The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1911-03-02
Tells Of His Duties In Northern Min.
nesota-Has Charge of Twelve
Indian Missions.
IN FOUR BIG RESERVATIONS
Archdeacon Believes That Land Deal
Investigations Are Proper And
Should Be Completed.

Interviewed concerning the work
in which he is engaged, and for
which he has recently declined call
to st. Paul parish, Reverend H.
F. Parshall of Cass Lake, archdeacon
of the diocese of Duluth, said:
my work consists of not only the
superintendency of the twelve Indian
missions scattered over the White
Earth, Red Lake, Cass Lake and
Leech Lake reservations, but also our
work among the white people in the
towns bordering on the reservations.
This requires almost constant travel
ing by train, team or boat; services
nearly every day in the week, and a
large correspondence.
s'The work among the Indians have
been attended by peculiar difficulties
during the years that have been in
charge. The allotment of lands and
the right given to mixed bloods to
sell has put money in large quanti-
ties into the hands of many who had
no idea of it's proper use. In busi-
ness judgment the average Indian
is not more mature than the average
10-year-old white child. The love
Of liquor is the Indians curse, and
when under it's influence he has fa1-
len an easy victim to the unscrupu-
lous pale face.''
''I suppose you are in entire &C
cord with the Indian department in
the effort to suppress the sale of Ii
quor to Inlians?" was asked Rever-
end Parshall.
"Most decidedly, yes," said Rever-
end Parshall. "But having said
this, must add that I have not been
able to give my unqualified commend
alton to the methods pursued. There
can be but one opinion among those
who are interested in the welfare of
the Indian. There are honest diff
erences of opinion as to how this
prohibition may be made most ef-
fective. I think Judge Stanton has
done more for the cause than anyone
else. It is my opinion that other
judges will follow the same course.
A few more 'boot-leggers' sent to
Saltwater will take away the attrac-
tion of the business.
Asked his opinion of the land deal
Investigations, Reverend Parshall
said:
'I think that they are very proper,
and hope that they will continue un-
til completed. No doubt the amount
of fraud practiced has been grossly
exaggerated. Many of the cases
should be passed upon and O. KID.
without delay. But where fraud is
apparent, period of necessary delay
may not be unwholesome disipline.
In the case of second transfer, the
case becomes more complicated be-
cause the third party has rights that
must not be violated. -..
Il have been able to retain my op-
timism in spite of the evil I have
seen and the difficulties we have had
to face. The Christian Indians have
been as rule loyal to the church,
and since the suppression of the sale
of liquor among them we are getting
new hold that seems to spell pro-
gress. Even the white men are not
such bad fellows when you get un-
der the business crust. They have
taken advantage of the Indian be-
cause they thought somebody else
would if they didn't. 1t was really
a competition between white men in
most cases to see which would be first
to get the Indian. Having reached
that point, the rest was like taking
a bottle away from baby.
sGiven fair chance and a square
deal, the Indian will make good.
We must stop exhibiting him as q
freak at the state fair, and encourage
him in his advances toward civiliza-
M