Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-29
The Government School at Harvard.


!. One of the new institutions which
the e. S. government Ias established
in this state is the Boarding School at
The first superintendent, George
Shafer. of Menominee, Wis. took
charge of the buildings, etc. in April
1901, and proceeded to put the school
in readiness for opening to pupils in
of the same year. He was
Joined in August by ". J. Buck of
Hayward as laborer and Miss
Genevie NJ. Pratt of Grand RAPIDS. as
seamstress, the other employees COM
ing to the school September l. for
later when the school was opened to
pupils.
This school plant consists OF $40
acres of partly cleared land. on which
are built four large substantial brick
buildings as follows: Girls home. Bows
home, School building and Mess hail,
also a brick ware house and engine
house. On the school farm is a com
dwelling house with barns,
etc. The farm and buildings were
formerly the County Poor farm of
Sawyer county.
The school buildings front on a
pretty little lake. and are situated in
a natural grove of pine trees. They
are heated throughout with steam,
lighted with gas. and supplied with
bath rooms and all modern con-
veniences. The school is now in
charge of superintendent VIM. A.
Light, of Kansas, who relieved Mr..
Shafer early in April. The matron of
the institution, Mrs. Ivah Babcock, of
Grand Rapids. Wis, lives in the Girls
home and has general supervision
over all domestic departments in
manual training. The assistant
Mrs. Rose Waffle, an educated
Sioux Indian from Rosebud. S. D.,
and the Industrial teacher, Mr..
Bothweef, of ST. Louis, Mo-, live in
the boys home. The matron having
charge of the boys work in the house,
and the Industrial teacher having
charge of the play ground and the
work done on the premises such as
grading, building side walks,
planting garden, haying etc. The
boys are taught the care of
horses, COWS, pigs, ETC., as the school
is supplied with horses, pigs and 10
COWS have been recently purchased.
The use and care of farm machinery
is taught and practical agriculture
will be carried on to supply the needs
of the school for the coming year
All children are taught to make their
own beds and to keep their dOmitOrieS
in good order, doing as much of the
work themselves as is possible, tho
working under the supervision of an
The cook. Mrs. Mary Farley, of
North Carolina, has charge of kitchen
dining room and bakery. The girls
are taught plain cooking, baking, care
of utensils, table linen etc. -.
In the laundry under the manage
ment of Miss Nettie BrosiuS, of
Valentine, Neb., and the boys and
girls are taught to do the washing and
the ironing for the school. In the
sewing room, with the assistance and
instruction Of the SeamStreSS, are
made nearly all articles of wearing
apparel and household linen in use in
the school. The large girls are taught
cutting and lifting, mending,- darning
and some forms Of fancy work. The
girls do some very presentable bead
work, making belts, moccasins, carriers
and fancy chains.
In the school house are four school
rooms and large assembly hall which
is used for evening exercises, Sunday
and social gatherings in
which the children take part.
Mrs. W. A. Light is acting principal
teacher. The primary department is
in charge of Minnie e. Hoover of
Black River Falls, Wis
There are at present 104 pupils
ranging in ages from five to eighteen
years, few more boys than girls all
Of tue Chippewa tribe coming from
the surrounding country and reser-
walton. These children readily adapt
themselves to the routine Of boarding
life, and make very creditable
showing of advancement in all lines.
The school is divided into two
divisions, each division attending
school alternate half DAYS, and work
is done up to and including the 9th
grade. DR.. S. A. Grafton supplies
attendance and the Catholic
and Congregational pastors of Hay
ward have taken especial interest in
the pupils. most of whom are
DI L dSduS.
The employees live in the mess hall
and are provided with plainly
sleeping apartments and a
dining room and kitchen. They
board in d club, on an average of SO
per month.
While the social life in such an
institution is necessarily limited, the
employees coming as they do from
different localities find an opportunity
Of making pleasant acquaintances.
Miss Pratt of your city has resigned
from her position and leaves the
school May 81, and much regret is felt
aJ her DEPARTURE. Miss Pratt has
proved herself an able and efficient
employee and agreeable companion.
and all feel that in her departure
Hayward Indian School is losing one
Of it's most earnest and conscientious