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Building of Homes
The
illustration (No.
11 of the Exhibit) tells the store of one man's effort, and his is
not an exceptional case. The owner of this farm and buildings began to work
about ten years ago, with but one lame pony as an assistant. He secured the
breaking of a few acres and the Government issued him a wagon and a set of
harness. By diligence and hard work his crops and his farm have
increased, until today he has nearly fifty acres under
cultivation. A field ready for next spring's
planting is seen to the left; other fields lie beyond
the line of the photograph. His wheat and corn bins are on
the hill, and the little log cabin in the centre, with a
dirt roof, was his first house; it now serves as his
kitchen. The frame house, painted grey, with brown
trimmings, was built one year ago. Just back of this house
is a fruit-bearing orchard. He has bought farming machines
with his own earnings, but these are under cover of the
shed, to the left. He refused to bring them out when the
picture was taken, as the day was threatening, and suggested
that people could be told why these proofs of industry were
not visible. Here is represented the unaided labor of one
man who, ten years ago, had not an acre under cultivation.
His children are all in school and he and his wife are
earnest Christians.
The accompanying plan (No. 14 of the Exhibit) shows the land
as now owned by individuals, and indicates the great change which has taken
place in twenty years. It will be noticed that the Indians do not avoid, but
court contact with their white neighbors. Trade and education are making the
interests of both peoples identical.
As early as 1846 the Presbyterian Board undertook the
establishment of a mission school for the benefit of the Omaha and Otoe. When
the Omaha tribe moved upon their present reservation, in 1856, a commodious
mission building was erected for the reservation. The house is still standing
and doing excellent service among the people. It is here given, and forms No. 15
of the Exhibit. At this mission many noble men and women have labored, among
them Rev. Mr. Burtt, who, for many years, did a
work which bears ample fruit to the present day. The young men and women who
were boys and girls under his care are now all working on farms or at
trades, speaking English, bringing up their children under Christian
instruction, and thus helping for ward their entire people. For a time the
mission boarding school was closed, while the experiment of day schools,
scattered over the reservation, was tried. These were abandoned after a few
years, and about five years ago the mission boarding school was reopened.
No. 16 of the Exhibit is a photograph of the mission corps of teachers and
helpers and the little girls now under their care. The mission school has
always received Government aid in the maintenance of the children under its
charge, the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions supporting the
missionary, teachers, helpers, and making up the deficiency of funds.
Notes About the Book:
Source: Historical Sketch of the Omaha Tribe of Indians in Nebraska, by Alice C.
Fletcher, Washington, Judd & Detweiler, 1885
Online Publication: The manuscript was scanned and then ocr'd. Minimal editing
has been done, and readers can and should expect some errors in the textual
output.
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