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"THE INDIANS
About twelve o'clock on Sunday night Captain Pratt arrived at the Junction
with eighty-six Sioux Indian children, whom he had just selected from the
Rosebud and Pine Sage agency, varying in age from ten to seventeen.
Their dress was curious, made of different cheap material, and representing
all the shades and colors. Cheap jewelry was worn by the girls.
Their moccasins are covered with fancy bead work. They carry heavy
blankets or shawls with them, and their appearance would not suggest that
their toilet was a matter of care. Some of them were very pretty,
while others are extremely homely. All possessed the large black
eye, beautiful pearl-white teeth, the high cheek-bone, straight-cut mouth
and peculiar nose.
The school is made up of 63 boys and 23 girls. The reason that there
are more boys than girls is that the girls command aready sale in their
tribes at all times, while no value is attached to the boys. About
3000 savages assembled at the agency the night previous to the departure
of the party, and kept up a continual howling through the night.
On the cars and here they have been very orderly and quiet. Four
sons of the famous chief, Spotted Tail, are among the number. The
majority of the party are made up of sons and daughters of chiefs.
An interpreter and his wife are with the party, and will remain.
The boys will be uniformed in gray material, similar to that worn by the
two Indian instructors who have been here for some time. The girls
will wear soft woolen dresses. The girls are now stationed in the
buildings formerly occupied by the officers, and the boys in the building
to the north of the grounds.
Capt. Pratt has selected a gentleman from Williamsport, who will act as
superintendent. Our citizens are greatly interested in the school,
and we know Captain Pratt will be heartily seconded in his good work by
our citizens.
Carlisle "Valley Sentinel"
Friday, October 10, 1879
page 5, column 5
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