The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-05-16
Modern Miracle Performed by Father"
Duncan in Work for Neglected Indians

and doing carpenter work. Soon
the old Indian drums and the war
dance were forgotten ms the red
men marveled over the wonders Of
their own brass band.
Cloud on Horizon.
After he had wrought glorious
success. cloud appeared on the
horizon of William Duncan's hopes
and achievements. bringing with II
4 bitterness that the miracle work.
err found hard to swallow.
lie was mot m ordained min.
lister. but he had conducted simple
services among the Indiana care.
fully avoiding all show OF cere-
mony that the tribes 80 lately
raised from the plane OF bar
barism would have difficulty In un.
dcrstanding.
Sorrows Come.
In 1881 the Church Of England.
the institution that had sent Dun.
can 10 his field OF conquest. de.
csded TO divide II into n separate
diocese. And this meant a resi-.
dent bishop. Bishop Ridley was
chosen. and turbulent times be-
gan. The greatest sorrows in VII.
liam Duncan's career were ahead.
The characters OF the two men
we're decided contrast, and they
FLASHED almost as soon ms Ridley.
self-ccntored. out OF all sympathy
with the Indians. and domineering.
began criticising Duncsn's form OF
service. Duncan had been with the
Indians for years and he knew he
was right
Breach Widens.
Ridley refused TO bow before
man not ordained. Duncan would
not work under the guidance OF
the new bishop. The re-
suit was inevitable.
In 1887 the missionary went TO
Washington. ID G.. and pleaded his
cause with such sincerity that he
was given the rights to Annette
Island. For long time he and
his tribe wished 10 get away from
the Church OF England's rule. and
under United States jurisdiction.
The trouble with Bishop Ridley
FASTENED the decision TO act.
Driven From Home.
During Duncan's absence mat
ters went from better 10 worse AT
home. sRidley's dealings with the
Indians met with their opposition.
Hence 1t was that when Father"
Dubcan arrived at Annette Island
his troubled face lit up with pleased
surprise as all but hundred OF
his 500 Indian friends from the old
home met him. The Canadian gov
eminent had denied them the right
to take more than their personal
effects--all the results OF their
years of work we're left behind.
The Great Tribute.
They had sacrificed their homes
--everythlng-because of their
great. simple love for this true
hearted friend. And herein they
had paid William Duncan the
greatest tribute he could wish.
And today. after more than 20
years one finds n model city and
model community. we'll governed.
we'll built. orderly. sending It's
sons and daughters through the
East in search for the best in
educational fields.
He Smiles and Works.
And blue-eyed. white-haired VIII
liam Duncan smiles his kindly
smiles at visitors, bids them well
some. dismisses them. and goes on
working.
His life has been devoted to his
work. He has cared nothing for
the fame. He has been and Is
content TO ''let his work speak"
And now there remains to be
chronicled the pathetic part OF the
story.
The United States government
officials fear Father Duncan has
outlived his usefulness. and one
reason for Gov. Strong's present
trip to Washington Is to confer
with President Wilson on how best
to remove the old man without
breaking his heart. for Father Dun.
can refuses to give mp.
Gov. Strong has soft spot in
his heart for Father Duncan, but
even he recognizes that younger
heads are needed TO carry on the
work at Metlakahtla