Koochiching Museums

Missionary, traveler, and newspaper reporter Mr. Rodgers tried fishing in the early afternoon of July 19, 1898 from the shore of The Rainy River with poor results, first he heard thunder in the distance coupled with swaths of mosquitoes and he retreated to his residence. In the evening, a tremendous storm of wind and rain swept across the Rainy River and he later helped Jeremiah’s wife and children split wood. Mrs. Johnston told him about Kitty. It was a time when Jeremiah ha

While Missionary Rodgers and Jeremiah Johnston strolled through the Reserve, they came across an old Indian sitting under a shade tree making canoe ribs, he seemed interesting and they tried to bring some truth home to his mind. It was a bit of a surprise when Jeremiah took up the crooked knife and started whittling, the old man noticed that he could use the knife and said so, “why not, I am an Indian” was Jeremiah’s reply. The old man showed Mr. Rodgers his flint, steel and

Jeremiah and the Missionary Rodgers strolled through the Reserve passing by the burial grounds, they passed three graves that Mr. Rodgers hoped to photograph; they were surrounded by a fence, a chair stood inside and the three graves were covered with a pointed roof. A flag staff with a white flag at the top and another halfway up stood at the foot of each grave. The bodies were put into the grave in a sitting position then branches were put across them and about a foot of ea

Those who were Christian Indians were like most denominations, varied personalities who came from different backgrounds. According to Reverend Rodgers, Joseph McLoed came to church by Steamer from Hungry Hall a distance of forty miles to attend services, a Christian Indian it had cost him $2.00, upon hearing this he gave him a $1.00. They sang hymns including “Nearer My God to Thee” and “Only Trust Him” prior to the sermon, it was Mr. Rodgers’ first experience preaching the G