The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-01-02
1851 Winnebagos Who Once
. Were DrunkardS Are Now
Thrifty Persons.
T\HE redemption Of the Winnie
bago tribe in Nebraska, out
~, ;~no +ol

n bagO tribe in Nebraska, out
d lined recently in dispatches,
is one of the most encourag ing
incidents in the administration of In
dian affIirs. The rehabilitation of this
group OF red men from tribe of de-
generate drunkards to band of thrifty,
self respecting and self supporting in
1ividrals, in the opinion of students of
Indian problems. indicates what may
be accomplished by patient, conscien-
tious and intelligent effort even in an
instance where the prospect appeared
most unpromising. ~.
For the reforms that have been &C.
conlpished the Indian Office frankly
attributes much credit to the unflag-
ging zeal OF Albert Kneale, superin-
tendent Of the Winnebago agency, who
appears to be man as distinctly fitted
for his task as many of his prede-
cessors and colleagues in the office of
Indian agent or superintendent have
BE-. conspicuously unfit.
In his annual report to the Indian
office recently filed Mr.. Kneale gives
some interesting details Of the progress
made by the people who are in his
charge.
''The Winnebagos are decidedly re-
Ggious," he says, land practically all
are identified with some religious or
ganization. The old time medicine
lodge continues to exist, although it's
membership does not increase. The
Mescal organization remains with us.
although it is doubtful if it is as strong
as it. was one year ago.
Church and School Facilities.
SIN addition to these two organiza.
tons we have the Christian churches,
both Catholic and Protestant. The
Catholics have a beautiful school plant
and chapel at Winnebago village, the
former under the management of the
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the
latter under the management Of the
Rev. Father 81. Greise. At this school
= Indians, as well as white pupils, are
taken, and the work done is of the
highest standard. =.
1.-THE Presbyterian church in Whine.
bago village, under the passionate of the
Rev. r. c. Shupe, although not making
a speciality Of Indian work, is doing q
good work among Indians. The Re-
formed Church Of America maintains
large force Of workers under the able
leadership of the Rev. G. A. Water.
mulder 80
Noting that the Indian population is
rapidly spreading out over the entire
reservation, this organization is erect.
ing church in what is practically
the center Of the western end of the
reservation, fifteen miles west Of their
home church. Their intention is to
erect home there and maintain a reg
ularly ordained pastor. In fact, this
church home is practically completed
at the present writing.
Health Conditions Good.
"Health conditions both at the agen
cy among the employees and through.
out the reservation among the Indians
continues to be good. Seventy five per
cent of the families are living in good,
substantial frame houses, and for the
most part these houses are kept in good
condition.
'The Indians continue to show
strong desire to improve, occupy and
farm their best land, and we are kept
busy during the building season select
ing building sites, discussing plans, let
ting contracts and supervising construc
tion
There is only one government school
upon this reservation, the Decora day
school, and the attendance has been
good The census shows $50 children
of school age eligible to attend school.
OF this number 139 are enrolled in the
government school, thirty seven in the
mission schools, forty-four in public
schools, and the remaining thirty-nine
are not attending any school. Many of
those not in school are five and six
years old. ..-.. x.
There are ISL Indians who are en-
gagged in farming, handling total crop
of II 1858 acres, an average of 65.4 acres
each. This acreage does not include
pasturage, timber or waste land. It
represents simply the acreage now in
crops It is estimated that they will
raise this year 10000 bushels Of corn,
10000 bushels of oats, 5000 bushels of
wheat, 1925 tons of hay, 80 tons of
broom corn and 1000 bushels Of pota-
toes. ...sa, --z,.,- ~. ~. W..
Corn Crop Worth $104,950.
ESTIMATING that corn will be worth
40 cents: bushel, the total valuation
of their crop this year will be $104 $50.
Recently none Of their corn brought
them less thar" so cents, and much Of
1t brought them as high as 60 cents.
Sin last years report said: The
thing Of greatest Importance that has
occurred on this reservation during the
last year is that so many Indians have
talSon nosSosSiOn If their own allOt-