Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-07-05
commencement AT
INDIAN SCHOOL
Twelve Young Indians Graduate
at Riggs Institute,
Flandreau.
. SUCCESSFUL COURSE
Graduates at Riggs Are ofthe Noble
Red Men" Class, INT Do NOT,
as q FuIe, Forget Their
Instruction.

Flandreau, s. D., June 30.-Twelve
young Indians, specimens OF the best
blood OF the Sioux nation, and as intel
ligent young people as are found any
where, graduated Thursday evening
from the Riggs institute here. They
have successfully completed a ten-grade
course at the school, have become pro-
| fcient in all the branches and studies
given In public schools OF the same
class and in addition have studied and
prohted by a thorough course I'm man
ual training.
These young Indians do not, as is
generally supposed. at once go back IN
to their uncivillzed ways. The majority
OF them are the descendants OF indians
who have been "friendlies' and who arc
settled upon farms of their own. Pro.
gressive, intelligent, noble and healthy
In body, such young Indians as are
found here will save for posterity all
that Is good in the Indian race, The In
dian commencement orators
their future calmly and wisely. and
with no vain regret, they prophesled
that in time they would lose their
identity as Indians, and become
Americans. q thing 20 be hoped ioT,
rather than regretted.
All friends of the indian should find
reason for congratulation in the fine
showing this institution Is making,
and join I'm the hope for the day when
the red man shall finG escape from his
present ignorance and superstitions
which bar him from a fuller participa-
ton In the true American life.
The program began with n bacca-
laureate discourse by the Rev. A. M.
Work, Ph.D., on Sunday. Monday af-
ternoon was devoted to athletics, con-
sisting of relay races between the diff
ferent grades OF the academic depart
ment, basket ball, 100-yard dash,
jumping, across country race, etc.
Tuesday visitors were shown through
the entire school. At the school build
Ing a fine display Of the results OF the
instruction given In the school room
and shop was on exhibition. These
consisted of dresses, fine n~cedlework,
crochet work, embroidery, etc, from
the sewing o a book case and CEN
ter table from the carpenter shop, a
set OF work and a set OF fine driving
harness from the harness shop, several
suits from the tailor shop, a stand OF
pipe fittings from the engineers de-
partment, In addition to the written
work and drawings of the school
rooms. all showing the careful training
that Is being given to the pupils OF
this institution.
In the evening n program of music
wo3 rendered by the school choir and
band before n large appreciative a'l-
dience, In which the accepted notion
that the Indian has no music In his soul
was given q decided set back The Sc
iections consisted of compositions by
Mozart. Su?pe. Michaels. Dudley Buck
and other masters, n they were rem
deTed with apparent appreciation of the
true value and proper Interpretation Of
each composition.
Wednesday afternoon witnessed "A
novel feature in the dress parade Of
both the boys and girls. The girls pre-
sented Il fine appearance with their
uniforms, and were even more precise
In executing the different military
movements which were required in the
formation of the battalion and passing
in review, etc.
Last night marked the close of a
most successful commencement. The
institution graduates it's pupils at the
tenth grade OF the public schools. This
is thought to be sufficient for the pur-
poses OF the government In educating
the Indians, which is merely to make
them self-supporting and independent.
Any further education they may desire
must be secured by their own efforts.