Weekly Chemawa American., May 18, 1906, Page 2, Image 2

2
THE CI1EMAWA AMERICAN
for the test. His father, who is still
living and is about (SO years of age, is a
veteran of the Civil war while his mother,
a full-blooded Indian, is a decendent of
the fatuous Pottawatomie chief, Pokagon.
So the blood of warriors courses through
his veins and not the slightest fear exists
that his mettle will prove unequal to
the test.
Paul Knapp is 19 years of age. He
was born near Hartford, Michigan, in
1886. When he was 2 years old his
parents moved to Benton Harbor, where
they have resided ever since. His fa
ther had a common school education and
his mother can read and write and, in
his own words, is ''good salt."
The -greater part of the newly appoint
ed cadet's education was received in the
public schools of Benton Harbor. He
then went to the. Haskell institute, a
school for Indians at Lawrence, Kansas,
where he remained until August 14,'190o.
The rules of the school require that
pupils take both the literary and indus
trial courses, each day's session being
equally divided between the two. In ad
dition to 'this strict military discipline
is maintained. The literary course goes
ahead as far as the first year in the
high schools, while the industrial de
partment turn's out full-Hedged trades
men. Knapp's first taste of military disci
pline ,va.s at Haskell. He seemed to
take to army tactics naturally, and his
record in this branch, as well as in the
literary and industrial branches, is cre
ditable in every respect. It is not avail-,
able in Washington, all the records be
ing preserved at the school, hut a letter
from Commissioner Leupp brought a
ready and very favorable reply from
the Superintendent of Haskell.
The 3roung Pottawatomie carpenter
left the Indian school last August deter
mined to go to work at the fi ret oppor
tunity, if not at his trade then, at some
thing else. So, after spending a short
time with his parents at Benton Harbor,
heyrent to work for a half brother, pick
ing peaches instead of building houses.
It is possible that his disposition to do
the first thing that came to hand is more
largely responsible for the enviable ap
pointment to West Point than any other
one thing. Commissioner Leupp was
deeply impressed by it.
From the peach orchard young Knapp
went to work as a carpenter in the vi
cinity. Then one position followed an
other, and at every point he left behind
a good impression. At the time Knapp
wrote to Commissioner Leupp he was
working for the firm of Thayer it Co..
which has a factory at Coloma, Michi
gan. One of his brothers is a member
of the firm.
Several letters are on file at the In
dian odiee from persons who sponsor
Knapp. A sample letter states that
"Paul Knapp is of good character, up
right and of forward principles."' And
this is the story in brief of all the others,
from that written by the Superintendent
of Haskell institute to the letter from
his last employer.
Knapp stands 5 feet 8 inches in Ins
stockings and weighs 1(9 pounds. He
already lias been picked for gridiron
honors, and undoubtedly will be able to
protet himself from the liazers. Ex.
A GOOD RCI.E TO FOLLOW
"There's so much good in the woi'rt-ot
us, -
And so much bad in ;he best of
That it ill behooves any of us
To talk about the rest of us.'' Ex.