The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-02-17
FROM The RESERVATION.
A letter Descriptive of the indian
schools.

| Yakima Indian Agency, Fort Simcoe.
DEAR EDITOR: 1t gives me pleasure to
comply with your request for sketch OF
our work here. This fort was built in
1856, near the close of the Indian war.
Since 1861 it has been the residence of
the Indian agent. 1t is beautifully stu
ated near the foothills of the Cascade
range, and surrounded by large oak trees.
The house occupied by the agent is fine
dwelling; iuring the Indian trouble it
was occupied by General, then Lieuten-
ant, Philip Sheridan; 10 fact it with
many others was built for United States
army officers.
| In 1860 Father Wilbur, as the Indians
call him, began work among the Indians !;
he was appointed superintendent of in
struction and at once opened school
gathering in the children. His wife,
without asking cent of pay, immediate
ly began the process of cleaning, training,
| teaching and winning them. A year
later Mr.. Wilbur WAS appointed agent.
| AS he assumed the entire administration
OF the agency, his aim was to bring his
wards to the point of selisupport. For
twenty two years the Wilburs remained
at their post, bringing the Indians up to
a higher level OF thrift and prosperity.
| The school here is now maintained by
the government; there are about one
hundred and fifty pupils in attendance.
There are two large buildings; the one
used for the boys is comparatively new,
as it WAS finished about a year ago, their
old dormitory having been destroyed by
building and command view of the
surrounding country for miles, dotted
here aud there with Indian farms,
The school house is quite an old affair,
much too small for the number of pupils
it las to accommodate.
The uperintendent, three teachers,
one of whom has charge of the kinder.
garten department., girls matron, boys
matron, seamstress, assistant seamsress,
cooking teacher, industrial teacher and
farmer all reside at the school.
The children, except the very small
ones. attend school only a half day; those
attending in the mornn. are detailed to
work for The afternoon. and rice rerSa
The boys plough. hoe, make hay, saw,
AMI cEDp wood .or work in the blacksmith
shop.
The,girls are taught to make clothing,
t. cook, wash dishes, make beds and do
laundry work in fact they are taught to
be housekeepefs. Each girl Is detailed
for one monthsto he; department they
are quite fond Of changes; if they are in
the kitchen, they are glad to 20 to the
sewing room. and from the sewing room
to the laundry.
Every thing from morning until night
is begun and ended by the tap of bell.
They rise at six, breakfss, at seven, go to
dinner at twelve, to supper at five and re-
tire at half past eight.
Beforeieach. meal the girls gather in their
sitting room and the boys in front of the
dining..room, and at a given signal march
in to the tap ofithe drum they stand be-
hind their chairs until a signal is given
by the superintendent or matron. then
sit and ask a blessing in concert on the
food before them. At the tap of bell,
the large girl or boy at the end Of each
table begin to serve Two girls are de-
tailed to pass the bread and to see that
the pitchers are filled with water or milk
as the case may be.
1t is interesting to watch the Indian
children. So many different faces. some
dark and stolid, others bright and happy !;
bat take them all together, they are as
we'll behaved and a. easily controlled as
the same number OF whites and have
quite as good table manners. This
speaks we'll for the superintendent and
employees.
One becomes attachedao the children
in a short time. Many of them are affec-
Tomato and!trusting, having great faith in
their teachers. In their studies they ex-
eel in United States history, being very
fond OF the early portion, probably on
a count OF the stories told of the Indians.
On the last day of school, which occurs
early in July. they have an entertainment.
Sometimes they give play or a little
cantata. Some of them have very good
voices and one is really surprised to hear
how we'll they can sing.
De- 49, =, Il It