All of Uncle Sam's children have been anxious to do their part in the war, but it remained for one Indian woman to show her brethren how they might best aid the Great White Father in Washington. Mrs. Mary Lloyd of Spokane, who does day work here is the discoverer of an Indian remedy for the retention of disappearing scalp locks, has collected money for the Red Cross among the Colville Indians on the Colville reservation.
After two months' work there she has left a well-organized auxiliary under the chairmanship of Mrs. Charles W. Lawson, with Mrs. Nancy Moore treasurer, Miss Margaret Moore secretary and Mrs. Isabel Hall chairman of finance.
"At first many of the full bloods especially did not understand about Liberty bonds and the Red Cross, but every Indian is patriotic and quite a few have sons at the front," Mrs. Lloyd said.
"At a dance at Inchelium January 14 a pig was auctioned off for $40, a calf for $28 and a cake for $5. There were several braves who were going to Camp Lewis in the party, and it broke up amid cheers and warwhoops in honor of the warriors."
Talk about the brotherhood of man and a few other generalities. In less than half a century the Indians are fighting side by side with the soldiers of a nation they formerly hated. The Indian, the red man, is going to France to take his place beside other freedom loving people, the Sikhs of India and the Moroccans of the desert.
"As I wanted to do my bit and help my country all I could," says Mrs. Lloyd. "I went among the Indians of the Colville reservation to solicit funds for the Red Cross. I had letters of reference from the Red Cross chapter in Spokane and from Father Brogan of Gonzaga University. The Indians were greatly interested, and all who could gave freely.
"When I wanted to go from one place to another a team was gladly furnished. Many people have wondered what the Indians thought about the war and how they took the draft. Well, it would be hard to find a pro-German on the reservation. They are very strong for their Uncle Sam. Some of them did not wait for the draft but enlisted. The parents of the young men who have gone to the front take it stoically and willingly gave them up. Among some of them who have boys at the front are Mrs. Sam Stone of Boyds, who has a son in the aviation section.
"Mrs. Emily Perkins, a widow, with children at home, has a son who enlisted and is now "somewhere in France." Mrs. Florence Hightower has a son in training at Camp Lewis. Mrs. Dennis Peone of Danville also has a son in training. Tom Nee, a young married man, left his bride of a few months to go in training.
"I find the Indians very patriotic and when I explained to them what the Red Cross is and what the money is used for some of them when they gave would say, 'Here is a dollar to help kill the kaiser.'"
"Ed Moore and his family and his father, Alec Moore of Inchelium, gave their time in organizing the Red Cross at that place. Also Mr. Lawson, the government Indian farmer, did all he possibly could to help the good work along. Mr. and Mrs. Mike Seyler helped, and gave a team to drive me around any time I wanted it. My husband, W.J. Lloyd, was with me for the last month, helping get members among his many friends on the reservation."
January on the reservation is not exactly a balmy month, and Mrs. Lloyd faced the weather and the hardships of travel there with as much bravery as the men of the Colvilles will face their difficulties over in Europe when they fight the Huns. Think of war paint and eagle feathers in Unter den Linden! Think of the money raised among the farms of the northwest tribes to link mercy with bravery, and add to the Indians' patriotism the crown of kindness."
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