The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-09
GOOD WORDS FOR oJIBwAYs.
Rev. j. A. GilfIIan Addresses the
Historical Society.

A thoroughly interesting and instructive
talk on the Ojibway Indians in the northern
part of. the state. furnished entertainment
for the people who rather taxed the capacity
of the State Historical society rooms last
night, when its executive council held an
open meeting. The talk was given by Rev.
J. A. Gillian, the Episcopal clergyman who
has spent over score of years among the
5000 or more Ojibways who are to be found
at the reservations at Red Lake, Leech Lake,
Cass Lake, and even as far south as the
Mile, Laos country. He knows them like a
book and during all these years he has en-
deared himself TO them by many kindly
ministrations, and quiet solictude for their
interests. which they duly appreciate. He
enjoys perfect knowledge of their tongue
which, he explains, is beautiful In its pur-
ity and significance, and has taken an active
part in number of the dealings with the
red men the part of the government
He spoke in an interesting fashion of the
physical and mental characteristics of the
Indians and astounded his hearers by the
assertion that even in their heather state they
do not know what it is to lie, except when
under the baleful influence of liquor. They
are almost Chesterfieldian in their manner,
and, according to the speaker, compared fav-
crably many times with the men for whom
they are acting as guides on hunting or other
expeditions. DR.. Gilfllan credits the Objb
way with little or no sentiment regarding
the attention due ones aged parents, and
recounted several stories of the wanton neg
lect by husky bucks of their aged and help
less parents. Adult Indians are essentially
dirty, scarcely ever washing, in spite of
which fact and their frequent exposure, they
live often to ripe old age.
The Ojibways are essentially courteous and
never speak until quite sure you are through.
They are hospitable and will treat their worst
enemies with consideration while they oc
cupy positions within their tents. He depre-
Gated the system which is in vogue by which
the government gives the Indians annuites.
He says it would be vastly better to pay
them what they have coming for the next
forty years and let them elbow it all i'm
In them keen
them demoralized nearly all the time. He
urged his hearers to use their influence in
getting more Indian schools. 1t would not
cost much money, he explained, but would
take hard efforts ON the part of the senators
and congressman.
The Ojibways, bucks and squaws, to say
naught of the youngsters, smoked and chew
ed, and liked 1t. DR.. Gilfllan related several
experiences which he has been through since
his dealings with, the Indians, and was ably
seconded by Bishop Whipple, who was pres
ent at the meeting. The bishop spoke in an
entertaining strain of the Indians, and told
several funny stories about them in his
inimitable way. He eulogized the pure Chris
tian spirit as found in several of the big
chiefs, and stated that the only town in the
country in which every resident was Chris
tan was an Indian village in Northern Min
nesota. DR.. Gilfllans paper will be printed
in the records of the society. Hon. Charles
]. Hoadey, of Connecticut, and Capt. H. A.
Castle, of st. Paul, were chosen honorary
and corresponding members respectively of
the society.
The obituary committee reported the death
Of Justin Winsor. Oct. q; by which, it was
agreed, that American letters suffered
great loss by the taking off of one of the
most dligent and successful historians of
this century. He was an honorary member
of the society.
After replying to several questions, DR.. Gil
fllan made a strong plea for additional
schools that the Indian children might be
lifted out Of their vagabondage and squalid
and vicious surroundings.
Pillsbury's Vitos is made from the
choicest Minnesota wheat. Try 1t for