The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-09
Charged With Cruelty by Band
master Wheelock.
ON BREAD AND WATER
Kept in Confinement
and Then Discharged.
Department Of Interior Asked
to Investigate.

man, superintendent of the famous
Carlisle Indian school, made a per-
emptory 7elna' today upon the de-
partmenr Os the interior ut Washing
ton to investigate the sensational
charges formulat ID asalust the insti-
tuition O. which lie is tho head by
James Riley Wheelock, an aIumnus
who is conducting a cornet band large
ly made up of Carlisle graduates.
After a long telephone conference
with Secretary Valentine of the bu-
reau of Indian affairs, to whom the
announced that the investigation
" JuId Re promptly ma e
WheeIock's charges have stirred up
this village and are certain to result
in 4 rigid investigation of the scho d.
While Washington did not manifest
an interest in the matter until today,
IT is now evident that al effort will
be made to get at the bottom IF the
whole affair and prove or disproVe the
rum ors current since Mr.. Friedman
assumed control of the school in April,
1908. Stories without number arc told
and denied and 1T Is Well nigh lmpos-
sibIe to get at the exact facts
Spencer Williams, the young Seneca
Indian. and Carl Sylvester, the Gros-
Ventre, VINO were banished from the
school recently in disgrace because
they Joined Wheelock's band, were
found by a reporter. After being fed
on bread and water from June 81 to
july 2, they were taken the
station and shipped to Harrisburg.
Williams, who was placed aboard the
train at noon, went from Harrisburg
to Philadelphia, where he found
friends.
Sylvester says that when he was
told to leave town on the midnight
train he was supplied with a ticket to
Harrisburg. He arrived there with
just enough cash to reach Philadel-
phia, where, weak and emaciated from
Imprisonment and lack of nourishment.
he found acquaintance who provided
him with food.
Indians Ready to Testify.
Both Indians are here to substan-
tiate the statements made by Vince
lock. They are indignant at their al
legged treatment.
Men who saw Sylvester take the
train from the Carlisle depot declare
he was so weak he could hardly stand.
Mr.. Friedman admits that he might
not have thrived on bread and water,
but asserts he was. in good physical
condition.
The trouble preeipitated by Whee-
lock had been brewing for months.
Responsible citizens say that while
Supt. Friedman is making an honest
effort to upbuiId the school and is
managing the finances in a mastery
W ay, he does not understand the In
dian, and the students are on the
point of rebellion most of the time.
They declare that he hedges in the
>
essary rules; that his discipline is too
strict, and that he fails to put them
upon their honor. as did his prede-
cessnr. Major William A. Mercer, a
cavalry officer. now stationed at Fort
Ethan Allen, VT.
Mr.. Friedman, on the other hand, |
believes he has been misunderstood
and that stringent rules and regula-
tionS are necessary. He points out
that the morale Of the institution has
been raised under his supervision and |
that the Indian was inspired to make |
the attack. lie names as the cocoon
sPirator a man who some years ago |
was superintendent. That man, he |
says, was removed by Roosevelt and |
has since been anxious to return. He |
says he will not be made a goat and !
that he Will fight to the last ditch. |
The investigation he has demanded |
he feels sure. will clear him of all |
blame.
Wanted to Keep Them at School.
WheeIock charges that Supt, Fried |
man refused to permit Williams, Syl- |
vester and others to join his band be- |
cause he wished to keep his own mu- |
steal organization intact during the |
summer. 1t is true that Mr.. Fried |
man refused his musicians permission |
to leave the reservation during the |
summer in compliance with the rules |
OF the so-celled "outing system" He
told them he would give them August, |
September and October, but they did |
he said, to play each evening at Flag
ceremony" that the students might
be taught patriotism" This ruling,
of course, prevented the musicians
from earning money elsewhere and
they quickly manifested their dissatis-
faction.
In the controversy these facts
stand out: On June p the band struck
and refused to play note. The
m EN- hers to Il man were placed in the
old guard house and kept there over
night. The following morning a COM
Inittee went to the superintendent and
Joe Northrup, a Chippewa, attempt
ed in March to organize the students
into a se1-governing body and ended
by failing and shooting holes through
a water bucket in one of the halls. He
was expelled and sent to Harrisburg.
\ few days later he returned and it
was necessary to put him in irons and
ship him to his home in Minnesota in
charge of a white attendant. An in
vestigatio of his record shows that
he was convicted of murder, pardoned
and sent here.
'The superintendent's rules are so
strict the students give themselves free
rein when they reach town." it was
said at police headquarters. I'VE have
been forced to make a good many ar
rests and have been repeatedly notified
to keep an eye out for deserters. 1t
seemed to US that it did not raise the
morals of the school to put the young
fellows in calls and keep them there
over night just because they were off
The reservation. and so We quit
In a statement to the World Mr.
Friedman made a strong defens He
answered freely all questions put to
aim and seemed grieved, rather than
disturbed. because trouble has come to
aim after his strenuous and faithful eff
fort to advance the school He is a
slight man, keen quick and of a ner-
rous temperament, and seems to be a
lighter.