The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-12-09
INDIAN ASSOCIATION.
(Iesiug Session Of tho National
Organization.
RECEPTION BY MRS. JAMES z.
BAXTER LAST EVENING.

Resolutions Gail For Abolition of Keserfa-
system and Giving Indians Cha CO
to vote-Accounts of GOOD WORK -asso-
citation ia Dong.
The morning session of the Women 8
Indian association was opensu VITA an
impressive invocation by the kev, DE-.
blanchard, after which Miss Rice sang
a lovely Arrangement of "A bide With
Me-" which gave great deal of pleasure.
The song was followed by the reading
of a paper, written BY Miss Anna Beecher
ScovilIe, but read hy Miss Gilman Of
Jamaica Plain. This interesting paper
was plea for the better sort of assistance
TO be given to the Indians, especially
through the agency OF the "tleia
Matron.'' This Office is govern
nsnt one. and surely gives an oppor-
tunity for one of the noblest sorts OF mis-
sion work, as it is designed to teach the
women cooking, sewing. care OF the sios,
in fact. all the sorts Of things for women
to learn in home making. AS maelef
of fact, too, tbs most SUCCESSFUL mission
aries have been the ones who have tauGns
as we'll the Practical qualities OF thrilo
aud morality.
Miss Scoville says that unfortunately
the cid Indian. who had learned TO as
trust the white man. is great stumbling
block. but those who have learned 10
trust them, were of the greatest help IN
overcoming some of the miserable super-
stitions.
Miss Alice Blanchard, as secretary OF
the Maine branch, read report oI the
Mission House under Names special care
in Oklahoma. Letters we're read from
Mrs Blackledge the missionary, who
spoke with great satisfaction OF certain
things, which had been sent from mere 20
the missionaries and the Indians. There
was also a most entertaining account
of the first Christmas tree celebration, at
which ssventy-two Indians came. Ine
tree was a red oak, and the DAY was
warm enough = have the entertainments
out of doors.
According to the idea of Mrs. Frye, SO
long as it had been started successfully, 1t
was voted TO have the aid OF another
society-the Friends Band, to take half OF
the expense for the coming year.
Mrs QuiDton, the president, said that
this particular mission had been special
ly difficult one, as in tine beginning 1t
was necessary to beg for admission into
the reservation of "Big Jim of the Abb
sentee-Shawnees - Now, however the
result has been most satisfactory.
Miss Dewey of Massachusetts, read the
report of the society Of her state, and
spoke particularly of the recent revolt OF
the Chippewas, which WAS entirely caused
by liquor. This fatal importation of the
white men to the Indian, Miss Dewey
felt. was sufficient to nullify all the good
that we had brought them,
Interesting details were. given Of q
school among the Hnalapai, and mention
was also made of the scholarship which
lad given to some of the Apache Indians
ut the Hampton school.
Miss Dewey who has most earnest and
delightful way of presenting her subject,
expressed great hope that the time would
soon come when the Indian Commission
Bureau would be entirely divorced from
politics, and rendered her report with a
piea to the women of America to at least
give greater thougit to this most import
ant subject.
Miss erie of Portland read the account
OF the Rhode Island mission, which has
charge of school among the Spokanes.
Extracts were read from the teacher there
which were full Of enthusiasm in her
work. giving internal evidence that she
is the right sort of person for her place.
The report of the New York city
mission work, was read by Mr.. Gordon,
president of the society. on the work
among the Agna Caliente Indians of
southern California.
In place of Mrs. Kate Foote Coe, who
was to have reported for the Connecticut
mission In Idaho, Miss Ives of New
Haven, gave verbal account OF the work
there which is among most wild ami
ignorant tribe. The teacher, Miss Frost
has made herself so beloved and trusted
that she has most helpful and unusual
inf fence over them, and Miss Ives told
several instances to prove the progress of
ker work.
The New Jersey mission work is among
the Mcquis of Arizona, and the report
was read by Mrs. Brooks of Taunton
Letters from the missionaries there
were read, .testifying to the efforts among
the missionaries in teaching the women
and children cooking and sewing, aside
from the work in the day and Sunday
schools. Another item mentioned by the
teacher was the fact of thirty baths given
in a certain day.
The 1 Hoopa Valley Emission in
California is in charge of Mr.. and
Mrs. Goddard They have charm
lug surroundings in their home,
but difficult people to deal with. The
same superstitions which are common to
all Indians are very strong here, and in
addition passion for gambling. This is
strictly forbidden now by the agent in
charge, and as no Indian who CANDLES is
allowed an office under government, this
will he helpful in STAMPING it out A