File:Walter C. Battice to Alice Mary Longfellow, 12 January 1886 (207156c0-13e3-4466-a731-67c5e65c343a).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1007.001/002.003-001#014

[Note: Because of condition and adhesive at the top of the page, only the first and last pages of the letter were scanned. The interior two pages have reference photographs] [printed letterhead: Office of Secretary / *SAC AND FOX NATION,*]
Sac and Fox Agency. Ind. Ter., October 14, 1889
My dear Miss Longfellow,
Miss Folsom and I had a pleasant journey through the wilds of I. T. visiting various Government Schools, and I am sorry to say that most of these schools are in deplorable condition. Just think in a school in which children are supposed to grasp the insight of true womanhood, manhood, and civilization should be allowed to eat beans with their fingers, drink soup out of the plates and if there are pieces of meat or bread in the soup too large to drink take their fingers and crowd the meat or bread down into their mouths.
This Miss Folsom and I witness at so called Government School. I tell and tell and say to anyone: that as long as the Indian children look and get better food at the camps and even dress better there will be trouble in per- [p. 2] suading the Indians to send their children. The Indian is reluctant to send his child to school: therefore the schools should be of the best – but at present are the reverse. Miss Folsom took a party of Indian children to Hampton with her when she returned.
I am now teacher among the people whom I’ve longed to be among that I may in some way assist, and in which I gain much comfort. At Shawneetown Miss Folsom and I had the pleasure of staying three nights and two days with Mr. Thomas Alford. He has three beautiful children and he is doing well and will hold his own in this world.
Besides being teacher I was a the present session of the National Council elected Secretary of the Sac & Fox Nation. The man who ran against ^me was [p. 3] sure he would leave me in the cold – but when the councilmen casted their votes Mr. Geo. [Powers?] received 3. and I 13 – there being sixteen voters. So it encouraged me greatly that the Indians still hold an interest in me.
Two weeks ago we organized a Sunday School, to which the name was given; “Sac & Fox Union Sabbath School” I confess it rather a long name for our little place, but there being so many different churches represented in the handful of [workes?] here it was thought best to name it the above. Again I was elected Secretary so you see I am blessed, so to speak, with offices, and I am kept on the go as our Annual Council is in session.
Last night one of our councilmen went to bed well and this A.M. [p. 4] was found dead.
Now this is the most interesting part of all. We are doing all we can to buy an organ for our “S & F. U.S.S." and my friends have requested me to write to different S. S in the East. Now if it is not to [sic] much trouble will you interest your minister in regard to the purchase of our organ.
Hope to hear from you at an early date.
Your sincere boy
Walter.

• Keywords: long archives; document; alice m. longfellow papers (long 16173); hampton institute; organizations; education; correspondence; Manuscripts (1007.001); (LONG-Subcollection); Correspondence (1007.001/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Scholarship Student Correspondence (1007.001/002.003); (LONG-SubseriesName); Letters to Alice Longfellow (1007.001/002.003-001); (LONG-FileUnitName)