Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28
INDIAN LACE-MAKERS
Characteristic Designs by Re-
cent Workers.
FLOURISHINGINDUSTRY
WEALTHY NEW YORK WOMEN
THE BEST PATRONS.
Humble Beginning Of the Movement
and the Great Success
Gained.
FLOURISHINGINDUSTRY

One of the many practical memorials to
the late Bishop Whipple of Minnesota is the
firm establishment Of lace-making as a
means Of livelihood for the Indians among
whom he labored so devotedly for years.
1t was his belief that if given proper en-
couragement North Americas aboriginal
tribes could make an honest and comfort
able living at the liberal arts. Sharing his
belief and willing to execute his plans was
Miss Sybil Carter, who ten years ago
started the industry Of lace-making in the
very heart Of the Minnesota pines.
The field Of her first labors was the Ojib-
way agency, situated in the picturesque re-
gion set aside for a national park. Here
by nursing in the hospital and making her
self indispensable to the Indian women she
sowed the first Industrial seeds.
The women were inclined at first to view
the work with more or less suspicion but
gradually they saw in 1t the opportunity to
earn the trifing pin money which their
iordly braves were not inclined to allow
them from the governments bounty, and
finally, after several years of experimenting
with their indomitable teacher, they found
themselves in the position Of regular bread
winners.
Thus encouraged, Miss Carter moved on
from the Ojibway reservation. and opened
schools sG1,a Is for lace-making at Leech lake,
her work spread into southern Minnesota.
ana the Sioux Indians petitioned that a
school be established at Birch Coolie.
women of all ages now undertake the
work. and often beg for instruction, for
they have learned that it makes possible
many comforts for their primitive log cab
ms and birch bark wigwams
Inc lace Is not only made, but designed
as we'll by the Indians. It has an indi
v1duahty SO strong and a workmanship SO
delicate that 1t has attracted the attention
alike or foreign buyers and women of
WeaIth: Large orders come from dealers In
go, St Louis, San Francisco and Honolulu.
while such women as Mrs. Cornelius Van
derbilt, Mrs j. Pierpont Morgan and Mrs
Bayard Cutting are regular patrons. At
the Pan-American exposition the work at
tracted much attention, and many of the
orders now being received are the result of
the excellent showing the schools made at
Buffalo. CIV
Many Of the younger lace-workers baye
the advantage Of an education received at
an agency, but some Of the finest work is
done by aged squaws who utilize the artts-
TIC impulse which once found voice in bead
WORK This, In common with other Indian
handdcrafts, is now nearly extinct. A "a
vorite concett with the workers is conyen
tional designs Of canoes and teepees and
they appear In all but the narrowest edgtngs
The Indian love of symbolism Is Particular
ly displayed in the manufacture of choice
ecclesiastical laces
Each lace school is supplied with a teach
or apprentices pays all expenses. At Birch
Coolie are made the beautiful bedspreads of
pillow or bobbin lace, In rare old designs,
which sell as high as $500 apiece The nee
dlepoint known as Battenburg Is the special
pride of the Ojibway agency, and at the
Leech Lake school. under Miss Pauline
Colby. the only white woman living at the
agency, most difficult honton is made.
One of the first lessons, and perhaps the
most difficult Of all to master. is that of
keeping the lace clean. Compared with this,
the arrangement Of braids and the various
stitches are as mere child's play. What the
Indian student of lace-work lacks at deft-
ness she makes up in perseverance, and she
keeps at the work with a logged determi-
nation that would put many Of her white
sisters to shame. When she has served her
apprenticeship she receives wages at the
rate Of 10 cents an hour. A rapid worker
can make from $40 to $12 per week.
Many Of the women, particularly the old
squaws. work at homo. When the ther-
mometer hovers close to the zero mark,
these women stalk back and forth through
the pine forests with their work belted safe
from the ravages Of storm. Many an Ojib-
way has been known to walk miles through
tangled forests and over frozen streams to
beg for work, or to deliver the filmy edging,
or the rich berthas, jackets and boleros
formed beside the fires Of her own wigwam.