The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-01

Delicate work Done In the Tepees Of
Northern Minnesota.
Probably few Chicago women are
aware that all sorts of pretty laces
were being manufactured by Chippe-
wa. Shoshone and Piute squaws in
Minnesota years ago. Miss sibzl Car
ter OF New York city opened a school
at the White Earth reservation to
teach the Indian ONE Gradually
she extended her operations to Beau
lieu, Leech lake. Red lake and Birch
coulee. Miss Carter's original idea
was to give these women a chance to
be self supporting. The result is that
skillful IL dusky fingers are 10 maxi
ing all sorts Of laces. from the tiny
to the most elaborate designs. that sell
for IS and SO q yard. Boleros. nchus.
collars. cuffs. vest fronts. tablespreads.
jackets, as well as edgingD OF all
widths, are made In the fine princess
lace. while the royal B~attenburg. cur
tains n tea cloths. buffet and bureau
scarfs and numerous other articles
ever they have been introduced. The
wor done on these remote reserva-
ions in tiny log cabins or tepees by
women dark OF hair skin and hair
and eye: women whose tongues have
never essayed an English word, and
to whom a book Is a riddle. Is not sur
passed by any one elsewhere. Many
Of these women have never left their
native wilds, except to 90 to the near
rest market town ia. dispose of -their
berffe9. FISH or game. One of the cfev-
crest. most conscientious and industri-
u of them is Observation-Disclosures. a
native and dweller on Bear island,
Now famous as the battlefield where
Colonel Bacon's troops were massacred
recently.
The lace making industry. which
brings these women a sure and prompt
return for their work. helps them to
foster good habits and Fits them out
OF h slough Of aimless dependence.
The women vary In their degrees Of
cleverness just as their more favored
white sisters do. but rs a rule are very
teachable.- The difficulty of keeping
UGH delicate materials immaculate
during the tedious process of working
out elaborate designs Is the greatest
obstacle to overcome. It necessitates
cleanliness and great care. This is in
itself a step toward higher education;
then the absolute necessity OF bring
ing the work up to a certain standard
is another important step: Many Of
the ONE who learned easily grew
careless when the novelty had worn
OF, and It took both time and patience
y ~ tho 4AfSSo &At oAA
manship was perfect there would be
no market for the article. Gradually
a feeling OF pride apd emulation as
Z who should produce the most per-
feet and elaborate work grew among
them. n from thai time an imper-
feet article has beef rare.
A notable benefit accruing to the
women from their lace making labor
il tbs arising from q more judicious
expenditure Of money thus earn
ed than they previously knew. A Jour-
ney Of seven miles on foot across the
lake to the nearest town IL only q
short walk. and once in the trading
store she ponders long and deeply be-
fore she parts with her earnings FOR
food, flour. pork. sugar tea, and. last
but not least, tobacco. for women as
well as the n even the
chdldren-draw deep delight from q
pipe. Or. perchance. h purchases q
great brass kettle that holds gallons
and gallons of zap. for when the sugar
making season approaches lace maxi
ing is put aside and the more conge-
NAL work Is taken up with q vigor
and a vim that has scarcely appeared
in their former occupation. Natures
children are then in theirl happiest
mood. Even q staid and mature white
man finds an April day in h aga
camps an exhilarating experience. But
mis- Is but q pleasant episode In the
years round OF seasons. and the in
come from the surplus stock OF sugar
for family use 10 small. % they turn
again to the work OF a making.
from which they know the returns to
be sure and reasonable.