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Show 5- 1142 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES INDIAN SERVICE Ed- Sch. Consolidated Ute Agency, Allen Canyon. Ignacio, Colorado February 9, 1926 Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. Commissioner: I have the honor to return herewith letter written by Mrs. Alice B. Stacher, who signs for her husband Herbert H. Stacher. Mrs. Stacher is a Navajo woman, at present teaching at Tohatchi Indian School. She was married to Herbert Stacher while she was a teacher at Santa Fe and he was a pupil, the marriage being a necessity from the standpoint of giving her child a name. The plan proposed in her letter of establishing a school at Allen Canyon has received careful consideration by me in the past. At one time I recommended to the Office that a school be built in Allen Canyon, but after going over the situation more carefully, it was decided that it would be far more beneficial to the children and much less expensive to the Government to educate them at Ute Mountain or some other school away from Allen Canyon. On account of the great distance from the railroad, the transportation of supplies would be prohibitive, the Indians are scattered over a large area, making it inadvisable to establish a day school. With the improved facilities at Towaoc, the children receive better instruction and by being taken away from the wild environment around Blanding, they are much benefited. I do not believe they run away from school any more than the ordinary children. I can see the wish of Mrs. Stacher if a school was established at Allen Canyon, she would probably want to be appointed as teacher, and her husband who is an unreliable Indian, would not be a factor for advancement. I would therefore recommend that the idea of establishing a school at Allen Canyon be abandoned at the present time. Very respectfully; E. E. McKean, Superintendent |
