 L.E.
Correll, Chilocco, Oklahoma Early Days 1900's
L.E. Correll shown here on a prize Morgan
horse. Mr. Correll was one of the strongest supporters of the boarding
school for the Native American. There was never a student who spoke
unkindly of him. There probably will never again be a time in the history
of America when such a great thing happened as the education here for the
students.
These students came from every part of the
country and from every tribe. The school offered them a refuge from
bigotry and in some cases poverty. If a society could ever be considered
beautiful this would have to be said to be so about Chilocco. One could
peacefully go about their studies or endeavors with only encouragement and
good from the staff and loyal teachers on the grounds. There were happy
and pleasant memories to be carried throughout the life time of the
graduates. A complete balance of life and living was achieved from diet to
social activities. Never was there any worry connected with not having all
one needed for their welfare in order to go into each activity. School
supplies, food, housing, medical care, and clean living as to linens,
shower supplies etc, all was provided. Some complaints could be heard as
to having to use G.I. or government issue. These students simply bought
their own as to their liking.
There are memories of the waltz at socials
to the swing dance of the evening canteen social. This intertwined and
mixed with other memories. There was encouragement toward each student to
worship in their own faith on week-ends.
The picturesque campus was constantly
groomed and the lake which set to one side held fluffy white geese bobbing
and floating about against its dark waters.
An interesting point to record is that all
the functions were provided by the students themselves as they learned
whatever trade they were to pursue. There was a dairy farm, an orchard,
and a meadow. The cattle provided beef for meals as well as training for a
rancher's son. A print shop turned out a weekly paper and the school
annual at the end of the year, and this too was a trade. Many of these
students still work in shops all about the nation, and indeed, own their
own shops. Journalism was too a favorite.
For every place in society there was a way
to learn of it at Chilocco. Every student was detailed to one after
another place until he found his choice for then and for life. Maybe it
was the bakery or the auto-mechanics shop, the beauty shop or the home
economics department. |
