TH E CHEMAWA AMERICAN
PAGE 2
The CHEMAWA AMERICAN
Published "Weekly at the Salem Indian Training School
Chemawa, Oregon, HARWOOD HALL, Superintendent
Address all communications to Ruthyn Turney, Manager
Entered at the Chemawa, Oregon, Postoffice as Second-
Class Mail Matter
SUBSCRIPTION
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SSCts PER ANNUM
the 3rd U. S. Infantry, as superintendent. Lieut.
Wilkinson’s first report to Washington was on Feb.
29, 4880, and he stated that the eighteen pupils were
all from the Puyallup reservation, with the exception
of one Nesqually boy. He reported: “ Altogether,
school opens encouragingly; the children are happy
and contented, working and studying heartily.”
Thus was schooi’opened. It continues vigorously.
It has the accomplishment of inestimable good to its
credit. It shows no signs of senile decay. May it,
like the little babbling brook, “ go on forever!”
LITERARY SOCIETIES
FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF CHEMAWA
This is the fortieth anniversary of the birthday of
Chemawa, ‘‘Oar Happy Home.” Daring this span
of years many events of world-wide significance have
transpired and in a way Chemawa has played a larger
part in affairs than would be noted by a casual observ
er. Those things or institutions which do not func
tion properly or show good reason for existence fade
from the face of the earth as quietly and naturally as
the morning star passes from view in the greater light
of the rising sun. It is great lights that shine on and
on and are not dimmed by time. So it is with Che
mawa—time but adds to the brilliance of her light and
the glory of her achievement. The grand school has
stood the test of time and is forty years old today.
The first five years of the school’s life were passed at
Forest Grove, but about the time its swaddling clothes
were cast off it was brought to its present site—five
miles north of Salem.
The following telegrams may be of interest, as they
deal with our “ genesis:”
Telegram
Washington, D. C.,
Nov. 11, 1879.
M. C. Wilkinson
Forest Grove, Oregon,
Mail Nearest Point.
Office grants you five thousand dollars for first year,
but twenty-five children must be educated instead of
twelve.
E. A. H ayt , Commissioner.
Telegram
Forest Grove via Portland, Oregon,
February 25, 1880.
Secretary of Iuterior,
Washington, D. C.
School under way. Eighteen girls and boys. More
ready to come. Need balance appropriation this fiscal
year.
M. C. W ilkinson .
Thus did we begin, with Lieut. M. C Wilkinson, of
Excelsior
A business meeting was held on Friday by the Ex
celsior Society , The method in which business was
brought up, discussed and settled goes a long way to
show the mettle of which the Excelsiors are made.
The chief subject discussed was the question of wear
ing the Excelsior Honor Medal. The meeting was
closed by singing the official society song.
Nonpareil
The Nonpareil Society held their meeting in room
7 for the purpose of electing new officers. The follow
ing officers were elected: President, Elizabeth Mont
gomery; vice president, Marguerite Chamberlin; sec
retary, Miss Wilder: treasurer, Mary Ware; cheer
leader, Margaret Lewis; sergeant-at-arms, Catherine
Loftus; critic,Eleanor Hauk; reporter, Mary Motanic.
After the election of officers a snappy program was
rendered by the sophomores. Mrs. Loos and Mr.
Henry Louis, an ex-student, were visitors.
Winona
Marina Nelson and Ann Sexton sang a Washington
song to open the Winona program of Friday evening.
Nellie Braden, Irene Matt and Ann Sexton appeared
in a sketch, Marina.Nelson sang an old song with
her guitar for accompaniment; Rose Fischer and Lillie
Dixon gave a dialogue, a group of girls whistled pop
ular airs, the Rose Orchestra played a number, Julia
Gromoff started a thrilling story of bandits and a dozen
girls helped in turn to finish it. Carrie Anderson gave
a mandolin selection, Mabel Blodgett told some good
jokes and after the business meeting the usual songs
and yells were given before adjournment.
Reliance
The Reliance Society met on Friday, February 20th,
with President Nuckolls in the chair. Much business
was brought before the house. A melody for the of
ficial society song was introduced. The program was
opened by a song by the members, followed by a reci
tation by Peter Nelson. Eneas Hines talked on
“ what benefits I can receive from plumbing;” Emil
Freeman gave Current Events; Isaac Patrick, an ex-
service man, gave an interesting account of his exper
iences while on duty in Siberia; Charles Buchertgave
some clever jokes; Allan Shepard and William Ken
nedy gave an instrumental duet ana Kelly Shaw and
Henry White Dog gave impiomptu talks. Aftersoine
helpful remarks by our advisory member, Miss Mc
Dowell, the society adjourned.