The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-07-23
The Cherokee Orphan Asylum.

tions, they we're 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 fret provided for by
appropriating $500 to each orphan
and placing that amount with the
person in whose charge the orphan
was found. In q short time II
was discovered that some Of those
to whom the money was given
we're using the money for their
own purposes and neglecting the
orphan. In November, 1871, law
was enacted by our council to pro-
vide a 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
nary building, one and one.hali
miles west OF Tahlequah, | T.,
under Rev. w. A. Duncan as the
superintendent, and a board of
trustees elected by the National
Council. There being q great num-
ber 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 a desir-
able place for the aohool. This
board looked the whole Cherokee
Nation over and finally agreed
that the present site, then krown
as the old Lewis Ross mansion,
was the very place Tor such a
school. Accordingly, the board
negotiated for the premises at a
cost OF s2S, 900. The building con.
sisted Of a large two.story brick,
with eight large rooms. An addi
tion was effected which made il a
three-storp building f17x50 feet,
supported on the east by wing
7lx24 ieet. This structure was
ready tor occupancy in October,
1875, with a capacity of 150 pupils.
In 1888 and 1887 an additional
west wing was built. with the
same dimensions as that OF the
east, aud the building then was
large enough 10 accommodate 200
pupils.
The Cherokee Orphan Asylum
was planned aud erected to be
both a home and a school for ihe
orphans OF the Cherokee Nation,
the intention being not ouly TO
give them an education mentally,
but 10 supply q parents advice in
preparing these children for the
battles OF life. Rev. W. A. Dun
can. the fret superintendent,
served twelve years 10 that eapsc
ity, and was = father to the or
phans under hin lie was sue.
ceeded by the Rev. ] f. Thomp,
son, who held that position for
sixteen years. Rev. Thompson
was a devout Christian gentleman
aud he too Was father to the
fstherless children who came un.
der his care. Many meE ssc
women now living ID our land az
good citizens are only rejecting
the noble Christian characters
that they received from "Unclt
Joe +" Hon. W. " Ross served
four years as superintendent, and
wes respected By al who had 10
do with bin. Hon. ]. II. Dan.
nenberg was superintendant from
November 1901 to February 1908
when be resigned. Upon receiv
log HE resignation. the board oI
education and the supervisor Of
Cherokee schools. Prof. B. 8
Coppock, appointed the present
incumbent as superintendent. wht
took charge % The I'd day Of Feb
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