The Chemawa American, March 03, 1920, Page 4, Image 4

PAGE 4
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
home I awoke to the fact that I had nothing—no
home, not a foot of land,/no place that I could call
my own. I didn’t cry about it. I went to work. It
has always been my greatest pleasure to work. I
Forest Grove we had to cut our own wood and I re­ don’t do it now, as I am too fat. I have accumulated
member the old Captain calling us together and ask­ something that money cannot buy—I have one of the.
ing for a volunteer to milk the cow. I would like to largest families in the State of Washington. I am
see your herd here. He said, “ We have one cow—I
to be the father of so many children, and those
want a volunteer to milk it.” I raised my hand. proud
boys and girls are going to school among the whites.
Say, he gave me a great laugh. “ Do you mean to tell I am not bragging, but Supt. Hall has asked me to
me you can milk a cow?” I answered, “I can milk tell my personal experiences. I think any boy cando
a cow and also cows.” I wonder when you milk here? what I have done—and better. I am glad I did it.
Down opr way we milk at midnight. I had to feed It never hurt me.
that cow slop—whatever the children could not eat I
When I got back to my home I saw that I had noth­
carried to that cow, under a big fir tree, and when it ing,
so I settled among the whites at Tacoma. When
was raining I got wet—but I got the milk. I was I became 21 years old there was an election and Icon-
the first dairyman the school had.
eluded I would vote. The judge of election asked
We were given a good schooling that year. I stayed me where I was born and where I lived. Then he
all year. We studied long and hard. The teachers said, “ You can’t vote.” I asked why. “ Because
gave us practically our own way—to take what we you are an Indian.” I stood my ground and in the
wanted—and there was one man of whom you all know end I voted. I have been a voter ever since. In the
who used to roll me out at four o’clock every morning, district in which I live I have been a committeeman
summer or winter, so that we could work together— for more than thirty years and I can’t get rid of that
he was thé Honorable Mr. Brewer. That was the way job. I have shown thousands of white men how to
we got our education. The first year I had to go vote and I ’ve got hundreds of them to vote my way.
home—my mother was sick.
Boys aud girls, when you go back to your homes
I was one of th e . hard-luck Indians—the original you must assert yourselves. Be square, be honorable,
hard-luck Indian, I believe. During the war of 1855-6 be upright, be just, and you will get along. I have
my people were driven from home. My father and had no trouble.
mother lost everything. Finally, we settled in an­
I want to ask of you students a little favor. I know
other section and took up land. When father died I will get it. The matter relates to your Superinten­
I was eleven years old and I became the head of the dent, Mr. Hall. I am proud to say that I have never
family. When mother died I had lots of land. I heard a woid but what was good of him. I wish that
came back to Forest Grove to go to school again. I we adopt him as an honorary member of the tribes of
owned 120 acres and the agent took every blessed acre- Indians of the Pacific Coast. But I want you to vote
I had. I stayed at Forest Grove thirteen months. I on it for me as you are not ail of my tribe. When a
worked thirteen months excepting one month of half­ man has served you and given you the best part of .
days that were spent in the schoolroom. One day I his life, has spent thirty-five years in the Indian ser­
went to the Superintendent and asked him, “ When vice, don’t you think a little token of respect and ‘re­
can I go to the white school?” We had been promised ward should be given him? (Every hand was raised
we could go. He was much surprised. I looked up in assent) Mr. Hall, that means that they, these stu­
in his face and wanted an answer. He sat a long dents, have confidence in you. In our tribe it is cus­
time. Finally, he said, “ Come with me down the tomary when we adopt a person into our tribe to give
walk.” So I went down the walk with him and I him a name. Years ago a ruler of our race was Chief
expected to be kicked or knocked down, as I had seen Tooslum. He gave his best to bis people. He was a
the like happen to stronger boys before. When brave defender—he saved his country from a devasta •
we got to the intersection of the side-walk he ing invasion. I shall name Supt. Hall “ Chief Toos- ,
said, “ You go right out that gate and stay lum, the Defender.” I came from a country w7here
out.” I said, “ Alright, where am I to go?” I be­ they made arrowheads. I am going to give this one
lieve I was the first graduate. I went back and filled to Supt. Hall as a memento of this occasion. I had it
my trunk and pulled it down to that gate with the made into a charm—on one side is inscribed “ Chief
Superintendent watching me. I went down town and Tooslum.” This concluded Mr. Sicade’s most inter­
looked all around. I wanted an education. 1 was esting address.
not going to let the Superintendent deny me my
Supt. Hall was surprised at the unexpected honor ’
chance. Before night came I had a place where I which was his. He made a splendid acknowledge­
could stay and I went to school, and I stayed three ment of the gift of Mr. Sicade and of the distinction
years and in three years covered four years’ work and that had come to him, stating that never before in all
I left. My health was such that I had to leave and his life had he been so impressed and so moved by any
distinguished courtesy that had made him both proud
the “ wanderlust” got me.
I wasn’t quite 18 years of age—the age a boy can and happy. His final words were full of feeling and of
become soured. Today a boy of that kind might turn thankfulness. Mr. Dowmie called for ’rahs for our
to I.W.W.ism, or such as that. I had the time of my distinguished speaker, Mr. Sicade, and then for Supt.
life. I went to the plains and turned cowboy. I Hall, and—the students raised the roof. Thus ended -
think I can ride horses with any of these Montana an occasion, memories of which will linger in thè
boys. I traversed Idaho, Montana and the Dakotas, minds of all present so long as life shall be theirs. A *
and throughout the east. When I finally got back wonderful time in honor of a wonderful cause!
A NO TH ER M ILE-STONE P A SSE D
(Continued from page 1)