Arizona silver belt., 1901-07-04
ulslt to the Rice Schools.


 train, with an elaborate lunch, prepared by the ladies of the party, for visit to the new school buildings established at Rice by the government, for the education of the Indian children.
 After a pleasant hours ride we ar rived at Rice station, where we were met by Maj. Geo. D. Corson, the Indian agent at San Carlos, and pr. Ross oi the same place, whom with their car riages, conveyed us to the buildings, a mile distant, where we were met by the principal of the school. Prof. Cochran and wife, who gave us a cor dial welcome. After an hours rest and look around the buildings and grounds. a further drive of mile was taken up the San Carlos river, to a grove of fine old cotton woods, where our lunch was spread and heartily en- joyed by all-particularly the ice cream and iced drinks. as the day was very warm. After a pleasant two hours spent, the return was made to the schools, where we witnessed the com mencement exercises of the Indian children, and were very much surprised to see what had been accomplished in the way of education among them, during the few months that the schools had been open. Great credit is due Prof. Cochran aud teachers for the progress these children have made in so short time, as we understand the schools were not opened until Dec. 1, 1900, and the children were never be- fore in school. It was surprising to observe how nicely they could sing the different pieces on the program, and the discipline maintained, was first class in every respect. Many other facts could be stated that would be interesting to the public, but space will not permit details.
 The buildings, with the exception of the one occupied by the professor and teachers, are of adobe. This one is of stone, quarried near by, composed of kind of volcanic ash, very tough and of light gray color Also, the new cold storage building now in course of erection, is composed of the same ma terial. Only couple of years ago, this location was wilderness of cac- Jus and cat claw, now 1t is all cleared away, and these lovely cool buildings and grounds, with It's water and sew age system, proves that Arizona is rapidly coming to the front in i'm proyements, and like other Indian school in the territory, the Rice school is well equipped in every way to take good care of all the children that may be assigned to that place.
 After these entertaining exercises were over, we were invited to spend the remainder of the day at Prof. Cockran's rooms, where we were nicely entertained by the professor and his wife, and assistant teachers, until train time, when we were transported to the station in their comfortable carriages, and after pleasant good -byes and cordial invitation to come again, We boarded the train for Globe, a tired but happy crowd.
 We can't say too much in praise of Maj. CorsOn, Dr Ross, Prof. Cochran and wife, and the many other pleasant people we met, for the kind reception given us and which made our picnic one of the most enjoyable ones, ever participated in by those fortunate to be with us.
 The parties who enjoyed the day as above stated, were: Rev. E. O. Me Intier, wife and daughter, Mrs. II. B. Paul. and children, MT. and Mrs. H. c. Hitchcock and children, MT. P. Oates and son, Mrs. Cashie, MT. H. Jewell and little Anna Goldsworthy.