Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1879 — Indians at School. [ARTICLE]

Indians at School.

A telegram from Carlisle, this State, gives the information that on Monday First Lieutenant R. H. Pratt, of the Tenth United States cavalry arrived at Carlisle Barracks, with 84 Indians— 61 boys and 23 girls. Eighty-two belong to the Sioux tribe, 18 of this number (twelve boys and six girls) coming from the old Red Cloud (now Pine Ridge) agency on White Earth creek, Dakota, now In charge of Agent Maj. V. McGilcuddy. Among these are children of such noted chiefs as American Horse, High Woif and Black Bear. Sixty-four—forty-seven boys and seventeen girls—come from the old Spotted Tail (now Rosebud) agency iu Dakota, now in charge of Agent Maj. C. Newell. Among these are five children, four boys and .'one girl, of the noted chief Spotted Tail, one boy of White Thunder, and boy and one girl of Black Crow, one girl of Good Voice, one girl of Brave Bull, one boy of Standing Cloud, &c. The remaining two boys are from the Menominee tribe of Wisconsin. They are all from 12 to 18 years of age, except five, whose ages range from Bto to 12. Three thousand assembled at the Spotted Tail agency to see them off. The parting scene was an affecting one. Many of the tribe, including the chiefs, manifested a parental feeling by weeping when they took leave of the children. As is customary on such occasions, the chiefs made gifts of 300 horses ana ponies. At Red Cloud agency about 1,500 were assembled to see their children off, the chiefs making gifts of fifty horses. Throughout the journey they were submissive and contented. Looking through their quarters at the barracks the correspondent found them all enoying themselves in their own way, aud seeming perfectly satisfied with their situation andsurroundings. But few can speak English. At present they are clad in their native dress, but it is the intention of Lieut. Pratt to have them adopt our habits in dress as fast as practicable. An interpreter accompanied the party from Dakota. It is the design of the departments to educate them and instruct them in matters pertaining to industry and Christianity. By a recent order of the war department the barracks of Carlisle have been turned over to the Interior Department for this purpose. At the last session ol Congress a bill was introduced authorizing the transfer to the Indian department of any vacant barracks for this purpose; also the necessary detachment of a limited number of officers, who are now in connection with the work of education among the Indians. A favorable report upon the bill had been made to both houses of Congress and will doubtless pass at next session. Carlisle barracks are beautifully located, just east of Carlisle, and embrace about thirty acres of ground. Lieutenant Richmond and six men from Second United States heavy artillery ha>e charge of the barracks at present. -For seventy years these barracks have been used by the Government as a training school for cavalry to fight the Indians, and now these representatives of those warlike tribes have possession of them, not by conquest, but through the spirit of philanthropy.—[Pittsburgh Dispatch.