The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-06-07
A South Dakota Indian SchOOl---
Well Boring.
PIERRE, So. OAK, Nav y. 1893

flERRE, 80 DaK'' May -, 1885
Editor Waterman In 1890 there was an
appropriation by congress for an Indian
school to be located in this city. In ac-
cordance Herewith a set of brick buildings
suitably adapted to the purpose was con-
structed at cost of $4,000 just inside of
the eastern limits of the city on a level plat
of twenty acres of land presented by the
city. February II, 1891, the school opened
with Us pupils, about an equal number of
both sexes, under the superintendent of
Crosby G. Davis, with competent assistants
in the literary and industrial departments.
The only Indian holding aposition of pay is
the night Waterman. Through the courtesy
of the chief clerk, W. f. Martin, | was
shown through the different rooms, con-
sisting of kitchen, laundry, two dining
halls, eight dormitorles, four play-rooms,
chapel and three schOol-roonS, the same as
in any ordinary school building. The build
ing is thoroughly supplied with bath rooms,
and cleanliness Is rgldly enforced. The
pupils attend to their books in the forenoon
and devote the afternoon to the various in
dustral pursuits. All the work at the
school is performed by the pupils. Music is
taught, ana there Is a brass band composed
OF the pupils, who have attained sufficient
proficiency to be engaged by the city to
furnish music for Decoration Day. The
pupils are obtained by the persuasions of
missionaries among the Indians, their par
ents greatest objection being fear of the
children's sickness Their ages range from
five years to twenty, and they show all
strains of blood from pure Indian to those
who have sufficient white blood to pass as
white children. They show the same diff
ference in intellectual capacity as is exhib-
tied by other children. The length of their
term of attendance is determined by the
readiness with which they acquire the arts
of civilization. They are not hard to gov
ern, and do not show unusual tendency TO
INSTRUMENTATION. A record of misdemean-
ors is kept and dement, marks given, four
of which constitute sufficient cause for
denying the pupil his half Saturday holiday,
on which he has the freedom of the city.
More aggravated offences are punished by
confinement in small building called the
guard house, or requiring the pupil to carry
a small stick of cordwood on his shoulder,
marching and counter marching at the di-
rection of the disciplinarian. | was in at
tendance at noon and saw the pupils as
sembled in the dining hall. All marched
in together, and stood behind their chairs
and sang a sort of dreamy monotonous tune,
at the conclusion of which and the touch of
bell all were seated at the table, on which
was spread an inviting looking meal. The
superintendent has a yearly allowance from
the government of S167 per capita. which
covers all expense of teachers, food, etc.
Taking all in all, was very favorably i'm
pressed with the appearance of the school
The prospect of civilization by education
and contact with civilization is far better
than | had supposed. | talked with quite
a number of the scholars No one spoke
disparagingly of the school, but all who
were willing to talk expressed satisfacti ion