Report-1862, September 15

James B. Abbot’s report to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs.

[September 15, 1862.]

    There are two schools within this agency for the education of the Shawnee children, one under the charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and one under the Society of Friends. The first is known as the Shawnee manual labor school, and is superintended by the Rev. Thomas Johnson, and is located in the eastern part of the reserve, and near the State line.— (See map.) The number of scholars in attendance during the last year was fifty-two, of which twenty-six were males, and twenty-six females. This is the highest number; an average attendance would be about thirty. I visited this school during the last term, and was agreeably surprised to find it in so prosperous a condition. I found the children tidy, well clothed, and apparently well fed; they appeared happy and contented, and, what was better, they seemed to take a deep interest in their studies. Their head teacher, Mr. Meek, appeared to possess their confidence and affection; and I am satisfied that this school will compare favorably with most of the white schools in the State, and whatever cause of complaint the Shawnees may have had in the past, the present appearances are that those in charge are trying to carry out the stipulations of their contract to the letter, and I hope to be able to fill up this school this fall to the stipulated number, (eighty.) This school is sustained entirely out of the Shawnee school fund….

   The Shawnees have, during this rebellion, shown themselves to be loyal subjects to the government. They have in the field about sixty warriors, with a prospect of furnishing about forty more, under the late call; and while I have no doubt of their continuing loyal, yet I deem it proper to suggest the propriety of fulfilling every treaty stipulation with them, in order to strengthen their zeal and better enable them to withstand the temptations which are being brought to bear upon them by our enemies who are living in our midst.

[Reports of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1862, p. 111.]