Semi-weekly herald., 1908-06-18

WIG WIS JUDI d. pusy- peSnusS ~"
viding for guests and assisting in the
picnic in bountiful manner means
work and plenty Of it.
After partaking OF another meal
about o'clock we hitched up and
drove to Ignacio. In the cool Of the
evening It was fne. Pine river yelley
presents a lovely scene at this sea
son Of the year. True. the season has
been backward and the farmers are
I'm certain regarding the second crop
OF alfalfa, but they feel that summer
is here at last and growth will be
rapid from this on.
ignacio.
Ignacio liz said to be the most ideal
Indian agency in the United States
| that is the location, and especially is
| this true during the summer months.
Located on the finest land In the coun-
iy with bridge connecting the agency
| with the opposite side OF the Pine
| where Superintendent Werner and
| others OF the agency have their resi-
dences adjoining beautiful groves, the
| hot days can certainly be enjoyed by
the Indians as well as white people.
| With our party. we arrived about 1880
In the evening and were comfortably
housed in different departments by
Superintendent Werner and his esti-
mable wife who IL an able assistant
In looking after the welfare OF the
Indians and those who visit the agen-
cy. Being Friday evening we had the
pleasure of attending the regular Fri
day night dance at the Indian school.
These dances start at 1880 and end
promptly AL 8. Both the boys and
girls are taught the American sys-
tenn OF dancing. Three dances con
, stituted the program--quadrilles waltz
es and two-steps. the intermissioD be-
ing short. Several OF the boys. some
of them l6 to 10 and possibly older.
are said to be very good dancers, light
on their feet, but the Indian maiden is
not so graceful and are heavy dancers,
hence the boys prefer TO dance with
the white girls of whom are eight or
ten connected with the school and
agency work, only one man being EN-.
ployed in the school proper, Mr.. Clark.
and as soon as two-step or waltz
Is called you will see the best Indian
dancers making bee line for the
white young ladies while the females
of their own race have to be con.
tented as wall flowers. They do not
seem to mind it--or at least do not
show II in any way. The same stolid
feature is there and II there is trace
of anger or jealousy II cannot be dis
cerned. Music is furnished by the
teachers changing about playing the
organ. There are seven young women
connected with the school work. all
being housed in the building, having
their separate mess. At the present
|, time there are seventy-two Indian
boys and girls attending the agency
, school, This school starts in Septem
Der and will last one more week be
fore the summer vacation sets in.
The Institute.
Saturday was big day for the
ties, probably more so for them than
the white farmers. Seats and platform
were arranged in the park across the
iver where fine shade was furnished
Shortly after eight the Indians began
to arrive. some on horseback, but the
majority in lumber wagons in family
lots-husband, mother, grandmother
and from one to Ave or six papooses,
and In most instance the brave red
men and squaws were logged out in
their best bib and tucker, all the col.
ors OF the rainbow being represented
The Indians came from close by and
as far away as twenty-five miles. In
addition to the institute it was ration
day. arranged for the convenience OF
indians coming from distance. the
LIST and the 18th being regular ra
tion day. BY half-past 10 there were
forty to nifty camp fires going, the
sQuaws being busy cutting meat intt
small bits and getting 1t In the boiling
. pot 1t was IL O'Clock when Super
. intendent Werner called the satherin,
to order with more Indians thar
whites present, leaving out fifty o.
more of the pupils from the agencl
, school who composed a choir, will
the white ladies leading, furnishing
music for the occasion. Quite a mum
ber OF the boys and girls gave evi
dence of voice culture and mastering
, the songs and music OF their advanced
brothers. During the morning hou
Professor Whipple gave talk OF
small fruits which was listened to at
tentively. Then between - and
clock followed the big picnic. The
seventy odd pupils from the schoo
picnicked In a bunch with the teach
ers and other school attaches SERVING
as walters. Their dinners had beer
|, prepared in advance at the school
Nearby. many of the fathers and moth
ers OF the Indian pupils partook oI
their repast, those surrounded by the
entire family circle being at a greater