The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-01-07
Facts Concerning the South
WeStSrn Indian Tribes
REDSKINS IN ARIZONA
Impressions Resulting From Spend
ing a Winter on the Reserva-
ti0n in Arizona

Miss Gertrude Campbell, who is
snending the winter here with her
sister, Mrs. S. L. Ingram. spent last
winter on one of the Indian reserva-
tions near Phoenix, Arizona During
the time she was there, Miss Camp
bell became quite interested in study
ing the redskins. Upon request, she
wrote her impressions for a news
paper in Colorado, which printed the
contributions early in December of
this year. The Herald has secured
these letters and reproduces them
here. The first letter is as follows:
I had no idea how these Govern
ment schools were carried on and
met many surprises on every turn. In
the Phoenix Indian school over sew
en- hundred little squaws and bucks
attend, some forty tribes ! believe
and what our government is doing
for these little, and some are not
80 very small red folks is amazing
in the extreme.
The parents give up ALI control OF
their children at the age of six. They
are then sent to a boarding school
where the necessities of life, and
many Of the luxuries too, are pro-
vided for them until they graduate in
the Sth grade. They are then allow
ell to leave school, generally In the
possession of some trade. The young
men are taught to farm scientifically
Ito carpenter, TO shoe horses and ev-
lerythlne that viii serve him in his
battle through life The girls. as soon
" -hsr 5,sd N, are taught tc
sew. bsgi -aHs o.. 1hs. uniforms worn
by them 4, the school and which con-
sist of blue gingham dresses, trim
med in white braid. Their dark
braids, set off by red hair ribbons
make picture worth remembering
Much of the housework in the man
BIZ ildings and dormitor1es is done by
the older girls, thus giving them al
insight into the ways and customs o.
the white man in his home. 1t Ii
marvellous to see how apt they art
and how proficien. they become. The!
are silent in everything they do
but are obedient in nearly ever!
case.
The studies are arranged SO tha
they advance, not only in their books
but in manual enterprises as well
One section studies in the morning anc
in the afternoon sews, plants, rakes
hoes in the garden, etc. ETC., while
the other section reads, writes ant
oiphers." The short time they re
ouire to acquire speaking know
ledge of our language is beyond
comprehension. That little Indial
who comes in at September, is allow
ed to jabber away in his own tongu
until January, when he is expected u
have learned enough Angio-Saxol
to make his wants known. Aster tina
time, if he forgets and speaks /.
Pima, Maricopa, or whatever his trib'
may be, he reports himself like ;
true little soldier. They usually hav
an older pupil keep this record.
They are very apt in music. haa
the pleasure of teaching that in tn
school and found shortly that hat
ready pupils with whom to deal.
Everything a teacher does in thes.
schools Is done to bring out the Eng
lish, for an Indian will positively know
what you are saying to him ant
feign ignorance completely. So tn
effort is ,eing made to make then
talk while young, and it will readi
ly come tc them when they enter the
business world. So it is with tn.
music; it Is taught from this view
point. l found, for instance IN Il
intermediate grade ! taught them
Pony song. We substituted broc
for hofses and II was not uncom
to see six Of Uncle Sans wan,
running around the room singing L
their horses, then We put the horses
IN the stable, fed them and treatet
them kindly of course. They eacl
told me what he was going to dt
with his horse and II he had enjoyet
his ride, which horse kicked most ant
which he thought the best. The mo
tion songs appeal to them and the
thoroughly enjoy mimicking SO
found myself looking forward to m.
period in the room