Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-01
State House.
~ 2eaao8 ~ o. IA ~
Report Of Agent Hunt Of
PenobsCot Indians.
Lieut.. Harry N. Bige|ow First
Infantry HonorabIy Discharged.
Leave to Withdraw Given Randall
Pardon Petitions.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Tuesday, Jan. rs, at 10 A. M.

| ucSOdy, Jan. 20, at ~ ~ wi.
| The annual report of George H.
Hunt of Old Town. agent of the Penob-
scot tribe Of Indians. which was filed
with the Governor and council, Fri
day, says in part:
| owing to unavoidable delays the
| appropriation of $1,000 made by the
last Legislature for the erection and
1 completion of d home for the teachers
could not be made use OF this year.
II The best site for the new home is on
n the south side of the church. because
Of it's open and sunny situation and
ready reach of the church itself
This site was private property and
II quite substantial sum was asked for
it by the owner. The money appro-
H prated by the State was available
II July /. but none of it could be used
II for the purchase of lot. After many
delays and no little difficulties, Sister
H Christina, for some years past school
II principal, secured the desired sum and
II the purchase was completed, too late
/ however, to commence the work OF
building this year. 1t is expected that
the architect will have his plans ready
! early in January next, so that the
| successful bidder for the work may be
! able to make use of the ice highway to
| the Island for the cheap transportation
| of materials.
1.-The Indians selling baskets at the
summer resorts have had a fairly sue
cessful trade this year While no
new houses have been erected on the
reservation quite a little painting and
repairing OF the homes is in evidence;
| this in spite of the greatly increased
cost of living which is bearing heavily
on the Indians as we'll as on the white
laborer. The Indians are naturally
hopeful and fond of painting the future
in bright colors. which is perhaps in
! final effect no less practical than senti-
| mental
Il will submit to Il very brief re-
port of the condition and progress of
| the school on Indian Island. We have
| followed the same lines of school work
| this year that we followed last year
| The work and especially the condition
| of the schools. as a whole. is worthy
of praise.
| THE buildings are in first-class
| condition. The only thing that could
| be done to better conditions would be
| to lay hardwood floors in the school
room, thing which must be done
within a few years. The ceilings have
been tinted and, indeed. all the re-
pairs which l recommend last year
have been completed.
In drawing and penmanship the
scholars on Indian Island certainly do
excellent work. The attempt to suit
the work in drawing to the season of
the year and to cO-relate the draw
| ing with the other studies make this
branch interesting and helpful. The
training of the eye and hand through
these channels helps to lay Il good
foundation for the work in any school.
"One must visit the school on the
island to appreciate the amount and
excellence of the work being done in
music. A new organ would greatly
aid the teachers in carrying on this
work as the old one is worn out.
THE books. except the grammarS,
were in fairly good condition at the
end OF last year. This year the Steps
in English published by the American
Book Co, have been introduced so that
at present the school is we'll supplied
with books.
The attendance this year has been
much better than in former years.
The whole number registered in the
winter term was "a: average at
tendance As; spring term. whole num-
Der registered. 60. average attendance,
Az fall term, whole number regis
tered, "a average attendance, 40.
THE same teachers, Sister Chris
| tina and Sister DePaZzi, are employed
and they are very energetic and
earnest workers. Through their eff
forts the children are taught to be
sent!emanlv and ladylike. and to show
great respect towards their elders 50
| that it is Il great pleasure for me to
meet the boys and girls during my
visiting days on Indian Island.
Il wish to thank the truant officer.
John Rance. for his excellent work in
| the interest of good attendance He
| is always ready to discharge the du
| ties Of rather thankless position.
Il wish to thank the sisters for their
untiring efforts and the citizens of the
| shown.
The enumeration of the tribe from
year to year shows but little change
| \ few above or few below the $50
mark has registered the number for
| the past % years The membership
| on January first. 1909. was $50
| There are but few OF the Indians
who raise crops beyond their own
needs. The most notable exception
of the year. as last. is that of Francis
! Stanislaus of Mattanawcook Island
who has to his credit this season 80
bushels of oats. % bushels of beans
| and 1927 bushels of potatoes. The
| severe rains Of the fall caused con-
| siderable rot to the potatoes lying in
| the low lands of the reservation, as
| was the case elsewhere in the State
where similar conditions prevailed.
Bounty was paid on the following
crops: one bushel of buckwheat: 11S
bushels of beets; 120 bushels of oats:
| 17012 bushels of beans; "a bushels of
peas: 80 bushels of turnips; five BUSH
els of parsnps: Sc bushels of carrots:
and 1863 bushels of potatoes"