The Republican journal., 1916-01-20
Tho think that the tablets of mem'ry,
Like kaleidoscope shifted about
Till a niche long disused and forgotten
Was exposed-when Molly stepped out.

Like kaleidoscope shifted about
Till niche long dsused and forgotten
Was exposed-when Molly stepped out.
With the progress of civilization has
come the passing of the Indian. The
busy whir of machinery, the shrieking
of the steam whistles have driven them
completely from our shores. They now
travel by rail and frequent the mountain
and seaside resorts, where their pretty
baskets find a ready sale. The remnants
of this once powerful tribe, now reduced
to about four hundred souls, retain the
islands IN Penobscot river. above and in
GLIDING Oldtown Indian island, according
to treaty stipulations. AS members of
the tribe they are amenable TO our laws.
They do not vote in National or State
elections; they are not taxed u wish l
was an Indian and are quiet, peaceable,
aw-abiding war is of the State OF Maine.
They occupy modern houses, painted and
kept in good condition; own pianos,
bicycles and automobiles, and many of
them keep horses for farm labor. AL
though not liable to military duty the
tribe furnished more than twenty re-
cruits to the army in the war of the Re-
bellion. They made good soldiers as
scouts and sharpshooters, served their
term of enlistment and nearly all have
received their United States pension.
Through the fundamentally of Bishop
Healy, of Portland, colony of Sisters
of Mercy was established in 1873 to
teach the Indian girls sewing, cooking
and other domestic duties; the work has
been of marked advantage. "A school
house had been built at cost of 1000;
of this $500 was appropriated by the
State, the remainder provided by men,
bers of the tribe. Several members at
tend the Old Town High school, and two
boys graduated with honor in the class
Of 1900. Miss Lucy Nicolar, whose
picture represents very handsome In
dian girl, has fitted for Radcliffe College.
Through the kindness of gentleman
in Boston the initial step has been taken
for library, and friends of the Indians
in Boston, Cambridge and elsewhere
made such generous responses to his ap-
peal for books that he soon had some
1900 volumes, besides quantities of mag
azines. A house was purchased and
moved onto vacant lot, loaned for the
purpose by "Big Thunder" 1t is too
small, however, for their needs and
eventually they will have better accom-
modations. They have an appropriation
made by the Legislature of the State
which, with their bounties on farming
and their rentals, enables them to live in
comparative comfort. But, on the whole
| am rather glad not to be an Indian.
In connection with this paper it may
not be out of place to tell you something
of the school for negro and Indian stu
dents at Hampton, Virginia, which l had
the pleasure of visiting several years
vryyll ocI< for pff fnU
mements longer. l was, in company
Point Comfort and delightful drive of
this wonderful place.
In 1867 the American Missionary As
sociation purchased farm comprising
about 125 acres for the purpose of train
ing colored youths as teachers of their
own race and affording them an oppor-
tunity to defray a portion of their ex-
penses by their labor. The old barracks
left standing after the Civil war were
utilized for schools; there were fifteen
scholars and two teachers. Little more
than twenty years later there had
been erected IS handsome buildings,
including schools, Academic and Science
buildings, Agricultural buildings, a
Trades school, beautiful church,
saw mill and shops where the students
help to earn their board and clothes.
More land had been obtained and over
$50 acres were under cultivation. They
are taught all branches of business,
blacksmithing, carriage and harness
making, house building. tailoring, en-
cheering and printing-in fact, every
known trade likely to be of use. The
girls are taught cooking, laundering,
dressmaking and plain sewing. All the
domestic work is performed by the stu