Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-10-15

is sent for to drive away the EVIL
spirit" For this service CD the man
or the woman is given ten sheep OF
goats. If the Navajos think one OF
their people is going to die, he or she
is carried hundred yards or more
from the hogan, for the reason that
when one dies in a hogan the hogan is
burned, as none of the tribe will live
in it afterward.
The Indian school at Shiprock, in
San Juan county, New Mexico, is one
of the best in the service, although il
is only ten years old. There are
about 100 students in attendance, in
ages ranging from six to twenty years.
Most of the children are bright, and
want to learn, but their capacity for
learning does not go far beyond the
sixth grade. The Navajo children's
singing and reciting would do credit to
that heard in most white schools and
they can answer more Bible questions
and repeat more Scripture than the
average grown white person. These
little Indians are taught to do all
kinds of work, such as sewing. tailor
ing, kitchen and dining room work,
carpentering, farming, and, in fact,
everything that an American should
know. Many of the girls take posi-
tons with white families, and prove
themselves very capable IN doing their
work properly. Their success in any
line of work is due to the superinten-
dent and the teachers, who take great
care in their training.
Uncle Sam has spent several thou
sand dollars in constructing comfort
able buildings and in beautifying the
grounds in this part of the Navajo
country. These Indians have fine
greenhouse, ice plant, laundry, acety-
lene light plant, hospital, and every
other up-to-date convenience. The
school grounds contain about 300
acres and are quite level. The San
Juan river runs near by, and supplies
ample water for irrigating. This land
produces large crops of alfalfa, grains
fruits, melons, and other agricultural
products The school has for its use
and study 1n9s, cows, horses, sheep,
hogs, and, in Tact, everything OF the
best that one could wish for, and
naturally, the Indians appreciate all
that Uncle Sam is doing for them.
Every fall, TO encourage the Indians
in their work, big fair is held at Ship
rock, and the Navajos take much pride
in bringing in for exhibition the best
OF everything This is time Of great
rejoicing among the natives, and many
white people come from far and near
to see the wonderful things made by
the Indians
About two years ago, this region ex'
perienced cloudburst that caused the
rivers to overflow their banks, and
water covered the entire school
grounds All of the inhabitants and
live stock had to move up on higher
ground, where they were compelled
to remain for several hours before the
food subsidized A new steel bridge
over the San Juan river, which cost
$4,000, was washed away; a few cot
tages that were built of adobe, crum-
bled down; Easements were filled with
water; clothes and eatables ruined, and
the pretty school grounds were cover
ed with mud about foot thick Some
thing like $4,000 damage was done
and everything was in very deplor-
able condition, but in the face OF this,
the Indians went to work, and after a
long period OF patient toiling. every
thing was put in condition better
than it was before the food
Whisky is not allowed on the reser-
yation even backed by a doctors pres
scription, because of ita demoralizinR
effect on the Indians.