The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-17
NO BLANKET REDS
ARE CARLISLE MEN
MAJOR MERCER SAYS HIS GRAD
YATES DO NOT REVERT.
Nowadays the Indian Who Studies at
the Big Government Academy Goes
Back to His Tribesmen and Becomes
Leader and Power for Good.

Stories about Carlisle men who go
back to the blanket after their gradr-
alton from the Indian institution are
without foundation, according to Ma
ior W. A. Mercer, superintendent Of
Carlisle academy and former India.
agent on the Leech Lake reservation
in Minnesota: Ma or Mercer, who is at
ball team, asserted today that 80 per
cent Of the Indian graduates of Car
Isle developed into good United States
citizens and were powerful influences
for good among their tribesmen
Speaking Of the situation at Carlisle,
Major Mercer said today: "Fifteen
years ago the stories Of the Indian who,
after. a Carlisle graduation. went back
to his tribe and donned the blanket
of no such cases since my appointment
as superintendent. Formerly the Car
Isle graduate was ostracized by his
tribe and took to the blanket as a
matter of self-protection. Today, the
graduate is honored by his tribespeo-
pie, who look upon him as a leader and
take his advice in tribal matters. !,
Not a Military School.
s'Carlisle is under the supervision of
the interior department, and it is not
posed. True, we have military de-
partment and give our students a mill
tary education, but the military feature
IS not undulY emphasized.
sat the present time there are more
than 1000 students in Carlisle, mostly
between the ages Of IL and Is years.
Any Indian who can prove his Indian
blood and can pass a physical exami-
nation is admitted to the school and
is educated at the expense Of the gov
eminent; Every state IN the union is
Minnesota should estimate that there
are forty students, and, speaking gen,
orally, the northwest has the largest
proporti on of undergraduates. New
York state, contrary to general belief
furnishes q. good quota Of students.
The Minnesota Indian, as I have
found him, is bright, intelligent and
willing. Our education comprises what
is generally taught from the second
grace to the high school and the Indian
child is not backward mentally. We
have at least twelve students in Dick
inson college, which is near Carlisle,
and to which the graduates of Carlisle
who wish more extensive education,
are sent. They pay their own way in
Dickinson and the fact that many of
them 60 there is good argument for
the value Of Carlisle.
Reds Not Dying Off.
"From an extensive experience with
the Indians of the country I should
estimate that there are 100000 Indians
and mixed bloods in the United States
at the present time. Contrary to pub
lished reports, am of the opinion that
there is not a difference of 10000 be-
tween the number Of Indians now in
the country and the number in the
country. at the time John Smith landed
in Virginia.
Since leaving the Leech Lake reser.
walton three years ago Major Mercer,
who is now member of the Eleventh
United States! cavalry, has had an ex-
tensive experience. He has served in
Cuba, in Atlanta, Ca, and among the
Utes in the west. In speaking Of the
recent Ute disturbance he said that
he found the Utes among the most
peaceable and moral Indians with whom
he had come in contact. The White
River band which has been causing the
recent disturbance, according to Major
Mercer, is the worst band among the
Utes, but so far as the remainder Of the
Utes are concerned, he considers them
among the best Indians in the country