New-York tribune., 1901-06-18
WORK OF MOHONK LODGE.
AN INDIAN SETTLEMENT HOUSE WHERE
WOMEN ARE TAUGHT MANY
USEFUL THINGS.

Mohonk Lodge, in Oklahoma unsectarian An
stituton unique in missionary work for the Ind
fans is being carefully watched 10y workers among
tribes in other localities and il its present
proves permanent the same methods Will be adopt
Cd by them The scheme developed the Lake
Mohonk Indian Conference three years ago, and
then planned involved unpretentious building
of three rooms 10 be used variously as hospital
workshop, home and general assembly room, the
idea being 10 start sort Of social settlement work
This however has long been outgrown. and the
81 200 given Lake Mohonk has been augmented
by gifts from many sources. until now there is
cornrodious house Of eight rooms. A large gen.
Tsl living room on the first floor serves as
shelter and place OF resort for the uneducated
Indians a reading room for others and an attrac-
quarter for the children, who find there dolls
and games big fireplace, with roaring
logs in the winter gives air Of cheer not easily
withstood. and scattered about are easy chairs
and tables covered with books. papers writing
materials and games. Talks. illustrated with the
magic lantern. and occasional 'feasts' are
held in the room and many stormy night finds
the floor covered with sleeping braves who have
sought shelter from the weather.
The Indians. like other people" says Mrs.
Walter O.. Roe who. with her husband. is IN
charge Of the lodge. are naturally social, and
have a fondnezs for festivities and sports. Any
effort 20 better their condition TO be successful
must regard this trait The Indians in state
of transition from the old tribal life 10 civilized
vavs. and the abandoning Of ancient social Gus
toms means too often, unfortunately, among the
young the adoption Of vicious civilized ones
When the lodge projected many people de-
clared that the Indians would have nothing TO do
with il When. however, the house was opened
and the people were not urged TO visit H. the only
invitation being open doors day and night they
gradually strayed in find what IL was like Re
geled by q cup of coffee, a story or an interesting
game they left with desire 20 pay another visit.
and gradually the place became known among
them as the Indian house"
The industrial room set apart particularly for the
women is equipped with sewing machines, a
cook stove and utensils and several quilting frames
Opening from il is the matrons room, simply FUR
nished and exquisitely neat. which has served as
a model for more than one Indian hone Two Two
in a neshboring government school, occupy the
Some solution Of the problem Of how to employ
The Indian has been made by the Industrial
women are kept busy making the dainty bead work
for which the cheyennes ana Arapaiioee % are tnsis
feret hut they are steadily taking greater interest
in The enterprise, which enables them TO make 10
cents an hour bv an occupation which they already
know. the materials for which are sulpiled 10
When the ratiOns discontinued this will prove
az nestiTnable boon TO many a starving nous a
a al kinds and sizes, dolls dressed IN lnd-
Of most OF the bead work. and the only thread
used IS fibre obtained from the Dr0ao @ S1 s.s in
working but with fine awi pierce sr n0ies a Ihf ue
SAN tx ehIeading the NOR fIn6 i6 obtaining ready
sale for ~ finished product, the market expand
ing as readily az the supply, several large hriis
taking the work regularly. In additon 70 ,il llls
native work the old men are kept busy hahii.s
bows and arrows, ard the women are leIttds 20 20
make quilts, underclothing. shirts etc htse is IA
used by themselves and their familes OF ate soIl'
Many comfortabes the handiwork OF the women,
have been sold. the women earning one lot every
Two - -.
Occasionally the Indians bring their SICK 10 @ INC
lodge. put them under the care OF tfle ma
Mis- Iersen t1ut generally the tepee is pitched
near bv and she makes her daily round OF ths
cases with medicine and food and best OF All
wiz lowing hN.