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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1856
([1856])
[Southern superintendency], pp. 131-172
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Page 166
166 RELIGION AND SCHOOLS There is still a grievous irregularity in the attendence of the stu- dents at this institution. Our defined number at the commencement (three years ago) was 26 scholars, the two past years it has been 30. Of those entered at the commencement, 11 only reached the third examination, (the va- oancies being filled up from time to time,) and those had lost time as follows: 33, 77 ,88, 92, 125, 130, 162, 165, 219, and 365 days. This time was lost within tLe space of 23 months, it being the amount of school-time in the three sessions that they were recognized as students. I hope the people will think about this thing, and fbr the good of all concerned, make it better. Through the influence of the Gospel, the school, and our old-fash- ioned temperance society, we trust our people are growing wiser and better. Our national independence was celebrated on the 4th by the citizens generally in a manner quite creditable to themselves and exemplary before their white neighbors, several of whom were over and enjoyed the day all the better by neither fetching with them or finding on the ground one of their oldest citizens, old man Whisky, (he don't live on our side,) yet he but too often intrudes himself upon us as a visitor; his age would demand our reverence, but his deeds of darkness call for our indignation. Shouting may go with him, but sorrows deep and groans unutterable follow in his wake. When will Texas unite her legislative powers with those of our noble people on this subject against this strong man, and decide that he shall have footing on neither side of the river, but a grave deep, dark, and silent beneath its rough, rude sands, there to remain till time shall be no more. But to return. Our company of ladies avd gentlemen were genteel, orderly, and nice. The address was the best the writer could make. The barbecue was of the first order, and after placing it, with its a tendant nicnacs, to their use, we were all in a most beautiful con- dition quietly to return to our quiet homes in a perfect good humor -with everybody. So passed the 4th of July, 1856, with us. The drought has been worse with us this than it was the two past years; corn crops will be short, yet the chance is fair for a sufficiency in the neighborhood. We have at this place our second crop of corn on about thirty acres; the drought, however, will cut us short even to a half crop. Wheat is abundant in the neighborhood; there are at least two thousand bushels within four miles of this place. Before closing, we must record our gratitude to-an all-wise Provi- dence for the preservation of our lives, and, to a. great extent, our health during the past year, and also for all the common attendant blessings of life. Respectfully, yours, G. H. CARR. M . D. H. Cogri, Agen for the Choctaws and Chiccaaws, Fort Towson, C. . Alk
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