Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1877 — Among the Modoes. [ARTICLE]

Among the Modoes.

The Modocs, you will remember, have been in the Nation but ■ little over three years, so you will, perhaps, be somewhat inclined to doubt the truth of statements I shall make in regard to them. When they had been here long enough to become partially accustomed to their new iife, all the children of the tribe under twentv were taken from their homes and placed at the Quapaw Mission School, under charge of Asa Tuttle and his wife. The school opens every fall and continues in session until (he following June. The children remain there without visiting home until the close of the school. I visited the school when the children had been there a year, and found almost all the older Modoc children able to read and spell remarkably well, everything considered. Many of them have been converted to Christianity, among them “Bogus Charley,” Head Chief of the tribe. Some time ago I heard him speak to the children of tne public schools of this city. He told them that he never ceased to thank God that his people had been brought here; that they were happy here, and were learning to get good; that they were all sorry for the deeds they bad done before they came, and never wanted to commit such acts again, but that they wanted to live in peace always. A few days ago I attended what to you would "doubtless be a novelty —an Indian Sabbath School. I was accompanied by Gen. Butterfield of Kansas City, who, like many other*, was something of an unbeliever in regard to the progress the Modoc children had made, bnt before he had been long in the house, and when he beard them singing some beautiful hymns, his unbelief was swept away. The Modoc people are not lazy. Most, of the men raise small crops of corn, potatoes and snch things of their own, while many assist in cultivating the house farm. They make bows and arrows, baskets, mats, etc., which they bring into town to sell or exchange—not for whisky, for they are not a whisky-drinking people, but far such articles as conduce to their welfare. As a tribe Urey are partially self-supporting.— Baxter Springe (Ban.) Cor. . ' —ls the saying were true, how easily one could earn his living now by the “sweat of his brow!” He would have only to stand in the sun for a few minutes, and he would be comparatively wealthy.