The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-07-21
INC cherokee Orphan Asylum.

At tnQ AAODO ~ NAN ~ - f~-3
when the Cherokees removed to
their beloved homes and instltu
tions, they were confronted with
the fact that many orphan chill
dren were uncared for in their
midst and they began to take steps
for their care and protection. The
orphan was first provided for by
apprcpriating $500 to each orphan
and placing that amount with the
person in whose charge the orphan
was found. In a short time 1T
was discovered thatsome of those
to whom the money was given
were using the money for their
own purposes and neglecting the
orphan. In November, 1871, a law
was enacted by our council to pro-
vide home and place to school
the orphans of the Cherokee Ma
tion. The interest on the orphan
fund, at this time had become
large enough to support and pro-
vide for their education. Accord
ing to the provisions Of the law,
the orphans Of the several districts
were collected at the Male Semi
parry building, one and one-balf
miles west Of Tahlequah, | t.,
under Rev. w. A. Duncan as the
superintendent, and board of
trustees elected by the National
Council. There being a great num-
Der OF young men in our country
who would soon have to be ed
ucated, it was seen that there
must be another place provided
for the orphans.
The board of trustees were au
thorized by law to locate desir-
able place for the school. This
board looked the whole Cherokee
Nation over and finally agreed
that the present site, then krown
as the old Lewis Ross mansion,
vas the very place for such a
school. Accordingly, the board
Negotiated for the premises at
cost Of s2S, 600. The building con
sisted Of large two story brick,
with eight large rooms. An addi
ton was effected which made it
three-storp building 1l7x50 feet,
supported on the east by a wing
71x24 feet. This structure wac
ready for occupancy in October,
1875, with a capacity Of $50 pupils.
In 1888 and 1887 an additional
west wing was built. with the
same dimensions as that Of the
east, and the building then was
large enough TO accommodate 200
pupils.
The Cherokee Orphan Asylum
was planned and erected TO be
both a home and school for ihe
orphans Of the Cherokee Nation,
the intention being not ouly 10
give them an education mentally,
but to supply parents advice in
preparing these children for the
battles OF life. Rev. w. A. Dun
can, the irst superintendent,
served twelve years ia that capac !
ity, and was father TO the or
phans under him He was sue.
ceeded by the Rsv. j +. Tbomp /
son, who held that position for
sixteen years. Rev. Thompson |
was a devout Christian gentleman
aud be TOO was father to the |
fatherless children who came un-
der his care. Many men and /
women now living in our land as
good citizens are only rejecting
the noble Christian characters
that they received from "Uncle
Joe Hon. W ". Ross served /
four years as superintendent, and {
was respected by all who had to
do with him. Hon. ]. H. DAu.
nenberg was superintendent from
November 1901 20 February 1908,
when be resigned Upon receiv-
ing his resignation. the board Of
education AND the supervisor OF
Cherokee schools, Prof B. S
Coppock. appointed the Wesent
l.. -, b.,t -, .,.......-.,t.. H. ~.