Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1902-01-31
AN INDIAN HARVARD
What Colonel MCGOWAN Hopes to Build
Up at Chilocco.

The following communication by Col
s. NJ. MCGOWAN. written at the request
of the Arkansas City Traveller. from
which it is copied, outlines briefly his
plans for the Indian school at Chilocco.
Okla, to which he was lately trans
ferred:
My Dear Mr.. Eckert: You ask me
to give you my impression of this sec
ton of the country. and of Chilocco,
and to state what we propose doing at
this great Indian school. In the first
place. the country. in my humble opin-
, ion, is all right. l was surprised and
delighted to note the improvements
everywhere Astounding. where a very
few years ago found nothing but I'M
broken prairie.
These improvements denote energy
and enterprise that are characteristic
of the Anglo-Saxon race. They prove
also. the fertility of the soil and the
prosperity of the country. These facts
are especially worthy of comment. be-
cause, when the strip was settled bat
a few years ago. the locators were not,
generally speaking. burdened with
wealth; consequently. the evidence of
prosperity seen everywhere around us
is indisputable evidence. also, of the
marvellous fertility of the soil. and of
an equitable and reliable climate.
"Of course Oklahoma is entitled to
statehood. The territory has been n
political eunuch far too long now. 1t
hasI grown despite political ostracism.
because its wealth and resources are
inherent and riotous. but statehood will
give an impetus that will materially
assist along the road to permanenc.
and greatness.
LAS for the school. it could not
be better located. l would not wish
it to be in a better locality or better
community. Its farm is immense in
extent and fertile beyond comparison.
One of its best features is found in the
fact that every prosperous farm home.
and the school range is surrounded
by them-is a practical and valuable
object lesson to our boys and girls. We
hope to prove to them that what others
have done, they may do Nand so in
spire them that they will not rest until
they have homes as comfortable of
their very own.
What Chilocco will be in the future
time alone can tell. 1t should be the
greatest school in the service. No
other school possesses its possibilities
or opportunities. 1t should be the ag-
ricuitural college of the service. Its
growth will be slow or rapid, accord
ing to the energy and vigor displayed
by it's friends in securing approprin-
tions If a good sized appropriation be
made by this congress the school VIII
immediately shake off its enervating
languor and step forward to the front
rank The impetus given it now VIII
keep 1t going until it leads all other
institutions of its kind. There is no
reason why the school should not be
increased indefinitely-until it be-
comes the Indian Harvard.
las the growth of the school touches
the material prosperity of this COM
munity it is reasonable to presume
that every man who has any influence
and who has not twill use it now
with the congressman from southern
Kansas, and with the delegate from
Oklahoma. 1t is vital that this infiu-
ence be utilized Immediately, as the
Indian bill comes up in the house this
week.
ITO write q letter or two urging
large appropriation for the school is
such a small matter. it will take such
a little time, that it seems incredible
that anyone should refuse or neglect
the task: yet. 1 believe that not one
in a hundred who reads this will write
one Unless this matter is urged
promptly and vigorously. the appro-
pria ton that rightfully belongs to Chill
Deco, will go to some other school, and
benefit.
The school owns over thirteen sec
tions of land. Every foot of this land
should be earning it's profit. To do
this the school must have 1000 or more
pupils To accommodate 1000 students
it will require appropriations of hum
dreds of thousands of dollars. The
spending of this money here means that
every business interest will be enriched
to a greater or less extent. When once
enlarged the annual expenditure must
continue to be large so long as there
is an Indian problem. The cultiva-
ton of these fertile acres will bring
forth from the ground thousands upon
thousands of dollars, and n vast tract
in your very midst. now pregnant with
undeveloped wealth will be relieved
and this wealth become a part of the
community's endowment. Is this splen-
did heritage worth striving for. or is
it not? ..
This much is certain-the Indians
will be educated somewhere. If not
at Chilocco, then at some other
school, and that other school, and
that other more enterprising locality,
will reap the shekels.'