The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-08
NEWTOWN IS AGOG
 AFTER VISIT FROM
 STRANGE RED MAN
Lo, the Poor Indian Makes Eloquent Appeal For Up
 lift of His Race.
Especial to The Farmer.


 Newtown, June S.-The High school faculty and students last Friday afternoon enjoyed visit from Chlef Johnson of the Sioux Indian ReserYa- tion in South Dakota So he intro duced himself. He dropped into the his guardian under the reservation rules, and requested a half hour for presentation of his mission. This was granted. According to his talk, he is engaged in the work of procuring arnelioration or change of the nations method of dealing with it's wards. Briefly he seeks entire freedom of ac- tion for the educated Indian from the humi1iating vassalage now in force, so that they may be permitted to go and come without hindrance.
 This representative of modern cul- ture among the aborigines said he could speak seven European languages and is master of 14 of the leading In dian dialects. He has travelled all over the United States, has been in Europe and has seen much of China and Ja- pan. He was in appearance, typical Indian scholar, and greatly impressed
 his audience with his remarkable ob- servations of the people and knowl- edge of the institutions. He startled his hearers by asking if the educated red man should not be placed on plane of equality with the educated white man. A show of hands was asked for on the question, whether he was an Indian or not.
 E An affirmative uphft of hands from the students came at once, except from one young woman. Noticing this, Chief Johnson inquired why she doubted him. CT never thought In dia11s were so good locking said Miss S--. This subtle reply. although broadly dattering, was too much for Poor Lo. He seemed at a Ioss, and made no further effort to substantiate his nativity but went on with his theme. His plan of campaign for the cause in which he said he is devoting his life, is an appeal to the school chill dren for justice to his brethren He sought the signatures of the boys and girls to this unique appeal, or as he put it, a vote by the educational elee- torate of the country, both teachers and pupils, without regard to sex. He was not passing the hat, rather he promised to send each signer an In dian memento, while to the facA1ty, he promised Navajo Indian blankets and Indian baskets. He was staying in town for another day to visit the pub lie schools, and volunteered to attend the senior class play that evening at the town hall and sing some Indian songs and illustrate Indian music.
 After enjoying his really delightful talk for an hour and half, the New town High school students gave him the right hand Of fellowship, and promised to sign his appeal on the morrow. Chief Johnson and hiss shadow withdrew, and that was the last seen of him. He did not appear at the play, did not go back to his ho- tel, but some of the students at the town hall returning to distant homes in the early hours of the morning re- ported yesterday that they passed the Indian chief and his shadow hiking it over the hills to Dan bury. But New town is all agog over the mysterious Indian and his shadow. Nothing else is talked of at school
 The Misses Mary Keane and Dora Strisik have returned to High school duties after a weeks absence on ac- count of illness. Martin Corners, il4 of pneumonia, is reported as having passed the crisis and early recovery is looked for.
 William Hook of Botsford Hill suf- 1 fered a slight shock last week, but is now on the road to recovery.
 The graduating class of the High | school will observe the utmost sim pHcity in dressing for coinmencement 1 of the school board of education. | White cap and gown will not be worn, the sweet girl graduates will be ar | rayed in simple dress with a. single | flower as ornaments, while the male graduates will wear plain business suits The following are the members of the senior class: Virginia, HouIf- nan, Marion Curtis, Esther Beck. Amy Bantle, Grace Ruffels, Russell Wheel er, Walter Glover, Wilbur Olmstead | George Stuart and Frank Platt. The will be Marion Curtis; salutatorian, Marion Curtis; essayist, l. Walter Glover
 Many friends from Newtown att tended the funeral of Mrs. Thomas Sullivan in Southbury, today
 Miss Marilla George. who was grad 1ated last week from St. Margaret's school, Waterbury, is at home for the summer with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. James H: George