Memory-1854

Life at Shawnee Mission.

By Belle Greene.

   The brick of the buildings spoke of in “Recollections”* were made by Mr. David Locke, of Lexington, Missouri, and the houses were erected by him, but at what cost can not now be determined, as the author of ”Recollections” forgotten if the builder told him the cost.

   In his paper, the writer omitted to state that the signal for the assembling for meals was given by the ringing of a bell that was fixed upon the top of the dining hall. At this sound, the Indian boys and girls formed in line in front of their quarters, the east building, the boys leading; and, upon entering the dining room, the boys took their places at one table and the girls at another, and the whites at another. Then, all standing, Mr. Johnson with his knife handle struck the table three times for silence preceding the blessing, then one rap to be seated. At the close of the meal, he again struck the table once and the boys filed out, and the girls followed; then, arising himself all passed out. At the morning and evening meals, however, the single rap was the signal for prayer, all kneeling.

   In 1854, Rev, Mr. Meek was the appointed preacher and the head teacher. Every Sabbath regular service was held by him in the school room, the north room of the east building, Mr. Meek preaching in English and an Indian (name forgotten) interpreting. Almost always in attendance upon these services were the parents of some of the pupils and, not infrequently, after the sermon some one or more would arise in the congregation and testify, perhaps an after class meeting.

   Mr. and Mrs. Meek and her niece Miss Wilson, occupied rooms in this same building. Mrs. Meek, assisted by her niece, had oversight of the girls and taught them how to keep their rooms in order, how to sew, knit, etc.

   In the duties of the dining room and kitchen the girls were detailed in groups, each to take part week at a time, but who had supervision over them, can not now be recalled only it is well remembered that “Uncle Jackson’s” wife, “Aunt Charlotte” considered herself aristocrat of the dining room.

   With Mr. Johnson’s family or part of it, we attended an Indian camp meeting held some miles away, but our stay was limited, and the recollection of the conduct of the meeting, to indistinct to admit of a the description. Most clearly defined in our mind is the scene presented by the rows of tents a various colors and sizes, and the seemingly innumerable throngs of Indians, men, women and children moving here and there, most of whom were dressed in Indian costume, some as the whites and others in a garb combining the two; and indelible was the impression made upon us by the earnest, eloquent voice and manner of the Indian preachers, whose words we could not understand, and the wonderful sweet voice of the congregation as they sang in the same unknown tongue. And we were no little surprised at the very many who pressed forward to greet my mother and expressed their joy at once again meeting her, whom they had known in other years; Numbers of whom, had been pupils of hers in the mission school in which she had been missionary teacher between three and four years, and some of whom she had while there led to Christ.

* Refering too “Recollections of Shawnee Mission,” by Thomas Johnson Greene, brother of the writer.

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[The Annals of Kansas City, Missouri Valley Historical Society, October 1924 v. 1#4 p. 457-458.]