The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-29
MRS. LO AS A FINE LACE MAKER.
Bishop whippIe Suggested Idea and
Indians Are Making Profits.
Faribault Letter in St Paul Pioneer Press
Faribault Let


One of the many practical memorials to
the late Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, is
the firm establishment of lacemaking as
means of livelihood for the Indians among
whom he labored so devotedly for years.
1t was his belief, if given proper encour-
agement, North Americas aboriginal tribes
could make an honest and comfortable liv-
ing at the liberal arts. Sharing his belief
and willing to execute his plans was Miss
Sibyl Carter, who ten years ago started the
industry of lacemaking in the heart of the
Minnesota pines.
The field of her labors was the Ojibway
agency, situated in the picturesque region
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 trifiing pin money which their
lordly 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 res, walton and opened
schools for lacemaking at Leech Lake, Wild
Rice Lake and Red Lake The fame of
her work spread into southern Minnesota,
and 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 nave learned that II makes possible
many comforts for their primitive log cab
ins and birch bark wigwams.
The lace Is not only made, but designed.
as well, by the Indians. 1t has an individ-
uality so strong and workmanship so del
icate that it has attracted the attention
alike of foreign buyers and women of
wealth. Large orders come from dealers
in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg. Chi
cago, St. Louis, San Francisco and Homo
lulu, while such women as Mrs. Carnelius
Vanderbilt, Mrs. j. Pierpont Morgan and
Mrs. Bayard Cutting are regular patrons.
At the Pan-American Exposition the work
attracted much attention, and many of the
orders now being received are the result OF
the excellent showing of the schools made
at Buffalo.
Many of the younger lace workers have
the advantage OF an education received al
an agency, but some of the finest work is
done by aged squaws, who utilize the artis-
tic impulse which once found voice in bead
work. This, In common with other Indian
handicraftS, is now nearly extinct. A IA
vorite conceit with the workers is conven-
tional designs of canoes and tepees, and
they appear in all but the narrowest edg-
ings. The Indian love Of symbolism is par
ticularly displayed In the manufacture OF
choice ecclesiastical laces.
Each lace school is supplied with teach
er. and the sale of the laces made by pu-
Birch Coolie are made the beautiful bed
spreads of pillow or bObbin lace, in rare
old designs which sell as high as 500 apiece
The needle point known as Battenburg is
the special pride OF the Ojibway agency, and
at the Leech Lake School. under Miss Paul
inc Colby the only white woman living al
the agency a most difficult honiton is made