The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-02-17
AT WAKPALA|
FOR indian CHILDREN
WILL GRADUATE two
Isabel Shields and verna Holmes
Are First to Finish High
School Courses

Mobridge, s. D., Feb. 17.-St. Eliza.
beth's Mission. on the Standing Rock
reservation near Wakpala. is unique
in that up until this year it has been
the only :credited Indian school in
the United States. In the last year
the government hs established others.
The Mission Is q boarding school for
the Indian boys and girls Of the res
crvation interested in the. Episcopal
church. Z
This school is in Its sixth year Of
local cooperation with public schools.
There are so children residing at the
school all of whom attend the Wax
pala public school. with the excep-
ton Of those of the primary depart
ment, who are taught at the Mission
by an accredited teacher.
Misses Isabel Shields and Vcrna
Holmes, two girls of the Mission, ex-
pect to graduate this spring from the
Wakpala high school, being the first
to graduate under the new cooper
alive policy.
Built In 1885
In 1885 the fNst church at st.
Elizabeth's with with q rectory at
tached was built on Oak creek. this
building being the gift of Mrs. John
Jacob Aston, and coming through the
efforts Of Rev. Mr.. Swift, then in
charge Of the Cheyenne Mission. In
1892 Philip Deloria, a native deacon.
who was related to some Of the
Standing Rock families and was in
residence at st. Elizabeth's, was adj
vanced to the priesthood and placed
IN charge Of the Standing Rock work.
From that time on, this work has
been independent Of any other rescr-
walton.
In 1890, st. Elizabeth's school for
boys and girls was established with
Miss Mary S. Francis as the first
principal. A day school had been
earlier established by the church and
at that time Bowdle was the nearest
town.
The work of st. Elizabeth's was
carried on during the Messiah Craze
OF 1890 and one Of the great native
leaders mentioned in Indian history.
Chief Gall, lies buried in st. Eliza
beth's cemetery.
In 1897 fire broke out in the main
building of the school and the build
ing was destroyed. In 1911 a new
church was built which was the larg-
est In the Niobrara Deanery, and the
old church was moved to the bottom
Of the hill to be used as q meeting
house.
In 1925 Rev. Philip Deloria resigned
his work after 40 years of service and
moved to White Swan, where the
church built him a home to spend
the remainder Of his life. Rev. Will
liam Holmes vas transferred from
Santee to Wakpala, where he worked
until 1929 when he died from a heart
attack.
Second Fire in '28
A second lire took place at Christ
mas time in 1928, originating in the
church, destroying the building. A
new building. Cathedral of the
Standing Rock Mission" was built.
One Of the interesting features OF
st. Elizabeth's is its bell which was
given to 1t back in the earliest DAYS
by the children of st. Peters church,
Germantown. Pa. This bell, weigh
ing nearly three-quarters of a ton,
has called the Indians for half a
century.
Rev. K. Brent Woodruff, Sioux
Falls. is warden at st. Elicabeth's,
coming to the work two. years ago.
His father is Dean Of Cathedral at
Sioux Falls. Rev. Woodruff is also
presiding presbytor Of the Standing
Rock reservation. Mrs. Mary G. Nc
Ribbon is principal. and has worked
for 10 years at st. Elizabcth's.