Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-11-04
INDIAN ADVANCING
MLAUGHL|N FINDS
Remarkable Progress Noted by
Friend Of Red Man; Max.
ing New Citizens

1.-The indian Is steady advancing,
says Major James Mclaughlin. for
IS years in the Dakota Indian service
and now inspector for the depart
ment of the interior. "He il making
no giant strides: his progress is more
as the steps OF children, but it Is
steady and substantial"
Major Mclaughlin dropped into Els
marck on Sunday to find pleasant
surprise awaiting; him. He had known
that Mrs. Marie l.. Mclaughlin, his
wife, was engaged upon book of In.
dian lore, but he did not know that
the volume was in print until he came
upon the beautiful window with which
the Hoskins stationery is featuring
popular gift book. The major, who
is an apt critic Of all things per-
tanning to the Indian, finds the book
worth while. Mrs. Mclaughlin came
in Saturday to join her husband here.
Making New Citizens
Major McLaughlin's present mis-
sion is the making of American cit
liens Of decendents of Americas first
citizens. He is engaged in delivering
patents for their lands to Indians who
have proven their right to complete
enfranchisement. The major came
hither from Washington and Idaho.
and before he returns to Washington
he will have visited sixteen reserva.
lions in the Twin Dakotas, Washing.
ton, Idaho. Montana, Nevada, Mime
sofa and other western states. elevat-
ing to full citizenship 800 aborigness,
who now may vote, discuss politics
and otherwise conduct themselves IN
a civilized manner.
Many in North Dakota
Major Mclaughlin proceeded from
Bismarck to Fort Berthold, where
patents were delivered to thirteen
Mandans and Hidatsus,
and thence he will go to Devils Lake,
with 48 patents for the Fort Totem
LONG IN the Service
With a record Of As years In the
Dakota Indian service. all but ten OF
which were spent on the Standing
Rock reservation. there probably 10
not a greater authority on Indian lore
in America than the author Of my
Friend the Indian ~ see wonder.
full change In the Slope country" said
Major Mclaughlin. II came to this
district just IS years ago In Septem.
Der. When In my travels | am asked
what country i like best, winter and
summer. fall and spring. | always
say. The two Dakotas, by all means.
More Than Haif-Century
Major Mclaughlin came to st. Paul
So years ago last April to enter the
Indian service. He came, to the north.
west prior to it's greatest Indian bat.
tles,. and he has remained to see the
nations wards reconciled to q life Of
domesticity on the reserva.
ton homes. He believes in the Indian
and in his facility to, adjust himself
to changing conditions. He finds bet.
ter homes, more sane living less
and generally higher
degree OF health as a result OF madern
practice in sanitation and ventilation
among our reservation, residents. He
Is a firm friend OF the n0n.reservati0n
school. In the early days this in.
enemies pointed to the fact
that the single student returning to
the reservation wac not able to ele'
vate his entire tribe, but rather sank
back to his comrades level. This Is
not true, today, the major declares.
Slowly but surely the effects Of the
schools are becoming
evident in better homes, in the adop-
ton Of the white mans ways Of liv.
ing, and in the assimilation Of pale.
face ideas. The Indian has learned to
use European foods, and he is de-
veloping in many ways.