Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-07-25
Mrs. Quimby Promoted.

|
where she will doubtless find ii
pleasanter than it is in the Nevada
mountains where she has been. The
Puy-all-up school is one of the best in
| the far Northwest.
Mrs. Quimby was one of two ladies
appointed by w. n. Hailman, Supt. OF
Indian Schools, to deliver an address
during the Institute. We append the
paper she is to read on July Goth under
that appointment as follows
PRIME REQUISITES OF A SUCCESSFUL MATRoN.
can Indian Industrial Training
School differs from other schools of like
character in the leading characteristics
of the pupils, in the trend of their lives,
the bent of their inclinations, their
habits and environments. Yet, the
purposes of the schools are the same.
To educate and train for practical life
as illustrated by the great mass of
American laboring people. From the
coarser material we are to create
character, awaken souls and fit them
For the bivouac of life,'
Into this coarser mould we are to plant
seeds of desire whose fruits are industry,
perseverance, thrift, humanity and
divinity
A matron through the intimacy of
daily life with pupils has peculiar
opportunities and is given power to
WELD unlimited influence over plastic
minds. Some things that are of vast
Importance in dealing with the Indian
race are Of minor consideration in a
matron's work in a higher grade of
schools; hence [ will only consider
what requisites [ consider indispensable
in matron for the Indian service !;
important in any place where matron
finds true matron's work. A gentle
man who has been in the Indian service
many years says discipline is the first
thing needed in the work of civilization
The band, the fire brigade, calisthenics,
concert snap Or muscular exercises are
all part of the discipline that supple
ments the routine of bed making, house
work, manual training and detail work.
1t is easy to lay out plans and enthuse
the young in the practicing of those
plans so long as the novelty of the new
thing lasts. Firmness and unwearied
patience is required to keep up the
system after the gloss has worn off.
Life is real and the wisdom of life is
terribly prosaic. Not days or weeks
will suffice to create a purpose in
aimless lives, but years of tireless,
persistent effort on the part of those
whose task it is to create.
Matron! Mater! Mother! 'Tis a holy
name. 'Tis position worthy of a
woman's noblest efforts. Life and
death, the mental, moral and spiritual
welfare of immortal souls are in thy
hands for training. lis a sacred trust
and involves the destinies of genera
tions yet to come. Loyalty fit thyself
to fulfill the high and holy duties
devolving upon thee. What then are
the prime requisites needed?
HEALTH.
A matron needs to bring to her work
good health. A sound body is a
necessary adjunct to sound mind,
health that inspires energy; health that
buoys up hope; health that brings
cheerfulness and is the power in
systematic training Of youth. A
matrons duties are many and arduous,
often combining those of housekeeper,
| nurse and cook with those that are
peculiarly her own. Emergencies will
arise and unforeseen accidents occur
when quick and ready worker is
needed, when physical strength will
avert unpleasant climaXes Days of
| unremitting toll are often followed by
weary hours Of anxiety and sleepless
nights when sickness prevails. A
never ceasing round of personal duties
demands physical endurance without
which success were we'll nigh impossible.
FIRMNESS.
Obedience and systematic habits
form the basis of correct institutional.
business, or home life. Habits in
youth become second nature in mature
age. Day by day, year by year the
| Matron works to change the current of
lives, and bring the wild and turbulent
| elements of nature into the narrow
| channel of self devotion, and self
restraint. Child nature is animal
nature. Indian nature is child nature
rendered fractions and unreliable by
long years of unrestrained freedom of
passions. A matron should have firm
ness to work constantly toward some
thing higher and better, toward some
high ideal. Firmness and tact to win
obedience, instant implicit obedience.
even where the natural impulses would
| break down the barriers of method
Flrmness to stand for the right, and
persistently, faithfully rebuke the
wrong.
| SYMPATHY.
Even as mother holds the love and
confidence of her children by quick
and ready sympathy, SO matron should
hold her pupils confidence and love, SO
she gets down to their inner concious-
ness and banishes restraint The JOYS