Chapter 3

The writer of this letter is Loafer Redhorse, a son-in-law of the Titon Chief, Swift Bear, whose band have colonized as homesteaders along the Niobrara River near the mouth of Keya Paha River. Their colony is one hundred and thirty miles from Rosebud Agency, to which they belong. Their settlement we call Burrell Station in honor of Dea. Burrell, of Oberlin, Ohio, who gave the money to build the school-house and home for the teacher. Mr. Francis Frazier, son of Pastor Ehnamani of Santee, has now been their teacher two years.

Loafer Redhorse is anything but a loafer. He is one of the most industrious men. He is one who would naturally be first in war, as he says, and now also is first in following the plow, and learning the ways of the white man. Among other things it is interesting to know what he thinks of prohibiting the use of the Dakota language.

MY FRIENDS: Let me speak now. I am sad because of one thing which I will now speak of. Since our school-house (the Burrell station school) was built, I, with my children, have attended with a glad heart just as if it were my own. And now I hear that it is likely to be closed, and I will speak about that. And this is why I have something to say. The scholars who go out from the Brules to go to school, come back without knowing anything, for the reason that they don't teach them anything except to work. That is the reason they don't know anything, I think.

And I will tell how it was with us under Indian customs since the time I had understanding. Then the Indian tribes were happy. Into whatever country was good they roamed just as they pleased. At that time, although there were many Indians on all sides, there was a great country in between full of buffalo. It seemed to be the buffalo's country. And the Indian people were made happy because of the buffalo. The people would move their camps and pitch their tents again and the buffalo would come right in among their tents with a great noise. Then it was that the people had great joy.

And there was another thing that the people rejoiced in greatly. I will speak of that also. That was in war. When they went to war and came near the enemies' dwellings and saw the enemy there they would choose out about ten of the bravest young men and dispatch them to kill some of the enemy. Then they would draw near to the houses, and soon though there might be five whose hearts were not able for it, the others would go on and kill a man at his house. And the great joy that I spoke of was thus: of the five who had killed an enemy but only four of them could take the glory, but their names would be praised throughout the whole Indian nation; they would be glorified and considered as chiefs. But most of all, he who first killed the enemy he would be the chief. And then when they had returned home even the women would rejoice greatly. They would dance night and day, all of them. And as I, myself, was chief, I considered this the very greatest joy. Such were our customs.

But now from the place I now occupy, I look back and remember these things. And though the Indian people had all of these customs, I know not one of them that made the people prosper or brought life to them. I have not seen that brought life to the people. And thus from where I am now, I am always looking to the future. On this account I am looking forward. The Indians have been told the words of the Grandfather, (the President). And they tell us that by these words the people will prosper.

"Plant; by that you shall live," the Grandfather told them. And now I know a little that the Grandfather spoke the truth. The Grandfather gives me food for six days, but even though I eat a very little each day, in three days I have eaten it all up. But now I have raised corn and though I abide here eating nothing else, by it I live. And also to go from my place to where the Grandfather gives me rations takes one week to go and the same to come back and I stay over a few days to rest when there, and so it altogether covers over three weeks or more. Therefore, though I have settled here and desire to busy myself in all the white man's ways that I am able, I have not yet become independent. And therefore, I earnestly wish, if it were possible, that the Grandfather would enable us to receive a year's rations at a time, and then we would make speedy progress in the white man's way.

And because of this also, the children do not advance much in their learning. For when we go after the food they also go along. If they should stay behind, food is scarce, therefore they go along.

And now I hear it said that schooling in the Dakota language is to be altogether stopped, and on this account I am sad. For in the school-house here they learn well and also they pray. It is because they do these things in the Dakota language that we have been brought to understand them and to love them, and gladly live in accordance with them. Then also if it was all done (the teaching and praying) by a white man we would understand nothing about it, and so I do not think it would be well.

And now this is the last thing I want to say. The Grandfather has for his own the Indians all over the land, and he always helps them according to what may be for their welfare. Now he is measuring off the land for them, but I hear it said that he measures it very, very small, and I am sad about that. If only he would have mercy and measure it off for them largely, that is what I think. A good while ago the Grandfather made a treaty with the Indians and promised to give them three hundred and twenty acres, and according to that I have chosen my homestead and that suits me. Therefore I prize the Grandfather's word and measure myself by it. And thus I possess myself and my children.

Although we are not many people here, yet I always command them to give heed to the words of the Grandfather. And I bear witness to their constant attendance at the house (the school and church) that stands here. Although I am wholly an Indian, yet these are my judgments and so I tell them. And I write them in order that some may think about the Indians. My friends, I wish you to hear these words and so I write them. I shake hands with a good heart.

LOAFER REDHORSE.

Burrell Station, Rosebud Agency, D.T.

* * * * *

BUREAU OF WOMAN'S WORK.

MISS D.E. EMERSON, SECRETARY.

WOMAN'S STATE ORGANIZATIONS.

CO-OPERATING WITH THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION.

ME.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee, Mrs. C.A. Woodbury, Woodfords, Me.

VT.--Woman's Aid to A.M.A., Chairman of Committee, Mrs. Henry Fairbanks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.

CONN.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. S.M. Hotchkiss, 171 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Conn.

N.Y.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. C.C. Creegan, Syracuse, N.Y.

OHIO.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. Flora K. Regal, Oberlin, Ohio.

ILL.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. C.H. Taintor, 151 Washington St., Chicago, Ill.

MICH.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. Mary B. Warren, Lansing, Mich.

WIS.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Mrs. C. Matter, Brodhead, Wis.

MINN.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary, Mrs. H.L. Chase, 2,750 Second Ave., South, Minneapolis, Minn.

IOWA.--Woman's Home Miss. Union, Secretary, Miss Ella E. Marsh, Grinnell, Iowa.

KANSAS.--Woman's Home Miss. Society, Secretary, Mrs. Addison Blanchard, Topeka, Kan.

SOUTH DAKOTA--Woman's Home Miss. Union Secretary, Mrs. W.H. Thrall, Amour, Dak.

Miss Bertha Robertson, missionary of the A.M.A. from McIntosh, Ga., will spend a few months in presenting our work in the North. She has just completed a missionary tour in Maine, which has been most fruitful of good, and will now give a few weeks to the churches of New Hampshire, speaking to meetings of ladies, or to mixed audiences, as may be desired. Applications for her services can be made to Miss Emerson, of the Woman's Bureau, 56 Reade St., New York, or to Rev. Cyrus Richardson, Nashua, N.H.

A teacher in the South writes:--"We have had a Merry Christmas trying to make others happy. The people have never done so much for others before. We found an old couple in very destitute circumstances, and asked the school children if they would not like to do something for them. It was very interesting to see them bring their gifts of a little sugar, meal, flour, or an armful of wood, a potato, a little salt, whatever they could get. It did them good. After our Christmas exercises at the church, we took quite a number of the children around to see the old people, and they sang their Christmas songs. I don't know which enjoyed it most, the children or the old people.

Some young men of the Sunday-school paid a month's rent for a poor woman. We are doing more than ever this year in getting the young people to go and hold prayer meetings, or read to those who cannot get out to church."

* * * * *

FOR THE CHILDREN.

HOW SUSY WENT TO TOUGALOO.

You never could guess just how she went, if you should try from now until your next birthday, so I'll tell you first how she came to go to Tougaloo at all.

To begin with, Mamma Bradley had been rummaging about in the attic a long time, when little Fay set out to find her.

"What are you doing up here, mamma?" said Fay. "I've been hunting for you ever so long."

"Oh, I'm looking for some things to put in the barrel that is going to Tougaloo for the poor people that the missionaries are working for."

"Clothes?" said Fay.

"Yes, clothes, and I suppose they would be glad of almost anything that would help to make their lives more comfortable," said her mother.

Fay sat down in an old basket and watched her mother fold and unfold the contents of trunks and boxes so quietly, that Mrs. Bradley finally looked up and said:

"Why don't you go to your play, dear? What are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking," said Fay, "do you s'pose the Tougaloo folks have any little girls?"

"Oh, yes, plenty of them."

"Big's me?"

"Yes, all sizes, I suppose," said Mrs. Bradley, going on with her work.

"Well," said Fay, "I was thinking, how d'you s'pose they'd like Susy?"

"What! the new dolly that Auntie gave you for keeping your elbows off the table?"

"Yes'm," said Fay. "Do you s'pose she'd make a little Tougaloo girl's life any more comfor'ble?"

"Why, yes, dear, anything that gives you so much pleasure would please them, of course," said her mother, "but are you quite sure you want to give Susy away?"

"Well, when Auntie gave us our missionary boxes in the Sunday-school class, she told us to be sure and remember what was printed on them, and she read on one side something about people giving their first fruits, and she said it meant their best things, and on top it said, 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.' Now Susy is my best doll--any way I love her best, and there couldn't be anybody much leaster than a little girl like me way down in Tougaloo, could there, mamma?"

"Well, you must think it all over, and if you are quite sure that you want to do it, we will take Susy down to the church this afternoon with the other things," said her mother.

Fay said no more, and in a few minutes she tripped down stairs, and when her mamma followed soon after, she heard the creak of Fay's little rocking chair, and the words, "Sleep, baby, sleep," which told her as she peeped through a crack in the door, that Susy was getting her last lullaby from the fond little mother, who at the proper time presented Susy all dressed for her journey to Tougaloo.

"When Fay and her mother arrived at the church, sure enough right there in the parlor stood two or three barrels, while dear old Mrs. Rogers and half a dozen other ladies were filling them with useful articles.

"Here is a package of clothing," said Mrs. Bradley, " and I have another bundle, which Dennis will bring from the carriage in a few minutes."

"And Susy's going to Tougaloo," said Fay, reaching out her treasure to Grandma Rogers as she spoke.

"Well now, the dear," said Grandma Rogers, "don't you want her yourself, blossom?"

"No'm, not now," said Fay, "if you'll find a little girl who'll take real good care of her--her name's 'Susy.'"

"Well, did you ever!" said Grandma Rogers. " Here's jest the place for Susy, she can set right here in Miss Blout's bunnit as snug as a bug."

"Wait a minute, Mrs. Rogers," said Miss Bliss, and taking a pencil she wrote on a little slip of paper, "My name is Susy, and I should like to go to some little girl who will take good care of me." This she read and pinned the slip on Susy's pretty dress when she was safely seated in "Miss Blout's bunnit," in which odd carriage, made of roses and ribbons, Susy started on her long journey to Tougaloo. Her little mother, Fay, would like some day to get a letter from Susy's new mother, though she has not yet heard from her.

FROM N.Y. OBSERVER

* * * * *

RECEIPTS FOR DECEMBER, 1887.

* * * * *

MAINE, $566.12.

Augusta. "Christmas Offering" $5.00

Brewer. First Cong. Ch. and Soc. 22.50

Brunswick. Cong. Ch., by Mrs. Ellen F. Lincoln, 2Bbls. and 1 Box of C., _for Selma, Ala._

Castine. Mary and Margaret J. Cushman, 2 each 4.00

Cumberland Center. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 35.00

Cumberland Mills. Warren Ch. (of which 10.64 _for Indian M._, and 5 from Primary Dept. of Sab. Sch. _for Mountain White Work_) to const. Mrs. Mary Melcher and Roland H. Blanchard L.M.'s. 85.75

Fryeburg. By Mrs. Albert F. Richardson, _for Freight_ 1.50

Gardiner. Cong. Ch., by Miss S.E. Adams, Bbl. of C., _for Selma, Ala._

Gorham. Cong. Ch. and Parish 35.81

Hallowell. "Friends" _for Freight_ 5.00

Harrison. Bbl. of C., 50c. for freight, _for Mobile, Ala._ .50

New Castle. Second Cong. Ch. 15.00

Norway. Mrs. Mary K. Frost 2.50

Portland. Second Parish Ch., ad'l 35.00

Portland. Brown Thurston's Class, High St. Sab. Sch., _for Student Aid, Hampton Inst._ 20.00

Presque Isle. Cong. Ch. 12.50

Skowhegan. Island Av. Ch. 24.00

Skowhegan. Ladies' Miss'y Soc., by Mrs. L.W. Weston, Bbl. of C., _for Selma, Ala._

South Berwick. Cong. Ch., to const. Mrs. Annie A. Burleigh and Mrs. Hannah I. Hodgen L.M.'s 80.00

South Berwick. Mrs. Lewis' S.S. Class, 3.25; Miss McClellans' Class, 1.15; Miss Oak's Class, 1.60; _for Wilmington, N.C._ 6.00

South Paris. Cong. Ch. 11.50

Turner. Mrs. Royal H. Bird, _for Indian M._ 5.00

Waterford. First Cong. Ch., bal. to const. Rev. C.L. Skinner L.M. 6.66

West Falmouth. Sab. Sch. of Second Cong. Ch., _for Student Aid, Selma, Ala._ 16.00

West Falmouth. By Rev. W.H. Haskell, _for Freight_ 2.00

Willard. "Star Mission Circle," _for Pleasant Hill, Tenn._ 5.00

Woolwich. Cong. Ch., 10; Mrs. J.P. Trott, 2 12.00

York. First Cong. Ch. 42.50 Collected by Miss Bertha D. Robertson: Bangor. Third Ch. 5.00 Bangor. "Little Girl," First Ch. 1.00 Brewer Village 5.50 Camden 2.00 Ellsworth. S.P. Dutton 20.00 Foxcroft 3.37 Freeport. Cong. Ch. 8.62 Mechanic Falls. Dr. Holt 1.00 Norridgewock. Mrs. Dole 5.50 Portland. "A Lady" 5.00 Rockland 1.00 Sacarappa 14.00 ---- 2.16 Winthrop 1.25

---- 75.40

NEW HAMPSHIRE, $325.63

Alton. Cong. Ch. 3.00

Boscawen. "Crescent City Helpers, "_for Straight U._ 25.00

Bristol. Cong. Ch. 4.25

Center Harbor. S.F. Emery 3.00

Concord. South Cong. Ch., to const. Rev. Harry P. Dewey and Dea. Frank Coffin L.M.'s 61.00

Concord. "The Light Bearers," Box of Christmas Gifts, _for Storrs Sch._

Gilsum. Cong. Ch. 10.00

Great Falls. First Cong. Ch. 25.00

Hampstead. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch. 28.15

Harrisville. Cong. Ch. 5.72

Hinsdale. By Miss Abbie Robertson, Bbl. of C. _for Storrs Sch._

Hollis. "Friends," Cong. Ch., 2 Bbls. of C., _for Storrs Sch._

Keene. Second Cong. Ch. 8.99

Laconia. Cong. Ch. and Soc., to const. Harley W. Carey L.M. 41.10

Marlboro. Cong. Ch. 3.87

Mount Vernon. Cong. Ch. 20.00

Nashua. First Cong. Ch. 22.69

Nelson. Cong. Ch. 4.28

Newmarket. Thos. H. Wiswall 10.00

Peterboro. Mrs. M.A. Whitney 4.00

Rindge. Cong. Ch. 7.76

Rindge. Ladies of Cong. Ch., 2 Bbls. of C., _for Storrs Sch._

Sanbornton. Cong. Ch. 7.70

Swanzey. Cong. Ch. 9.62

Warner. Ladies' Miss'y Soc. of Cong. Ch., _for Storrs Sch., Atlanta, Ga._ 5.00

Wilton. Second Cong. Ch. 15.00

VERMONT, $374.03

Bakersfield. Cong. Ch. 24.50

Barton. "C.H. Soc." of Cong. Sab. Sch., _for McIntosh, Ga._ 6.00

Barton Landing. Bbl. of C., 2 for Freight, _for McIntosh, Ga._ 2.00

Bennington. Second Cong. Ch. 36.82

Cabot. Mrs. H.A. Russell, 5; Mrs. L. McAlister 50c. 5.50

Cambridge. Second Cong. Ch. 4.57

Derby Center. Cong. Ch. 4.00

East Corinth. Cong. Soc., Bbl. of C., _for Storrs Sch._

Fairlee. M.W. Smith 8.00

Guildhall. Ladies of Cong. Ch., by Mrs. Geo. Hubbard 6.25

Hartford. Second Cong. Ch. 61.30

Ludlow. Cong. Ch. 11.00

Manchester. Ladies of Cong. Ch., Bbl. of Bedding, etc., _for Atlanta U._

Milton. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 6.29

Newport. Ladies of Cong. Ch., 20.43; Bbl. and Box of C. (2 for Freight), _for McIntosh, Ga._ 22.43

Post Mills and West Fairlee. "A few Friends," by Rev. L.E. Tupper, special, _for Atlanta U. 4.00

Randolph. Mrs. I. Nichols 1.50

Saint Johnsbury. South Cong. Ch. 36.61

Springfield. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch. Christmas gift 15.00

Stowe. Cong. Ch. and Soc., to const. Alva Warren L.M. 58.89

Swanton. Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for McIntosh, Ga._ 6.00

Tyson. Cong. Ch. .74

Underhill. 2 Bbl. of C. and 5 _for McIntosh, Ga._ 5.00

Waterville. Cong. Ch. 1.20

West Battleboro. Cong. Ch. 10.93

West Charleston. Ladies of Cong. Ch., 3.75; "King's Messengers" Soc., 6.87; by Mrs. Chas. E. Bennett 10.62

Westfield. Sab. Sch. of Cong. Ch., _for McIntosh, Ga._ 5.00

Westminster, West. Bundle of C. and 6 _for McIntosh, Ga._ 6.09

West Townshend. Ladies of Cong. Ch., _for McIntosh, Ga._ 3.38

Wilmington. Cong. Ch. 13.50

---- $372.03

LEGACY.

Milton. Estate of Dr. B. Fairchlld, by C.H. Jackson $2.00 ---- $374.93

MASSACHUSETTS, $6,309.68.

Acton, Cong. Ch. and Soc. 11.23

Amherst. First Cong. Ch. 25.00

Amherst. Mrs. W.A. Stearns, _for Students Aid, Tillotson Inst. 10.00

Andover. West Parish Ch. and Soc. 50.68

Andover. Miss M.E. Manning, _for Talladega C. 10.00

Attleboro. Second Cong. Ch. and Soc. 90.00

Auburndale. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 254.00

Boston. Edward A. Strong, _for Atlanta U_ 394.50 " Mount Vernon Ch. 316.20 " Union Ch. and Soc. 146.80 " Park St., Homeland B'ch, _for Student Aid, Park St. Indian Station, Oake, Dak._ 100.00 " Mrs. C.A. Spaulding, _for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 50.00 " Bray Wilkins, for Wilmington, N.C. 8.00 " "A Friend" 5.00 " ----, 5.00 " Grimes & Co., 64 Reading Books, _for McIntosh Ga._ " Cong'l S.S. and Pub. Soc. 3 Boxes Books, _for Straight U._

Dorchester. Village Ch. and Soc. 46.91 " Dea. S.B. Holman, 2; Mrs. J.H. Means, 1; Mrs. Ballantine, 1; _for Student Aid, Tougaloo U._ 4.00

West Roxbury. South Evan. Ch. and Soc. 19.65

---- 1096.06

Braintree. First Ch. 45.84

Bridgewater. J.W. Herrick, _for Talladega C. 1.00

Brimfield. Laidies Union of Second Cong. Ch., _for Freight_ 2.00 " Ladies Miss'y Soc., Cong. Ch., Bbl. of C. _for Tougaloo, Miss._

Brookline. Mrs. F.A. White 10.00 " "E.P." 1.00

Cambridge. First Ch. and Shepherd Soc. 278.82; North Av. Cong. Ch., add'l, 39.20 Mrs. J. Russel Bradford, 15.00 333.02

Cambridgeport. First Cong. Ch., 138.26, Pilgrim Ch. M.C. Coll., 6.47 144.73

Cambridgeport. Margaret Shepard Soc., _for Storrs Sch._ 9.00

Cambridgeport. Miss Julia Robinson, _for Tougaloo U._ 2.00

Cambridgeport. Sab. Sch. of Pil. Ch., _for Marie Adlof Sch'p Fund_ 1.00

Chelsea. First Cong. Ch., 50.50; Third Cong. Ch., 35.18; Central Ch., 18.04 103.72

Chelsea. Y.P.S.C.E., First Cong. Ch., _for Student Aid, Fisk U._ 25.00

Curtlsville. Rev. T.A. Hazen 10.00

Dalton. Mrs. Harriet A. Campbell, _for Calvary Ch., Pine Mountain, Tenn._ 100.00

Daiton. Mrs. Louisa F. Crane 100.00

Dedham. "A Friend." 2.00

Easthampton. Payson Cong. Ch. (of which 36.55 _for Indian M._) 273.84

Easthampton. Sab. Sch. of First Cong. Ch. 35.00

East Longmeadow. "A Friend." 50

Edgartown. Cong. Ch. 7.00

Enfield. Cong. Ch. 29.09

Foxboro. Children's Miss. Circle 5.00

Gardner. First Cong. Ch. 15.00

Granby. Cong. Ch. and Soc. 100.00

Greenfield. Second Cong. Ch. 51.42