The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-03
HOE AND RAKE.
Mrs. Jordan Says They Are Civil
izing the Reds.

A very entertaining paper was that
read by Mrs. Jordan, Of the Indian
territory, on agriculture as a Civil
izer Among the American Indians,
the observation of n who has spent
several years in their study. Mrs.
Jordan said in brief:
In the study of North American history,
after the mound builders, We are confronted
with a wild and daring race, called the Red
men of the forest" This race knew not the
mystic touch of civilization. they built no
cities, no ships, no churches, no school
houses. They lived in wigwams built of bark,
and the only attempt made in navigation was
in the canoe. They had neither roads nor
bridges, but followed tootpaths through the
forest. The bow and arrow were the only
progress made in art. They made no ad-
Vancements, but the sons were taught TO
fight and aunt, as their fathers had. The old
adage that "a constant dropping will wear
a stone was never more fully Illustrated
than the continual attempts at civilization or
the wild tribes by means of an agricultural
home life. At first the warrior put his morse
in the neat little house built by the govern
ment for his family, white he lived with
them in the wigwam or tepee, but such has
been the progress OF agriculture among tnem
that even the dreaded Apache, Geronimo, has
suCcumbed to the soothing influences OF field
and garden. The same may be SAID OF all
the civilized tribes, that agricultural pursuits
will do more toward their ormat than
a standing army, and that money expended
in hoes and garden seed will yield more
satisfactory returns than the same amount
expended in firearms. The old saying that
the Indian is lazy and cannot be taught to
labor has been proved to be without founda-
ton; it is simply his pride that must be
overcome. Once he is taught that agriculture
is not mental nor degrading he will show an
much skill and diligence as he used to show
when he chased the buffalo Of the plains, or
waited by a stream in the forest for the
deer that came to drink.
The five civilized nations of the Indian Ter
-..a--- ,ro apuauad in stock raising and eX-
tensive farming. The Chickasaws, about
5000. and the Seminoles, 600 in number, live
in the southern part and are engaged in rails
The Creeks, about 1900. and the Choc-
taws, about 10000 in number, are chiefly
engaged in raising stock, although these ma
tons are interspersed with We'll uIled farms,
fine orchards and gardens.
The Cherokees, which include The Della
wares and Shawnees by adoption, $4,000 in
number, occupying the northern part OF the
territory, have some of the oid-time famous
ranches. but the greatest interest at this
time is turned to the raising of wheat, of
which the soil is very productive.
What the Indian Territory most needs at
the present time to further advance the
progress Of agriculture is better roads, and
that bridges be built over the crossings OF
the dangerous streams. Inc crossings OF
these streams. which are made almost I'M
nassable with every shower of rain, by their
steep. uneven banks, have impeded the ad-
yanCement of all industries ever since II mas
been inhabited by these clVliZed nations.
These dangerous streams have even caused
great loss Of life to man and beast by drown
ing, and now that such great interest is
manifested in agriculture, some roads are
crowded to the very banks for a mile or
more, in places where there is great danger
from caving. Along these small rivers the
soil is very fertile, and me fences at all
angles, and the number CT acres in some of
these fields almost limitlezs. It is a hopeful
sign to see that a few are putting their
fences by the new section lines. In spite Of
all these Disadvantages, the country is dotted
with nice residences, barns and orchards,
which make the country pleasing and pictu-
rescue in appearance.
SCHOOLS.
The native children are well provided with
educational advantages by the government
of the several nations, which compare favor
ably with any Of the great states.
The Cherokee nation has male and female
colleges situated at TahleQuah, the capital of
that nation. Two colleges of high order, un-
der the auspices of the Congregational and
Methodist churches, are situated at Vinita,
also in the Cherokee nation. Other nations
are equally as we'll provided fer. The chill
dren Of the nonresident or whites have the
n~riyiioge OF attending these church schools,
hut nlanv are too remotely situated and toe
poor to avail themselves Of these advantages.