Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Grand Ronde, OR
About Weekly Chemawa American. (Chemawa, Or.) 189?-198? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 27, 1907)
2 THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN SPEECH OF PHILIP MENTHOM, Or Yellowhawk, a Full-Blood Nez Perce Indian, Delivered at the 60th Anniversary of the Whitman Massacre. "Tonight I look in your faces and I am very glad. Long ago, I was only a little boy here. Long ago only Indians were here, and all was darkness. That was before Whitman came. When Whit man carae long ago, it was just like the fresh light coming into the country. He came into our midst and give his right hand. We rejoiced. , Then one bad man came and led the Indians astray, and induced them to murder him.' My fath er was Pu-pu-mox-mox. When news came to us of Dr. Whitman killed, all seemed to be smothered and the dark ness come again-. It was the same as in the long. ago. But a little light still burned in our home. It lived when Ave . were transferred to the reservation. Now there is a great light there and many Christians. Now there is - no ground for war and fight any more, We are all gathered around one feast to par take of it. Tonight our hearts are all bound together by the religion of Jesus Christ." As the aged Indian finished he .was greeted with continuous and impressive applause for several minutes. As a fit ting finale Mr. Cornelison and the two Indian delegates from his church Yellow hawk and his cousin, stepped forward and sang in the Nez Perce tongue an In dian song, " 'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus." This was also greeted with tre mendous applause. ''I think I shall wire Dr. Mat thews tonight,'-', said Mr. Reid, ''that a Umatilla Indian has taken, his place and has swept the audience from its feet, I shall thank him for not corning." Wal la Walla Daily Union. Left ovor Items Tom McCully is a happy boy. His father and sister are visiting him. Miss Findlay, a former teacher of this school, talked to the boys and girls in - chapel Sunday morning a week ago. We are pleased to har that Sam John is coming back to school again. He is " one of our best long distance runners. The employes held a 'meeting after the Industrial lecture on .Monday night in order to make' arrangements lor Xma's. The best plays are 'now1 being brought to Salem and are well patronized by the Chemawa people who are fond of ihe drama. "The Lion and the Mouse," which was produced by an excellent company, Was well' attended from Che mawa. ' A letter was received from Superin tendent Lipps, of Lapwai, Idaho, stating that every educated Nez Perce Indian must manage his own individual allot ment, and no more leases will be made for them in the agency office. The gov ernment thinks it is best for them to handle their own allotments, and can lease it any way they want it dme or else farm it themselves.. I have always had my Christmas, in Pennsylvania except last winter. I spent my Christmas in Alaska a year ago and every thing was different there from Pennsylvania and Oregon. Snow, ice and reindeer were the things to see there. I am glad to be down here and appreci ate the opportunity of being among the good people. By A native of the Cold North.
