Arizona Jackson, along with Ida Johnson and Lula Walker, founded, printed, and edited the Hallaquah at the Seneca Indian School. The inaugural issue of the monthly was published in December 1879. Johnson was the first editor; Jackson and Walker were associate editors. Jackson later became editor and remained on the staff while she attended Earlham College in Indiana in 1880. She then taught at the Modoc Day School in Oklahoma; she resigned her post after eight years in June 1891. (Annual Report of the Commissioner, 235; Earlham College Bulletin, 1916; Littlefield and Parins, American Indian, 144–45)
S., S. and W. Mission, I.T.
January 1880
Dear Laura,
It has been so long since you were here, that I must write to inform you how much our school has improved.
During the week, we have school, Literary Society, Prayer meeting, Sabbath School, Mission Church and Gospel Temperance meeting.
Our school begins at half past eight in the morning and closes at four in the evening.
We have but two schoolrooms at the present time. The advanced students from the fourth reader and upward attend the higher department. While those below the fourth reader grade are in the Primary. There are three teachers including the music teacher.
I believe it is so arranged that while one of the teachers is absent or otherwise engaged a pupil from the most advanced class is required to take the primary room.
The evenings of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are occupied in writing. Thursday night is our Hallaquah Literary Society, which is participated in with interest by most of the students and a number of outsiders.
On Friday night all the employees and students, together with the missionaries and outsiders collect together and hold a prayer meeting. We have a very nice Sabbath School on Sabbath morning, and in the afternoon is the meeting of the Mission Church, which now numbers nearly forty members. In the evening we hold a Gospel Temperance meeting which I think has proved a great blessing to our people, and from which greater things are expected in the future.
Rev. Jeremiah Hubbard of Timbered Hills held meetings here on the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th inst. We had a real pleasant time.
They are making new additions to our Mission, a kitchen, sitting room for the girls, and a new school house. For these reasons I think it desirable for me to attend school here as long as I possibly can. I will now close hoping that you will be interested in my detailed account.
Your Friend,
A. J.1
Earlham College, Ind. Jan. 1881.
Dear Editors of the Hallaquah:
I have for sometime past been wanting to write you, for the purpose of expressing my thanks for the honor conferred on me by allowing me to still hold my place on the Paper. I certainly shall do my best in contributing to the little “Star,” which I see is going to shine brighter than ever, and I hope prove beneficial to all interested therein.
Respectfully,
Your Friend
Arizona Jackson2
Earlham E.C. February 25, 1881
My Dear Friend S. Longstreth3—I have about 15 minutes in which to write this now, and will see how far I can go. For the last two weeks we have been very busy in examinations, which is I am glad to say over with. The result of mine was, in U.S. History, 90; English, History, & Algebra, 85; Physical Geography, 94; English Composition, 98; and Deportment, 98.4 It is only five weeks until our vacation. I am contemplating going home with an Earlham friend who lives not far from Indianapolis if I can. I did think of staying here, but since I was told how terribly lonesome it is here during vacation, I would rather not stay.
I suppose you have read something of Gough’s lecture in our Hallaquah Times.5 It was not as much of a temperance lecture as I expected. Yes, it has done some awful wrongs (whiskey has) to the Indian. About 15 or 20 years ago, most all of the Wyandots (my tribe) who lived in Kansas were very wealthy, then they began to drink, and quite a number almost ruined themselves thereby. But now there are but very few men of our tribe who drink and they are those of the lowest class. I have never known the women to drink, and I guess but few ever did.
I’ve found out that after I’d been here a day, the first of last term, whenever a student came, the first thing they sought was the Indian girl. Some of the girls came and asked me where she was, and seemed to be surprised when I told them that I was the Indian girl. That shows that they saw me different from what they expected. So many that know nothing of Indians can’t think of them in any other way, than being savages, uncivilized, and anything but the right thing.
I received a letter from home which stated that they were having glorious meetings, and many have joined including myself. I did so by sending my name; and I ask your prayers that I may be ever faithful. Ethel is well and will send her love with mine to you. Do you know Huldah Bonwill’s address?6 I would very much like to know that I may write to her. I will close hoping when this reaches you it will find you well, as it leaves me at present. As ever your little friend,
Arizona Jackson7