The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-08-28
MAKING OF INDIAN FARMS.
Sketch Taken From The Lake
superior Farmer.

John Forcia Of the Bad River Band of
Chippewa Indians near Ashland, wanted to
build 4 new barn last year. Being a ward
of Uncle Sam, he laid the care before P. S.
Everest, agent Of the Reservation, 1t hap
pens that this man Eevrest has some adyanc-
ed views in regard to the responsibilities of
his office and the handling Of the funds of
the wealthiest band Of Indians in the North
country
John built his barn. He was as proud as
a boy with a new pair of boots 1t was the
bright spot on eighty acres of mighty fertile
land in six townships contained inthis reserva-
tion. The influence of the barn radiated.
Now there are twelve similar barns on the
allotments Of twelve Indian farmers. Also
there are considerable number of comfort
abe, modern farm dwellings. Painting
has become epidemic. The farming bug
has infected the Chippewa fair
1t has been tradition that no Indian
would work as long as he had money in the
bank. The sale of timber has made the
band very rich according to Indian standards
The Bad River Band has on deposit. III
twenty SIX. bonded national Banks, some
thing over two and third million dollars,
drawing from to 8 II per cent annual in
terest, and bringing an annual income of
about $40, 100000. Why should Giye-we-
zeuse and Nigalh-i-gi-ig worrys For the
past twenty years, the white man has bought
the pine stumpage from the individual Indian
allottees and manufactured the lumber at
the Indiar capital city, Odanah, at the rate
of fifty million feet per annum.
OF course this timber cannot last forever
and the band is plump up against condi-
ton: the cut will last but four years more
and again: the last tribal allotment will be
made this fall, and when $50 Indians receive
their share of tribal lands, there will be iione
to be divided. Mr. Indian will begin to
see the last remnant of the old tribal relation
They all become individuals and cease to be
owners in common. Civilization will make
all residents of the reservation stand ON their
own feet. Some Of them are too
old TO adapt themselves to the new order.
! I they will live on thcincoines carefully con7
Il ID .5r thela BY the Great Father
Others educated to honors, preferment
and ease will waste their substance and finally
eat the husks (. White men do this as well,
and the example is not helpful to the silk
stocking Indian who has not learned the
dignity of work.
Mr. Everest believes there are enough
Indians worth saving. He is of the new
school Of officials who deal kindly yet firmly
who realize the full responsibilities Of their
stewardship SO If there is even tenth
of these children of the forest who have IN
them a surviving spaik of their native pride
who will accept the responsibilities civilizat-
ion is thurssing upon them--this tenth will
have chance, The agent is confronted
with much the same problem as Booker 7.
Waahington at Tuskagee except that the
Negro is not handicapped BY riches and is
eoaded TO work by necessity. The silk
stocking Indian has not been tremendous
success. When he studies for a professional
career or a place in the industries required
a highly specialized skill, he is apt to be a
square peg in round hole. He does not
fit his environment.
But Frark G. Smart and John Bressctte
and John Rabideaux and Charley Many
pennp and James Stoddard and Antoine
Couture and Mike Couture and Ed. Hask-
ms, sr,, and Ed. Haskins, jr., and Jake
Shaw and Jim Bungo and John Frost and
some three dozen other of the allottees love
Continued To Back Page.
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