FOURTH OF JULY AT S'KOKOMISH—WASHINGTON.
BY REV. MYRON EELLS, D.D.
Since the Indians have become largely civilized and citizens, the Fourth of July has taken the place of their old festivals, combining both. The old festivals lasted a week or more usually, and the expense was borne by a very few. The time was occupied with feasting, visiting, gambling, and closed with a distribution of gifts to the invited ones. Neighboring tribes were invited. The distribution of gifts is now omitted, and the time changed. This year the celebration took place on this reservation, and the people began to assemble a week before the Fourth. Nearly all had gathered on the second, when about eight or nine hundred had assembled. The noticeable point in connection with it was the absence of drunkenness while they were on the reservation. Although nearly all were citizens, I have not been able to learn that a single one drank any while here, even on the sly. A few days before the Fourth I suggested to the leader that it might be well to have some patriotic singing and speaking on that day, as white people do, and that if he wished I would help him to arrange about it. He replied in quite a speech, in which he thoroughly acquiesced in my suggestions, and added that while he provided the food he wanted all to have a good time, but that he had told every one time and again that they could enjoy themselves much as they wished, except that he did not wish any whiskey brought to the grounds. This item he emphasized very strongly.
Twenty-three or four years ago, soon after I came here, the Agent arranged a Fourth of July celebration. He was very particular on this same point. But this same Indian intended to do differently. He went off a few days before and procured some whiskey, drank some of it, and intended to use the rest on the Fourth, and have a jolly time with his friends. But other Indians informed the Agent about him; he was arrested and lodged in jail, where he spent the Fourth, and a few days beside. When I compare his actions then and now, is there not cause for gratitude?