The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1922-10-13
INDIAN SCHOOL
HAS MANY PUPILS
tBy Lorenzo d. Creel.)

The Dresslerville Indian public
school, which is located three miles
southeast of Gardnerville ON a flye-
acre tract Of land, donated by sena-
tor William Dressler and wife. was
opened on October 2. This tract of
land adjoins one of 40 acres given by
the Dresslers for homesites for the
Washoe and other homeless Indians
OF Nevada. The selection was made
by Lorenzo D. Creel. special super
visor. In 1917, while collaborating
with Col. L. A. Dorrington, In pur-
chasing homesites for homeless In
dians under special appropriation
made possible through the efforts of
Senator Key Pittman In 1916.
The school has been established
through the efforts of Rev. J. Win
Held Scott, field superintendent of
the Nevada Baptist Missionary So
ciety. The building was erected by
the Joint labor of Mr.. Scott and an
Indian graduate of the Stewart Indian
school. The work has been done
under very discouraging circum-
stances on account of lack of funds.
1t is substantial and comfortable
frame structure with a capacity OF
so day school pupils. 1t was formally
opened on the afternoon of October
2. about 100 Indians being present. of
whom 30 were prospective pupils
Seventeen of these have never at
tended any school.
The Stewart Indian band was pres.
ent during the exercises and added
great deal to the occasion. The
opening speech was made by Special
Supervisor Creel, who gave a history
OF the Dressler colony and school site
and paid a we'll deserved tribute to
the donors of the land. Principal
Thomas of the Stewart Indian school
followed with fine speech and an
earnest appeal to the Indian parents
for their support of the new enter
prise as we'll as making plain their
duty to encourage their children in
educational work.
Rev. ]. w. Scott closed with a fine
address, which. though informal, out
lined the present and future plans CT
not only this school, but other work
OF educational and religious nature,
throughout Nevada among the In
dams. The exercises were closed by
the serving of substantial lunch
prepared by Mrs. ]. W. Scott and IN
Indian girl helper.
This school is destined to fll a |
long need and urgent want and gap
In the educational life of the washoe
Indians. The Washoes nearly all live
In camps and their children have so
FAR not been admitted to the public
schools as has been the case almost
universally In Nevada. Therefore,
there was no preparation FOR the
children until they entered the Stew
art Indian school, consequently a
great many OF them never attended
any school. This has helped to swell |
the illiteracy of the county and state,
Of which so much complaint has been
made publicly OF late. This school
will act as an Introductory step in |
the educational life of these much
neglected people and prepare the |
for entering the Stewart |
school without the serious handicap |
under which they have heretofore
labored.
Too much credit cannot be given |
TO Reverend Scott and his estimable |
wife. who are laboring faithfully for |
the educational and religious upbuild- |
Ing OF the Indian population of the |
state.
II appears to me that the opening |
OF this school marks q new era in |
the life OF the heretofore much ne
elected Washoe Indians.