Arizona republican., 1922-01-01
ONE Of LARGEST GOVERNMENT
INDIAN SCHOOLS LOCATED HERE
Industrial Training School Now Has $50 Students From
Arizona Tribes-Founded In 1890
Is Fine Modern Institution

The Phoenix Indian school, one of
the largest institutions of its kind
in the United States, was estab
lished by the government in 1890 as
an industrial training school for In
dian children. Wellington Rich of
Lincoln, Neb., was the first super
intendent.
The school is located on what was
formerly known as the Hatch
Ranch" a parcel of land situated
about three miles north Of the city.
Soon after the purchase of the prop
erty construction work on the first
building was started, a girls dormi-
tory costing about $4,000. L. sun
derland was the contractor. In the
meantime a new school nucleus con-
sisting of T. boys, taught by Hugh
Patton, now Of Sacaton, in the West
End house on the corner of Wash
ington street and Seventh avenue in
Phoenix, was the real beginning ob
the industrial school. This school
was opened September 1, 1891. On
May 5. 1892, the school at the West
End house was moved to the new
building in the present school cam
pus and in a few days the pupils
were settled in their new quarters.
NlkiL6No tIGlRCO ' iloiSS -
An appropriation of $4,000 was
made by congress to buy piece of
land not less than so acres, so this
quarter section was purchased at
a cost of $4,000. Citizens of Phoenix
We're anxious to have an Indian
school within their vicinity, so they
furnished the other $4,000. Later the
sanitarium farm OF 80 acres, located
one mile east of the original school
tract, was purchased and added to
the school property. Nine addition
al acres at the northeast corner of
the school farm were added in 1871 |
Indian boys and girls soon began
to realize the advantages offered to
them by the school and the number
of pupils enrolled increased until In
1907 the school had an enrolment |
of $50 pupils, representing 80 differ
ent tribes. This number has since |
been increased to over 500.
Superintendent Wellington Rich |
was followed by Harwood Hall, who |
came in the fall OF 1893 and was sue
ceeded in 1897 by Samuel M. Nc
Cowan. Charles w. Goodman had |
control of the affairs of the school
from December, 1901, to April, 1915,
when the present superintendent,
John B. Brown. took charge.
First Graduates in 1901
The first graduating exercises were
held at the school in 1901. The class
consisted of three boys and one
girl. The total number of graduates
from this school is 210, about equal
ly divided between boys and girls.
Recent classes have been small, due
to the addition of two years to the
course of study. The school will
graduate class OF 20 in the spring,
it is expected.
The Phoenix Indian school Is CO.
educational and, including the East
Farm sanitarium, which is operated
in conection with the school, has a
capacity of $50. The school is sup
ported entirely by federal annual
appropriations, averaging a bout
$160,000. There is a force Of 80 en-
ployes of whom 8 are academic
teachers. Students are received
from about 80 different tribes at ages
varying from 6 to 20 years. This
enrolment is voluntary, but once en-
rolled the pupil must not change to
another Indian school.
Vacations Taught
The girls are taught sewing, cook
ing, laundering, nursing and gener-
dl IOIle uldhlIlS luQuSlIIeS. Inc DOyS
receive instruction in agriculture. in
Guiding care of dairy and garden,
poultry husbandry, blacksmithing,
painting, engineering and electric
work, plumbing and sheet metal
work, printing, tailoring, harness
and carpentry. The course
in these trades covers four years
and is known as the vocational d.
vision of the course of study which
follows the completion of the sixth
grade, hence the graduates have the
equivalent of two years high school
work, besides their industrial train
ing.
The schools military band has
added much to the life and happiness
of the years work. 1t has been a
harmonious organization of about 80
members, giving monthly public
concerts on Sunday afternoon be-
sides furnishing appropriate music
for many public occasions at the
school and in the city of Phoenix
John r. Green has been the con-
ductor of the band during the past
two years and with the prospect !
Of an equipment OF new low pitch in !
struments for next year, the band
should still further advance its pres II
ent high standard. An effective mixed d.