The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-08-11
improvements to Be Added to
ChilOcco School.
One of the Greatest Indian In
stItutes in the Country.
ANATTENDANCE OF 700.
Come from About Forty Differ
ent Tribes Over United States.
Have Ice Plant, Electric Lignts
and First Glass Hospital.

Arkansas City. Kan, Aug. LINE
Traveller says:
one of the greatest Indian schools
of the United States is the one desis
mated as the Chilocco Indian IndusIriai
school, situated in Kay county Okla-
homa. but bordering upon the Kansas
state line, about six miles southwest
of Arkansas city, Kansas. 1t was es-
+ablished by James NJ. Haworth, the
first st1perintendent of Indian schools,
and was opened for pupils in January,
1884 Its location is on a beautl1ul
tract If land, three miles in extent
north and south. and four and one
half miles east and west. Large as
this school reservation seems to be- II
is all either under cultivation or uul-
lied as meadow or pasture
Chilocco is a money order postofhce-
It has telephone connections both
north and south, and flag stations on
the santa Fe and Frisco systems. both
roads running through the school
lands. The school plant now conslsts
of some thirty-fve buildings primer
pally of stone, mostly heated py stSani
or hot water, and lighted with cleo
tricity, with modern conven1ences ana
eoufpment. The stone used IN their
construction is the handsome mashe-
sian limestone, quarr1ed on the resSr
H.
The school is very valuable for i'm
parting a practical knowledge OF the
agricultural industries so much nee9eo
nv the majority of Indian boys The
principal crops are wheat, corn, oats
broom corn, sorghum, millet, alfai1a
and prairie hay. The beef and dairy
herds embrace about LOCO mead
About sixty-five COWS are MIXED, the
work being done entirely by the
smaller Indian boys. over 10000 gal
Ions of milk were produced during the
last quarter, and most of the beef ana
rork used during the last fiscal year
was raised and butchered at the
school.
Nearly all the work of the reserva-
ton is done by the pupils, and the
boys make excellent stockmen, this
work being natural with them
The trades school includes instruc-
ton in blacksmithing, horseshoeinS,
carpentry. and cabinetmaklngs shoe
and harnessmaking, painting, paper
hanging, printing, broommaklng, talI-
oring, stone cutting, stone and brick
laying, engineering, PLUMBING anu
steam fitting; also the domestic artS'
such as sewing, dressmakfng, baking.
cooking, housekeeping, laundering and
nursing.
The literary course is designed to
give a thorough grammar school
training. Music and military tactics
are included in the course There is a
library of 1900 volumes, especially Sc
lected to meet the requirements u tlllS
school Religious instruction, WhiIe
nonsectarian, is not neglected, and the
object of the school is to graduate In
dian young men and women with well
formed characters, as wen qu Ial
as possible-industrially mentally and
morally-for successful competition
with youths of any race or color
Baseball. football. tennis, basketball,
etc are encouraged, but no attempt is
made to organize professional teams.
The school band is in frequent demand
at neighboring towns.
The present attendance at the school
is about 200 pupils. from 40 different
tribes of a dozen different states and
territories. 1t is expected that TINS
number will be increased to nearly 1,OOO
this fall. Nine instructors are required
nov. Just at this time large number
of the young Indians are at the st
Louis exposition. and are under the
mana cement of Samuel NJ MCGOWAN,
superintendent of the Chilocco schools,
and president of the Indian exhibit at
st. Louis.
The buildings connected with the
school are arranged in a very convent
ent manner. with regard to the use Tor
which they are intended. In all the
cost of the buildings aggregate over 4
half million dollars Among them are
four dormitories, for large and small
boys and girls The Haworth chapel. or
school building is an especially fine in
stitution.
There are ten cottages for the use of
employees who have families. and two
for the use of the superintendent and
assistant. and the office where all mail
matters and Indian affairs are trans
acted.
The dining room is 4Sx100 feet in
size. and contains 6S tables. giving a
seating capacity of nearly 1000. The
staple article of diet is meat. of which
about 400 pounds is consumed each day,
Miss Bertha Lee, whose home is in Vir-
ginia, has charge of the dining room
and is responsible for all matters per
tanning to this part of the establish
ment.
An ice plant is connected with the
school. at which all the ice used at this
school is manufactured. This work also
is done entirely by the students.
the heat and light for the school, is in
charge of Mr.. Steadman. This is al
important part of the plant, and here
the young Indian boys are taught prac.
tical engineering. The amount of worl
done in this line can be estimated
somewhat when it is found that durius
last year alone 1,5OO tons of coal were
used in the engines, of which two arr
each of 200 horse power. Two others O
equal size will be installed this fall.
The hospital attached to the schoo
Is in charge of Miss Adabelle Foster
an Indian girl who graduated at thi.
place some few years ago. She has al
assistant also an Indian girl. In thi.
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