The Saint Paul globe., 1896-07-23
If HE'S BEEN GROWING WORSE,
THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE HE HAS
REEN LEARNING WHITE
MANS HABITS.
INDIAN MAIDEN EULoGIzED, TOO.
Miss Annie Beecher ScOyiIIe and Miss
Mary e. Collins Talk Enter
tainfngly.

of the Indian teachers institute with
one accord, rallied to the support Of
the Indian, and elevated him upon a
rather high pedestal. Prior to that,
some of the delegates of the conven-
tion had turned the guns of their sar-
casm upon the red men, calling them
| beings beyond redemption, and the re-
cipients of undeserving attention. But
last night 1t was different. Misses SEQ
vile and Collins, Dr. Riggs and others
retaliated in defense of the Indian by
declaring that if the Indian was bad
and was growing worse it was because
he was learning too many of the bad
habits of the white man. The Indian
maiden was eulogized. Miss Collins said
that in the native camp, and among
the more intelligent tribes, a girl was
more closely chaparoned than in the
conservative countries of Europe. The
moment she lost her chastity she was
the outcast of the camp, and was made
the beast of burden for the rest of her
| days. There was more of the ro-
mantle lore voiced at last nights ses-
sion than at any other during the in
stitute. The grim Indian campaigners
of the frontier posts would perhaps
have smiled dry, sarcastic smile
could they have heard the lazy bucks
called noble. But the speakers were
fully in earnest, and each having had
years of experience among the red
skins, their opinion were received with
approval.
Miss Annie Beecher Scoville, of
Hampton institute, Virginia, an ex
tremely intelligent young woman who
has trained for her work in Europe
and Americas leading colleges, gave
a general treatise upons the Indians
as race, following them down through
the ages, and giving the various stages
of progress and development. The
speaker thought teachers should be
familiar with Indian folk lore in order
to become capable Miss Scoville did
not think it wise to prevent Indian
students from talking in their native
language and discussing their own le
gends in the school room. They sat
isfy their natural longing in this di
rection by telling Indian stories at
night in the darkness of their dormi-
tories, thus largely counteracting the
teachings of the day time. The speak
er thought the two might be combined.
The original Indians, even 100 or $50
years ago, were noble, and most of
the tribes were Industrious, intelligent
and held their religions in sacred awe.
1t was not unwise, then, to teach In
dian children of their illustrious an
cestors
Miss Mary E. Collins, Of Fort Yates,
N D., following in a general debate,
said it took more than a pair Of shears,
towels and soap to civilize an Indian.
He is religious being. We take from
him his native religions and give him
instead, book learning. It leaves a
void in his nature. To show how deep
ly religious sentiment is planted. Miss
Collins narrated a touching story.
While seated iA a cabin door step on
the Cheyenne river several years ago,
she looked down into an Indian village
and saw a great commotion. She in
quired the cause, and was informed
that an Indian woman was dying from
consumption and could survive but a
few hours. The medicine men had
given up saving the woman, and had
said that unless some great sacrifice
could be made before the sun went
down, she would die in agony. The
sixteen-year old son of the dying
woman stepped forward and offered
himself as a sacrifice. The medicine
men ordered the boy to stand on the
hill top in the blazing sun from sun up
to sun down, to hold his hands aloft
and cut his flesh The boy endured the
agony until he tainted from exhaus-
tion. He was carried down the hill
amid walls and cries, but when he was
restored to consciousness, his first
word was, "If 1 could have stood 1t till
sun down, my mother would have
lived There were many such ex-
amples. Miss Collins was an earnest
champion of the Indian youth. She
thought his heart should be cultivated
as we'll as his brain and hands. In
speaking of the separation Of the sexes
in the school, Miss Collins displayed her
zeal in favor of co-education. She be-
lieved co-education was a promoter in
stead of destroyer Of confidence and
morals.
Rev. w. A. Calf, resident missionary
at the Omaha agency and reservation,
Neb, was unable to be present, and his
paper will be read by a substitute to-
day.
Rev. Dr. A. L. Riggs, Santee, Neb.,
was the last speaker of the evening"
He said that the Indian of today is
very much perplexed at the incon-
sistency of the white mans life and
worship. He can not understand the
white mans sermons on temperance,
prayer chastity and morals, when so
many white men pay no attention to
their own teachings. An Indian does
not look at the individual, but at the
race.
The sisters of tabled Minnehaha came
In for much attention yesterday morn
ing at the institute The teaching and
training of the Indian girl. is one of the
most important branch Of the educa-
tiona1 work in Indian schools A
different line of teaching is required in
this branch, but as a rule the girls are
easy to teach, and willing to learn
Their minds are receptive and fairly
retentive of facts taught them. The
speakers on this topic were Supt Wal
ter Wicks, of Hope Industrial school.
Santee agency, Neb., and Supt. Agnes
Fredett, of Grand River school, Stand
ing Rock agency, N. D.
The second theme was that of sHThe
Indian Home and Indian School, by
Miss Viola Cook, of Wild Rice school,
of White Earth Agency, Mimi Miss
Cook was greatly encouraged in her
work and sees much progress. Prof
B. f. Riggs explained the course Of
study in Indian schools.
Supt. Winslow, Supt. Avery. Supt
Parker, Supt. Gates were appointed as
committee on nominations
The institute will assemble again at
8 o'clock this morning, and addresses
will be made by DR.. NJ. NJ Waldron,
Hampton Institute, Va, DR.. Frederick
Treon, agent at Grow Creek reserva-
ton, 8. D., George B. Johnson and ].
M. Hessler. Tonight the delegates will
be the recipients of the Commercial
clubs hospitality.
pnnr,Tor Q1 IN