The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20
LITTLE INDIANS AT SCHOOL.
Pima md Pnrago Children Undergo.
ing m Educational Course.
from the Tucson Citizen.

1
The Indian Training School conducted
by the Pr sbyterian Church about half a
mile northwest of Tucson. is an excellent
| Institution well worth visit by everyone
| interested in the general progress of Ari-
iona and the particular progress of the
Pima and Papago Indians for whose spe-
cial welfare the school was established.
| The teachers are Frazier S. Herndon, Jesse
| G. Barton. Mrs. J. G. Barton, Miss Minnie
| NJ. Shaver Miss Ada WEIGH Miss Sophia
| Ostermeier, Miss Elolse Oliver, Miss Lii
| lain North, Florence E. Dilley, Hiss Caro-
/; Ign A. Strong. and ". L. Palmer.
The land on which the buildings are
| located is held on a nj, sty-nine year lease
with privilege OF renewal at an annual
rental of 81. The girls at the Indian
school live in a two-stCry frame building
about 100x60 feet, with seven rooms for
teachers, two schoolrooms, one large din
ing room, two dormitories, and two draw
ing rooms and TO the rear is a two-story
adobe which contains kitchen and store
room. The Indian boys live in a group of
one story adobe buildings. comprising an
assembly room, office and five rooms for
teachers in front, with boys dormitories
on either side and teachers dining room
and kitchen and store rooms in the rear.
There is also on the ground laundry and
hospital. which latter is seldom used.
There is no one sick among the ninety
girls and eightyfve boys now at the insti-
tuition, and it is said that at no time dur
ing the past five years have over two pa
tients been at the Hospital at one time. The
boys and girls sleep in large rooms. Oh
dormltories. there being forty-eight beds
in the large dormitory for boys. The little
Indian boys and girls all eat in the same
dining hall, and all arr compelled to take
their turn in doing the housewcrk. the
~. M
squads alternately to make the beds and
clean their apartments. The teachers have
q separate dining hall and individual
sleeping rooms. On the grounds are also
an engine room. carpenter shop, an oil
room, mending room for boys, and a
separate four-tub bath room for each sex
The policy OF the school is to develop the
minds and hands of the Indians and to
cultivate habits of cleanliness The school
is divided into two sections, each section
working three hours in some industrial
pursuit and during the other half of the
day eight hours are employed in school,
room study and instruction. English only
is spoken and, rather than use the Indian
language, signs and gestures are employed
in kindergarten style to convey ideas. The
friends of the institution claim that per-
manent benefits are derived by the students
from this system and that the graduates
from this school become good and progress
sive citizens and have rarely shown any
inclination TO relapse into an aboriginal
condition.
The study and working hours are from
8 to IL a. M, ] to p. m, and 10 GAS p.
m, and the Homework is done by the
boys and girls outside. Of these hours. Ev-
cry girl works in every department dur
ing the year and many a young Indian
Ia;
her parental home afterward in a Clearly
and tidy condition Marcia Mathclutch.
little Papago girl eleven years cid, who
has attended the school four years. has
Just made a dress which. for fit and finish.
cannot be surpassed by any professional
dressmakers. and this little girl has been
maintained al the school by 4 scholarship
club in Washington. Pa. The baker at the
school Is absent this week. and little
Indian boy who has assisted In the bakery
is making the bread-l60 loavec daily
and splendid bread 1t is, too Emma Anes.
a Pima girl. supported by society in
Mount Sterling. ILL.,. assists in teaching In
the primary grade, and bids fair to become
a very bright young woman. The cduca-
tional course is arranged in grades, first |
to the seventh, or highest. grade, which
includee reading, arithmetic, geography,
lanSudBfp IL amman ny siehe oHitsd states |
history, penmanship, drawing, nible study, |
and singing. Two little girls are learning |
to play the piano. The buildings at the |
school are all in a clean and good condi- |
ton and nothing scarcely could be desired |
in an architectural way. although there are |!
some things needed in the school which |
must be furnished by the generosity of the |
public. The most rigid economy is main |
tained TO keep the business accounts of the |
in proper shape.