OCR Text |
Show girls. Something less than two years ago this work was turned over to the Episcopal church. Miss Frost then removed re-moved to land that had been set apart by the Indian office for religious purposes, pur-poses, where she constructed the building just dedicated. They are situated sit-uated six miles north of this agency Ths dedication of the First Presbyterian Presby-terian church of Fort Hall, Ida., which took place the other day, marked an epoch in the history of Bannock and Shoshone Indians of that reservation. The germ that resulted in the establishment estab-lishment of this church was planted and nurtured by Miss Amelia J. Frost, who came to the reservation as a missionary mis-sionary under the auspices of the Connecticut Con-necticut Indian association in July, 1S87, and has labored there continuously continuous-ly since that time. A notable impetus was given her work when, commencing commenc-ing in 1S93 or '96. the Rev. James Hayes, a Nez Perce Indian of the Presbyterian Pres-byterian church, has visited this reservation reser-vation each summer, accompanied by a few of his chosen members, and earnestly worked in conjunction with Miss Frost for the establishment of the church that has just been dedicated. At the dedication there was a large gathering of Indians as well as a number num-ber of white people from Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Blackfoot. Dedicatory remarks at some length were made by the Rev. James Hayes, speaking English Eng-lish and being interpreted into the Shoshone language for the benefit of the Indians. Short addresses were made by other speakers. At the close of the services a collection was taken, the sum realized amounting to about $39. A basket dinner was served on the grounds and the time passed pleasantly pleas-antly until 3 o'clock, when all took part in a song service. This church was organized June 18. 1899, with eight charter members. It now has a membership of 65. The elders are Alec Watson, Ben Smith, Hubert Tetoby and Edward Grant, all full blood Shoshone Indians. They have a substantial and commodious frame building neatly finished and with chairs, bell, pulpit, library and organ, all costing about $2,500, a goodly good-ly portion of which was contributed by the Indians, either in material, labor la-bor or money. For several years Miss Frost was located lo-cated at this agency, where she established estab-lished a mission school for Indian CHURCH RECENTLY DEDICATED, near Gibson station on the Oregon Short Line railroad. Debt is not in evidence, the improvements being free from incumbrance. i-tCTrJw' J W As Uti MISS FROST AND ONE OF HER CLASSES OF INDIAN GIRLS. |