Is years.
Brdtown School is 2. ii miles southwest from
the Agency, with one male teacher and ac-
commodations for 80 pupils.
Macedonia School, on Seco Creek, above the
old Mission House, already mentioned in con-
nection with the Typographical outline of the
Qnalla boundary, is supported by the interest,"
payable annually, from an educational fund
held in trust by the United States Tor the East
ern Band of Cberokees The two other schools
are also maintained from thesaIne fund. There
are accommodations at this school for So pupils
The Cherokee training school, established
under the auspices of the Western Meeting of
Friends of the State of Indiana. occupies for
school and farm purposes nearly 80 acres of
land along the Ocona Lufia River, at the
foot of Mount Noble, al indicated on the map.
The inspiration of the esterprise from the
first has been the earnest and intelligent pur-
pose Of Barnabas Hobbs (wsll known as former
Superintendent of Schools for the State of In
diana, and well known also in Europe for his
labors in behalf of general peacel to combine
moral, educational. and industrial training for
the Cherokee youth under a formal home sys-
tenn of management. This work, after llany
trials and much local opposition, has been most
successfully developed.
This Cherokee training school was natural
result of system initiated by Gen. Grant,
whereby various religious bodies were encouF.
aged to enter into contracts for the education
and training of Indian youth. The Council
of the Eastern Band Of Cherokees made such
an agreement with the Friends for a term of
10 years which term expired in May, $780,
The majority Of the Council favored its in
definite continuance. The Principal Chief
\ snit fufa Ia uafn
although nearly at the end of his term of
office, obstinately opposed the general wish of
the people aud left the matter unsettled.
The school is under the direction OF four
teachers. ali female, and nine other employees,
- In all, of whom 10 are white and three are
Indian.
Industrial work forms a marked feature of
duty, and this includes farming. fruit culture.
gardening grazing stock, and some shop work.
The general duties of the housewife taught
the girls as well as plain sewing aud other
needlework Scholars take their turn in Iaun-
dering, cooking, and homework, SO that all learn
TO make bread and qualify themselves for all
kitchen duty. Practically 200 acres have been
cultivated. Tho boys and girls have acquired
and take care Of swine and domestic animals
and fowls.
According TO age and necessity, q portion of
the hours for industrial work and evening
study is used for such occupations partake of
the character OF recreation, and an excellent
brass band among the boys is the result of one
phase of this system. At the break fast hour
few verses are read from the Bible, followed by
a brief prayer, and the blessing upon the meal
is either uttered by teacher or the school in
unison. The Sabbath exercises are varied by
Sunday .school recitations, but no sectarian or
dogmatic teaching has place at any time. The
familiar but proper forms of large family
are observed at all hours, and the handshak ing
" goodnight Is as pleasing aud genial as if all
were indeed one family in fact Religious in
struction is largely matter of precept and
example.
The power Of Government of the Cherokee
Band is vested in two distinct departments.
Legislative and Executive. The Executive con-
sists Of Principal and an Assistant Chief The
Legislative consists Of Council, headed by
Chairman voting being taken by yeas and
nays, and all enactments being signed by the
Chairman aud approved by the Principal Chief.
All these officers are elected by delegates from
each town of 100 sonls to the Annual Council.
Tho Principal Chief aud Assistant hold office
for four years.
The following are the surviving Union SOL
diers Of the Erstern Band of Cherokee Indians
OF North Carolina. The names are correct, but
the spelling may differ from that Oh the muster
roll. John Going WEIGH, Thomas Otter James
Otter John Brown Owk wataga Mason Ratjey