Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) to Frances B. Shiras
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.05 Author/Creator: Hemans, Daniel W. (fl. 1872-1881) Place Written: South Dakota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 February 1871 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.7 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks Frances for her help and interest in his missionary work. Describes his mission work at the Yankton Agency with Reverend James Cook. Notes his improving health. Discusses teaching, singing, and language issues. Comments on privations at the mission and dependency on provisions from Sioux City. Describes his log house next to the chapel.
Quotes
"I was surprised to learn that you are helping to my work among my own countrymen"
"I was glad to know that my good christian friends to the East they did not forgotten their poor Indian friends"
"We live in the Yankton Agency, our own mission is situated on the north side of Missouri River, about 38 miles above Santee mission."
"Rev. Mr. Cook & I we are nearly working ourselves to death in this mission, we have four services on every Sunday & twice in the week, I teaching to sing with music twice a week, & our school is large, & now the Yanktons more than 30 persons were baptized. We teach all to read their own language first, in order that they may be able to read the Bible for themselves...then we begin with the English. The Dakotas get along quite rapidly with their own language, but rather slowly with the English...Our provisions are nearly all brought from Sioux City, over 100 miles away...There are but few white men out here, & one sees but little company; But when one is busy with a good work he does not mind that so very much."
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