In July of 1862 my husband was appointed as a Government school teacher
to the Indians at Garden Island. The school was a large one as there was
a large band of Indians. Our school continued for two years, then was
discontinued for several years before another teacher was sent among
them. That two years was a busy life for us both. The Government
furnished seeds of all kinds for their gardens, flower seeds as well to
beautify their homes. We were expected to teach them how to plant and
cultivate their gardens and farms. They learned rapidly to make their
gardens, to plant corn and vegetables, but these little flower seeds,
they could not manage them. Chief Peain was a very social, intelligent
man. He watched the process of making the flower beds and the putting in
of the small seeds. Then he said, "Too much work for Indian." He then
took many of the boys and girls with some of the older ones to help
clearing off three or four acres of land, put a brush fence around it,
they then took the flower seeds of the different kinds, sowing them like
grain and raked them in. Well, such a flower garden was never seen!
There was every flower in the catalogue growing up together, and never
were flowers enjoyed as those Indians enjoyed that flower garden. Every
day at all hours could be seen both old and young going out to look at
the bright flowers. Old grandmothers with the little grand children
would sit in the shade near the flowers and work the pretty beads on the
deerskin moccasins while the children played and amused themselves. As
soon as school was over then the race began for the flower garden. And
it was a pleasure to us to see them so happy. It was called "The Chief's
Garden." He was greatly pleased with the bright flowers, and had us
write a letter of thanks to the Indian agent for him.
We always had several friends visiting us from Milwaukee and other
cities, which made the time seem all too short. I often look back to
that two years of my life and feel that my time was not wasted.