“There was also a fine display of vegetables and fruit, all of which were raised by the Indians. The exhibits included cantaloupes and sugar-sweet watermelons. There were also crab apples and displays of other apples and fruits.
“The women and girls had exhibits of bread, pies, cakes, jellies, preserves, pickles, and other dainties. But probably the most artistic and beautiful display ever seen at a county fair was found in the display of beaded work. These exhibits not only were done neatly, but the beaded designs and colorings were gorgeous. The exhibit included among other things head dress, sacques, moccasins, dresses, belts, hat bands, banners, buckskin leggings, and jackets. All were new, having been made by the Chippewas the past year for display at the fair.
LEUPP HALL—STUDENTS’ DINING ROOM
Domestic Science, Bakery, Domestic Art, etc., Chilocco Indian School, Oklahoma.
“There was no disorder nor intoxication.”
Commissioner Sells seized upon the fair proposition as a means of extending industry. A portion of his sensible address to Superintendents is:—
“You should now be arranging for your Indian fair, and I desire to impress upon you my idea of the purpose and possibilities of these exhibitions.
“I want these fairs so conducted as to open to the Indians the vision of the industrial achievements to which they should aspire. I want them to be an inspiration in arousing in the Indian a clear appreciation of the great opportunity before him for real industrial advancement.
“The ownership of land always has been and always must be the principal basis of man’s wealth. A wise development of the vast natural resources of the Indian reservations has tremendous possibilities. The Indian’s rich agricultural lands, his vast areas of grass land, his great forests and his practically untouched mineral resources should be so utilized as to become a powerful instrument for his civilization.
“I hold it to be an economic and social crime, in this age and under modern conditions, to permit thousands of acres of fertile lands belonging to the Indians and capable of great industrial development to lie in unproductive idleness.