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ANNUAL REPORT
OP THE
COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
TO THE
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
FOR
THE YEAJR, 1883.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT FEINTING- OFFIOH.
1883.
5510 IND
. S, Docs,
Ref.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Map I
Report of Commissioner HI
PAPERS ACCOMPANYING ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORTS OF AGENTS:
Arizona :
Colorado River, John W. Clark 1
Pirua and Maricopa and Papago, A. H. Jackson 5
San Carlos, P. P. Wilcox 7
California :
Hoopa Valley, Capt. Chas. Porter, U. S. A .' 10
Mission, S. S. Lawson 15
Round Valley, H. B. Sheldon 16
Tule River, C. G. Belknap 18
Colorado :
Southern Ute, Warren Patten 20
Dakota :
Cheyenne River, William A. Swan 21
Devil's Lake, John W. Cramsie 24
Crow Creek and Lower Brnle, John G. Gasmaun 27
Fort Berthold, Jacob Kauffman 31
Pine Ridge, V. T. McGillycuddy 34
Rosebud, James G. Wright 38
William J. Cleveland, missionary 43
Sisseton, Charles Crissey 45
Standing Rock, James McLaughlin 47
Yankton, William M. Ridpath 52
Idaho :
Fort Hall, A. L. Cook... 53
Lemhi, John Harries.... 55
Nez Peree", Charles E. Monteith 56
Indian Territory:
Cheyenne and Arapaho, John D. Miles 60
D. B. Hirschler, superintendent Arapaho school 66
Ervin G. Taber, superintendent Cheyenne school 67
H. Voth, teacher evening, school 68
S. S. Haury, missionary 68
Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita, P. B. Hunt 70
J. B. Wicks, missionary 73
Osage and Kaw, L. J. Miles 73
Pouca, Pawnee, and Otoe, Le wellyn E. Woodin 75
Quapaw, D. B. Dyer 79
Sac and Fox, Jacob V. Carter 84
Union, John Q. Tufts 87
II CONTENTS.
Page.
REPORTS OF AGENTS Continued.
Iowa:
Sac and Fox, George L. Davenport 90
Kansas :
Pottawatomie and Great Nemaha, H. C. Linn 92
Michigan :
Mackinac, Edw. P. Allen 94
Minnesota:
White Earth, C. P. Luse 95
Montana :
Blackfeet, John Young 96
Crow, H. J. Armstrong 98
Flathead, Peter Ronan 99
Fort Belknap, W. L. Lincoln 101
Fort Peck, S. E. Snider 103
Nebraska :
Omaha and Winnebago,. George W. Wilkinson 105
Santee, Isaiah Lightner 107
Nevada:
Nevada, Joseph M. McMaster 110
Western Shoshone, John S. Mayhugh Ill
New Mexico :
Mescalero and Jicarilla, William H. H. Llewellyn 116
Frank W. Reed, farmer, in charge of Jicarilla subagency 118
Navajo, D. M. Riordau 119
Pueblo, Pedro Sanchez 123
New York :
New York, Benj. G. Casler 124
North Carolina:
Cherokee, Samuel B. Gibson 125
Oregon :
Grand Ronde, P. B. Sinnott 126
Klamath, L. M. Nickerson 127
Siletz, F. M. Wadsworth 129
Umatilla, E. J. Sommerville 132
Warm Springs, John Smith 133
Texas :
Tonkawa, Lieut. E. Chandler, U. S. A 136
Utah :
Ouray , J. F. Miuniss 137
Uintah Valley, Elisha W. Davis 139
Washington Territory:
Colville, John A. Simms. 141
Neah Bay and Quinaielt, Oliver Wood 143
R. M. Rylatt, teacher in charge at Quiuaielt 146
Nisqually and S'Kokomish, Edwin Eells 147
G. W. Bell, principal Puyallup school 149
Tulalip, Patrick Buckley - 151
Yakama, R. H. Milroy 151
CONTENTS. Ill
Page.
REPORTS OF AGENTS Continued.
Wisconsin :
Green Bay, D. P. Andrews 157
La Poiute, W. R. Durfee... 157
Wyoming :
Shoshone, James Irwin 313
Report of Capt. R. H. Pratt, U. S. A., in charge of Indian training school at Car-
lise, Pa 161
Report of S. C. Armstrong, principal Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute . 165
Report of H. J. Minthorn, in charge of Indian training school at Forest Grove,
Oreg 180
Indian legislation by the second session of the Forty-seventh Congress 184
Tabular statement showing the present liabilities of the United States to Indian
tribes under treaty stipulations 192
Tabular report of the condition of trust-funds 198
Statement of j receipts and disbursements on account of sales of Indian lands since
November 1,1882 203
Statement of salaries and incidental expenses paid at agencies for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1882, 204
Statement of disbursements made from appropriations for the Indian service for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883 210
Executive orders relating to Indian reservations issued since December 12, 1882.. 221
Schedule giving names, location, and areas of Indian reservations, and the author-
ity for establishing the same 226
Appraisement of Otoe and Missouria lands 238
Table showing educational and missionary work carried on among Indians by re-
ligious societies 240
Statistics relating to Indian schools 246
Table showing population, industries, and sources of subsistence of various Indian
tribes, together with religious, vital, and criminal statistics 266
Statistics relating to lands, agricultural improvements, live stock, crops, &c., of
Indians at their respective agencies 286
Table showing prevailing diseases among Indians, number of cases of sickness
treated, &c 304
List of members of the Board of Indian Commissioners, with their post-office ad-
dress 315
List of agencies formerly assigned to religious denominations 315
List of inspectors and special agents * 315
List of agents, with their post-office and telegraphic address 316
Abstract of proposals received and contracts awarded for supplies, transportation,
goods, hardware, school books, and medicines for the Indian service 319
ABSTRACT OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN REPORT OF
COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Page.
Appropriation to survey Indian reservations IV, XVII
Law to prevent sale of fire-arms to Indians IV
Increase in pay of Indian police : IV
Appropriation to defray expense of detecting and prosecuting liquor-sellers. IV
Repeal of law allowing War Department to introduce liquor into the Indian
country V
Law imposing more severe penalty for sale of liquor to Indians VII
Change in manner of making appropriations so as to allow Department dis-
cretion in their disbursement VIII
Increase in appropriation for buildings at agencies IX
Appointment of an officer to look after the interests of Indians having
claims against the Government X
On admission of new States into the Union, the extension of jurisdiction of
their courts over Indian reservations XI
Extension of State and United States law over all Indian reservations. .... XI
Appropriation to defray expense of maintaining the " court of Indian
oifenses" XV
Allotment of lands in severalty to Indians and issuance of patents there-
for XV, LII, LVI, LXVI
Remission of fees and commissions to Indians entering homesteads XVIII
Ratification of agreements with Indians granting right of way to railroads . XX, XXIII
Amendment of law so as to punish intruders on Indian lands by imprison-
ment as well as by fine XXIII
Legislation to prevent timber depredations on Indian lands XXVI
Passage of Indian appropriation act before March 1 XXX
Increased appropriations for Indian education XXXIII. XXXVII
Appropriation for schools in Alaska XLI
Allowing Department discretion as to rates of compensation to be paid
clerks XLII
Legislation allowing lease of coalmines on San Carlos Reservation, Arizona. XLIV
Legislation for relief of Mission Indians in California XL VI
Ratification of agreement for cession of portion of Fort Hall Reservation,
Idaho XLIX
Appropriation for survey of boundaries of Creek lands to be sold to Semi-
noles LI
Legislation for relief of freedmen in Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations.. . LII
Appointment of a commission to settle disputes relative to intruders and
citizenship in the five civilized tribes LIII
Legislation for the settlement of estates of deceased Kickapoo allottees. .. LV
Legislation providing for payment of Kansas Indian indebtedness L VII
Deficiency appropriation for relief of Indians in Montana LIX
Appropriation to reimburse settlers for improvements made on Duck Val-
ley Reservation, Nevada LXIV
Appropriation to reimburse Ute removal fund for amounts paid for surveys
and improvement of settlers LXVIII
Ratification of agreement for cession of land made with Chief Moses LXIX
IV
REPORT
OP THE
COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, October 10, 1883.
SIR: In the performance of a duty imposed on me by law, I have the
honor to submit herewith my annual report for the year 1883.
In reviewing the operations of the last year it is gratifying to find
that not only has no backward step been taken in the march of im-
provement among the Indian tribes, but some decided advance has
been made. Particularly is this true in the matter of industrial school
education. Some tribes have been persuaded to send their children to
industrial schools that have heretofore successfully resisted all efforts
to induce them to do so. Whatever of success has been attained in
this matter is attributable largely to the increased appropriations which
the last Congress wisely made for this purpose. Whatever differences
of opinion may exist in reference to many questions of policy as applied
ro the Indian tribes, one question may now be considered as settled
beyond controversy, and that is that the Indian must be taught to work
for his own support, and to speak the English language, or he must
give place to people who do. It is a grave mistake to suppose that
in matters of detail and of minor importance the same rule will apply
to all Indians, because some are as different from others as the people
of different nationalities; but on the subject of labor and language, the
rule is and must be uniform and universal; and it is encouraging to
know that the Indians of 1883 are in advance of the Indians of 1882
in this respect. This subject is discussed more fully on page xxx.
In my report of one year ago I called attention to many of the diffi-
culties with which this office has to contend in administering its affairs,
and which it was hoped would be cured by legislation, some changes
in law and practice being absolutely necessary if efficiency and econ-
omy were to be attained. But owing, I presume, to the press of busi-
ness and the shortness of the session, the needed relief was not obtained ;
so that we are now dragging along in many of the old ruts of the past,
some of which have become dangerously deep. But inasmuch as my
duty is performed when I call attention to needed legislation and state
(m)
IV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
the facts, and not until then, I must of necessity repeat in substance
part at least of what was contained in my last report.
Among the things needed to secure success and efficiency in solving
what is called the Indian problem are:
First. An appropriation to survey the out-boundaries of Indian reserva-
tions, so that both Indians and white men may know where they have
rights and where they have none. This will save not only much trouble
and expense, but also many lives of both white men and Indians. This
subject is also treated more at length on page xvn of this report.
Second. A law for the punishment of persons who furnish arms or am-
munition to Indians. No such law now exists.
Third. More liberal appropriations for Indian police. I have urged
this before, and repeat it now, for a very little reflection will satisfy any
one that the present pay is no just compensation for the services of a
man and horse. Our Indian police are an absolute necessity, and have
in almost every instance rendered very valuable service, and ought to
have more encouragement and support. The pay of these police as now
fixed by law is $5 per mouth for privates and $8 per month for officers, a
compensation entirely inadequate to their proper support, especially as
many of them have families, which at non-ration agencies are not entitled
to rations. As it is the duty of an agent to be careful in making his se-
lections for the force, good men are secured only with the greatest diffi-
culty. One agent, on this particular point, very appropriately remarks^
" Should the pay be increased, the best men in the tribe could easily
be enlisted as a road to distinction that formerly was the reward of
prowess in battle or skill in hunting." I must, therefore, take this op-
portunity of repeating the recommendation made in my last annual
report, " that commissioned officers be paid $15 per month, sergeants,
$10 per month, and privates $8 per month." I am still, however, of the
opinion given in that report, that "a much more satisfactory arrange-
ment would be to invest the Commissioner of Indian Affairs uith dis-
'cretionary power as to pay of Indian police, the service at some agencies
being of vastly more importance than at others." It is hoped that a
liberal spirit of legislation will be manifested toward this very important
matter in the next Congress.
Fourth. An appropriation of money sufficient to defray the expense of
detecting and prosecuting persons icho furnish intoxicating liquor to In-
dians. The reports of my predecessors for the last 30 years agree with
singular unanimity in reference to the trouble among Indians growing
out of the use of intoxicating liquors, and the fact has been established
beyond controversy, that it has been productive of more disease, crime,
and loss of life, than all other causes combined. The laws now in force
on this subject are found in Sections 2087, 2139, 2140, and 2141, Revised
Statutes, but experience has proven these laws to be insufficient to stop
the traffic complained of. The public holds this office accountable for
the maintenance of good order on Indian Reservations, and when laws
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAJs 7 AFFAIRS. V
are violated and life and property destroyed, the blame is unreasonably
charged to a failure of the Bureau to enforce existing laws. From the
best information I have been able to obtain, it seems that our neigh-
bors in Canada manage this liquor question amongst their Indians bet-
ter than we do. ,
The minister of the interior in one of his reports some time since uses
this language :
Two acts passed during the recent session of Parliament claim special notice in
connection with Indian affairs, one of which " prohibits" the importation into or
manufacture in the northwest territories of all intoxicating liquors, and enforces such
prohibition by the most stringent provisions. The other authorizes the establishment
of a mounted police with ample powers to carry out the provisions of the liquor law.
After making this statement, he proceeds to say :
The united operation of these two acts has already done much towards the sup-
pression of the liquor traffic. The liquor law and the mounted police have together
succeeded in stamping out almost entirely the vice of drunkenness.
If this can be done in Canada it can be done here, but it cannot be
done unless money is appropriated to pay the expense of enforcing the
laws already on our statute books. I have repeatedly asked for this,
and now ask again. An Indian, in speaking on this subject, said :
We don't make whisky ourselves, and we tell our young men not to drink it, but
we can't help it so long as white men sell it to them. We don't know how to make
the white men take the whisky away, but the great men at "Washington do. We
iiope they will help us.
And I now add my voice to that of the Indian and urge upon the
u great men at Washington" to make it possible for this Bureau to de-
tect and prosecute the wretches who violate law, and transform other-
wise peaceable Indians into intensified savages by introducing fire-water
among them.
Another aspect of the subject also demands attention. Most Indians
will drink intoxicating liquor whenever and wherever they can get it.
It will therefore be impossible to eradicate this evil so long as the law
authorizes any Department of the Government, or any agent thereof,
to introduce liquor on an Indian reservation on any pretense whatever.
Section 2139, Revised Statutes, makes it a
Sufficient defense to any charge of introducing or attempting to introduce liquor into
the Indian country, that the acts charged were done by order of or under authority
from the War Department, or any officer duly authorized thereunto by the War De-
partment.
And section 2140 provides that
It shall moreover be the duty of any person in the service of the United States, or
of any Indian, to take and destroy any ardent spirits or wine found in the Indian
country except such as may l)e introduced there by the War Department.
No one claims that liquors thus "introduced" are less pernicious in
their effects than those obtained from any other source. These laws
were passed when the Indians were under the control of the War De-
partment, and there is certainly no reason why this extraordinary privi-
VI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
lege should longer be retained. In my opinion no ardent spirits should
be introduced into the Indian country under any pretense whatever,
nor their sale permitted within twenty miles of an Indian reservation;
but under existing laws on the subject, it is a notorious fact that ale,
beer, and preparations of alcoholic stimulants, disguised as medicines,
are sold at military posts to soldiers and civilians; and although the
post traders are not permitted to sell it directly to the Indians, yet it is
an easy matter for the Indians to obtain it from the soldiers and civil-
ians to whom it is furnished.
By General Order No. 24, dated February 22, 1881-, issued from the
Headquarters of the Army, by order of the President, the sale of intox-
icating liquors at military posts and stations was forbidden; but it is
claimed that lager beer and other malt liquors are not considered " intox-
icating liquors," and therefore are not prohibited in the aforesaid order.
Ilence post traders under the supervision of the War Department con-
sider themselves authorized to buy and sell malt liquors in such quan-
tities as may suit the demands of their trade. As an illustration of the
working of this construction of the President's order, it has been stated
that at one of the military posts, where the troops number less than
than 200, 72,000 pints of lager beer were consumed in three weeks,
which is about 17 pints per day for each man. I am also informed that
most of the lager beer which is sold at these military posts is made ex-
pressly for that particular trade, and contains from 25 to 40 percent, af
proof spirits, instead of the 5 to 12 per cent, contained in the ordinary lager
beer. I am therefore constrained to believe that until the right to dis-
pose of liquor of any kind, under whatever name or subterfuge its sale
or introduction on or near an Indian reservation may be attempted, is
forbidden bylaw, its sad and demoralizing effects among the Indians will
continue to exist.
Almost every mail brings complaints, from both whites and Indians,
of wrongs and outrages committed by drunken Indians. The follow-
ing extract from the letter of an Indian agent may serve as a sample
of many others:
SIR : I was much pleased to observe a report that you were determined to spare no
effort to suppress the whisky trade among the Indians. Now, whether in this item of
news there is any truth or not, one thing is certain, that no more potent obstacle ex-
ists, to the civilization of the Indian than the curse of intoxicating drinks. I have
more to contend with in this direction than in all others. Under its baleful influence
the men are robbed of their land and hard earnings, the women are demoralized and
rendered worse than brutes, and all are kept in the vilest of degradation, and much
of t!'.e effort to lift by education and improvement these otherwise peaceful and law-
abiding people from their normal condition of barbarism is frittered away through
the heartless cupidity of the dealer in this poisonous stuff.
But bad as it is here, I think among the Indians of the far West and Northwest it is
infinitely worse. I was recently informed by a gentleman who has been some time at
Standing Rock Agency, that the influence of this poisonous stuff was fearful ; and at
all the military posts among the Indians, while the Indian trader was prohibited
from selling liquors at any rate, the post trader at the military post in the immediate
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. VII
vicinity, made the sale of intoxicating beverages his principal business, and, for the
population, the amount was simply enormous ; that while he was there, a single
steamboat lauded for this man six car loads of 1/eer and fifteen barrels of whisky ;
that while he was not allowed to sell to Indians he sold ad libitum to officers and sol-
diers, and the scenes of drunken debauchery in which not only soldiers and Indians
mingled promiscuously, and not infrequently officers also, were too shameful to narrate,
and the degradation to which these guardians of the nation's honor subjected the
Indian women is too disgraceful to be named.
I also submit that the punishmen ts imposed by existing statutes on
this subject are not commensurate with the enormity of the crime com-
mitted. The law, as it now stands, makes the penalty for its violation
not more than two years imprisonment, and not more than three hun-
dred dollars fine. It should read not less than two years, and not less
than three hundred dollars. I deem this change absolutely necessary,
in view of the fact that some of the courts are extremely tender-hearted
when sentence is to be pronounced on a wretch who furnishes liquor to
Indians. In some cases, after an expenditure of much time and money,
the guilty party has been fined one dollar, or imprisoned one day, and,
as a consequence, the violator of the law laughs at the farce, and goes
on with his nefarious business.
So much has been written in almost every report for the la-st thirty
years, and so little attention has been given by Congress to the various
recommendations for more stringent laws on this subject, that it would
appear superfluous to bring the matter so constantly to your attention;
but I am so clearly convinced that the suggestions made, if enacted into
a law, would materially aid the Department in raising the Indians to a
higher state of civilization, that I would be derelict to my duty if I
failed to repeat and reaffirm my official observations and convictions in
this regard. If my space would allow I could fill pages with the testi-
mony of civil and military officers in support of what is here stated, and
I earnestly hope that Congress will see the necessity of making such
changes in the law as will make it possible to punish those who furnish
intoxicating liquors to Indians.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Under the present system of making appropriations for the Indian
service, and the rulings of the accounting officers of the Treasury in the
settlement of accounts, this office is very much embarrassed, and large
loss of funds is occasioned. Money that might be very advantageously
used if the Department had any power to exercise its discretion in the
matter, now goes back into the Treasury every year, to the amount of
hundreds of thousands of dollars, because some change or circumstance
occurs that could not possibly have been foreseen at the time the appro-
priation was made. If the appropriations were made more in bulk, or
so as to allow the Department to use its discretion in their expenditure,
so that any part of an appropriation not needed for the object or pur-
pose for which it was made, or that could be spared therefrom, could
rill REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
be used for some other object or purpose in the Indian service, it would
aid very materially the smooth and successful operations of this
office ; provided always, however, that no treaty stipulations should in
any manner be interfered with. No one, however well posted in the
affairs of the Indian Office, can by any possibility know exactly what
will be needed at every point for one year in advance, and as a matter
of course members of Congress cannot be better posted in these matters
than those whose business it is to watch every part of it for three hun-
dred and sixty-five days in the year. If Congress will fix the amount
to be expended for the Indian service, and leave the Department to dis-
tribute it as the wants of the service, seem to require, lam confident it
would be a great improvement on the present manner of doing business.
Under the present system some non-treaty tribes of Indians receive 3
pounds gross of beef per capita each day, and some 2 ounces per capita
each day. If the plan I suggest were adopted, this disproportion could be
remedied, while it cannot be remedied under the present system.
If the manner of making the appropriations for the Indian service be
contrasted with that of the War Department, it will add strength to the
suggestions which I have made. The appropriations for the War De-
partment for the year 1883, amounting in round numbers to $25,000,000,
were made under less than sixty different heads, leaving, very properly
as I believe, a large discretion with the Secretary of War as to their
disposal. The appropriation for the Indian service of about one-fourth
that amount is cut up into about two hundred and sixty separate and dis-
tinct appropriations, each one of which must be used as specially pro-
vided, and for no other purpose, although it may happen that in one
place there is an abundance, while in another want and famine may pre-
vail. In other words, the whole War Department with all its bureaus
has only about sixty different appropriations, while th'e Indian Bureau
alone has its appropriations under two hundred and sixty different
heads. I have thought it my duty to call attention to this in order that
the much-needed change may be made in the manner of making appro-
priations for the Indian service.
INDIAN AGENTS.
The impression seems to prevail to a great extent that almost any man
will do for an Indian agent, and as a consequence of this belief, men who
are broken down physically, financially, or politically are frequently
recommended for that position. The civilization and elevation of the
Indians depends more upon the agents who have Iheir immediate care
and management than upon any and all other instrumentalities com-
bined, and hence none but the best class of men should be selected for
this service, and to them a fair compensation should be paid. I said in
my last report, and say now, that
If the agent is an honest, industrious, and intelligent Christian man, with the physical
ability and disposition to endure hardships and courageously encounter difficulties
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. IX
ami disappointments, or, in other words, if he is morally, mentally, and physically
above the average of what are considered good men, he will work wonders among
these wards of the nation.
Sometimes such men are found who are willing to undertake this
work for the good that they hope to accomplish, but they soon find
themselves surrounded with difficulties and hampered and embar-
rassed by regulations and rulings that are not to be found in any other
business or any other department of the Government ; and in place of
the support and sympathy which they expected from the Government,
they are harassed and annoyed by technical rulings in conducting the
affairs of tlie agency to such an extent that they become disheartened,
despondent, and disgusted, and abandon the work upon which they
entered with high hopes of doing good. One agent, who was appointed
upon the earnest solicitation of a United States Senator from his State,
wrote me a few weeks since, after being in the service about one year r
using this language:
If I had known at the time of ray appointment of the heavy responsibility, trouble,
sleepless nights, and agony of mind I have had to undergo, $5,000 salary would not
have tempted me to accept the office. I would now resign if I could in justice to
myself and bondsmen.
Another of our agents, a live, wide-awake, energetic man, in tendering
his resignation for the second time a few weeks since, uses the following
language:
I respectfully beg leave to renew the tender of my resignation. It is needless for
me to add any reasons to the ones already given, but I will say this: I am thoroughly
convinced after digesting all that was said to me by the chief of the Indian division
of the Second Comptroller's Office, that no care, no honesty, will prevent a man in
this position from being robbed by legal pr*ocess, and further, that the Indian Bureau
is powerless to protect its officers. I am satisfied that no agent can perform the
higher duties for which he was placed here without sooner or later being compelled
to spend his own money to defend himself from some unjust charge. I have the
assurance of this same chief of division in the Second Comptroller's Office, that in case
an agent acting on his own j udgment did, by an expenditure of five dollars, save the
Government a million, he would compel him to refund that five dollars if he could.
I cannot afford, after doing my whole duty, to spend a thousand dollars, to prove it,
and I don't propose to spend my money on claim agents, either.
The Indian service loses very many of its best agents because of the
unnecessary and vexatious manner of keeping and settling their ac-
counts. No mercantile or manufacturing business could be carried ou
one year on the same system. I am compelled to say that it is wrong
in principle and in practice, and is in effect discounting good men and
offering a premium on bad or incompetent ones.
In addition to this, many of the Indian agents have to live in houses
which are in wretched condition, much less comfortable than stables
for horses and mules in civilized communities. At least $100,000
should be appropriated this year for construction and repair of build-
ings at agencies.
X REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CLAIMS OF INDIANS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
The practice of approving contracts to collect from the Government
money due the Indians is one that, in my judgment, ought not to exist.
The Government claims to be the guardian of the Indians, and as such
is clearly under obligation to guard their interests and protect them in
their rights; but, under section 2103 of the Revised Statutes, it has for
years been the practice to approve of contracts by which outside parties
Lave taken from the Indians hundreds ei' thousands of dollars for serv-
ice which ought not to have cost the Indians one cent. If the Gov-
ernment, acting as guardian, owes, or holds in trust for the Indians,
money or property belonging to them, the clearest and plainest dictates
of common sense and common honesty require that the ward should not
be compelled to suffer loss to obtain what is justly due him. During
the last four years agreements have been entered into between Indians
and different attorneys by which these attorneys were to receive from
the Indians $755,221.28 for collecting from the Government money said
to be due the Indians. Now it is very certain that if money is due any
tribe of Indians that fact can be ascertained by some officer of the Gov-
ernment who has access to all the treaties and the laws made in pursu-
ance thereof as readily as by any other person, if not more readily, and I
submit that it is the duty of the Government to see that the wards of
the nation receive, free of cost, what is justly due them, while it is
equally the duty of the Government to see that no unjust claim is paid.
During the last session of Congress I had the honor to address a
letter to you on this subject, which I believe met with your entire
approval, in which I suggested that provision should be made by law
for the appointment of an officer who should attend to all cases where
money might be justly due from the Government to the Indians ; that
this should be his entire business; and that he should receive such a
salary as would secure the services of a person with sufficient legal
ability, integrity, and business capacity to see that no injustice is done
either the Government or the Indians. It may be said that this is a
departure from the rule that has governed the Department for many
years, but I submit that that is no argument against it, unless it can be
shown that age sanctifies error.
LAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIANS.
In the annual reports of this office for several years past, attention
has been invited to the urgent necessity for the enactment of some suit-
able code of laws for Indian reservations. Indians in the Indian country
are not punishable for crimes or offenses committed against the persons
or property of each other. Such offenses are generally left to the pen-
alties of tribal usage, involving personal vengeance or pecuniary satis-
faction, or the offenders are subjected to a few weeks or months arbi-
trary confinement in an agency guardhouse or military fort. The Indian
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XI
is not a citizen of tbe United States. He cannot sue or be sued under
the judiciary act of 1789, and only gets into Federal courts as a civil
litigant, in occasional instances, by favor of special law, and in many of
tbe States and Territories be bas no standing at all in court.
Tbe evils resulting from this state of affairs are forcibly described by
Bishop Hare in bis annual report, dated September 11, 1877. He says:
Civilization has loosened, in some places broken, the bonds which regulate and hold
together Indian society in its wild state, and has failed to give the people law and
officers of justice in their place. This evil still continues unabated. Women are
brutally beaten and outraged ; men are murdered in cold blood; the Indians who are
friendly to schools and churches are intimidated and preyed upon by the evil-disposed ;
children are molested on their way to school, and schools are dispersed by bands of
vagabonds ; but tbere is no redress. This accursed condition of things is an outrage
upon the One Lawgiver. It is a disgrace to our land. It should make every num
who sits in the national halls of legislation blush. And, wish well to the Indians as
we may, and do for them what we will, the efforts of civil agents, teachers, and mis-
sionaries are like the struggles of drowning men weighted with lead, as long as by the
absence of law Indian society is left without a base.
No action has been taken by Congress on repeated recommendations
from this office and numberless petitions from Government officials,
institutions, religious societies, missionaries, and other philanthropists,
asking for the enactment of a general statute putting Indians under the
restraints and protection of law. It has occurred to me that, pending
the long delay in the enactment of a general law on the subject, a con-
siderable body of Indians might soon be brought within the jurisdic-
tion of courts in another way. In Dakota and New Mexico are nearly
00,000 Indians. If, when those Territories become States, it shall be
provided that the respective State courts shall have jurisdiction over
Indian reservations within the boundaries of those States, the condition
of tbe Indians residing therein will be vastly improved. And 'I would
particularly recommend that hereafter, whenever a State is admitted
into the Union, the act of admission shall contain a provision giving to
Indians within its limits all the rights, privileges, and immunities en-
joyed by the citizens thereof, and subjecting them to like penalties, lia-
bilities, restrictions, &c., except in cases specially otherwise provided
for by treaty or act of Congress.
In my opinion, Congress should confer both civil and criminal juris-
diction on the several States and Territories over all Indian reserva-
tions within their respective limits, and make the person and property
of the Indian amenable to tbe laws of the State or Territory in which
he may reside (except in cases where such property is expressly ex
empted by treaty or act of Congress), and give him all the rights in the
courts enjoyed by other persons.
As demonstrating the incongruity of existing statutes in relation
to crimes committed by Indians, and the urgent necessity for a radical
amendment thereof, I desire to invite special attention to an occurrence
which has been brought prominently before this office during the cur-
XII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
rent year. On the 18th September, 1882, Robert Poisal, a lial ('-breed
Arapaho belonging to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation in the In-
dian Territory, while driving home with his niece, Mrs. Meagher, from
the Sacred Heart Mission, in the Pottawatomie country in that Terri-
tory, whither they had been to place some of their children at school, was
shot down and killed by Johnson Foster, a Creek Indian. This occurred
at a point about 45 miles east of the agency, on the Shawneetown road,
about 20 miles from Kickapoo Village, on the Pottawatomie Reservation,
a tract of countiy specially set apart by act of Congress for the Potta-
watomies and Shawnees. There was no apparent motive for the murder
other than plunder. The murderer was arrested by the Semiriole Light
Horse and brought into the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, whence, in
order to escape the summary vengeance threatened by the Arapahoes,
he was turned over to the military authorities at Fort Reno for safe
keeping.
The facts being reported to this Department, and an examination of
the treaties with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians seemingly favoring
the view that the United States court had jurisdiction of the crime com-
mitted, the honorable Attorney-General, upon the recommendation of
the Department, instructed the United States attorney for the western
district of Arkansas to arrange for the immediate removal of the
prisoner to Fort Smith, and for his trial there before the United States
court. Section 2145 of the Revised Statutes provides
Except as to crimes the punishment of which is expressly provided for in this title,
the general laws of the United States as to the punishment of crimes committed in
any place within the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States, except
i he District of Columbia, shall extend to the Indian country.
Section 2146 enacts
The pre6eding section shall not be construed to extend to crimes commuted by one
Indian against the person or properly of another Indian, nor to any Indian committing
any offense in the Indian country who has been punished by the local law of the
tribe, or to any case where by treaty stipulations the exclusive jurisdiction over such
offenses is or may be secured to the Indian tribes respectively. (See ' An act to cor-
rect errors and supply omissions in the Revised Statutes of the United States," ap-
proved February 18, 1875; 18 Stat., p. 316.)
The United States attorney for the western district of Arkansas, hav-
ing expressed the opinion that under section 2146, above quoted, the
United States court was without jurisdiction in the premises, and that
the trial and punishment of the offender was a matter properly belong-
ing to the Indians themselves, the honorable Attorney- General was
inclined to think it would be a useless expense to transport the prisoner
to Fort Smith, but invited a further expression of the views of this De-
partment before issuing definite instructions to the district attorney.
On the 4th November last this office replied through the Department, and
referred to the second clause of the treaties with the Cheyenne and
Arapaho Indians (15 Stat., 593; Id., 655), reading as follows
If bad men among the whites, or among other people subject to the authority of the
United States, shall commit any wrong upon the person or property of the Indians,
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XIII
the United States will, upon proof made to the agent and for wai tied to the Commis-
sioner of Indian Affairs at Washington city, proceed at once to cause the offender
to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also, re-
imburse the injured person for the loss sustained.
and took the position that the murder having been committed within the
Pottawatomie country, the prisoner came within the meaning of the term
' other people subject to the authority of the United States," and was
excepted irorn the general lacv as expressed in section 2146, and therefore
that the United States court could take jurisdiction of the case ; citing
the case of Crow Dog, a Sioux Indian recently tried and convicted by tjie
United States court in Dakota, for the murder of Spotted Tail, an Indian
of the same tribe. On the 7th November last the honorable Attorney -
General replied to the effect that, while admitting there was some ground
for the argument, he considered the question of jurisdiction by the United
States court over the case as so doubtful as to render it inexpedient to
incur the expense of the prisoner's removal and trial at Fort Smith.
The military authorities at Fort Reno, having applied through the
War Department to be relieved of the custody of the prisoner, this
office, in view of the opinion of the Attorney-General, by letter of the
31th June last, inquired of the Department what disposition should be
made of the prisoner. Attention was called to the fact that the courts
of the Creek Nation, to which nation the prisoner belonged, were with-
out jurisdiction, the murder having been committed outside the limits
of their country; that the Absentee Shawnees and Pottawatomies,
within whose boundaries the crime was committed, had no laws appli-
cable to the case, and that neither the Cheyennes and Arapahoes nor the
Absentee Shawnees and Pottawatomies were parties to the reciprocity
compact entered into between the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Osage
and other nations, on the 4th June, 1870 (see Laws of Muscogee, or
Creek Nation, edition 1880, p! 8. r >) ; and it was suggested that in view of
the many complications attendant on the case the Attorney -General be
requested to reconsider his decision, to the end that the question of juris-
diction might be passed upon by the United States court, or that the
Department be pleased to indicate what action should be taken upon the
request of the War Department, in order that full justice might be done
all parties concerned. Said letter having been duly referred to the
Department of Justice, the honorable Attorney-General on the 27th
June last replied at considerable length, setting forth his views on the
legal aspect of the case and adhering to his opinion already expressed
that there was but little ground to hope that the United States court
had jurisdiction of the offense. Recognizing, however, the embarrass-
ments prevailing, he stated that if it occurred to the Department as a
matter of importance that the opinion of the courts should be taken in the
course of a vigorous prosecution of the crime he would cheerfully execute
whatever suggestion might be made, adding that such prosecution, what-
ever its issue, might more effectually call the attention of Congress to the
XIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
general subject, which indeed seemed to require further legislative con-
sideration. Thereupon the Department, upon the recommendation of
this office, availed itself of the Attorney-General's suggestion, and, under
date of the 24th July last, requested that the United States attorney for
the district of Kansas be directed to take the necessary steps for the
trial of the prisoner before the United States district court at Wichita,
Kans., to which, by act of Congress of January (>, 1883, is committed
jurisdiction over all that part of the Indian Territory lying north of the
Canadian Kiverand east of Texas and the one hundredth meridian, not
set apart and occupied by the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole tribes
{22 gtat., 400).
In the mean time the prisoner, Johnson Foster, had been removed from
the guard-house at Fort Reno by a United States deputy marshal en
route to Fort Smith, Arkansas, there to be tried for horse-stealing and
other minor offenses previously pending against him. The deputy
secured a strong guard of troops to assist in escorting the prisoner be.
yond the limits of the agency, notwithstanding which a small party of
young Arapahoes made a bold dash when about 15 miles out from the
agency, and came very near getting their man, but finally abandoned
the attempt. I am since officially informed by the agent that while on
the road to Fort Smith and near the Osage Agency, Foster succeeded
in brutally murdering MeWeir, the marshal's assistant, and in making
his escape. At last accounts he was at large.
Of course, in the event of his recapture, having now murdered a white
man, there can be no failure of justice for want of jurisdiction in the
United States court, but I have purposely referred to this case in detail
as a glaring instance of the injustice of a law which, by remitting the
trial and punishment of a murderer of one of their own race to the
Indians themselves, recognizes the forfeiture of a few ponies or other
property to the murdered man's relatives *as a sufficient atonement for
the crime. I do not undertake to say that the position contended for
by this office in the Johnson case would have been wholly tenable be-
fore the United States court. In that respect I am bound to defer to
the opinion of the honorable Attorney-General, although he admitted
that the question was one by no means free from doubt; but I do ven-
ture to maintain that this case pre-eminently shows that it is high time
that crimes among Indians should be defined by United States laws,
and the Department be relieved from all possible chance of future
embarrassment by reason of the exception contained in the statute re-
ferred to. What is required is a law for the punishment of crimes and
offenses among the Indians themselves, one which shall make the Indian
equally secure with the white man in his individual rights of person and
property, and equally amenable for any violation of the rights of others.
COUllT OF INDIAN OFFENSES.
On the 10th of April last you gave your official approval to certain
rules governing the "court of Indian offenses," prepared in this office
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XV
in accordance with instructions contained in your letter of December 2
last. These rules prohibit the sun-dance, scalp-dance and war dance,
polygamy, theft, &c., and provide for the organization at each agency
of a tribunal composed of Indians empowered to try all cases of infrac-
tion of the rules. Priuted copies of the rules have been sent to the vari-
ous United States Indian agencies (except the agency for the five civ-
ilized tribes), with instructions to agents to nominate the judges pro-
vided for therein. Many of the agents have as yet been unable to or-
ganize the court ; some asking for further time, others reporting their
inability to secure the services of proper men to fill the positions, the
larger proportion, however, assigning as a reason for the delay that their
Indians positively refuse to accept a position as judge unless their serv-
ices in that capacity are paid for by the Government. If this latter ob-
jection were removed, and an appropriation made for the payment of a
stated salary for the judges, say $20 per month, I am of the opinion that
the "court of Indian offenses," with some few modifications, could be
placed in successful operation at the various agencies, 'and thereby
many of the barbarous customs now existing among the Indians would
be entirely abolished.
There is no good reason why an Indian should be permitted to indulge
in practices which are alike repugnant to common decency and morality;
and the preservation of good order on the reservations demands that
some active measures should be taken to discourage and, if possible,
put a stop to the demoralizing influence of heathenish rites. With
this end in view the several courts are to be organized ; but if it is de-
sired to carry this plan into successful operation, it is absolutely necessary
that some arrangement be made to pay a reasonable compensation to
those who are to be called upon to preside as judges. I therefore recom-
mend that the matter be submitted to Congress, asking an appropria-
tion of $50,000 to be used in paying the salaries of the judges, at the
rate of $20 each per month, the surplus to be used in paying other
expenses incident to the organization of the court and the employment
of such officers as may be found necessary to carry out and execute the
various orders and decrees of the court.
In my opinion the appropriation for this purpose would be in the line
of economy, in that it would avoid much of the expense heretofore in-
curred by the Government in its efforts to suppress offenses which now
come under the rules referred to.
ALLOTMENT OF LANDS IN SEVER ALT Y, AND PATENTS.
During the year fifty-one certificates of allotments have been issued
to the Pawnees, under the provisions of the fifth section of the act of
April 10, 1876 (19 Stat., 30), and nineteen to the Chippewas of the Mis-
sissippi, on the White Earth Reservation, under the provisions of the
seventh article of the treaty of March 10, 1867 (16 Stat., 721). Patent*
have been issued as follows : To the Chippewas of Lake Superioi
XVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
and the Mississippi, under the provisions of the third article of the
treaty of September 30, 1854 (10 Stat., 1110), on the La Pointe or Bad
Biver Reservation, thirty-four, and on the Lac Court d'Oreilles Reserva-
tion, eighteen ; to the Wiunebagoes, under the fourth section of the act of
February 21, 1863 (12 Stat., 658), four; to the Kickapoos, under the
provisions of the third article of the treaty of June 28, 1862 (13 Stat.,
624), eleven ; and to the Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of Sioux, under
the fifth article of the treaty of February 19, 1867 (15 Stat., 505), nine;
making the total number of certificates and patents issued one hun-
dred and forty-six. Fifty Santee Sioux have made homestead entries
under the concluding paragraph of the sixth article of the treaty with
the Sioux Indians, concluded April 29, 1868 (15 Stat., 635). Allotments
have also been made by the agents on the Nisqually, Squaxin, Bad
River, and Lac Court d'Oreilles Reservations, the schedules of which
have been returned for correction.
As to the utility and desirability of allotting lauds in several ty to the
Indians and giving them valid titles thereto, I can only reiterate what
has been said in my preceding reports. In no case where allotments
have been made and the titles secured, with proper restrictions, have any
other than the best results followed. I shall, therefore, adhere to the
policy of allotting lands wherever the same can legally be done and the
condition of the Indians is such as to warrant it.
One of the principal obstacles in the way of making allotments, is
the fact that there are no appropriations available for the survey of In-
dian reservations. In many cases allotments are authorized by treaty
on reservations which have never been surveyed, and in other cases on
reservations where the lines and monuments of the survey have become
obliterated. In the latter cases I have, where practicable, authorized
the employment of surveyors to rerun and remark the lines, paying
for the work out of the appropriations for employe's. Your attention is
called to the importance of this matter in another portion of this report.
The agent at the Fort Berthold Agency reports that the Indians
under his charge are anxious to take allotments, and that it would be
greatly to their advantage to do so. There being no law nor treaty
authorizing allotments to these Indians, it is my intention to prepare
and submit for transmission to Congress at its next session, subject to
your approval, a bill granting such authority.
At the last session of Congress a bill was submitted increasing the
allotments to the Nez Perec's in Idaho, and the Willamette Indians on
the Grande Ronde Reservation, from twenty acres as provided for in
the treaty with the Nez Perec's, and from the graduated quantity pro-
vided for in the treaty with the Willamette Indians, to one hundred
and sixty acres for each Indian entitled to an allotment under the
treaties. No action was taken by Congress. As the quantity of land
in each of these reservations is more than sufficient to give the amount
recommended, and the Indians are desirous of having the quantity in-
11EPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XVII
creased, the bill will be again submitted to you for transmission to COD.
gress at its next session.
INDIAN HOMESTEAD ENTRIES.
1 again, and for the third time, invite attention to the necessity of
legislation by Congress to ecable Indians to enter lands under the
fifteenth and sixteenth sections of the act of March 3, 1875, extending
to Indians the benefits of the homestead act of May 20, 1862, without the-
payment of the fees and commissions now prescribed by law, or to the
necessity of placing a fund at the disposal of the Department, which
can V*e used for such payments. I have again submitted an estimate-
for the sum of $5,000, and, as stated in my last Annual Report, 1 trust
that Congress will either amend the law so as to allow Indians to enter
homesteads without cost to them, or make appropriation of the sum
estimated.
SURVEYS OF INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
It would seem that the experience of the last few years had demon-
strated the utter futility of endeavoring to procure adequate appropri-
ations for the survey of Indian reservations. Year after year proper
estimates are prepared and submitted to Congress with the most urgent
recommendations. Last year $100,000 was asked for and but $5,000
was appropriated. For the present fiscal year $100,000 was estimated
for and not a dollar was appropriated ; and there has not been an ap-
propriation of any consequence made for the survey of Indian reserva-
tions during the past ten years. There are thousands of miles of reser-
vation boundaries that have never been defined and marked by official
survey, and the wonder is that the conflicts between the Indians and
settlers are not more frequent than they are, when it is considered that
in very many instances it is found absolutely impossible to determine
which party is in the right. The settlers, surrounding the Indians on
all sides, are anxious to procure good land upon which to settle, while
the Indians themselves are watchful and naturally jealous of their rights.
There is no guide in the matter. The settlers, miners, or herders, as
the case may be, approaching from all directions, and gradually circum-
scribing the Indians to the vicinity of their agencies, are finally con-
fronted by the Indians or their agent with the warning that they are
encroaching upon the reservation. This, in all likelihood, is disputed r
and in the absence of proper marks indicating the boundaries of the-
reservation the dispute continues, engendering the bitterest feeling
which too often ends in unfortunate strife. When it is understood that
all surveys of Indian reservations, by express stipulation of law, are-
executed under the direction and control of the General Land Office (see
2115, Eev. Stats.) with the same safeguards against fraud that are em-
ployed in the survey of the public lands, it is difficult to see why appropri-
ations for these much needed surveys are so persistently withheld. They
5510 IND II
V
XVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
are as much needed to determine the rights of settlers as to protect the
interests of the Indians.
In the fulfillment of treaty stipulations and in carrying out the general
policy of the Government in settling the Indians on individual allot-
ments, it is necessary that arable lands within certain reservations be
subdivided, and it is important in some cases that this be done at once;
yet there is not a dollar available for this special purpose, although it
was intended that a considerable portion of the $100,000 estimated for
should be used in that way.
RAILROADS UPON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Resuming my annual history of railroad operations in connection
with Indian reservations, I report as follows :
Choctaw and Chickasaw Country, Indian Territory. Saint Louis and
Ran Francisco Railroad. In compliance with section 5 of the act of
Congress of August 2, 1882, granting a right of way to the Saint Louis
and San Francisco Railroad Company through the lauds of the Choc-
taw and Chickasaw Indians, the company signified its acceptance of
the provisions of the act, and filed a map of preliminary survey in the
Department within the time prescribed by the act.
Crow Reserve in Montana. Northern Pacific Rattroad. In compli-
ance with the terms of the act of Congress approved July 10, 1882, the
1ST rthern Pacific Railroad Company, on the 23d of August, 1882, paid
into the Treasury of the .United States the sum of $25,000, appropriated
by said act in payment for the lands relinquished to the United States
by the Crow Indians, under the agreement of August 22, 1881.
DeviVs Lake Reserve, Dakota, Jamestown and Northern Railroad
(Northern Pacific Railroad). Ou the 6th June last the Department re-
ferred to this Office a map filed by the Jamestown and Northern Rail-
road Company showing the definite location of its line of road from a
point on the northern line of Stutsman County, Dakota Territory, to a
point at the west end of Devil's Lake, in Ramsey County, Dakota Ter-
ritory, passing through the Devil's Lake Indian Reservation for a dis-
tance of some nine or ten miles. The treaty of February 19, 1867, with
the Sisseton and Wahpeton Indians, by which this reservation is estab-
lished, contains a provision authorizing the construction of railroads.
In reporting upon said map, I recommended that action be taken similar
to that authorized by the Department in 1880 in the case of the appli-
cation by the Lake Traverse and Jamestown Railroad Company and
the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway Company for right of
way across the Lake Traverse reserve (established under same treaty),
and that the agent at Devil's Lake be directed to convene a council of
the Indians for the purpose of arranging the measure of compensation
to be paid to them by the company for the privilege required. Under
date 26th June last, the Department concurred in this recommendation
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XIX
and directed this Office to take the necessary steps to carry the same
into effect. Owing, however, to a dispute which has arisen as to the
western boundary line of the reservation, and which is now being in-
vestigated by the General Land Office, I have thought it advisable to
defer further action in the matter until the lines are properly adjusted.
Flathead Reserve in Montana Northern Pacific Railroad. In my last
annual report I referred to an agreement which had been then lately
entered into between Assistant Attorney-General McCammon, repre-
senting the United States, and the confederated tribes of Flathead,
Kootenay, and Upper Pend d'Oreilles Indians occupying the Jocko or
Flathead Reservation in Montana, for the extinguishment of their title to
lands of the reservation required for the purposes of the Northern Pacific
Railroad, in accordance with the provisions of section 2 of the act of Con-
gress approved July 2, 1804 (13 Stat., 305). This agreement is dated
September 2, 1882, and provides for the surrender and relmquishment
by the said confederated tribes to the United States of all their right,
title, and interest, under treaty of July ]G, 1855, in and to a strip of land
200 feet wide, extending east and west through the reservation, and
containing 1,300 acres, as a right of way and road-bed for the Northern
Pacific Railroad. Also in and to certain plots of land adjacent to said
right of way, and aggregating 130 acres, for depot purposes, &c.
In consideration of such cession, the United States agrees to pay to
the said confederated tribes the sum of $10,000 (being at the rate of
$11.18 per acre), to be deposited in the Treasury of the United States
to the credit of the said confederated tribes upon ratification of said
agreement by Congress, and necessary appropriations therefor, said sum
to be expended for the benefit of the Indians in such manner as the Sec-
retary of the Interior may direct. The United States further agrees
upon like ratification and appropriation to pay to the individual Indians,
members of said confederated tribes, whose names appear on the
schedule marked K, annexed to said agreement, the several sums set
opposite their respective names, amounting in the aggregate to $7,025,
as full compensation tor damages to improvements or fenced or culti-
vated fields which they may sustain, by reason of the surrender and
reliuquishment of said lands or any part thereof, such compensation to
be expended for the benefit of such individual Indians or paid to them
in cash, in the proportion to which they may severally be entitled, ap-
pearing by said schedule, as the Secretary of the Interior may direct.
It is further stipulated in said agreement that all provisions of existing
treaties with said confederated tribes, not affected thereby, shall remain
in full force and effect, and that said agreement shall be subject to
ratification by Congress.
On the 13th January last I had the honor to recommend to the De-
partment that said agreement with accompanying maps and schedule
be approved, and to submit for transmission to Congress the draught
of a bill to accept and ratify the same. Section 3 of the bill as pre-
XX REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
pared provided for the grant of the right of way and the use of the
plots of land so relinquished to the Northern Pacific Railroad Company,
its successors and assigns, for the uses and purposes mentioned in said
agreement, but required the company, as a condition precedent to the
use of the lands, to pay to the Treasurer of the United States, within
sixty days from the passage of the act, the sum of $23,625 thereby pro-
vided to be appropriated, and to file with the Secretary of the Interior
its written acceptance of the conditions of said section.
On the 16th January, 1883, the papers, approved by the Department,
were forwarded to the President, and on the 19th of the same month
were transmitted by him to Congress for consideration. On the same
day the President's message with accompanying papers was referred
to the respective committees on Indian affairs of both houses and or-
dered to be printed. (See Senate Ex. Doc. No. 44, Forty-seventh Con-
gress, second session.) Congress, however, adjourned without taking
further action in the matter. A new bill will be prepared and submit-
ted to the Department for transmission to Congress at the ensuing
session.
Indian Training School, Carlisle, Pa. Cumberland Valley Railroad,
South Pennsylvania Railroad. Both the above-named railroad compa-
nies are engaged in constructing lines of railroad which they propose
shall pass through the Carlisle Military Reservation now occupied, by
consent of the War Department, for Indian school purposes, claiming
the right to enter the reservation under State grant. Under the eighth
section of the first article of the Constitution of the United States, Con-
gress is empowered to exercise exclusive legislation "over all places
purchased by the consent of the legislature of the State in which the
same shall be for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards,
and other needful buildings." The attention of the War Department
and the honorable Attorney- General having been called to the subject,
I am informed that proceedings have been taken to enjoin said railroad
companies from proceeding with the construction of the roads through
the property until such time as Congress shall take action in the matter.
Papago Reserve, Arizona Arizona Southern Railroad. In pursuance
of the act of Congress of August 5, 1882, granting a right of way to the
Arizona Southern Eailroad Company through the Papago Reserve, sub-
ject to the consent of the Indians occupy ing the same, and to the pay-
ment by >aid railroad company to the Secretary of the Interior of such
compensation as should be fixed by him, to be expended by him for the
benefit of the Indians, a council of the Indians was held under direction
of the Department on the 5th of March, 1883, at which the Indians
signified their consent to a right of way for the railroad through their
reservation on condition that the company pay into the hands of the
Secretary of the Interior for their use and benefit the sum of $3,000,
fence the road, and provide suitable safeguards at all road-crossings
and cattle-passings within the limits of the reservation.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXI
These conditions were approved by the Department on March 22 last,
jnd a copy thereof transmitted to the company for its acceptance or
rejection March 31. On the 7th April last the president of the com-
pany replied objecting to the terms imposed by the Indians as being
exceptionally severe, and not justified by the tenor of the act of Con-
gress under which the company had proceeded to take the preliminary
steps for the construction of the road. On the 13th April last this
office replied that the terms upon which the Indians consented to the
right of way did not materially differ from those voluntarily proposed,
to the Indians by the railway company April 21, 1882, viz, the build-
ing of a school-house on the reserve at a cost of $3,000, and fencing of
the road. A definite answer was requested from the company whether
it would accept the conditions or not, but up to the time of closing this
report no reply has been received. I understand, however, that no
action has been taken by the company towards building the road upon
the reserve.
Sioux Reserve in Dakota Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Rail-
way. Since the date of my last annual report this company has paid into
the Department, for the use of the Sioux Indians, the sum of $1,424.76
compensation for right of way and depot grounds on the Crow Creek
Reserve, east of the Missouri River, in accordance with the terms of the
agreement of November 13, 1880. The maps of definite location of the
(140-acre tract' west of the Missouri River, the 188-acre tract east of the
river, taken by the company for depot purposes, and of the right of
way through the Crow Creek Reserve, have severally been approved by
the Department.
Si.weton Reserve in Dakota Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Rail-
vr 0#._In the annual report of this office for 1880 mention was made of
a right of way granted to this company under the provisions of the
treaty with the Sisseton and Wahpeton Indians, February 19, 1867, for
the extension of the Hastings and Dakota Division of its road west-
wardly through the reserve. The compensation stipulated to be paid
to the Indians was at the rate of $1.75 per acre for the lands required
by the company for right of way and station purposes. A map of defi-
nite location of the road was duly filed by the company and approved
by the Department July 22, 1880. The necessary papers evidencing
the formal consent of the Indians were prepared and transmitted to
the agent, but pending the Indians' signature they were destroyed by
fire at the agency.
In the mean time the company had projected another road, known a*
the Whetstone Branch of the Hastings and Dakota Division, running
in a northwestwardly direction through the reservation, and which it
is understood is now partially built. Maps of definite location of the
branch road have been filed by the company with the Department,
action upon which is deferred until the formal consent of the Indians is
obtained upon new papers which have been prepared and forwarded to
the agency for signature.
XXII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AITAIRS.
Umatilla Reserve, Oregon Oregon Railway and Navigation Company.
Under the treaty of June 9, 1855, with the Walla Walla, Cay use, and
Umatilla Indians, occupying the Umatilla Reserve in Oregon, a right of
way is reserved for all roads, highways, and railroads, whenever in the
opinion of the President of the United States the public interest may
require such accommodation. Upon petition presented by the Company
to the President on the 9th July last, praying for the issuance of iiu
Executive order, under the provisions of said treaty, to enable it to con-
struct a line of railway from Pendleton to Centreville, Oreg., through
said reservation, the President, on the loth July last, issued an Execu-
tive order authorizing the company to proceed with the construction of
said road, upon arriving at an agreement with the Indians upon the res-
ervation for compensation to be paid to them by said company for right
of way, such agreement to be subject to the approval of the Secretary
of the Interior, who shall secure to his satisfaction the performance of
the conditions thereby imposed upon the company, and shall prescribe
such further conditions as to filing maps of definite location, &c., as
shall be deemed necessary and proper.
Maps of definite location of the right of way (which covers about 17
miles through the reserve), and oi grounds required for station pur-
poses have been filed in the Department, and, under your instructions to-
this office of the 19th July last, the agent for the Umatillas was directed
to convene a council of the Indians for the purpose of arranging terms
upon which the road could be built without molestation. Under date
of September 4, the agent reported that the Indians had, in council
assembled, on the 17th August last, consented to a right of way, with
necessary grounds for station purposes, on condition that the company
pay to the Secretary of the Interior for their use and benefit the sum
of $5 per acre for the lauds taken and occupied (aggregating 156.75
acres), and compensate individual Indians of the confederated tribes
for damages to their improvements occasioned by the construction of
the road. These terms have been reduced to writing, and signed by a
majority of all the adult male members of the tribes, and accepted by
the company, which (pending completion of the arrangements) has
been permitted to proceed with the building of the road.
Walker River Reserve, Nevada Pah- Ute Indians Carson and Colorado
Railroad. On the 4th December, 1882, I had the honor to submit to
the Department, for transmission to Congress, the draft of a bill to con-
firm an agreement made with the Pah-Ute Indians on the 9th August,
1882, and to grant a right of way to the Carson and Colorado Railroad
Company through the above-named reservation. The agreement in
question provides for a right of way CO feet wide, extending over
and across the reservation about 45 miles, together with the use and
occupancy of four plots of land for station purposes, aggregating 72.313-
acres, in consideration of $750 coin paid by the company to the Indians,
With free transportation for themselves, their fish, game, and products,
to and from all points on the road.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XX TIT
On the 6th December the papers approved were forwarded from the
Department to the President, and by him transmitted to Congress for
consideration on December 8. On the same day the President's mes-
sage, with accompanying papers, was referred to the respective Com-
mittees on Indian Affairs of both houses and ordered to be printed.*
On January 9, 1883, a bill (S. 233G) was reported from the Senate com-
mittee and recommitted; January 16 the bill was reported from the
Seuate committee without amendment. No further action appears to
have been taken by Congress in the matter. A new bill will be pre-
pared and submitted to the Department for transmission toCougiess
at the approaching session.
INTRUDERS ON INDIAN LANDS.
As stated in the previous reports, an amendment to the law in refer-
ence to intruders so as to punish by imprisonment as well as fine is ab-
solutely necessary. An intruder without property has very little fear
of a fine. Some intruders have already been removed several times by
the Indian police or the military, and as often have returned. The pres-
ent law, imposing a fine only, has no terrors for this class of men. All
that can at present be done is to remove the intruder, and if he reappears
to bring a civil suit against him in the nature of an action of debt to
recover the statutory penalty of $1,000. I have yet to hear of a single
instance in which the penalty has been recovered. The result is expense
to the Government for no purpose. Notwithstanding his repeated ex-
pulsion from the Indian Territory, Payne and his party of "Oklahoma
colonists" have twice during the present year made attempts at settle-
ment in that country, requiring the aid of the military, at great expense
to the Government, to effect their removal.
In addition to the urgent recommendations which have repeatedly
been made by this office and the Department on the subject, the Secre-
tary of War deemed this frequent furnishing of troops for the removal
of trespassers, at great expense to the Government, without any prac-
tical results, as a matter of such serious importance in the interests of
the military service and of public economy that on the 2d February
last he addressed a special communication to the President urging the
amendment of section 2148, Revised Statutes, by providing a term of
imprisonment for unlawfully entering upon Indian lands. This com-
munication was transmitted by the President to Congress on the 5th
February last, and on the 3d of the same mouth Mr. Dawes introduced
in the Seriate a bill (S. 2450), some time previously prepared in this
office,! reading as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, That section twenty-one hundred and forty-eight of the Revised
Statutes of the United States be amended to read as follows, namely:
"Every person who without authority of law enters and shall he found upon any
* See Senate Ex. Doc. No. 7, Forty-seventh Congress, second session.
t See House Ex. Doc. No. 145, Forty-seventh Congress, first session.
XXIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Indian lands, tribal reservation, or lands specially set apart for Indian purposes, shall
dfor the first offense, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than five hundred
dollars, and be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than one year ; and for every
^subsequent offense, shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine of not more than ono
thousand dollars, and not lens than five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned at hard
labor for cot more than two years, nor less than one year; and the wagons, teams and
>outfit of such person or persons so offending shall be seized and delivered to tlio
proper United States officer, and be proceeded against by libel in the proper court
.and forfeited, one-half to the informer anil the other half to the United States, and iu
all cases arising under this act, Indians shall be competent witnesses : Provided, hcncever,
That the provisions of this section shall not apply to emigrants or travelers peaceably
passing through such Indian lands, tribal reservations, or lands especially set apart
for Indian purposes, without committing any willful trespass or injury to person or
property."
On the 10th February last the bill as read and referred was reported
foack by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs without amendment,
but Congress again adjourned without taking action in the matter.
While on this subject I desire to say a lew words in regard to the
repeated attempts which have been made by United States citizens
during the past four years to unlawfully appropriate certain lands of
the Indian Territory reserved under treaty by the (lovem merit for Indian
purposes, under the pretext that such lands are open to the public for
settlement. Full accounts of these raids and of the measures taken by
the Government to expel the intruders will be found in the successive
annual reports of this office for the years 1879, 1880, 1881, and 1882.
During the period referred to, D. L. Payne, the recognized leader of the
movement, has been repeatedly arrested only to be released by the mili-
tary authorities on the Kansas border, or held to answer to a civil suit
in the United States court at Fort Smith to recover the penalty imposed
by the statute, a suit invariably terminating without any practical re-
sult. With each repetition the movement appears to acquire additional
strength. From official reports made to the War Department and on
file in this office, I learn that in the expedition which left Arkansas City
for the Oklahoma lands on the 1st February last there were about 230
persons, principally from Kansas and Missouri, including some 20
women and children, with from 80 to 100 wagons tilled with provisions
and forage sufficient to last them 30 or 40 days, and with tents, furniture,
agricultural implements, &c. They appeared in the main to be a well-
to-do, quiet set of farmers, and a different class of people from those who
had been engaged in previous similar enterprises, but they were all well
urmed, mostly with Winchester ritles and carbines, and among them it
was reported there was one man from Wichita, Kans., who had with
liirn a full wagon-load of whisky and cigars, intending to open a saloon
on arriving at their destination.
Besides this party, there were other and smaller outfits which were
discovered and heard of en route from Caldwell and Coffeyville, Kaus.,
to join the main body. Those from Caldwell are stated to have beeu
with one or two exceptions persons without visible means of
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXV
whom the citizens, though deprecating the movement, were glad to get
rid of at aii3 r price.
Payne with his secretary, one W. H. Osburn, traveled with the
Arkansas City party, and at a meeting held there the night before
starting he is said to have roundly abused the Government and the
Army. From the same official sources I learn that every member who
joins the Oklahoma colony pays $2.50 for a certificate of membership
therein, of which 50 cents are retained by the secretary and the remainder
goes into Payne's pockets. The form of certificate is as follows:
[Capt. D. L. Payno, president; Hon. J. M. Steele, treasurer; W. H. Osburn, secretary.]
Certificate of membership.
OFFICE OF PAYNE'S OKLAHOMA COLONY,
Wichita, Nans., , 188.
This certifies that , having paid the fe of two dollars, is a mernher of
Payne's Oklahoma Colony, is entitled to all the benefits and protection of said colony
and an equal voice in all matters pertaining to and the formation of its local govern-
ment.
In testimony whereof the official signatures of the president and secretary are
hereto subscribed, and the seal of the colony attached.
President.
Secretary.
I also learn that Payne issues "land certificates" to persons who do
uot desire to go down themselves by which he guarantees them 160
acres of land in the u Oklahoma Colony" in consideration of $25, which
it is also stated he appropriates to his own use. I have no copy of this
last mentioned certificate; but, even if there are no other controlling in-
fluences at work, it is manifestly a profitable speculation for Payne him-
self, who is not likely to desist from starting these expeditious so long
as he can find persons credulous enough to part with their money on
such worthless assurances, or so long as the law in relation to tres-
passers on Indian lands remains in its present unsatisfactory condition.
From a letter dated June 26 last, addressed to the Department by the
honorable Secretary of War, I am advised that Payne has now ap-
plied to the United States circuit court at Topeka, Kans., for an injunc-
tion restraining military interference with his entrance into and occu-
pation of the Oklahoma district of the Indian Territory, thus bringing
up for judicial decision the whole question affecting the status of said
district; and that the matter has been referred by the War Depart-
ment to the Attorney-General to take such measures as may be deemed
necessary to protect the interests of the United States in the premises.
1 respectfull^ recommend that the attention of Congress be specially
drawn to these aggressive movements on the Indian Territory lands
as illustrating the urgent necessity for speedy and effective legislation,
in regard to trespassers.
XXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
TIMBER DEPREDATIONS ON INDIAN LANDS.
Notwithstanding the repeated recommendations made by this office
for legislation to protect the timber on Indian lands, no definite action
has been taken by Congress, and depredations upon valuable timber,,
especially in the Indian Territory, are of constant occurrence. At the
first session of the Forty-seventh Congress a bill (S. 1C4G), prepared in
this office, extending to Indian lands the provisions of section 5388 of
the Revised Statutes of the United States for the protection and pres-
ervation of timber, passed the Senate with a slight amendment, but
failed to receive action in the House, either at that or the concluding
session. The urgent necessity for this measure is shown in the corre-
spondence set out in the report of the Senate committee,* to which 1 beg
to refer.
CASH PAYMENTS TO INDIANS.
During the year there has been paid to Indians, in cash, as annuity
or otherwise, in round numbers, $745,000. Of this amount $305,000
was used to reimburse the Creek orphan fund, as provided for in the
act approved August 7, 1882; about $220,000 was interest on indebted-
ness to Indians, funded and otherwise; about $13,000 finished the pay-
ment of the principal sum due to the Eastern Miamis, and nearly $10,000
was paid for damages to the property of Indians, the result of their
removal, or the prosecution of public works to the injury of their res-
ervations, &c., thus leaving something less than $200,000 of annuity
payments proper, many of which will expire in the near future by lim-
itation in the various treaties. &c.
CrceJc orphans. The provisions of the act above noted, requiring the
sum of $305,021.58 to be paid to the Creeks who were orphans on the
24th day of March, 1832, or to their heirs, to reimburse the fund due to
them under treaty of that date, from which fund this money had been
diverted by the Government, made it the duty of the Department to
ascertain who were entitled to this payment, and to see that the money
was paid to the actual beneficiaries under the law. The agent who was
to make the payment was therefore instructed to carefully revise and
correct the census list of these Indians, and before enrolling their names
to closely examine and verify the claims of all who presented them-
selves. These instructions he carried out in a very satisfactory man-
ner, submitting a census list showing 27 of the original 573 orphans
still living, and nearly 800 heirs, many being descendants of the third
generation. This list was certified to as correct by all the chiefs, thirty-
nine in number, and by the agent, and, after being carefully examined
and compared with the original rolls, was approved by the Department
on the 28th December, 1882, and the payment made during the follow-
ing March. As no evidences of dissatisfaction therewith have reached
me from the Creeks, I believe that none exists.
* Report No. 392, Forty-seventh Congress, tirst session.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXVII
Eastern Miamis. In my last report I stated that the payment of the
principal sum due to the Eastern Miamis July 1, 1880, was necessarily
delayed until nearly two years had elapsed, but that interest had been
paid for one year after it became due, viz, for 1881. A short time ago,
in compliance with my recommendation, the Department authorized the
payment of all the balance of interest still due and provided for, which
was accordingly computed on each share of this principal sum up to
and inclusive of the various dates on which the payments were made
during the year 1882. In the cases of several who were not paid until
after the expiration of that fiscal year a full year's interest was allowed.
These payments altogether amounted to $6,367.01, leaving to be covered
back into the Treasury $4,695.88 of the $11,062.89 interest provided for
the year 1882. Thus, with the exception of one share of the principal
sum still unpaid, the owner not having been found, a final settlement
of this indebtedness will be made.
Sac and Fox in Iowa. Several of the Sac and Fox Indians in Iowa
still refuse to receipt for their shares of their annuity, which shares are
set aside for them and will remain on the books of this office to their
credit for the present.
Since my last report $10,000 more has been paid to these Indians on
account of their back and current annuities, and at their request the
Department authorized $10,000 more to be expended in the purchase of
land for them. About $9,300 was thus expended, leaving about $700 r
which it was found could not be so used to advantage. With this bal-
ance they wish their chiefs and head men to pay some tribal indebted-
ness, and the Department has approved of its being given to them for
that purpose. They will thus have received $60,000 of annuity since
January, 1882, and, with the exception of about $4,800, all that is so-
due to them up to the end of the fiscal year 1883.
Winnebagoes in Wisconsin. Twenty-five hundred dollars were appro-
priated by the last Congress, as suggested in my last report, ior the
purpose of completing the census of the Winnebago Indians in Wiscon-
sin, as required by the act of January 18, 1881, and an agent was ap-
pointed in April last by the Department for this duty, in which he has
since been continuously engaged. These Indians are very much scat-
tered over the State, and in most cases families have had to be personally
visited wherever located. This and the careful examination into the
rights of all claiming to be enrolled, and of the records of the Land
Office as to homesteads said to be taken up by them in compliance with
the above-mentioned act, and in assisting those who had not located
homesteads to do so, has consumed much time and necessarily delayed
the work ; but it is now nearing completion.
From the reports I have received in reference to the present habits
and condition of a great majority of these Indians, and the well-known
character of many of the whites who surround them, I am convinced
that to pay into their hands any considerable part of the money referred
XXVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
to in the act of January 18, 1881, would just so far frustrate the main
object of the act ; for, notwithstanding any promises they may make,
I am persuaded they will not use it to enter the land they have selected,
nor t* improve it, nor for any good purpose, nor will their wants be in
any sense permanently relieved thereby. Section 2 of the act above
referred to reads that the Department, on completion of the census, i
authorized to u expend for their benefit" certain sums therein stated;
and, farther on, the same section also reads that "all of said sums
(meaning those just above noted] shall be paid pro rata to those per-
sons whose names appear upon the census roll," &c. I have therefore
decided to make this payment in three installments, the second payment
not to be made until it is demonstrated that the first has been judi-
ciously expended, as contemplated in the act
A question which should be considered in connection with annuity
payments is the ruling of the Treasury Department, based on section
3651 of the Eevised Statutes, which ruling is to the effect that Indian
agents are prohibited from procuring the necessary currency and small
change required in making almost all annuity payments by paying a
reasonable exchange to some banking institution nearer to the agency
than the authorized United States depository where the funds may be
placed to the agent's credit. This often necessitates a long journey by
the agent, accompanied by an escort, an unnecessary expense, risk, and
delay, and requires the agent's absence from the agency, where his
presence is always needed. Although the letter of the law may call
for this ruling, 1 do not believe the act was intended by Congress to so
apply, nor, in my opinion, is such application for the best interests of
the service.
PURCHASE, INSPECTION, AND SHIPMENT OF GOODS AND SUPPLIES.
Bids for furnishing goods and supplies for the Indian service were
opened in New York on the 23d of April last. Three hundred and fifty-
two bids were received at the opening in New York, and at the opening
at San Francisco, on the 18th of July, twenty-four bids were received,
making a total of three hundred and seventy-six sealed bids for supply-
ing articles for the Indian service. One hundred and eighty-one con -
tracts were awarded, and were made out in quadruplicate, and each
one accompanied with a bond. The awards in New York were made
by me with the assistance of the Board of Indian Commissioners and
Mr. G. M. Lock wood, chief clerk of the Department, repreiSeutiug the
Department, after the samples offered with the bids had been exam--
ined by inspectors appointed for that jmrpose. The number of articles
required to supply the Indian service are nearly 1,500. and are divided,
exclusive of subsistence stores, such as beef, floiir, sugar, coffee, &c.,
and exclusive of medicines and school-books, into fifteen classes, as fol-
lows : 1st, blankets ; 2d, woolen goods ; 3d, cotton goods ; 4th, cloth-
ing ; 5th, boots and shoes j 6th, hats and caps; 7th, notions; 8th, gro-
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXIX
ceries; 9th, crockery and lamps; 10th, furniture and wooden ware;
llth, saddles,- harness, &c. ; 12th, agricultural implements; 13th, wag-
ons and wagon fixtures; 14th, glass, oils, and paints; 15th, hardware.
The delivery, inspection, and shipment of most of the articles is per-
formed in New York, in a warehouse rented for that purpose. The
manner of receiving, inspecting, and shipping these goods has been re-
peatedly detailed in my reports. From May 23 last to the 15th of
September there were received and shipped from the New York ware-
house 22,718 packages, weighing from one ounce to 500 pounds, the
total weight of these packages being 3,428,638 pounds. All have been
accounted for. The invoices received and permanently recorded as to
name, number, marks, articles, dates of receipt, inspection arid ship-
ment, routes by which goods were transported, and names of transpor-
tation contractors in each instance, were 3,703 sets of four each; three
of each set are transmitted from the warehouse to this office for settle-
ment, and one to the respective agencies. These are in addition to in-
voices covering a large number of shipments from Chicago, Saint Louis,
and other western points, for which the papers are forwarded to the
New York office, carefully examined, and in many instances returned
for correction before being transmitted to this office for payment. The
Bumber of western shipments for which invoices had been received up
to Sept ember 15 is 500, but many are yet to be received, the delay
being doubtless owing to the amount of clerical work necessary to be
done by the inspectors in the West in filling out and signing receipts
after shipment. A detailed record of each shipping receipt is also kept,
which shows the marks, numbers, kinds of packages, character of con-
tents and weight of each package; these receipts are made in duplicate
for shipment and then copied in a special book ibr that purpose. The
number of receipts so recorded, eaeh having been written three times,
is 1.260. This enables the office to trace any package, and in event of
shortage of contents on arrival at the agencies, to locate and determine
(upon receipt of a report from the Indian agent as to the weight of the
package when received by him) the liability for deficiency, whether it
rests with the contractor who furnishes the goods or with the trans-
porter. Nearly 800 requisition sheets have been issued in ordering
goods from contractors, besides the orders for medical supplies, of which
there were 90; these requisitions contain full directions for shipment,
and a schedule of the requirements of each agency, involving the placing
of about 125,000 sets of figures in as many different squares. From
April 24 last to September 15, 731 letters were received at the warehouse
in New York, and 1,175 pages of letters written in answer.
The goods delivered under contracts have been fully up to sample,
and with the exception of two instances where the provisions of Article
V of the contracts were enforced, were satisfactory in every respect; in
accepting the goods in the above instances under Article V of the con-
tracts, the interests of the Government were wholly protected and full
XXX REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
value received. The inspectors have all promptly responded when
called upon and have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner.
In connection with the purchase and shipment of supplies as above
reported, I deem it my duty to again call the attention of Congress,
through the Department, to the importance that contracts for goods
and supplies for the Indian service be let very early in the spring, and
to the consequent necessity that the appropriation bill be passed at an
-early day, if possible not later than the end of February. No schedule
of supplies required can be prepared until the amount of money Con-
gress appropriates is ascertained. After the schedules are made it re-
quires from three to four weeks to have them printed, and under the law
the advertisements calling for bids must be published not less than three
-weeks. In this manner two months are required after the Indian appro-
priation bill has become a law before bids can be opened, and with the
large number of articles required and the number cf contracts generally
awarded on the bids received, it requires from five to six weeks to have
the contracts and bonds executed, the orders for shipment issued, and
-all the complicated machinery by and through which the Government
conducts its business set in motion. Should the Indian appropriation
bill be passed and become a law not later than the end of February, no
.goods could be shipped, under the most favorable circumstances, until
the end of June, and as a large proportion of the goods are for agencies
on the Missouri River and have to be shipped before the close of navi-
gation, which occurs about October 1, the necessity for the early passage
of the bill becomes apparent.
In connection with this subject of purchasing supplies for Indiana,
I wish to place upon record the fact that I find, from an examination of
the records kept by the War Department in the early history of our
Indian affairs, that it was the custom for the Government to furnish to
the Indians "scalping knives" by the thousands. To-day we furnish
nothing of the kind, but in lieu thereof we furnish schools and such
agricultural and mechanical tools and implements as belong to civiliza-
tion and the peaceable pursuits of life. Thus we are substantially
changing their "swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks," and educating them to " learn war no more."
EDUCATION.
The increase in the accommodations for Indian pupils which the school
.appropriations for the last fiscal year made possible, has been followed
by a corresponding increase in the attendance of pupils. Exclusive of
the five civilized tribes the number enrolled at boarding-schools during
the year just closed is 5,139, an increase of 650 over last year. The
-attendance on the day-schools has been 5,102, an increase of 830 over
the preceding year.
Of the 5,139 boarding-pupils, 4,376 have attended schools on reserva-
tions or in their immediate vicinity, 641 have been enrolled at Hampton,
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXXI
Carlisle, and Forest Grove, and 122 have been placed in various schools
iu the States.*
Reservation schools. The boarding acd day schools on reservations
Lave made a creditable record during the year. Nine new boarding
schools have been opened, making the whole number now iu operation,
exclusive of the three training-schools, 79. The new schools for the
Blackfeet in Montana, Pah-Utes in Nevada, Warm Springs, and Uma-
tilla Indians in regon, and the Shoshones in Wyoming, gave boarding-
schools for the first time to 9,000 Indians. Those schools can accom-
modate, however, but 109 pupils and will soon need enlarging. The
Devil's Lake Sioux and Klamaths have each been given a second school,
and the Poucas have seen the long-delayed fulfilment of the i^romise
that a boarding-school should be given them in the Indian Territory.
Industrial training, mainly iu farming and gardening, forms a part of the
curriculum of agency boarding-schools. The schools have cultivated
1,52G acres, and raised 18,334 bushels corn, 4,952 bushels oats, and
19,340 bushels vegetables; made 1,171 tons of hay and 4,325 pounds of
butter. But, as 1 said in my last report, industrial training, especially
in workshops, needs more attention, and a much larger outlay of money
for tools and materials and instruction. What Captain Pratt says in
regard to the Carlisle pupils would apply to all reservation schools :
I think it very desirable that we should have experimental shops for the boys not
] earning trades, where, under the care of a teacher, even the youngest pupils might
have some kind of manual training daily. I do not doubt that the gain in health,
energy, and clear-headednees would make any expenditure in this direction an ulti-
mate economy. We invariably find that when an idle or mischievous boy is put to
work at a trade, his standing is raised in scholarship as well as conduct. In some
cases the improvement has been very remarkable; in not one has it failed of good
results.
An interesting event in the year has been the educational inroad in
the Ute tribe. The wild Southern Utes allowed twenty-seven of their
youth to be taken to the Albuquerque boarding school, although not one
of the tribe had ever before attended any school of any description.
At first the necessary routine and restraint of the school was irksome,
and the labor required was repugnant; but within a few months Agent
Sanchez reported :
On his arrival, one boy who aspired to the leadership of his fellows and who thought
he should have fifty cent s for bi iuging a pail of water and refused to perform any labor
without pay, has been kindly and gradually led to change his views and has become
a ready, willing worker, being especially interested in the industry of gardening.
On ] :eing asked whether he had any word to send to his people, he soon replied : "Yes,
tea ".aem to make a garden ; I think a garden is a good thing."
It was not without repeated assurances that the other branches of the
0"te tiibe could be made to believe that their relatives had gone so far
over to the side of civilization.
Twenty-three new day schools are reported, most of them on reser-
XXXII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
vations already provided with boarding schools. They are practically
district schools located among settlements of Indians more or less re-
mote from the agency, and needing the influence in their midst of some'
em ploy 6 who can supervise their farming, house-building, and other
practical interests, as well as teach their children. A few day schools
have been discontinued and five have become boarding schools. There
are now 117 in operation. The value of the day school is measured
less by the actual advancement of its pupils in books, than by the
influence of the teacher over them uud their families, and by its im-
portance as a recruiting station for candidates for boarding schools!
both on and off the reservation ; children who cannot be induced to go;
away from home to a boarding school will stray into a day school which
is close at hand ; and afterwards, when their minds are awakened, will !
gladly accept the better opportunities oifered them. Irregularity of j
attendance is a sore discouragement to the teacher; but this can be]
largely overcome by the attraction of a lunch served the pupils daily:
and prepared with their assistance.
The organizing of a system of day schools is meeting with favor among
experienced agents who have large agencies, and desire to place all their
Indians as speedily as possible under some sort of educational influence.
In this way only can the terms of the treaties with the Sioux, Chey-
eiines, and Arapahoes, Kiowas, Comanches, and Kavajoes be fulfilled.
Training schools. No one can read the reports of the Carlisle, II amp- j
ton, and Forest Grove training schools, which will be found herewith, on
l>ages 101 , 1G5, and 180, without being impressed with the gro\ving interest
and value of the work they are doing, and without wishing that it might
be increased four fold. Each school has exceeded the number for which
appropriation was made, and they have enrolled respectively 390, 109, :
and 151 pupils. At each training in industrial and mechanical arts has
been kept in the foreground, and the acquiring of habits of faithful con-
tinuous work has been the point most strenuously insisted upon. The
success attained is fully attested by the number and value of the arti-
cles manufactured in the workshops for the use of the schools, and also*
by the fact that at Carlisle and Hampton they propose to furnish for
the various Indian agencies during the current fiscal year 2,000 pairs of
shoes, 3,350 dozen articles of tinware, 22 dozen bridles and halters, and
450 sets of harness. During the year Carlisle has sent 10 spring wagons
to Indian agencies. The details of the work in these schools have been
given in previous reports and need not be repeated here. Their stand-
ing and importance are now so fully recognized as to need neither
explanation nor defense. They have been visited and inspected by men
and women from all parts of the country, friendly and unfriendly, criti-
cal and lenient, enthusiastic and skeptical. The verdict has been uni-
form that these schools should be continued and enlarged, and other
similar ones established. A visit to either of these schools will remove
the most obstinate prejudice against Indian education.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXX11I
The first Forest Grove " graduates w were returned to their homes this
year. Superintendent Minthorn says:
The first two lots of children that were brought to the school came with the un-
derstanding that they were to remain three years, and that time having expired,
they were allowed to return home, but fifteen have returned to the school with
the intention of remaining two years longer. Those that have remained at home
are, with the exception of two, doing well. Three of the carpenters are working
at their trade in New Tacorna, Wash., taking contracts, furnishing all the ma-
terial, and building houses. They are giving good satisfaction and are making
good wages. Two Indian agents have applied to the school for teachers for agency
schools, but Government salaries were not a sufficient inducement, as the boys who
have learned trades can get from two to four dollars per day and plenty of work.
The indications at present seem to be that pupils leaving this school after having
completed the course of study and learned a trade will generally seek employment
among whi te people. But as most of the Indians upon this coast have good land, many
will engage in farming, and for this reason it is doubly important that the school
should have a farm.
There does not seem to be so encouraging an outlook for girls leaving the schools as
for boys; there does not seem to be any good place for an Indian girl in the present
state of Indian society. Out of fifteen girls that were allowed to return to their
homes, eleven have returned to the school, and one other is very desirous of returning;
and two have been married to two young men who had been among the first to come
to this school. They have made comfortable, pleasant, and happy homes. Ten others
who have been here before have requested us to reserve places for them, as they
intended to return in the fall.
Want of money and want of room has compelled the refusal of many
urgent applications for admission to the Forest Grove school. It is a
great mistake that Congress should have limited to 150 the number of
pupils to be received in the only training school west of the liocky
Mountains, especially when the parents readily surrender their chil-
dren for a five years' course. This school is not yet fairly equipped for
work. Its buildings are unsubstantial in construction and inadequate in
size, but are as good and commodious as the meager funds allowed
therefor would build. It has no land except the lots on which the build-
ings stand, offered for that purpose by Pacific University. Its small
leas/fed farm is not adjacent to the buildings. Funds should be furnished
immediately to put up new buildings on a location not far from Forest
Grove, where citizens have offered to donate to the Government lor that
purpose a large tract of good laud. I hope Congress at its next session,
will appropriate not less than $25,000 for this purpose, and will provide
for the support of at least 250 pupils in this school.
The students at Hampton have rejoiced this year in the completion
of "Winona Lodge," a $30,000 building erected solely by benevolent
contributions. It is devoted exclusively to the use of Indian girls, who
have hitherto lived in cramped quarters. They take great pride in their
new possession, and put new energy and conscience into their industrial
work, for which it gives ample facilities. For Indian education at Hamp-
ton since 1878, as per General Armstrong's report, the Government
has given $52,000; charity has given $81,000. If the Indian has made.
5510 LND in
XXXIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
friends who are so generously disposed towards him, why should Con-
gress say that only 100 Indians shall enjoy such privileges and bene-
factions, and then provide but $167 per capita with which to partially
pay for their support?
An interesting experiment has been tried at the Hampton school this
year by including among its students three young married couples.
General Armstrong says:
A feature of this year's work has been the taking of young married people as stu-
dents in the school. Three such couples have been received, two from the Omaha
and one from the Sioux tribe. The Sioux and one of the Ornahas each brought with
them a little papoose about a year old. The parents attend school half a day and
work the other half with the other scholars. We have attempted at Hamptan noth-
ing more hopeful than this in training Indians. The husband and wife advance
together with common interests. A home will be established 011 their return to the
reservation and their future will be comparatively secure.
It is interesting to notice as side issues in this experiment the increase of courtesy
in the brave for his wife and the growing care of the mother for her child, and the
effort she makes to keep her husband's possessions, her room and her baby, and, last
of all, herself clean and tidy. Attirst the father evidently regarded tending the little
bit of humanity with scorn; but he has grown to take great pride in his boy, and
often relieves the mother now of part of the burden.
The three families are now in " Wiuona." It is intended to build during the sum-
mer two small frame houses, cost ing $200 apiece, like the better class of houses at the
agencies, and to teach two of the families to make in them as attractive and happy
homes as possible with such materials as can be procured at their homes. Their place
in " Winona" will be filled by other carefully selected young n avried people, who
will in their turn make the same experiment in housekeeping. Funds for these two
cottages have been procured.
It gives me pleasure to report that within another year three new
training schools will be in operation. Stone buildings to accommodate
150 pupils, at Chiiocco, in the Indian Territory, near the Kansas border
innl contiguous to Kansas settlements, will be ready for pupils in Decem-
ber. At Lawrence, Kans., three large stone buildings for 340 pupils
will be completed in January. Near Genoa, Nebr., the old brick Pawnee
school building, standing on what was formerly the Pawnee reservation,
is being thoroughly repaired and enlarged, so as to furnish room for 150
pupil K, and will be finished next spring. The contract price of these
buildings is about $82,000. A large additional expense must of course
be incurred for heating apparatus, furnishing, outbuildings, fencing, &c.
Pupils in schools in the States. Pupils were placed in schools in the
States under the following item of the appropriation act of May 17, 1882 :
And the Secretary of the Interior is further authorized and directed to provide for
the care, support, and education of one hundred Indian children not belonging to the
rive civilized tribes in the Indian Territory at any established industrial, agricultural,
or mechanical school or schools other than those herein provided for, in any of tho
States of the United States, such schools to be selected by him from applications made
to him, at a cost not exceeding one hundred and sixty-seven dollars per annum for
each child; and for this purpose there is hereby appropriated the sum of seventeen
thousand dollars, or so much 'thereof as may be necessary : Provided, That not more
than twenty of said pupils shall be educated in any one State.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXXV
These pupils were divided among schools in six different States.
From all quarters the reports as to their deportment and progress has
been entirely satisfactory. The advantages to Indian youth which
must result from thus placing them in small companies among white
-communities are so evident that a similar appropriation of $75,000 has
been made for the current fiscal year, which will provide for thus edu-
cating nearly 400. I deem it my duty, however, to call attention to the
requirements of the act and the inadequate provision nftide for meeting
those requirements. If the law means anything it means that indus-
trial training shall be a prerequisite, that the girls shall learn sewing
and housework and the boys be given first-class, thorough training in
farming and the various trades; and that, in addition, the ordinary
English branches shall be taught these youth who are unacquainted
with the rudiments of civilized life, or even with the language of their
instructors. No other fund being provided therefor the lodging accom-
modations, clothing, subsistence, medical attendance, and personal su-
pervision of the habits and morals of the pupils must also be paid for
out of the $167 per capita. This implies large buildings, an extensive
outfit in the way of tools, materials, and machinery for carrying on
trades, and a special corps of teachers for the special classes in school-
rooms and shops which would be formed out of these raw recruits
to civilization. Eealiziug the discrepancy between the demands the
office was about to make, and the equivalent it proposed to offer, the
following letter was addressed to forty-three agricultural and mechan-
ical schools endowed by national land grants, being a list contained in
the report of the Bureau of Education :
The last Indian appropriation act provides for the "care and support and education
of Indian children at industrial, agricultural, or mechanical schools in any of the
States of the United States at a cost of not exceeding one hundred and sixty-seven
dollars for each child." It also provides a limited sum to defray the traveling ex-
penses of pupils from their homes to such schools.
The advantage of placing Indian youths in schools remote from reservations, where
they will be surrounded by civilization and be obliged to learn and use the English
language, has been abundantly shown, and the advancement in education and civil-
ization made by Indian pupils under such circumstances Las fulfilled the most san-
guine hopes of the friends of the Indian. This office desires to extend such advantages
to nearly four hundred Indian youths, and to place them in companies of from five to
thirty in such of the various institutions of the country as are interred and prepared
to receive them.
For the care and education of these youths, many of whom will be taken right from
the camp, and most of whom will be ignorant of the English language, special facili-
ties and special methods of instruction will be required. They will need training of
very kind mental, industrial, physical, and religious. The pupil must learn the
language in which he is being taught, and this can only be acquired through object-
lessons given with all the tact and ingenuity which the teacher can command. Out-
side of the school-room equally careful training must be given the girls in all branches
of housekeeping, dairy- work, and sewing, and the boys in farming and gardening, and
in some of the trades of carpenter, blacksmith, wheelwright, shoemaker, tinsmith, &c.
These duties should occupy as much time and attention as the school-room work, and
XXXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER Or INDIAN AFFAIRS.
the instruction should not be theoretical but practical. In a word, Indian pupils
must be taught how to read and write, how to think, how to live, and how to work.
In some institutions it may be difficult to provide the facilities needed for successful
work with the amount allowed therefor by the Government, especially as the pupils
must be cared for during vacations as well as term time, and the sum of $167 is all
that is appropriated to cover all the expense of board, clothes, tuition, medical at-
tendance, &c., of an Indian child during twelve months. But the growing interest
which is being manifested in Indian civilization and education leads to the belief that
many institutions^vill look at the matter from a philanthropic standpoint, and will
be ready to supplement Government appropriations with private funds.
The pupils should be received as soon as practicable after July 1, next.
If your institution desires to take any Indian pupils on the terms named, you will
please inform this office at an early day on the following points:
How many pupils you wish to receive, whether girls or boys, or both, and what
ages would be preferred.
How soon you will be prepared to receive them.
What facilities you have or can have for industrial training, and what industries
would be taught.
From only nine* institutions were replies received, and of these only
one was prepared to take pupils, and that school could guarantee to in-
struct the boys only in farming' and carpentry. Thus was confirmed
the opinion expressed in my last report that there are very few schools
in the country, except asylums and reform schools, that are ready to
give to their pupils a home, an industrial and mechanical training, and a
book education at the same time. The Bureau of Education gives a
list of fifty-one industrial schools in the various parts of the country.
Of these only six can teach boys farming or trades. Two are in the
country in Maryland and Virginia, and the other four are in the cities
of New York, Boston, Washington, and Cleveland.! It is evident that
a large outlay is necessary to equip institutions for the work required
of them, an expenditure for which the Government proposes to make no
return,, while it fixes the amount to be paid thereafter at less than
the average actual coct of supporting and teaching the pupils. No
generous response could be expected to such an offer. In this dilemma
the various religious societies have come to the help of this Bureau and
have so supplemented Government aid by private charity that the
whole 400 pupils will be provided for. More than half are girls, be-
cause for their instruction in sewing and housework a comparatively
small outlay is required. It is altogether probable that the training
given will be rreither so complete nor so varied as was contemplated by
the act making the appropriation. On such terms the office cannot bo
exacting. The labor of awkward hands is wasteful, and only in rare
cases will the products of the shops cover the expense of material and
instruction. So long as the Government practically solicits the aid of
private charity in the carrying on of Government work, private charity
should have a hearing. There should be made to it at least a fair propo
* Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute is a laud-grant school, but being al-
ready engaged in Indian work was barred out by the statute.
t Report Bureau of Education, 1882.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXXVII
sition, and I therefore renew a recommendation made last fall, that an
appropriations-be made that will enable the office to offer to any suitable
institution that will furnish buildings, teachers, and all necessary ma-
chinery of the school a compensation of not less than $180 per annum
for each Indian pupil supported and taught therein. This policy would
secure the aid of men and money which can be reached in no other way,
and the work of Indian education be immensely and permanently ad-
vanced. Private charity should be enlisted so far as possible. The out-
come will be an intelligent interest in Indian civilization and a public
sentiment substantial and permanent, which will outlive changes in ad-
ministrations and parties and policies. To ask charitable institutions
to furnish buildings and all equipments and then offer less than mere
current expenses is unworthy of the Government. It is parsimony that
becomes waste, and it justifies the following remarks of General Arm-
strong, which, while made in behalf of the Hampton School, have a wide
general application.
While the charitable are willing to help in this cause, and it is well to call upoa
them, it is an unfortunate fact that they have too often been called upon to do what
they have felt was forced upon them unjustly, and their liberal giving has been at-
tended with no respect for those who are really responsible for Indians. Politicians,
as a rule, have faintly comprehended and often prevented wise work for the Indian,
and with good intentions have made the best men reluctant to take hold of his educa-
tion. Hampton's application, duly approved, for only $175 apiece per year, has twice
been denied by Congress. There is room for twenty more girls, but there is no money
to help, the appropriation bill providing for only one hundred at this place. We hope
for better things from the next House, where the difficulty seems to lie. The last
Congress, as above stated, provided for the education of four hundred Indians anywhere
in the United States, excepting at Hampton and Carlisle, at the rate of $167 apiece,
who are to be kept, clothed, &c., for the entire year, calling for their training in a
more complete and difficult manner than, so far as I know, is given in any school in the
land for whites. We can do it here only because the immense " plant" for the negro
makes it possible. People may take Indians at that rate, but the work called for will
uot be done. I regard the provision as most unfortunate for the cause of complete
(mining; it is adequate only when the labor of instruction is simply in farming along
with the simplest education, or when Indians are put as apprentices into established
work shops. What Captain Pratt does well at $200 apiece for three hundred Indians, a
private school will find it hard to do at $250 apiece for fifty Indians. The authorities
seem as incapable of encouraging private effort as they are incapable of discouraging
the few who have undertaken it.
The Society of Friends has received about forty Indians into one of their schools in
Indiana on the terms allowed to Hampton, and when they shall come to introduce
elaborate mechanical teaching will feel, as they even now do, the justice of our
position.
Buildings. The building of school-houses has progressed fairly. Seven
new boarding-school buildings were occupied during the past year j six
more will receive pupils this fall, and four besides the Chiloeeo, Law-
rence, and Genoa buildings are so far advanced as to promise comple-
tion within the current year. Large additions which have been made
for the Yakama, Sac urnl Fox, and Absentee Shawnee buildings will re-
lieve these overcrowded schools, double their accommodations, and
otherwise increase their efficiency, and vastly improve their sanitary
XXXVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
condition. Seven new day-school buildings have been completed and
another commenced, Four boarding-school buildings have been burned.
The pupils of those schools will have to be crowded into barns, bakeries,
outbuildings, and such other structures as can be extemporized into
school-buildings until new quarters can be provided.
The want of suitable commodious buildings continues. Eleven new
ones are needed immediately and ten others should be so enlarged as
to double their capacity ; yet the whole amount appropriated for erec-
tion and repair of school buildings this year is but $25,000, less tban
the cost of one building erected by private contributions at Hampton
for the use of fifty girls. 1 will not repeat what has been reiterated
before as to the impossibility of conducting creditable schools in ill-
arranged, ill-ventilated, dilapidated, overcrowded buildings.
The act passed by the first session of the last Congress authorizing the
use of unoccupied military barracks as training schools for Indian youths
has given to this office buildings at Fort Stevenson, Dak., Fort Hall,
Idaho, Cantonment, Iiid. T., and Fort Kipley, Minn. At two of these
posts much-needed Indian boarding-schools have already been opened,
and at the other two it is hoped that schools will soon be in operation.
The expenditure of several thousand dollars over what the buildings
would have brought at public sale has thus been saved the Government.
Owing to their unfavorable location, the number of vacated military
buildings which can now be utilized for Indian schools is small, but the
number will gradually increase as garrisons are removed from close
proximity to Indian reservations. The schoolboy will then take the
place of the soldier, and the sword will give way to the spelling-book.
Appropriations. The appropriations for education made by the last
session of Congress are $445,000 for general purposes, including build-
ings ; $115,000 for Carlisle, Hampton, and Forest Grove; $40,000 for the
Genoa and Chilocco schools, and $75,000 for placing pupils in schools
in the States ; a total of $675,000 out of $917,000 asked in the annual
estimate. As compared with the previous year this gives a slight in-
crease to the three established training schools, an increase of $145,000
for general education, and $58,000 additional for sending pupils to
schools in the States.
Much better use could be made of this fund if it were not for the re-
strictions of law and regulations, by which the office is hampered and
harassed, and which often defeat the very ends sought by legislation.
For instance, there is a general construction of law which decides that
when money is appropriated for a specific purpose no other fund can
be used for that purpose. The $25,000 for school-buildingsjust one-
third of the amount asked for would not suffice to replace burned
buildings. Though the office has $400,000 for education, yet not one
cent of that can be applied on a building, because there is a specific
though absurdly inadequate appropriation for that purpose.. It may
happen, because certain buildings cannot be erected or completed, that
some of the schools which the $400,000 was intended to support can-
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XXXIX
not be carried on ; but that will not affect the case, even though the
result be that the Indians go without their school and part of the
$400,000 be returned unexpended to the Treasury. This reverses the
proverb so as to make it read : Law knows no necessity.
Again, part of the appropriation for placing children in schools was
provided
for the placing of children from all the Indian schools, with the consent of their
parents, under the care and control of such suitable white families as may in all re-
spects be qualified to give such children moral, industrial, and educational training
for a term of not less than three years, under arrangements in which their proper care,
snppoit, and education shall be in < xchange for their labor.
There are undoubtedly u suitable white families" who are interested
enough in Indian civilization to be willing to try the experiment of ad-
mitting into 1heir homes shy, uncouth, ignorant Indian children, and
who are willing to devote to their mental, moral, social, and industrial
training all requisite time, labor, patience, and tact. But it is unreason-
able to require such families to add to this the support and clothing and
medical care of their proteges with the understanding that such labor
as the children can be taught to render out of school hours and during
vacations shall be considered an equivalent therefor, and to further
obligate themselves to continue the experiment for not less than three
years ! Of course, no children have been placed in families on the above
terms. If the office could expend a small sum, not exceeding $50 per
annum for each child, for clothing or board, and the restriction as to
time could be omitted, I doubt not many Indian children could be placed
where they would receive the best of home influence, and that in many
families they would remain for three years or even longer.
By the special legislation referred to in my last report, the 2,000
Moquis Pueblos are still barred out from all schooling. I cannot think
that this was the intention, but it is the unavoidable result of that legis-
lation.
I deem it my duty to again make a statement similar to that in pre-
vious reports, of unfulfilled treaty provisions for education. In the
treaties of 18G8 with the tribes named below, a building, a teacher, and
a school were promised for every 30 children of school age in the tribes.
The following tabular statement shows the appropriation which those
treaties would require of this next session of Congress:
POPULATION.
Sioux 26, 616
Utes 3,3:33
Navajoes 17,000
Kiowas, &c 2, 900
Cheyennes and Arapahoes 6, 496
Crows 1 3,200
Shoshone 1,880
Bnunacks 1, 550
School population
XL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Number school buildings required by treaty 417, a,t $1,000 $417, 000
Salaries of teachers, books, fuel, &c., for 417 schools, at $700 291, 900
Total 708,900
Buildings already erected by Government as follows :
Pupils.
Sioux, to accommodate (>50
Navajoes, to accommodate 100
Utes, to accommodate 30
Kio\vas, &c., to accommodate 120
Cheyennes and Arapahoes, to accommodate 230
Crows, to accommodate 36
Shoshone (not yet completed), to accommodate 100
Bannack 60
Total (=44 buildings) 1,3-26
Deduct 44 buildings, at $1,000 44,000
Balance due above tribes for one year 6(>4, 900
Cooperation of religious societies. So far as I know, the educational
work among Indians done by parties outside of the Government has
never been fairly set forth. Such data relative thereto as I have been
able to obtain will be found herewith on page 240. Of the eighty-two
boarding-schools, exclusive of those among the five civilized tribes,
fifteen, with an enrollment of 813 pupils, have been carried on under
contract with religious societies, under which the selection of teachers
has been left wholly to the societies, and the Government has assumed
about three- fourths of the expense. In most cases the societies furnish
the buildings. Seven schools with 280 pupils have been maintained by
religious societies in their own buildings, the only Government assistance
given being that the rations and clothing, which would have been
issued to the pupils at their homes, were issued to them at the school
and became part of the school supplies. Many other schools are in-
debted to societies and philanthropists for gifts of books, papers, &c.,
which add greatly to the attractiveness and interest of the schools.
Religions societies maintain thirty day schools without and sixteen with
help from the Government, the aggregate enrollment being 2,016. The
total amount expended during the past year by these societies for edu-
cational purposes, so for as reported, is $74,614, besides $79,142 ex-
pended on missionary work as distinguished from school work. To this
should be added contributions amounting to $13,278, made during the
year to the Forest Grove and Carlisle training schools, and the $26,668
which General Armstrong reports that Hampton expends on her Indian
pupils in addition to the appropriation made by Government for their
partial support.
This does not include $33,319 expended by religious societies in the
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XL!
support, in wbole or in part, of seminaries, academies, and missions
among the five civilized tribes, nor $24,149 devoted to establishing and
carrying on schools and missions in Alaska.
This aggregate of $252,016 by no means expresses the value of the
assistance thus given to Indian education and civilization. The influ-
ence of men and women whose lives are devoted to the uplifting of the
degraded and ignorant cannot be measured by dollars and cents.
Moreover, the very fact that he represents a great religious denomina-
tion, that a Christian community is his constituency, and that the funds
which come into his hands have been consecrated by prayer and self-
denial, gives to a man and his work a moral force and momentum which
Government patronage does not impart. In my opinion, the best hope
for the Indian lies in bringing him into the closest possible relations
with the various religious societies whose sole business consists in
working for the elevation of humanity, and who, from long experience,
are presumably best informed as to the methods and men and means
to be employed in such work.
Mention should also be made of the donation to the Government by
citizens of Albuquerque, 1ST. Mex., and Lawrence, Kans., of valuable
tracts of land containing 65 and 280 acres, respectively. The donations
were made with the understanding that the Government would erect
buildings thereon to be used for Indian schools. Citizens of Genoa,
Nebr., have also donated $500 to so supplement an appropriation as to
enable the Government to purchase a certain desirable tract of land
adjacent to the Indian school building there. The widening interest in
the civilization of the Indian as shown by such acts as these is one of
the most hopeful indications in his favor.
Alafslca.-. Attention should be again culled to the need of schools for
the Indians in Alaska. From the best information that can be obtained
the Indians of Alaska number about 20,000, and since that country
came into possession of the United States these people have had no aid
for schools from this Government. All that has been done in the mat-
ter of education has been by the 'missionary efforts of the churches.
If the published statements in reference to Alaska be true, we are
doing much less for the civilization of these people than was done be-
fore we took possession of that country. The Russian Government gave
them laws, churches, and schools j the American Government has done
nothing in that direction.
In my estimates for the next fiscal year I have asked for an appro-
priation of $25,000 for the support of industrial schools in Alaska. I
earnestly hope that this very modest sum will be granted. These In-
dians need no subsistence, no clothing, no implements, no agencies, but
they beg for an education, and it is discreditable to an enlightened
Government to longer deny their request. The twelve Alaska boys who
have attended the Forest Grove training school have done admirably
in their studies and their work.
XLII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CLERICAL WORK OF THE BUREAU.
Previous to the assembling of the last Congress I had the satisfaction
of being able to report that no current accounts of agents remained
unsettled in this office pertaining to the fiscal year 1882. At present
there are still a number of accounts for the last quarter of the fiscal
year 1883 uuexamined, the majority of which, however, have only been
rendered within the last two or three weeks (during which time many
of the clerks of this office were absent on their annual leave), and before
next December I hope to have all accounts for 1883 examined and
referred to the Treasury Department for settlement.
The clerical force at work on accounts has, during the year, bean
much reduced in efficiency by the resignation or transfer to other
branches of this service of four or live experienced accountants, in
place of whom I have been obliged to depend on clerks new to the
work of settling agents' accounts. To do this work properly a thorough
knowledge of precedent rulings in questionable cases, and of the re-
quirements of the Department and the Treasury touching the accounts
of Indian agents, is almost indispensable; added to which a good and
observant examiner who has been some time in the service is expected,
and can hardly fail, to have acquired a general knowledge of the various-
agencies, their past and present surroundings and peculiarities, and a
knowledge of the habits, business capacity, and moral tone of the em-
ployes and the agent whose current accounts, or explanations to ex-
ceptions to previous accounts, may be under the examiner's considera-
tion. Without this knowledge it is almost impossible properly to
settle an account in reasonable time, or always to be certain that the
Government is being fully protected, the best interests of the service
promoted, and that no injustice is being done to the Indians or to the
agent in taking exceptions to his accounts, or in failing to give him
the necessary instructions which his peculiar circumstances may call for.
When considered in this light, it must appear evident that neither
the greatest safety nor economy to the Government is secured by re-
quiring any part of such work to be done by clerks new to the service
or unfamiliar with accounts, even at small salaries ; nor, where this is
required, should the best results be expected. And as it is impossible for
any persons outside of the Department to know the merits or useful-
ness of any clerk employed here, or exactly the class of help required, I
have again to suggest that the various rates of compensation to be paid
to the clerks in this Bureau should be in many cases increased, and in
all cases should be more directly under Department control, or else a
fund should be placed at the disposal of the Department, from which
experience and efficiency may be suitably remunerated. In my opinion
the best interests of the Government would thereby be promoted.
SANITARY CONDITION OF THE INDIANS.
Comparison with the preceding years shows an increase in the num-
ber of cases treated by the agency physicians, but a smaller percentage
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XLIII
of mortality. The total number of cases under treatment for the year
ending June. 30, 1883, was 86,665. Total deaths, 1,283; total births,
1,862. The peculiar custom prevailing among the Indians of maintain-
ing strict secrecy in regard to births and deaths renders the collection
of reliable information on these points extremely difficult. During the
year the Indian police have reported 197 deaths in addition to those
occurring among cases treated by the physicians. The prevailing dis-
eases in the north have been rheumatism and affections of the respira-
tory organs, with some malarial disorders in the extreme Northwest. In
the south the affections have been chiefly malarial. On pages 304 to
313 will be found a tabular exhibit of the number of cases and charac-
ter of diseases treated.
During the autumn and winter of 1882-'83 a small-pox epidemic was
threatened in the south and southwest ; also in the White Earth country
in Minnesota; but prompt action in vaccinating the Indians and estab-
lishing quarantine prevented any serious consequences. The number
of cases reported vaccinated for the year is as follows: Successfully r
4,070; unsuccessfully, 1,906.
Syphilis and its pathological sequences are prevalent among many tribes
and are difficult to control on account of the lack of self- restraint among
those treated and the tendency to disregard the instructions of the physi-
cians. There seems, however, to be a slight improvement in this respect.
The evil influence of the native "medicine men" is one of the greatest
obstacles to be overcome in the civilization of the Indian. These native
doctors realize that the advance of civilization arid enlightenment means
a termination of their power and influence, and they employ all their
arts and work upon the superstitions and fears of their people in order
to prevent them from applying to the "white man's doctor," hoping thus
to perpetuate their own power and sources of revenue. Hence the task
of inducing the Indians to abandon their ancient customs in the treat-
ment of disease is a difficult one, and must, of necessity, be the work
not of years only, but of generations, as they adhere tenaciously to the
faith of their fathers in the power of the medicine men to v exorcise the
evil spirits, to whose presence they attribute all disease. It is gratify ing r
however, to note that as the older Indians pass to the "happy hunting
grounds" their time-honored remedial rites gradually die out, and that
the younger generations are evincing more faith in the medicines used
and the treatment pursued by white physicians.
Another serious obstacle to the successful treatment of disease amongr
the Indians is the inadequacy and in most cases the entire absence of
hospital accommodations. When an Indian is treated by a white phy-
sician he expects to be cured by a single dose of medicine, and if he is
not, lie becomes discouraged and thinks the medicine of no value and
will take no more. Again, he thinks that if a spoonful of medicine will
benefit him, a bottle-full must necessarily do him a proportionate amount
of good if all taken at one dose. This tendency to become discouraged
and this disposition to disregard the instructions and admonitions of
XLIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
the physician cannot be successfully combated unless the patient is
under the immediate care and control of the physician, and this is im-
practicable where there is no hospital. Small hospitals could be erected
at agencies at slight cost, and the benefits accruing from such an aux-
iliary would speedily be apparent and more than compensate for the
small outlay necessary. The advantage of such a system would be that
the sick would be removed from the dangerous influence and interfer-
ence of the medicine men awl subjected to a regimen, the benefits of
which they would not be slow to realize. The fame of such an institution
would rapidly spread among the Indians and inspire greater confidence
in the physician, thus becoming a valuable aid in inducing them to
exchange the meaningless songs and incantations of the medicine men
for the quiet, scientific, and rational treatment of the white man.
A RESERVATION FOR THE YUMAS OF ARIZONA.
The Yuma Indians have lived for many years on the bottom lands
along the Colorado River for a distance of 10 miles above and 30 miles
below Fort Yuma, in Arizona. Upon the representations of Lieutenant
Button, Eighth Infantry, U. S. A., forwarded by the War Department,
and of other trustworthy persons who knew of their destitute condition,
a reservation has been recently set apart for the Yumas at the conflu-
ence of the Colorado with the Gila River, where it is hoped they may
be gathered together and assisted in agricultural pursuits.
Some necessary relief has already been afforded them in flour pur-
chased by the agent at the Colorado River Agency.
The chief of the Yumas states the number of his people to be 1,137,
but Lieutenant Button estimates their number to be much greater.
They are peaceable and industrious, and deserve substantial assist-
ance at the hands of the Government. But few of the Indians are
now on the reservation so set apart, and from the best information
that can be obtained it is thought that those along the Colorado River
should not be compelled to remove to the reservation until provision
is made for some system of irrigation that will enable them to support
themselves by farming.
COAL ON THE WHITE MOUNTAIN RESERVATION IN ARIZONA.
The coal discoveries on the San Carlos, or, more properly, the White
Mountain Indian reservation, in Arizona Territory, formed the subject
of extended notice in my last annual report. No action was taken on
the draft of a joint resolution prepared in this office and transmitted
to Congress by the President on April 17, 1882,* and the status of the
question has undergone no change or modification whatsoever. Bills
were introduced in the last Congress (B. R. 4146 and 5378) providing
* Resolution printed in full in Annual Report Commissioner Indian Affairs, 1882^
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XLV
for the reduction of the reservation on the south and west, but it
appears they .failed of passage. Had either of them become a law the
coal fields would have been segregated from the reservation. I am
still of opinion that the adoption of a system of leasing upon a royalty
plan, such as was suggested in my last report, would be the best way
to settle this vexed question.
MISSION INDIANS, IN CALIFORNIA.
The injustice done the Mission Indians, and their deplorable condi-
tion, have been set forth by several commissions and have been
treated. of at length in various annual reports of this office, especially
in those of 1875 and 1880, and Congress has repeatedly been solicited
to interfere in their behalf, but without avail.
The situation of these people is peculiar. It is probable that they
are entitled to all the rights and immunities of citizens of the United
States, by virtue of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, yet from pov-
erty and ignorance and unwillingness to abandon their custom of
dwelling together in villages, under a tribal or village government,
they have failed to secure individual titles to their lands, under the
public land laws, or under the Indian homestead act. Many of these
Indians have been driven from lauds occupied and cultivated by them
for years, to which they had at least a color of title from the Spanish
government, and the ejectments have often been made with force and
violence.
After nearly all desirable land had been wrested from them or u taken
up" by settlers a few small tracts remaining were set aside by Executive
order for their permanent use and occupation, and entries unlawfully
made by white men upon such lands have been held for cancellation.
The few little villages left to them in the canons of the mountains,
from long years of cultivation have become extremely fertile, and are
looked upon with longing eyes by the surrounding white settlers.
In accordance with authority granted by the Department, Mrs. Helen
Jackson, of Colorado, was instructed, under date of July 7, 1882, to
visit the Mission Indians in California, and ascertain the location and
condition of the various bands; whether suitable laud in their vicinity,
belonging to the public domain, could be made available as a perma-
nent home for such of those Indians as were not established upon
reseryatious, and what, if any lands should be purchased for their use.
At her request Mr. Abbot Kinney, of California, was authorized to
assist in the work. Their final report gives, with great particularity,
the condition of each village, recites in detail the wrongs that have been
inflicted upon these Indians, and contains numerous and important
recommendations for their improvement.
They recommend as the first and most essential step, the resurveying,
rounding out, and distinctly marking of reservations already existing.
2d. The removal of all white settlers now on such reservations.
XL VI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
3d. In cases where their villages are included in confirmed grants
that other provision be made for the Indians, or that they be upheld
and defended in their right to remain where they are.
4th. That all the reservations be patented to the several bands occu-
pying them; the United States to hold the patents in trust for twenty-
five years; a provision to be incorporated in the patent for allotments
in severalty from time to time, as they may appear desirable.
5th. The establishment of at least two or more schools in addition to
the five already in operation at the various villages.
6th. That it be made the duty of the agent to make a round of in-
spection at least twice a year.
7th. The appointment of a law firm as special attorneys in all cases
affecting the interests of the Indians.
This recommendation has already been carried out, Messrs. Brunson
& Wells, of Los Angeles, having been appointed assistants to the
United States district attorney in such cases, the appointment taking
effect on the 1st of July last.
8th. A. judicious distribution of agricultural implements among these
Indians.
9th. A small fund for the purchase of food and clothing for the very
old and sick in time of special destitution.
10th. The purchase of certain tracts of land.
The necessity for the action recommended is given with great clear-
ness and force in each case. With these recommendations, with the
possible exception of the last, I fully agree, and will hereafter submit
i\ draft of the necessary legislation. With the measures already taken
and with those herein recommended, it is believed that these poor and
persecuted people may be protected from further encroachments, and
enjoy in some measure the prosperity to which their peaceful conduct
under all their wrongs entitles them.
KLAMATH RIVER RESERVATION IN CALIFORNIA.
The Indians residing upon the Klamath Eiver reservation in Cali-
fornia have been required to select the particular tracts of land they
<lesire to retain for their permanent homes in quantity as follows :
Each head of a family 160 acres ; each person over eighteen years of
age, 80 acres; each orphan child under eighteen years of age, 40 acres.
It is expected that when the selections shall have been made and re-
ported with proper metes and bounds, action w T ill be had on the ques-
tion of restoring the remainder of the reservation to the public domain.
The selections are being made under the personal supervision of the
acting Indian agent of the Hoopa Valley agency.
COMMISSION TO SIOUX OF DAKOTA.
The commission appointed under authority contained in the act mak-
ing appropriations for the sundry civil expenses of the Government
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XLVII
approved August 7, 1882 (22 Stat,, 328), " to negotiate with the Sioux
Indians for such modification of existing treaties; and agreements with
said Indians as may be deemed desirable by said Indians and the Sec
retary of the Interior," rendered their report to the Department during
the latter part of January last. The report, together with a copy of
the agreement negotiated with said Indians, was submitted to the Presi-
dent under date of February 1, 1883, and transmitted to Congress on
February 3 following. By the terms of said agreement the Great Sioux
Reservation, having o/n^rea estimated by recent computation at 35,124
square miles, or 22,470,680 acres, was to be broken up into live smaller
independent reservations, to be occupied by the several bands sepa-
rately, they severally agreeing to accept the same as their permanent
homes, relinquishing all right, title, and interest in and to the reserva-
tions assigned to the other bands, respectively, reserving to themselves
only the reservation set apart for their separate use and occupation.
The five leservations to be retained under the conditions of the agree-
ment are estimated to contain about 19,238 square miles, leaving an
area, according to the foregoing estimate, of 15,886 square miles, or
10,167,360 acres, which the Indians cede to the United States.
The principal consideration for this important cession of territory
consists of cattle for breeding purposes. The other considerations be-
ing, as remarked by the commissioners, such as are calculated, to pro-
mote the education and civilization of the Indians, and they are in the
main only a continuation of tbe treaty stipulations of April 29, 1868.
Congress failed to ratify the agreement thus made, but by act of
March 3, 1883, appropriated the sum of $10,000 to continue the negoti-
ations, with certain modifications of said agreement (22 Stat., 624).
The commission as originally composed was authorized to continue the
work.
The Indians of the Crow Creek Agency, not having been parties to the
above-mentioned agreement made with the other bands, assented to the
same by a subsequent agreement dated February 26, 1883. By this
agreement they became parties to the first agreement made, and a
reservation of about 300,000 acres was retained for them within that
part of the Great Sioux Reservation east of the Missouri River known
as the old Winnebago and Crow Creek Reservations. This adds another
to the reservations to be retained, making six in all.
The final report of the commission has not been submitted as ret.
DEVIL'S LAKE RESERVATION.
Reduction of Fort Totten Military Reservation.
Until very recently the DeviPs Lake Reservation in Dakota pre-
sented the singular feature of being divided into two unequal discon-
nected parts by the military reservation of Fort Totteu, which, em-
bracing a strip of country six miles wide, running from the lake on the
XLVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
north to the southern boundary of the Indian reservation, entirely
separated the one portion of the Indian reservation from the other, to
the great inconvenience of the Indian service.
At the request of this office, the honorable Secretary of War, by
General Orders No. 49, dated July 5, 1883, caused a considerable reduc-
tion of the military reservation, which will greatly relieve the embar-
rassment.
THE TURTLE MOUNTAIN COUNTRY % 1N DAKOTA.
Under date of October 4, 1882, the Department directed the General
Land Office to take such steps as might be necessary to revoke the
action by which that vast area of country lying north and west of
Devil's Lake in Dakota, heretofore claimed by the Turtle Mountain
band of Chippewas, had been withheld from the practical operation of
the settlement laws, and to restore the same to the public domain,
subject to the restriction, however, that if there were any Indians who
had made improvements,. or had attempted to make permanent location
on any of said lands, such Indians should be protected by having their
lands withheld from white settlement until they could have an oppor-
tunity to secure title thereto. By this action a tract of country esti-
mated to contain over 9,000,000 acres was thrown open to white settle-
ment. Subsequently (on December 21, 1882) a tract in the vicinity of
Turtle Mountain, embracing an area of about 32 miles from north to
south by 24 miles from east to west, was withdrawn from settlement by
executive order, the main purpose being to secure lauds upon which
the Turtle Mountain band might be severally located, either upon
tracts already improved by individual Indians, or upon lands to be
allotted to them. For this object Congress, by act of March 1, 1883,
appropriated the sum of $10,000. Steps have been taken to have the
public surveys extended over said reservation, with a view to the early
settlement of the Indians as proposed.
In fulfillment of a promise of the Department, made to the delegation
of Turtle Mountain Indians who visited this city last winter, Special
Agent Cyrus Beede recently made a visit to the Turtle Mountain coun-
try under special instructions from this Bureau. He found the full-
bloods of the band, numbering, as he believes, not over twenty-five
families, unprepared and altogether disinclined to take lauds in sever-
al ty, preferring to have a small reservation retained for them perma-
nently. The half-breeds, on the contrary, are anxious to secure indi-
vidual homesteads. As near as lie could ascertain, in the absence of
boundary marks, the latter are for the most part living outside the
limits of the reservation along its eastern line, where it appears they
are making good progress in opening farms, building houses, &c., some
of them being very well to do. Inasmuch as it is the desire of the full-
bloods to have a small reservation retained for their use in common, I
deem it advisable, and therefore recommend, that two townships of
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XLIX
their present reservation be retained as a permanent reservation for
those who do.not desire to take homesteads. The half-breeds and any
full-bloods who may have settled upon and improved individual tracts
are protected by the instructions of the Department to the General Laitd
Office before mentioned, and at the proper time will be assisted in
securing permanent title to their lands.
NORTHERN CHEYENNES AND ARArAHOES.
In accordance with the appropriation of live thousand dollars which
was made by the last Congress to be "expended in removing the North-
ern Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians now in the Indian Territory to a
more favorable location," on the 19th of July last Agent John D. Miles,
of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency transferred, with subsistence for
sixty days, to Lieut. C. J. Stevens, Ninth United States Cavalry, 391
Cheyennes and 14 Arapahoes to be removed to the Pine Eidge Agency,
Dakota. Of the 405 thus transferred, it appears that about GO of them
have since returned to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency and have
decided to remain there.
FORT HALL RESERVE, IDAHO.
At the first session of the Forty-seventh Congress, bills (S. 1643 and
H. E. 3503) to ratify the agreement of May 14, 1880, with the Shoshone
and Bannack Indians for the cession of a portion of the southern half
of the Fort Hall Eeservation, including Marsh Valley and the settle-
ments therein, were reintroduced. The House bill was favorably re-
ported in committee at the same session (H. E. Eeport No. G58), but no
further action was taken. It is the intention of this office to again sub-
mit a bill to ratify the agreement, for transmission to Congress in the
hope that the matter may be disposed of at the ensuing session.
CREEK DIFFICULTIES.
On the 2d of August last Clinton B. Fisk and E. Whittlesey, presi-
dent and secretary, respectively, of the Board of Indian Commission-
ers, Senator Coke, of Texas, Hon. D. C. Haskell and Hon. John Martin,
of Kansas, and Hon. George E. Davis, of Illinois, were requested to
serve as a Commission to visit the Indian Territory for the purpose of
investigating, and, if possible, of harmonizing the difficulties .existing
in the Creek Nation. On account of previous engagements none of
these gentlemen, except Commissioners Fisk and Whittlesey, could find
it convenient to serve.
These two gentlemen met in the office of United States Indian Agent,
John Q. Tufts, in Muscogee, August G last, and proceeded with the
investigation. The chief of the Creek Government, Samuel Checote,
was invited to appear before the Commissioners, with such of his asso-
ciates in the Government and other leading men as he might select.
5510 IND IV
L REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Ispaheehee, the leader of the party of Creeks who have been in open
hostility to the constituted authorities, .was also summoned from his
camp, in the western portion of the Creek country, with his corps of
advisers, that they might have an opportunity of submitting to the
Commissioners their complaints and wishes. The Creek Government,
through Chief Checote and fourteen of the principal men of the Na-
tion, presented in writing a full statement of the causes leading to the
troubles in their country as understood by them. Ispaheehee and his
chief associates and advisers, fifteen in number, also presented in
writing their statement of grievances and wishes.
In addition to these written statements, opportunity was given to the
respective delegations to address the Commissioners, and nearly every
delegate used this privilege, until both sides had presented their views
to their own satisfaction. It was then agreed that a subcommittee from
each delegation be appointed, to whom should be assigned the duty of
making every possible effort, in mutual conference, to adjust their
unhappy differences. A full and free discussion of all matters of disa-
greement between them was solicited, and was participated in by the
various chiefs and others specially invited. The discussion was ably
and intelligently conducted by both sides, and was characterized by a
spirit of kindness and conciliation which was highly commendable, and
reflected great credit upon the various participants. Both sides ap-
peared to be anxious to reach an amicable solution of existing difficul-
ties, with a view to having the supremacy of civil law restored and
firmly established throughout their nation ; and this sentiment was
promptly seconded by the Commissioners.
As the full report of the investigation has been printed in convenient
form for distribution, I do not deem it necessary to refer, in detail, to
the various alleged complaints arising from past differences among
these people. I am, however, pleased to be able to report that the joint
committee on adjustment, after several sessions held in the presence of
the Commissioners, and during which there appeared to be an incrcas
ing good fellowship, finally reached a basis of peace, and on the 10th
of August the following articles of agreement were presented at a pub-
lic meeting and formally signed in triplicate by the chief men of both
parties, in the presence of the Commissioners and many other witnesses :
Conditions upon \vhich the diffie "es growing out of the late disturbances in the
Creek Nation shall be adjusted, it ueing understood and agreed upon by the parties
hereto that they will personally and officially use their best endeavors to secure
such legislation by the National Council as is recommended in the following p:opo-
sition:
I. We recognize the binding force of existing treaties between the United States
and the Creek Nation, and declare our earnest desire to preserve the integrity of the
Creek Nation and to re-establish and maintain harmony among the Creek people.
II. We recognize the constitution of the Creek Nation, but desire that the council
which shall meet after the pending election, and composed of the members then
chosen, shall so amend it by reducing the present representation and other measures
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. L[
of reform as shall reduce to a reasonable sum the expense of the Government of the
Creek Nation. -
III. We agree that a full and unconditional amnesty and pardon shall be granted
for all alleged criminal offenses, political or otherwise, committed prior to the present
date, as provided by the act of the National Council of October 16, 1882, it being
understood and agreed upon that should there be any dispute as to whether any
offense charged against any person is such a one as has grown out of the late trouble
in the Nation, then, in such case, the facts shall be submitted to the Indian agent,
whose decision shall be final.
IV. It is recommended that the Creek authorities provide either to abolish or for a
careful reorganization of the Light Horse by dismissal of officers and privates who
have used oppressive violence in executing the law, and that vacancies be filled by
good men who will firmly but cautiously exercise their authority.
V. That the Creek National Council should appoint a commission of able, faithful,
and impartial men, representing both parties, to whom shall be referred, with power
to audit and recommend payment thereof, the claims of parties whose property has
been unlawfully seized and destroyed during the late disturbance.
VI. That all parties participate in the approaching election and use every effort to
secure a full, free vote, and a fair count, and then accept cheerfully the result and
submit to the will of the majority.
VII. That the United States troops within the Creek country be stationed in one
amp, at Okmulgee, to maintain peace and assist the civil officers in the enforcement
of law and order during such period as the colonel commanding and the Indian agent
may deem such military occupation necessary.
The object sought by this office in the appointment of the aforesaid
Commission has been, in my opinion, fully realized, and valuable in-
formation for future reference has been collected. The basis of settle-
ment finally agreed upon appears to have been accepted in good faith
by all parties concerned, and will probably tend to the establishment
of permanent peace in the Nation.
For many weeks before the'appointment of this Commission serious
hostilities had existed, and the conflict between the two parties had
resulted in the loss of many lives on both sides, and it seemed as if an
open warfare of considerable magnitude was inevitable; but, by the
prudent and painstaking efforts of Commissioners Fisk and Whittlesey,
the unhappy difficulties were speedily reconciled, an amicable termina-
tion of the troubles was reached, and the aforesaid conditions of peace
were agreed upon.
Too much credit cannot be given these gentlemen for the able and
conscientious manner in which they performed the delicate duty assigned
them. The labor and time required were promptly and cheerfully given^
and I take this occasion to express my high appreciation of their valu-
able services.
CREEK AND SEMINOLE BOUNDARY.
Iii Hiy annual report for 1881, pages LIV-LVI, was submitted the history
of the Seminole liidhife Reservation in Indian Territory, &c., with a
recommendation that Congress adopt the requisite legislation and pro-
vide the necessary means to purchase from the Creek Nation the lands
occupied by the Seminoles. In my report for 1882, pages LIV, LV, reference
L11
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
was made to the proposition of the Greeks to sell 175,000 acres of their
laud for the Seminoles; also to the recommendations of this office as to
the legislation necessary to carry this proposition into effect, and also
to the action of Congress in making an appropriation lor the purchase
of the land as per agreement of the Creeks made February 14, 1881.
No provision having been made for a survey of the out boundaries
of said purchase, it was recommended that an appropriation be made
sufficient to enable the Department to establish said boundaries and
determine the area of this tract. For this purpose $3,000 was asked of
Congress at its last session.
The appropriation was not made, and the recommendation is now re-
newed.
"CHEROKEE OUTLET," OR LANDS WEST OF 96.
By the sixteenth article of the treaty of July 19, 1866, the Cherokee
outlet, containing 8,144,772.35 acres, was dedicated to the settlement
thereon of friendly Indians by the United States.
In pursuance thereof settlements have been made thereon and deeds
of conveyance for each tract, dated June 14, 1883, have been executed
by the Cherokee Nation to the United States in trust for each of the
following tribes, aggregating 2,121,928.74 acres, viz:
Tribe.
Area in
acres.
When
settled.
Authority.
Osaije
1 470 058.98
April 1872
Act of Congress June 5, 1872 (17 Stat., 228).
Kansas
300, 137.32
Juno 21, 1873
Act of Concress June 5, 1872 (17 Stat., 228).
Pawnee
230, 014. 04
June, 1875
Act of Congress April 10, 1876 (19 Stat., 20).
101 894.31
July 28, 1878
Act of Congress May 27, 1878 (20 Stat.. 76).
Nez Perce
90, 710. 89
Feb., 1879
Act of Congress May 27, 1878 (20 Stat., 74).
Otoe and Missouria. ......
129, 113. 20
Oct. 23,1881
Act of Congress March 3, 1881 (21 Stat., 318).
Recommendation is now made that Congress extend to the Secretary
of the Interior the necessary authority to make allotments of land
in severalty whenever any of said tribes shall express a desire for such
assignment.
FREEMEN IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
Since my last Annual Eeport setting forth the rights of freedmen in
the Indian Territory, as stipulated in the several treaties with the five
civilized tribes, action in regard to their freedmen has been taken by
the 'Choctaws. The Indian appropriation act of May 17, 1882, appro-
priated the sum of ten thousand dollars for the education of freedmeu
in the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, under certain restrictions, in
language as follows:
That the sum of ten thousand dollars is hereby appropriated out of the- three hun-
dred thousand dollars reserved by the third article of the treaty with the Choctaws
and Chickasaws concluded April eighth, eighteen hundrdPaml sixty-six, for the pur-
pose of educating freedmen in said tribes, to be expended under the direction of the
Secretary of the Interior, three-fourths thereof for the freedmen among the Choctaws,
and one-fourth for the freedmen among the Chickasawa; Provided, that said sum of
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LIII
ten thousand dollars shall be deducted in like proportion from any moneys in this act
appropriated to be paid said Choctaws and Chickasaws; And provided further, that
either of said tribes may, before such expenditure, adopt and provide for the freed-
rnen in said tribe in accordance with said third article, and in such, case the money
herein provided for such education in said tribe shall be paid over to said tribe, to be
taken from the unpaid balance of the three hundred thousand dollars due said tribe.
In accordance therewith the Choctaw Council passed an act provid-
ing for the adoption of their freedinen; but on examination it appeared
that the act was not such as was calculated and necessary to give all
freed men of African descent, residents in the Choctaw Nation at the
date of the treaty of Fort Smith, and their descendants, heretofore held
in slavery, all the rights, privileges and immunities of citizens of
the Choctaw Nation, as provided in the third article of the treaty of
18G6. The office was therefore obliged to withhold approval of the act,
and to refuse to pay over to the Choctaw Nation any portion of the
$10,000 appropriated by the item above referred to.
The Chickasaws have not, through their Council, taken any action,
favorable or otherwise, respecting their freedmen since my last report.
The Cherokees have also failed to take any action in regard to their
freedmen. The freedmen themselves have held conventions and sent
delegates to Washington, asking the protection and assistance of the
Government in securing all the rights in the respective nations to which
they are entitled by treaty. There being no doubt as to the right of
the United States to settle the freedmen of the civilized tribes in the
" Oklahoma district," report was made on the 25th of February, 1883,
favoring such settlement, and submitting a draft of an item to be in-
serted in the deficiency bill appropriating funds to enable the Secretary
of the Interior to carry out said design, with authority to assign land
to such as might be found to be entitled. No action was taken by Con-
gress; but the exigencies of these freedmen demand attention, and I
recommend that legislation be asked authorizing their settlement in the
Oklahoma district, under some well-defined jurisdiction and form of
government, with power to the Secretary of the Interior to determine
what freedmen should be allowed to settle therein; or else that such
stringent laws be passed as will compel the respective tribes to adopt
the freedmen as provided in their treaties.
INTRUDERS AND DISPUTED CITIZENSHIP IN FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES
OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
The several civilized tribes of Indians in Indian Territory, especially
the Cherokees and Choctaws, claim to have the exclusive right to de-
termine who are intruders in the tribes and who are entitled to Indian
citizenship therein, and claim that this Government is bound to remove
all persons adjudged by them to be intruders. As the Department held
opposite views, the matter was submitted to the Hon. Attorney-Gen-
eral, and in his opinion of December 12 7 1879 (16 Opinions, 404), he states
LIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
that in executing treaties the United States is not bound to regard
Cherokee law and its construction by the Council of the nation, but that
any Department required to remove alleged intruders must determine
for itself, under the general law of the land, the existence and extent of
the exigency upon which such requisition is founded.
By the Cherokee census of 1880 it appears that there were 521 claims
to citizenship rejected, 265 claims pending, and 1,821 cases of intruders.
Governor J. F. MeCurtain, under date of December 22, 1882, submitted
a list of 2,847 intruders in the Choctaw Nation, of which 2,200 were
whites and 557 were freedmen from the States, who were settled in nine
districts of the nation, leaving seven districts not reported. There are
four classes of persons involved in this issue: (1) White persons who
have married into one of the several tribes ; (2) persons with an ad-
mixture of Indian blood, through either father or mother ; (3) adopted
persons ; (4) persons of African descent who claim rights under the
treaties of 1866. Instructions were issued Agent Tufts July 20, 1880,
not to permit the removal of any of these four classes of claimants
when, after a careful examination, he was satisfied a prima-facie just
claim to citizenship existed, until their cases had been disposed of
under such rules as the Department should adopt or approve.
With a view to the adjustment of this intricate question, and the adop-
tion of rules by the Department and said tribes governing its settlement,
Indian Inspector Henry Ward and Special Agent Cyrus Beede were in-
structed on the 9th of May last to visit the Indian Territory, consult
Agent Tufts and the files of his office, and thus familiarize themselves
with the question in all its details and ramifications ; then to visit and
consult the executive officers of the several nations and endeavor to
arrive at some understanding with them in the adoption of some rules
of procedure, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior,
under which all questions of disputed citizenship and intrusion might
be determined satisfactory to said nations and the Department; all
cases where a satisfactory understanding could not be reached, to be
submitted, with a full statement of disputed points. These gentlemen
submitted a report on the 2d of June last, but they failed to accom-
plish the object desired.
In view of the magnitude of the interests involved and the unsettled
condition of these nations consequent upon the presence of this unrecog-
nized population, and its rapid increase among them, I respectfully
recommend that Congress authorize the appointment, and provide for
the payment of the expenses, of a commission, whose duty it shall be to
visit these nations, consider the points of difference between the Indians
and the alleged intruders or non-citizens, and, after determining upon
rules of procedure for the final adjustment of the question, attend the
councils of said nations and submit said rules for their consideration
and action, which, when adopted by them and approved by the Depart-
ment, shall be final and conclusive.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LV
PONCA. PAWNEE. AND OTOE AGENCY.
The experience of another year has con firmed me in the opinion I ex-
pressed in my last report, that any attempt to consolidate various tribes
under one agent, when it is impracticable to gather them on one reser-
vation, must result in failure, if the object desired is either to benefit
the Indians or to manage them with greater economy. This is particu-
larly noticeable in the case of the present Ponca, Pawnee, and Otoe
Agency in Indian Territory. The headquarters of this agency are at
Ponca, about twenty miles from the Otoes and about forty from the
Pawnees. The agent also has to look after what was once the Oakland
Agency, where the Nez Percys are, which is some eighteen miles north-
west of Ponca. These subagencies are necessarily left in charge of
superintendents or clerks who are not bonded officers, and whose ac-
counts are completed and rendered by clerks at Ponca. Of course an
agent cannot spend much time at either of the four reservations. This
is the greatest evil of the arrangement, as nearly all agencies require
the continual presence of the agent, who is alone responsible for the
Government property, and all that occurs there; and the Indians have
been led by the Government to expect an agent to reside with them,
and to constantly exercise a fatherly care over them.
The Pawnees especially require the daily presence of an energetic
agent, and the benefit they would thus derive could not fail to be well
worth a considerable additional expense to the Government. But by
placing an agent at Pawnee who could also take charge of the Otoes
(which two tribes have long been very friendly towards each other), and
by allowing an agent for Ponca and the subagency of Oakland (as before
the consolidation), the expense of caring for these four tribes would be
very little, if at all, increased, as the extra traveling expenses of agents
and the expense of clerical services, which could then be dispensed
with, would go far towards paying the salary of the additional agent.
I would therefore recommend that Congress be requested to provide
a separate agent for Pawnee Agency, who shall also have charge of the
Otoes.
KICKAPOO ALLOTTEES UNDER TREATY OF 1862.
In my last two Annual Reports attention was called to the condition
of affairs relative to the estates of deceased and minor allottees, under
the provisions of the treaty with the Kickapoo Indians of June 28,
1862 (13 Stat, 623), and to the fact that the treaty contains no provis-
ion whereby female allottees can become citizens and obtain patents
for the land allotted to them.
Frequent application is made to this office by the heirs for the settle-
ment of the estates of allottees who deceased before having, by a com-
pliance with the treaty provisions, become citizens and obtained
patents for their land; and requests are made by female allottees th.at
some action be taken whereby they can become citizens and obtain
LVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
patents for the lands. The benefits of the treaty should be extended
to all adult allottees, without regard to sex, and provision should be
made for the settlement of the estates of the class of allottees referred
to. This subject was before the last Congress, but. received no final
action.*
RESERVATIONS FOR THE KICKAPOOS AND IOWAS IN THE INDIAN
TERRITORY.
Under the provisions of the acts of Congress approved July 15, 1870
(16 Stat., 359), and March 3, 1871 (16 Stat,, 569), some four hundred of
the Kickapoo tribe of Indians, who left the State of Kansas and mi-
grated to Mexico in 1863 and 1864, were returned to the United States
and settled in the Indian Territory in 1873 and 1875. Although lands
were promised them no steps were taken to secure them in posses-
sion of the lands which they have continued to occupy. Inasmuch as
the insecurity of their title was a source of uneasiness and discontent
an Executive order was issued August 15, 1883, setting apart for their
permanent use and occupation a tract of land west of the Sac and Fox
Reservation in the Indian Territory, sufficient for their present and
future wants.
A considerable number of the Iowa tribe have also resided for several
years in the Indian Territory immediately north of the tract occupied
by the Kickapoos, and an Executive order setting apart the tract of
country referred to for the use and occupation of the lowas and such
other Indians as the Secretary of the Inteiior might see fit to locate
thereon was also signed by the President on the same date, August
15, 1883.
These tracts are within the " Oklahoma district" which has been sub-
ject to incursions by Payne and others, and it is believed that this
action will tend to defeat such attempts at colonization. The lands
thus set apart should be secured to these Indians by a more permanent
title, and legislation providing for the issuance of patents will be rec-
ommended at the coming session of Congress.
SALE OF KICKAPOO LANDS IN KANSAS.
On the 28th of May last, instructions were given to a Commission
appointed to appraise certain Kickapoo Indian lauds in Kansas, the
appraisement and sale of which were authorized by the act of Congress
approved July 28, 1882 (22 Stat., 177). Their report was submitted on
the 12th of July last. It appears from the schedule of appraisement, ac-
companying their report, that the total number of acres appraised was
1,134.66, at a total valuation of $14,342.79, being an average of $12.64
per acre. The schedule was approved by you July 20, 1883, and the
necessary instructions regarding the sale of the lands transmitted to
the General Land Oflice on the same date.
* See Senate Ex. Doc. No. 55, Forty-seventh Congress, first session.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LVII
KANSAS INDIAN INDEBTEDNESS REPRESENTED BY " KAW SCRIP."
In my last Annual Report I discussed at some length the subject of
this indebtedness, referring to the long delay in its settlement and the
great hardship resulting to individual holders of the scrip representing
the same. A strong effort was made by those interested in its payment
to have the matter brought to the attention of Congress at its last ses-
sion, with a view to securing an appropriation sufficient to wipe out the
entire outstanding indebtedness, principal and interest, the money to
be reimbursed to the Government from the sale of the Kansas Indian
lands. But the matter took no definite shape, and the unfortunate delay
still continues. A draft of the proposed legislation having been sub-
mitted to this office by the chairman of the House Committee on Indian
Affairs, for an expression of opinion thereon, 1 took occasion to commend
the measure and urge its favorable consideration in terms as follows:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date, inclosing a
draft of an item intended for insertion in one of the appropriation bills, providing for
the payment of the so-called "Kaw" or "Kansas Indian scrip," upon which you
desire an expression of opinion by this office as to the wisdom of the proposed meas-
ure, and its fitness as to form, &e.
In reply I have to say that the measure itself meets the hearty approval of this office,
and as regards its form, I think it as good as could be devised'. By every principle of
justice this scrip should be paid, and there is no ground on which to base argument
for further delay in that direction. Great hardship has been inflicted upon the holders
of these unredeemed certificates. Their appeals for some sort of settlement have been
incessant, and the long continued delay has not only provoked the severest criticism
from many, but has led others even to doubt the good faith and sincerity of the Gov-
ernment in the premises.
Perhaps the Government ought not to be held responsible for the apparently endless
delay in the settlement of this indebtedness. It has been caused mainly by the failure
to sell the lands belonging to the Indians as rapidly as was anticipated at the time, an
accident that could not well have been foreseen. Beside this, the Government has
insisted upon the reimbursement of a large sum of money advanced to the Indians for
various beneficial purposes before it would permit the payment of any of these certifi-
cates in cash out of the proceeds of the sale of said lands. In thus securing itself
against loss, which was entirely proper, the Government has unintentionally indicted
a hardship upon the holders of these certificates, and I think it would be no more
than right to extend to them the relief that this measure proposes.
In resnonse to a resolution of the Senate of 26th January last, this office submitted
to the Department, under date of March 9th last, a brief history of the indebtedness
represented by the certificates herein referred to, a statement of the amount of the
same, its status at that time, as well as a statement of the assets of the Indians held
by the Government. Said report forms the subject-matter of Senate Ex. Doc. No. 138,
Forty-seventh Congress, first session, to which your careful attention is invited.
Since the rendition of said report the money received from the sale of lands has
been more than sufficient to discharge the balance then due the Government on account
of money advanced, which balance was stated to be (approximately) $11,475.86', and
there is a small amount on the books of this office to the credit of the Indians. Of
course, whatever amount may be appropriated will be reimbursed to the Government
as the sales progress, and should therefore be considered simply in the nature of a
loan.
I hope the matter may receive the favorable consideration of Congress.
J.VIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The amount on the books of this office to the credit of the Indians lias,
been increased since the date of the above (December 11, 1882) to a little
over $30,000. This amount will be enlarged as the sale of lands con-
tinues, but for the reasons stated in my report of last year, where the
subject is more fully discussed, none of the indebtedness represented by
these scrip certificates can be paid until authority of Congress is had
therefor. I trust this will not be delayed beyond the next session.
BOIS FORTE BAND OF CHIPPEWAS IN MINNESOTA.
By the treaty concluded April 7, 1866, with the Bois Forte band of
Chippewa Indians (14 Stat., 765), two reservations were to be set apart
for the perpetual use and occupancy of said Indians, one of not less than
100,000 acres, which should include Netor Lake, and the other a town-
ship on Grand Fork Eiver, at the mouth of Deer Creek, both in North-
ern Minnesota. The larger reservation was selected, and the outbound-
aries thereof marked, in the fall of the year in which the treaty was
made (l66), but on account of the extreme severity of the weather the
expedition sent out for the purpose of making the selections was unable
to reach the Grand Fork, and turned back without having selected the
smaller reservation. No further attempt appears to have been made to
select the reservation at the mouth of Deer Creek, owing, no doubt, to
the fact that there were no white settlements in that vicinity, and the
Indians were in undisturbed possession. Latterly, however, the country
there has been filling up with settlers, and for the better protection of
the Indians, and at their earnest solicitation, it was thought best to
declare the reservation it the mouth of Deer Creek, which was done by
Executive order dated June 30, 1883, by which order township 62 north,
range 25 west, of the, fourth principal meridian, has been set apart for
the perpetual use and occupancy of said Indians.
RESERVOIRS AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
By the river and harbor acts of June 14, 1880, and March 3, 1881,
authority was given the Secretary of War to erect darns and construct
reservoirs at the headwaters of the Mississippi Eiver, and in the execu-
tion of this authority some of the lands belonging to the Pillager and
Mississippi Chippewas, in Minnesota, were required for the reservoirs
at Winnebigoshish and Leech lake. Provision was made in said acts
for the payment, to friendly Indians, for all injuries incurred in the
construction of reservoirs and damages to private property, and a Com-
mission, consisting of Messrs. A. Barnard, of Minneapolis, Thomas
Simpson, of Winona, and Louis Morell, of this office, was appointed
arid instructed, August 20, 1881, to ascertain and determine the injuries
sustained and value the damages payable to said Indians by reason of
the construction of said dams and reservoirs. This Commission sub-
mitted a report, issessing the damages arising from the construction
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LIX
of the dam at Lake Winnebigoshish at $8,393.30, and at Leech Lake
$7,073.60; but the Indians, holding that this assessment was inadequate
compensation for the losses and injuries to be sustained, refused to
accept any portion thereof. Another Commission, consisting of Gen.
H. H. Sibley, ex-Governor W. R. Marshall, of Saint Paul, and Rev. J.
A. Gilfillan, missionary at White Earth Reserve, was appointed De-
cember 22, 1882, and instructed, on the 9th of January, 1883, to visit
these Indians and make a personal examination of the localities sur-
rounding said reservoirs, and review the former valuation with a view
to a reassessment, if in its judgment the injury was greater than the
compensation heretofore allowed. This Commission has not yet sub-
mitted its report and the subject remains in abeyance, while the Indi-
ans are patiently awaiting results.
INDIAN LANDS IN MINNESOTA RESTORED TO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
By Executive order dated July 13, 1883, the Executive addition to the
White Earth Reservation, in Minnesota, created by Executive order of
March 18, 1879, was restored to the public domain. The lauds were
withdrawn from settlement in view of the proposed consolidation of the
various bands of Chippewas in Minnesota- upon the White Earth Res-
ervation, in order that there might be a sufficient quantity of land
secured for their permanent settlement there. The hope of effecting
such consolidation having been abandoned, it was thought best to
restore the lands to the mass of the public domain. About thirteen
townships are thus opened to white settlement. The lands are north
of and adjoining the White Earth Reservation, and between that and
the Red Lake Reservation.
DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF INDIANS IN MONTANA.
The reduction by Congress of appropriations for subsistence of the
Blackfeet, Blood, and Piegan Indians, and of the Indians at Fort Peck
and Fort Belknap agencies, has already caused a great deal of suffer-
ing among these Indians, and is a source of constant and increasing
anxiety and embarrassment to this office. It is true that the Indians
show a willingness to add to the supplies furnished by the Government
by taking advantage of such facilities for procuring subsistence as their
reservations naturally afford or can be made to yield by cultivation ^
stil lit is clear that, from causes beyond their control or that of this
Bureau, they have lately needed more assistance from the Government
than formerly, as the game upon which they have depended principally
for food and clothing has been gradually diminishing, until it is now
nearly extinct, while repeated trials have shown that successful farming
ou these reservations would be impossible, even to whites, without the
necessary irrigating ditches, fences, stock, &c., and for such purposes
no funds have been supplied.
LX KEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Speaking of the Blackfeet, Blood, and Piegan Indians in a report
dated July 26 last, an Indian inspector says:
There can be no doubt but many of the young children died from lack of food
during last winter and spring. Never before have I been cal-led upon to listen in an
Indian council to such tales of suffering. Three or four years ago this reservation
abounded in game and these Indians were, practically, independent of the Govern-
ment; now, nowhere else have I ever seen a country so destitute of it as this, and
there is, practically, nothing for the people to live upon but what is furnished by the
Government. I cannot believe that Congress was fully aware of the change in the
surroundings of these Indians when the annual appropriation was diminished.
In refererence to the same Indians a special agent reports, under date
of August 21 last:
Last week 3,200 persons presented themselves as actually in need of subsistence, to
furnish which, in the established quantities (which are found to be merely sufficient
to sustain life) for the balance of the fiscal year, would require at least four times the
quantity of flour supplied, and although but half a ration is issued, it will all be ex-
hausted about midwinter, and all the beef available will be gone about the same
time, although but one-fifth the established ration is being issued. I am fearful that
unless additional supplies are furnished depredations must be expected to prevent
starvation, and early action is necessary, as the severe winter here renders transpor-
tation of supplies at that time impossible in this country.
This reservation cannot be farmed without irrigation, no preparation for which has
been made; therefore but little can be expected from Indian cultivation, and as il-
lustrative of the seasons here, this morning, August 21, the ground around the agency
is covered with snow.
Under date of the 14th ultimo, an Indian inspector speaks of the In-
dians at the Fort Peck Agency, whoiee reservation adjoins that of the
Blackfeet, &c., as follows:
During my visit all the Indians were in camp, having returned hungry from a hunt
which was unsuccessful. They farm about TOO acres, nearly every field of which I
visite<l. Their crops, which are principally corn, are a total failure, although well
tended; the squaws, in many instances, still hoeing and working in the fields, al-
though it is evident they cannot possibly raise anything. Last year, also, their crops
were almost a total failure. As it is, some extra provision must be made for this peo-
ple during the winter, or trouble will come. It will require at least 1,000,000 pounds
of beef to keep them from suffering. Unless this is furnished, or they find plenty of
buffalo (the latter even hardly to be look for), they cannot be prevented from com-
mitting depredations on stock wherever they can find it.
Their crops must be watered during the growing season, or farming might as well
be abandoned here. A field of 1,000 acres on the river bottom near the agency can be
thoroughly irrigated by a ditch which could be dug by the Indians for pay in pro-
visions, to cost about three or four thousand dollars. From this field enough vegeta-
bles and breadstuffs could be raised every year to supply all their wants in" that
line. This outlay would be great economy, as otherwise, if these Indians are to re-
main where they are they will have to be fed entirely by the Government, as they
cannot be expected to succeed in farming where a white man would starve.
The agent in charge of Fort Belknap Agency, the home of the Gros
Veritres and Assinaboines, also adjoining the Blackfeet, writes under
date of 21st ultimo:
Gauie on this reservation is practically exhausted. My Indians, many of whom
have lately returned to the agency from hunting, all concur in this statement, the
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXI
truth of which is established by my own observation and by a report of an officer of
the United St ites Army who has lately made an extended expedition over the reserve.
My Indians are already coming in every day complaining of hunger, but I can feed
them very little as the winter will soon be here when they must be fed or they will
starve and commit depredations. To divide tin- supplies of flour arid beef furnished
for the year, viz, 100,000 pounds of the former and 180,000 pounds of the latter, into
iiity-t\vo parts would allow but about one pound of flour and two pounds of beef,
gross, per week to each person. While there was plenty of game this could be made
to do. but now I am confronted with a problem which it is almost impossible for me
to solve ; and unless some assistance is rendered in time, I fear the question of whether
it is cheaper to feed or to fight Indians will have another test. If the Government
expects ever to make this people self-sustaining, it must furnish means to start them
in the right way, viz: by supplying their wants for the present, and assisting them,
by irrigation, &c., to live by farming in the near future.
Efforts have been made to establish agency herds for these Indians,
but with very poor success, as they cannot be prevented from killing
the cattle when driven to do so by hunger.
Jii view of the foregoing, I would recommend that the early attention
of Congress be called to the condition of the Indians at the three agen-
cies mentioned, that such steps as may be considered proper and neces-
sary towards assisting them may be taken at as early a day as practicable.
CROW INDIANS OF MONTANA.
By the agreement entered into with the United States June 12, 1880,
ratified by act of Congress April 11, 1882 (Pamph. Stat. at Large,
1881-'82, page 42), the Crow Indians, for certain valuable considerations,
ceded to the United States 2,427 square miles, or 1,553,280 acres, of the
western portion of the reservation set apart for them by the treaty of
May 7, 1868, leaving the present existing reservation of 7,364 square
miles, or 4,713,000 acres, intact for their use and occupation. The act
of Congress referred to provided for a survey of the reduced reserva-
tion and for the allotment in severalty to the Crow Indians of lands
thereon.
The population of the Crows is estimated at about 3,500. From the
best information obtainable much of the land included within the
present reservation is unfit for farming purposes, and it is believed that
a further reduction could be made on the west and north sides thereof
with advantage to the Government and without serious detriment to
the Indians. I have not sufficient data before me to suggest any defi-
nite boundaries; but if sufficient farming and grazing land can be
obtained to satisfy the purposes of said act within a tract of country, in
compact form, watered by the Big Horn and its tributaries below Fort
Custer, I should be disposed to recommend the consolidation of the
Indians thereon and the opening up of the residue to public settlement,
subject, of course, to proper Negotiations with the Crows under the
authority of Congress.
Houses are now being coutructed in the valleys of the Big Horn and
Little Big Horn for the use of these Indians, with a view of removing
the agency and the Indians to these localities.
LXII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OE INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NORTHERN CHEYENNES IN THE TONGUE RIVER VALLEY, MONTANA
TERRITORY.
In consequence of representations Laving been made to the office,
that numbers of these Indians had located in the Tongue lliver Valley
and vicinity, and allegations having been made by cattlemen that they
were killing stock and otherwise molesting them, Special Agent Mil-
burn was instructed, in February last, to visit the locality and ascer-
tain the condition and wants of these Indians, and the truth of the
complaints made against them. On the 18th of April last he submitted
his report, from which it appeared that the complaints of the cattlemen
were not well founded, and that while some of the Indians had made
little or no progress, others were doing well and ought to be encour-
aged in their efforts to take homesteads and become self-supporting.
The military authorities at Fort Keogh also reported that these Indiana
were deserving of assistance and should be allowed to remain.
In view of these reports I recommended that a special agent be ap-
pointed to take charge of the Indians temporarily and distribute to
them such supplies as they are entitled to receive, which recommenda-
tion was approved by you.
Some of the Indians in the vicinity of the Tongue lliver were for a time
held under the surveillance of the military at Fort Keogh and during
that time were considered prisoners of war. A number of the Indians
now there are a portion of Little Chief's band from Pine Ridge, Dakota.
It is hoped that their efforts at settlement upon homesteads will prove
successful, and to this end they should receive all the assistance which
it is in the power of the Department to render.
SALE OF OMAHA LANDS IN NEBRASKA, AND ALLOTMENT OF LANDS
IN SEVERALTY TO OMAHA INDIANS.
Under authority of the act of Congress approved August 7, 1882 (22
Stat., 341), all that portion of the Omaha Indian reservation in the State
of Nebraska lying west of the right of way of the Sioux City and Ne-
braska Eailroad Company is to be appraised and sold for the benefit
of the Indians of said reservation. A commission, composed of Messrs.
J. B. Detwiler, Daniel Duggan, and Henry Foutenelle, of Nebraska, has
been appointed to make the required appraisement, and these gentle-
men are now engaged in that duty. The quantity of land to be appraised
and sold is estimated to be about 50,000 acres. It is said to be of most
excellent quality, both for agriculture and stock purposes, and the indi-
cations are that it will command a good price. The funds arising from
the sale, after paying the expenses incident thereto, are to be placed to
the credit of the Indians, the income therefrom, at 5 per centum, to be
expended for their benefit, under direction of the Secretary of the Inte-
rior.
Under the same act (section 5) the lauds lying east of the railroad
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXIII
right of way are to be allotted in severally to the Indians of said reserva-
tiou 5 in quantity as therein provided, and in carrying out this wise pur-
pose Miss Alice C. Fletcher, of New York (who has shown a deep in-
terest in the welfare of the Omahas, and through whose instrumentality,
very largely, the legislation authorizing the allotments with permanent
titles thereto was secured), was designated by the Department to make
the allotments, and appointed a special agent of this Bureau for that
purpose. Miss Fletcher received her instructions under date of April
21 last, and already some 500 allotments have been made. The In-
dians are eager to secure their allotments, and the work is progressing
satisfactorily.
By a proviso to the eighth section of the act, any Indian who elects
to do so may take his allotment west of the railroad right of way. It
has been ascertained, however, that there are but ten who desire to go
west of the railroad. Of course their selections will be withheld from
sale.
The residue of lands east of the railroad, after all allotments have
been made, are to be patented to the tribe in common, provision being
made for allotments to children that may be born within a period of
twenty-five years thereafter.
SALE OF THE OTOE AND MISSOURIA RESERVATION IN NEBRASKA AND
KANSAS.
Agreeably with the provisions of the act of March 3, 1881 (21 8 tat.,
390), authorizing the appraisement and sale of the lands named in the
above title, an appraisement of said lands was made during the latter
part of last year, by Messrs. Wiggins, Eagsdale, and Barnes, commis-
sioners of appraisal. The schedule of their appraisement was trans-
mitted to this office under date of February 28, 1883, and, having been
approved by the Department (April 17, 1883), the lands were offered for
sale at public auction through the United States land-office at Beatrice,
Nebr., on the 31st day of March last. The value of the lauds as ap-
praised ranged from $2.50 to $12 per acre, averaging something over $6
per acre. The total quantity appraised was 43,051.01 acres; total value,
$207,323.41^. The proceeds of the sale are to be placed to the credit of
the Otoes and Missourias who are now in the Indian Tenitory, and the
interest thereon at 5 per centum is to be expended for their benefit.
The sale was conducted under the personal supervision of the Com-
missioner of the General Land Office; no official report thereof has yet
been received by this office. It was understood that all the lands were
sold, and that the prices obtained were greatly in advance of the value
fixed by the appraisement, but the office has been informed indirectly
that about one-half of the lands sold have been forfeited by reason of
the failure of purchasers to comply with the terms of sale in respect of
proof of settlement and casli payment. This, in connection with other
information received, to my mind fully confirms the suspicion heretofore
LXIV REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
entertained, that some at least of the purchasers who offered extravagant
prices for the lands were not acting in good faith, but hoped by running
the prices up to destroy the effect of the sale, and eventually, by some
means or other, to secure the lands at their own prices. By this at-
tempted sharp practice not only have bona-fide settlers been deprived
of an opportunity to secure good lands at fair prices, but no little addi-
tional expense is likely to be incurred.
SETTLERS ON THE DUCK VALLEY RESERVATION.
On the 1st of April, 1880, a draft of a bill was prepared for the relief
of certain settlers on the Duck Valley Reservation, in Nevada. These
parties had settled and made improvements upon certain lands em
braced in this reservation prior to the date of the executive order setting
them apart for Indian purposes. Although the lands were uusurveyed r
this office recognized the fact that an equitable claim would have existed
for the value of the improvements, had the same been appraised, and
urged the passage of the bill pro viding for their payment. Congress failed
to take favorable action upon the bill, and, these settlers proving a source
of annoyance to the Indians, were, with the assistance of the military,
forcibly removed from the reservation during the month of April last.
These parties have made valuable improvements upon lands which>
although unsurveyed, were open to settlement. Of these imx)rovements
they have been deprived on account of the exigencies of the Indian
service, and justice and fair dealing demand that they should be paid
therefor. The attention of Congress should again be called to this
matter.
MESCALERO APACHE RESERVATION IN NEW MEXICO CHANGE OF
BOUNDARIES.
Some important changes have been made in the boundaries of the Mes-
cal ero Reservation. A large strip, equal in extent to at least eight
townships, has been segregated on the north and another smaller strip
on the southwest, while an addition equal to about five townships has
been made on the east. (See Executive orders dated May 19, 1882, and
March 24, 1883.) These changes were much needed, owing to the ex-
istence of protracted dispute regarding the true location of the western
boundary of the reservation, in the vicinity of the rich and populous
Nogal mining district, and in order to rid the service of the annoyance
caused by the presence of white settlers, who, by reason of prior settle
ment, had been suffered to remain upon the reservation after its with-
drawal for Indian purposes.
Through the courtesy of the War Department the new outboundaries
Lave been surveyed and marked upon the ground.
REMOVAL OF JICARILLA APACHES TO MESCALERO AGENCY.
For the last year the Mescalero and Jicarilla Agencies, the former ID
Southern and the latter in Northern New Mexico, about 500 miles apart,
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXV
have been under one agent. Under an act of the last Congress, author-
izing consolidation of agencies and removal of Indians, a consolidation
of these two agencies was effected by removing the Jicarillas to the
Mescalero Agency. The removal began under the personal supervision
of Agent Llewellyn, on the 20th of August last. At San Jose' the small-
pox broke out among the Indians, which resulted in the death of six of
their number during the inarch to Fort Suroner. The total distance
traveled by the tribe from Amargo to their present location was 502
miles, and forty-seven days were required for 'die trip. Jt appears from
what the agent reports, that the majority of the Jicariilas are pleased
with the change of location, but that Chief Huaiito and his baud, who
objected to the removal from the start, are still discontented and dis-
satisfied.
The Jicarillas as a tribe are of a wandering restless disposition, and
greatly addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors, and considerable
trouble is apprehended in keeping them within the bounds of the reser-
vation, but it is hoped that the good example of the Mescaleros, who are
now a temperauce people, will aid in bringing about a better condition
of affairs.
CENSUS OF EASTERN CHEROKEES.
Reference was made in my last report to the .appointment of Mr.
Joseph G. Hester, of this city, to take the census and to make a new roll
of all the Cherokee Indians residing east of the 'Mississippi Eiver. Mr.
Hester is still engaged in this duty, although the appropriation made
in the sundry civil appropriation act of August 7, 1882, has long since
been exhausted. Mr. Hester shows a commendable spirit in his deter-
mination to furnish the Department a census that will be of some prac-
tical value and as nearly complete in all its details as possible, trusting
to the liberality of Congress to reimburse him for the outlay and expense
incident to such prolonged and complicated work.
SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THE CHEROKEE NATION.
Referring to my last Annual Report on this subject, which mentioned
the appointment of Courtland C. Clements, esq., of Richmond, Ind. r
special agent to make the investigation authorized by an item in the
sundry civil appropriation act of August 7, 1882, I have the honor to
report that Mr. Clements made the investigation, and his report upon
Eastern and Western Cherokee differences was duly submitted to Con-
gress on the eighth of February, 1883, and printed in House Ex. Doc.
No. 79, Forty-seventh Congress, second session. Mr. Clements' other
reports upon "Old Settler" and other Cherokee questions are printed
in Senate Ex. Docs. Nos. 17 and GO of the same session. No further
action was taken by Congress on these reports.
By the deficiency appropriation act of March 3, 1883, the Eastern
5510 IND v
LXVI REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Band of Cherokee Indians was authorized to institute a suit in the
Court of Claims against the United States
To determine the rights of the said band in and to the moneys, stocks, and bonds
held by the United States in trust for the Cherokee Indians, arising out of the sales
of lands lying west of the Mississippi River, and also in a certain other fund, com-
monly called the permanent annuity fund, to which suit the Cherokee Nation, com-
monly called the Cherokee Nation west, should be made a party defendant.
The case is now pending in the Court of Claims.
UMATILLA RESERVATION.
Bills were introduced in the last Congress (S. 1434, H. R. 2579)
providing for the allotment of lands in several ty to the Indians resid-
ing upon the Umatilla ^Reservation in Northeastern Oregon, for the
granting of patents therefor, and for the sale of the remainder of the
reservation in excess of 120,000 acres, the proceeds to be used for the
benefit of the Indians, in assisting them to establish themselves upon
their several allotments, and in the establishment and support of an
industrial farm and school for the training and education of the children
in the arts and methods of civilized life. Although the bill introduced
in the Senate passed that body on April 24, 1882,* it failed to become
a law.
A large majority of these Indians have expressed a strong desire to
take lands in severalty ; they have more land than they need for that
purpose, or for their wants in their present situation, so that the sale of
a portion of their reservation would furnish them the means necessary
to a fair start upon their several allotments. It is to be hoped, therefore,
that the effort to secure legislation looking to that end will be renewed
at the next session of Congress.
The reservation, which was established bj T treaty of June 9, 1855 (12
Stat., 945), contains 268,800 acres, or 420 square miles, 150,000 acres of
which is tillable. The number of Indians residing upon the reservation,
as shown by the report of the agent for the present year, is 897;
males, 398 ; females, 499.
TOWN OF PENDLETON, OREO.
By section 5 of the act of August 5, 1882 (22 Stat., 297), Congress
appropriated $1,500 to enable the Secretary of the Interior to dispose
of certain lands adjacent to the town of Pendleton, in the State of Ore
gori, belonging to the Umatilla Indian Reservation, in order to afford
said town proper and needful extension and growth. By act of March
3, 1883 (J6., p. 590), Congress appropriated an additional sum of $2,000
for the survey and appraisement of said lauds, making a total of $3,500
appropriated for that purpose. Directions were given by the General
Land Office, in the latter part of March last, for the execution of the
necessary surveys, and a commission, composed of Messrs. X. A. Cor-
* See Cong. Rec. vol. 13, part I, pp. 3210, 3212, 3248.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXVI1
noyer, J. H. Koontz, and J. H. Kenzie, of Umatilla County, Oregon,
appointed by the Department, were instructed by this office to make
the required appraisement. So far no report has been received of the
progress of the work. Upon the return of the survey and appraisement,
if the same shall be approved by the Department, the lands are to be
sold at public auction at the door of the court-house in the town of Pen-
dleton, aforesaid, after thirty days' public notice thereof. Only 640
acres can be sold under the provisions of the act aforesaid.
The funds arising from the sale of the lands, after deducting the ex-
penses of the survey, appraisement, and sale, are to be placed to the
credit of the Indians, bearing interest at the rate of 5 per centum per
annum, and the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to expend from
time to time so much of the principal and accrued interest as he may
see fit in the support of an industrial school for the Indians of the Uina-
tilla Eeservation.
MALHEUR RESERVATION.
&
Under date of May 17 last, I submitted to the Department the ques-
tion of restoring the remainder of the Malheur Indian Reservation, in the
State of Oregon, to the mass of the public domain. It was stated that
the reservation was no longer needed for purposes-of Indian occupation ;
that it was an expense to the Government, in that it had been found
necessary to keep a person constantly employed in the protection of
the Government buildings there, and that it was very doubtful if Con-
gress would grant authority for the sale of any portion of the reserva-
tion for the benefit of the Indians, who have persistently refused to
settle thereon. As the result of this step, the remainder of the reserva-
tion (except 320 acres, upon which the buildings belonging to the Old
Camp Harney Military Reserve are situated) was restored to the public
domain by Executive order, dated May 21, 1883. Under the provision
of law contained in sections 2122 and 2123 of the Revised Statutes, f on
May 23 following the General Land Office was directed to sell toe
agency buildings, together with two sections of land upon which the
same are situated, and this office is advised that the proper steps ha^ve
been taken to effect the sale as directed.
There .have been no Indians upon the Malheur Reservation since the
outbreak of the Bannack war in June, 1878. All the Indians then be-
longing to the agency left the reservation, and at the close of said war
those who had taken part in the hostilities, together with many other
Indians who belonged at Malheur, were removed, with their women and
children, to the Yakama agency, in Washington Territory, where they
are permanently settled. Those who did not go to the Yakama are
living in the vicinity of Camps McDermott, in Nevada, and Bidwell, in
California, near the Oregon line, and the town of Winnemucca, in
Nevada, where they procure a livelihood by cultivating the soil or
laboring among the whites.
LXVIII REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
UTES.
By a clause in the Indian appropriation act approved March 1, 1883
(22 Stat., 449), the Ute Commission, appointed under the act of June
15, 1880 (21 Stat,, 200), was abolished, to take effect March 15, 1883.
At the same time, however, provision was made for continuing the work
heretofore performed by said Commission, and a special agent of the De-
partment is now engaged thereat, having taken up the work where the
Commission left off. A large irrigating ditch has been in process of
construction during the summer on the Uncompahgre Reservation, and
the surveys necessary to the allotment of lands in severalty, as pro-
vided in the agreement, have also been in progress, and are now very
nearly completed. The surveys for the Southern Utes have been made
and returned in full to the General Land Office, and paid for by this
office.
I had the honor to recommend, in report to the Department dated
January 5 last, that the Ute removal and settlement fund of $350,000
(section 9, act June 15, 1880) be reimbursed certain sums of money-
taken therefrom to pay the cost of the surveys made on Grand River, in
Colorado, and to pay for the value of improvements of white settlers
found within the present Uncompahgre Reservation in Utah. The facts
in the case are substantially as follows :
By the agreement made with the Confederated Bands of Utes, ac-
cepted and ratified by the act of June 15, 1880 (21 Stat., 199), it was
agreed that the Uncompahgres should remove to and settle upon agri-
cultural lands on Grand River, near the mouth of the Gunnison River,
in Colorado, if a sufficient quantity of agricultural land could be found
there ; if not, then upon such other unoccupied agricultural lands as
might be found in that vicinity and in the Territory of Utah.
It was supposed at the time that the country in the neighborhood of
the confluence of the Grand and Gunnison Rivers would afford a suffi-
cient quantity of agricultural lands for the settlement of the Uncom-
pahgres in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and as a nec-
essary step to their removal and settlement there, a contract was entered
into for surveying the agricultural lands in that locality. Surveys had
been made amounting to $21,575.35, when it was ascertained that a suf-
ficient quantity of agricultural lands could not be found there; where-
upon the surveys were discontinued, and instead of settling the Indians
there, they were removed to Utah Territory, as provided in the aigree-
rnent. The Indians were in no wise benefited by these surveys, and
they ought not to bear the expense incurred in making them. Had they
been settled there, the cost of the necessary surveys would very prop-
erly come out of the removal fund, and it was of course in anticipation
of their being settled there that the contract for the survey was entered
into. As it is, the Indians derived no benefit from the work done, and
yet the cost has been paid out of their removal and settlement fund.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXIX
Again, under the agreement it was incumbent upon the Government,
in selecting lajids in Utah (having failed to find suitable lands in Col-
orado), to find " unoccupied" agricultural lands for the settlement of the
Uncompahgres. Within the territory finally selected and set apart for
them in Utah some white settlers were found, having improvements of
considerable value. In settlement of the claims of these settlers the
Ute Commission appraised the value of their improvements and allowed
the sum of $10,338.25, which has been set aside and ordered to be paid
out of the removal and settlement fund. Manifestly, the Indians should
bear no part of this expense, as the Government was bound to provide
for them unoccupied lands. Their funds should, therefore, be reimbursed
in that amount.
I earnestly recommend, in view of the foregoing, that Congress be
asked, at its next session, to appropriate $31,913.60 in reimbursement
of the amount thus taken from the removal and settlement fund of
$350,000.
I would add that the surveys in Colorado of which I have spoken,
although of no benefit to the Indians, will undoubtedly be useful to the
Government, as just that much of the public lands has been surveyed, and
the work will not, it is presumed, have to be done over again.
By the act of March 1, abovg quoted, the Secretary of the Interior is
authorized, with the consent of the Indians, to pay in stock and such
other property as he and the Indians may agree upon, instead of cash,
the annual $50,000 per capita payment provided by the agreement incor-
porated in act of June 15, 1880.
MOSES.
In consequence of numerous representations having been made that
the northern portion of the Columbia Reservation in Washington
Territory contained valuable mines, which had been discovered and
worked previous to the issuance of the Executive order of Arpril 19,
1879, setting apart that reserve, the Department, on October 11, 1882,
directed Inspector Gardner to investigate the matter, and also the
location and requirements of the Indians for whose benefit the reservation
was created. As the result of this investigation an Executive order
was issued February 23, 1883, restoring to the public domain a strip of
country 15 miles in width along the entire northern portion of the
reservation.
In April last the commanding general of the Department of the
Columbia represented that this action had occasioned much excitement
among the followers of Chief Moses, and that their disposition was much
more hostile than friendly, and requested authority to send Moses, with
an officer and interpreter, to Washington in order that such action
might be taken as would restore peaceful relations between all con-
cerned.
LXX REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
Accordingly Moses and Sar-sarp-kin, of the Columbia Keservation,,
and Tonasket and Lot, of the Colville Keservation, under the charge
of Oapt. F. D. Baldwin, Fifth United States Infantry, visited Washing-
ton in July last, and entered into an agreement, the following memoran-
dum of which was signed by them and by the Secretary of the Interior
and Commissioner of Indian Aifairs on the 7th of July last :
In the conference with Chief Moses and Sar-sarp-kin, of the Columbia Reservation,
and Tonaskat and Lot, of the Colville Reservation, had this day, the following was-
substantially what was asked for by the Indians :
Tonasket asked for a saw and grist mill, a boarding school to be established at
Buonaparte Creek to accommodate one hundred (100) pupils, and a physician to reside
with them, and one hundred ($100) dollars to himself each year.
Sar-sarp-kin asked to be allowed to remain on the Columbia Reservation with his
people, where they now live, and to be protected in their rights as settlers, and in ad-
dition to the ground they now have under cultivation within the limit of the fifteen
mile strip cut off from the northern portion of the Columbia Reservation, to be allowed
to select enough more unoccupied land in severalty to make a total to Sar-sarp-kin of
four square miles, being 2,560 acres of land, and each head of a family or male adult
one square mile ; or to move on to the Colville Reservation, if they so desire, and in
case they so remove and relinquish all their claims on the Columbia Reservation, he
is to receive one hundred (100) head of cows for himself and people, and such farm-
ing implements as may be necessary.
All of which the Secretary agrees they should have, and that he will ask Congress
to make an appropriation to enable him to perform.
The Secretary also agrees to ask Congress to make an appropriation to enable him
to purchase for Chief Moses a sufficient number of cows to furnish each one of his
band with two cows; also to give Moses one thousand ($1,000) dollars for the pur-
pose of erecting a dwelling house for himself; also to erect a building and maintain
a school therein; also to construct a saw-mill and grist-mill as soon as the same shall
be required for use ; also that each head of a family or male adult person shall be
furnished with one wagon, one double set of harness, one grain cradle, one plow, one
harrow, one scythe, one hoe, and such other agricultural implements as may be neces-
sary.
And on condition that Chief Moses and his people keep this agreement faithfully,
he is to be paid in cash, in addition to all of the above, one thousand ($1,000) dollars
per annum during his life.
All this on condition that Chief Moses shall remove to the Colville Reservation and
relinquish all claim upon the Government for any land situate elsewhere.
Further, that the Government will secure to Chief Moses and his people, as well as
to all other Indians who may go on to the Colville Reservation, and engage in farming,
equal rights and protection alike with all other Indians now on the Colville Reserva-
tion, and will afford him any assistance necessary to enable him to carry out the
terms of this agreement on the part of himself and his people. That until he and his
people are located permanently on the Colville Reservation his status shall remain
as now, and the police over his people shall be vested in the military, and all
money or other articles to be furnished him and his people shall be sent to some
point in the locality of his people, there to be distributed as provided. All other
Indians now living on the Columbia Reservation shall be entitled to 640 acres, or one
square mile of land, to each head of family or male adult, in the possession and owner-
ship of which they shall be guaranteed and protected. Or should they move on to
the Colville Reservation within two years, they will be provided with such farming
implements as may be required, provided they surrender all rights to the Columbia
Reservation.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. LXXI
All of the foregoing is upon the condition that Congress will make an appropria-
tion of funds necessary to accomplish the foregoing, and confirm this agreement ;
<md also, with tfie understanding that Chief Moses or any of the Indians heretofore
mentioned shall not be required to remove to the Colville Reservation until Congress
does make such appropriation, &c.
H. M. TELLER,
Secretary of the Interior.
his
GEORGE X HEREING, Interpreter for the Indiana.
mark
H. PRICE,
Commissioner Indian Affairs.
MOSES, his X mark.
TONASKET, his X mark.
SAR-SARP-KIN, his X mark.
J. F. SHERWOOD,
Interpreter for the Government.
FRANK D. BALDWIN,
Captain Fifth Infantry.
This agreement, if ratified by Congress, will restore to the public do-
main some 2,243,040 acres, in addition to the 749,200 acres restored by
the Executive order of February 23, 1883, upon terms favorable to the
Government, and for the best interests of the Indians themselves.
ENOCH SILIQUOWYA AND THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY.
This Indian, with others of the Spokanes, settled upon and improved
lands in Washington Territory outside of any reservation, which were
found to be within the grant to the Northern Pacific Eailway Company.
The company, desiring these lands, offered to pay Enoch* the sum of
$1,000 for his improvements, notwithstanding the fact that he had no
valid title. Although this sum was probably the full value of the im-
provements, I urged upon the company the propriety and good policy
of paying him a sum which would fully compensate him for the loss of
the land as well as the improvements. The company, in compliance
with this request, thereupon paid him the sum of $2,000, and then per-
mitted him to remove such improvements as he desired. This instance
of just and liberal dealing with the Indians on the part of this corpora-
tion I deem worthy of note, and commend it as an example to other
corporations and individuals.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. PRICE,
Commissioner.
The Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
REPORTS OF AGENTS.
COLORADO RIVER AGENCY, ARIZONA,
August 13, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with the instructions to agents with the directions of Depart-
ment circular, dated July 13, 1883, I have the honor to submit the following as my
first annual report of affairs pertaining to the agency and Indians under my charge,
and to transmit the accompanying statistics relative thereto.
On my arrival at this agency December 19, 1882, I found matters in a very de-
moralized condition, and without any attempt seemingly to the care or preservation
of the Government supplies by my predecessor, Colonel Biggs. What few remain-
ing supplies there were on hand I found in very bad order. {Seemingly, they had
been thrown about in the utmost confusion, and distributed in no less than five
different places or storehouses, thereby compelling the agent to travel all about the
premises, wading nearly knee-deep in sand to fill the school requisitions, which had
to be done once a week. I found goods perishing for want of better attention. * * *
After taking charge of the agency January 1, 1883, I immediately went to work
getting matters in shape and in making one general storehouse for all the agency
supplies, thereby arranging the goods in such order that any one could see at a glance
just what supplies were on hand at any or all times, as also in facilitating the filling
of all the requisitions for the schools, &c. After this work was consummated, I then
turned my attention to the general improvement of the agency buildings and furni-
ture, which had also been sadly neglected. At the end of the first quarter (with
the aid of all the agency employe's, who rendered very efficient service), I had all
things put in order and, in fact, rea<ly for inspection, for the condition of which I
respectfully refer the Department to the report of General Charles Howard, inspector,
who visited the agency about the middle of last May.
RESERVATION.
There is doubtless among all the various reservations of our country none that is
more desolate and unproductive than this. There are said to be 128,000 acres in this
reserve within the following described boundaries, as per report of surveys made in
187ti:
Commencing at a point where the La Paz Arroya enters the Colorado River 4 miles above Ehren-
berg ; thence easterly with said army a to a point south of the crest of La Paz Mountain ; thence in a
northwesterly direction across the Colorado River to the top of Monument Peak, in the State of Cali-
fornia; thence southwesterly in a straight line to the top of Riverside Mountain, California; thence
in a direct line to the place of beginning.
The soil within said boundary is, in my opinion, well adapted for raising almost
any kind of cereal matter providing water could be secured for irrigating purposes.
I do not mean to convey the impression that all the land embraced in the above-
named boundary, but quite sufficient, could bo selected to produce all these Indians
would require. In order to fully satisfy myself about the production of this
sandy soil, I made several experiments during the past season in the propagation of
vegetables and other matter; and although I was deprived of the usual appliances to
secure water from the agency tank on account of the (stoppage of the engine, and was
obliged to work under very great disadvantages by having the water carried in
buckets a long distance, and the area planted irrigated in that manner, the result
was very gratifying indeed, so long as the water supply is continued, but once that is cut
off everything immediately begins to wither and die; this is owing to the intense heat
which prevails in this locality. The water question seems to be the only one in my mind
requiring the attention of the Department in order to make these Indians self-sup-
porting, which I am satisfied they would be after they were properly started in the
ways and customs of tilling the soil. During the past season I had the old ditch or
canal opened, cleaned for several miles, and water let in during its highest stage ;
this only benefited those who reside in the locality of the agency buildings. A very
large area of land in small patches was irrigated from it along the whole length of
the canal and for more than a mile below the agency buildings. From this small
5916 IND 1
2 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA.
enterprise a very large amount of corn, pumpkins, beans, and melons will be raised,
thereby aiding them very much in their support for the coming winter. It is not
every season that this canal I have spoken of can be utilized, as the water does not
rise high enough in the river to enter the canal or ditch, and cannot therefore be re-
lied on from one season to another. I learn that the Colorado River was much higher
this season than it has been at any time during the past eight years.
I do not think the present mode of irrigating by a canal system can be successfully
accomplished without a very large outlay of money ; at least from $75,000 to $100,000.
Other methods might be adopted which would prove cheaper at the beginning, but
would perhaps in the end prove to be the most expensive. Nothing but a permanent
construction of a canal will do much good, and I can see no point nearer than 15 miles
where such a project is likely to succeed, and that is at a place called Aubrey, situ-
ated at the mouth of what is known as William's Fork, a beautiful stream of pure
spring water which might be utilized for supplying these Indians with all the water
needed. In the use of this clear water there would be no sediment to iill up a canal,
as would be the case if the water from the Colorado River was used, thereby causing
a very great deal of labor and expense in keeping the same cleaned so that water
could pass through it. The sediment matter of which the river water is composed is
at least in the high-water season one-fourth sand, and unless a canal had a very
rapid decline it would till up in a very short time. In my judgment water can be
successfully brought through at least a part of this agency or reserve, but will re-
quire, as before stated, a very large sum of money to make it a permanency. I believe
if any other method be adopted to furnish a water supply it will not only be at-
tended with great cost at the beginning but will also prove a source of continued
expense to keep machinery, &c., in order.
I would respectfully ask that the Department again call for a new or additional
survey of the canal so as to definitely decide whether it is really feasible or not. If
it cannot be accomplished it would decide the matter definitely with the Indians, who
are, in a great measure, living in hope of having the work completed for them. I
have conversed with several reliable persons on the subject and all seem to have no
doubt but what the work can be successfully accomplished if a sufficient appropri-
ation was allowed by Congress. It would at least be very gratifying to the Indians
if a new survey was made, even though it proved impracticable. They would rest
contented that the Great Father had done his best to please them and make the best
of the situation. A new survey might also decide whether any other means could be
devised to secure water, the greatest blessing they could have, as it would be the
means of getting the Indians in one locality instead of, as now, scattered everywhere
as they can find little patches of land to cultivate. Once that water was secured
they would stop their roving habits, settle down and build them permanent homes.
Although the report of Lieutenant Wheeler decided that the old canal project is im-
practicable, yet I feel that he is mistaken, and another effort ought to be made which
will, if nothing more, corroborate his former decision and settle the question forever.
These Indians are among the best I have ever seen, and desire to do only what is
right for the interest of the Government, and would be self sustaining, if a water
supply was given them.
SANITARY.
The health of the Indians during the past year has been remarkably good. A few
of the oldest have died. At one time it was feared that small-pox, which had a fear-
ful outbreak at Fort Yuma early in the spring, or during the months of February and
March, would spread among the Indians here ; but by the adoption of good sanitary
measures by the authorities at Fort Yuma and this agency, keeping a guard contin-
ually on the alert, thereby placing the Indians under a strict quarantine measure,
the Indians were kept in a sphere or locality remote from the agency, so that no one
was allowed within a certain radius until the pestilence subsided. In this way these
tribes escaped the disease entirely. I find, from the report of the physicians at Fort
Yuma, that the epidemic was confined to the Mexican portion of the settlement, and
they report as many as 23 deaths by the malady in one week.
POLICE.
The police force retain much popularity and influence among the tribes, considering
the remote distances they are located from each other, which prevents, in a great
measure, a more thorough regulation among them for discipline, such as one could
have were they constantly at the agency in practice. They are doubtless as prompt
in the exercise of their duty as could be desired. Peace and quietude have prevailed
since I took charge, requiring no arrests to be made. During the month of March
last I had an occasion to order the police to go in pursuit of two white men who had
stolen a small boat belonging to our Chief, Hook-a-Row. When the police approached
the white men they escaped on the opposite side of the river, leaving the boat, which
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA. 3
was brought back where it belonged. In this transaction I saw the necessity of se-
curing arms for the police for similar and other emergencies, and in order to obtain
the same I advised the reduction of the force from 10 to 6, which was granted. The
police are well distributed as to locality and tribal numbers, which insures promptness
in reporting everything occurring on the reservation.
RELIGION.
There is nothing here in that form except in the way of a thoroughly organized
Sabbath school, composed of fifty-seven scholars, with four lady teachers and the
agency male employe's, who have taken a very deep interest in the same. The scholars
are nearly equally divided as to sexes. The exercises of the Sabbath school are nearly
the same as our own, with most excellent singing from the Moody and Sankey melo-
dies.
There is no better field anywhere for a missionary than here one who would be
earnest and thorough in his work. Such a person could soon master the language so
as to talk to the Indians in their own tongue, thns having a much greater influence
over them. Certainly, it is a much brighter field for missionary work than Japan,
where I spent six years, giving me a good opportunity of seeing the progress of the
work there, and which to me was anything but encouraging for the number of mis-
sionaries in the field and the vast outlay of money. Our people commit a very great
error in not giving more attention to these poor, ignorant beings, and trying to bring
their minds and hearts to Jesus, and thereby advancing and elevating them to a
higher standard of morality.
SCHOOLS.
Since the last report made by my predecessor there has been a very marked change
in the management of the school, which now numbers 57 scholars at the last enroll-
ment and is divided into two grades, viz, the primary and graduating. The latter
grade prepares the scholars for other higher schools at Hampton, Carlisle, Albuquerque,
and other points, where they are sent to complete their studies, away from all tribal
associations and influences. During the past year, many children in the school from
five to thirteen years of age have learned to write handsomely. They seem to be
perfect imitators, and always trying to accomplish something to attract the attention
and admiration of the teacher and other agency employe's.
There is one member of the school here who deserves more than passing notice.
She belongs to the Chimehuevas tribe, and is about seventeen years of age. We call
her the sculptress. She will take a piece of clay in her hands and manipulate it in
such a manner as to produce with perfection the bust and head of any model she has
over seen. She will also make the beads of animals as perfect as life itself, without
seemingly any very great effort. I believe if she could be placed in a good art school
under the instructions of a good sculptor she would become celebrated.
The girls who attend school are taught to do all their own sewing, cutting and fit-
ting, and general house work, while the boys are also kept in strict surveillance and
find plenty to do in cutting wood, working in the garden, and keeping their apart-
ments in order. In all cases I have found the children very obedient in what is re-
quired of them to do.
On my arrival at the agency I found the children in a very destitute condition for
clothing, with the thermometer nearly down to zero. A large majority of the girls
had only a very thin piece of calico to cover their nakedness during the long cold
spell which was almost unprecedented in this locality, freezing water in the ewers or
water coolers 10 inches thick, and bursting all the water pipes on the premises. The
boys were not much better off' for clothing than the girls ; with a very limited supply
of blankets it was only with the greatest effort that all the children could be kept
warm during the cold spell, which lasted nearly a fortnight. All of this suffering
might have been averted had the clothing arrived in time, but unfortunately it was
delayed at Fort Yuma, being overlooked in shipping to this point by the Colorado
Steam Navigation Company, and did not arrive until the weather moderated. The
appearance of the children is now very different. The girls have each two full suits
of nicely made clothing, with good warm flannel undergarments, while the boys have
also two suits each of good, well-made garments. The clothing has made a complete
change, not only in the appearance of the children, but their actions as well. They
seem to feel very grateful for the same. All the ladies (employe's of the agency) are
deserving of the highest praise for their untiring zeal and industry which they dis-
played in getting all the children clothed at this critical time in such a brief period,
viz, twenty-seven days after the goods arrived.
It is to be regretted that we are to lose the most valued services of Miss Mary Hamp-
ton, of Charleston, 111., who has been the principal teacher here for the past two
years, being thoroughly enlisted in the cause at all times. Her relations at home com-
pelled her to resign. Her place will be very ably filled by a male teacher, one of the
4 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA.
best and ablest that could be secured for the place, while the primary class will have for
its teacher a lady who is also thoroughly qualified for the work and will doubtless give
entire satisfaction. With these new changes I cannot but be very hopeful of the best
results.
I would respectfully request that the Indian school at this agency be closed for va-
cation on the 15th day of May of each year for a period of four months, or until the 15th
day of September following, on account of the very warm season setting in much
earlier than in the Eastern States. This year the average temperature for the mouth
of June was 104, which caused much sickness among the scholars, and also caused
them to make very poor progress in their studies during the heated term. I found it
of necessity to dismiss the school on the 15th of June for fear of having many ot the
scholars left on my hands at the agency with no provision for their support. In many
localities in the Southern States the scholars have four months' vacation, which they
find has proved very advantageous to the children. I therefore earnestly recommend
its adoption here.
In conclusion, I would respectfully recommend that more commodiousschool buildings
be erected at this agency, having sufficient capacity to acommodate at least two hun-
dred scholars, which number could be easily obtained from both tribes. The present
school building is thoroughly inadequate and unfit for such purposes, being small, badly
ventilated, and without sufficient light. I find that the Indians are very desirous of
sending their children to school since they have seen the benefits the children have
derived from it, and nothing can be more convincing in my mind to establish civiliza-
tion among them than in the education of the children.
When I first came here all the scholars were in the habit of painting their faces,
presenting a very comical and hideous appearance, and allowed to attend school iii
that condition, while at the same time both men and women were allowed to come
about the agency in almost a nude state. These errors were immediately corrected,
and no more paint is used, and no one is allowed to come about the premises unless
they are properly clothed. This order worked a little hardship at first, but they
gradually accepted the situation and now approve the new order. It is not an un-
common thing to see an Indian borrowing a pair of pants from his acquaintance for
the purpose of visiting the agency and the school.
POPULATION.
The last census showed the whole population to be 1,026, which were divided as
follows: Mohaves 81.1, and the Chimehuevas 213. Since 1880 the census has not been
taken, but it is bettered that the Indiana are on the increase, as the reports show in
some localities many more births than deaths. This year I intend making a most
thorough and careful examination of census of both the tribes, giving the numbers
of each and their respective ages. And an effort will be made to bring all the children
under the school influence.
My observation is, that the younger children are the best disciplined and progress
more rapidly than the older scholars. They also become more attached to the agency
and teachers. It is therefore my intention to have only the younger scholars attend
school, especially at the present time when the accommodations are so limited.
COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES.
Relative to the court of Indian offenses I have to report that its organization is of
so recent a date that its effects are not yet apparent.
FARMING.
The Indians of this reservation have raised more wheat this year than ever before,
as also a large crop of corn, beans, melons, pumpkins, and squash. They seem to
have made extra exertions to obtain a goodly supply for lasting during the winter.
Having done so well this season, their efforts next year will be renewed. Nothing
would please them better than to be able to raise enough for their full support with-
out being in any way dependent upon the Government. Some 1,060 acres of cereal
matter has been produced this year, of which about 280 acres were of wheat and the
balance in corn, beans, melons, pumpkins, squash, &c. With plenty of water for
irrigating purposes fully ten times this amount could be harvested, or quite enough
for their annual support. But very little of the wheat harvested this year was
ground and baked into bread. Nearly or quite all of it has been eaten in its green
state, as they seem to like it better that way than any other mode of preparing it.
Many were made quite sick from eating too much. Not, perhaps, until they have a
large abundance for milling purpose will they cease this dangerous pracfice, as also
the use of all other vegetable matter in the same way. Watermelons are eaten by
them with as good a relish in a green state as when they are thoroughly ripe. The
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA. 5
conduct of the Indians and their industry during the past year has certainly been
very commendable, and they are deserving of the highest praise.
In conclusion,*! wish to express my gratitude to the Department officers for their
very kind support in the administration of affairs at this agency during the past year,
which has terminated so favorably: also to the agency employe's for their cheerful
and efficient support in all things.
I can but hope that the coining year will be one of continued prosperity, and that
in my next I may be able to report a very decided improvement.
Very respectfully submitted.
JOHN W. CLARK,
U. S. Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PIMA AND MARICOPA AGENCY, ARIZONA,
August 24, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following as my first annual report at this
agency.
No accurate census ever having been taken, we are unable to give statistics of the
Pima and Papago Indians with any degree of certainty. As near as can be estimated
the populations of the different tribes are as follows :
Pimas (estimated) 4,800
Maricopas off of reservation (actual number) 574
Papagos on reservation (estimated) 500
Papagos off of reservation (estimated) 6, 800
Total 12,674
It is impossible to tell whether their number is increasing or decreasing. In case
of death the deceased are so soon carried to the grave that I know or hear not of their
death. A superstition seems to prevail among them in regard to reporting deaths,
and it is only with great difficulty that we induce the police to report even the small
number that are reported.
CIVILIZATION.
These people are in advance of the majority of other tribes in point of civiliza-
tion. I can safely say that two-thirds of the men wear the garb of citizens, wholly
and at all seasons of the yea.r, while the remaining one-third wear citizens' dress only
at certain times. To-day these Indians have more respect for the law, they dress
better, and have tilled more land this year than any other in the history of this peo-
ple. Agricultural implements are only issued to them in return for labor.
Crimes committed by Indians are of rare occurrence. Eleven Indians belonging to
the Pima tribe are now awaiting trial, charged with an assault with intent to commit
murder upon two whites residing in the vicinity of Tempe; also two Pimas have been
killed by an Indian of their own tribe while in a state of intoxication. With these
exceptions no crimes worthy of notice have been committed.
EDUCATION.
A boarding school has been maintained nearly seven months during the past year;
the expenses of conducting it have been borne by the Government, as follows :
Salaries of teachers and employe's $2, 579 37
Other expenses 919 31
Total 3, 498 68
Ou the 30th of March the boarding school was dismissed for the purpose of adding
a second story to the building, which is unplastered and unceiled, but can and will
be occupied as school-rooms and dormitories as soon as the warm weather will per-
mit school to reopen, which will be about the 1st of September, at which time we
hope it will be, under the now existing favorable auspices, a grand success. The
pupils manifest an earnest desire to be educated, and they learn very rapidly. The
main difficulty we have to encounter is to teach them to speak English, the school
being located at the agency, surrounded by Indians who speak nothing but their own
language.
AGENCY FARM.
Heretofore nothing has been done towards securing an agency farm. I have now a
piece of land containing about 75 acres, partially cleared, which I propose to fence
6 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA.
and break during the coming fall, to be cultivated by the school-boys. The new irri-
gating canal is now completed, by means of which our farm can be cultivated. This
canal will afford an ample supply of water to irrigate the land for about nine months
out of the year. During the dry season, in June, July, and August, we cannot hope
to get any water, us the river is so low during that time that it affords an insufficient
supply for the Indians, who in equity have the prior right. During the month of
August the river is usually entirely dry, and for these reasons we expect to raise only
such crops as mature early. More farm stock is required in consequence of the enter-
prise, and I would suggest tbat four good mules be furnished for this purpose.
AGRICULTURE.
This is the only means of a livelihood for the Pima and Maricopa Indians. The
Papagos are not so suitably located for farming. Most of them live out on the desert,
miles and miles from any stream of water, which renders irrigation impossible. The
Pimas are located on either side of the Gila River, the entire length of the reserva-
tion, engaged in cultivating small patches of ground, from a decare to a hectare.
Their harvest just closed has been unusually good. It is impossible to give the exact
number of bushels of grain and produce raised. A very careful estimate has been
made by villages, and the result is, wheat, 1,263,245 bushels: corn, 15,696 bushels;
barley, 10,709 bushels; and 9,126 bushels of beans. The wheat raised by the Indians
is of excellent quality, and nothing raised by white settlers can be favorably com-
pared with it. The Indians live together in villages during the winter months and
remove to their fields during the summer to properly work and care for their growing
crops.
As the lands of this reservation are only set aside by Executive order, subject to
revocation at the will of the President, the Indians are loath to make any extensive
building improvements, not being sure of their lands unless allotted in severalty or
set aside by an act of Congress. Only a very small portion of the 230,000 acres com-
prised in this reservation is arable or irrigable, the amount of good farming land
being so small as to scarcely enable the Indians to obtain a living therefrom. Every
possible effort has been made to aid them in their farming, but being scattered over
a vast area of country it is impossible to give them the assistance they deserve and
should receive.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Under this head I will mention that $4,475 have been expended for the following
furposes: In the erection of a second story over the old agency building, size 86 by
16 feet, with porches 8 feet wide on three sides; walls of adobe and shingle roof on
both the porches and building. Also, $500 for plastering the outside and finishing the
inside of the lower story of the agency dwelling. An irrigating canal about 8 miles
in length has been constructed and a substantial dam across the north fork of the
Gila River. These, together with the partial clearing of 75 acres of land, constitute
the improvements that have been made for the benefit of the agency during the past
year. The canal, dam, and clearing of land have all been done by Indian labor, they
receiving as a compensation for their services such articles of supplies, clothing, bed-
ding, agricultural implements, Avagons, &c., as they required and we had on hand.
WHISKY TRAFFIC.
This is the main obstacle in the civilization of these Indians with which we come
in contact. As it is an extreme impossibility to induce Indians to inform on the illicit
traders, or give any clew that could lead to their arrest, I find it very difficult to detect
them. It will be seen by my statistics that three men have been arrested for selling
liquor to Indians, two of whom are awaiting trial, I think with sufficient evidence to
convict. The other case has been heard, the defendant arguing that the Papago In-
dians, to whom the liquor was sold, were citizens of the United States; to which no
decision has, as yet, been rendered.
In connection 'with this subject, I might mention that since the construction of the
Southern Pacific Railroad the Indians along the line of said road have been permitted to
ride upon the trains, they being exempt from the payment of fare. The action of the
company in thus allowing them to ride was undoubtedly iutended as a kindness and
to place the Indians under such obligations to the road as to make them interested in
reporting any sudden damage the road might sustain by reason of floods or otherwise,
but the abuse made by the Indians of this intended kindness has gradually grown to
be a very great evil. 'They board the trains at the different stations along the road
with their wheat, which is taken to Tucson, sold, and liquor obtained with the pro-
ceeds. I have in a lengthy letter to the general manager of the road submitted the
whole matter, and requested that he issue an order to his employe's prohibiting In-
dians from riding on trains unless their agent should give them a pass with request
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA. 7
for transportation, but for some unknown reason the company has failed to respond
to my communication.
EMPLOYES.
The employe's for the past year were, of whites, a physician, farmer, and blacksmith,
clerk to the agent, teacher, assistant teacher, matron, seamstress, laundress, and cook;
of Indians, a laborer, teamster, mail-carrier, interpreter, and two apprentices; of
Indian police, one captain, two sergeants, and seven privates ; in all, 25.
SANITARY.
The health generally has been good. Syphilitic affections is the prevailing disease.
In February the measles made its appearance, lasting for two months, extending over
the entire reservation, many dying. In April and May, 409 were vaccinated. Twenty
births and 37 deaths were reported during the year, doubtless being far below the true
number; 717 cases have been treated, mostly at the physician's office. The "medi-
cine men" are still among us, their influence being in proportion to the distance from
the agency.
THE PAPAGOS.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884, Congress has made an appropriation of
$15,000 for this and the Colorado River agencies, the former numbering 12,674 and
the latter 1,026, making a total of 13,700, or $1.10 for the support, civilization, and
instruction of each Indian. The paltry sum appropriated will not admit of any
aid being given to the Papagos. They have no one to teach them, and no physician
to attend their wants in sickness. More than enough timber is annually being stolen
from them to defray the expenses of maintaining a school and employing a physician.
Their reservation is 90 miles from this agency, and to visit them authority must
first be obtained, and before any action can be taken by me a period of from five to
six weeks has elapsed. My experience has been that, if anything is done for an
Indian or towards catching a thief (especially a Mexican), action must be taken
promptly and quickly; but if a delay of five or six weeks cannot be avoided, it is
best to drop the matter and save expense.
The Papagos have now arrived at a stage of civilization where they need assist-
ance, and unless they are aided and helped to battle for true civilization, they will
soon begin to go backward in this respect, and all the good heretofore accomplished
will be ineffectual.
Statistical information herewith.
Very respectfully,
A. H. JACKSON,
United States Indian
The COMMISSIONER or INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SAN CARLOS INDIAN AGENCY, ARIZONA TER. T
August 9, 1883",
SIR: Complying with office instructions, I hafve the honor to submit my first annual
report.
On the 1st of September, 1882, I entered upon the discharge of my official duties.
The preceding spring and summer had been marked by many acts of hostility on the
part of Indians belonging on this reservation, and serious fears were entertained by
citizens of Arizona of further outrages. Many of the chiefs were sullen and defiant ;
others less bold, were discontented and suspicious. The season had been passed in
idleness, no effort having been made for self-support. Farms along the Gila and San
Carlos rivers were overgrown with weeds, and miles of irrigating ditches, constructed
at great cost, were neglected and unserviceable. Having no resources of their own,
the Indians needed full rations from the agency; failing to obtain them, they must
beg, or steal, or go hungry. The Indians complained that issues were irregular, un-
certain, and short ; citizens asserted that the shortage was made good by them, through
beggary and theft. To correct these evils, subject the Indians to obedience, restore
confidence, and prevent further cause of complaint on a reservation occupied by five
thousand savages, and surrounded by a large and constantly-increasing population
of irrepressible whites, was the work expected of me by the Department and de-
manded by the people.
My earliest efforts were directed to accumulating supplies in such quantities as to
insure regular weekly issues. Contractors were notified that any delay on their part
would subject them to the full penalty attached to their contracts for failure. Their
prompt action soon supplied every want. The Indians were assured that on each
8 REPOETS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA.
and every weekly issue day thereafter they would receive the full allowance of all
supplies purchased for them by the Government. Thus far that promise has been
faithfully kept.
The subagency, located near the Gila River, 15 miles from San Carlos, on the road
leading to Camp Thomas, not being needed to promote the welfare of the Indians,
but rather having been converted into a place of resort for evil-disposed persons, both
white and Indian, I soon broke it up, removing all the property, except buildings,
to the agency. The Indians living in that vicinity and enjoying a license of free in-
tercourse and trade with a dissolute class of white men who congregated there, made
many threats of violence should I attempt their removal, but firmly met and ordered
to come to a point near the agency where they could be conveniently counted, they
sullenly obeyed. The advantage of having but one place of issue soon became appar-
ent, even to the Indians, who, seeing that all were treated alike, and none deprived
of their fair share of the Government's bounty, soon assumed an air of cheerful com-
pliance with all rules established by me for their guidance.
Complying with the wishes of General Cook, I consented to an arrangement by which
some six or seven hundred White Mountain Indians were permitted to live near Fort
Apache, a locality about 60 miles from the agency, in the northern part of the reser-
vation, to which they had become strongly attached by long residence and its superior
advantages of soil, climate, water, and abundant game. The conditions of my assent
were, that such Indians as chose to live there should be self-supporting, and that
General Crook should be responsible for their good conduct.' During the fall and
winter little trouble was experienced from the arrangement, but the clamor for sup-
plies has been loud this summer, and under the plea that they were planting and
needed rations until the ripening of their corn, they have drawn heavily on the
agency. The original number has been largely increased by relatives and friends
from the agency, who, seeing the advantages of a pleasant summer resort, have from
time to time abandoned the hot valleys of the San Carlos and the Gila, and retired to
the mountains. It will become necessary to put an end to this unsatisfactory manner
of managing the Indians of this reservation, and I shall, at an early day, suggest a
reform.
With a view to encourage pride in ownership, I asked for, and obtained, permission
to issue agricultural implements to the deserving; and the commencement of the
planting season witnessed a new departure Apaches at work in the fields, with
working tools of their own sufficient for all the varied operations of preparing the
ground, planting and cultivating their crops. The methods employed by these un-
trained farmers are painfully slow and laborious. Unaccustomed to continued effort,
they require constant watching, urging and directing, to insure results that may be
considered satisfactory, even as a promise of something better in the future. Through
the persevering efforts of Mr. Marshall, agency head farmer, the irrigating ditches
were finally repaired, and something like enthusiasm appeared to inspire the people
when they were told that they could draw seed for planting. As the season pro-
gressed and the work went steadily forward, several of the chiefs, who had at first
declined to engage in agricultural pursuits, became infected with the general desire
to become farmers, and, though they commenced too late to raise crops this year,
have made commendable progress in opening new ditches aud preparing laud for the
next. Notwithstanding the many discouragements encountered during the progress
of the work, and the meager results when counted against the number of able bodied
men and women engaged, or claiming to be engaged, in its prosecution, it is grat-
ifying to record that sufficient display has been made to impress the Indians that
they are engaged in profitable toil, and that to this feeling may be ascribed the fact
that throughout the period of excitement consequent upon the Chiricahua raid and
the subsequent campaign of General Crook, not a man of all the Apache bands on
the reservation was known to have taken part except in the capacity of enlisted
scout in the command that went out to capture the hostiles. The Government's
share derived from farm labor is not shown on " statistics " accompanying this report,
but if accurately estimated, its money value would b found to exceed that of the
Indians ; but it cannot be so estimated, as the value of undisturbed peace on an Indian
reservation is an unknown quantity. By a well organized and earnest effort on the
part of the agent, fully supported by the'Departmeut, the stimulus given the Indians
by this year's success may be turned to good account in encouraging them to a more
extended effort in 1884.
Though it has ever been the custom among the Apaches to lay the heavy burdens
on the backs of the squaws, no particular disgrace attaches to the buck who, shaking
off the natural indolence of his race, engages in remunerative toil. The services of
the men are often sought by ranchmen living near the reservation, and some of them
are said to be quite efficient at ditching, wood chopping, adobe making, and other
unskilled labor. All the wood required at the military post at this place last year,
some 200 cords, was put in by Indians, who also supplied about 350 tons of hay, here
and at Camp Apache, for which they received, in the aggregate, some $10,000, a sum
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN ARIZONA. 9
that will be largely increased this year for the same articles. Most of the work of
fathering hay is performed by women and children, who cut it with common butcher
nives and grass-books, and pack it on their backs, often long distances, in bundles
weighing from 50 pounds to 100 pounds each. Eager crowds engage in the work, and
if they could find a market for all they would gather many would be enabled to sup-
port themselves without assistance from the Government.
From this statement it must not be inferred that only a market is needed to enable
the Apaches to become independent of Government aid. This might be true of all
the tribes on the reservation, under certain conditions, but, unfortunately, the con-
ditions are lacking. To the extent of the natural products of the soil they would
gather the last fagot and the last blade of grass for ready cash, but the limit of pro-
duction of these, the only articles exchangeable for money, would soon be reached in
the presence of an active demand. But the market is not at hand for even the limited
supply ; and if it were, " Poor Lo" is so susceptible to the evil influences that surround
all public marts, as to render almost certain his return to his home poorer than when
he started out with his rude freight of salable stuff. No people in the world are
more eager in pursuit of the nimble shilling than they. Show them a seed they can
sow in the morning, gather the fruit thereof at noon, and sell in the early evening,
and the busy hum of industry would be as ceaseless in the White Mountain Indian
Reservation as in any civilized community. They have not learned to labor and to
wait; to teach them this valuable lesson is a reform that must be fully established
before their pauperism gives place to independent self-support.
I have often been urged to favor the opening of a school on the reservation for the
education of Indian children. This I have declined to do, and I am still of the
opinion that until the Apaches cease to be nomads and acquire some knowledge of
and pleasure in such permanent habitations as are distinguishable from the lairs of
wild beasts have been taught to practice habits of industry that will insure for
themselves and their families such simple articles of food and raiment- as will entitle
them to the distinction of having taken one step in the march of civilization the
introduction of books and teachers among them will be worse than useless. On the
reservation no school can be so conducted as to remove the children from the influ-
ence of the idle and vicious who are everywhere present. Only by removing them
beyond the reach of this influence can they be benefited by the teaching of the school-
master. To this course there is now being offered a stubborn resistance by the parents,
many of whom, previous to the return of the Chiricahuas, had promised to give up
children for eastern schools, but who, since coming under the pernicious influence of
that dominant tribe, have found objections that before had not occurred to them. If
the Government. would lift the Apaches from the slough of ignorance and loathsome
degradation in which they now wallow, compulsory education must be resorted to.
Under the strong hand of the law of force they must be taught to labor systemat-
ically, and when it becomes necessaiy to educate the rising generation in the mystery
of books, force should compel them to accept the situation.
Force is the one law the Indian recognizes and respects; it is his law, and when he
fails to enforce it the power is lacking to sustain him. No argument will serve to
convince him that the white man stays his hand for any other reason. Overcome in
battle, deprived of his arms and trodden remorselessly beneath the heel of the con-
querer, he bows with humility to the power that has subdued him, and submits with-
out murmuring to the will of his master. Under such conditions the Apaches can be
trained to a knowledge of steady industry, and induced to submit their children to the
guidance of the white man for such development of their mental faculties as may be
possible with this fast disappearing and seemingly doomed race
The sanitary condition is fairly satisfactory, no disease of unusual fatality having
prevailed. The most common ailment is due to licentious habits, and it is a fact
worthy of notice that the immoral practices that lead to this affliction are more common
among those bands that are on the most friendly and intimate terms with the whites than
among the more warlike. The Yuina, Tonto, and Mojave tribes, that have been subdued
to the point of servility, are the most notoriously profligate of all the Indians on the res-
ervation, and it is claimed by persons long resident among them that the White Mountain
Indians who, next to the Chiricahuas are the most warlike, are freest from the besetting
sin, of all the reservation Apaches. It may be that to this fact is due their superior
physical condition, which takes rank among the tribal divisions according to the
extent of their reliance on the white man for protection and support and the years of
their intercourse with him.
in power of endurance, manly bearing, independent spirit, and mental capacity
the different tribes assigned to this reservation may be fairly classified in the follow- *
ing order: 1st. Th<^ Chiricahuas, who have so long been a terror to the citizens of
Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and Sonora and Chihuahua in Mexico,
and who boast even now that they have never been whipped by any civilized power.
'2d. The White Mountains, the friends of the Chiricahuas, having their homes for the
most part on the mountain streams in the vicinity of Fort Apache, at a distance of 60
10 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA.
miles from the agency. 3d. The Sail Carlos, who halt between two opinions, race
prejudice and the memory of former glory inclining them to continue fraternal rela-
tions with the mountain tribes, while the Government bounty they have learned to
enjoy is a temptation to remain at peace they are fast losing the power to resist.
4th. The Tontos who, having been greatly reduced in numbers by war Avith the
whites a few years ago, are so broken in spirit as to be easily held in subjection and
may be relied upon for efficient service against hostile tribes. 5th. The Mojaves and
Yumas, two tribes that have for many years been living on reservations and yet can
claim no superiority as workers over any of the other tribes, except the Chiricahuas,
have lost courage and self-reliance and fallen to the lowest estate of dependence.
Such are the facts; the mornl I shall not attempt to point.
The arrangement entered into between the Secretary of War and the Secretary of
the Interior, whereby all police authority was conferred on General Crook, has been
carried into effect, and that duty is now entirely in the hands of Captain Crawford,
who has been designated to execute it. Its success will depend entirely on the judg-
ment and discretion of the officer in charge. The plan is open to serious objections,
and will lead to many difficulties in case the cordial co-operation that has heretofore
been maintained between the military and civil authorities should be interrupted.
I am willing to yield much, that success may attend the efforts of General Crook to
lure the hostile Chiricahuas from their safe retreat in the mountains of Mexico, and
will do all in my power to aid him in keeping the peace on the reservation ; but when
the causes that led to this extremely liberal concession shall have passed away, I am
of the opinion that the powers and duties conferred on Indian agents, by law, should
be resumed by the agent at San Carlos, or the full management of the agency should
be placed under the control of the War Department. Indians can no more serve two
masters than can the white man, and of the two who attempt to stand in that rela-
tion to them, one will be despised.
I must not close my report without giving credit for the manner in which the cows
purchased at this agency last May have been cared for. The Indians to whom they
were issued evince a laudable pride of ownership, and I am hopeful that, in the case
of cattle, they will, in a few years, become efficient managers. The number should
be largely increased as soon as money can be provided for that purpose.
P. P. WILCOX,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
HOOPA VALLEY AGENCY, CALIFORNIA,
August 1, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with your letter of instructions of tfte 13th ultimo, I have the
honor to submit the following annual report of this agency, of which I took charge
August 1, 1882, relieving First Lieut. Gordon Winslow, United States Army, who had
been ordered to another military (station.
Considering the length of time this reservation has been established, the energy,
liberality, and industry with which it has been managed, and considering the benev-
olence, care, and attention which have been extended towards these Hoopa Indians,
their present condition appears far from satisfactory. Even before the reservation
was established they had reached a certain grade in civilization fully as far advanced
as their position of to-day. Many of them are still indolent, immoral, and unsteady,
feeble in their domestic and family attachments, untruthful, and extremely super-
stitious. Their present condition is one of self-complacent lethargy and moral and
mental. stagnation. They evince no desire to acquire knowledge, to learn useful
trades, to gain possession of and cultivate lands of their own, or to better their condi-
tion in any respect, when the doing so necessitates exertion, application, or self-denial.
Plodding industry, constant application, and steady work are their especial abhor-
rences. Only the pressure of some actual necessity or of some extra inducements
will induce them to work. Even when hired by citizens for good wages they work
merely long enough to " raise a stake," which is almost invariably wasted in idleness,
frivolity, and dissipation.
Their natural indolence seems to have been fostered and intensified by the system
of distributing annuity goods and flour. Like all charities indiscriminately distrib-
uted according to the apparent wants of the individual and without regard to his
conduct or merits, those given to these Hoopa Indians seem to have had a most de-
moralizing effect and influence. As long as a hungry or destitute Indian felt reason-
ably certain that on representing his necessities he would receive from the Govern-
ment sufficient aid and assistance to tide over his immediate wants, just so long would
he neglect all efforts to make provision for himself and his family. Their reliance upon
the Government supplying their pressing wants during the winter season has been
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 11
the cause of their abandoning ordinary forethought, economy, and provision. It has
furthermore caused them to imagine and believe themselves absolved and relieved
from all care or anxiety as to the welfare and support of their families. In short,
the Government charities have come to be regarded by these Indians as their unques-
tionable rights and legitimate allowances. It is not strange, therefore, that many
of them have degenerated into a condition of arrogant, importunate, and persistent
mendicancy. Some of them, whilst expecting Government aid and assistance, never-
theless refuse to work for the reservation unless paid regular wages in money. Even
during my brief administration it has several times been found difficult to get suffi-
cient Indians to do the necessary work on the reservation, and it was found necessary
in consequence to inform the Indians that those who did not work either for the res-
ervation or for themselves need not expect to receive any assistance of any character
from the Government.
Very few of these Indians can be induced to undertake the occupancy and cultiva-
tion of land for themselves. Their garden patches, though numerous, are on a scale
of total insignificance when compared with the wants of the cultivators. In fact their
cultivation seems to be regarded as a pastime and as a concession to the wishes of
the agent rather than as a means of contributing to their self-support. Owing to their
unsteadiness and aversion to steady work the success of their gardens depends almost
altogether upon chance and nature. After the plowing is done the rest of the work
is left to the squaws. Even on these small garden patches the agency is asked to do
the plowing, although the Indians may and do have horses of their own.
For this volley, as the home of their fathers, they exhibit no attachment. It is
merely a good place for them and their families to loaf in when other localities are un-
available or undesirable. Some of them believe or at least assert that their condition
would be preferable if the lands on this reservation were once more in the hands of citi-
zens for whom they, the Indians, could work for regular wages. I have called their
attention to the present predicament of the Klamaths on the Klamath River Reserva-
tion, how they are now petitioning the Government for lauds for themselves before the
abandonment of their reservation. I have endeavored to impress upon these Hoopa In-
dians that the Government would eventually become tired and disgusted with sup-
porting a reservation where the Indians were too lazy, thriftless, or careless to take
advantage of its benefits. I have endeavored on all occasions to explain to them the
objects and purposes which the Government has in view in establishing reservations,
that it is not done for the purpose of supporting a lot of Indians in idleness and laziness,
but that the object is to show them how to be self-sustaining in a civilized fashion.
I have shown them that there was great probability that the Government might after
a while leave them to their own unassisted resources as the Klamath Indians have
been left for years, and that, when that time came, they, the Hoopas, could not claim
as their own one foot of the reservation except what they were actually occupying
and cultivating. I have advised them to select some piece of laud of proper size for
occupancy and cultivation with the view of their self-support, and that I would en-
deavor to have the land so selected, set apart for and guaranteed legally to the occu-
pant. But precept and example are alike unavailing. The garden patches under cul-
tivation may indeed hnve increased in number, but, for the reasons already given, this
increase furnishes no indication of the determination of the Indians t be self-sup-
porting. It is more likely to be a sort of concession to my oft expressed wishes. In
other respects I am afraid that either the Indians do not believe my statements as to
the future in store for them, or that they think that sufficient unto' the day is the evil
thereof.
A striking commentary upon what this reservation has done for these Hoopa Indains
isaffordedby contrasting their position of to-day with that of their Klamath brethren.
The original status of the two tribes as regarded civilization was not dissimilar. The
Klamaths have been left to their own resources for about the same length of time
this reservation has been in existence. The Klamaths are now self-supporting and
self-reliant, neither asking nor expecting from the Government anything but justice
and humanity. The Hoopas, on the other hand, expect to receive from the Govern-
ment almost everything necessary for their comfort, subsistence, and welfare, their
expectations being bounded only by the understood limits to the Government's gener-
osity, for which many of them are disinclined to render any equivalent or make any
return. Notwithstanding the aid and assistance the Hoopas have received they have,
as regards mental, moral, and physical condition, no advantage over the unassisted
Klamaths, whilst in many elements of character, such as self-respect and self-reliance,
the Klamaths are infinitely superior.
The morals of the Hoopas are very lax and indifferent. Their honesty seems to be
more a matter of policy than of conscience. In dealing with the whites they are
generally up to the prevailing standard, but in dealings with one another, where the
consequences of fraud and dishonesty are not so much dreaded, they are apt to be less
scrupulous. In their sexual relations morality, according to our standards, is frequently
disregarded. Adult females are sold by the male relatives, whose property they are,
12 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA.
to the highest bidder Indian, half-breed, or white rnau. This constitutes, with some
formalities, an Indian marriage. It is scarcely to be wondered at that marriages so
made are frequently severed unceremoniously. All that is necessary for a legal Indian
separation is that a certain portion of the purchase money be returned to the husband.
Conjugal infidelities are not severely regarded, and are more frequently condoned than
punished. Venereal diseases are fearfully and often disgustingly prevalent among
them.
These Indians are deeply sunk in superstition. It seems almost impossible to weaken
their faith or shake their confidence in the supernatural powers of their medicine
men and other arrant hnrnbngs who fatten off the Indian's credulity and superstition.
The agency physician has found great difficulty in inspiring confidence in his own
professional ability owing to the medicine men depreciating and ridiculing white
man's medicines and treatment. Asa rule Indian patients will not consultthe agency
physician until the disease from which they are suffering has made such progress that
they themselves regard the case as desperate. Should death occur after the agency
physician has undertaken the case, the medicine men invariably take advantage of
the opportunity to attribute the death to disregaid of his directions and to the in-
variable fatality of white man's treatment. His own power and gains depend alto-
gether upon his being a predominating influence and infallible in his judgments. It
is his object accordingly to encourage ignorance and credulity.
The tribal relations of the Hoopas have been almost completely discarded and
abandon* d. They have no headmen or hereditary chiefs. This, although a step in the
right direction as regards civilization, renders it difficult to treat or deal with them.
They are divided among themselves into innumerable factions. Ranches and families
are at chronic feud with one another, and the hatchet is never buried. Quarrels and
brawls, with more or less serious consequences, are of frequent occurrence. Between
the parties at feud a regular vendetta exists, which includes all their relatives of
certain degrees. The law of blood atonement is vigorously iuforced, unless a compro-
mise is effected by means of cash payment. This payment produces merely a tem-
porary cessation of hostilities the several offenses being neither forgotten nor for-
given. In executing their measures of retaliation and in wreaking their vengeance
against one another they exhibit the most revolting cruelty, treachery, and cowardice.
These intestine dissensions and quarrels seem to monopolize all their belligerent feel-
ings and capacities.
Their attitude towards the whites is peaceful and well disposed. Of course the white
settlers compJain occasionally of petty depredations alleged to have been committed by
the Indians. On the other hand, the Indians occasionally complain of the white man's
rapacity or double-dealing. Such criminations and recriminations are, however, in-
evitable in frontier communities bordering on Indian reservations. No serious or ap-
parently well grounded complaint has been heard from either party.
Among many of the older Indians considerable discontent with their present re-
strained condition exists. Lessons of dire and bitter experience have taught them
the necessity of accommodating themselves to the changed conditions. But none of
them really believe in the propriety, advantages, or justice of their compulsory
change of life, although itsnecessity hasbeen enforced upon theirunderstandings by the
appreciation of the futility of resistance. This can be gathered from talks with some
of their once prominent men. It is not a little to their credit that they have become
conscious of the necessity and expediency of adapting themselves to their changed
circumstances. It would be unreasonable to expect that they would appreciate all
the advantages of the change, or that they would look with exceptional favor upon
the race which has rendered the change inevitable. It is not astonishing that in their
hearts these older Indians are longing for the flesh-pots of Egypt, and regretting the
good old days of their unhinden d vagabondage. I allude to this feeling in these
older men because I believe that to their advice and example, together with that of
the medicine men and other charlatans interested in preserving the former state of
affairs, the backward condition of the tribe and its suspended progress in the arts
and usages of civilized life are largely, if not exclusively, to be attributed. Being
men of years and experience, it is more than probable that their influence is felt and
their counsels heeded to a certain extent. These influences and counsels, if felt or
heeded at all, are u potent for evil, and for evil only good." They are liable to, and,
in my experience, do, create discontent and discord, and encourage idleness. To them
can be traced the belief or assertion that since the Government had placed these
Indians on a reservation it is morally and otherwise bound to provide everything
requisite for their comfort and welfare. To their (these older men's) training and
experience in early life can be traced the want of respect prevalent among these In-
dians for all arguments or reasoning which is not supported by the presence of physical
force. Even for the agent's orders and instructions they entertain but little considera-
tion unless they are satisfied that he is prepared to, and will, enforce obedience thereto.
For orders and arguments so supported they have the respect entertained by all In-
dians.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 13
The reservation is cursed with an irrepressible liquor traffic. On all sides of it are
small towns and villages where the Indians can, by judicious management, procure
all the liquor the> are able to pay for. All possible means have been used to break
up this abominable traffic, but so far but little good has been accomplished. The In-
dians are passionately fond of whisky, and will do anything to obtain possession of
it. Unless bribed to do so they will not inform on the venders of whisky. If once
the system of detection by means of rewards were practiced, a class of informers
would arise who would follow that business for a living, and whose testimony would
accordingly become valueless. One great difficulty in proving the actual sale of
whisky to Indians is that it is seldom sold directly to them. Around the places
where Indians can purchase whisky there is sure to be some disreputable white man
or some Chinaman who, for a share of the purchase or for money, is ready to act as
an intermediary between the vender and the Indian. Being essentially nomadic,
these intermediaries change their abiding place when an eifort is made to detect and
punish offenders.
For the purpose of assisting in breaking up this traffic and for the preservation of
order on the reservation an effort was at one time made to organize an Indian police
force. The project was soon abandoned as impracticable. It was impossible to find
Indians suitable for the purpose i. e., Indians upon whose courage, fidelity, and im-
partiality sufficient confidence could be placed. The delicate nature of the duties
and the unquestioning obedience required of an Indian police force render their pos-
session of the mental qualities I have mentioned absolutely indispensable. Their
numerous internal quarrels and dissensions render these Indians wholly unfit for such
employment. Their obedience and impartiality could not for an instant be relied
upon. They would favor and connive at the offenses of their friends, and would use
their position to "get even" with their enemies. The result would have been a mere
aggravation of disorder and existing animosities. Partly as a matter of expediency,
but principally because of its impracticability, the project of organizing a police force
was abandoned.
For the same reason it would have been a mere travesty of justice to have had any
of them act as a tribunal for the investigation, trial, and punishment of one another's
offenses. The actions and judgments of such a tribunal would have been regulated
and decided by the interests, prejudices, or prepossessions of the judges. An impar-
tial investigation would not have been conducted, a verdict in accordance with facts
and the testimony was almost certain not to be rendered. It is more than probable a
verdict would never be reached. The testimony would have been as complicating as
the different passions, prejudices, and sympathies of the witnesses could have made
it. Diametrically conflicting statements would have been made, sworn and adhered
to with equal force, directness, and pertinacity. The opinions of the judges would
have been equally as divergent. The judicial character and ability are totally absent.
Their friends would always have been right and their enemies always wrong. In in-
vestigating complaints made by them against one another I have, invariably, the
greatest difficulty in discovering the true state of affairs, and have not always suc-
ceeded owing to the cloud of falsehood which surrounds all the circumstances. Fur-
thermore, the only men among themselves for whom these Indians have any respect
whatsoever, and who for that reason might properly have been selected as jduges, are
the older men and medicine men already mentioned; as to their utter untituess tor
judicial duties nothing additional can be added.
The results of Indian education at this agency are discouraging. Few of the In-
dians can read at all, and none of them can read with fluency or with apparent com-
prehension of the subject matter. Fewer still can write with any accuracy. Of the
other branches of elementary education they are as ignorant as if they never had the
benefits of instruction. The little learning they acquire at school seems at best to be
but a parrot-like acquirement. Those who have been taught and have learned some-
thing at school soon contrive to forget it most completely. The attendance at school,
small as it is and has been, is to all intent and purposes compulsory, neither parents
nor children manifest the slightest interest in education or the acquisition of knowl-
edge. Parents send their children to school to be fed; the children sometimes go vol-
untarily for the same reason. Were the supply of food withheld there would not be
one pupil in attendance. Judging from the result so far, it might with justness and cor-
rectness be said that attendance at school has been of no practical benefit to the pupils
in after life. Many reasons combine to make this the case. I think the Indians them-
selves have noticed it, and that their indifference to education is caused thereby. If
there were some practical method of showing Indian pupils the actual benefits of edu-
cation, it is almost beyond doubt that in a short time a genuine interest in and de-
sire for instruction would be awakened; but in the absence of their seeing some pros-
pect of their learning being of use to them in after life, their attendance at school will
be merely perfunctory, a concession to the proper authorities into making which they
are bribed or cajoled.
A short time before I took charge of this agency an Indian named "Buck Billy" had
14 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA.
been murdered by three Hoopa Indians. The assigned cause for the murder was Buck
Billy's reputation as a poisoner. The Indians, at least his enemies, alleged or believed
that he was able to "blow poison" from a distance and thereby to cause the death of
parties to whom he had a dislike. Several deaths, which appeared to the Indians very
sudden, mysterious, and unaccountable, were attributed to his malign power and
influences. He himself evidently gloried in the reputation he had acquired, and did
not care to take the trouble to deny specific accusations. This, according to their
Indian laws and usages, was good and sufficient reasons for disposing of him. The
murderers immediately after the deed left the reservation, and have not since returned
to it except by stealth. Whilst they remained beyond my jurisdiction, I have made
no etfort to arrest them. Their arrest could have been effected only by the aid of
other Indians as scouts. Had a regular hunt after them been organized it would have
driven them into the mountains and into committing depredations, in which they
would have had the support and assistance by connivance of their friends on the res-
ervation. There would have been no use in having them arrested and tried before
a United States court. There was no evidence against them but, the admissions of
their friends. An acquittal would have followed as a matter of course. Several at-
tempts have been made by both parties to settle the affair according to Indian law.
Hitherto they have been unsuccessful; but as the ill-feeling decreases, it is probable
that in a short time the matter will be amicably arranged according to their customs.
Another Indian named "Dick" was killed here on June 26, 1883, by an Indian
named "Mat." The murderer or homicide, immediately after the commission of the
deed, came and gave himself up to me. He has been in the guard-house at Fort Gas-
ton eversince. Investigations showed thatthere had been an old feud between u Mat"
and the dead man's son, "Hadeu"; that Haden had attempted to run off Mat's wife;
that he had threatened and tried to burn Mat's house; that he had been invariably
the aggressor, and had been in his aggressions aided and abetted by his father the
man who was killed. Great provocation and insult had been showered upon Mat;
his life had been threatened by Dick and Haden, and the day for his " taking off" had
been set. Some of his friends came to bid him " good-bye." It is scarcely to be won-
dered at that under the circumstances he should have initiated operations. Every-
thing considered, it appears a case of justifiable homicide. Mat is retained in the
guard-house more for his own safety than for punishment. Measures are now in pro-
gress to settle the matter according to Indian laws; as the ill-feeling and desire for
vengeance have not yet sufficiently subsided, the present attempt at compromise is
rather premature, and will probably prove abortive.
In this case I tried to have the Indians formally investigate and adjudicate, but it
would have been the merest absurdity to have continued such proceedings. There
were only two opinions existing, and these opinions no evidence could have shaken
or modified. Mat's friends believed that he was not only justified in what he had done,
but that he had performed a somewhat praiseworthy action. Dick's friends insisted
that Mat had committed an unprovoked and cowardly murder. The topic could not
be discussed with calmness; the parties would not agree to be present at the same
time to submit their statements; and the witnesses were unwilling to confront the
accused or each other. That method of investigating the offense had to be dropped,
because its only result would have been to aggravate the ill-will and trouble already
existing.
The agency farm has been during the year moderately successful. Late frosts in-
jured the oat crop greatly, so that there will be scarcely enough to f-ed the public
animals. The yield of wheat has been up to the usual standard. The acreage in
wheat is not equal to that of last year, owing to lack of sufficient animals. With
increased facilities and additional animals a much greater number of acres could be
placed under cultivation. But all farming operations have been seriously hampered
and interfered with, owing to the insufficiency of competent workmen and public
animals. It requires at least one white employe" to be present with each band of
working Indians. The agency being allowed only one farmer and one laborer, it fol-
lows that only two parties of Indians can be kept at work at one time, no matter
what may be the necessities of the situation. Owing to the insufficiency of public-
animals, preventing its being housed in good season, the entire wheat crop was in
imminent danger of being completely spoiled by the early rains of last fall. By great
care and attention, however, only a small loss was inflicted.
More animals are needed now than formerly. Logging operations are becoming
every year more difficult and tedious ; the distance of the pineries is increasing. The
agency has only one team which can be used for logging purposes. It will be neces-
sary during the coming winter to break in and fence about sixty acres of pasture
land. An unusually large number of logs will consequently b required. The agency
storerooms are old and insecure shells ; they must either be rebuilt or undergo a ren-
ovation and reconstruction equal to rebuilding. In fact, all the agency buildings
require extensive repairs and renovation, and for this a large quantity of lumber will
be needed. Last winter a large number of logs were hauled and sawed fur the In-
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 15
dians. Their demands for lumber became so excessive that I promised to haul and
have sawed all the logs each Indian would cut for his own use. A greater portion of
the lumber sawed* for Indians remains piled at the saw-mill.
The renovated and remodeled saw and grist mill was finished last December and
has worked satisfactorily. The machinery of the flour-mill needs improvement;
owing to some fault therein too much flour is passed off with the bran.
The conduct of the agency employe's has been exemplary. Their salaries are, in my
opinion, utterly inadequate; they may seem very liberal" in the Eastern States, but
they do not compare with the salaries paid for similar duties by other branches of the
Government or by citizens in this vicinity. If the appropriations do not admit of
their salaries being increased I would recommend that the Government give each
employe" a ration in kind.
To diminish the constant demands for flour by Indians applying for relief I confined
charitable issues to the old and infirm, who \vere unable to work and who had no one
to support them, and to those whom the agency physician certified to as being sick
and in need of assistance. This curtailing of chantable issues occasioned at first
great discontent, but the system has been adhered to nevertheless. Even to those
who were sick, aged, or infirm it was found necessary to give a regular and never
exceeded monthly allowance, because if allowed to get flour when in need of it they
would feed all their relatives, who would thus be spared the labor and trouble of pro-
viding for themselves.
To compel the children to attend school I have with your approval informed the
Indians that no clothing will be issued to their children unless they attend the agency
school ; this plan has not so far increased the attendance, but I have no doubt of
its doing so eventually. At present but little clothing is required for the children.
This fact and their disbelief in my adhering to my word in this respect makes them
for the present indifferent. Exception to this rule will, of course, have to be made
in the case of those children whose parents live at too great a distance from the school.
I have also found it necessary and most advisable to regulate issues of "annuity
goods" proportionately to the amount of work an Indian has done for himself r the
number of days he has worked for the reservation. I found last year, when a general
issue of annuity goods was about to be made, that all the Hoopa Indians were on hand.
Some of them had never made their appearance here since the last general issue.
Others had not done a day's work for themselves or for the Government the terms are
identical on the reservation and others again were known to have sold or illegally
disposed of the annuity goods they had previously received. I have given i he Indians
to understand that these annuity goods are sent here by the Government only for
the deserving, and that they would be distributed accordingly. The chronic loafers
are invariably the greatest malcontents and the most persistent and exacting in their
demands for Government aid and assistance. Of course such a state of affairs could
not be tolerated without its having a most demoralizing influence. It would, however,
not only be tolerated but approved were aid and assistance to be given equally and
indiscriminately to all the Indians, deserving or undeserving.
During the year numerous Klaniath Indians have visited this agency, generally
for medical treatment for wounds or injuries. Medicines and medical treatment, to-
gether with such other aid and assistance as were necessary and practicable under
the circumstances, were invariably given. The aid and assistance these Klarnaths
asked for or required were generally within the power of this agency to grant, and
were such as the claims of humanity would in any case have afforded.
Very respectfullv,
CHARLES PORTER,
Captain U. S. Army, Acting V. S. Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
MISSION AGENCY,
San Bernardino, CaL, August 13, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit this my fifth annual report :
The Indians known as the Mission Indians of Southern California, are composed of
the following tribes, viz, Serranno, Coahuila, Diegueno, and San Louis Rey, aggre-
gating a population, according to the census of 1880, of 3,010. Their number has in-
creased since then; but owing to their scattered settlement over so large an area of
territory it has been impracticable to enumerate them, except at great expense.
AGRICULTURE.
It is impossible to give any certain data as to the quantity of cereals raised during
the year. The lauds set apart for them are adapted to agriculture contingent upon
16 REPORTS OF AGE*TS IN CALIFORNIA.
the rainfall in the winter season, or upon the quantity of water that may be other-
wise obtained for irrigating purposes. The past year has not been favorable in this
respect, although the aggregate of crops raised has not been inconsiderable.
EDUCATION.
During the year one day school was established, making five schools in operation
among these Indians. The average daily attendance in these schools has been good,
considering that the necessities of many families oblige them at certain seasons to go
into neighboring settlements to labor, taking their children with them. Their pro-
gress in learning has been commendable, equal to that shown in any of the public
schools attended by white pupils. To afford all educational facilities would require
the establishment of as many more day schools as are now in operation. The Indi-
ans demand them, but it has seemed to me impracticable till some consolidation of
the scattered families has been effected .
MISSIONARY WORK.
No active missionary work is carried on, except what is effected by the teachers
among the children. During the past year I represented this matter to the General
Synod of the Lutheran Church to which this agency stands assigned. At their re-
cent meeting in Springfield, Ohio, action was taken looking to active missionary
work among these Indians. What will be done remains to be seen.
INDIAN INDUSTRY.
The Indians of this agency sustain themselves by labor, no subsistence being issued
to them except as a gratuity to such sick or infirm and destitute ones as apply for aid.
The subsistence granted upon application by such has exceeded in cost very little
over one hundred dollars during the year. Those who do not subsist themselves by
labor on the reservations go out as laborers among the whites in adjoining settle-
ments, where their labor is in demand at remunerative wages. They are considered
good hands in any department of manual labor.
CIVILIZATION.
They wear civilized dress, are industrious, peaceable, and law abiding, aiming to
adopt the white man's ways, not excepting some of his vices, and to have what the
white man has, to the extent of their means to procure it.
The liquor traffic among these Indians has been their greatest curse in the past;
but it has in great measure been suppressed by the prosecution of offenders. My pur-
pose has been to root it up entirely by a rigid system of detection and prosecution,
and had my efforts been followed by a rigid enforcement of law, this result might
have been attained. Unfortunately the United States district judge at San Francisco,
before whom these cases are prosecuted, regards the selling of liquor to Indians as a
" trivial offense." He has repeatedly so ruled, and by meting out " trivial " penalties
to offenders of this character, has aided to encourage rather than to suppress th
traffic. The Mission Indians will prosper and be self-sustaining only in proportion
as the liquor traffic among them can be suppressed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. S. LAWSON,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
ROUND VALLEY AGENCY,
Covelo, CaL, August 10, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor herewith to submit my sixth annual report for this agency:
OUR LANDS
are still occupied by settlers and trespassers to such an extent as greatly to cripple
our industries and discourage the Indians in their advance toward civilization.
THE POPULATION.
The number issued to during the quarter past was 528. This does not comprise all,
for there are numbers who live either on or adjacent to the agency who have drawn
nothing during the quarter past. The number, therefore, is about what it was last
year (less the excess of deaths over births), or 635. There have been 21 deaths and
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 17
11 births. The small number of births among so many is largely due to their licen-
tious habits, coinmencing at an early age.
AGRICULTURE.
As stated in former reports, it is impossible to give the Indians sufficient lands to
raise all crops, on account of the occupancy of said lands by others under shadow of
law ; yet all are furnished with sufficient land for gardens, and are required to raise
their own vegetables, &c.
Many of them raise more than they need for their own use, and sell the surplus to
others. Some have fields of grain, wheat, barley, and oats, but the most of the cereals
are raised by a "community of interest," i. e., all able-bodied Indians are required to
assist in the raising of these general crops for the benefit of the whole. The Indians
are not paid wages for this work, but receive their rations of beef and flour, with suoh
clothing as they need.
PRODUCTIONS.
The estimated productions for this year are as follows : For the general supply,
6,000 bushels of wheat, 4,000 bushels of oats, 2,500 bushels of barley, and 700 tons of
hay. By the Indians for themselves, 1,000 bushels of wheat, 1,000 bushels of oats,
500 bushels of barley, and 150 tons of hay. The yield of hops last year was 28,431
pounds, as against 18,592 pounds the year before on the same ground. The prospect
this year is for about 23,000 pounds, but at a much lower price than for several years.
A number of the Indians have planted hops for themselves, amounting in all to about
30 acres. Some of them will have enough hops this year to pay all expenses, while
others will not, owing to want of proper care. They will raise about 1,000 bushels of
corn, 1,000 bushels of potatoes, 5,000 pumpkins, 10,000 melons, 200 bushels of onions,
100 bushels of beets, 50 bushels of turnips, &c. We shall have but very little fruit
this year, on account of heavy and late frosts last spring.
STOCK.
There are 67 horses and mares, and 12 mules, one-third of which are unserviceable
on account of age and hard work done. We have not enough teams to do our regular
necessary work. Of cattle there are 390, mostly young. We have 11 yoke of cattle,
used at the saw-mill and on the ranch. There are 278 hogs, old and young; we kill
from 90 to 100 a year. The increase in stock has been 2 horse and 2 mule colts, 151
calves, and 205 pigs.
MILLS.
The grist-mill runs during the rainy months only, and during January to May, in-
clusive, ground 184,661 pounds of grain for the agency, 10,788 pounds for the Indians,
and 266,320 pounds for customers.
The saw-mill, that can only be run during the dry season, sawed no lumber for the
past year for want of funds to pay expenses, except a few days in June of this year,
when 17,000 feet of lumber was sawed.
APPRENTICES
have been at work at carpentering, blacksmithing, milling, herding, and office labor
during the year, and have made commendable progress.
FINANCIAL.
This agency is only allowed a physician, clerk, and teachers, paid by public funds.
All other help we must pay for out of miscellaneous funds, Class II, or the proceeds of
what we raise on the reservation. During the past year we have received of such
funds: From sale of hops, $9,366, and from the mill and other sources, $1,805.16, or
a total of $11,171.76, of which $7,369.14 has been expended for labor and $2,079.50 for
necessary supplies not purchased by Government. Of this $7,369.14, $3,127.59 was
paid to Indian employe's, and only $4,241.55 was paid for all white labor.
THE SANITARY
condition of the Indians on this reservation is gradually improving, while that of
those who live off of it is not, owing to their excesses and lack of home comforts and
protection.
EDUCATIONAL.
July 1, 1882, there were 46 children in the boarding and industrial school. There
were added during the year 15 new scholars, making 61 that have attended during
the year. Of this number 5 have died 4 girls and 1 boy ; while 4 large boys left the
school, leaving 52 on the roll June 30, one of whom was'at home sick. The progress
in the school during the year has been very marked, considering all the ernbarrass-
5916 IND 2
18 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA.
merits under which we labored. The usual departments of labor have been maintained
in the house and out, so that each has contributed his or her share toward the work
to be done. A garden was made this year which has supplied the school with onions,
radishes, lettuce, pease, turnips, &c., while potatoes, corn, squashes, melons, &c.,are
still growing.
Considerable trouble has been given this year by the interference of parties who
have no business connection with the school, making the older scholars uneasy by
telling them that the agent had no right to keep them there, and that they could
leave whenever they pleased, thus fostering a spirit of discontent and insubordination
which culminated in the burning of both of our school buildings during July past,
with a total loss of not less than $7,000. At this writing I have in custody five of the
largest boys of the school, who have confessed that they either burned the building
or were accessories before the burning.
Another difficulty I find is in procuring teachers; to get those who will go far
enough, and yet not too far, in the education of the Indians i. e., some think that edu-
cation can only be obtained in the school-room, and would neglect the physical and
the manual. Others again would give all the luxuries, and train them to the luxuri-
ous habits of the white race, while it would seem that just that education of mind,
hand, eye, ear, and habit as shall best fit them for the life that they must live is the
great desideratum.
Music is very attractive to them, and a great incentive to other duties as well as a
means of recreation. All people have their games and means of diversion, many of
which true civilization looks upon with disfavor, and yet if we deny them the indul-
gence of their old ways, must we not give them something in the place thereof ?
This applies to the old and the young, to all races alike. Hence, would not the ideal
government contain less of the repressive and more of the suggestive and leading ?
MISSIONARY WORK.
There can be no field of labor where true missionary work is needed more than
among these Indians. Nine years ago a " wonderful revival" broke out among them,
and about all at that time on the reservation joined the church, and many were bap-
tized. But just at that time changes were taking place by which it was hoped the
Indians would soon get the land they all desired. They were promised by Commis-
sioner, inspectors, and agent that if they were "good" Government would soon give
each of them a piece of land. In the revival meetings they were exhorted to become
good, and in their minds becoming good became connected with getting lands ; and
as all wanted lands, they became good i. e., joined the church and for a time left bad
habits. Some were really converted and have lived exemplary lives, considering their
knowledge and surroundings. The large part, however, when they saw that their re-
ligion did not bring the land they sought, became discouraged and gave up even the
semblance of religion, and relapsed into old habits and customs ; nay, became even
worse, and skeptical as to all religion. Hence it is far harder to reach them now, and
the greater the necessity of earnest, self-denying Christian labor to save them. * *
CIVILIZATION.
I do not know that our Indians have had less whisky the past year than before, but
I have been unable to get any evidence to convict those who supply them. One In-
dian was killed" while drunk in the adjoining towii(Covelo) last winter, but we have
never been able to find who stabbed him. That the Indians can get all the liquor
they want, or have money to buy, ia a well-known fact, but men are not willing to
submit to the expense of two trips to San Francisco as witnesses when the fees re-
ceived will not pay traveling expenses, to say nothing of time. Our State laws are
severe on those who furnish liquor to Indians, but the sellers find ways and means to
evade the law or the penalty. If Indians could not get liquor, one of the greatest
obstacles to their civilization would be done away. I hope Congress will change ex-
isting laws and give us still stronger ones, so that this evil can be done away.
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
H. B. SHELDON,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
TULE RIVER AGENCY, CALIFORNIA,
August 11, 1883.
SIR : In accordance with instructions, I have the honor of submitting my eighth
annual report for this agency.
Although there are over 40,000 acres of land embraced in this reservation, we
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN CALIFORNIA. 19
have been unable to utilize more than 250 for farming purposes. All except about this
amount is rough and mountainous and too sterile for cultivation. About one-half of
the tract affords good pasturage for stock, while the other half is too rocky and barren
for any purpose whatever.
This reservation was originally designed for five or six tribes of Indian^, numbering,
as was stated in early reports, some 3,000 or 4,000. When I took charge, eight years
the 16th of November next, there were 315 Indians by actual count. They were then
occupying a rented farm in the vicinity of Portersville, the reservation being con-
sidered by the former agent inadequate. The poor return of the rented farm and its
close proximity to whisky mills induced me to recommend the transfer of the agency
to the new reservation. The transfer was effected in December, 1876. Quite a num-
ber of the Indians were dissatisfied and never came to the reservation. The most of
these have since died, while others, including a portion who were transferred, have
moved to other localities. Year by year oiir number has decreased by death and re-
moval, until now there are only 143 Indians, embraced in 39 different families, residing:
on the reservation. These are so located that each family can control about 160 acres-
of land.
No real division of land has been allotted to the Indians in severalty, except what
is cultivated. This has been fenced into small tracts, and each family has exclusive-
control of all within their respective inclosures. Some of the Indians have fenced
in 200 or 300 acres as a range for their stock, but the most of them let their stock ma
at large.
The Indians are all living in board houses, with fire-places and chimneys, and some
with cooking stoves and furniture to render them quite comfortable.
AGRICULTURE.
For two years past we have had very little rain, so that the crops have been ex-
ceedingly light. The Indians have produced on their little farms about 320 bushels
wheat, 200 bushels corn, 60 bushels barley, 60 bushels potatoes, 20 bushels onions, 20
bushels beans, 20 bushels other vegetables, 20 tons melons, 20 tons pumpkins, and
about 20 tons hay.
It has been my policy to use a small portion of land to cultivate as an agency farm.
This consists of' some 30 acres, and is used exclusively to produce hay for the work
animals in the service. This has yielded about 20 tons of hay the present season.
EDUCATION.
There has been a day school in successful operation four months during the year.
This has been a difficult part of the work in connection with the management of this
agency. The most of the older Indians have been averse to the education of the
children beyond a very rudimentary knowledge of matters. There is not an Indian
boy over sixteen years of age, or a girl over thirteen, but what is married, and that
they think should exempt them from all claims of the school-room. The present
teacher is struggling against all these embarrassments, and is having some success.
I think by persistent effort the school can be continued the entire year. This I have
found to be the better plan in the management of the school at this agency. The
children read so little out of school that in a vacation of three months half is for-
gotten that they have acquired the previous nine.
MISSIONARY.
All missionary work for the benefit of these Indians, since they have been con-
nected with this reservation, has been performed by the agents and employe's, except
an occasional visit of a Catholic priest. Their intercourse with the Mexican element
of this country early brought them in contact with the Roman Catholic religion, and
nearly all of them have embraced that form of Christianity. But for their drinking;
habits these Indians could be easily influenced to become moral and exemplary
Christians. This seems to be almost, if not quite, an insuperable barrier.
INDIAN INDUSTRY.
The Indians during the past year have worked with more than usual steal. I can
see a little improvement each year both among the men and women.
By authority of the Indian Department, I have issued 58 head of cows and calves
and 41 head of horses and colts to the Indians during the past summer. The Indians
all promised to exchange their horses for stock cattle, and not to dispose of any of
their cattle except under the direction and by the advice of the agent. This is a step
in the right direction, as is manifest by their increased interest in and attention to
their property.
20 REPORT OF AGENT IN COLORADO.
SANITARY.
During the most of the year their sanitary condition has been good. For three
months past, however, there has been an unusual amount of sickness. Several con-
tagious diseases have passed through the reservation ; these, in conection with typho-
malarial fevers, have been very difficult to manage. There have been six births and
eight deaths during the year.
CIVILIZATION.
But for the curse of the rum traffic civilization with these Indians would be an ac-
complished fact. For nearly eight years I have been with this people. I know the
character and habits of every Indian. During these years my mind has alternated
with hope and fear. For weeks and sometimes for months together there seemed to
be but one object uppermost in all minds, that of advancement in the scale of civili-
zation ; and then, perhaps just as I would indulge in the thought of realizing my
desire, that of seeing a temperate and prosperous people, my hopes would be dashed
to pieces by some vandal selling whisky to my Indians. I was successful last fall in
prosecuting two of these infamous characters and securing their conviction. They
were each fined one hundred dollars and sentenced to imprisonment for one year.
My course was commended by all good citizens, but the whisky element has been
harassing me ever since. I am satisfied nearly all of the Indians desire to be temperate,
Tbut they cannot withstand the temptation to drink when one oifers to treat them,
.and after once tasting liquor they become an easy prey to the seducer, and then some
of my best Indians spend in a single drunken spree the accumulated proceeds of
months of industry. Whisky and civilization with Indians are antipodal.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. G. BELKNAP,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SOUTHERN UTE AGENCY, COLO.,
August 10, 1883.
"SiR: In obedience to instructions received, I have the honor to submit my second
annual report of the condition of affairs at this agency.
The Southern Utes are still located on their old reservation in Southwestern Colo-
rado, which is well adapted to grazing purposes. They number 968, composed of
Muaches, 269; Capotes, 208; Weeminuches, 491.
The Utes are natural herders, as is shown by the increase of their herds. They
have large bands of horses, which, from natural increase and purchase, are increasing
very fast. During the past year the Government purchased 4,800 ewes, which were
distributed among the Indians at this agency. They take to sheep very well; they
have clipped and sold to the trader about 6,000 pounds of wool from the sheep issued
;to them last May.
AGRICULTURE.
Utes at this agency are not inclined to agricultural pursuits, although I think
-with proper encouragement they could be induced to till the soil to some extent. So
far they have had no opportunity of seeing what they could do in that direction, as
none of their land is under irrigation, and cannot be cultivated without. Last win-
ter I persuaded five of the Indians to commence farming on a small scale. This they
agreed to do provided they could be furnished with implements, seed, &c. I asked
for and got the approval of $200 to be expended in this way, but as it was the 7th of
June before I received the money, it was too late to make any use of it this year.
EDUCATION.
No schools have been established at this agency. Under instruction from the hon-
orable Secretary of the Interior I made the attempt to secure Ute children to attend
school oif of the reservation, with little hopes of success, as these Indians have al-
ways opposed any move on the part of their agent towards education. At first I met
with great opposition from the chiefs and head men, they assigning many reasons
why they should not allow their children to go to school; but after explaining to them
the benefits they would derive from it, and assuring them that they should have good
treatment, I last May succeeded in securing twenty-four boys and three girls, who are
now located at the Albuquerque (N. Mex.) Indian school. Reports from the principal
of the school show that they are getting along very well, considering the short time
they have been there. I consider them an unusually bright lot of children, and expect
satisfactory results if they stay two years, as is expected.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
SANITARY.
There has beet during the year but little sickness among the Indians of this agency r
with the exception of sniall-pox, which raged to some extent. There were some fif-
teen Indians died with this disease. There have been twenty-four deaths and seven
births during the year.
CIVILIZATION.
To an unprejudiced mind there can be but one conclusion. While these Indians live
entirely in tents, tepes, and brush houses, and move from one part of the reservation
to another, they are fast adopting the customs of the whites in manner of dress. I
also consider their present location well adapted for their advancement in this direc-
tion. They are surrounded by white settlers, with whom they are constantly thrown
in contact, which has a good effect.
INDIAN POLICE.
The police at this agency consist of two officers and eighteen privates. They are not
as efficient as is desired. However, they are getting to be of some service to the agent.
On several occasions they have brought in horses belonging to white settlers and
turned them over, so that the owner could get his stock without trouble.
AGENCY BUILDINGS.
The buildings at this agency are very poor ; they consist of two old log buildings,
which are unsafe for the protection of supplies, &c., and are insufficient for the ac-
commodation and comfort of the agent and his employes.
SUPPLIES.
The supplies furnished this agency last year were not in quantity sufficient for the
number of Indians who receive rations at this agency, and as the appropriation for
the present year is largely deficient from that of last, it is hard to tell what the result
will be. Owing to the fact that game is very scarce on the reservation, it is natural
to suppose that they will subsist on the sheep furnished them by the Government as-
long as the same will last.
I inclose herewith statistical report.
Very respectfully,
WARREN PATTEN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CHEYENNE RIVER AGENCY, DAKOTA,
August 15, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with instructions contained in circular from Indian Office dated
13th July, 1883, I have the honor to submit the following as my first annual report
of the condition of the Indian service at this agency relating to the Sioux Indians,
composed of the Blackfeet, Sans Arc, Minneconjou, and Two Kettle bands.
I assumed charge of this agency on the 22d day of September, 1882, since which time I
have endeavored to perform my duties in accordance with such instructions as I have
received. If I have failed in any of them, I trust such failure may be attributed to
my inexperience rather than to inattention to my duties.
LOCATION.
The agency is located on the west bank of the Missouri River, about 8 miles below
the mouth of the Big Cheyenne. The buildings stand upon about as unfertile a piece
of " gumbo " land as can be found along the river. Above us there is much better
land and better locations for agency buildings, and in my opinion they should be
moved at as early a date as possible.
The Indians of this agency are remarkably peaceable and quiet. There are among
them, as there are among any other people, bad characters ; but the proportion is no
greater, in fact I believe I am safe in saying that it is less, than in the same number
of whites. When I meet a bad Indian I treat him as such until he makes up his mind
that it is better and more profitable to be "good," and this he generally acknowl-
edges. I do not speak egotistically when I say I think they have confidence in me.
It is very seldom necessary for me to repeat an order or a request. They are not only
willing but they seem anxious to obey all orders given them, especially such as come
direct from the " Great Father." As an instance I will relate the following: In the
early part of June permission was given quite a number of the Indians to go on a
buffalo hunt (a number sufficient to attend to all their crops were to remain at home.)
22
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
After they had received their passes I received from the Indian Office instructions to
prevent the Indians of this agency from going on a buffalo hunt. Immediately on
receipt of these instructions I dispatched couriers to the different camps from which
any were going (one of which was 80 miles from the agency), with instructions to
those who had not already gone to remain, and to call a council for the following day.
This they did. I met them at a camp 35 miles from the agency (visiting three camps
on the way), and a council was held. I read to them the letter I had received, and
explained why such instructions had been given. Having made all preparations, and
having had their hearts set on a "hunt," it was a great disappointment to them.
But, without a single exception, they said, "We want to do as the 'Great Father'
tells us, and we will obey his instructions," and surrendered their passes.
DANCING.
Excepting one locality, dancing and other superstitious habits have been almost
entirely abandoned. At Pierre Bottom the Indians had erected a large building, which
they used solely for dancing, and here it was indulged in to a considerable extent. This
place is but a short distance from Pierre, and was frequently visited by whites, whose
only object was to witness Indian dances, which they encouraged by money contri-
butions. I determined to put a stop to these dances at this place, which purpose I
accomplished by tearing down their dance-house and confiscating their drums.
The "sun dance" was not held this year. They, however, asked my permission to
have one. I explained to them that their "Great Father" was very much opposed
to the " sun dance," and would be displeased with them if they persisted in holding
it. I further told them that I would not permit it, and that in case they attempted
it I would punish the leaders. They seemed perfectly satisfied, and abandoned their
purpose entirely.
LIQUOR.
The use of liquor is also confined to but one locality, and that the same in which
dances were so frequently held Pierre Bottom. With this exception I do not know
of a single instance where liquor of any kind has been used by the Indians. I have
as yet been unable to detect any one furnishing them with liquor. I am confident,
liowever, that the practice cannot long continue without some guilty party being dis-
covered, in which case an example will be made.
In matters pertaining to the interests of the service and to the welfare of the In-
dians generally in this locality I have been materially assisted by Mr. George P. Wal-
dron, United States commissioner at Fort Pierre. Rev. T. S. Riggs, missionary at
Peoria Bottom, has also rendered me much kind assistance.
ANNUITIES.
Annuities at this agency should be issued not later than October, for two reasons :
First. The Indians need their clothing at this time. The weather here is very cold at
this season, and the clothing issued to them the previous winter is so old and worn
that it is insufficient to keep them comfortable. The annuities for 1882-'83 were not
issued until in January of the present year, in consequence of which there was much
suffering from cold among the Indians. Second. It is the practice at this agency to
kill as many beef cattle as will supply the Indians with meat during the winter as
soon as freezing weather has fairly set in, and to freeze and store the meat in the
warehouses, which cannot be done until the annuity goods are removed. The shrink-
age in beef cattle last winter was very great on account of having been obliged to
hold the cattle through most of the winter, entailing a loss not only upon the Indians
in their supply of beef rations, but also to the Government.
CENSUS.
The census was taken in January last at the issuing of the annuity goods. There
was then found, by actual count, to be 3,187 Indians on the reservation; at the pres-
ent time there are 3,215 persons drawing rations, being an increase since January last
of 28 people. Following is a complete record of the number of Indians now at this
agency :
Band or tribe.
No. of
families.
Men.
Women.
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
Blackfeet No. 1
52
56
81
41
60
238
Sans Arc No. 2
190
217
285
118
151
771
Minneconiou No 3
315
374
480
271
298
1,423
Two Kettle, No. 4
174
197
286
149
151
783
Total
731
844
1,132
579
660
3,215
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 23
SANITARY.
The sanitary condition of the Indians of this agency is good, although the number
of cases treated would seem to indicate the contrary. A majority of the cases treated
were trivial diseases, which were speedily cured. The number of cases treated from
August, 1882, to August, 1883, as reported by the agency physician, is 1,707; number
of births, 80 j number of deaths, 41.
FARMING.
Owing to the floods which occurred after the planting had all been done, the crops on
certain portions of the reservation will be almost a total failure. This is especially
the case with the crops along the Cheyenne River, where most of the farming was
being done. The water in this river rose higher last spring than it was ever before
known to be by persons who have lived on its banks for upwards of forty years. The
crops were entirely washed away, and it was too late in the season to replant them.
The number of acres of land under cultivation by Indians is 460. One hundred acres
were broken this year. During the latter part of the season of 1882 and up to the
present time they have cut 900 tons of hay.
INDIAN HOUSES.
There have been built by Indians since my arrival here seventy-five log houses.
Excepting the doors and windows they did all the work themselves. The expense
of furnishing material for roofs and floors would be so trifling in comparison to the
degree of health, comfort, and cleanliness they would afford, that they should be
supplied.
AGENCY FARM.
This consists of about 150 acres, of which about 15 acres was cultivated by agency
employes, and about 45 acres, in lots of from 1 to 5 acres, was cultivated by Indian
families. With the present force of employe's it would be impossible to cultivate the
whole farm, even if it were profitable. About 12 acres were planted with Hungarian
grass, from which 24 tons of hay was cut.
POLICE.
The police force of the agency consists of one captain, one lieutenant, four sergeants,
and fourteen privates. They faithfully perform the duties required of them, are effi-
cient, and seem to realize the responsibility of their office.
MISSIONARY.
The religious care of the agency is assigned to the Protestant Episcopal Church,
under the direction of the Rev. Henry Swift, who is doing good work among the In-
dians. There is also on the reservation a mission maintained by the Congregational-
ists, under the care of the Rev. T. L. Riggs, which is in a flourishing condition.
SCHOOLS.
Nothing in the results of the past year gives me greater satisfaction than the condi-
tion of our schools. The boys' boarding school at the agency proper is under the im-
mediate supervision of Mrs. Emma C. Swan, principal, assisted by Miss Louisse Cava-
lier. The progress made by the 20 boys in attendance is simply astonishing. The
advance made by some of the boys is surprising. Two boys entered the school totally
ignorant of a single letter of the alphabet, or of a word of English. In less than three
months both were able to read. In arithmetic, geography, and penmanship all make
rapid progress.
Saint John's school, located about 3 miles north of the agency, is under the auspices
of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It is conducted by Mr. J. F. Kinney, jr., prin-
cipal, assisted by Mrs. J. F. Kinney. There is an attendance of from 32 to 36 scholars
all girls at this school. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are untiring in their efforts for the
education and civilization of the Indian children under their charge, in which under-
taking they have been eminently successful. Their school is well disciplined, and is
a model of neatness and cleanliness. These schools will compare favorably with any
white school, and the teachers and assistants have just cause to feel proud of them.
They challenge the admiration of all who have an interest in the education of the In-
dians, and it is the universal verdict of all who have visited them, whether in an
official capacity or otherwise, that they are among the best schools in the Indian
country.
WM. A. SWAN,
United /States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
24 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
DEVIL'S LAKE AGENCY, DAKOTA,
Fort lotten, August 14, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with circular letter of July 13, 1883, from the Office of Indian
Affairs, I have the honor to submit my second annual report of affairs at this agency.
RESERVATION.
The Devil's Lake Indian Reservation is situated south of " Devil's Lake" or " Lake
Minnewakan," in northern Dakota, and extends from the extreme west end to the ex-
treme east end of the lake, being bounded on the south by the Cheyenne River. The
reservation contains about 230,000 acres of land of excellent quality and well adapted
to the wants of the Indians for agricultural purposes, with plenty of good water, and
timber in sufficient quantities scattered over the reservation convenient to the most
desirable lands for farming.
AGRICULTURE AND INDIAN INDUSTRY.
The Indians of the reservation, with but few exceptions, are located on individual
farms which they cultivate with varying success, according to their knowledge and
experience, but all labor with commendable industry and energy which must ulti-
mately and, in fact, is now winning for them the respect of their white neighbors,
and leading to self-support. The amount of land cultivated this year is about the
same as last, with the addition of about 447 acres of new-breaking principally sown
to wheat, which will make the acreage in about the following proportions : Wheat,
1,000 acres; oats, 450 ; corn, 300 ; potatoes, 200 ; pease, 10; turnips, 30; carrots, beets,
and onions, 15 ; beans, 30 ; cabbage, squash, and pumpkins, 20. Our harvesting hav-
ing just commenced I can only approximate the yield as follows: Wheat, 18,000 bush-
els ; oats, 14,000; corn, 12,000: potatoes, 25,000; pease, 100; turnips and vegetables,
5,000; beets, carrots, and onions, 300; beans, 700; besides other vegetables, such as
pumpkins, cabbage, and squash in fair yield. The amount of new laud broken this
season has been more than double that of any previous year 1,154 acres.
Thirty young men, some 2 or 3 years since, commenced the battle of life, and have
continued to show evidence of their future intentions to become independent by break-
ing new land and settling down on distinct patches, and making improvements there-
on. To enable them to do this they have worked for their friends and relations and
earned the use of cattle. To these men I have just 'issued 30 yoke of oxen supplied
by contract under the authority of the Department, and as I now write, about 30
Indians are in the field in view from my office with two reapers, cutting, binding,
and shocking the agency oats.
Ten farmers, in what is called the " Wood Lake district," have selected places out
on the prairie, and have broken from 10 to 20 acres each to sow to wheat next season.
These ten came to me in the spring and stated that they wanted to buy a "self
binder/ 7 and inquired the cost. I informed them a good one would cost about $300
$30 each and to encourage them and others to do likewise I promised to advance half
until they sold their grain. They raised $88.50 in cash towards this object, and I have
furnished the balance, $192, from my private funds, and have purchased a "McCor-
mick self-binder" for $280, delivered at Bartlett. The prime mover in the enterprise,
"Oyesna," is now absent to bring the machine to the agency with his own team.
Our crops look well and promise a good yield, and with the 10 harvesting machines
(1 self-binder and 9 self-raking) we shall, I hope, secure the grain in good season with-
out loss from over-ripening.
I informed the Indians in early spring that all those who had cattle must raise
wheat to supply themselves with bread ; that I should issue them no more flour after
their grain was thrashed and the grist mill in operation, and have only estimated for
half the usual quantity of flour. All the Indians who have cattle, and some that have
not, have sown wheat and oats. I insisted on all having some oats so as to feed the
teams during the time of thrashing.
The agency farm consists of about 20 acres sown to oats for the public animals and
a small garden for employe's to raise vegetables and potatoes for their own use.
Since my last annual report and up to the present date the Indians have hauled with
their ox teams from the railroad point of delivery about 332,000 pounds weight of agency
supplies. Transportation upon that part of this amount of freight, which was hauled
"before July 1, has been paid, and the remainder will be paid as soon as funds are re-
ceived for the current quarter. The whole amounts to about $1,830. They have cut
and hauled about 600 cords of wood for use of agency, industrial boarding schools,
and grist-mill and saw-mill, besides about 300 cords of down or fallen timber, which
they have sold to settlers on the north side of the lake and to the captain of the
steamer "Arrow," realizing the average of $4 per cord ; they also have cut and hauled
about 200 sawlogs to the saw-mill, and have built 20 log houses and 25 log stables on
the reservation. The Indian trader has paid them $1,887 for hauling his freight dur-
ing the year. The peltries disposed of by the Indians to their trader and the military
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 25
post trader amounts to about $600 ; these peltries consist principally of muskrat, fox,
polecat, and badger, and are obtained on the reservation. No robes have been dis-
posed of by these Indians.
We have one Indian apprentice to the carpenter and one blacksmith's apprentice at
the present time.
EDUCATION.
On February 16 last the industrial boarding school for boys and girls carried on by
Rev. J. B. A. Brouillet under contract with the Indian Department, and under the
immediate management of Reverend Mother Superior Sister Clapin, and seven assis -
tant teachers of the order of Grey Nuns of Montreal, was destroyed by fire, there be-
ing at the time 96 scholars in the building besides the teachers and other help. A
Dakota blizzard was in full blast at the time, and in a few moments after the fire
was discovered the building with nearly all its contents was destroyed, including
nearly all the clothing of both sisters and children and medical supplies. A new
school-house for larger boys had been completed and in successful operation, into
which I moved the sisters and their scholars ; this compelled the male teachers and
larger boy to return again to the small and dilapidated log buildings they had occupied
before the completion of their new building. The new building was too small to accom-
modate the sisters and all their scholars, and to allow the latter to return to their homes
would not do, so two of the sisters with 35 boys took up their quarters in the upper
half story of the bakery a room 16 by 32 the beds being made on the floor and piled
up in a corner during the day. The bakery was also used as a kitchen, and in this
cramped and crowded condition the schools were continued until the end of the
spring season, when the hay loft of the barn was cleaned out and converted into a
dormitory, which answers the purpose very well during the summer months.
Too much credit cannot be given to the sisters and teachers in sacrificing all per-
sonal convenience and comfort in order to keep their little flock together, so that
they could continue their studies] they have labored hard for ten years, and suc-
ceeded in building up a system of education and discipline in school management
that has won for them the love and respect of both children and parents, and which,
if continued, will make the Indians of this reservation a happy, Christian, and civil-
ized people. To show the influence of the schools and the interest of the Indians in
the education of their children, I will quote some of the remarks of the Indians when
I called them together and informed them that the Great Father intended to rebuild
the school, and wished to know what they could do towards its erection gratuitously.
The remarks were as follows :
"They could depend on that house, for in it their children would learn the white
man's Ways, which would enable them to support themselves and their parents in
their old age."
One old man regretted that he was so old and could not be educated, and that "he
had no children to send to school, but he would do his share, for he had many children
sleeping on the shores of Minnewakan, and he, too, might hope to remain here in
this small spot that is left of their once vast country to call their own, to mingle his
ashes and bones with those of his children. His heart was light as in youth, and
his mind had this day been settled and placed at rest. His mind had been unsettled
since the fire for fear the white man would induce the Great Father to remove them,
for, in the same year when their annuities ceased, the home of their children had been
destroyed by fire and they were left orphans indeed ; but a new building would be
erected, and it would hold his heart and chain his feet ; he would not have to go else-
where without food, shelter, or hope." " Father," he continued, " I speak the mind
of all these young men assembled here at your call, who are ready to assist you with
their work. Tell the Great Father this : he has made his people happy and settled
their minds."
Judging from the foregoing remarks I would ask: Is Indian civilization a "prob-
lem " ? Teach the young boys the English language, husbandry, and trades in in-
dustrial boarding schools located on reservations; teach the girls, also, the English
language, domestic economy and all household duties, and as they arrive at maturity
induce them to marry and settle down on farms, and it will be but a question of time
to insure civilization, and no "problem." The advancement of these children in
their studies I think will compare favorably with white children of the same age,
when we remember their studies are in another tongue, which they have also to
learn.
The industrial school for large boys has been very successfully conducted under the
management of Simon Carew, who has devoted his whole time and energy to making
it a success. He has been ably assisted by Rev. Jerome Hunt, a missionary from
Standing Rock Agency, of the order of Saint Benedict. Since Father Jerome's con-
nection with the schools a marked improvement in the advancement of the scholars is
noticeable. He speaks the Indian language fluently, and by his mild and zealous
abors has proved himself in every way a true missionary and competent teacher.
26 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
MORALS.
In this respect I would willingly compare notes with our white neighbors, and am
satisfied that the balance sheet would be largely in our favor. There have been no
crimes or depredations committed against each other or against whites. Polygamy
will soon be a vice of the past, as none for the last two years have been allowed to
take two wives, and all are compelled to be married by a minister of their own. choice.
Stealing a wife has been stopped by punishing both parties by imprisonment in the
guard -house at hard labor for a month or two ; this I had to do on two occasions,
since which time all taking wives have been regularly married by the priest in church
before the whole congregation.
MISSIONARY WORK.
The missionary work at this agency is under the charge of the Catholic Church.
Rev. Jerome Hunt, O. S. B., a zealous worker and eloquent preacher in the Sioux
language, is fast dispelling the prejudices and superstitions of the Indians and in-
structing them in the knowledge of the Christian religion. Services are held on
Sundays at 7 in the morning for the children, at 10 for the Indians, and 4 in the after-
noon in the school-room at the mission ; half of the members are unable to get into
the room and have to stand on the porch and by the windows. The choir is com-
posed of Indian children, led by Sisters Allard and Page, and would be a credit to any
school or academy in the States for children of the same age. Services are also held
in the council room at the agency by Rev. S. Carew at 10.30 for the benefit of the
employe's and soldiers and Indians from the Crow Hill district, and are well attended.
I cannot close this brief account of the missionary work at this agency without again
referring to our good sisters who labor from 4.30 in the morning until 9 at night the
year round almost unknown and unappreciated, except by their little flock and im-
mediate friends. To the example and teaching of the sisters I attribute the Indians'
desire to become Christians and civilized, and hope Congress will provide the Depart-
ment with the means necessary to continue the good work so that all children of
school-going ages may be educated and grow up intelligent citizens and not wards of
the Government.
AGENCY BUILDINGS.
There have been no new buildings erected at the agency this season except a small
addition to the grist mill of a dust room for the purifier. The mill has been refitted and
repaired generally. We have now a good mill with two run of stones for wheat and
one for corn and feed, also a Smith's patent purifier and all appliances necessary to
make a good article of flour. We have had, also, a new 45-horse-power engine and
boiler put in by the Cooper Manufacturing Company, who also put in the new mill
machinery.
I have just received authority to repair one of the old log buildings to tide us over
until new buildings can be erected which are very badly needed. I had a roof put
on an old log building, intending to use it as a harness shop, but since the appoint-
ment of a physician I have fitted it up as a dispensary and office for him, as we have
no other place suited to keep or dispense medicines.
INDIAN POLICE.
The fifteen police are all that could be expected of them, and perform their duties
cheerfully and promptly, and watch with a jealous eye any signs of infringement by
whites on the reservation. Since receiving their revolvers quite a noticeable differ-
ence is perceptible in their bearing and manner.
SURVEY OF RESERVATION.
It is very desirable that the balance of the reservation should be surveyed.
CONCLUSION.
These Indians are aware that their regular annuities have ceased and are doing all
in their power, with the means at their disposal, to become self-supporting, which
the majority of them will be after this year, while many will have to be supplied
with work animals and implements before we can expect them to support themselves.
Ten thousand dollars expended in the employment of competent instruction will re-
turn tenfold in its results in its increased crops, and surely this would be money well
expended, at least for two or three years, until they could see for themselves and un-
derstand how to profitably manage a farm. They do work enough now to support
twice their number if properly performed. Heretofore there has been no great effort
made to farm with a view to making a living exclusively from the farm. Some money
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 27
has been earned by freighting, but as the railroads are within 12 miles of the agency,
not much money will be realized from this source in the future, so that they will
have to depend 'on their farms altogether. With proper help I can make an Indian
cultivate 25 or 30 acres of land with good results, while left to himself he may, after
a fashion of his own, cultivate from 4 to 10, and have but little to repay him for his
labor, and probably become discouraged. We should not expect more of an Indian
than a white man, for I have seen and known many farmers who have expended con-
siderable money and much labor before they made farming pay.
Material for building houses is very much needed for these Indians, and as two
lines of railroad are distant, or will be this fall, 12 miles only from the agency, mate-
rial for roofing and floors should be furnished all those who have houses suitable for
the same.
I have explained the new rules governing Indian offenses to the Indians in council,
and appointed the three judges who asked for time to consider the matter. I think
it will be difficult to find three men who will be willing to incur the displeasure and
expose themselves to the malice of the whole tribe by undertaking the task, without
compensation ; however I will enforce the rules to the best of my ability.
I take pleasure in returning thanks to the Department for its many favors and gen-
erous response to our many wants, and give assurance that to the best of my ability, I
shall strive to manage the affairs of my agency for the best interests of the service
and welfare of the Indians under my charge.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN W. CRAMSIE,
United States Indian Agent for the Sisseton, Wahpeton, and Cut-Head Sioux.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CROW CREEK AND LOWER BRULE CONSOLIDATED AGENCY,
Crow Creek, Dak., August 20, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor herewith to transmit my first annual report of the Consoli-
dated Agency of Crow Creek and Lower Brule".
I took charge of this agency on the 7th day of June last, relieving W. H. Parkhurst.
The work incident to taking charge of a consolidated agency, situated as this is,
some 25 miles apart, on opposite sides of the Missouri River, has so entirely taken up
my time, since my coining here, that I have had but little opportunity to make pre-
parations for an extended annual report. My predecessor left me no data to go by,
and my report, therefore, necessarily is limited to only one quarter's observation and
experience.
CROW CREEK AGENCY.
Situated on the east side of the Missouri River, about 25 miles above Chamberlain,
the western terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Saint Paul Railroad, and about
60 miles below Pierre, western terminus of Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, is
located on a low bottom, extending some miles up and 'down the river, with a heavy
growth of young timber between the agency and the river front. The location of
the agency is unfortunate for several reasons : First, being low and flat the drainage
is necessarily very poor, and I am told that in the spring of the year, when the waters
come down from the highlands adjoining the agency, the whole bottom on which it
stands is under water, and so muddy as to make it very difficult to get about, or
transact the ordinary agency business. Secondly, the river front near the agency is
one extensive sand-bar, so compelling all freight for this place to be landed at least
3 miles below, or some 5 to 8 miles above.
Agency buildings.
The property roll of this agency is quite extensive in this respect, containing a large
number of buildings. Many of them, however, are nothing but cottonwood struc-
tures, unfit for occupation ; others are the remnants of old Fort Thompson, and so
rottou and warped that they are beyond repair, and only fit for firewood. There is
not a single plastered building at the agency, and the dwelling houses, having mostly
been built of green lumber, are but poor shelters for the families of the employds dur-
ing the severe cold of this northern climate.
The reservation
is quite extensive, containing 630,312 acres. The land may be divided into four classes :
Farming, grazing, wood, and hay lauds. The farming lands constitute the larger por-
tion of the reservation, consisting of plateau and bottom lands. I look upon these
lands as among the very best in Dakota. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, and all kinds
28 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
of garden vegetables are produced upon them, and the average yield is large. All
that is required to make this portion of the reserve equal to any farming section of
the Northwest is intelligent labor. The grazing cannot be surpassed, at least for sum-
mer grazing. The severe cold of the winters makes it unsafe to have stock depend
entirely upon what they can find in the pastures, and great loss has been sustained
by those who have thus exposed their animals. The timber on the reserve, if prop-
erly cared for, is sufficient to last for many years for fuel and ordinary farm purposes,
and consists of cottonwood, elm, box-elder, oak, and white ash. The wild plum and
grape are abundant, and the bull berry and wild cherry also are found in certain lo-
calities. At present there is no timber on the reservation fit for lumber, trees of this
kind having been cut and made into lumber years ago. The hay lands are principally
found on the bottoms along the rivers and creeks, and are quite extensive, producing
a superior quality of wild grass.
In connection with these timber and hay lands I would state that the allotments
which have been so far made include all of these. To some few favored Indians have
been given lands, including all the valuable timber and hay bottoms, leaving the
great majority without any timber or hay. This is a cause of much complaint among
them, and constant depredations are being reported. These hay and timber lands
should have been given out in small allotments, thus preventing jealousy, and supply-
ing all alike with what they all equally need and to which they have an equal right.
Condition of the Lower Tanktonais Indians.
I find these people in many respects doing well. A large number of them have
taken lands in severalty and are living on them. The Indian village has disappeared,
and in its place is seen scattered over the prairie the Indian farm-house, with stable
and farm-yard; small fields adjoining these homes, many of them well fenced, giving
to the landscape the appearance of a young western settlement, and giving a promis-
ing outlook for the future. In passing over the reservation at present one sees on all
sides gardens and stacks of wheat, oats, and hay, potato patches and cornfields,
here and there small herds of cattle feeding, and the inevitable pony near by.
Of these last I am pleased to see that the number is much less than is usual in the
Indian country. The ruling desire among these people now is to get cattle oxen and
cows, and large American horses ; these are what they desire above all things, and
what they should have to make their effort toward self-support a success.
Indian houses.
I find that most of the Indian houses are very poorly built many of them are of
logs, with dirt floors and roofs, built by the Indians themselves, spurred on to do so
by the promise that the Government would furnish the floors and roofs. These houses
are very objectionable, as it is impossible to keep them clean, and generally being very
damp, they are also very unhealthy. Owing to this fact I do not wonder that the Indian
prefers his cloth " tipi" or lodge. It is therefore a common sight to see beside the log
house a cloth " tipi," where the family take refuge from filth and vermin, during the
summer, and this will continue to be the case until better houses are provided. Other
houses again are of frame, built by the Government. Of those I have examined most
are so badly built that they neither keep out wind or rain, cold or snow, and are not
fit to live in during winter.
These Indians have, to a great extent, adopted the white man's dress ; the old Indian
dress is yet frequently seen, but it is put on generally for dress occasions, and is no
more the every day attire. In fact, I believe that it can truly be said of these people
that they are doing well, and are as far advanced as any of the Sioux Nation. They
are quiet and peaceable, generally courteous and kindly in their manners.
Farming.
This industry is carried on among these Indians to a considerable extent. In place
of the usual Indian patch of corn are seen fields of wheat, oats, and corn, with gar-
dens and potato patches ; all usually well fenced and kept in good order and tolerably
well cultivated. Last year was their first experiment in wheat-growing, and proving
a great success gave an impetus to the undertaking, which induced many more to
undertake it this year. Now that the harvest is over wheat and oats stacked
there is general joy at the result, and the interest now has become universal.
Much land has been broken up this year, and fall plowing to a considerable extent
will be done ; so that next spring will see the wheat acreage greatly increased. Many
of the Indians will have considerable wheat and oats for sale, besides exchanging for
flour what they may need to eke out the Government ration. This, and last year has
proved that this is a very good wheat country, and that the Indians are able and
willing to do the work required, if only assisted and encouraged by the Government
and its employe's.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 29
In order to do this more effectually the agency farm has been abandoned or given
out in allotments to the Indians. This I look upon as a wise arrangement, as it leaves
the agency farmer who himself is an excellent interpreter free to devote his entire
time to instructing and assisting the Indians.
I feel that too great importance cannot be given to this movement, and aid should
be given the Indians to push forward vigorously next spring, as the planting of wheat
must be done very early in the spring. The assistance if given, should be given this
fall if possible, so that as soon as spring opens the work may go on, and this assistance
should be in the shape of, first
Work oxen. Of these there are quite a number now in the tribe, but, unfortunately,
the most of them were when purchased unbroken and wild, and as a consequence are
but poorly suited to the unskilled Indian driver. Good, young, well broken cattle should
be purchased subject to approval of parties able and trustworthy. The second great
need in this connection is
Farming implements. Plows, " breaking and stirring," harrows, cultivators, harvest-
ers, and, in fact, the usual farm machinery, without which even the most skilled farmer
is helpless, should be judiciously distributed among them.
Water. One of the most serious wants of this country is the scarcity of good water.
Those Indians who have taken allotments away from the river or creeks are com-
plaining constantly of this, and that they are compelled to use the semi-stagnant
waters of pools and water holes in their neighborhood or else bring water from the
river, sometimes a distance of 5 miles. This is a very serious matter, as it greatly af-
fects the good health of the people, and retards their prosperity. The only way in
which this can be remedied is by sinking a few artesian wells in such localities as
will supply a number of farms and pastures. This can easily be done by reason of
perfect drainage of the plateau farming lands. There is at j)resent a well of this kind
being sunk at Fort Sully, and if this proves a success, the water question has become
greatly simplified.
Schools and school-houses.
There is on this reservation one single school-house as yet, the Government board-
ing-school for boys and girls, at the agency, able to accommodate about 30 children
this number, however, makes it very crowded, particularly in dormitory room.
The building is in great need of repairs and enlargement. I would respectfully
recommend at least three day-schools in different parts of the reservation, where
children can be prepared for the boarding-school, and where the school will have a
daily direct influence both on parents and children. During the past year the school
has been conducted by the Misses King, of Saint Paul, Minn., and, as far as I can
judge, has been quite successful.
Missionary work and churches.
The Episcopal Church has charge of this most important work on this reserva-
tion. Three church buildings have been erected through the indefatigable efforts of
Bishop W. H. Hare, and are, particularly on Sundays, well filled with worshiping
Indian congregations. The Rev. H. Bhrt is in charge, and his long experience, per-
fect knowledge of language, and zeal for the work make him peculiarly able to in-
struct these poor people in the way of life. The marked improvement to be seen in
the Christian Indian, over his heathen brother, in conduct, cleanliness, and in home
comforts, speaks in unmistakable tones in favor of the Christian religion and the
earnest work of the missionary.
The Lower Yanktonais Indians
are now in a fair way to become self-supporting. It is, however, a critical time with
them, and great care should be taken that they do not become discouraged at the
start. If they find that because they begin to labor and partially support themselves
they are therefore cut short in their rations and other gratuities of the Government,
they will, I fear, be greatly discouraged. On the contrary, it seems to me that they
should now be pushed forward by all means in the power of the Government. When
they have houses to live in, farms broken and fenced, cattle and implements with
which properly to work their farms, then let the rations be withdrawn at least from
all able-bodied Indians, thus compelling them to labor for their own support.
LOWER BRULE AGENCY, DAKOTA.
This agency is located on the west side of the Missouri River about 25 miles below
Crow Creek Agency and nearly opposite the town of Chamberlain, the western ter-
minus of the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad. The location is good, and
in many respects beautiful, having an extended view of the river and perfect nat-
ural drainage. The buildings of the agency are all of frame, with the exception of
30 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
a few log structures, used for stables, &c. The employe's' quarters are quite good and
commodious, and with slight repairs will be all that is needed for many years ; only
immediate want felt being in stable and warehouse room. A good substantial stable
is now being built, and steps are now in progress to remove the present warehouse
from Rosebud Landing to this place.
The reservation,
while it is broken and hilly in many places, is yet well suited to the wants of the
Indians, there being sufficient good land to be found in different localities to give
the people farms of from 50 to 100 acres, with outlying pastures and hay land.
No effort has yet been made here to give out these lands in severalty. This should
be done at once, as, until it is done, no great progress will be made.
Timber.
Of this there is now no great quantity to be found in one place, but with care
there is enough to last many years, and the Indian must be taught to plant timber,
as all his white neighbors do.
Indian farming.
Scattered over the reserve in every direction are to be seen small Indian farms, in
extent from 1 to 25 acres. Most of these are under fence (post and wire), and in many
instances evince considerable care. Crops of oats, corn, and potatoes are the pre-
vailing productions, and many of these promise an abundant yield ; gardens also are
frequent, and melons, onions, carrots and turnips, with other garden vegetables, are
to be found near most of the Indian houses.
Log houses and stables generally covered with earth are numerous, but the Indian
11 tepee" is also seen close beside these. These are Indian summer resorts, where he
betakes himself to escape from the lilth and vermin accumulated and engendered dur-
ing winter. As long as they are compelled to live in these miserable hovels this will
continue to be the case ; for the clean, airy u tepee" is in all respects a better summer
house than the dirt-covered, dirt-floored and poorly ventilated log shanty.
For some reason unknown to me no wheat was planted here during this season,
either by Indians or Government. This it seema to me is a mistake, as wheat can
be produced here with the same labor that oats require, and is a far more valuable
production. As this reserve is so near a railroad, market is always found where good
prices are paid, particularly during winter. I propose to urge the Indians of this
reserve to devote a large portion of their lands the coining season to wheat-culture
if I can procure for them the seed required.
The agency farm, of some seventy acres, is ably cared for by the farmer, and the
crop of the present season is very fair, consisting of oats, corn, and potatoes.
Considerable land has been broken up this season, and there seems to be a strong de-
sire among the Indians to have larger farms. Most of the breaking has been done by
the agency teams and employe's, the Indian pony not being strong enough to under-
take successfully this heavy work.
The Lower Brul6 Indians in many respects are an interesting people. Independent,
outspoken, and somewhat excitable, they are also quite intelligent, and at times
quite demonstrative in their manners. If once they can be induced to go to work in
earnest, I feel sure they will make rapid progress.
Cattle and horses.
There are fewer cattle and more ponies among these people than there should be.
If these useless ponies could be exchanged for good work-oxen and milch-cows it
would greatly tend to settle these people down and induce them to industry. Gen-
erallv speaking, they are now taking good care of the cattle they have. Some few
of them have quite a large number, and are making preparations to care for them
during the coming winter by building stables and putting up hay.
The great difficulty that exists in procuring a sufficient quantity of hay for the
agencv use makes it almost impossible to provide for the cattle lately sent here, and
with the present small number of employe's I fear it will be quite difficult to make
adequate preparations in sheds, hay, &c., some of the hay having to be hauled a dis-
tance of 12 miles. The Indians are anxious to take these cows, and are making prep-
arations to care for them. I would recommend that they be issued to the deserving
ones, to those who have proved by the care they have taken of the animals heretofore
given to them that they will care for them, thus rewarding them for past good con-
duct and inducing others to follow their example.
Stock-raising.
The nature of the land, as far as I have seen it, seems to point to this industry as
the one thing to be profitably undertaken here. I believe that many of these people
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 31
can be made to care for small herds of cattle very well. The grazing in summer is
abundant, water sufficient is found in most localities, and the small valley and creek
bottoms provide a sufficient quantity of hay for winter use.
Government industrial school.
This school I found had been closed for some months when I took charge. The cause
of this seems to have been dissatisfaction with the management and the occurrence
of one or two deaths among the children. I am making preparations to reopen the
school, and having secured the assistance of experienced school instructors, I am in
hopes of making it work successfully. The building is in need of extensive repairs,
however, and it will take some time before it can be in full working order.
Missionary worlc.
The Rev. Luke C. Walker, under the direction of Right Reverend Bishop Hare, is in
charge of missionary work on this reserve, and being a full-blood Indian himself, and
an educated man, has great influence among the people. Mr. Walker, with the as-
sistance of some of his young men, all full-blood Indians, has just finished an addi-
tion to his church which would do credit to white workmen.
Some of these young men have been trained at Hampton, and are quite capable
workmen. I have endeavored to employ these young men at the agency in the differ-
ent shops and in the office, but so far have not been able to keep them for any length
of time, owing to the fact that they are not willing to work for the wages I am allowed
to pay apprentices. I am in hopes to overcome this difficulty, and to have them all
engaged in some industry for which they shall seem best suited.
Conclusion.
Since my coming here I have had frequent councils with the Indians of both agencies.
The subject that seems particularly to occupy their minds at present and causes them-
great disquietude is their reservation. Some of the chiefs and headmen of the Crow
Creek or Lower Yanktonai Indians signed the proposed treaty, thereby ceding to the
Government a large portion of their reservation. They now wish to withdraw from
the agreement altogether, and so expressed themselves to the honorable members of
Senate committee who lately visited them and counseled with them on the subject.
It is of the greatest importance to these people that they should be made to feel that
their reservation is theirs permanently, and that they will never be compelled to part
with it. It has always been their country ; they are deeply attached to it, and are now
making good improvements upon their allotted lands. To disturb them now would in
my judgment be to destroy them. If any portion of their lands is ever to be sold,
it seems to me but just that they should reap the full benefit of such sale. It is the
last remaining remnant of their once grand domain, and if left to them intact will
make them eventually an independent, self-sustaining people; if despoiled of it, they
are forever made dependent upon the bounty of the Government, and the last chance
of an independent existence is taken from them. Their long unbroken friendship for
the whites, when many of the surrounding tribes were engaged in hostilities, their
advancement in the arts of civilized life, should speak for them in unmistakable terms,
and secure to them forever the homes that God has given them.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN G. GASMANN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
FORT BERTHOLD AGENCY, DAKOTA, August 9, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with your letter of August 1, just received, in which you require
annual report to reach Washington not a day later than August 20, I submit this my
fourth annual report of aifairs at this agency. This requirement being much earlier
than in former years, finds us in the midst of harvest, with but little time to collect
statistics, which will render the report somewhat unsatisfactory to myself.
The number of Indians regularly drawing rations at this agency is 1,246, to wit:
Arickarees, 591 ; Gros Ventres, 347 ; Mandans, 308, with about 240 Gros Ventres and
Mandans at Fort Buford who, as I have been recently informed, expect to come here
to remain.
FARMING.
Total number of acres farmed during the year, 942. I regret to say that this season
has been unfavorable for crops at this agency; Indians labored with commendable in-
dustry in plowing and preparing ground for their various crops, which were all planted
32 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
in proper time in the spring. An increased acreage of wheat and oats was sown by the
Indians. Last year 46 heads of families sowed wheat; the present season 87 sowed
wheat; also 39 sowed oats last year; this season 62 heads of families. Total wheat
sown by Indians, 227 acres ; total oats sown by Indians, 146 acres. To date, 91 tons hay
have been made by agency employe's. The long- continued drought, together with hot
winds on the 29th of June, will reduce the yield to a low average. Up to date the rainfall
flince the close of winter has aggregated but 2 inches, with no rain during the last
seven weeks. We are now in the midst of harvest, with much of the straw too short
to bind. I estimate the yield of wheat at 1,362 bushels; oats at 1,752 bushels; pota-
toes so imperfectly developed at this date that an intelligent estimate can scarcely
be made; from 69 acres I estimate the yield at 3,450 bushels; corn, 451 acres, 3,157
bushels; squash, 6 acres, 72 bushels; beans, 300 bushels, cultivated by the Govern-
ment ; wheat, 13 acres ; estimated yield, 103 bushels ; oats, 19 acres, 380 bushels ; Hun-
garian grass, 11 acres, 6 tons ; potatoes at Fort Stevenson, 2 acres, estimated 100
bushels. There was also broken on the military reservation 24 acres for agriculture,
in connection with Indian boarding-school.
There was ground during the year 74,100 pounds flour in agency grist-mill, and
sawed on agency saw-mill 8,235 feet cotton wood lumber.
SCHOOLS.
The Government school during the past year was kept in session continuously for
ten consecutive months, beginning September 1, 1882, and ending June 30, 1883, with
an average daily attendance of 32.4 pupils; instruction was also given by Miss
Kauffman and Miss Ferris to girls and young women in sewing, making and fitting
dresses and other garments ; lessons in making bread were also taught them. Much
difficulty is experienced in securing regular attendance, as the school-house is situated
quite near the village, and parents do not compel their children to attend school.
School work is in fairly prosperous condition.
On the 7th of August the military post at Fort Stevenson, with the following build-
ings, was, by an order from the War Department, turned over in my care to the Interior
Department, to be fitted up and used for Indian boarding and industrial school in con-
nection with this agency, to wit:
Five sets officers' quarters, with outhouses.
Four storerooms.
Two sets company barracks, with outhouses.
One hospital building.
One building used as offices and library.
One bakery building, with oven complete.
One corral and buildings ,consisting of one blacksmith shop, one carpenter shop, one
stable for animals, one grain-house, one coal-shed.
One cattle corral, with sheds.
One root honse.
One guard house.
It is also understood that this transfer carries with it the military reservation, which
I regard as very important to be used for agriculture, pasturage, &c., for the purpose
of carrying out the plan of Indian boarding and industrial schools. These buildings
above enumerated contain sufficient room for the accommodation of several hundred
pupils when needed repairs are made. This school, the necessity of which has long
been felt, will, when in successful operation, supply a much needed want in the edu-
cational work of this agency, where proper discipline with pupils can be enforced,
and regular attendance secured.
LANDS IN SEVERALTY.
In former reports I have given my views upon the question of having portions of
lands surveyed on this reservation to be given Indians for permanent settlement, and
urged the importance of this measure ; I am convinced, that if this were done many
families of this agency would gladly avail themselves of this means of possessing
lands really and actually their own. This desire to possess homes in their own name,
and right, is frequently expressed by them. This would also serve in a great degree
to dissipate their desire for going in large parties on hunting and visiting expeditions,
as the love of home and its duties would fully occupy their time. These Indians have
for many years been congregated in one compact village with no facilities for raising or
earing for stock, no incentives for making comfortable homes or permanent improve-
ments. As no white man would improve lauds for which he had no assurance of title,
so these Indians will not leave their village, around which is the accumulation of
filth and garbage of many years, until some provision is made for giving them homes
of their own. If lands were given them in severalty, being assured that they could
hold them, they would be stimulated and encouraged with the knowledge of real
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA 33
ownership. In my judgment this measure more than any other would tend to speed
them on the way to civilization and self-support. I trust you will present this
matter with your recommendation for prompt action to Congress in the early part
of the approaching session, and also that an appropriation of $10,000 be made for the
purpose of aiding in the improvements of lands thus given them. I deem it im-
portant that to each family making settlement should be issued one yoke of oxen and
such farm implements as are indispensably necessary for the cultivation of said lands.
As I feel deeply the importance of this measure I cannot too strongly urge your favor-
able consideration upon this subject.
The feeling of insecurity expressed by these Indians in the possession of lands, unless
held by actual title, is intensified from the fact that in April, 1880, that portion of this
reservation which was required to fulfill the grant made by Congress to the Northern
Railroad Company to complete the ''forty mile limit," was taken from the south part
to the extent of more than half the territory of their entire reservation. This they
state was arbitrarily done without their knowledge or consent. This act of bad faith
on the part of the Government has, on many occasions, been made the subject of severe
complaint, and it does not avail to satisfy their injured feelings toward the Govern-
ment that a portion of territory to compensate in part for the amount taken was given
them on the north. They assert the amount added is less than half the number of
acres taken ; that the land is rough and undesirable, and, moreover, they had not been
consulted, and would not have consented to such transaction. This question is agi-
tated at present because their ponies are frequently found in possession of white set-
tlers near the line, who refuse to surrender them unless payment be made for alleged
damage done their crops. These Indians are also aware that the right of way for
railroads through other Indian reservations was secured by treaty and purchase,
from which other tribes now receive money annuities, and much larger quantities of
commissary supplies than are given Fort Berthold Indians. It is difficult to reconcile
them, as they fully believe that because they are weak the Government has taken
advantage of them and dealt unjustly with them. They often assert that the white
man's government would not dare to treat the more powerful and warlike Sioux in
such a manner. And now they are informed that because there are no treaty stipula-
tions to fulfill with them they 'can no longer be provided with certain supplies which
they formerly enjoyed. I am constrained to confess that I am unable to answer these
complainings, which seem to be well taken, in a satisfactory manner to myself or to
the Indians.
INDIAN POLICE.
My police force now consists of ten men. These were carefully selected from the
three tribes of this agency : Arickarees, Gros Ventres, and Maudaus. Almost uninter-
rupted good order has prevailed during the past year, which I attribute largely to the
moral effect of these Indian policemen. They seem to fully realize their responsi-
bility, and are careful and vigilant in maintaining good order. I feel that it is highly
creditable to these Indians to be able to say that, in my judgment, there cannot be
found in the United States a village having a like number of inhabitants of white
people, which, even with all their superiority of intelligence, the advantages of educa-
tion and civilization, has not had many more cases of disorderly conduct, violations of
law, and breach of the peace, than have occurred during the past year among these
simple-minded, honest, well-disposed people. No case of drunkenness, or even the
use of intoxicating beverages by Indians of this agency, has come to my knowledge
during the past year.
MISSIONARY WORK.
The missionary work of this agency is in charge of the "American Missionary Asso-
ciation," under the direction of Rev! C. L. Hall, resident minister, who is earnestly
devoted to the work assigned him, and zealous in his efforts to promote the spiritual
welfare of those committed to his care. Religious services are held in a neat chapel
in the morning and afternoon, each Sabbath throughout the year. School, with Miss
Ward, teacher, has been kept nine months from September 1, 1882, to May 31, 1883,
with an average attendance of 12 pupils.
On the night of the 4th of August, died at this agency Pierre Ganeaux, at the ad-
vanced age of 92 years. The death of this good man is deeply regretted by all who
knew him. Although an Indian, his sunny life, his strict integrity, his high sense of
justice and honor, and his unyielding devotion to the Government, and his wise coun-
sel to his people endeared him to all who knew him, and make us deeply feel that a
good man has gone.
In conclusion I would say that progress in civilization among these Indians is ap-
parent to all, their good deportment and obedience are alike commendable. In many
things they are helpless and dependent, and deserve sympathy and kind treatment.
5916 IND 3
34 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
When treated as men, they seem elevated in their own estimation, and appreciate
teaching when led to believe that their own well-being is considered.
I send herewith statistical report of agency affairs, also annual report of school
teacher.
For the considerate manner in which my efforts in discharge of duties in connection
with affairs of this agency have been regarded in the past, and the usual promptness
with which requests pertaining to the service have been granted, and the uniform
kindness of the honorable Commissioner, I am profoundly thankful.
I have the honor to be sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
JACOB KAUFFMAN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PINE RIDGE AGEKCY, DAKOTA,
August 10, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit my fifth annual report as agent for the Indians of
the Pine Ridge Agency, Dakota.
THE INDIANS.
There has been an average of 8,000 Indians present and carried on the agency rolls
for the past twelve months, of which 7,800 were Ogalalla Sioux, and 200 Northern
Cheyennes.
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNES.
These " Bedouins of the Desert," as compared with the Sioux, have remained in their
normal condition of general worthlessness under their officially recognized chief, " Lit-
tle Chief." Some have gone North to the Big Horn country, some have returned, none
have built houses, none have adopted civilized costumes, none have engaged in freight-
ing, but have passed their time in dancing, wandering around the country, and occa-
sionally making a raid on the agent's office to inform him that they are guileless children
of nature ; that the " Great Spirit " gave them this laud ; that they are constitutionally
opposed to labor, &c. I sometimes suggest to them that some day when the " Great
Father's" storehouses become empty of rations, they may have to try the experiment
of sitting on a hill and howling to the " Great Spirit" for something to eat, and pa-
tiently await a fall of heavenly manna. To the credit of the young men of the Chey-
ennes I would report, however, that they have within a few days, withdrawn from
the leadership of "Little Chief," and have decided to engage in freighting and other
labor. This action on their part has hurt the chief's feelings, so I presume it will be in
order for that ancient and superannuated aborigine to visit his " Great Father" this
winter for sympathy. This will furnish a fine opportunity for some of the visionary
experts on the Indian question living in Washington and vicinity, to coddle the old
gentleman, and tell hi in what a wicked and dishonest man his agent is, and how sad
that a man of his ability should be so wanting in lovely Christian character and moral
balance.
THE NORTHERN OR SITTING BULL SIOUX.
This portion of the Ogalallas, some 600 in number, are progressing in a remarkable
manner as compared with the regular agency Indians. House building and other la-
bor is carried on by them to a greater extent, comparatively ; and I will venture to state
that in a few years they will be far in advance of the Indians who have lived for years
on the reservations and been experimented with, and fairly spoiled by a constantly
changing and theroretical Indian policy. I would at any time prefer almost to deal
with wild Indians just in from the warpath than with the majority of pampered and
demoralized agency Indians.
THE INDIANS GENERALLY.
The Pine Ridge Indians, as a body, show evidence of decided progress during the
past year, rapidly abandoning their savage customs, and adopting civilization, scat-
tering their abodes more and more, so that frequent disputes arise relating to loca-
tions and building sites. The creek bottoms for from 10 to 20 miles up and down the
running streams for a distance of 40 miles from the agency, are now nearly all taken
up, the more progressive Indians moving out of the villages and settling in between.
Dancing is diminishing rapidly, and the attendance on church increasing.
HOUSE BUILDING.
The construction of houses has averaged well with the four preceding years,
about 100 having been bailt in the past twelve months, so that now we have on the
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 35
reservation 625 substantial log houses, giving shelter to over half of the Indian families
on the reserve. This speaks well for onr Indians, considering the fact that five years
ago, and prior, pot an Indian family lived in, or could be induced to live in, anything;
but a canvas or bkin lodge.
These houses are built by the Indians themselves, or by men employed by them r
the Government supplying nothing but the window-sash, nails, hinges, locks, and
rough lumber for casings, so that the expense to the Government is very little. The
houses are, of course, not provided with board floors, for the reason that the supply
of lumber is barely sufficient for casings and doors. I need not urge the necessity of.
in every way, encouraging the Indians in this enterprise.
STOCK-RAISING.
The majority of the Indians have taken good care of the stock cows issued to thenr, .
and the increase has been marked. Some of the bands, noticeably Red Cloud's and
his adherents, have not cared for their stock, relying on the fact that there is yet due
them many years of rations under the treaty, and, of course, going on the principle
that it is useless to work for a living when you are given plenty to eat without
doing so. The public may rest assured that until the policy of rewarding worthless
chiefs and Indians who persistently oppose any efforts toward self-support is changed,
not much practical progress toward self-support will be made.
Theoretical experts on the Indian question in their newspaper and magazine arti-
cles appear to have recently discovered that our Indians are " natural-born herders,"
for, see their numerous herds of horses ; hence the Indian problem is solved. " Give
them cows; " "Why has not some one thought of this before," &c. The theory is
good, but the practice fails, and for the following reasons : The horse is good to ride
on, and the cow is good to eat.
Under the nonsensical treaties at present in force these people are guaranteed plenty
of beef to eat, whether they work or not, so what earthly object has an Indian in
going to the trouble and labor of raising beef ? The consequence is that he either per-
mits his cows and bulls to stray off or eats them. The Government should rewardL
the working Indian and ignore the lazy, careless one, but it, as a rule, does the oppo-
site. Is it a wonder that a few years ago, Spotted Tail, chief of the Bruld Sioux,
when asked by the Missouri River Sioux, how it was that the Brule"s and Ogalallas,
who were always opposing the Government, received more rations than themselves,
who had been at peace for years, replied: "You Christian Indians on the Missouri
River are too good. Why don't you take off the white man's breeches you are wearing,,
put on a breech clout, howl a little, get brave, and the white man will give you plenty
to eat ?" When, last August, it became necessary for me as the agent for the Govern-
ment, to check Red Cloud, the so-called chief of the Ogalallas, in his ridiculous as-
sumption of authority and opposition to the progress of these Indians, which he was
induced to do under scheming white influence, there was a perfect newspaper panic..
AGRICULTURE.
We have had an unusually abundant rainfall this year, and wherever the cereals-
and other seed have been planted the yield has been good, but the same obstacle
that exists to these people making stock raising a practical success opposes in a more
marked degree their becoming agriculturists, for there is more labor connected with
raising grain than with raising stock, and the Indian, being a carnivorous species of
the human family, has not much use for grain unless he can have it served up in the
shape of hot rolls and buckwheat cakes in a Washington hotel.
FREIGHTING.
This enterprise has been as successful as usual. There have been engaged in the
work about five hundred wagons driven by Indians and half-breeds. Of Indian sup-
plies, there have been hauled from the terminus of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad,
130 miles distant, during the past twelve months 2,501,059 pounds, for which the In-
dians earned and were paid in cash $35,192.13. There have been hauled in addition
about 1,000,000 pounds of traders' and other supplies. The Indian teamsters are all
young men and have proved themselves honest and trustworthy in the care of their
loads.
SAVING OP SUPPLIES.
There has been saved on the issue of supplies about $50,000 worth, and, as a partial
result of the accumulated savings of previous years of my management here, requisi-
tion has been made for subsistence for the present fiscal year as against that of last
year as follows:
36
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
Supplies.
Last year.
Tbi8 year.
Beans
Pounds.
24, 625
Pounds.
8 000
Coffee . -
100 053
50 000
Corn
250, 000
None.
800 000
750 000
Sard bread . . ..
100 000
None.
Oats
10 000
Salt
40 000
None
175 075
80 000
Tobacco .. ...
12 000
None
Notwithstanding this saving, the Indians do not present an emaciated appearance,
and they are happy and contented.
SUPPLIES.
The quality of the supplies has been excellent and the quantity ample, and the prices
paid noticeably low as compared with the market quotations.
, EDUCATION.
During the past twelve months six day schools have been kept in active operation,
with an average attendance of thirty each, which is up to the requirements of the
treaty of 1868. The schools are located at a distance of from 3 to 40 miles from the
agency. As some of the other villages promise me a good attendance in case more
schools are located, I hope to see these people provided with ten schools by this time
next year. The effect of the schools is excellent in many ways. We hope to open
the new boarding school this fall, in case the requisite funds are forthcoming. When
it is opened the attendance will be good.
CHURCH AND MISSIONARY.
The Episcopal church and mission located at this agency are doing well. Converts
are being rapidly made, and the church attendance is more than the capacity of the
building.
MEDICINE.
The Indians are rapidly adopting our system of medicine. There were treated by
the agency physician in the past year 2,015 cases, and as the present physician ap-
pointed here July 1st, had for treatment during the month of July 450 patients, the
number will probably double for the coming year.
TRADERS.
On the principle that competition is the life of trade, we are well supplied with
traders, having six white, one half-breed, and three Indian stores.
THE POLICE.
The police, numbering fifty members, have kept up their reputation for efficiency.
Whisky and crime are unknown OR the reserve, and the hinges on the guard-house
door are rusting through disuse. The Indians fully recognize the power and authority
of the police, and it would be impossible to conduct these large agencies without the
police organization.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
As I am somewhat of a " tender-foot," having lived with these people for but seven
or eight years, it may appear presumption for me to advance any views in connection
with the experts that frequently ventilate themselves in the newspapers, but I hope
I may be excused for venturing a few remarks on what appears to be a superfluity of
bunkum and red tape in the management of Indians by Congress. It is a very sim-
ple matter for members of Congress and officials to resolve that these Indians must
become self-supporting, to make spread eagle speeches as to how to make stock
raisers and agriculturists of them. It is interesting to read agents reports of how
their good Indians love to work, and how they are rapidly becoming self-supporting, &c.,
but the fact is, the Indians are a long way from being self-supporting, and never will
REPORTS UF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 37
until there is a radical change in the system. It is not that there is a lack of money
appropriated for this agency, but the difficulty is that it is set aside for what is not
required, and our everlasting red tape prevents its being used for any other purpose.
The subsistence and other supplies allowed and furnished my Indians are ample, in
fact more than sufficient. If not, how is it that I can save $50,000 per year on the
issue of supplies? What earthly inducement or reason can be advanced why an In-
dian should go to work and earn his own living by the sweat of his brow, when an
indulgent Government furnishes him more than he wants to eat and clothes him for
nothing? Select 8,000 whites of the pauper class, or send 8,000 of the " assisted emi-
grants f ' to this reservation, feed them as you do these Indians, and they would hold
a caucus and vote to assassinate the first one of their number who attempted to be-
come self-supporting.
What we require are less supplies and more skilled labor and employe's. What
can I do as an agent to teach 8,000 Indians agriculture with one farmer ! It is simply
a farce and a burlesque. Our Indians are scattered out on five creeks, taking up 100
miles of bottoms. There should be at least five farmers. We have one physician to
care for 8,000 Indians scattered out for 40 miles. He is kept all the time at the agency,
attending to office business. He should have at least two assistants employed in the
villages. The same is true of all the other employe's, one blacksmith, one wheel wright,
one carpenter to 8,000 Indians : yet we are told the Indian must be instructed how to work,
to become self-supporting. What good does it do these Indians for their agent to econ-
omize to the extent of $50,000 yearly in the issue of supplies? It does not give them
a single extra employe", for the reason that our red tape says that the money having
been appropriated for a specified purpose, i. e., the purchase of food, cannot be made
use of to employ instructors to teach the Indians to raise their own supplies.
Another piece of pure red tape is the regulation which limits the amount of white
employ^ fund at any one agency to $6,000 per year, which may at the discretion of the
honorable Secretary of the Interior be increased to $10,000, but in no case to exceed
that amount. This leaves ev^n the honorable Secretary powerless, so that this agency
to-day, with its 8,000 Indians, can, under the law, be allowed no more than an agency
of 800 Indians. When I assumed charge of this agency in 1879 the entire duty of
the agent was to act as a national poor-master, dishing out rations. Since then the
Indians have scattered out farming, erected 625 houses, engaged 500 wagons in freight-
ing, built 135 miles of telegraph line, opened up six day-schools, began stock-raising
with 1,500 head of cows and bulls, employed 40 mowing machinesin putting up hay,
employed a police force of 50 members, received a winter's beef herd of 6,000 animals
to be cared for, kept a saw, planing, shingle, and corn mill going, and advanced in
every respect in civilization, thereby entailing the necessity for an increased force of
skilled white employe's and instructors; and yet that nonsensical $10,000 white em-
ploye" clause still survives. Without change in legislation and system in appropriating
the funds for the expenses of the service these Indians will not become self-support-
ing until the angel Gabriel sounds the second call, and the poor heathen awake in
the dim and uncertain hereafter, when subsisting on a light diet of air, there will be
no necessity of any self-supporting scheme.
In this matter the Department and the officials of the service are powerless. It
requires pretty much all of their time to get the regular appropriations through, let
alone any new legislation. The remedy remains with Congress, and I would suggest,
as far as the Sioux are concerned, that each agency be made independent, and this
communal system of supplying eight or nine Sioux agencies out of a common money-
box be discontinued. Where one agency advances another agency retrogrades, and
thus neutralizes any resulting good. Divide the Sioux reserve, giving each agency a
reserve by itself to care for, and have legal ownership and control over. (I hope I may
not be accused of making this recommendation in the interest of some railroad mo-
nopoly.) Let Congress make appropriations for each Sioux agency separately, and
not for specific purposes, such as so much for clothing, so much for subsistence, so
much for transportation, so much for white employe's, so much for Indian employe's,
so much for schools, so much for interpreters, &c., but make the appropriation for the
expense of the Indian service at such an agency to be disbursed at the discretion of
the honorable Secretary of the Interior. Then, "if an agent can economize in the use
of his supplies, it will act as au incentive that his Indians will derive some benefit
from the saving by an increase in the number of absolutely necessary employe's.
It might be well, perhaps, for members of Congress and the superior officials of the
service, to realize the fact that occasionally, after an agent has lived for several years
among the Indians, he may have gained nearly as sound a knowledge of the Indian
question as the visionary and theoretical cranks that hang around the Department
and lobbies of Congress, trotting antiquated and superannuated chiefs around as sam-
ples and represent at ives of the Indian as he is on the reservation.
The Indians' hearts have been made to feel good recently by the report that an
august committee from Congress is on its way hither to figure on the Indian prob-
lem, and we are in hopes that if winter does not strike us too soon, or Pine Rklge
38 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
does not prove too far distant from Pullman sleepers, they will finally reach here and
much benefit may result.
In the mean time the agent remains patiently awaiting another investigation, or
that threatened indictment before the grand jury. He feels lonesome without an in-
spector or two camping with him.
I have to express to the employe's my appreciation of the manner in which they
have performed their duty, while subjected to the unwarranted and abusive attacks
made on them during the past twelve mouths.
Sincerely thanking you for the confidence placed in me by yourself and the Depart-
ment during the past year, and your valuable support,
I am, very respectfully,
V. T. McGILLYCUDDY,
United States Indian Ayent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
ROSEBUD INDIAN AGENCY, DAKOTA,
August 15, 1883.
SIR: Herewith, in compliance with instructions from office of Indian Affairs, I have
the honor to submit the annual report of this agency :
I assumed charge of the agency August 11, 1882, receiving and receipting for all
^public property (which had taken some four days to invoice) transferred to me in good
order, by Generel John Cook, whom I succeeded. I found affairs in a very peaceful and
"harmonious condition; the little excitement at an adjoining agency did not affect
these people in the least degree. All appeared happy and contented. * I was gratified
~at the reception tendered to me by the chiefs, head men, and individual Indians no
less so by employe's and others located at the agency in various capacities. The In-
dians met in council to welcome me, and by expressions from many manifested their
-desire to live in peace and harmony with their white brethren, obey the " G reat Father's "
wishes, advance in civilization, and asked my assistance to these ends, all of which I
most heartily indorsed and promised. I am happy to be able to say that these promises
have been fulfilled to a commendible degree, and the friendly expressions then made
."have not proved words only. The cordial reception tendered to myself was evidently
from no discontent toward niy predecessor. The friendly feeling appeared to be extended
to him in equal degree, and on the eve of his departure the chiefs and Indians met to
express to him their good feeling and to wish him well.
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Several additions, changes, and improvements in the buildings at this agency have
been proposed, submitted to, and approved by the Indian Office. Some of these haVe
been completed, among which are the enlargement of the commissary warehouse by
adding 30 feet thereto, in which a new issue office has been made, much needed from the
exposed location of the old room to the extreme cold, making it almost beyond endur-
ance for the employ6s to remain thereto perform their duties; the danger from fire by
overheating, as also the suffering to the people coming daily for their supplies. The
new issue house is convenient and comfortable for both employe's and people at all
seasons. It has also increased the much needed storage capacity of this warehouse
by the space occupied by the old issue room and the upper iloor over the new one,
giving simple space for the storage of the annual supplies.
An additional warehouse, 30 by 70 feet, has also been erected for the storage of annuity
and other goods, heretofore scattered over the agency wherever protection could be
had very inconvenient and impossible of classification for distribution. This gives
ample storage room for all purposes.
The office has been made comfortable by a new floor, covered on the outside with
tarred paper, and weather-boarded with siding.
A new dispensary has been b lilt adjoining the business office, and connected
therewith, opening into the interpreter's room; also into the Indian couucil-rooin,
a convenience over the old building and its arrangements fully appreciated by all
interested.
The agency barn, a very poor building, with board roof, built but two years ago,
3iad become dilapidated and very unsafe, endangering the lives of man and beast if
in it at the time <>f the not infrequent high winds of this country. This has been
almost entirely torn down and rebuilt with shingle roof, and is now a good ;md reliable
building.
Authority has been received and the material purchased for other buildings, which
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 39
are now in course of construction. The buildings finished and inside of the inclosure
have been painted, giving a decided by improved appearance to the agency proper.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
I was surprised to find no school at the agency, and more so to learn the opinion
advanced by my predecessor in his report and to myself that " There is no disputing
the fact that day-schools on a reservation are and will be a failure." Notwithstand-
ing this opinion has been indorsed by others, I am loath to believe it correct, fully
realizing that my own case would induce me to adopt and act upon this opinion. I
feel it a duty to make an effort, and, by so doing, prove the truth or error of this
statement. I have converted the old dispensary building into a school-house, with
two school-rooms, with capacity for 30 scholars in each. One of these was finished
ready for use in June; being late, it was thought better success might attend its open-
ing if delayed till cooler weather in September. If the attendance is what I hope it
may be, the second room will be prepared and furniture asked for. I have authority
to build two school-houses, to be located where likely to be most useful to the In-
dians. These are in course of construction. I hope to have them built and fur-
nished ready for occupancy during September. Should I succeed in obtaining suita-
ble teachers, who would interest themselves in the welfare of the. Indians in the vi-
cinity, I have little fear of failure, if I am to judge by the desires of Indians of dif-
ferent localities to have these schools built in their vicinity with the promise that
their children shall attend.
It is doubtless the most efficient way to instruct Indian youths to send them to
Carlisle or other industrial schools off the reservation if possible, or in boarding-
schools of like character on the reservation, in every case away from home influences.
At best but a small percentage of the children and youth of this agency can be ac-
commodated at such schools, and I see no reason why day-schools under proper man-
agement should not be provided as preparatory to the boarding-school. If the treaty
stipulations with these Indians were complied with (one teacher for every 30 chil-
dren of school age, between six and sixteen), many schools would have to be erected
and many teachers employed, and, as I believe with much good to this people.
No expenditure having been made at this agency in that direction, while large
sums have been expended at every other agency for like purposes, I hope that lib-
eral appropriations may be allowed, and that the long projected and talked of board-
ing-school, for which plans have been made and remodeled several times during the
past two or three years, but as yet not finished, may soon become adopted, and the
building ordered built. I see no reason why industrial schools should not be adopted
at an agency, where boys may be taught trades, and girls household work as else-
where, with less expense, and more benefit by bringing the several industries taught
to the notice and attention of the other Indians, old and young.
There have been kept at this agency the past winter and spring two mission day-
schools, with two teachers and an average attendance of fifteen scholars in each.
Twenty-nine students came home from Carlisle one year ago ; twelve of these re-
turned with twenty-one others in all, thirty-three going from here in November last.
One of this number died en route returning home sick. There were in addiion
thirty-five at the different missionary schools during the past year. The great re-
luctance of Indians to send their children a long distance away to school, largely on
account of the liability to sickness by the change, often gives rise to the question,
why cannot this agency have a good boarding^r other school, as others have; and
how long will it be before we will have such schools here ?
AGRICULTURE.
Certainly this location could not have been selected for an Indian agency for its
agricultural advantages. Surrounded by barren sand hills, far from what little tim-
ber there is, so little arable land to cultivate, where the same number of white men
as Indians could not make a living if dependent on the product of the soil, why
should or can Indians be expected to become self-sustaining by engaging in agricult-
ure"? The only redeeming feature of the country is the many small creeks running
through it. On the banks of these there are many tracts that can be and are culti vated.
Those who persevere against the disadvantages of country and climate certainly
deserve credit.
By long and earnest persuasion, and with the precept and example of several of
the older men, many younger ones have been induced to work and till the soil in
small pieces this year; while a majority of the able-bodied men have during the
past year performed labor more or less. Much of it has been unproductive for
want of intelligent supervision, which has been overcome in a large degree by the
employment of a practical farmer, who has visited the different localities, instructed
and encouraged the Indian in his work on his laud. It is the first time such assist-
40 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
ance has been given, and it has been fully appreciated with I hope good results. I
am advised that fully three times as many are tilling the soil this year as at any
previous time. Should the season prove favorable and their crops make satisfactory
returns, this number may reasonably hope to be increased another year, several hav-
ing been induced to prepare land by breaking for next year's cultivation. The seed
received, consisting of corn, potatoes, and garden seeds of all kinds, I distributed
to all who promised to plant. Sample products from several parties have been brought
to show the result of their labor, which do them credit. There are fifteen farms of
larger dimensions, from 10 to 75 acres each, on which are small crops of wheat, oats,
and with good promise of larger corn crops, fine potatoes, and other vegetables.
WIRE FENCING.
Many crops are lost and much discouragement occasioned for the want of proper
fenecs around the cultivated fields. Much labor is expended by Indians in making
fenecs with poles and brush, little or no protection from the roving ponies and cattle
when, as is not infrequently the case, the whole family is away. Fencing wire should
be furnished to all who would put it to good use, and would give great encourage-
ment to those disposed to till the land. I have had frequent applications for it.
STOCK-RAISING.
The expectation that the failure to some extent of the country for agricultural pur-
suits would be made good to the Indian in its adaptability to stock-raising, and that
this must be his future reliance to attain wealth and independence would appear to
be but partially sustained. More care, with protection in winter, Avill be necessary to
make good this expectation. The grass of this section fails more in quality than quan-
tity ; while ample and good for summer grazing, it does not retain the nourishment
for winter feeding that other localities do. Cattle will not remain where feed is poor
or insufficient; they must die or wander in search of a better range. The past winter
proved severe on all. Many of the older settlers lost heavily from the severity of the
weather. (A further loss in stock cattle followed the shortage in the beef supply. ) So
discouraging has this fact become that several old settlers, and among the largest
stock-raisers, have abandoned their ranches and moved farther to the westward on
the reservation, where it is said the grass and land are of better quality. I fear the
stock cattle lately received, many young, unused to the exposure cattle have to sub-
mit to in a severe winter, will have a hard time and many will succumb.
BEEF CATTLE.
The extreme cold and heavy snow of the past winter was very severe on the beef
cattle received at this agency last fall. Many of them being through Texas steers,
unused to a Northern winter, received off a long drive, in poor condition, it should
not cause surprise that a lara;e number died and more strayed, which caused short
supplies and much privation to the Indians. The policy dictated by the cattle con-
tractors in the delivery of such large numbers is so much to their interest it is not
surprising that they combined for that object. They are relieved from the expense
of winter herding, the loss from perishing, and gain all the strays from the agency
herds, which naturally drift to the ranches from whence they came. The gains from
these causes must be large, and the etpense to the Government equally large. No agent
should or can reasonably be held accountable (if vigilant) for any such loss. Nor will
any agent think it reasonable that such a responsibility should be put upon him.
HOUSE BUILDING.
Every effort that reason and argument could bring to bear I have used to persuade
these people to build houses and abandon their " tepees," not without effect. Could
I have added more tangible argument in the shape of doors, windows, &c., with fur-
niture to put in when finished (none such has ever been given the Indians of this
agency), I am satisfied the result would have been more satisfactory. I could only
furnish what I had, boards for roofing, for doors and frames, with nails and other
hardware, with the promise to those who would build that I would endeavor to ob-
tain for them such articles as were necessary and convenient for their comfort. There
have been sixty built this past year, and there are now four hundred and fifty fairly
comfortable log houses built and occupied by Indians. The distribution to these of
various articles of furniture, and to others windows and doors (my request for which
I am advised, has been complied with), will no doubt have the effect of encouraging;
many others to build. If timber was more abundant and easy of access I think much
more progress in this direction would be made.
EEPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 41
INDIAN FREIGHTING.
The Indians manifest industry and ability to work in the transportation of all
supplies from Valentine, Nebr., the railroad terminus, to the agency, eagerly seeking
for orders when freight is to be hauled. This is not confined to the young men, but
many of the older ones, among whom chiefs and head men are prominent, and not
slow to earn money by the sweat of their brows. There are engaged in freighting
over four hundred Indian wagons and nearly double that number of individuals.
Those not having more than two work ponies change with their neighbors, who put
another pair to the team, and alternate trips, dividing the earnings.
SUPPLIES.
The supplies, both subsistence and annuity, have been ample in quantity and ex-
cellent in quality. No complaint has been heard of either. The present supply of
flour is much better than that of last year, though the price paid should still com-
mand a better article. No saving of supplies is reported. When a surplus exists it is
taken up in regular form; but no great surplus can exist when used with care, if the
Indians receive what they are entitled to and receipt for, unless overestimates are
made.
TELEGRAPH.
That portion of the telegraph line between this agency and Pine Ridge, belonging
here, I put in good order and working condition last season, and so kept it till the
severe weather of January or February last ; since then it has been in a demoralized
condition. The pine poles are small (set about three years ago), are rotting, and with
very high wind more or less fall. During winter they could not be replaced. Since
then action has been delayed by correspondence with the Department, having in view
the abandonment of this line and construction of one to connect this agency with
Fort Niobrara via Valentine, Nebr., distant about 35 miles, thus connecting us with
military and giving full telegraphic communication with the outside world by a much
shorter and more direct line at little expense to keep in working order. Being on
the regularly traveled road it would be under constant supervision from accident or
molestation. I hope to receive early authority for the construction of this new line.
WATER SUPPLY.
The old time-honored manner of water supply is still in practice at this agency by
the water wagon. This is no less slow and sure than it is expensive, occupying one-
half day with pair of horses and two men every day in the year. This expense would
go far to cover the cost of constructing a systematized water- works. An engine ad-
jacent to the spring from which the present supply is obtained and now unused could
be utilized to force the water through pipes to a reservoir on an elevation suffi-
ciently high to cover every building on the agency proper, giving such security in
case of fire that the whole cost of such works would be covered by the security of prop-
eity in a short time, should it be necessary to cover the same by insurance, not to con-
sider the comfort and convenience of an abundant and constant supply of water. I
propose to submit for your consideration at an early day a detailed plan for such
works, and ask for their adoption and construction in behalf of safety and economy.
POLICE.
The United States Indian police have continued efficient in their duties, perform-
ing all with alacrity. There were thirty in number till the first of present fiscal year,
since when the number has been reduced to twenty-five, three commissioned officers
and twenty-two privates (by office instructions). They have doubtless become a
necessity on every agency ; without them I cannot see how authority could be main-
tained, as they are a necessity, to say the least. Their pay is remarkably small. At
the time of my taking charge the police quarters had been prepared, immediately
after it was completed and occupied. Here one -third of the force is kept on duty,
changing every ten days. A mess is provided for those on duty. In connection with
the police quarters I have built a
GUARD-HOUSE,
which met with much opposition when my intention of so doing was known to the
Indians, and many protestations were offered against it. There had never been any
42 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
place of detention or punishment on this agency ; therefore such place was not looked
upon or received with favor. Its existence has, I believe, had a" salutary effect, and
made many more careful in their conduct than perhaps they otherwise would have
"been, knowing it had been built for a purpose and would be used if occasion re-
quired.
Heretofore the punishments rneted out to these people have been stoppage of rations,
which in a majority of cases is punishment only to the innocent. A man" guilty of an
offense having his rations stopped, visits his friends, is well fed and provided for, while
his wife and children are left hungry at home. Confinement in prison even for a short
time is dreaded far more than this stoppage of rations for a much longer period. An
Indian does not like to be imprisoned naturally, but far less the ridicule pointed at
him after his release. I believe it the most effectual means of checking
IMMORALITY,
which, I regret to say, prevails to a large extent among these, but perhaps not more
than among other Indians. I have been told it is not so bad ; if this is true I am
orry for the others. The marriage relation among this people is from our stand-point
very loose ; it has been my endeavor to correct this, and prevail upon all to be mar-
ried according to " white man's" laws, and have succeeded to some extent, but not,
I regret to say, as far as I could wish. The impression prevails that marriages con-
tracted under church or State law, being binding, leads to trouble when broken, but
those made according to Indian custom can be sundered at the pleasure of either party ;
that the population on Indian agencies are free to follow which custom suits them
l>est. Unfaithfulness to the marriage obligation and the almost impossibility to ob-
tain divorce for just cause has much to do with the reluctance to marry according to
law. An agent is authorized by law to marry, and such marriage is binding in law.
If his authority were extended and he were allowed the power of divorce for justifiable
ixiuse, I think many evils now existing might be corrected and more guarded against.
A recently promulgated idea at this agency which has gained prevalence, especially
among the mixed bloods, that no marriages were of binding effect except those per-
formed under the direction of some particular church or religious ceremony, has had
a very demoralizing effect. It has been my purpose and endeavor to check immorality
in any form, and I have done so in every instance brought to my notice. I am in-
formed that I am the first agent to punish or confine in durance vile an Indian of any
degree on this agency, or to correct one in anyway for immoral practices. I have been
told when meting out correction or punishment for such offences that it was " Indian
-custom, with which L had no right to interfere, 1 ' notwithstanding which I shall continue to
interfere and correct wherever and whenever occasion requires.
COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES.
No nominations for judges of the court of Indian offenses have yet been submitted
by me. I have studied over the matter, have talked it over with my Indians, and
have not been able to select suitable persons for the position. From Indian stand
point the offenses as set forth, and for which punishment is provided, are no offenses
at all, and I doubt if one could be found willing to punish another for the offenses
set forth in the rules governing such, and if willing or inclined would have the
moral courage to do so. In my judgment the checking of the so-called Indian offenses
must be gradual, and done, if at all, by the agent.
MEDICINE.
This agency has been without a physician during nearly three months of the past
year by the resignation of Dr. C. R. Corey, who has been succeeded by Dr. F. Grin-
nell, transferred from Pine Ridge Agency. Dr. Grinuell secured an enviable reputa-
tion while at Pine Ridge, which, judging from the impression during his short residence
here, is likely to be well sustained.
MISSIONARY WORK.
No agency could be better, more ably, or more acceptably cared for in mission work
than this one in the person of Rev. William J. Cleveland. In addition to the church
work in the agency he has established a mission on Oak Creek, about 30 miles dis-
tant, has had two mission day-schools, and two Sunday-schools, with two ordained
Indian assistants. No more earnest Christian, and more highly respected gentleman
<;an be found among missionaries, to do the work of his Lord and Master in a more
conscientious manner. Indians recognize him as their friend and appeal to him on
many occasions.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 43
The Rev. Francis Crafts, of the Roman Catholic Church, came here as missionary
this last spring. He claims many of the Indians to be of his faith and persuasion,
and is endeavoring to build a church and school, with what success I am unadvised.
He is active and zealous in his calling, ministering to the ailments of soul and body.
The Christianizing of the Indians is a large field to work in, where any and all, if so
disposed, can do good, and after doing all they can there will be room for others. If
ministers or laymen would work for this end there is no reason why Indian reserva-
tions should not be open to all ; but if those permitted to come, in their mistaken idea
of religion and the service of the " Great Spirit," try to undermine what little faith
has been planted in these benighted hearts, by persuading them that what they have
been taught to believe is error, they should be denied access to reservations and In-
dians. If any teach or tr.y to teach these people that they should look to them before
any law, agent, or other authority, it is better they should be denied the privilege of
an Indian reservation before discontent and trouble is generated. I would respect-
fully invite attention to the accompanying report from the resident missionary at this
agency.
CONCLUSION.
The Indians of this agency, I judge from my short experience, are not going back wards!
From what I am told by those able to judge from long residence among them, as well
as from themselves, they are advancing, though slowly, in civilization. They sLow in-
creased inclination to wear citizens' clothing, increased industry, and in this I must
not omit to give credit to some of the oldest men for their encouragement and example
to the young ones, many of whom have listened and obeyed. Of course there is am-
ple roo'm for great improvement. How rapidly civilization is to take place among a
people isolated, away from civilization to copy, with only the few white officials of
the agency for examples, is a conundrum not easily answered.
Indian peculiar customs will and are slowly dying out ; the "torn torn " for the
dance is not heard so frequently ; it is forbidden and entirely silenced on Sunday,
when a year ago it was more noticeable than on any other day of the week. The
barbarous festival known as the sun dance has lost ground.
A year ago there were at this agency between thirty and forty sacrifices who were
cut and swung to the pole; this year there were but three. By a combined effort of
agents at all agencies to prevent the Indians going to wherever such dance may in
the future be planned much can be done to prevent its recurrence.
Health has prevailed to a good degree among all, though the prevailing disease
among Indians, consumption, has carried off many children and not a few adults.
In closing this my first annual report I beg to recognize the uniform attention to
business and assistance given to me in my new duties by the employes of this agency,
without which a new agent must necessarily find difficulties multiply and his duties
extremely arduous and unpleasant. If an " Indian agency is a long way from para-
dise," as I read in reports, I can add that this one is not the Garden of Eden, nor very
near it.
Returning thanks for the support I have received from the Indian Office at all
times. I am. very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
JAS. G. WRIGHT,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
ROSEBUD AGENCY, DAKOTA,
August 15, 1883.
SIR : The mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church was begun among these peo-
ple in June, 187f>, when suitable buildings were erected at a cost to the Church of
$3,000. During the eight yoars which have intervened, the agency and Indians have
been moved once '270 miles and once 150 miles, necessitating the tearing down and re-
building ( f the Government, church and private buildings. During this period also
two protracted and bloody wars were carried on by the Government with the people
nearly related to these and within easy traveling distance to the north of them.
Again, no less than ten agents, some civil, some military, have had the management
of affairs here during these eight years. Considering these frequent changes, dis-
turbances, and demoralization which necessarily resulted, at times almost overwhelm-
ing, it would be unreasonable to expect the people to have made any very substantial
progress either in civilization or moral enlightenment.
In the fall of 1878, the agency and mission were rebuilt at the present location, by
much the most undesirable one they have ever occupied, and at present writing the
44 EEPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
Church has property here valued at $4,500. This consists of a neat frame church seat-
ing 150 persons, frame parsonage, log teacher's dwelling and school room, and a new
log building for church, school, and dwelling at the camp on Oak Creek. About 600
persons have, since its beginning connected themselves with the mission. The popu-
lation in the immediate vicinity of the agency is never large, and is chiefly made up
of mixed bloods, loafers, and their relations. Still the attendance on services has av-
eraged about 75, and the number of baptisms this year (110) is larger than usual.
The mission exerts a substantial influence on a large number who have not as yet
directly connected themselves with it, and many families who are members of it have,,
for the purpose of farming and stock raising, removed to long distances from the
agency, some more than 100 miles. Probably half of the members of the church live
at too great distances now to receive much regular instruction from the services and
mission day and Sunday schools at the agency. The congregation of a number of
such families at Good Voice's Camp on Oak Creek led to the opening last winter of a
branch mission and school among them, and since then nearly the whole population
have joined the church. This point is but one of many where such branch mission?
have been for the past year or two earnestly prayed for. Unfortunately, however,
none of these camps are as yet so well located or firmly established as to warrant the
expenditure of money by the Church in permanent buildings among them. If the
Government is to establish schools among the people the camps must first be made
rftisonably permanent. Could the Government insist on each family or even each
baud selecting some location (first taking care that it be good agricultural laud) and
then positively and persistently refuse to recognize or aid such band or families ex-
cept in the place ichlch then had selected as theirs, it would render a most valuable and
parental assistance to them, both as against the common practice among them of driv-
ing each other off from improved lands and their inherent disposition to be constant-
ly "on the wing."
SCHOOLS.
Owing principally no doubt to the disturbing causes mentioned above, and consid-
ering the large number of Indians connected with this agency (8,000), but little has
been done either by the church or the Government for them in the matter of schools.
When I first came among them by the united efforts of the two a flourishing day-
school was kept up for two years, and over 400 pupils were enrolled. This school was
abolished by a subsequent administration and the building appropriated for an agent's
office. Meanwhile the minds of the people were filled with the promise of a large
boarding-school which would accommodate 400 children, and to this day that promise,
now dwindled to a school for 50 pupils, and still existing only as a promise, has been
a most serious obstacle in the way of getting parents to consent to send their children
off the reserve to Carlisle, or the mission boarding-schools on the Missouri River.
Not until you took hold of the matter and provided the building now ready for use at
the agency, and the two about to be erected in the camps, has the Government done
anything further towards fulfilling that clause in the treaty of 1868 which pledges it
to provide a day-school and resident teacher for every 30 children of a school age.
For the past two years a day-school has been kept up at the agency by the mission,
and since the opening of the branch station on Oak Creek, one at that place also.
The attendance has not been encouraging, especially at the former. This is partly
owing to the difficulty of securing competent teachers, but chiefly to the fact that no
pressure is brought upon the children from the outside, either by the parents or by
the Government, to make them attend. The scholars only come when and because
they want to. No large or regular attendance should be expected under the circum-
stances.
A small number of children are now at tie Indian training school at Carlisle, Pa. r
for a five years' course, and we may reasonably hope that much good will result from
their being so long under the good influences of that institution. Of the first lot of
children who returned from Carlisle after a three years' course, but few have kept up
to or near the standard acquired while there, and'those only, I believe, because they
were placed in most favorable circumstances on their return. If a class could be
graduated from Carlisle and another received there each year (the course of training
still being for five years, as now) the Government would accomplish much more rap-
idly and securely what it is trying to do through that school. Annual reinforcements,
to those who had returned, and who, with their newly gained light and higher life,
were battling against the darkness in their old homes, would help much to keep them
from what now is all but inevitable, viz : after a fitful struggle against all odds, a
falling back with utterly discouraged hearts into the old ways.
The same difficulty is not felt so much by those children who attend the mission-
boarding-schools on the Mission River, and* I believe it is because some are coming
home from and some going to these schools each year, sometimes each spring and
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 45
fall. There are at present 35 children from this agency attending these mission board-
ing-schools.
Very respectfully, yours,
WM. J. CLEVELAND,
Missionary.
JAMES G. WRIGHT,
United States Indian Agent.
SISSETON AGENCY, DAKOTA,
August Ibth, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit this my fifth annual report of affairs at this agency.
This reservation is situated in Eastern Dakota and contains 918,780 acres of as tine
land for agricultural and grazing purposes as can be found in the Territory. There
are numbers of small lakes on the reserve which abound in fish of good quality, pike
and pickerel principally, and are plentifully supplied with water- fowl of different
kinds, including ducks, geese, and brant.
As no rations have been issued except to apprentices and school children since April,
1882, these Indians have had to support themselves and with the assistance they have
received from the Government in the shape of agricultural implements, &c., have
done so.
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools have never been in as flourishing a condition as during the past year.
All have been full, and on this account many applicants have been refused admission.
The progress made by the scholars in all the schools has been very commendable and
reflects credit upon the teachers. The average monthly attendance at the manual
labor boarding-school for the term was 60$, a far greater average than has ever
before been attained at this school. Too much credit cannot be bestowed upon Prof.
B. S. Haskell, principal of this school, and his corps of able assistants for the general
proficiency of its scholars and for their excellent behavior.
These Indians are fast learning to appreciate the advantages possessed by the edu-
cated members of their tribe and are insisting that their children shall attend school
and become educated; and when I have been compelled to refuse admission to appli-
cants for lack of room their parents have invariably come to me and urged me to try
and crowd their children in some one of the schools, and also to hurry up the new
school so that all who desired to attend might be accommodated. This will bear tes-
timony to the sincerity of their oft-expressed desire to have their children educated.
The addition to our new school is being rapidly pushed to completion and when it
is ready for occupancy there will be ample school accommodations, I am glad to say,
for all children of school age upon the reservation.
The Ascension school, presided over by Rev. J. B. Renville, a native missionary,
has had a successful year and should be continued.
The Goodwill school, under Mr. Morris, and Brown Earth school, under Mr. Hunter,
have both done good work.
Many visits have been made to this agency during the year by persons interested
in civilizing the Indians, notably among whom were Rt. Rev. Bishop Hare, Gen. E.
Whittlesey, Rev. Dr. Strieby, and Major C. S. Palmer, assistant district attorney of
Dakota, and all have spoken in the highest terms of the schools and their manage-
ment.
AGRICULTURE.
While the crop this year will not aggregate by 20 per cent., probably, that of last
year, owing to continued drought throughout the season f much more laud has been
under cultivation. I estimate that at least 5,500 acres have been cultivated during
the past year, 500 acres being new land broken this spring.
Owing to the disappearance of the buffalo and other large game from this locality
these Indians have long since come to the conclusion that they must give up the hunt
and become farmers in order to live, and with this fact as an incentive, and an evi-
dent desire among many of them to become practical farmers, rapid advancement has
been made in agricultural pursuits. The quantity of wheat and oats raised by them
during the past few years certainly proves the earnestness of their intentions to be-
come self-supporting by making successful farmers of themselves. Their wheat will
compare in quality with any raised in this locality by experienced white farmers.
Many of our more successful and intelligent farmers have this year secured skilled
46 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
white labor in harvesting their crops, there not being machines or labor on the reserve
sufficient to meet the demand, although several new reaper?, together with quite a
number of other farming implements, such as horse and sulky rakes, mowers, &c.,
have been purchased during the year, and paid for by the Indians.
PATENTS.
There have been nine patents, for 160 acres each, issued to Indians, who have com-
plied with the treaty stipulations, viz, to plow, fence, and put in crop 50 acres ; this
makes twelve patents issued to Indians on this reserve. Four more, who have com-
plied with the requirements of law, have forwarded applications for patents. The
issuing of these patents has had a very beneficial eifect among those who have not the
required amount of improvements, and has stimulated them to extra exertion to ob-
tain title to their land.
BUILDING. /
The shoe and tailor shops, with sleeping rooms for mechanics, their families, and
apprentices, have been finished, and also one dwelling erected for agency physician.
Several frame houses have been built for the Indians, the material and labor being
furnished partly by the Indians and partly by the Government. Quite a number of
hewn log houses built by the Indians themselves have been shingle-roofed for them
by the agency carpenters.
SANITARY.
The general sanitary condition of the Indians on this reserve has been excellent.
No epidemic has prevailed with the exception of the measles, and that to no consider-
able extent, very few cases having proved fatal, owing to the prompt and efficient
measures taken, and the careful treatment administered to the patients. The health
of these people is better than ever before, and this is without doubt attributable to
the change in their mode of life, the majority of them now living in frame and com-
fortable log houses, which better shield them from the severe wind storms and the
extremely cold winters peculiar to this region than did their lodges in days gone by.
POLICE.
The force of this reserve consists of one captain, one lieutenant, two sergeants and
eleven privates, and numbers among its membership some of the best men on the re-
serve ; They are efficient and capable in their positions, always prompt in their obe-
dience to orders, but so quiet and orderly are the people generally that they have
had comparatively little to do in the line of their duty; several arrests for minor of-
fences have been made, and the offenders punished.
MISSIONARY.
Much good has been accomplished and many conversions to Christianity made by
the white and Indian missionaries here. There are five of the latter, of the Presby-
terian denomination, and under the able direction of Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Morris they
are doing noble work with an earnestness that is very commendable.
Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, although yet in its infancy, is doing great good un-
der the able and efficient supervision of its rector the, Rev. E. J. Ashley, whose un-
tiring zeal and energy has gained the confidence and esteem of these people in no small
degree. For the year there have been 21 baptisms and 10 confirmations, and an aver-
age attendance of 75, with 26 communicants. Besides Saint Mary's Church there are
two other stations under Mr. Ashley's charge, Saint Luke's, and Saint John the
Baptist's, at which services are held every Sunday, presided over by native deacons,
with very fair attendance.
WHISKY.
During the early part of the calendar year some of the lower class of our Indians
succeeded on several occasions in obtaining liquor in Brown's Valley. After much
trouble I succeeded in obtaining sufficient evidence to warrant me in instituting pro-
ceedings against the man who furnished the liquor, and as United States Marshall
Deny, of Minnesota, was in Brown's Valley at the time, I placed the matter in his
hands, and he escorted the whole party to Saint Paul, where the accused plead guilty,
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
47
was fined $50 and discharged,
source.
Since this time I have had little trouble from thia
CONCLUSION.
In closing this my last annual report, my resignation having been accepted, I wish to-
gay I have not lost faith that the Indian can be civilized. In my judgment they have
never done as well as now, and all interested in the race have every reason to feel
encouraged to work for their future good.
Very respectfully,
CHARLES CRISSEY,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
STANDING ROCK INDIAN AGENCY, DAK,
August 15, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following as my annual report for the year
ending July 31, 1883.
LOCATION.
This agency is located on the " Great Sioux reservation," occupying the north-
eastern corner of the same. The agency buildings are situated on an elevated plateau
on the west bank of the Missouri River, about 60 miles south of Bismarck, the new capi-
tal city of Dakota Territory. This portion of the reservation is well watered by nu-
merous small streams, but the country adjacent to these streams, together with that
bordering along the Missouri River, is some what broken and hilly, with small stretches
of alkaline or bad lands. The hilly portion, however, affords excellent grazing, while
the valleys and table-land are very fertile and well adapted to agricultural purposes,
and, except in seasons of severe drought, which this whole section of country is un-
fortunately subject to, wheat, oats, corn, and vegetables, when properly cultivated,
are reasonably certain to returia an excellent yield.
TRIBES AND POPULATION.
The Indians of this agency, constituting 1,035 families, numbering 4,472 persons,
are composed of the Upper and Lower Yanktonnais, Uncapapas, and Blackfeet bands
of Sioux, classed respectively as follows, which classification is taken from the agency
census rolls, carefully corrected up to and including July 31, 1883.
Name.
It
i
1
Women.
6.
11
x >>
I s
Girls under
14 years.
1
Tipper Yanktonnais ..
321
334
431
257
29Q
1 242
141
164
217
125
93
599
TJncapapas ...... .. ...
437
477
625
363
364
1 829
Blackfeet
163
192
232
149
125
698
Mixed Wood
23
27
27
21
29
zy
104
1U4
Total
1 085
1 194
1 532
915
831
4 472
The number of Indians at this agency has been materially augmented during the
past year by the transfer from the War Department on the 10th of May last of Sit-
ting Bull aiid his immediate followers, numbering 153 persons, who were held as
prisoners of war at Fort Randall, Dak., since September, 1881. This number, 153,
includes 6 boys belonging to the families of these late prisoners who were attending-
school at the Yankton Agency at the date of the transfer, and who have since joined
their respective families here.
A considerable number of Indians came into this
fall and winter, and there also arrived from the Fort Peck Agency, Mont., during
the months of May and June last, in several small parties, 386 Yanktonnais, accom-
panied by a few Uncapapas, who were transferred to this agency by Agent Porter, of
agency from the north last
Pe(
48 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
the Fort Peck Agency. These Indians formerly belonged to the Standing Rock
Agency, but went north subsequent to 1870 and prior to 1872, making their head-
quarters at the Fort Peck Agency, and have since hunted in that region ; but as the
buffalo have now nearly all disappeared from that vicinity, and as these nomadic
Yauktonnais are closely related to some of the oldest and better class of Indians here,
they have therefore returned, with strong professions of their present good intentions,
and express a determination to settle down among their relatives and commence an
agricultural life. Many of them have made commendable progress this summer, hav-
ing planted small fields of corn, and are now building log cabins on claims upon which
they have located. There can doubtless be no valid objections to these Yanktonnais
being admitted here, as they properly belong to this agency, but this large addition
to the number estimated for for the current fiscal year cannot be provided for from
the supplies calculated upon for the number of Indians at this agency when my esti-
mate was prepared. I therefore recommend that provision be made by which the
.subsistence now being consumed by them will be replaced next spring,' and as this
.additional consumption will exhaust the subsistence stores estimated for the current
fiscal year by the 15th of May next, I trust that the same will be replaced on or before
that date.
AGRICULTURE.
Nearly every family of this agency has been cultivating small fields this year, which
have been planted with corn, potatoes, and other vegetables. There were also 100
-acres of wheat and 70 acres of oats sowed by 41 heads of families, in all aggregating
about 1,400 acres cultivated by Indians, which, with 60 acres of oats sowed for use
-of agency stock, and 40 acres cultivated by the two boarding-schools for use of the
scholars, will approximate 1,500 acres now under cultivation at this agency. The In-
dians commenced their spring work in good season, and cared for their fields in a very
commendable manner, and all crops looked well, in fact could not have been more
promising up to June 28, at which date an excessively warm spell set in which lasted
three days, with the thermometer registering 108 in the shade, and on June 30 a burn-
ing hot wind from the southwest, with the thermometer registering 1135 in the open
air, killed many of the growing crops outright and parched all others to such an ex-
tent that not more than one-fourth of an ordinary yield will now be realized. Oats,
pease, and the other smaller garden vegetables were the worst injured, and a severe
drought that succeeded this excessive hot spell prevented the crops from recovering
from this back-set. The corn crop alone withstood this extreme heat, but the dry
weather has kept it from filling properly, and owing to the drought the potato crop
will be almost a total failure, there being but few in each hill and very small. The
Indians labored earnestly up to the time of this hot spell, after which their crops,
which previously promised so well, were left in such a condition as to be very dis-
couraging, and many abandoned their fields entirely, believing that nothing could be
harvested from them, which was a fact in many cases. Those, however, who kept
their fields well cultivated from the beginning, and had a good, healthy growth at
that time, will harvest about one-half a crop. Notwithstanding that more acres have
been cultivated and more labor performed this year than last by the Indians, yet
owing to the causes herein referred to, and which could not be controlled, there will
not be over one-third of the quantity of products realized from this season's cultivation,
-as compared with last year's yield.
The hay crop, for the reasons hereinbefore set forth, is light, but the Indians have
been and'now are industriously engaged in securing their winter's supply, which will
approximate about 2.000 tons. This failure of crops is not by any means confined to
Indian farming or to this agency, but is general throughout the entire section of North-
ern Dakota bordering on the Missouri slope.
SITTING BULL AND THE OTHER LATE HOSTILES.
As hereinbefore stated, Sitting Bull and his immediate followers arrived at this
agency from Fort Randall by steamer on May 10 last, and immediately tipoii their
arrival were transferred to the Indian department at this agency by Lieut. T. F. Da-
vis, of the Fifteenth Infantry, United States Army, the officer in charge of the party.
On the following day Sitting Bull, accompanied by his people, came to the agency
office soliciting a council, whereupon, with the greatest sangfroid, he commenced his
harangue by announcing a code of regulations by which he and his people desired to
be governed, stating that he did not intend to plant anything this season, but would
look around and see how it was done, so that he would be prepared to commence next
year ; that he did not want ration tickets, but would be " big chief" and draw all
supplies in bulk for himself and his people. He also asked to be placed first on the rolls
of the agency, together with numerous absurdities. He also presented a paper, which
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 49
he had prepared in duplicate, asking that his appointment of eleven chiefs and thir-
teen headmen l^e confirmed. His request for the appointment of these twenty-four
chiefs and headmen ont of a total of thirty-five adults which constituted his party did
not seem to him unreasonable, as his argument in support of his application, which
he urgently set forth in their presence, was that they were all hereditary chiefs,
good and true men true to him and superior to any of the old chiefs of the agency;
that the Great Father had written to him before he left Fort Randall to the effect
that he, Sitting Bull, was now to return to his own country and to live among his
people ; that he would be the head man, the big chief of the agency ; that a good
house would be built for him to live in ; that he and his people would have cattle
and wagons, horses and buggies ; that he might gather his people from all the other
agencies and have everything he desired.
I heard his inflated nonsense through to the end, and then gave him some sound
advice, telling him that to be honest with him I must be frank, and must therefore
say to him that the Great Father never wrote him any such letter as he claimed,
in fact never wrote him any letter or made any such promises as he had stated, or au-
thorized any such promises to be made ; that the Great Father recognized the most
industrious Indian who was endeavoring to benefit his condition and set a good ex-
ample to his people as the biggest chief, and that he and his people would receive
their proportionate share of all goods and supplies that came to this agency for dis-
tribution among the Indians; that he would be assisted and encouraged in every way
possible with the means at my disposal, and be treated in all respects in the same
manner as other Indians of the agency, but that he must not expect anything more
than others equally deserving. After hearing my reply he was considerably crest-
fallen, and replied that he was greatly surprised at the very beginning. I thereupon
carefully and clearly explained to him his status, together with the rules and regulations
governing the Indian service, which I informed him I should endeavor mildly but
strictly to enforce, and that it was better for me to put him on the right path in the
beginning than to allow him to labor under such erroneous ideas as he had just ex-
pressed. Before he left the office he appeared better satisfied, but did not visit me
again for several days.
During this interval I had a field of about twelve acres plowed for his people to plant
in, and when ready I notified him that he must commence planting the following day,
and at the appointed time he reported with his people ready for work. I sent two
white employes to instruct them, staking off a separate piece of ground for each fam-
ily. Sitting Bull worked with the others, using a hoe, but rather awkwardly, and in
two days they had their fields nicely planted. I visited him in the field while at work,
and he seemed pleased that I found him laboring, and, in reply to the question if he
found planting so very difficult he answered, "No," that he was now determined to
become a farmer in earnest.
Sitting Bull is an Indian of very mediocre ability, rather dull, and much the infe-
rior of Gall and others of his lieutenants in intelligence. I cannot understand how
he held such sway over or controlled men so eminently his superiors in every respect,
unless it was by his sheer obstinacy and stubborn tenacity. He is pompous, vain,
and boastful, and considers himself a very important personage ; but as he has been
lionized and pampered by the whites since the battle of the Little Big Horn, I do
not wonder at his inflated opinion of himself. I, however, firmly believe that Sitting
Bull will never again cause any trouble, he having been thoroughly subdued ; more-
over, his influence is very limited now, and I hope to be able to turn what little he
has towards the advancement of his people.
Apart from those who were prisoners with Sitting Bull at Fort Randall, the late
hostiles at this agency are all doing well, and are among the best disposed and most
industrious Indians here, the noted war chief Gall being one of my Indian district
farmers. The late hostile element is gradually being absorbed by the association with
and the influence of the older agency Indians. They are locating upon claims, cul-
tivating fields, building log-cabins, and doing as well as could be expected with the
means at their disposal. They labor under the disadvantage of having no teams with
which to advance in agriculture, and of which they stand greatly in need, and I
would recommend that a reasonable number of ox-teams be furnished them as soon
as practicable.
EDUCATIONAL.
Theje have been two boarding-schools conducted by the Government at this agency
throughout the past year, one an industrial farm school for boys, located 16 miles
miles south of the agency, and the other an industrial school for girls, located at the
agency. There were 51 boys who attended the farm school during the year, with an
average attendance of 37 pupils, and 52 girls attended the girls' boarding-school, with
an average attendance of 40 pupils, being a total of 103 children who attended these
5916 IND 4
50 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
schools, with an average attendance of 77 pupils for the eleven months for which this
report is rendered. These schools have done good service, and the progress of the
children, especially of the girls, has been very satisfactory. At the farm school the
boys have not been so constant ; they have, however, done as well as could reasona-
bly be expected ; but owing to the inconstancy of the children and indulgence of the
parents, the attendance of the larger boys has not been what was desired, and it can
only be remedied by compulsory attendance. Owing to the inadequate building the
attendance at the girls' school could not have been increased, as the log building used
was not suitable for the purpose, it being old and poorly constructed, and was kept
crowded to its utmost capacity throughout the entire school year. There has, how-
ever, been a new building erected this summer, with a capacity for one hundred chil-
dren, which is now being fitted with tables, desks, &c., and which will be occupied
during the coming week. There are now, during vacation, 40 girls remaining at the
old school, who will move into the new building as soon as it is ready for occupancy.
On November 15 last Right Rev. Bishop Marty established a mission at the Cannon
Ball settlement, about 25 miles north of the agency. He stationed an ecclesiastic of
minor orders there, who has conducted a day-school in connection with the mission,
and who reports that since the opening of the school 45 Indian children have attended,
but owing to their irregular habits the average attendance has been only about 10
pupils. The building in use is much too small, but a better and more commodious
one is in contemplation. Considerable good is being accomplished, however, by the
establishment of this permanent station at that point.
On January 1, 1883, Rev. T. L. Riggs, of the Dakota mission of the American Mis-
sionary Association, opened a day-school at Antelope's settlement, on the Grand River,
about 30 miles southwest of the agency, and stationed a native teacher there, Mr.
Edwin Phelps, a Sisseton Sioux Indian, who reports 54 children as having attended
his school, but he also complains that their unstableness brought the average attend-
ance down to about 20 scholars. His building is also too small, but Mr. Riggs con-
templates erecting a more suitable one before the winter sets in.
The new school building recently erected will be occupied by girls of all ages and
boys up to 12 years of age. This, together with the farm school for the larger boys,,
will enable us to provide for 160 boarding scholars, but with 870 children of school-
going ages at this agency it still leaves 80 per cent, of the children unprovided for.
The Indian settlements extend for a distance of CO miles along the Missouri River,
and to give them necessary educational facilities there should be six day-schools
established at different points adjacent to the principal settlements, which would
give the Indian children an opportunity of attending day-schools near their homes.
Many children will attend day-schools who. cannot be induced to enter a boarding-
school to begin with, and as their prejudices are gradually overcome at these day-
schools they could then be brought into the boarding-schools, the day-schools thus
serving as preparatory schools for the boarding-schools, through which system of
schools for Indian education, where the child is entirely separated from its home and
surroundings, it is alone possible to permanently benefit the rising generation.
After the children have attended the agency schools for some time, those displaying
the most talent and proper health condition could be sent to training-schools away
from their homes, and the beneficial effects which a three years' course (five years
would be better) would produce would make itself felt among the masses after a few
delegations are returned to their home agencies. When at Washington in the month
of February last I visited the Indian training-school at Hampton, Va., where there
are ten pupils from this agency, and I was much interested and pleased with the work
being done in training the Indian youth. Such system of education cannot help but
prove a boon to the Indian race ; but in order to make a three years' course beneficial
to all the returned student must not be lost sight of after his arrival at his home, but
should be bolstered up so as to have strength to work out the leavening process. The
work ingrafted should not be allowed to decay for want of proper nourishment, and
all necessary pruning should be carefully continued at their home agencies.
CHURCHES AND MISSIONARY.
The missionary work of this agency is under the direction of Right Rev. Bishop
Marty, of Dakota, who has three priests, one ecclesiastical student, two brothers,
and eight Sisters of Charity stationed here, at an annual expense of about $2,000. In
addition to this he has this year made improvements on the priests' residence, at a>
cost of $820. There are two very nice church edifices here, one at the agency and
the other at the farm school, 16 miles south; also a station at the Cannon Ball settle-
ment. The missionaries are zealous workers among the Indians, and their chapels
are usually well filled at the Sunday services with attentive and apparently inter-
ested congregations. They report 276 baptisms during the year, of whom 60 were
adults.
The American Missionary Association have established a mission station at the
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA. 51
Grand River settlement, under the superintendency of Rev. T. L. Riggs, of the Da-
kota mission, where a day-school is maintained under his direction, expending since
January 1, 1885, about $250 in the work.
SANITARY.
The sanitary condition of these Indians has been good. No epidemics have visited
the agency, yet the deaths exceed the births considerably, there being 106 deaths to
89 births during the past eleven months. This is attributable to a variety of canses,
but chiefly to the present transition state of the Indians, living in log cabins, which
are poorly ventilated, together with change of living and imperfectly prepared food ;
also neglecting to report cases of sickness until after their own medicines have failed.
The want of a suitable place to treat the sick is also an impediment in the way of
successful treatment, as was recently demonstrated here in the case of one of the late
hostile chief, Crow King, who is one of our best Indians. He was taken sick
with pneumonia early in June last, and was treated by the agency physician at his
home without any very satisfactory results. One afternoon his wife came to me for
permission to take her daughter, who was at school, to visit her father, whom she
said was then dying. I immediately went to his camp, which is situated about 3
miles from the agency, the doctor accompanying me. On our arrival there we found,
several "medicine men" in his lodge, who had given him up as past recovery, and'
who were evidently waiting for him to breathe his last that they might possess them-
selves of what property he had left. Crow King was very low indeed, but the doctor
thought by having him where he could be properly nursed that there was a possible
chance for his recovery, but that he would certainly die if left where he then was.
I had a wagon prepared, with a mattrass in it, and brought him into the agency,
where he was kept in the doctor's office, with a white man remaining constantly with
him until he was convalescent, and in ten days he was up and well. This wonderful
cure, as the Indians considered it, has had such a good effect that a young man about
30 years of age who has been suffering some years with an injured foot, growing con-
stantly worse, was prevailed upon to come into the agency and have the limb ampu-
tated below the knee. The operation was successfully performed on the 8th instant,
and the patient is now doing well. I have cited these facts to show the necessity for
a hospital at this agency, where the sick could be more successfully and humanely
treated, and where the services of a physician would be rewarded by more satisfac-
tory results.
CONCLUSION.
In concluding this report I desire again to call attention to the evils wrought to
the service by the u free-ration " system, which the Indians of the Great Sioux Reser-
vation are entitled to under the existing treaty, the treaty providing without any
distinction for indolent and industrious alike. The Indians, however, are only receiv-
ing about three-fourths of the ration stipulated in the agreement, but they demand
the whole and are by right entitled to it. This system, however, encourages idle-
ness and perpetuates pauperism, which, together with the holding in common of such
a large tract of land as contained in the Sioux Reservation, with the claimants located
at and subject to five distinct agencies, cannot but be detrimental to the service and
prolongs the work of civilization. The claim of the Indians to this reservation, be-
lieved by them to be an absolute title vested in themselves, but held by the Govern-
ment to 'be a tenure in legal effect equivalent to a tenancy for life only, affords but
little encouragement to the industriously inclined, by offering no inducement to indi-
viduals in so far as obtaining titles to lands occupied and improved by them, with no
avenues of escape by which they might with their own exertions be recognized as
men entitled to the rights of citizenship whilst enjoying reservation privileges, to-
gether with the protection of direct laws which is accorded to the people of all nations
coming to our shores, of whom there are many whose language and customs when
they arrive are as different from ours as the Indians are, but the influence which the
privileges of citizenship exert soon amalgamates them into the body politic. And
is it not possible that the slow progress of the Indian race is as much due to their
segregation from the privileges of citizenship as to all other causes combined ? There
is a powerful uplifting influence in the consciousness of equality and independence
before the laws, and that the Indian is capable of better things has been clearly
demonstrated ; yet the vast majority of our Indians are still held under special cir-
cumscribed laws and deprived of the rights and privileges so freely enjoyed by all
others. Thus the Indians, "the original native Americans," are the only people de-
barred by our otherwise beneficent Government and liberal national laws.
The solving of the Indian problem lies in appropriate legislation which should ob-
serve faithfully the fulfillment of all treaty promises made to the Indians. The Indian
f>2 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN DAKOTA.
not be the first to break an engagement that he h as made if the conditions are
carried out with a moderate degree of fairness. But I am forced to the conclusion that
it would be much better for both the Government and the Indians if there were no
treaties in existence, as the Indians would not then be expecting the fulfillment of
promises which are rarely ever realized as they understood the conditions to be.
Moreover, as the Government has the care of the Indians and is in duty bound to pro-
vide for them, and as insufficient appropriations are yearly made by Congress, re-
gardless of many existing treaties, would it not be better that all existing treaties
with the Indian tribes be abrogated and have annual appropriations made to provide
for the wants of the different tribes, without the Indians being enabled constantly to
complain that the promises made in their treaties have not been fulfilled ?
Recognizing the necessity for some more direct and definite laws for the Indian,
^and with their ultimate civilization in view, I would add that in my opinion no
special or intermediate code of laws should be enacted. There should be no halting
ishort of equality and independence before the law, and they should not be any longer
circumscribed by special laws that have to be surmounted before the desired end can.
be attained. To advance the Indians, with a view to making each step permanent
gain, the reservation boundaries should at least be contracted so as to give but suf-
ficient lands for the actual requirements of the respective tribes residing thereon ;
then sell the residue of the reservations, creating a sinking fund of the proceeds for
educational purposes and other beneficial objects; make the issue of rations contin-
gent upon industry and good behavior; encourage all in their efforts to better their
condition ; and, finally, extend the protection of direct laws, with the rights of citizen-
ship made possible under certain conditions, for while some will doubtless fail to re-
alize this expectation, yet I believe that the larger majority will eventually become
usefuj and respected citizens. The enfranchisement of the Indian would awaken for
them a keener interest by the different political parties of the entire country as well
as in their immediate neighborhood, who would become more interested in their wel-
fare, and which would be a powerful factor in their advancement as well as in pro-
tecting them in their rights as citizens of the United States.
All statistical information connected with this agency is contained in the reports
Jherewith transmitted.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES MCLAUGHLIN,
United Slates Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
YANKTON AGENCY, DAK.,
August 10, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit this my second annual report of the condition of
the service at this agency.
The Yanktons have occupied this reservation since 1859. The reservation contains
430,000 acres, three-fourths of which is susceptible of cultivation. The other fourth
is bluff land, making excellent range for stock and protection from the storms of
winter. The principal part of the reservation is rolling prairie, dotted with small
iakes.
The Yanktons are gradually turning their attention to farming and stock-raising,
and the interest taken in farming at this agency this year is in advance of anything
we have ever had, and the result of a persistent effort is very satisfactory. * Many
acres of the wheat harvested this year will yield at least 20 bushels per acre. Corn and
garden vegetables are very promising, and will yield the greatest crop ever gathered
on the reservation.
Our agency is located on a high bench land, on the east side of the Missouri River,
burnishing a very pleasant location for a healthful home.
The industries carried on here are no small part of the agency work. The herding
is under the management of Indians. The work of the carpenter, tin, blacksmith,
wagon, and repair shops is done by Indian labor, under the supervision of a white
superintendent and a white blacksmith.
The religious instruction and influence upon this people has been as beneficial as the
most sanguine could expect. Rev. J. P. Williamson, the Presbyterian missionary, has
been with them for many years, in fact since his early boyhood, and holds the entire
confidence of the tribe. The Episcopal mission has done a grand work. They have
a boys' school, where the youths receive instruction under the direction of Bishop W.
H. Hare, who makes his home here. The Episcopal mission church is in the charge
of Rev. Joseph W. Cook, who speaks the Sioux and holds his day service in the
I>akota.
The agency boarding-school during the last year had a very fair attendance, con-
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO. 53
sidering the fact that it was only the second year of the school. The education of
the children of -this people is of no little importance. Every one engaged either in
mission or Government work feels a deep interest in this subject, and a united and
harmonious effort in that direction is doing great good.
To break up the old Indian notion of marital relations is one of the most stubborn
and ugly features of Indian work at this agency. Until within the last month we
have had no place to confine and punish the disobedient.
On the 9th of July I commenced remarking the land of the reservation, with a view
of making individual allotments. Some of the older people of the tribe opposed it r
and a council was held, at which I explained to them the object, and that it was the
work of the Government. This satisfied them, and now a majority of the men are
anxious to take allotments. One hundred and twenty-five persons have selected and
been assigned land, and the work of allotment will be completed as soon as action
by the Department has been taken.
##*###*
Much distress exists among these people on account of pulmonary and scrofulous
trouble.
While it is true a great many have gone to work and made rapid advance in civili-
zation, it is equally true that a large per cent, have not made the desired improve-
ment. Many of the young men yet stroll about the camps dressed in the original
Indian costume, and do but little work during the year. A great drawback to OUF
Indians is the want of oxen, plows, and machinery. I very much hope that before
another annual report is due from this agency the necessary machinery may be fur-
nished them, and that their miserable hovels, covered with dirt, will be made more
healthful and cheerful by being furnished with board floors and shingle roofs.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM M. RIDPATH,
United States Indian Agent*
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
FORT HALL AGENCY,
Ross Fork, Idaho, August 20, 1883.
SIR: Among the Indians under my charge, consisting of 1,085 Shoshones and 471
Bannacks, there exists a peaceable and friendly feeling. There has been no drunken-
ness, nor drinking, nor any disturbance on my agency during the year, except some
petty differences which were easily settled.
HABITS AND DISPOSITIONS.
I find a great difference in the disposition of the two tribes under my care. The
Shoshones are an industrious, good-natured, and quiet people; but the Bannacks are
restless and roving, and much more difficult to control.
PROGRESS.
The condition of the Indians has very much advanced during the year, and would
have been more so if greater facilities had been at hand for their use and encourage-
ment. They have built four log houses and purchased some agricultural implements,
which shows a disposition to civilization.
EVENTS.
Nothing especially has transpired during the year except the burning of the Gov-
ernment flooring-mill. There were 1,500 bushels of wheat and 12,000 pounds of flour,
belonging mostly to the Shoshone Indians, in the mill at the time of its destruction.
This circumstance created considerable excitement at the time and was a serious loss
to the Indians on this reservation. It occurred on the morning of December 6, 1882.
The day previous a Bannack Indian boy about 10 years old while idling about the
mill was caught in the shafting. Before he could be released he was so badly injured
that he died in a few minutes after being removed to his father's lodge. It created
great excitement. The boy's father was absent at the time. One of his wives fled to
the agency for protection. She said her husband would kill her and all he could find
to avenge the boy's death. The miller also became frightened and dare not leave his
house alone. The father on coming home talked very reasonably. He said his heart
was bad when he found his boy dead, but he knew that no* one was to blame and his
54 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO.
heart was not bad now. He would do nothing bad. He asked to have a coffin made
and wished us to help him bury his boy. Early next morning the mill was discovered
on fire and was soon consumed. But little could be saved. It was believed that the
mill was set on fire, but I have not been able to obtain any proof of it. The account
of the fire spread through the camp for many miles around, and the Indians came in
on horseback in large numbers. A few of the Bannack warriors were armed and
caused considerable excitement by riding about rapidly. The Shoshones looked at
the ruins and quietly returned, thinking that the Bannacks had burned the mill to in-
jure them. The corpse was taken to their burial ground, on one of the foot-hills near.
Before burial the corpse was taken from the coffin and dressed in a costly Indian war
suit and then held up and the best horse in his father's herd was led before him sev-
eral times and appeared to be presented to him. After this ceremony the boy's re-
mains were buried, and the horse, with two others, was killed near the grave.
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION.
Owing to disappointment by the teacher engaged, and lack of suitable buildings,
the school was not opened till December. Every effort possible was made to induce
the Indians to send their children to the boarding-school, but the result was not as
encouraging as desired. The school, however, was a success, 20 children having at-
tended, and their advancement in the branches taught was all that could be expected.
The military buildings and property at Fort Hall, having been transferred to the In-
terior Department, are hereafter to be used for an industrial school. They are well
adapted for that purpose and located 18 miles from the agency, in one of the finest
valleys in the Territory. Workshops will be opened as fast as they can be made prac-
ticable. Supplies are already received fora harness shop, which will be opened soon.
The Indians take great interest in these shops, and it is believed they will be a very
successful feature in the agency.
AGRICULTURE.
The Indians are making steady advancement in agriculture and civilized pursuits.
This is noticeable to all who are brought in contact with them, and they are manifest-
ing an increased desire to conform to the customs of civilized life. They commenced
last year to acquire property for themselves. They purchased three mowing machines,
six hay-rakes, and two wagons this year ; four more mowing machines and two hay,
rakes have been purchased, making seven mowers and eight hay-rakes owned by In-
dians. .Of the 1,085 Shoshone Indians registered here since November last full 950
of them have been engaged in farming the past season more or less. Of the 471 Ban-
nocks only 240 have been engaged in farming ; the balance are off of the reservation
considerable of the time hunting and fishing.
The crops raised are wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and other root crops. The crops
raised this season are :
Bushels.
240 acres of wheat (estimated) 4,200
330 acres of oats (estimated) 9, 600
55 acres of barley (estimated) 1,500
45 acres of potatoes (estimated) 3,000
16 acres of turnips (failed) 1,000
686 acres 19,300
Oats are cultivated more extensively than heretofore. They are always in demand,
and bring a higher price than wheat. Eight hundred tons of hay will be cut and put
up by the Indians this season.
As the Indians show so much inclination to industry and civilized pursuits, it is be-
lieved that if a quarter section of land should be allotted to each head of a family, and
some assistance should be given them to commence its cultivation, the reservation
could then be thrown open to settlers, and so bring the Indians into civilized communi-
ties. I believe they would improve more from observation and necessity, and sooner
become self-sustaining than by the present method.
In conclusion I would like to mention an interference which is an annoyance to us.
The Mormons persist in holding meetings among and baptizing the Indians of this
agency, and have succeeded heretofore in baptizing some 300 as they claim. This
prevents their progress in civilization by instructing them in polygamy and other vile
doctrines, and makes them discontented. This practice I cannot allow unless it is
authorized from you.
Respectfully, yours,
A. L. COOK,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO. 55
LEMHI INDIAN AGENCY, IDAHO,
August 9, 1883.
SIR : In accordance with your orders I beg to submit this my third annual report
of the Lemhi Agency :
By the Executive order dated February 12, 1875, this reservation should contain
about 100 square miles, but in consequence of the points being so indefinite and no of-
ficial survey having yet been made, the part which the white settlers consider the
reservation does not contain much over 60 square miles; and it is very evident to
me that unless the Government takes immediate action in the matter of clearly and un-
mistakably defining the boundaries of this reservation there will very soon be no reser-
vation to define, as the encroachment is still going on. When this reservation was set
apart for the Lemhi Indians the Executive certainly did not err on the side of too
much liberality. There are 800 Indians belonging to this reservation, and the num-
ber is steadily increasing, so that when it comes to dividing the land between them
(as it ultimately will when they have been prepared for it by education) the quantity
of land for each individual will be small enough to please even the Indians' greatest
enemy. Under these circumstances I would urge that every foot of the 100 square
miles be carefully preserved for those to whom it lawfully belongs.
The chase is getting less productive each year, and I have not forgotten to use this
fact as an argument with these Indians in prevailing upon them to take hold of farm-
ing, and I think they are beginning to grip the idea. Two of our best farmers, Joshe-
wit and Humpty Joe, have died during the past year, and some two or three others
who farmed last year were out hunting this spring and did not return in time for seed-
ing ; but the gaps have been more than filled by new ones who have taken hold. There
are now thirty families who have their little patches of oats and garden stuff. At seed-
time I distributed about 300 packages of garden seeds among them, and in spite of
the difficulty of raising vegetables at this altitude, 5,500 feet above sea-level, several
of them have succeeded fairly well, and are quite proud of having a garden plot.
Agricultural results are very uncertain here and difficult to estimate, as night frosts
sometimes come in August and totally change the aspect of the crops. As things look
at present, I judge the crops raised by our Indians will be about 2,000 bushels of oats,
40 bushels of potatoes, 50 bushels of turnips, 5 bushels of onions, and 20 bushels of other
small vegetables. On the agency farm I have about 28 acres in oats, which looks as
if it would produce about 600 bushels ; about 12 acres is laid down in meadow, which
I expect will produce about 10 tons of timothy hay. The quantity is small, as this is
the first year's crop.
In getting Indians to work around the agency I am able to chronicle a decided im-
provement ; some of those who last year were employed irregularly by me are this
year working for themselves, while a number of the young "bucks" have come on as
laborers and worked steadily and well. This has been accomplished by your allowing
me to pay them what I thought they were fairly entitled to, viz, a dollar a day.
They have been engaged principally in cutting rails, fencing, and ditching.
These Indians are made up of a mixture of three different tribes, viz, the Sho-
shones or Snake Indians, who are fairly honest, peaceable, and intelligent ; the Ban-
nocks, who possess more of the sly cunning and innate restlessness of disposition
than would appear to be good for them or agreeable to their nearest neighbors ; and
the Sheepeaters, who are naturally quieter and less demonstrative than either, and
therefore seem more inclined to take life easy. The Shoshone element largely pre-
dominates, and will, I doubt not, in a short time absorb the other two, to the advan-
tage of all.
The freighting of the supplies for this agency was done entirely by our Indian
teams. They hauled over 40,000 pounds of freight from Red Rock Station, on the Utah
and Northern Railroad, to the agency, a distance of 70 miles, over a very bad road, at
a cost to the Government of 1 cent per pound for the whole distance.
The possession of wagons by some of the Indians is materially helping to lift what
is literally a heavy burden off the backs of the squaws in the matter of hauling the
firewood. There are about 12 of our Indians who have wagons, and there are about
12 more who would be glad to have them and who would, I believe, make good use
of them. But what they are most anxious to have is a milch cow each, and it is my
firm conviction that a little money spent in this direction would be one of the best in-
vestments that could be made for them.
The day-school that was started here last year had to be discontinued. The supersti-
tion that "if the Indian children learn to read and write they will die" has a fast
hold on these people, more especially on the mothers, and this, coupled with the fact
that duriug the whole winter the weather was unusually severe, and our having no
facilities for feeding those who came, the attendance became so small that it was
deemed best to close the school in March. I expect in a short time to have the nec-
essary arrangements made for opening a boarding-school, which I trust will be more
successful than any day-school could ever be here, for, like other branches of mankind,
there is a good deal of human nature about these Indians, and they find it pretty hard
56 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO.
to study on an empty stomach. The rations issued to the lodges on Saturday seldom
last beyond Monday or Tuesday at the outside, so that unless the children get fed at
school they are not likely to have much to eat at home for the biggest half of the week.
There is a decided improvement in the health of these Indians during the past year r
and this I believe may in some measure be attributed to the fact that they are doing
more work in the open air, instead of lying around in the filth and smoke of the
" wickeup." They are also getting to understand that it is better to come for medi-
cine in the first stages of sickness than to let it go on until too late.
In trying to improve the condition of these Indians I find one of the greatest hin-
derances to be that embodiment of liquid mischief, whisky ; and in relation to
this fruitful source of iniquity I could not help being struck with the aptness of the
remark made by one of the headmen of this tribe. I was trying to convince him that
whisky was bad, and that the Great Father at Washington did not want the Indians
to touch it ; his reply was to the effect "that may be I told the truth, but he did not
think so, for if the Great Father at Washington did not want the Indians to have any
whisky he would stop it coming into the country, and then they could not get it."
I have during the past year been enabled to make several improvements at this
agency. A good dwelling-house for the agent has been put up, the saw-mill has been
brought nearly to completion, while some other important additions and improvements
are now being made to our agency buildings. I cannot help regretting, however,
that in consequence of a reduced appropriation I am compelled to do without a car-
penter in order to retain an assistant farmer. It seems quite clear to me that if the
agency is to be a practical educator to the Indians the staff of employe's should not
be cut down so low as to make it exceedingly difficult to do anything more than just
keep going.
In common with other Indian agents I have during the past year had my full share
of abuse from unprincipled whites, but knowing that as long as I did my duty I
could be certain of having your support and sympathy I have determined to go right
on and "hew to the line, let the chips fall where they may." In striking contrast to
the petty annoyances I have been subjected to may be placed the unvarying courtesy
and kindness I have experienced from the Department, and this has enabled me to
bear what would otherwise have been unbearable, viz, continuous care and responsi-
bility, boundless abuse from outsiders, unceasing labor, and all for less than the pay
of a first-class clerk.
I am, sir, yours, most respectfully,
JOHN HARRIES,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NEZ PE*RC AGENCY, August 20, 1883.
SIR : In conformity with the requirements of the Department, I have to submit this
my second annual report as United States Indian agent, Nez Perce' Agency, Idaho.
There is but one tribe located upon this reserve, namely, the Nez Perce's, numbering,
as near as I am able to ascertain, 1,250 souls. They are a thrifty, progressive, and in-
dustrious people. With the exception of the agricultural implements issued them by
the Government, they can be justly termed self-supporting. Their means of support
are agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.
PROGRESS, ETC.
The progress made during the year past by this people is but a reaching out in ag-
ricultural pursuits over their condition of a year ago. As will be seen per statistical
report, there is an increased cultivated acreage of 550 acres over that of last year.
This increase is occasioned by 28 Indians having entered upon civilized pursuits.
These have broken new land, averaging 10 acres to each Indian. The balance (270
acres) is but the enlargement of farms on part of Indians heretofore engaged in agri-
culture.
I cannot say that this people has reached a higher state of civilization, morally or
otherwise. I think they have reached a state of civilization where they will neither
retrogade or advance until some very important change takes place in the Indian
policy, such as breaking up the present reservation system and allowing the Indians
to take lands in severalty, and throwing the balance of the reserve open to settlement.
Upon this subject I will dwell at length further on. Until some such move is made
certain old tribal ideas and desires will remain in the minds of even the more ad-
vanced in civilization, one of which I will mention, " head-chieftainship." To this
REPO.RTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO. 57
some hold with wonderful tenacity, and show the influence they are able to exert over
their followers. It was this influence I had to contend with during the general coun-
cil of last April, minutes of which were forwarded the Department under date of April
28, 1883. * * *
It gives me much pleasure to state that the honorable Commissioner has dealt "head-
chieftainship " on this reserve a severe blow in allowing the agent to exercise discre-
tionary powers, and approving recommendations in many instances, instead of sub-
mitting matters to the Indians in council. His idea of dealing with the Indians as
individuals is correct.
IMPROVEMENTS. v
On account of its being so late in the season when the new machinery and supplies
for repairs of the Kamiah mills were delivered at that place all work had to be sus-
pended until last spring. I commenced said repairs as early as the weather would
permit and mechanics were available. I was instructed by the Department, in re-
sponse to recommendations, to call upon the Kamiah Indians to perform certain work,
and on account of a lack of interest in their own welfare they failed to respond to the
wishes of the Department to such an extent as to render the completion of said repairs
impossible by the 1st of July, in consequence of which their mills at present are
useless. About the middle of June I gave them notice to send a team to the agency
to haul up some supplies needed to complete the repairs on the engine and for the
boiler, which when put in place would complete the grist-mill so that it would be
ready to grind their wheat. They refused to comply with my request, and as yet no
effort has been made on their part to haul the supplies in question to Kamiah, although
I offered the use of an agency wagon.
A porch has been constructed the full length and across both ends of the large
boarding-school at this agency, as a means of escape in case of fire. It adds greatly
to the looks of the building, as also the convenience of employe's and scholars. A
porch has been built on both sides of the "L" of said building, which embraces the
kitchen and pantries ; these will prove to be very convenient also.
A woodshed 16 by 50 feet is completed, and a chicken-house constructed, all of
which are steps taken, under authority from the Department, looking to the conver-
sion of this school into a thorough-going "industrial school." There is yet to be
erected a cow-stable 20 by 60 feet, with a hay-mow above. This building is under
way, and I am now awaiting authority to complete it. All materials for the same are
on hand, also for the building "of a new fence about the school lot, and about 100 rods
of other fence, which will be put up by school boys when school opens, supervised
by the industrial teacher.
SCHOOLS.
As a rule the Nez Perce" children are intelligent, displaying a wonderful aptitude
in all kinds of farm and garden work, and advancing nearly as rapidly in their
school-room studies as average white children. But in their acquisition of the En-
glish language they are very slow, for the reason that they never speak it except when
required at school by their teachers. When they do try to use English in the pres-
ence of older Indians their attempts are sure to meet with ridicule, and as they are
very sensitive, this effectually suppresses all desire to acquire the language. This is
one reason why the education of Indian youth is more successfully carried on in
schools removed from reservations and from the detrimental influences of tribal asso-
ciations.
During the past term about 75 scholars received instructions in the various branches
of industry and book knowledge taught at this school. Twenty-seven of the brightest
of these were transferred to the Forest Grove training-school this spring, and last
month 7 more were taken to that place by myself; also 9 of the children brought here
from Indian Territory by James Reubens.
The boarding and industrial school at Kamiah was closed May 1, 1883, under in-
structions from the honorable Commissioner. As this school is situated about 65 miles
from the agency, where it cannot be personally supervised by the agent, as it is ab-
solutely isolated during five months in the year, owing to the depth of snow in the
mountains ; as the agent must necessarily trust to a teacher's report as to its efficacy,
and as the Lapwai boarding and industrial school has a capacity sufficient to accommo-
date as many scholars as ever attended both schools at one time during last term,
the views of the agent coincide with those of the hpnorable Commissioner in the mat-
ter of closing said school.
Heretofore the agent has had no means whereby he could compel the attendance
of the children ; thus many of the brighter children were kept out of school by their
parents ; but the late policy of the Department in withholding Government aid from
those who refuse to send their children when called upon by the agent will, I think,
prove a satisfactory measure with these Indians.
58 , REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO.
The school garden, which has been taken care of by the boys, under the supervision
of the industrial teacher, presents a very fine appearance, and from present indica-
tions I infer that the products will be sufficient for school use during the whole term.
EMPLOYES, ETC.
Last year I had not sufficient employe's to enable me to do justice to the service.
This year my list is increased to some extent, but not to the extent estimated for ;
still I feel somewhat encouraged. I think an agent should be allowed the same
amount of funds per capita with which to carry on his industrial school as are al-
lowed the industrial schools outside the reserves, and hold him responsible for the
proper disbursement of said funds. For example, the Forest Grove school is allowed
$200 per capita, and the superintendent disburses his funds, placing them where they
will do the most good ; consequently has a larger force of employe's than an agency
school, and a more efficient service would naturally follow. Under such circum-
stances an agent (or at least I) can purchase supplies at a lower figure than the De-
partment delivers them at. I have received an invoice of bacon for the school which
costs the Department 21.4 cents per pound. I can purchase just as good bacon in Lewis-
ton for 6.4 cents less than it costs the Government, under its contract, delivered in
Lewiston. I made a similar report last year, but apparently such reports carry no
conviction with them.
LAW AND ORDER.
There has been a disposition to enact local laws applicable to minor offenses, as
also to have our civil code extended to the Indians of this reserve. In the council
last April referred to above a unanimous vote was had, requesting that the neces-
sary action be had on part of the Government extending the civil as well as the
criminal code to this tribe. Prior to the convening of said council local laws were
enacted punishing drunkenness by a fine of from five to twenty dollars, according to
the enormity of the oifeuse. Other laws were enacted punishing by fines. The fol-
lowing is a list of such offenses and fines imposed and collected :
Cases of drunkenness, 11 ; fines $180 00
Cases of theft, 3; fines 30 00
Attempt at rape, I ; fines t 10 00
Interference in school matters, 1 ; fines 5 00
Assault,2; fines 15 00
Wife-beating,!; fines 20 00
Total 260 00
On account of the enactment of these local laws cases of drunkenness have been
reduced about two-thirds. Said laws were adopted by the Indians in council, at my
suggestion, and the result is very satisfactory. Referring to "rules governing the
court of Indian offences," dated at the Department March 30, 1883, I would say that
as yet I have not been able to prevail upon any three Indians to accept the appoint-
ments as judges without compensation.
POLIC^E .
This branch of the service should be made more efficient by more liberal appropria-
tions ; it is expecting too great a service for a trifling compensation. Circular letter
No. 109, April 25, 1883, calls for suggestions and recommendations on this subject.
I can only say that the police privates should not be expected to render service for
less than $10 per month each, and a ration for each, his wife, and all children between
the ages of five and fifteen years. The captain should receive $15 and rations same
as privates.
SUBJECTS AND REMARKS IN GENERAL.
Under the head of progress, &c., I alluded to the matter of allowing the Indians
to take lands in severalty and opening reservations to settlement. I would favor
such action only upon certain considerations, which in brief are as follows :
Proper legislation covering the following points :
Allow every Indian, male and female, including all children, to locate 160 acres of
land within the boundaries of the reserve, giving them patents for the same, not
transferable under twenty years. Throw the balance of the reserve open to settle-
ment, the Government purchasing such lands and issuing bonds in the amount of the
purchase-price, and use the interest 011 said bonds in sustaining and operating
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO. 59
thorough industrial schools, embracing agriculture and mechanics for the males and
housekeeping and dairy work for females.
Extend our civil and criminal laws to the Indians; but instead of jury trials in
cases as between Indians and whites allow the district judge to preside, and decide
the case according to law ; and if the decision is not satisfactory allow an appeal to
be taken to the supreme court of the State or Territory, as the case may be. In my
opinion the Indian would not receive justice in a jury trial in four cases out of five,
on account of the strong prejudice that exists against him, particularly in the Terri-
tories.
Appoint an agent, as is done under the present policy, and pay a salary that will
command ability, said agent's duties to be to manage the affairs of the schools and
attend to the welfare of the Indians generally.
THE YEAR'S WORK.
Said work has been one of constant and unremitting labor in managing the affairs
of a reserve 35 by 60 miles in extent, and doing an unlimited amount of office work,
occasioned by the complicated method of keeping accounts demanded of an Indian
agent.
I would suggest that in the matter of correspondence with Indians on part of
the Department such correspondence pass through an agent's hands. By this I
mean allow the agent to read the letters and then deliver them to the Indians ad-
dressed, taking their receipts therefor, which receipts should be forwarded to the In-
dian Office by the agent. Said receipts should be witnessed by the interpreter and
one or more employe's. My object for so recommending is that Indians receive letters
from the Indian Office containing information which they cannot understand, but
pretend to, and interpret it to their friends as they see fit, and in many instances
cause unpleasant feelings between the agent and his Indians until the letters are cor-
rectly interpreted to them. But one instance of this kind has occurred at this agency
during my administration, nevertheless I think the suggestion would be supported
by all agents in the service. In this connection I desire to return sincere thanks to
the honorable Commissioner for having forwarded me the original of a letter supposed
to have been written by a certain Indian at this agency. Said letter contained seri-
ous complaints and charges against the agent and some employe's. On account of
having the original in my possession I was able to ascertain that said letter was a for-
gery, and to succeed in finding out beyond a doubt who committed the forgery. The
Indian whose name was attached to the letter made affidavit to the effect that he
neither authorized the writing of said letter nor knew anything of its existence. I
think if the originals of that character of correspondence were always sent to agents,
instead of copies, a great deal of annoyance would be obviated.
On the 12th day of September last this agency was visited by Col. R. S. Gardner,
United States Indian inspector. He came very unexpectedly, and his coining was
like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. He came to ascertain the truthfulness of cer-
tain outrageous statements embraced in an anonymous correspondence, to which
it pleased the honorable Secretary of thelnterior to give the dignified title of " charges
preferred against Agent Monteith," which statements made Agent Monteith to ap-
pear in the rdle of a first-class villain and fraud. Said charges were examined by
Colonel Gardner, and I do not think any one could institute a more searching investiga-
tion than did he. I stated to the inspector that I preferred not to be present during
the examination of any witnesses, as I had no desire to embarrass a witness by my
presence. I have never seen the inspector's report, but have learned indirectly that
not a single statement was substantiated.
As will be seen per statistical report the amount of grain raised this year is less
than that of last season, though there is quite an increase in cultivated acreage. This
is occasioned by two causes : First, the amount of hay cut by Indians is increased
300 tons, and the same is wheat and oat hay ; second, the crops on the east end
of the reserve are much lighter than last year on account of a very severe drought ; still
there is enough raised by the Indians for their own use, and quite a surplus to be
disposed of.
In consequence of heavy fires on the east end of the reserve and in the mountains,
burning over thousands of acres of fine grazing lands, I am fearful that much of the
Indians' stock will perish this corning winter.
During the year past the general health of the tribe has been good.
In attending to my duties as agent I have had little or no time to inform myself as
to the work of the missionary, Rev. George L. Deffenbaugh. I can only say that ap-
parently he has been busily engaged in his noble work, and may God prosper him
therein. Statistics pertaining to said work are furnished by him.
Respectfully,
CHAS. E. MONTEITH,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF IXDIAX AFFAIRS.
60
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO AGENCY,
Darlington, Ind. Ter., August Ib, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit this my twelfth annual report of the condition of
this agency.
POPULATION.
The following table will acquaint you with the census of the Indiana comprising
this agency, the last enrollment having been made on the second of July.
Name of tribe.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Total.
Southern Cheyennes in camp
791
908
1 965
3 664
Southern Arapahoes in camp . .
535
541
1 074
'> 150
Northern Cheyennes in camp
106
126
'l59
'391
"N"ort,hfvrn Arnpahofts ip camp
9
7
12
28
Chevennes in agency school
96
96
.Arapahoes in agency school
90
90
Arapahoes in Menuonite mission school
14
14
Arapahoes in Carlisle school
19
19 s
Cheyennes in Carlisle school
o(j
26
Cheyennes in Fort Wayne (Ind.) College
1
1
Cheyennes in school at "West Branch Iowa
g
8
Arapahoes in school at West Branch Iowa
7
7
Arapahoes in school at Lawrence, Kans
.
2
2
Total . . .
1 441
1 582
3 473
6 496
Less Northern Cheyennes and Arapahoes transferred to
Pine Ridge Agency
103
109
145
357
Total belonging to agency
1 338
1 473
3 328
G 139
The above table shows a decrease in members from that reported last year. This
is due to error in previous enrollments and not to a decrease of Indians, for I believe
the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians are holding their own. In every quarterly
enrollment the number of births is almost equal to the deaths, thus keeping the total
number of Indians at the agency about the same.
CHEYENNES.
During the past year these Indians have attained an advanced stage of civilization
and industry compared with their previous life. They are camp Indians in almost
every sense, but the majority of them are now using bedsteads, tables, stoves, and
other household conveniences in their teepes, and not a few have abandoned the teepe
for more permanent structures. Many of them have built house-frames with wood
floors, while over the frames they have stretched their canvas, thus making a very
neat and comfortable house. They are industrious and energetic, and give evidence
of a true desire to engage in some employment that is sufficiently remunerative to
aid in their support. Applications are made almost daily by these Indians to be
employed as laborers or as teamsters, or at anything that will bring them a return
in cash.
They have increased their herds of cattle gradually until some individuals have
quite respectable numbers, and are as careful of them as a white man would be. Many
have a very few heads, which will in a few years increase, and if properly managed
convince them that it is by far better to let their cattle graze on the lands they possess
than to kill and eat them, with no provision for the future.
While they are entitled to credit for their efforts in stock-raising, they have done
very little farming the past year. This is due not to any dislike or carelessness on
their part, but rather to past experience, their previous attempts having proven
almost entire failures.
ARAPAHOES.
What has been said of the Cheyennes regarding the adoption of certain civilized
customs and industries is also true of the Arapahoes. These Indians have for a num-
ber of years led the Cheyennes in farming and stock-raising. The leading members
of this tribe are located in the rich bottoms of the North and Main Canadian Rivers,
from 10 to 50 miles from the agency, and are there being quite successful in agricult-
ure and stock-raising. Powder Face, Left-Hand, and others of the leading men have
herds to-day which for grade of cattle and amount of care extended are surpassed
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 61
by few. And this enterprise is not confined to the leading men. Other and younger
members of the tribe are following the example set, and are accumulating herds as
rapidly as their opportunities will permit. They have engaged in agriciilture more
extensively than the Cheyennes and have this season been rewarded with excellent
crops. They seem to be less easily discouraged than the Cheyennes, but correspond-
ingly lack the energy and determination possessed by the Cheyennes.
AGRICULTURE.
The agency farm, containing about 100 acres, is maintained. The necessity for
Employing all the help authorized by the Department in other branches of the agency
work the present season necessitated the renting of the agency farm. The ground
was rented out to Indians, most of them having previously been employed as laborers.
They planted corn, have put much labor on the crop, and are rewarded with fair pros-
pect of an excellent yield. Of this the Government will receive one-third as rental.
Owing to a deficiency in the appropriations no seeds were furnished the Indians of
the agency last spring. Many, however, purchased seeds of the traders and planted
small gardens, which were successfully grown. Very little grain has been raised' by
the Cheyennes, while many fields of corn of a rich color, and giving evidence of hav-
ing received much attention, can be seen in the vicinity of the various Arapaho
camps in the rich bottom lands bordering on the rivers and small streams. Vege-
tables, melons, &c., have been grown in abundance, and some of the Indians have
earned fair wages by peddling the same at the agency and Fort Reno.
In connection with each of the schools a small farm has been cultivated by the
school boys under the supervision of the superintendent. Quite good corn and nu-
merous vegetables have been raised, sufficient to supply the schools with all that was
required in the vegetable line. The matter of farming in connection with the schools
is one of great and growing importance. The boys who engage in cultivating the
crops by detail seem to relish the work, have a desire to make it a success, and take
a genuine pride in it when accomplished. They require some white man to plan and
oversee the work, and to keep their implements in order, until they have learned to
do this themselves ; and with such a man, who would properly be termed an industrial
teacher, the farm work could be more extensively engaged in, with greater profit to
the schools and to the children employed.
RESERVATION.
The matter of reservation has been a subject of remark in the reports for several
years, and still the lands occupied by the Cheyennes and Arapahoes remain unconfirmed
to them. This question has been presented* to the Department in various forms, and
the action of Congress in speedily confirming to them the lands they occupy solicited.
They are satisfied with this reservation, have made extensive improvements thereon,
and the Government has substantial and costly buildings at this agency, and it is
very important that Congress take some action looking to the confirmation as soon as
possible.
, v portion of the reservation lying west of the Wichita Reservation and south of the
C adian River assigned to the Cheyennes and Arapahoes by Executive order of
A gust 10, 1869, has been claimed by the Wichitas and Caddos through representa-
ti| ms made to them by one Joseph Leonard and other squatv men. In May last, under
instructions from the Department, Hon. E. B. Townsend, special Indian agent, visited
this and the Kiowa and Coinanche reservations for the purpose of investigating the
claims to the land in question held by the Wichitas and Caddos. Mr. Townsend made
a thorough and impartial investigation, but I am not informed as to his conclusions
resulting from the investigation, or his report thereon. Suffice it to say that the land
which the Wichitas are making a pretense of claiming was assigned to the Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes by Executive order of August 10, 1869, in lieu of their treaty res-
ervation ; is occupied and contrplled by them, and lawfully and rightly belongs to
them.
For a number of years the western portion of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Reserva-
tion has been occupied by unauthorized cattle men and their herds, who have been
grazing without remunerating the Indians therefor and in violation of Department
orders. The parties thus holding cattle claimed to have secured the right to so hold
by gaining the consent of a few individual Indians located on or in close proximity
to the range occupied, and by paying them for the privilege. The reservation is held
in common, and in justice to the Indians it is due that all share alike in the advan-
tages to be derived from this reservation. Orders have been promptly issued to such
cattle men to remove their cattle beyond the reservation limits, and the orders were
in most instances as promptly obeyed, but the reservation lines are only imaginary,
and in a short time cattle would again be feeding on the lands they had so recently
vacated. Troops have been called into action for the purpose of enforcing the orders,
all with the sr me result.
62 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
On the 12th of December last the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians called a general
council to consider the propriety of leasing to responsible cattle men for grazing pur-
poses that portion of the reservation lying west of tiie Cantonment, the most of which
they do not at present occupy. The action of this council was decidedly in favor of
realizing from that part of the reservation. The facts were elicited that the country
was not adapted to agriculture ; that frequent drouths occurred ; that they could not
rely upon securing a crop oftener than once in three years; that in passing through
the States and on the Territory border they had noticed that white men only culti-
vate a part of their land, reserving a portion for grazing purposes. They deemed it
policy to follow the example of white men. In accordance with the decision of this
council, on the 8th day of January, 1883, the Cheyenues and Arapahoes in open coun-
cil entered into agreements with the following-named persons for grazing privileges,
and leased to each individual named, for a term often years, the number of acres set
opposite his name, viz :
Acres.
Ed. Fenton, Leaveuworth, Kans 564, 480.
William E. Malaley, Caldwell, Kaus 564, 480
H. B. Denman, Washington, D. C 575, 000
J.S.Morrison, Darlington, Ind. Ter 138,240
Lewis M. Briggs, Muscotah, Kans 318, 720
A. G. Evans, Saint Louis, Mo 456, 960
R. D. Hunter, Saint Louis, Mo 500,000
Total number acres leased 3,117,880
At an annual rental of 2 cents per acre, amounting to 62,350.60, to be paid them in
cash and cattle. On the 21st of May the first semi-annual payment was made to the
Cheyennes and Arapahoes, amounting to $31,178.80, which amount was received by
them with no little pride and satisfaction, feeling that they are now actually earn-
ing money, which in fact becomes their own. They made judicious expenditures of
the money thus received in purchasing needful articles. They realize that they will
be compelled to purchase their own clothing and much of their subsistence the pres-
ent year. The next payment of rental will occur in October, and will consist largely
of cattle.
In leasing these lands the Cheyennes and Arapahoes are deriving great benefits as
tribes, in that they are receiving large cash and cattle payments for grass that has
heretofore brought them no income, and all unauthorized cattle-holders are com-
pelled to move their herds in compliance with Department orders and instructions,
while it further relieves the Department of the necessity for an oversight of these
lands, The parties holding cattle under lease \vill not be encroached upon by those
having no agreement with the Indians, thereby settling a question that has been a
source of much annoyance, and one not easy to control. It is a practical move in the
right direction, and will at the expiration of the lease place the Cheyenne and Arap-
ahoe Indians beyond the necessity of assistance from the Government.
MILITARY RESERVE.
A military reservation for Fort Reno has recently been established, containing
square miles. The new reservation is located on the south side of the North Fork of
the Canadian River, and does not in any way conflict with the interest of the agency
or Indians, but is rather a benefit to the agency, as it prevents the Indians from camp-
ing and slaughtering their beeves directly opposite the agency buildings, thereby
avoiding the unwholesome stenches arising from the offal of an Indian camp.
NORTHERN CHEYENNES.
By the action of the last session of Congress in appropriating $5,000 for the removal
of the Northern Cheyennes and Arapahoes to more favorable location a source of great
annoyance has been set aside, and a very troublesome disturbing element quieted.
Ever since the removal of " Little Chief" and his band to Dakota, in 1881, the remain-
der of the Northern Cheyennes and Arapahoes have been persistent in their desire to
follow. On the 18th of July 391 Cheyennes and 14 Arapahoes, with rations of beef,
flour, sugar, coffee, &c., for sixty days, were transferred to the military to be escorted
to Pine Ridge Agency, Dakota. They left the agency on the morning of the 19th. On
reaching Fort Supply, Indian Territory, it was found that 48 persons had left the
party and were returning to the agency. They have since reached the agency, have
expressed the desire and intention of remaining, and have been re-enrolled. They
assign as their reason for returning that they are intermarried with the Southern
Cheyennes, and have families here that they do not wish to be separated from, and
that they had no desire or intention of going North, but were compelled by their
chiefs to enroll and start, and they made use of the k first opportunity to return. Now
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 63
that these people are realizing their long-felt desire, and are actually returning to the
home of their childhood, it is believed that the Indians of this agency will be relieved
of all serious disturbing elements, and the way is opened for advancement, that could
not be accomplished in the presence of the Northern Cheyennes.
SCHOOLS.
There have been three boarding-schools in operation during the past year the
Cheyenne, with an average attendance of 108f persons ; the Arapaho with an aver-
age of 98-A, and the Mennonite mission school, with an average of 15f . The progress
made by the pupils is very marked . The great difficulty formerly experienced in induc-
ing the children to speak English has been measurably overcome, in part by admit-
ting into the schools a younger class of children, who acquire the language much
more readily.
Under the direction of the superintendents the boys have cultivated about 20 acres
of corn and garden vegetables at both the Cheyenne and Arapaho schools, while the
Mennonite school has cultivated about fifteen acres, special pains being taken to have
the work done slowly and thoroughly, thus insuring the acquisition of a systematic
knowledge on the part of the boys, which has resulted in good crops. The interest
manifested by the school boys is encouraging, and insures the fact that with a knowl-
edge of how to do the work, and with the necessary surroundings, they will make as
good farmers as the whites.
The girls have been drilled in all the departments of the household, and it is with
satisfaction that I can note the good degree of progress made by them in acquiring
this useful knowledge, through the devoted and untiring energy and exertion of th
employes having them in charge. A number of the larger girls have become very
proficient in cutting and making clothing for girls, and repairing of all kinds, while
others have reached the same degree of proficiency in cooking and laundry work. This
knowledge extends to the camp homes of the children thus taught; the lodge and all
its surroundings are much improved in appearance, while many articles of utility and
comfort are added through this influence.
Improvements in the way of stables, wood-sheds, and implement rooms have been
built on the school grounds, the main work of building being done by the school-
boys.
During the past year the school boys have had charge of the school herd, of about
100 head of cows and calves ; have performed the labor of milking the necessary cows
to supply the table with milk, and have assisted in the care of horses and hogs be-
longing to the schools. In short, the work performed by the school children, both
boys and girls, during the past year, has embraced every department of farm and house-
hold labor, and the efforts put forth by both employes and children have been hearty,
and are worthy of commendation.
The literary training of the children has also received the strictest attention, and
those not detailed to manual labor have applied themselves in the school room under
the tutorage of experienced, competent, aiid zealous teachers.
Various plans for evening work, such as sewing, cutting out clothing, repairing, and
literary entertainments have been inaugurated for the satisfaction and benefit of the
children and all have worked successfully.
The health of all attending school has been very good. No deaths have occurred at
the school buildings j but a few children that attended school have died-at their homes
during the past year.
In February last a night-school for camp Indians was opened by Rev. Voth, Mennon-
ite missionary. The agency Indian employe's attended this school each evening, until
the opening of spring and the hard work before them necessitated its discontinu-
ance on May 4th, it having been in session three months, with an average attendance
of 11. The school was held three evenings of each week, and instruction was given
in reading (from charts), writing, and numbers ; also in speaking the English lan-
guage. Rev. Voth, in his report on this school, herewith, says : " The results of the
school are very satisfactory, considering the facts, 1st, that the pupils were all begin-
ners; 2d, the term lasted only three months, and, 3d, instruction was only given
three evenings of each week." It is proposed to reorganize the school this fall, au65
increase its facilities. From the results of last term, this effort is worthy of continu-
ance.
The Mennonite school is under the supervision of, and is supported by, the Mennon-
ite church, and is the only school under missionary supervision at this agency.
The other schools of the agency are strictly Government schools, and are under the
supervision of no church organization. It has been the policy of this office to engage
good Christian people as employe's in -the schools, and the present employe* force rep-
resents almost as many churches as there are employe's. They are having their own lit-
tle missionary labors to perform among the children, but no sectarian teachings should
l)e permitted. The agency schools are Government schools, supported by the Gov-
64 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
ernmeut, and any success attained therein is due to the Government aud its em-
ploye's, and not to any missionary effort on the part of any church organization.
Prior to the first of July I was authorized to build a dwelling and school-house in
some one of the Indian settlements for the purpose of establishing a u country
school." Authority was not granted in time to have the buildings erected prior to
the close of the fiscal year, and the funds were covered into the Treasury. The
material has been purchased and delivered at this agency, and we now have to
await a reappropriation of funds to proceed with the labor of construction. The
Indians have signified their willingness to support such a school to its full capac-
ity. It is proposed to have the school buildings in charge of a superintendent, his
wife matron, with one teacher; to make it a day-school, the employe's preparing
the midday meal for the children, and, with the assistance of the Indian women of
the adjacent camps, to clothe the children and keep their clothing in order. I be-
lieve that such a school can be made a success.
During the year past 2 Cheyenne boys were placed in school at Fort Wayne,
Ind., and 15 Cheyenne and Arapaho girls were sent to the industrial school organ-
ised at West Branch, Iowa, and we have good reports from all these children.
AGENCY HERD.
On the 30th of June, 1883, I received from Peyton Montgomery, under his contract
with the Department, 750 cows and heifers and 25 graded bulls, which I turned in
with the 100 head already on hand. The cattle are on a good range and are doing
nicely. These cattle were purchased by the Department at the request of the In-
dians, from funds which have heretofore been applied to the purchase of annuities
and subsistence. It is proposed to use this fund each year in the purchase of addi-
tional cattle, and the Indians expect to place the cattle they receive in payment on
leases in the common herd each year ; and with what may be furnished by the Gov-
ernment this herd alone will, in a few years, place the Indians on a self-supporting
basis.
SUBSISTENCE .
For two years past the issues of subsistence to the Cheyennes and Arapahoes have
been small, excepting of beef, of which we have made almost a full ration. The pres-
ent year nothing is being issued to them but beef and flour, of which they receive a
full ration. For procuring sugar, coffee, and all other articles, they depend on the
money received from freighting, lease of lands, and sale of beef hides.
ANNUITIES.
The usual annuities under appropriation for 1881 and 1882 were issued to the In-
dians in January last. The quality of annuities furnished was good, and what they
required, so far as it went; but fell far short of their necessities.
On January 24, 1883, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, in general council, asked
that the funds usually appropriated for supplying them with clothing and beneficent
objects, amounting to about $34,000, be used in the purchase of beef and stock cattle.
The request of the Indians has been complied with, and the Department has furnished
no annuities for them this year, but has applied the appropriation to the purchase of
the stock cattle herein spoken of.
TRANSPORTATION.
During the year the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians have transported freight for
this agency to the amount of 1,646,207 pounds, for which they have received $16,462
in cash. Beside this freight they have transported an equal amount for Fort Reno
and the traders of this agency. They now own, and have ready for the road at any
time, some 259 wagons. With this number of wagons and the amount of available
freight it is impossible to keep one-half of them employed. They have become very
proficient in the enterprise, each individual owner or driver of a team being perfectly
capable of handling the same in bad places, repairing small breaks when they occur,
and under all circumstances succeeds in delivering his load intact and without dam-
age.
CRIME.
The most notable case coming under this head was the murder of Robert Poisal, a
half-breed Arapaho, in September last, by one Johnson Foster, a Creek Indian.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 65
Poisal was a prominent, well-to-do Indian of this agency, largely engaged in stock-
raising and agriculture, a man of advanced ideas and of good judgment. The mur-
derer was apprehended and confined at Fort Reno within a few weeks after the mur-
der. The jurisdiction of this case has been the subject of much correspondence between
the Departments of Justice and the Interior, resulting in the final decision that the
United States courts had no jurisdiction over the case, upon the charge of murder, the
-crime having been committed by an Indian upon the person of another Indian, and
upon a reservation to which neither belonged. The prisoner was therefore not brought
to trial on the charge of murdering Poisal ; he was held in the guard-house at Fort
Reno until in the latter part of June, when requisition was made for him upon the
charges of horse-stealing and "introducing liquor.'' He was turned over to a deputy
United States marshal and an assistant, to be conveyed to Fort Smith, Ark., for trial
on the above charges. While en route to Fort Smith, and near the Osage Agency,
Indian Territory, Foster succeeded in murdering McWeir, the marshal's assistant, and
made his escape, and is now at large. The failure to bring the criminal to justice is
due to the defecti ve character of the existing law, and the attention of Congress should
be called to the necessity for immediately enacting laws to cover such cases.
One white man was arrested for horse-stealing from Indians. The stock was recov-
ered and the prisoner brought to trial, but through some technicality was released.
Another is now held in jail until next term of court on same charge.
Four white men, charged with furnish ing liquor to Indians, have been apprehended
and bound over to appear at the fall term of the Wichita court.
By act of Congress of January 6, 1883, "that portion of the Indian Territory lying
north of the Canadian River and east of Texas and the 100th meridian not set apart
and occupied by the Cherokee, Creek, And Seininole Indians," is placed under the
jurisdiction of the United States district court at Wichita, Kans., for judicial pur-
poses. The country designated in the act of Congress referred to embraces this agency
jurisdiction, and it is believed that hereafter all criminal cases can be brought to jus-
tice more speedily and with much less expense than they could before the court at
Fort Smith, Ark.
AGENCY BUILDINGS.
The agency buildings are in good repair. A number are very old and require con-
tinual repairs to be kept in good order. During the year a commodious building of
brick, in progress of construction at time of last report, has been completed. In this
building, under one roof, we have a carpenter, blacksmith, and tin shop. The build-
ing has been occupied since last fall, and affords ample room for the mechanics with
their apprentices to work, and for storage of all materials required.
The Mennonite mission school building, burned in February, 1882, was rebuilt the
past year, at a cost of $7, 000. Of this amount Congress appropriated $5,000 to assist
in rebuilding ; the balance, $2,000, was supplied by the Mennonite mission board.
The building is a model in convenience and construction, of good material, and well
finished, and has capacity for about 30 children.
A brick laundry, in connection with the Arapaho school, has also been completed,
with many conveniences for laundry purposes not had before. Some repairs to the
school buildings have been made since the close of the school term, which placed
them in good condition for the ensuing year.
INDIAN POLICE.
The police force, consisting of forty men, have done some effective work in making
arrests, settling disputed line questions and numerous other matters. Their influence
over the rest of the ludians becomes greater each year, and has worked a radical
change in many customs and practices heretofore prevailing among the Indians.
SANITARY.
The Cheyennes and Arapahoes have, as a rule, been quite healthy during the year.
Many have suffered from chronic diseases, and a number from malaria. During the
summer a few children have died, but, considering their nomadic life, their filthy
habits, and exposure that they are subjected to, it is a source of wonder that many
more do not die.
MISSIONARY.
Missionary labor at this agency the past year has been mainly conducted by the
Meunouite church, under the supervision of Rev. S. S. Haury. This gentleman has
had charge of the mission school at the agency, and has started a branch school a t
Cantonment, the abandoned military post on this reservation.
5916 IND 5
66
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
In September of last year, the buildings at this post were transferred to the Inte-
rior Department for school purposes. Mr. Haury now has charge of these buildings
and has quite a community of Indians settled around him ; is instructing them in ag-
riculture and other civilized pursuits in addition to his efforts to lead them into a
Christian life. It was impossible at this time for the Government to occupy the
buildings on account of lack of funds to employ teachers, and Mr. Haury is doing a
noble work with the Indians of that vicinity, without cost to the Government.
The Rev. Mr, Wicks, of the Episcopal Church, has also remained at the agency a
greater part of the year, though his efforts have been mainly with the Indians of
the Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita agency.
Rev. E. G. Taber, who represented the Friends' Church in missionary work at this-
agency until July, 1882, was employed as superintendent of the Cheyenne school
during the past year, and could devote very little time to missionary labor beyond
that connected with the school.
CONCLUSION.
In concluding this report I can express myself as being well pleased with the ad-
vancement made by the Indians the past year, and their future prospects I feel that
some of my efforts in their behalf have been successful, and that in all things I have
tried to do my duty in accordance with my best judgment.
Supplemental reports of schools and missionary work and statistical information
herewith.
Very respectfully,
JNO. D. MILES,
Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO AGENCY,
June 30, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit my second annual report of the Arapaho manual
labor and boarding school for the school year ending June 30, 1883 :
Male.
Female.
Total.
60
55
115
53
40}
931
2
2
5
5
10
5
5
10
7
7
Number transferred to Kansas .
1
1
The greater part of the children, who during the two months of vacation retained
their health and were not married came in school very readily and willingly. But
to substitute the vacancies of those who were not able to come in we were obliged
to take about twenty-five new children, which took almost a month until we had the
full number. Being once in school, they all seemed to be a happy flock, realizing
that it is a great privilege for them to spend their childhood in learning something,
BO that they may be able to make their lives a success.
The children's work in the school-rooms was very good indeed. They recite their
lessons very loud, with graceful manners and without any embarrassment. Some
read as fluently as white children of their age. It is very encouraging to see what
a talent quite a number of them have for mathematics, and in penmanship and draw-
ing they all seem to be naturally skilled. About two-thirds of the pupils can read
and write understandingly, and one-quarter work in the first four rules of arithme-
tic. But ahead of all, they enjoy music, vocal as well as instrumental. We have one
boy, Kiser by name, who is able to play at the least thirty hymns on the organ.
In speaking about the industrial work, I can say that the children take a great
pride in their work. The girls do all the laundry and kitchen work, under their able
instructors. The greater part of sewing and all the mending is done by the girls.
The work in these departments is done by those girls who are taken out of the regu-
lar school hours and detailed to said departments every day. This has proved to be-
a successful way of teaching them to do the work. Those two half days a week in
which we have only industrial school the smaller girls are taught by the teachers to-
cut and sew garments. They have manufactured during this spring, shirts, 45;
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 67
dresses, 30 ; skirts, 14 ; waists, 14 ; chemises, 24 ; aprons, 24 ; drawers, 6 ; pocket-hand-
kerchiefs, 72. Besides this, they have their regular work every day, as follows:
Sweeping, scrubbing, making beds, dish-washing, &c., which mnst be done at a set
time.
The boys' work has been very extensive during this past year, and was done by
them, over all expectations, well. Especially have they done a great work this
spring. About 24 acres, which were full of weeds, was raked, burned, plowed, pul-
verized, and then planted with field corn, sweet corn, watermelons, potatoes, beans,
and all sorts of garden seeds. While the season was good for the crops, it was also-
very favorable for weeds, which gave them a great deal of work in pulling weeds,
hoeing, and plowing. They have succeeded very well in keeping the fields and gar-
den clean, and for the last two months they have enjoyed eating the vegetables, which
yielded very abundantly. About 12 acres of field corn, sweet corn, potatoes, beans,,
watermelons, and a small garden belong to the children. This is a great encourage-
ment for them to work, when they see that they get something for their labor. But
one great mistake is that there are not enough farming implements and teams on this,
place to do the work with. During the year the boys have also built a meat shop,
wood shop, and a chicken-house, with a yard. All these buildings and some of the
fences were whitewashed. They also whitewashed the school-rooms and some of the
bed-rooms. The back yard was paved by them with rocks, which they quarried
and hauled, and some brick which they also hauled. The wood for fuel was hauled
by agency employe's, but chopped and split up for use by the boys. Quite a number
swing the axe with great skill. During spring we have kept seven milch cows, which
were milked and attended to by the boys, and the children appreciated the milk and
butter very much.
In speaking of the behavior of the children, I can but speak well of them. Gam-
bling with cards, dances, and Indian singing I have stopped, and they seem to be
more pleased to sing English songs, and, instead of dancing, to exercise their muscle
on the turn-poles which I have erected for them. Runaways we had but a few, and
they mostly went home on account *of poor health either of themselves or of some in
their families. In talking English, the children have done much better than the pre-
ceding year. Some can talk very fluently.
In the evening, before retiring, all the children gather in the principal school-room
for devotional exercises, in which they very heartily take part. On Sabbath morning;
every child and employe" attends our Sunday-school, which proves to be very benefi-
cial to them in respect to their spiritual life.
The health of the children has been exceedingly good this year. Very recently
some got sick ; malaria and scrofula are the two worst features.
On the 30th of June I shall stop work in this school, hoping that in my next field
of labor I shall not be compelled to work under so many disadvantages as in this.
Very respectfullv,
D. B. HIRSCHLER,
Superintendent*.
JULY 18, 1887.
DEAR FRIEND: I present herewith the fourth annual report of the Cheyenne
manual labor and boarding school for the year ending June 30, 1883. There* have
been 144 students enrolled during the year, with an average enrollment of 113.7 and
an average attendance of 108.7. There have been 12 children sent from this school to
the Indian training school at Carlisle, Pa., 8 to the Indian training school at West
Branch, Iowa, and 2 to Fort Wayne College, Indiana. There have been six deaths in
the school. The places of those who have been sent to other schools, and of those
who have died, and of those who have left school for any cause, have been filled by
children from camp ; and several have been turned away because we did not have
room to accommodate them. The general health of the school has been good among
students and employe's.
The work in the school-room has progressed steadily and satisfactorily. The result
of former years of labor is shown, as students solve examples readily in compound
numbers, form sentences containing given parts of speech, do good work in interme-
diate geography, and read understandingly in the fourth reader. The children
who enter school between the ages of six and ten yea^s progress much more rapidly
in their studies and in speaking English than those who enter after they are nearly-
grown. Besides the regular class- work the children have learned one new hymn or
song, and committed the golden text of the Sabbath-school lesson each week as a
part of the general exercise. They enjoy singing very much, and memorize readily.
Our Sabbath-school has been held regularly and with good interest. There has.
generally been a large class of camp Indians present, which has been taught through
an interpreter.
68 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
The children have followed with interest the international series of lessons. They
listen eagerly to Scripture truth. The evening collections have been devoted to Bible
reading or recitations of Scripture by the children, prayer, singing, and remarks on
religious subjects. While this work is mostly seed-sowing, yet there is evidence that
the seed is being received into good ground, and that fruit will be brought forth to
the glory of God.
The greater part of the manual labor performed by the children has been done out
of school hours. Details are sent to the different departments of the work morning
and evening, where they are taught in kitchen, dining-room, and chamber work,
caring for the school-rooms, chopping wood, milking, caring for stock, &c. Besides
this daily work by the whole school, a class has been detailed from the school-room to
work a part of each day, when the girls are taught to cook, wash, mend, sew, &c., and
the boys to plow, plant, and tend the garden and corn-field, repair fence, herd cattle,
&c. The children are interested in learning to work, and they do their work
promptly and well.
In reviewing the work of the year in its various departments we feel that under
the blessing of God it has been one of success.
Very respectfully,
ERVIN G. TABER,
Siqjerintendent.
Agent JOHN D. MILES.
CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO AGENCY, IND. TEH.,
DEAR SIR : I take pleasure in submitting to you with this a brief report about the
evening school with your Indian employe's, which you had the kindness to intrust into
my charge.
I opened this school on the 5th of February with six Arapahoes. The Cheyenne
employes sent me word that they would not come because we would not take any
Cheyenne children into our school. They came, however, on the next school evening,
and after that the Cheyennes and Arapahoes attended the school in equal numbers.
The school was held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The
branches in which instructions were given were, and had to be, strictly primary, and
embraced reading (from charts and a primer), writing, and numbers I also tried to
teach them; the English language, by having conversations with them, during which
I made it a point to impress on their minds the names of new words. I spoke mostly
English to them ; had, however, in order to be understood, frequently to resort to the
sign, and even to my very limited knowledge of the Arapaho language.
The pupils seemed to be very deeply interested in their work. Their excellent de-
portment, regular attendance, and great zeal to learn something, indicated to ine the
fact that they had begun (some more others perhaps less) to appreciate the value of
and the advantages afforded by an education. Concerning the actual result of this
work, it can necessarily be but small: (1) Because the pupils were all beginners. (2) The
term lasted only three months. (3) They received instructions only three times a week,
and only an hour each time. And yet, notwithstanding these disadvantages, some
began to read quite well, the results obtained in the other branches being equally
encouraging. When the spring work commenced, some of the employes had to work
at the agency, others complained of being too tired to come, and so I closed the school,
with your consent, on the 4th of May. The average number of scholars was about
eleven.
In closing, I cannot but congratulate you on the results of the experiment. Though
these results are insignificant, they are encouraging, and I hope that you will be able
to have the work taken up again and continued next fall. I have become fully con-
vinced that just by such evening schools a great deal can be done towards bringing
into direct contact with education that class of young Indians who will not attend
Government or mission schools, and who will consequently grow up in almost total
ignorance. Wishing you success and a rich blessing of God in any further under-
takings in this direction,
I am, respectfully, yours,
H. VOTH,
Mission ary.
Agent JOHN D. MILES.
CANTONMENT, IND. TER.,
August 15, 1883.
DEAR SIR : Gladly I comply with your request to furnish you with a report of our
missionary work at Cheyenne and Arapaho agency.
By December, 1882, our brick mission building, at the agency was completed and
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 69
we could open our mission school again. As the school could not be opened in Sep-
tember, we did not get t e number of children that we could have accommodated. We
have had aboift 25 children in regular attendance most of the year. The children are
taught the elementary branches of the English language, their advancement has been
rapid and thorough, and we know they are happy in their enjoyment of school privi-
leges. There were only a few cases of running away from school during the past year.
It is a punishment to the pupils to be sent back to camp.
So, also, the advancement in industrial education has been satisfactory with both
boys and girls. We have now boys that are faithful workers, and do most any com-
mon farm work promptly and well. Several boys and several girls are now actually
employed, and we pay them from $6 to $8 a month.
The teaching of the Christian religion is another and really the most important
branch of training in our school. For I do believe that a true and permanent civil-
izing of the Indians will never be accomplished without the religion of Christ. We
see this in the history of every other civilized nation, and the Indian race certainly
cannot be an exception. Show me an Indian who has accepted Christ as his personal
Saviour to a change of heart, and I will show you a civilized Indian with a radical
change of life. We may teach the Indian child all the arts of our civilized life, keep-
ing him away from the influence of his ignorant, superstitious, and idolatrous tribe
for many years, but without a living Christ in the heart such a child, returning as a
young man to his people, will soon fall back into the old superstitious customs and
habits of his race. The Indians are a religious people ; religion penetrates their
daily life; almost every act that they do is connected with some religious meaning,
scrupulously inculcated into the child from its infancy ; and they will be civilized only
by giving them a higher, the only true religion, that of Christ. We see this verified
by the movements of some of the adult and aged Indians, and especially by their medi-
cine men (sorcerers). They are beginning to see that Christian religion rigidly ex-
cludes their religion, and that the acceptance of it will at once break up their tribal
connections, customs, and habits. Seeing this, they more than ever begin to oppose
educational and missionary work. Seeing the value of Christian religion, quite a
number of our boys and girls are earnestly seeking the truth, and this has a powerful
influence on themselves respecting their daily life and conduct in school, and in camp
upon their own people.
The health of our children has been exceedingly good during all the year. We had
not one case of sickness which was at all serious. This circumstance did not escape
the notice of the Indians. A father once brought his daughter, being sick with con-
sumption and near the grave, begging me to take her in upon the plea that all chil-
dren recovered if they were staying in our house.
In May we sent ten boys to Kansas, placing them in good Christian families, who
take a great interest in Christianizing and civilizing the Indians. The boys are doing
well, earning from $5 to $13 a month. Some of them have a desire to remain during
the winter and to attend the public schools.
The school at Cantonment we were not ready to open before the 1st of July. Taking
charge of the buildings, we found them a great deal more in need of repair than we
anticipated. We have now made arrangements for 50 to 65 children of both tribes at
this place for the coming year.
The expense of our mission work of the past year amounts to about $8,462.20. This
includes the expenses for improvements which we have already made at Cantonment
as well as nearly $2,000 additional cost of our mission house at Darlington, to the
replacing of which Congress was so generous as to appropriate $5,000, the original
mission being destroyed by fire.
There were 15 acres cultivated in connection with our mission at the agency, the
garden and field yielding a great abundance. Nearly all the work in the garden and
field was done by our boys.
Reviewing our missionary work of the past year, we are, in spite of the many ob-
stacles to be contended with, not at all discouraged, but will continue in this work
with good courage and hope if God spares our lives, knowing that the Gospel of
Christ will at last conquer the hearts of our Indians and change their lives and cus-
toms ; it will civilize them. Thanking you for all kindness in morally and physically
assisting our work to the welfare of the Indians, and looking for the day when our
Indians are ranked among the Christian nations by the grace and mercy of Him from
whom all blessings flow,
I am, yours, very truly,
S. S. HAURY,
Mennonite Missionary.
Agent J. D. MILES.
70 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
KlOWA, COMANCHE AND WlCHITA AGENCY,
Indian Territory, August 17, 1883.
SIR : In accordance with instructions contained in circular letter of July 13, 1883,
I have the honor to submit herewith my sixth annual report of the condition of af-
fairs at the agency under nay charge.
I am much pleased at being able to report another year of quiet and peace and a
continued improvement upon the part of the Indians in learning and adapting them-
selves to the ways of civilized life. The following table represents by tribes the
number of Indians attached to the agency :
Kiowas 1,167
Comanches 1, 396
Apaches 337
Caddoes 535
Wichitas 216
Towaconies 162
Wacoes 51
Keechies 77
Dela wares 75
P. Comanches 165
Total 4,181
JMales 1,875
Females 2, 306
The health of the Indians has been good the greater part of the year, but during
the early part of last fall whooping-cough and malarial fever prevailed, the latter re-
sulting fatally in a number of cases. Several prominent men died during the year.
AFFILIATED BANDS.
The seven small tribes that formerly belonged to the old Wichita Agency are
teadily improving their condition. Some of these Indians, and those, too, who have
!>een the longest following the white man's way, are exerting themselves very little ;
but the larger portion of them are improving their homes by building up their houses
and enlarging their fields, and seem anxious to reach a condition of self-support.
These bands have been somewhat excited about their reservation the past year. They
have been occupying the country designated as their reservation since 1872, but under
an unratified treaty. The treaty was signed by representatives of the several bands
and the United States Government, but from some cause Congress failed to ratify it.
They have often asked that the title to their reservation should be perfected, and their
agents have several times called attention to the matter. During the past year they
liave laid claim to a portion of what is now known as the Cheyenne and Arapaho
Reservation.
At my request that some one be sent to look into the matter, Special Agent Towns-
end was ordered by you to investigate and report upon the merits of the claim. The
special agent came to the agency in the month of May last, and was for some days
actively engaged inquiring into the matter. I have not learned what his report was,
but dare say it is able and just. I hope the matter may be brought before Congress
next winter, and the question finally settled, so that these people may feel secure in a
reservation. They would certainly be more disposed to exert themselves in opening
p and improving their farms did they hold a clear title to their lands.
KIOWAS, COMANCHES, AND APACHES.
The Kiowa, Comanche and Apache tribes, although they have been a much shorter
time following the white man's way than the affiliated bands, are, I think, changing
their condition more rapidly. They certainly manifest greater zeal and seem to be
more determined in the work. Their progress in opening up farms since they moved
up to the Washita has been very marked. Their fields are all well fenced, and the
majority of them are of good size. I regret that because of a want of funds I have not
been able to have the sod broken for those who wished to commence farming this
year.
These Indians, too, have been somewhat exercised the past year about the tifcle to
*ome land. They have contended for some time that the section of country lying
between the North Fork of Red River and the 100th meridian of west longitude be-
longed to their reservation. A delegation visited Washington the past spring about
this matter, and they were Informed by the honorable Secretary that their treaty did
not embrace the section claimed, and that must be the end of it. They can.e home
satisfied, and I do not suppose the matter will be mentioned again.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 71
AGRICULTURE.
This has been a fine season for the farmer, such as is seldom seen in this country.
The crops will probably yield double what they did last year.
One of our Indian traders, believing that he had obtained the contract to supply
the military post at Fort Sill with corn (being the lowest bidder), purchased of the
Indians enough of last year's crop of corn to fill it, but he was surprised to learn that
the contract had been given to another party, who delivers the corn to the Govern-
ment in the State of Kansas, and it is then transported by rail at the cost of the
Government, through the Indian Territory, and hundreds of miles into the State of
Texas, until it reaches Henrietta, from whence it is hauled by wagon to Fort Sill,
making the total cost of the corn to the Government largely in excess of the trader's
bid. He now has the corn on hand, and there is no market for it.
It is a question with me where the Indians will find a market for the growing crop.
They should, of course, hold enough to supply their own needs, but the yield will be
more than they can use. It would certainly greatly encourage them could they real-
ize a good price for any surplus they may have. There is now a want of places in
which they can store their crops, but I hope that in another year many of them will
be supplied with these.
The number of acres in cultivation the present season is about 4,000, and the yield
per acre will be about 12 bushels.
RATIONS.
This is the first year since I took charge of these Indians that there has not been
an excitement in the spring about rations. Through the excellent management of
your office the year's supply was provided for. The Kiowas, Comanches, and Apachea
consented that a portion of their annuity fund should be applied to the purchase of
beef for the next year, rendered necessary because of an insufficient appropriation by
Congress. It may be a question whether this disposition of the clothing fund can
be repeated two years in succession, because of the probable need of the Indians for
clothing.
PURCHASE OF STOCK CATTLE.
I think that the order of the honorable Secretary that $30,000 of the annual treaty
fund of Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches, appropriated for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1884, should be applied to the purchase of stock cattle for the Indians, was a
wise one. I do not see how there can be any question as to the subsistence of these
Indians, as to the way in which they will finally be able to subsist themselves. It
is clear to me that it must be obtained, if obtained at all, by the rearing of cattle.
The country is not well adapted to agriculture : although the valleys are very fertile ;
crops often suffer for want of rain. Nor is the Indian himself fitted for the life of a
farmer. But the country is admirably adapted to the rearing of cattle, and the
Indian is by nature especially fitted to the pursuit.
The only question, then, is, how can they be supplied with stock cattle in suffi-
cient numbers for the produce to secure them a support by the time they are thrown
on their own resources? The herd might be built up, say, in the course of eight or ten
years, by renting their grass and purchasing the stock with the money; but the In-
dians are not willing to rent. Again, the cattle might be obtained, and that im-
mediately, too, would Congress advance the last five years of the annuity fund, as
suggested in my last annual report; but this Congress has so far failed to do. The
only other way I see is that adopted by the honorable Secretary. In this way a very
considerable herd may be built up some years before the expiration of their treaty
fund, and especially if the price of cattle should keep down.
Unfortunately, when the contract was let from your office, prices were running high,
and we only received, for the $30,000, 875 Texas cows and 31 graded bulls. By direc-
tions from your office these are being held in a herd, and I trust it may be added to
each year from the same fund from which it started.
I regret that the suggestion made in my last annual report, to get Congress to ap-
propriate the last five years of the annuity fund of the Kiowa, Comauche, and Apache
Indians, aggregating $263,500, and this to be invested in cattle, was not acted upon
by Congress, notwithstanding the honorable Secretary urged that the appropriation
be made. I have been pleased to learn that the plan will be laid before the next
Congress, and it is to be hoped that it may yet be favorably acted upon. A further
consideration of the plan has more firmly convinced me that the problem, so far as
the Indians are concerned, would be solved at the conclusion of ten years, could it
be adopted.
GRASS.
The grass question seems to be the most difficult thing I have to contend with. I
find it impossible to keep trespassing cattle entirely off the reservation, and we are
72 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
now crowded on all sides. It seems to do very little good to put them off, for it
is found that cattle that have just been driven off will come back on the reservation
as soon as the police force advances. Our Indians are not disposed to rent the grass ;
yet if it is used, it seems they should be paid for it. The greater portion of the
4,300,000 acres grows up and is burnt down, but that along the border of the reserva-
tion is consumed by trespassing cattle. The grass should be utilized in some way
that will benefit the Indians, and if it is not possible to supply them with herds suf-
ficient to consume it, it does seem as if the grass should be rented and the Indiana
receive the money for it.
INDIAN LABOR.
I cannot report as much work done by Indians the past year as was performed last r
and this not because the Indians were unwilling to work,*but because of the want of
funds to pay for the labor. The saw and grist mill has been run by Indian labor ;
young men have been constantly employed in the shops learning the several trades,,
and for carrying on the regular work about the agency, and commissary Indian labor
has been used. A large force is now being used making brick for the Wichita school-
house.
CREEK INDIANS.
Spieche's band of Creek Indians paid us a visit last spring and remained several
weeks. When they first reached here they declared it as their intention or wish to-
remain a few days only, and as soon as their ponies were rested they would move
off, but it soon became evident that they had no thought of doing so ; indeed, they
finally refused to go, and had to be taken by force. Col. J. C. Bates, Twentieth Infantry,
United States Army, arrived at the agency with cavalry and infantry troops, with
orders to return the Creeks to their country, and he managed the matter with such
great good sense that not a gun was fired nor was any blood shed. I think he re-
turned with about 850, including women and children. The Creeks claimed that a&
the trouble was between two factions of their own people, the United States Government
had no right to interfere, any more than if the trouble occurred in England. I was-
much pleased at the way my Indians behaved in the whole matter, as they not only
refused to harbor any of them, but assisted in arresting them and starting them back
to their own country. A remnant of the band is still here, and some of these are ex-
ercising an evil influence over my Indians. My police arrested four of them for in-
troducing whisky into the Territory, three of whom are now in prison at Graham,.
Texas, and will no doubt get the full extent of the law.
INDIAN POLICE.
The Indian police have done good service. In April last, one of them reported to-
me the presence of the notorious Indian desperado " Mu-cha-cho," a Mescalero Apache,
who has operated so conspicuously in New Mexico. I sent for Captain Son-ka-do-ta
and Lieutenant Per-mam-su, and they took a sufficient detail and arrested him, and
placed him in the guard-house at Fort Sill. It was a very creditable thing for them
to do, and they have been much complimented for it. The United States marshal
yery promptly came from Santa F6 and carried the prisoner to that place.
GAMBLING.
I regret I cannot report a falling off of this great evil.
FREIGHTING.
The freighting by my Indians, hauling supplies from Caldwell, Kans., a distance
of 150 miles, has been quite satisfactory during the past year. Whole amount hauled
during the year, 932,899 pounds, for which they received in payment $13,993.48.
MISSIONARY WORK.
The Rev. J. B. Wicks, of the Episcopal Church, has continued his labors as a mis-
sionary through the past year. He has recently moved his family from the Cheyenne
Agency to this agency, and will hereafter make his home with us. For information
upon the missionary work during the year attention is called to the report of Mr.
Wicks, filed herewith.
The Wichitas have a very flourishing church organization, having now a regular
pastor, Wesley Smith, a Seminole missionary, supported by the Baptist Church, and
holding regular service. These people evince much earnestness and willingness in
contributing to the support of their church organization. They have now a deposit.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 73*
from collections at church and other contributions, of about $200, intending, when a
sufficient amount is obtained, to enlarge and improve their church edifice.
I invite your attention to the accompanying reports of the agency physician and
school superintendents for details concerning their respective departments.
Very respectfully,
P. B. HUNT,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OP INDIAN AFFAIRS.
KlOWA, COMANCHE, AND WICHITA AGENCY,
Anadarko, Ind. T., August 17, 1883.
DEAR SIR: In response to your request, I take pleasure in reporting the present
condition and prospects of our mission.
During the year services have been held and instruction given as regularly as cir-
cumstances would permit. Several of the Indian youth have been baptized, and at
the bishop's visit last fall 12 were confirmed. Not all of those confirmed have been
equally faithful, but, on the whole, allowance being made for influences and tempta-
tions peculiar to their state, I think I can safely say that the class would compare
favorably with the same number of white youth anywhere.
The new church now building will soon be completed. It will be a neat and service-
able structure, seating from 175 to 200. It will cost, when finished, about $1,200.
Since coming to the work, two years ago, we can see real improvement on the part
of the Indian. They farm more and work more ; and, while the old heathen customs-
are yet powerful, still they are relaxing their hold, and the time is not far distant
when they will be known only in history.
I am received everywhere by the Indians with the utmost kindness. Last spring
I visited them at their farms, and was most agreeably surprised to find them doing
so much and such good work. They took pride in showing me their fields, and well
they might, for they were well fenced and kept. They expect me to come out again
this fall and see the harvest.
We intend to go on during the coming year as we have done heretofore, telling the
"old, old story," and marking the return as God gives the increase. To the agent and
family, and to all the employe's in the schools and agency and other residents, I am
indebted for many kindnesses. I arn grateful to all, and pray God to bless you richljr
in all things.
Very truly, yours,
J. B. WICKS,
Missionary of Episcopal Church*
Col. P. B. HUNT,
U. S. Indian Agent, Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita Agency, Ind. T.
OSAGE AGENCY, IND. T.,
August 11, 1883.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to make my fifth annual report of this agency.
The Reservation is situated in the Indian Territory. It is bounded on the north?
by the State of Kansas, on the east by the Cherokee Nation, on the south by the
Creek Nation, and on the west by the Arkansas River. It has an area of about
1,500,000 acres, the surface hilly, almost mountainous, with an abundance of sand
and lime formation. There are large upland forests of post-oak. Numerous creeks
afibrd plenty of water for stock, along which are found small rich valleys and some
valuable walnut and oak timber.
The reservation is occupied by the Osage, Kaw, and part of the Quapaw Indians.
It was purchased of the Cherokees, which tribe has given to the Government a deed
of trust for the benefit of Osage and Kaw Indians.
The Osages number about 1,750, over 300 of whom are mixed bloods. They are
naturally a large, healthy tribe, but their uncivilized habits cause them to become
ready victims to various diseases that are fast reducing their numbers. The full
bloods mostly retain their old form of dress, and are devoted adherents to their In-
dian religion. Many of them are indifferent to the education of their children or
adopting for themselves the habits of civilization. They are proud of their nation-
ality. They realize that they have wealth. Indignant at being classed as uncivil-
ized, they seem to live the Indian as an ideal of human happiness, thinking little or
the achievements of the busy world that surrounds them.
74 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
The Kaws number 265, 50 of whom are mixed- bloods. They occupy a tract of about
100,000 acres, which they purchased of the Osages, in the northwest corner of the
Osage reservation. They are rapidly decreasing from diseases contracted years ago.
The reproduction is small, and principally among the mixed-bloods. They are meas-
urably industrious. All have fields, in which they raise corn, beans, potatoes, and
other vegetables. The full-bloods mostly retain the Indian dress and adhere to their
Indian religion. They are generally friendly to schools, and by word accept the ways
of civilization, but by acts live very much as Indians.
The Quapaws that are here came by permission, leaving their own reservation at
the Quapaw Agency. They dress in citizens' clothes, raise small patches of corn,
live in log huts that they have^built for themselves, and many of them work for the
Osages. Their income is small, and I fear that some of them suffer for want of proper
food and clothing. Before their removal to this place a partial agreement was made
between them and the Osages by which they should become interested with them in
their reservation. This agreement, however, was not consummated. They have
lacked the incentive of permanency to stimulate them, and should be returned to their
own reservation or permanently settled here.
The crops this year are much better than for years past. Nearly every family has
a field of corn planted. Their early corn is ripe, and they have prepared a good sup-
ply for winter use. They will all have a good crop of large corn. The Kaws sold a
large amount to the agency trader and to stockmen last year, and will have more to
ell this year. No seed of any kind was furnished this year. A large number of
Indians purchased seed potatoes for themselves and have raised a fine crop, much
better than usual. They also have large quantities of pumpkins, beans, melons, &c.
Uo farmers have been with them to instruct them, and I think their success is good
evidence of the value of self-reliance.
School was commenced at Osage in September of 1882, and on the 1st of November
"the number increased to about 70 scholars. The parents were many of them unwilling
to give their children up after their experience the spring and summer previous with
measles and small-pox, and every child that was taken sick at the school was made
a pretext for many others to leave. By hard work the school was maintained until
the last of February, 1883, when, upon the rumor that small-pox had broken out
again, the scholars nearly all left, and the school was dismissed. It has not been in
ession since.
At Kaw Agency the school has been in session continuously during the year. Nearly
.all the children of school age have been in regular attendance, except during the
months of July and August, when most of them went home. The children are kind,
they submit cheerfully to discipline, and have made commendable progress.
of Indians have died, mostly with pneumonia and kindred diseases, caused by ex-
posure and want of proper care of themselves. Many of the full-bloods do not send
for the agency physician, and often when they do send will not comply with instruc-
tions, and are thereby deprived of good results. Their medicine men have a power
over them and generally prescribe for them, and often subject their patients to harsh
and cruel treatment, directly adverse to the general laws of health, and no doubt are
directly responsible for many of their deaths. My observation is that the prevalent
idea that the Indian is a close student of nature in his remedies and treatment of dis-
eases is a myth ; that, on the contrary, they manifest the grossest ignorance, both
as to cause, nature, and treatment of diseases common among them. They practice
deceit, claim their knowledge to be a direct communication of the Great Spirit, and
keep their remedies a great secret, which they impose upon their patients as possess-
ing marvelous qualities. Thus they generally impose themselves upon their people as
an ordinary white quack attempts to do upon a civilized community.
Indian laws. The code of laws adopted by the Osages for the settlement of difficul-
ties among themselves has been a great relief, dispensing with the almost daily com-
plaints that used to come to the office. Offenders have been tried before judges of
their own selection from their own people. Their decisions are generally marked
with fairness, and are cheerfully accepted by all concerned. The National Council
has been prompt to act on all points pertaining to the interests of their people, and
Las proven a very satisfactory channel through which to do the business of the nation,
as they are considered by all as the authorized representatives of the Osages.
During the year, 26 houses have been built for the Indians. They are of uniform
size, made of native lumber, the Indians themselves getting the lumber, stone, and
other material on the ground preparatory to building. A number of them have pur-
chased pine for floors, and at their own expense propose to finish and furnish t^heir
houses in a neat and comfortable manner. Some have built comfortable stables for
their horses and mules, fenced and whitewashed their houses, giving their homes the
appearance of comfort and contentment.
A church and school building have been erected for one of the lower settlements
toy permission of the council.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 75
In general the year has been one marked with no extraordinary events, but from
a retrospect we can see evidences of a steady change for the better, principally among
which are the manifest growth of self-dependence ; their desire to punish offenders for
crimes that heretofore have passed unnoticed ; their ambition to make their homes
comfortable by the purchasing of stoves, chairs, beds, and other articles of furniture ;
the desire for fruit trees, wells, barns, and other comforts around their homes ; and
many other evidences that justify the hope that there is yet a brighter future for
them.
For the harmony that has existed at the agency I am much indebted to the cordial
support that has been given me by all the employe's and other persons connected with
the service here. Acknowledging the kindness that I have ever received from officers
of the Indian Department, and thanks to a kind Heavenly Father for protection, I
am, yours, respectfully,
L. J. MILES,
U. S. Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PONCA, PAWNEE, AND OTOE AGENCY, IND. T.,
August 10, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to present herewith my first annual report as agent for this
consolidated agency, embracing the period from which I assumed charge thereof,
August 24, 1882, to date. By direction of the Department, the " headquarters " of the
agency was established on the Ponca Reservation, and thither I immediately removed,
with my family, taking with me such books, papers, and records from the offices oil
the several reservations embraced within the limits of the new agency as it was nec-
essary to have on file at that point for the proper conduct of the agency business.
The principal clerical work pertaining to the agency is carried on at the
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE.
Here all papers pertaining to the cash accounts of the consolidated agency are pre-
pared for transmission to the Indian Office, and the quarterly property accounts re-
ceived from the clerks in charge of the different reservations are carefully reviewed
and finally completed, to be forwarded to Washington for settlement. I have endeav-
ored to have the clerical work of the agency kept up to a good state of efficiency, the
official correspondence, monthly reports, quarterly accounts, &c., promptly forwarded
at the proper times, and trust your expectations have been met in this regard.
THE INDIANS
embraced within the limits of my agency comprise the following tribes, with a popu-
lation for each as noted: Poncas, 537; Pawnees, 1,212; Otoesaud Missourias (so affil-
iated as to be practically but one tribe), 262; Nez Percys of Joseph's band, 282; or a
total Indian population belonging to the agency of 2,293 individuals.
THE PONCAS
occupy a reservation embracing 101,894 acres, situated west of the Arkansas River
and between it and the Chikaskia. Besides these two rivers, the reserve is well watered
by a confluent of the Arkansas called the Salt Fork, and numerous smaller streams,
all serving to irrigate the country in an admirable manner, the bottom lauds forming
rich agricultural country and the benches excellent grazing land. On this reserva-
tion the Poncas are well contented and are making steady progress to ward self-support
and civilization; they are slowly but surely developing the agricultural resources of
their beautiful country, and parts of the reserve now present an appearance of a far
older settled country. The heads of families all have their claims definitely marked
by survey, and all are required to live on and improve their own allotted lands, and
any assistance extended to them in the way of house-building, land-breaking, &c., is
only done on condition that such improvement must be carried out on the claim regu-
larly allotted to the individual seeking the assistance. All the Poncas work for them-
selves and families to a greater or lesser extent, and I am well satisfied that each
succeeding year will show a marked and satisfactory advance to have been made by
them as a people in the white man's road.
A gradual but steady reduction in the amount of subsistence gratuitously furnished
them weekly by the Government, as contemplated by the Department, will, I believe,
inure to their benefit in the near future, and I can already see a good effect to have
76 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
been produced by such reduction (principally in beef) as is provided for the fiscal
year 1884. It has made them thoughtful for a future maintenance; but they have
received notification of the reduction without complaint, and with an expressed belief
that the course of the Government toward them in the matter is proper, and that
their best interests in the future will be subserved thereby.
The progress of the Poncas in agriculture is much improved over the past year,
and the extent of land cultivated greatly in excess of that for 188:2. Last year 9
individuals sowed wheat, for the first time (having had wheat furnished them by the
Government for the purpose), to the extent of 110 acres, and realized therefrom an
excellent crop. This year 17 individuals seeded 152 acres in wheat, having saved seed
from former planting or purchased it with their own means. Owing to an unfavorable
season, the aggregate yield in wheat this year is less than last, but the result of the
labor will not be lost, as its effect has been good, and those who failed to realize all
they anticipated are not discouraged, but appreciate the cause of partial failure, and
are preparing to sow at least as large an acreage, if not larger, than last fall. They
have now standing about 350 acres of corn, which promises to yield a more than aver-
age crop. I anticipate the product at 12,000 bushels. The Poncas are now generally
engaged in putting up hay for use of their stock during the coming winter.
Only a small portion of the old agency farm was put under cultivation by the farmer
for agency purposes last spring. He planted 10 acres of it in corn for use of agency
stock, and the balance was turned over to the Indians to cultivate for their own benefit,
after 15 acres had been allotted to the industrial school for farm and garden.
The Indian police on the reservation have been efficient and attentive to duty.
The Ponca Indians have been anxious to take advantage of every opportunity of
transporting freight to the agency, and no delay or carelessness has occurred in the
prompt delivery and careful handling of all freight committed to their charge.
A substantial barn has been erected for agency purposes, an improvement that was
greatly needed for the proper care and protection of the agency stock, and the animals
are as comfortably housed now as on any well-regulated farm. A commodious ferry-
boat was built and placed on the Salt Fork to keep communication open with the
Otoe and Pawnee reservations in seasons of high water, which may be said to be at
least one-half the year. An improved water supply for the Ponca Agency and indus-
trial school is now a subject of correspondence with the Department, which I hope
will result in a more convenient and copious supply than is afforded by the present
water-works.
The sanitary condition of this tribe is excellent ; no sickness of a serious character
has occurred among them during the past year. Malarial fever is the most frequent
cause of sickness, but prevails here to a much less extent than on the reservations
farther south.
No cases of drunkenness have occurred among the Poncas during the year, nor have
any crimes or minor offenses been committed that called for punishment.
Ponca industrial boarding-school.
This building, a large brick structure, was finished and ready for occupancy on
January 1 of this year. All the children, of both sexes, who could be accommodated
were promptly furnished by their parents, and the difficulty to be met was found to
be not in obtaining children to fill the school, but in having to deny admittance to
those anxious to come in. During the six months that the school has been in oper-
ation its progress has been entirely satisfactory, and I shall make strenuous efforts to
accommodate at least 80 children during the new school year. Sixty-five children
were all that could be properly taken care of hitherto. There are in the tribe 132
children of school age.
The industrial teacher, assisted by the school -boys, has cultivated a school farm of
15 acres, 10 acres being planted in corn and the remainder in vegetables ; in addition,
about 40 acres of prairie land have been broken for the school and a wire fence is
being put around the field. The school building has been inclosed by a substantial
board fence.
THE PAWNEES.
Believing that the location, timber supply, agricultural and other advantages per-
taining to the Pawnee Reservation have been sufficiently described in former reports,
I shall treat at once the points pertaining to the condition of these Indians, and pre-
sent a brief account of their doings the past year. They have, since the discontinu-
ance of the ration system, made very creditable progress in agriculture. Realizing
the fact that the weekly supply of subsistence could no longer be looked to as a means,
of support, they saw that their livelihood and that of their families must depend on
their own labor. Though the crops of 1882 were in the aggregate ample to meet their
wants, some portions of the tribe who had not made the proper provision for the fol-
lowing winter were short in the line of provisions, thereby learning a valuable lesson
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 77
to profit by in the future. This, as well as the fact of quite a number of the Indians
realizing quite handsomely from their last year's crop, induced the planting of a larger
area of corn than usual. "The prospect now is good for a fair jield. Potatoes were
also planted when parties were able to obtain seed ; about 25 bushels were issued for
that purpose, and in most cases have yielded well. The great difficulty is in inducing
them to retain a sufficient amount for seed the coming year. Last fall at seeding
time a great desire was expressed for seed wheat ; as this could not be obtained for
issue, several parties purchased a few bushels for that purpose. In this way seed
enough was obtained to sow 62 acres; from this 1,120 bushels of wheat was thrashed,
an average of 18 bushels per acre, and the quality was excellent. Being so successful
in this particular is encouraging to all parties, and a large area will be seeded this
fall. By degrees the attention of this people is being directed to a diversity of crops,
of grain as well as vegetables : of the latter some varieties are now used which a few
years ago were considered by them of no value.
The land cultivated is generally on allotments, and will hereafter be more strictly
confined to them, as the land is broken ready for cultivation. Since the opening
of spring 80 individuals have taken land in severalty, and there are at this time sev-
eral applications to have allotments surveyed and corners established. In these
allotments they are greatly interested, taking great care that the corners are well
established and the lines well marked. In order to make a complete success of the
allotment system, and to enable claimants to locate thereon, it will be necessary to
render them assistance in breaking enough land for instance, 5 acres each so they
can do the labor on their own land. It is not extravagant to presume that if such
aid was rendered every allotment would be occupied within a reasonable time.
Without such provision it will be impossible for them to occupy their claims in many
cases, as breaking cannot be done with ponies.
During the early part of spring considerable lumber was sawed at the agency mill
for Indians, for use in building their houses. These are principally built of logs, with
board floors, ceiling, and shingle or clapboard roof, and when properly finished are
quite comfortable. The agency carpenter is called upon only to place windows and
doors.
The Indian police force has been very efficient, having performed all duties as-
signed them. The policy of the Department in arming them with revolvers will
make them feel more the dignity of their position, and will also command more re-
spect from offending parties.
The industrial boarding-school, under the management of Superintendent L. D.
Davis, has been well maintained, and the result is very encouraging, the scholars hav-
having made rapid advancement in their studies, and the improvement in deportment
is very apparent. All work on the industrial-school farm has been accomplished by the
the industrial teacher, with the assistance of a daily detail of boys from the school.
About 80 acres of corn, 8 acres of sugar-cane, 4 acres of potatoes, and 2 acres of veg-
etables have been well attended. The interest taken in the work by the school-boys
is commendable. The school accommodations are not ample to provide for the wants
of the children of school age in the tribe.
Nearly all the annuity goods and subsistence stores were transported from Arkansas
City, Kansas, to the agency by Indian teams, the work in every instance being hon-
estly and satisfactorily performed, the larger part of the transportation being done
in payment for wagons and harness furnished them two years since.
The Indians of this tribe number, according to the last census, 1,212, showing a
decrease since last annual report. Frequent deaths occurred during last winter and
spring, mostly from pulmonary diseases. Pneumonia prevailed to a considerable ex-
tent, though fatal in comparatively few cases. Fatality principally existed in those
ases where the treatment was prescribed by native doctors. The influence of the
medicine-men, however, is declining, and as the old customs are gradually giving way
to more civilized and practicable ideas of life, the manner of living changing from
the dirt-lodge to the cabin, these "old timers" will certainly sink in the scale of ex-
istence, until they will be classed in the lowest level, even by their own people. The
agency physician has worked faithfully, and frequently under discouraging circum-
stances, to impress upon the Indians the necessity of having a good supply of pure
water for daily use, they having depended entirely upon creeks and stagnant pools
for water, which has always proved a prolific source of malarial fevers and ague.
Through his influence, wells have in some cases been sunk; in others, springs have
been opened and cleaned, so that the Indians see the benefit arising from the change,
and I am informed that but few cases of malaria exist, and that the general health
of the people is excellent at the present time. With a continuance of the disposition
exhibited by the Indians during the past year, the future for them is promising, and
all encouragement that may be given them will be appreciated.
THE OTOES AND MISSOURIAS.
In my annual report as agent for theso Indians, dated August 20, 1882, I noted the
location, extent, and character of the reservation belougiug to these Indians, and stated
78 EEPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
that but a small proportion of it was suitable for agricultural purposes, and in the in-
terim have seen no reason to change my views as expressed therein. Such land, however,
as has been chosen by these Indians, for farms, fenced and put under cultivation, is pro-
ducing very respectable crops of corn and vegetables. When harvested, I estimate their
crop of corn at 6,000 bushels, in addition to which they will have produced 200 bush-
els potatoes, 50 bushels beans, 10,000 melons, and 8,000 pumpkins. I concede to the
Otoes and Missourias a good deal of credit for this result, when it is taken into con-
sideration that they are hardly firmly settled on their reservation, having been moved
here from Nebraska less than two years ago, and also the great difficulty I have had
in bringing them to a proper idea of self-support and future maintenance.
When they are housed,! am in hopes that a more general feeling toward helping
themselves will be developed among tham. Six heads of families have built substan-
tial log houses for themselves during the year, having been afforded every assistance
at the saw-mill and by the carpenter that could be rendered. To complete these
houses, I was authorized to purchase shingles, doors, and windows, which I did in Ar-
kansas City, from which point they were hauled to the reservation by the Indians
needing them, without further expense to the Government. More of them are get-
ting out logs for building purposes, and I hope before winter sets in to have many
more of them settled in comfortable homes.
freighting.
These Indians have transported to the reservation during the year past from Ar-
kansas City 204,574 pounds of freight, for which they received the sum of $717.02. As
a rule they have been prompt and careful in the delivery of goods and supplies com-
mitted to their charge.
Indian police.
The Indian police of this tribe, as a whole, have not been as efficient and attentive
to duty during the past year as was desirable; but a reduction of the force, and a judi-
cious weeding out of members who had become lax in maintaining a proper regard
for their position as Indian police, has had a good effect, and the present force of one
officer and five privates perform their duties satisfactorily.
Education.
The industrial school has made excellent progress during the year, but with increased
accommodation for the scholars, particularly in the matter of a larger dining-room and
additional dormitory facilities for the larger boys, more satisfactory results would be
apparent. The matter of such increased accomodation at this school is now before
the Department for its action. The number of children who can be taken care of in
the school as at present arranged is nominally forty, but practically even that number
cannot be comfortably housed with a proper regard to health. The industrial work
of the school is carefully attended to, the boys performing daily labor in the cultiva-
tion of the school farm and garden, and the girls being taught sewing, housework, &c.
Improvements.
\
During the year a jail and barracks and a good corn-crib have been constructed,
and the agency barn finished. An Eclipse wind-mill, with 70-barrel tank, has been
erected, from which water is now laid down to the school. A school and agency farm
has been inclosed with wire fence.
Sanitary.
The general health of the Indians has been good, the majority of cases treated be-
ing malaria and its complications. They apply very generally to the agency physi-
cian for treatment.
The Otoe and Missouria Indians have been very quiet and orderly during the year.
No cases of drunkenness have occurred among them. They have been peaceable
among themselves and have committed no offenses against any whites.
THE ABSENTEE OTOES.
All my efforts to induce this portion of the Otoe and Missouria tribe of Indians to
rennite with their brethren on the reservation to settle quietly down to a peaceful
life, and with their wives and children to share in the distribution of annuity goods
and money, and issues of subsistence supplies have been barren of results. As the
Department is aware, this portion of the tribe left their reservation in Nebraska
before I was placed in charge of the Otoe and Missouria Indians, and came to the
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
Indian Territory. When I removed the balance of the tribe to this reservation, that
part of the tribe already in the Territory, under the leadership of two old chiefs, Med-
icine Horse and Heth-ca-mone, flatly refused to come and live on the reservation,
claiming that it was not the land they wanted, and that they could find that which
suited them better farther south, since which time they have led a precarious exist-
ence in the vicinity of the Sac and Fox Agency. This matter of the final disposition
of absentee Otoes is now before the Department, and I trust will reach a speedy set-
tlement. I arn ready to co-operate at any time in any arrangement that may be de-
cided upon for a satisfactory conclusion of the matter.
NEZ PERCYS OF JOSEPH'S BAND.
There is but little change to note in the condition or progress of these Indians dur-
ing the past year. They are a quiet, peaceable, and fairly industrious people, and
the better element among them is rapidly becoming civilized. All labor more or
less toward their support, and, besides what they realize from agricultural pursuits
and the produce of their gardens, have obtained a large amount in cash from the
manufacture and sale of Indian curiosities and trinkets, such as bows and arrows,
moccasins, gloves, &c., which they make in a tasteful manner.
The number of acres cultivated by the Indians during the year was slightly lesa
than for the preceding year, but the net result of their labor will show well, amount-
ing to 254 bushels of wheat, 1,455 bushels of corn, 200 bushels of potatoes and onions,
and 8,500 melons.
The day school, under charge of James Reubens, was carried on with its usual
jsuccess until the end of May, when Mr. Reubens dismissed the scholars, closed the
school, and, by permission of the Department, started for Idaho with 29 Nez Percys,
mostly the widows and orphans of those who were killed during their war. The
school will be reopened on September 1, under charge of a white teacher, and I antici-
pate good results for the coming year, as these children are eager and quick to learn
and of more than the average intelligence. The matter of building a new school-
house is now before the Department, and as the foundation is already laid and much
of the required material on the ground, but little additional expense will be incurred
in its construction. The services in the Presbyterian Church, under charge of Rev.
Archie Lawyer, a Nez Perce', are well attended by the Indians.
In conclusion, I will say that I have much to praise and but little to find fault with
in the behavior of the Indians under my charge during the past year. They have
done well, and I feel assured will steadily do better each succeeding year in their
progress toward civilization, which, in a comparatively few years, must so reach and
surround them as to overwhelm their existence as separate communities.
The agency employe's have faithfully and cheerfully performed all duties allotted
to them, and have assisted me to the extent of their abilities. I ivlsh particularly to
allude to the important services rendered to this agency by H. H. Arthur, superin-
tendent and clerk, and Capt. Rees Pickering, clerk in charge at Pawnee, both of whom,
by the knowledge gained from long experience in the Indian service, have been of
invaluable assistance to me in conducting the affairs of the agency. L. E. Woodin, jr.,
clerk in charge at Otoe, and Dr. James S. Woodward, superintendent and physician
at Oakland, have also performed excellent service in charge of their respective reser-
vations.
Very respectfully,
LEWELLYN E. WOODIN,
United States Indian Agent*
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
QUAPAW AGENCY, INDIAN TERRITORY,
August 16, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to present this my fourth annual report, in compliance with
instructions contained in yours of July 13, 1883.
This agency embraces 202,298 acres, and is situated in the extreme northeast corner
of the Indian Territory, adjoining the States of Kansas and Missouri. It is divided
into seven reservations, and peopled by the following tribes, viz : Quapaws, Peorias,
Miamies, Ottawas, Wyandotts, Shawnees, Modocs, and Senecas, numbering in all
1,071 ; besides 29 Pottawatomies and 13 Cherokee Shawnees, who are making their
homes here, but have no rights.
This locality is one of the loveliest regions under the genial southwestern skies.
Though the surface of the agency is generally undulating, there are some portions of
it considerably elevated ; the highest points are found along the eastern border, and
80 KEPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
are known as the foot-hills of the Ozark range of Missouri. Beautiful mounds occur
which frequently have a crown of timber upon their summits giving them the appear-
ance of islands in surrounding seas of prairie verdure. The surface inclination and
the interior drainage face the south. Spring and Neosho Rivers, the two princi-
pal streams, flow south through most beautiful and fertile valleys, and in their j auc-
tion form Grand River, which empties into the Arkansas. The scenery on Spring
Kiver is grand and peculiar; perpendicular or terraced walls of flint-rock, carved by
the elements into architectural forms of great regularity and beauty, like some great
gothic temple, tower upward a hundred feet or more above the water. The divide
between the Neosho and Spring Rivers is a beautiful country, whose far-reaching roll-
ing prairies, delightful mounds and plateaus, pastoral valleys, clear, winding, timber-
fringed streams, picturesque bluffs and ravines, unite in a landscape as fair and invit-
ing as ever gave welcome to the expectant pioneer.
This agency lies in the latitude of Southern Illinois and Southern Missouri, and has
the general climate of those regions. The winters are short and mild ; the snowfall
is very light ; the summers are long, with warm, breezy days and cool, refreshing nights.
The country is admirably watered, the Neosho River, with Four-Mile, Little and Big
Elm, and Tar Creeks, and a score of smaller tributary streams, drain the west part ;
the northeastern half of the country being drained by Spring River, Five-Mile,
Eock Creek, and Warren's Branch, together with scores of spring brooks, fed by clear
springs that issue from the outcropping flint aod freestone formations. The southern
part is drained by Cowskin River and its beautiful tributaries. No clearer, more de-
lightful streams can be found in the world, coming as they do from the foot-hills of
the mountain range, and replete as they are with beautiful fish.
The timber supply is ample for all wants, not less than half the area being covered
with oak on the highlands, and oak, ash, elm, walnut, hickory, sycamore, and cotton-
wood on all the streams named. The frequency of fires keeps the young growth of tim-
ber killed out, and gives the country in summer the semblance of a vast park of inde-
scribable beauty. There is an inexhaustible supply of. lime or sand stone of the finest
quality. Bituminous coal of fair quality is found on Tar Creek and the Neosho River.
Lead ore has been found in the eastern part of the agency, and there are many san-
guine parties who believe that in this section we have untold wealth that only awaits
the hardy prospector. Certain it is that unless the laud contains mineral much of it
is practically worthless for anything else.
The bottoms, valleys, and a major part of the prairie, which constitute 50 per centum
of the entire agency, are covered with a rich, dark soil from 1 to 6 feet deep, very
much like the prairie soil of Northern and Central Illinois. The thin soil on the stony-
land is generally covered with nutritious grasses. Most anything can be grown here
to perfection that is successfully produced between the northern limit of the cotton-
fields and Manitoba. Winter wheat, corn, oats, rye, broom-corn, sorghum, castor
beans, Irish and sweet potatoes, all field and garden vegetables, are successfully grown.
We have the elevation, soil, and climatic influences for successful fruit-growing, and
many Indians already have thrifty orchards of peaches, apples, pears, &c. Native
grasses of many varieties grow luxuriantly, and are valuable for grazing and hay ;
but from present prospects it is fair to presume that blue-grass will, in time, make its
way into the fields and prairies, as many lawns are already w^ell seeded. A few In-
dians have tried clover and timothy, and find they take well. But above all, t.'.is is
a superior stock country ; nutritious grasses, admirable water supply, ample natural
shelter afforded by the belts of timber on the streams, easy production of large crops
of corn, and a climate so mild that stock often live on the range the year through.
QUAPAWS.
The Quapaws number about 250, only 55 residing here. They have cultivated their
usual truck patches of 115 acres, but make no material progress, although they have
been semi-civilized for many years. The greatest ambition of many is to ride about
vestured in garments of barbaric tint, with paint and feathers. The majority are
indolent, and will do no work as long as they have a cent in their pockets or a loaf of
bread in the house. You can find them almost any day standing around their cabins
or leaning around drowsily, like animals who have been hired to personate men and
are tired of the job. Every act approaching labor is done with long-drawn leisure.
If they manifest any energy at intervals, you soon discover it to be a mistake. The
idea of retaining for such a small band 56, 635 acres, one-half of which is rich laud,
eems ridiculous. Not many years hence these large tracts of land will be in demand,
and under the watchful care of the thrifty pioneer they will be made productive and
add something to the aggregate wealth of the world, even at the expense of the Indi-
ans, who hold in common without producing more than a miserable living.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 81
PEORIAS AND MIAMIS.
The Peorias and Miarnis are well oil the road to citizenship, and my judgment is
that they will make no further progress until the Government allots their lands.
Some of them, like the whites under similar circumstances, would no doubt make
poor use of their lands if given to them without proper restrictions as to sale, but the
majority would be as prudent as any people, and should have their lands allotted,
especially where they so desire. Those who knew the tribes fifty years ago would
hardly recognize them to-day ; their children have long since lost their drawl of speech
and action to a great extent, so that now, for the most part, an active, well-to-do race
of farmers till the acres and control the destinies of the tribe. Their houses are al-
most invariably of frame, and of fair size and appearance, with far more attention
paid to comfort and comfortable surroundings than any one not familiar with these
people would expect. There is a general air of 4hrift and neatness in their homes,
and their school-houses will compare with any in the country districts of the East.
The tribes are interested jointly in the reservations, but their funds are separate ; they
number 203 ; have had under cultivation 3,288 acres, which have been well tilled and
promise an abundant yield. Their reservation contains 50,301 acres, almost one-hall
of which is fine agricultural and grazing laud. In the volcanic ridges, in the eastern,
part, are found old mining shafts, which give the impression that extensive mining
has been done, and that the country was occupied centuries ago, and give ample food
for thought full of tradition. They devote most of their attention to farming, although
the country is well adapted to stock. Losses by Texas fever in the past cause them
to be extremely cautious, and not one animal is kept where there should be ten.
These people have lived in civilization for years, and come in contact with the push-
ing pioneers of the West, who leave their own indelible impress upon all whom they
meet, and they have naturally been materially influenced by the aliens living around
them. A people ought never to be kept long as wards of the Government after the
individuals are fit for citizenship, and if the leading men of the Cherokee Nation, who
feel that they can make more by keeping their people at a standstill, will not oppose
allotment, they will soon be passed in the race for civilization.
OTTAWAS.
The Ottawas number 125, and have a reservation of 14,860 acres of as fine land as
there is under the agency. Nine hundred and fifty-seven acres are under cultivation.
For years past they have been anxiously looking and waiting for moneys due them
from the sale of lands which have not and probably never will come. If the matter
could be settled forever at once, it would be a blessing to them. The system that
prevailed for years of dealing out annuities has reduced some of this tribe to con-
sider begging an honorable calling, and a hand open to receive money would be a
suitable device for a tribal coat of arms. But few of the tribe realize the necessity
of labor ; and it is safe to say that civilization is at its lowest ebb wherever there is
the least labor. Labor is the great cultivator and disciplinarian of natures. Some
of these people have yet to learn that there can be no progress without well-directed
labor. The majority of them are temperate, and it is to be hoped that they will im-
prove the opportunities they have for success before it is too late. The more ad-
vanced members, protected as they now feel, are beginning to manifest a desire to be
placed on the same footing as whites. The fact that they have so strongly asked for
and urged the allotment of their lands, contains in a nutshell a history of the prodig-
ious revolution which is taking place in their condition, sentiments, and aspirations.
The tribe contains some well-informed men, who have a profound respect for religion,
and they all appreciate the necessity of educating their children.
A large part of their reservation is a wilderness which has never felt the tread of
the plowman. They greatly desire to lease a part of it for grazing purposes, and
thereby create at once a home market for their surplus crops and a handsome revenue
for the tribe. They can readily rent it at ten cents per acre per year.
EASTERN SHAWXEES.
The Shawnees are a quiet, modest people, holding a reservation of 13,800 acres and
cultivating 983 acres of it. They are decreasing, and number but 73. They are the only
agency tribe that with regularity keep up the " dauce," although a description of it will
convince any one that its influences, aside from the waste of time, are harmless. The
leader beats monotonously on a drum, just as all Indians do, to set the rhythm; the
men and women chant a weird song in a rising and falling, melancholy strain, and
all clap their hands in a peculiar measure, now louder, now fainter, and with pauses
and various lengths between the emphatic reports. The whole performance excites
in a stranger a lively curiosity, a sort of suspense. There seems to creep over the
dancers a reminiscence of far-off and mysterious things, while they seem to cath the
5916 IND 6
82 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
light of old traditions and to be imbued with the spirit of something belonging to the
past which they are about to reveal. They move around a circle without appearing
to step; the music of the drum and rattle of the deer-claws go steadily on, while the
dancers continue to execute that aimless and solemn performance. They work better
than some of our other tribes, but have no marked appreciation of our schools or an
education for their children. They are of a frugal nature and their preference seems
to be for farming rather than stock-raising.
WYANDOTTES.
The Wyandottes are our most advanced tribe, numbering 287; have had under
cultivation 1,946 acres. They keep up their tribal organization with tirst and second
chiefs andt hree councilors ; their elections are annual, and they hold business meet-
ings each month for the adjustment of any tribal differences. Their annual gathering
for the " green-corn dance" is reduced to a good old-fashioned picnic, where they meet
for sport, feasting, the naming of the new born, and a general reunion in the woods.
Here can be seen the "grat iron kettle," in which they annually cook their beef and
corn for this time-honored feast. All the culinary operations are conducted by the
women ; speech-making, singing, &c., are indulged in. Every one seems pleased and
general hilarity prevails during the whole day.
The Wyandottes are domestic in their tastes, but, like all people with Indian blood in
their veins, are partial to the easiest possible way of earning a living. Civilization
has about obliterated the good old custom of passing the pipe from hand to hand dur-
ing their councils.
The sentiments of our own border people have changed toward Indians, and the men
who assert the red man's humanity and immortal worth in the eyes of his and our
Creator are no longer treated as martyrs of old were who advanced unpalatable
truths.
The Indian service presents a wide sphere to the student of human nature for the
study of the Indian race and the comparison of tribal peculiarities and customs. Some
of our Indians often complain by saying that "wild fighting Indians are arrested and
fed, but agriculturists get no encouragement." The cultivation of the soil has in all
ages furnished employment for the largest and best portion of mankind; yet the
honor to which the agriculturist is entitled has never been fully acknowledged even
with our own race. Agriculture contributes more than any other pursuit to individual
comfort, and proportionately adding to the prosperity of our country. Upon its prog-
ress, more than any other branch of industry, depends the march of civilization. His-
torians duly chronicle the feats of the warriors who ravage the earth and beggar its
people, but leave unnoticed the labors of him who causes the desolated country to
bloom again and heals with the balm of plenty the miseries caused by war, and
there are few who know better than our advanced Indians this fact, and realize the
injustice.
SENEGAS.
The Senecas number 226, and have under cultivation 1,467 acres the present year;
they are not very well advanced, and many cling to the past, the constant recurrence
of which, manifested in various ways and in all councils with them, is in keeping with
their conservatism, a characteristic of the race, and explained by their nearly univer-
sal disappointment in all their dealings with the whites in former times. The mass
of the tribe know very little of hard work or how to make something by labor ; henoe.
when they draw their annuities they do not appreciate their value and are not saving,
but invest their money in useless property. When thrown on their own responsibility
they will be more cautious and provident. The old mute-looking tepees are things
of the past, most of them having comfortable houses. A home with this tribe gives
you an insight into the lives of a strange people, whose strangeness is passing quickly
away.
With the advent of European civilization upon this continent came also wrong
and shame. Columbus found a generous, innocent, and happy people, who knew
nothing of the terror of the sword. In return for their hospitality he gave them
beads and colored cloths, and took from them our new world. After nearly 400 years
can it be that these people are to receive the benefits of our civilization through acts
of justice so tardy ? The humane, Christian policy of the past few years gives them
hope, and the regular attendance and progress of their children in our boarding-
schools are not surpassed by any of the tribes.
MODOCS.
The Modocs number 102, a slight increase since my last report. The bold stand
they took in the Lava Bed war aroused the skeptic to a perception of latent power
in the tribe which has prompted a great interest in their social and intellectual con-
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 83
ditioii and progress. One can see quite a contrast in a picture of the Modocs as they
are to-day, with 480 acres of land under high cultivation, with a bountiful harvest in
promise, dressed in civilized garb, with an eager desire to educate their children, and
even the men learning to road and write, and that of the Modocs often years ago, of
flying settlers, devastated homes, herds and flocks ruthlessly slaughter ed, with per-
suiug troops following fast over mountain and plain. They are fast learning the value
of time and the importance of labor; not one hangs around the office now where there
was a dozen when I first came here four years ago. Many of the Modocs, as well as
members of other tribes, had a habit of coming to the office a few years ago and talking
for hours at random. One or two Modocs, already well advanced and far-sighted, Lave
said to me, that if "Uncle Sam" will give them a patent to 160 acres, they will ask
110 further, aid. In a few years we will only be able to look back to the dark and
bloody record of a people who have forever bid farewell to the past and live in the
present. They are an impulsive, not particularly hospitable, but ambitious people;
good workers, I think the best-we have. They are very skillful in riding and train-
ing horses, and experts in throwing the lasso. They are much more contented than
they were a few years ago; still they greatly desire that some member of the tribe be
allowed to visit their old home in Oregon and return with a report from their rela-
tives and friends. The general health of the tribe is far better than in former years.
The death of the boy sent to Carlisle school is a great disappointment to them, and
they declare that no more of their children shall go away to school. Of late they have
taken up the old practice of gambling, but I shall suppress it, even at the cost of
much time and worry.
EDUCATION.
We have in successful operation three day and two industrial boarding-schools, with
an average enrollment of 228. The subject of educating the Indian youth is being
largely discussed. Education should be compulsory ; many of the Indians are too in-
different to the interests of their offspring to send them to school. Indian children
out of school, like whites, idle away their time, lose their innocent brightness, laying
the foundation for a useless life.
Boarding-schools are much better than day schools, and should ever be industrial,
with, say, three hours in the morning devoted to common English branches, three in
the afternoon in sewing, cooking, and general housework for girls, and out-door and
shop work for boys. More practical industry is needed, and rewards for extra work,
well done, should be given.
The education of Indian children will be more rapid where they are educated with
the whites. There is no prejudice against the Indian, and it is very desirable that
their children should come in contact with white pupils.
The progress made during the past year has been very satisfactory. The schools closed
on the 30th of June last and reopen September I next. The friendsof the Indians are en-
gaged in a great work of national importance in the education of Indian youth, which
I trust will continue uninterrupted. Could yon hear the children in our different
schools recite in concert or sing, were it not for their faces, you would not suspect
that they were of Indian blood, so fluently and distinctly do they articulate. They
are apt pupils and make rapid advance in their studies, and as apprentices in our
shops make quick progress. Their social, domestic education is to them of incalcu-
able benefit, and when they leave our missions it is a rare thing for them to relinquish
what they have learned for the old habits.
BUILDINGS.
Located at the agency proper are the agents residence, a two-story structure, 24
by 53 ; two neat cottages for clerk and physician, 20 by 30, with an L 10 by 12; the old
agency log house, 20 by 60; a commissary, office, and dispensary, combined in one
building, 20 by 80, of too small capacity; a blacksmith-shop for Shawnees and
Modocs, 16 by 20, with wareroom attached, 16 by 32; slaughter-house, 16 by 20; and
stables, 18 by 20. The Modoc reserve contains a substantial school building. Situated
on the Wyandotte Reservation are the Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandotte boarding-
school buildings; the main building being 70 by 79, two stories, -4- -shaped; school-
house, 40 by 55, L-shaped; wash-room, 16 by 36, with necessary outbuildings. Ten
miles distant to the northwest is situated the Peoria school building, 26 by 60. On
the Qua paw reserve, 15 miles northward from the agency, are located the Quapaw
mission buildings, consisting of the main structure, 30 by 80, two stories; two dormi-
tories, 20 by 30 ; a school-house, 30 by 100, with the usual outbuildings. On the Miami
reserve is found the Miami school-house, 24 by 38.
IMPROVEMENTS, SAW-MILL, ETC.
The new saw-mill has been placed in position, but the amount of funds required to
successfully conduct it was so small that I am not able to report such results as
I hope for next year ; but enough has already been accomplished to demonstrate the
84 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
wisdom of the purchase, although a smaller mill that could have been easily trans-
ported from one reservation to another would have answered much better. About
100,000 feet of lumber and about 20,000 shingles were sawed. The logs were brought
to the mill by the Indians, and the Government does the sawing. All of the agency
tribes, with the exception of the Modocs, erect their own buildings, without expense
to the Government. Although there have been 42 houses erected the past year, this
statement gives but a meager idea of the improvements, as many old houses have
been thoroughly repaired, and additions made to greatly increase their c mfort.
There have been 895 acres of sod broken, and 19f miles of new fencing erected.
Our Indians are improving and advancing in agriculture, nearly all having good
plows, &c. ; many have mowers, reapers, and sulky bay-rakes, purchased wholly with
their own funds, while one Wyandotte Indian by blood, but now a member of the
Seneca tribe, has purchased and is successfully running a steam thrashing-machine.
POLICE, LAW AND ORDER.
The efficiency of the police force would be greatly increased by more liberal pay ;
however, they are a body of which we are not ashamed. The desire for peace, quiet,
and order is apparent among all the tribes. Occasional disturbances have occurred,
but of no import, and the difficulties have been easily adjusted by the police.
The same necessity exists for United States courts and well-defined laws, making
Indians and whites alike responsible.
Depredations have been much less the past year. The timber has not suffered much,
owing partly, I think, to a higher standard of citizens settling 011 the border.
The liquor traffic has received severe blows, and the warfare is being vigorously
kept up, four convictions having been secured from the town of Seneca, and several
others pending at Baxter Springs and Springfield.
RELIGION AND MISSIONARY WORK.
All the Indians that I have ever met have a firm faith in the existence of a soul.
They are superstitious, and apt to put easy faith in the power of ministers as they
formerly did in their medicine-men. As a rule, they are untroubled about doctrinal
belief, and enjoy that blessed condition of simple trust.
The missionary work has been earnestly looked after in all parts of the agency dur-
ing the year past. Sabbath-schools and church services have been held with regular-
ity at all the schools, besides out-door meetings at several places.
There is a little tendency of some religious societies to monopolize the missionary
field among certain of our tribes, instead of combining their efforts with all who wish
to accomplish the same end. In instructing ignorant people, it should be the aim of
all workers to see that their religion is not like that of^sorne of our more civilized in-
dividuals, which consists principally in hating with intense bitterness all who do not
worship as they do.
There is ample room for Christian workers, and the worthy benevolent societies who
raise large sums to be sent to foreign shores can find work closer at home, where the
fields are ripe for the reaper and the harvest as worthy.
In conclusion 1 must say that a rapid glance of this kind, not professing to be com-
plete, seems nevertheless to collect in one view the varied progress of the Indians
under this agency. May the present policy continue in giving them equal and exact
justice, is the wish of your obedient servant,
D. B. DYER,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SAC AND Fox AGENCY, IND. T.,
August 13, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor herewith to submit niy second annual report of the condition
of affairs at this agency, for the year ending August 20, 1883.
The tribes belonging to this agency embrace the Sacs and Foxes of the Mississippi,
the Absentee Shawnees, the Mexican Kickapoos, the Citizen Pottawatomies, and a
portion of the Iowa tribe from the Great Nemaha Agency. The Sues and Foxes num-
bered, by actual count at an enrollment in last May, 437; the Absentee Shawnees,
about 720 ; the Mexican Kickapoos, about 420 ; the Citizen Pottowatomies, about 500 ;
and the lowas, by actual count, at the enrollment in last July, numbered 88. Total,
2,159.
DEPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 85
THE SACS AND FOXES OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
These Indians are rather dignified and honorable, yet much the larger portion of
them wear the blanket and hold rigidly to many of the customs of their forefathers.
Almost all of these Indians have small fields uiider fence, a few having good farms,
with large herds of cattle, but their stock v*-ry largely consists in horses and ponies.
Nearly all of them have a few hogs. They planted more extensively last spring than
they had done for many years previous, and have rather better gardens than they
were ever before known to have. One of the old traders of this agency informed
me a few days since that he had sold them more garden seed last spring than he had
ever sold them before in one season ; and had also sold them more hoes and imple-
ments for working their gardens than he had for the seven preceding years. Many
of them have potatoes (of which they are very fond) to sell, instead of buying, as has
usually been the case with them. Having made a very poor winter's hunt last win-
ter, they seem to have realized the necessity of raising something to subsist upon, as
they can no longer depend upon the chase.
Their school, situated at the agency, has been kept up ten and a half months of the
year, with an average attendance of 28^- scholars. A portion of the tribe seein to take
a lively interest in the school, while a great many of them are opposed to their chil-
dren having the privileges of school, lest their hearts should become changed and
become as The white man's heart. Seven of their children were taken from then-
school here and placed in White's Manual Labor School at Wabash, Indiana. Their
places were soon filled by other children from the tribe.
The members of this tribe depend largely upon their annuity payments, which they
receive in money. For the last three payments they have received larger amounts
than usual, their being a delinquency which was made up to them.
THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEES.
These Indians, numbering about 720 souls, occupy the northern portion of the 30-
mile square tract of laud lying west of the Seminole Reservation, and between the
two Canadian Rivers in the Indian Territory. These ludiaus are self-supporting,
and, as a tribe, are an honorable, industrious people. For the past year they have
been very much disturbed in regard to the allotment of their lands, refusing to take
it in severally, but wanting it set off to them as a reservation to be held in common.
For some time last spring they refused to do anything, refusing to freight for the
Government or the irader, or even to put in a crop until the spring was far spent.
They finally went to work in good earnest, and have as good a crop as they ever raised.
These Indians have among them a great many cattle, some of them having small
herds. Many of them have good teams of mules and horses, good wagons, also large
numbers of hogs.
The larger portion of this tribe, in the last few years, have left the reservation on
account of the laud trouble, and moved northwest and settled north of the North Fork
of the Canadian, and on the Deep Fork River. They are doing well for themselves,
but as they are intruders they have been ordered back to their reservation, which
order 'they refuse to obey. As there has been a trader licensed to go among them,
they will feel justified in remaining where they are.
The school, located at Shawueetowu, has been in session for ten months during the
past year, with an average attendance of 46.3 scholars. The Shawnees not filling
up the school as promptly as was desired, I was authorized by the honorable Com-
missioner to fill the vacancies by admitting Pottawatomies. The school was tilled to
its utmost capacity.
THE MEXICAN KICKAPOOS.
A rather sarcastic, haughty, and yet a peaceable people, numbering about 420, aside
from what are in Mexico and Kansas. They, too, are somewhat dissatisfied about their
lands, claiming that the Government has promised to give them a reservation. I
think there ought to be some steps taken to have lauds secured to them so that they
may feel more at home.
They mostly have small fields, besides one larger field, which is held in common, all
of which are planted in corn, beans, peas, potatoes, or some other kind of garden
"truck." Their patches are well tended, and will yield a good crop. This tribe had
for several years received a small ration issued to them near their settlement, but the
Department saw proper last winter to do away with their superintendent, and to
require them to come to the agency (a distance of 35 miles) to receive their rations,
which caused a great deal of dissatisfaction amongst them. It caused five families of
27 persons to leave and go out near the Antelope Hills tor the summer. At a council
held with them very recently they requested that these rations be stopped ; and that
the money used in buying them should be spent for horses and implements to work
86 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
with, as it costs all that the rations are worth to come after them. This course I
highly recommend.
They protest bitterly against sending their children to school, saying that the world
might not last so long. They claim that this country rightfully belongs to them, and
that the white man was plac d here to work for them, and should give to them one-
half of all that he makes.
THE CITIZEN POTTAW ATOMIES.
A self-sustaining, industrious, peaceable people. Nearly all dress in citizens' cloth-
ing, and are mostly half-breeds. In fact, many of them are white men married into
the tribe. They mostly live in houses like the white people. Many more of their
children live to maturity than is the case among the blanket Indians. Most of the
latter die when they are young. The Pottawatornies claim that the Government still
owes them large sums of money which Congress fails to appropriate for them. They
also claim that the Government owes them $5,000 annually, which was intended for
the support of a boarding school.
Many of them have taken allotments. They have formerly been residing on the
southern part of the reservation, but latterly some of them have moved up on North
Fork and taken allotments among the Shawnees.
Their day school has b?en ably conducted by T. W. Alford, a Shawnee Indian and
graduate of the Hampton School, Virginia, during eight months of the past year, with
an average attendance of 15. It will shortly be reopened by another teacher, as T.
W. Alford will take charge of Absentee Shawnee school as principal teacher.
THE IOWA8.
This tribe, residing adjoining the northwest part of the Sac and Fox Reservation,
numbeis 88 souls. For several years they have been in very destitute circumstances,
having failed for some time to draw their annuity money. I made them one payment
last fall, and will in a few days make them another, which will enable most of them
to pay all they are owing, and leave them some money to spend otherwise. This
people have constantly retrograded since coining to this "country. Previous to com-
ing here they had been used to drawing annuity payments. Failing to get them here,
and having neither home nor employment, they would, after wearing out their
clothes, return to the blanket, and often stop speaking the English language, which
the most of them could spt-ak.
They live in tents and bark houses, and have no stock except a few ponies. A few
of them have wagons that are nearly worn out. But two of their children have been
in school during the past year, there being no school (Jor them. There are 20 children
amongst them of school age. They have made for themselves a few small fields dur-
ing the past year, and have some crops growing. They have been "making sweet corn "
for other tribes ; but as there has been considerable wet weather, the greater part of
the corn became too hard before there was much dried for any of the tribes.
INDIAN COURTS.
On my first arrival at this agency, I saw the great need of laws, and some mode of
settling difficulties, among the Indians. Soon after receiving the " Rules governing
the courts of Indian offenses," recommended by the honorable Secretary of the Inte-
rior, indorsed by the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, I brought the subject
before my Indians, by reading and explaining it to them. All except the Pottawato-
mies seemed to be very reluctant about adopting them, or any other laws, fearing
that it .night interfere with some of their ancient customs or traditions. The Pot-
tawatomies are very anxious to adopt some law by which their people may be gov-
erned, a matter which they now have under consideration.
SANITARY.
The health of the Indians throughout this agency has been only tolerably good,
as there has been a great deal of rain during the past year, and the winter was change-
able. Several deaths have occurred during the past year. The sickness was mostly
malarial or lung trouble, and often of very short duration.
Many of the Indians still hold to their old way of doctoring, instead of calling on
the Government physician; and very often when they do call on him, they will
quit taking his medicine before it has time to have the desired effect.
RELIGION.
SAC AND Fox AGENCY, August 13, 1883.
SIK : I feel elad that I have the privilege of making a brief report of the religious work at this, the
Sac and Fox mission. Two years ago last March I came to this agency as missionary, and was some-
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 87
what discouraged in finding so great opposition to religious work of every character. The former
agent was an irreligious man, who had no sympathy whatever with attempts to christianize the Indian.
During his stay both civilization and Christianity were greatly hindered. These Indians were thrown
back several years in their progress during hie administration.
About the time that he was removed by the Department another drawback occurred. An old Shaw-
nee woman pretended to have had a vision, in which she was told by the Great Spirit that the Indians
should not adopt the ways of the white man, but go back to and continue in the old ways of living and
acting. The Sac and Fox, with some of the other Indians living on the border of civilization, believed
this story, and determined to lay aside what they had received and go back entirely to the ways they
had left. So, when one obstacle was removed, the devil threw another in the way. There have been
dark days to the mission work among the Sac and Fox Indians. The work has been against a strong
current, but now the prospect is brightening.
The present agent is a very different man from the former one. Those who are connected with the
school, and other Government employes, seem to be interested in the real good of the Indians. The
agert and most of the employe* are Friend*, but all seem to be interested in the Baptist church.
The Indians, too, are now more free to talk than when I first came, two years ago. The chiefs and
leading men now come to my house and talk freely with me. The expression of their sentiments in
regard to the progress, in every regard, is certainly very encouraging, and I believe that there will be
a reaction before very long.
Trey are becoming more interested in sending their children to school, and the story about the
" vision " is rapidly losing its hold upon the Indians I am glad, also, to say that the white men and
women of this agency are taking a more active interest in the meeting.
A great deal has been done in this agency for the religious interests of the Indians. Looking back
over the history of this mission for the past two years, I can see that such is the case. There exists
a greater degree of friendship and unity. Everybody is ready to speak a friendly word to his neigh-
bor and the brighter days are coming.
I remain yours truly.
WILLIAM HTJRR,
Missionary for the Sac and Fox Indians, Indian Territory.
Hon. J. Y. CARTER, United States Indian Agent.
In conclusion allow me to say that while the work of the past year falls far short of
what we might desire, yet I can but acknowledge, with a thankful heart, the many
evidences of the raiding hand of a kind Heavenly Father, and should it be mine to
submit a "report " of affairs at this agency one year hence, let us hope that the experi-
ence of the past may contribute to better success in the future.
Very respectfully,
JACOB V. CARTER,
United States Indian Agent.
The C COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
UNION AGENCY, IND. TER.
SIR : I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report of the condition of
affairs at this agency for the year ending August 31, 1883. The tribes composing this
agency are
The Cherokees, numbering about 22,000
Choctaws, numbering about 18, 000
Chickasaws, numbering about 6, 000
Creeks, numbering about 14,000
Seminoles, numbering about 3, COO
Total 63,000
This includes white and colored adopted citizens. Census was taken by the Cher-
okees in 1880, but by none of the other tribes for many years. There are about 3,000
whites lawfully within this agency, as licensed traders, railroad and Government
employe's and their families. Several thousand are temporarily residing in accord-
ance with the provisions of the treaty, being emigrants, visitors, pleasure-seekers,
&c., and in addition to these there are about 16,000 whites, who are tenants or farm
laborers for Indians; several thousand claimants to citizenship, whose claims are
denied by the Indians; and several thousand intruders, making the population of this
agency nearly 100,000.
The different nations composing this agency have their own legislature and courts,
similar to those in the States, and all but the Seminoles have their constitution, laws,
and acts of council printed. The Indiausaresubjecttocivil and criminal jurisdiction
of their own courts. In civil cases between white men and Indians, and in cases of
differences between the tribes, this agency is the court.
UNITED STATES COURT.
In criminal cases where white men and Indians are the parties, or where both par-
ties are white men, the case is tried by the United States court at Fort Smith, Ark.
Afeout four-fifth* of the criminal cases tried at that court come from the Indian Ter-
88 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY.
ritory. The long distances witnesses must travel to reach this court make the ad-
ministration of justice not only very expensive to the Government, and to the wit-
nesses who are compelled to attend, but it is the cause of a large number of the
crimes committed in the Territory not being reported ; witnesses cannot afford to
travel several times to Fort Smith, Ark., to prosecute criminals. The fees and mile-
age will not pay ordinary fare and necessary expenses of the trip, allowing nothing
for the time lost. The business of the court is transacted as rapidly as possible, but
cases are continued from term to term, and several trips must be made by the wit-
nesses before the case is tried.
Criminals take advantage of this state of affairs, and crime is much more prevalent
than if a court was established in the Territory, as the treaty provides and the
Indians desire. The Territory having no friend at court to call attention to these
matters, the Indian Office should do so in the interest of good order and economy.
CRIMES.
The last Con'gress having neglected to enact laws making it a penalty to steal coal
and timber from the reservations of the live civilized tribes, large quantities are re-
moved by citizens of adjoining States, for which they pay nothing. This creates ill-
feeling among the Indians toward the whites, which has resulted in some shooting
affairs.
Whisky is the cause of three-fourths of ihe murders in the Indian Territory, and as
the number of intruders and bad characters increases from year to year the supply of
whisky is more plentiful. It comes into the Territory from all directions, by wagons,
pack-horse, railroad, and express, in all shapes and quantities. The profits in the
traffic are so enormous that parties will take all chances. One party captured with
a load of whisky stated that the last load he sold, 140 gallons, brought him a profit
of |4 per gallon, and requiring less than a month to make the trip. The police and
marshals do all that can be done, and arrest hundreds, who are sent to the peniten-
tiary, but the country is so large, and so much of it unoccupied, that the whisky ped-
dlers have ample opportunity to escape. Matters will not improve until the number
of marshals is increased, and appropriation made to pay a large police force of good
men to be on duty all the time. In this connection I am glad to note that with few
exceptions leading rnen of these nations are taking great interest in the enforcement
of law and the maintenance of good order.
CREEK TROUBLES.
The regular quadrennial rebellion against the Creek Government, after about a
year's duration, has ceased, and Is-par-he-che and his men are again quiet citizens of
the nation they attempted to destroy. The Hon. Clinton B. Fisk, and General E.
Whittlesey, chairman and secretary of the Board of Indian Commissioners, came here
by the request of the Department during August, 1883, and heard the complaints of
Is-par-he-che, and the answers of the Creek authorities, and, after several days of
counciling and speech making, succeeding in bringing about a settlement, in which
amnesty is granted for all crimes and offenses growing out of the late troubles, and
Is-par-he- cue's party to rake the oath of allegiance to the Creek Nation and become
good citizens. From appearance of the situation now the agreement will be carried
out in good faith for a few years.
Generals Fisk and Whittlesey are entitled to credit some where for their self-sacrifice
in this matter, coming here during the hot days of August, listening day after day to
the speeches and "pow-wows" of the chiefs and headmen until the small hours of
night, and receiving for compensation, only the thanks and good will of the Indians
and their friends, and the curses of white men whose occupation is gone when peace
is restored. The curses get into the newspapers, while the thanks are generally oral.
INDIAN POLICE.
There is at this agency an Indian police force of thirty privates and three officers.
This force is no longer an experiment, and is approved by the best men of the nation,
and is regarded as a contribution of a portion of the expense of rnanitaining order in
the country, where about one-fourth of the population are citizens of th United
States, over whom the nation can exercise no jurisdiction. They do not interfere
with the affairs of the nation, hence there is no clash of authority.
INTRUDERS.
When the number of the intruders in this agency is mentioned, the question is asked,
"Why does not, the Indian Office remove and keep them out, as the treaty provides ?"
I answer that as long as the statutes on this subject are as they are, the Indian Office,
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN INDIAN TERRITORY. 89
with the assistance of the entire Array, could not comply with the treaties made with
these people " to remove and keep out intruders." These reservations differ from those
of the wild tribes in this respect. There, all white men on the reservation are there by
permission of the agent. At this agency, 2,000 whites are here by permission of the
treaty, and 16,000 who labor for the Indians, and have permits issued by Indian author-
ities, besides a constant stream of emigrants through the reservation in all directions.
The Indians are to blame for most of the intruders being here. They employ white men
without obtaining a permit from their own authorities, as the treaty and their own
laws require. The white man thus employed without a permit is an intruder and
liable to be so reported at any time.
The last Congress having failed to provide a penalty for the return to the reservation
of those intruders who have been removed, the removal of intruders still remains a
farce.
CITIZENSHIP.
The question that has been so long before the Department as to whether the Indian
Nations or the Department shall determine who are entitled to citizenship in these
nations is in a fair way to settlement. Inspector Ward and Special Agent Beede, hav-
ing investigated the matter for several weeks here, have made their report to the
honorable Secretary of the Interior. A decision cannot be made too soon, as the un-
settled condition of this matter is a source of annoyance to the nations and claim-
ants. Since this appointment of the Commission I have declined to investigate claims
to citizenship and grant protection papers to those who present a prima facie case, as
has been the regulation heretofore ; and the authorities do not disturb claimants all
waiting for the Department to determine what shall be done and who shall do it.
PER CAPITA PAYMENT.
In 1832, when the Creeks were removed from Alabama, there were 573 orphan chil-
dren, and the United States set aside twenty sections of the lands taken from the
Creeks to be sold for their benefit as the President may direct. The lands were sold
and the money placed in the United States Treasury. After fifty years the sum re-
ceived for the lands, with interest, amounting to $315,995.06 was forwarded to me to
be paid to the orphans or their legal heirs. All except twenty-five of those who were
orphans in 1832 are dead. The money was paid to the orphans who were present, and
to the legal heirs of those who had died. At this payment, though thousands had
gathered to witness it, the best of order prevailed. The police were successful in
capturing a large amount of whisky intended for that market. This no doubt con-
tributed largely to keep things quiet. The claimants, in nearly every instance, after
paying their debts, took their money home with them. If the principal could be
paid during the year to the Delawares, to whom I pay annually about $50,000, it
would be better for them and for the service.
LEASED LANDS.
The Cherokees have collected tax from cattle-men for grazing on lands known as
the "Cherokee strip," lying in the northwest corner of the Indian Territory, for sev-
eral years. Last year the snin received was over $40,000, and collected by the Chero-
kee authorities. In June last, at the extra session, the Cherokee council leased the
above-mentioned lands to a cattle company for a term of five years, at an annual
rental of $10 >,000. The company is entirely responsible, and, as tliey pay the rent six
months in advance, the action of the council was certainly wise.
The unoccupied lands ceded by the Creeks to the United States are covered with
cattle, on which tax is paid to no one. The owners of these cattle, and those who
refuse to pay taxes to the Indian authorities, are violently opposed to leasing Indian
lands for grazing purposes, because, when the lauds are leased, those occupying them
are compelled to pay for grazing or get out. There is no sense in permitting hundreds
of thousands of dollars to burn up every year, or go into the pockets of a few cattle-
owners, who will not pay a farthing for the feed, when it could be let to the highest
bidder and a large revenue realized.
FREEDMEN.
Under the treaty of 1866 provision was made for the Choctaw freedmen becoming
citizens of that nation, or for their removal. No action has been taken since the
making of the treaty, and the Freedmen have remained citizens of the United States
and residing and making improvements in the Choctaw Nation. They are not sub-
ject to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts, and dissatisfaction and complications
have ariseu until the extra session of the Choctaw council was called in June, and the
Freedmen adopted on certain conditions, which, if accepted by them and approved by
Congress, will settle the matter forever.
90 REPORT OF AGENT IN IOWA.
CROPS.
The crops of corn, cotton, wheat, and oats are very fine, and are produced entirely,
or nearly so, on the bottoms along the -streams. The uplands are good for grazing
only. The crops are raised by white renters mostly, who rent farms from the Indians
on the same terms that laud is leased in the States. Under their own laws an Indian
is entitled to all the lands he will fence, or have fenced; consequently nearly every
Indian can have a farm without much exertion on his part. Horses, cattle, hogs,
cotton, pecans, and furs are the chief articles of export.
SCHOOLS.
Each of these nations has a public-school system similar to those of the States, and
holds teachers' institutes at its capitol annually.
The settlements are so very far apart that schools can be established only at those
localities where ten or more scholars can be got together. The neighborhood builds
the house and the nation furnish teachers and books. Most of the teachers are edu-
cated Indians, who teach the English only in the schools. In addition to the neigh-
borhood schools, as they are called, each nation has academies and seminaries, all
boarding schools, for their children only. The Cherokees have, two fine seminaries,
that have been in operation for years. They are managed and operated by Chero-
kees. The Choctaws have three large academies, one under the management of the
Methodist Church South, and the other two by the Presbyterian Missionary Board.
The Chickasaws have four academies, conducted by contractors, who are citizens of
the Chickasaw Nation. The Seminoles have two, one under the management of the
Methodist Church South, the other by the Presbyterian Missionary Board, the nation
paying the managers about $80 per annum for each pupil boarded, clothed, and edu-
cated. The Creeks have four seminaries, one under the management of each of the
following religious societies : The Methodist Church South, Southern Baptist, Presby-
terian, and Baptist Home Missionary Societies, the latter school for Creek freed men.
In addition to the above there are a number of " pay schools." These are schools
established by private enterprise and students paying 'tuition, except in cases where
individuals or societies in the States pay tuition for certain students. These schools
receive no support from the nation. Worcester Academy, at Vinita, Tinder the super-
vision of the Congregational society, erected during the last year by funds subscribed
by citizens of the Cherokee Nation, is one of the best in the Territory, and had about
100 students during the last year. Harrell Institute, at Muskogee, managed by the
Methodist Church South, has about 150 students, and will erect a fine academy build-
ing during the fall. Indian University, at Tah-le-quahj managed by the Baptist Home
Missionary Society, will be removed to Muskogee during the fall and a $12,000 build-
ing erected. The Presbyterian school for girls at Muskogee are erecting a building for
boarding-hall, and will open school in September. The schools managed by religious
societies, either as pay schools or under contract with the nations, are the 'most suc-
cessful
RECOMMENDATIONS.
I respectfully recommend that proper steps be taken to secure passage of laws pro-
viding for imprisonment of intruders who return after being removed; for punish-
ment for stealing coal and timber from the reservations ; for establishing a United
States court within the Territory, as the treaty provides; for increasing the pay and
number of police, and for payment of the principal to the Indians who receive per
capita payment.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. Q. TUFTS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER or INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SAC AND Fox AGENCY,
Tama County, Iowa, August 15, 1683.
SIR : I have the honor to submit the following as my fifth annual report of the
condition and progress of the Indians under my charge.
The Fox or Musquakie tribe of Indians, are located in Tama County, Iowa, where
they have lived for over thirty years, surrounded by a large population of white
people. They now own about 1,340 acres, having recently purchased 365 acres, at a
cost of $13,000, taken from their annuity funds. This tract of land is about one-third
timber, and the balance good grazing and farming land, though subject to overflow
iu tim; of high water. It is owned in common, and held in trust by the governor of
the State of Iowa. Individual Indians, however, own 85 acres in their own right,
making a total of 1,425 (at a cost of $28,000), which is all fenced with wire and boards.
REPORT OF AGENT IN IOWA. 91
Two hundred and fifteen acres are under cultivation this year ; the crops look very
promising, and the estimated yield will be : Corn, 8,000 bushels; potatoes, 700 ; beans,
900; turnips, 150; onions, 25. Also of squash, pumpkins, melons, and other vege-
tables, there will be about 100 wagon loads. This will give the tribe an abundance
of food and a surplus to sell.
The Indians have worked very well this season, the men doing more work in the
fields than ever before. They have made 250 rods of fence, and built ten new houses
out of bark and boards. A number have also been employed by white people to work
in the harvest field.
The tribe numbered at the last enrollment about 350 persons. Since then 20 chil-
dren have been born, and there have only been 2 deaths, which will make the number
at the next enrollment about 368.
About 700 horses are owned by this tribe, which constitute their principal wealth.
They also own personal property to the value of about $20,000. Last fall they re-
ceived $10,000 in annuities, that, with the sale of furs trapped during the winter, and
the sale of ponies, has clothed them well, while the crops raised have given them
plenty to eat. So that they are well off, for Indians, and are content and happy.
The conduct of these people has been exceedingly good during the pa8t*y ear '
They have lived peaceably with one another, and with their white neighbors. I have
not heard of a single crime committed among themselves, or to white people, and there
has been much less drinking among the young men than at any time since I have
had charge of them. The women continue well-behaved, chaste, and industrious.
The children are brought up strictly to be good Indians, according to their views.
These Indians are still making some progress in educating themselves, but all in
their own way ; they are still opposed to sending their children to school, and still
more bitterly opposed to any missionary work being done among them. They still
adhere to many of their old customs and religious ceremonies.
The chiefs and headmen will petiriou (through the members representing this State
in Congress) to have a more equitable and just division of the annuities belonging to
the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians. They claim the Fox tribe all live in Iowa, except
about 20 that are with the Sacs in Indian Territory; also, that they number 350, the
Sacs 440. That all the country ceded to the United States by various treaties was
owned one half by each, and that in justice they ought to receive one-half of all the
proceeds received by the Sac and Fox tribes from said treaties; that the annuities
belonging to both tribes amount to over $51, 000, and that they only receive a little over
$11,000, while the Sacs in Indian Territory receive the balance. They also say the
allotment when made by Congress was made under the impression that there \vere
only 80 Fox in Iowa. The reason they intend bringing the matter before Congress is,
that the allotment being made by them, it is not in the power of the Indian Depart-
ment to adjust it.
The health of the Indians has been very good this season, and only two deaths have
occurred since last fall.
The Industrial School was suspended on the 1st of October last, the teacher hav-
ing resigned. The school was again opened in May, under the charge of Miss Allie B.
Busby, assisted by Miss Anna Skea, who represents the Ladies' Home Missionary
Society of Iowa. Both these ladies have had several years' experience as teachers
among the Sioux Indians. The attendance so far at the school has been very small,
but we hope it will gradually increase, as the prejudice of the Indians (which was ex-
cited against the school some years since) is, in a measure, overcome by time. It may
at length disappear altogether, and they will be willing to send their children to
school. I have done everything in my power to induce them to do so.
As soon as the Indians gather their crops, and receive their fall payment, they will
all leav T >, except a few families who have no horses and scatter over different parts of
the country, one or two families in a place, to hunt and trap. They all have friends
among the farmers, who permit them to camp on their land, and allow them to have
fuel. They help husk the corn, and get jobs to cut wood and make posts during the
winter. The farmers also let them have the stalks in the field to feed their ponies.
The young Indians associate with the farmers' boys, and they sometimes teach them
to road and write and figure. In this irregular way they have acquired what educa-
tion they have. They return to their homes about the first of May, in time to put in
their crops; but as long as they continue this practice of wandering around, and only
remain on their own land live months in the year, they cannot advance much in civil-
ization, or in accumulating property. They must settle down, and have permanent
houses, and raise hogs, poultry, &c.
The farmer has done all he could to assist the Indians in farming, as well as helping
those that ivmain during the winter to get in fuel.
I respectfully inclose herewith the statistical information called for.
Very respectfully,
GEO. L. DAVENPORT,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
92 REPORT OF AGENT IN KANSAS.
POTTAWATOMIE AND GREAT NEMAHA AGENCY,
August 16, 1883.
SIR: In accordance with instruction I herewith submit my annual report of affairs
at the Consolidated Pottawatomie and Great Nemaha Agency, having under its con-
trol five separate tribes, the Pottawatomie, Kickapoo, Iowa, Sac and Fox of Missouri,
and Chippewaand Christian Indians. The population of the various tribes as shown
by last pay-rolls are as follows :
Persons.
Pottawatomies 410
Kickapoos 234
lowas 132
Sac and Fox, of Missouri 75
Chippewa and Christian or Munsee 71
In all 922
There are living on Pottawatomie Reserve, in addition to above number, about fifty
citizen Pottawatomie Indians, a part of whom are married into the tribe, but do not
draw annuities. They live on Pottawatomie Reserve by common consent of the Prairie
Baud. There are about 280 Pottawatomie Indians living with the Winnebago Indians
in Wisconsin, who are members of the Pottawatomie tribe and would receive tribal
benefits, should they come here to live; they visit their friends here frequently.
POTTAWATOMIE INDIANS.
This tribe is the largest band in this agency ; they are located on a reserve 11 miles
square, containing 77,357 acres,in Jackson County, Kansas, 12 miles from the Union
Pacific Railroad. This reserve is mostly rolling upland with narrow fertile valleys
along the creeks and small streams. The upland is fine for grazing cattle, and portions
of it have proven by experience to be fine for tillable purposes.
The statistics of these Indians show more advancement and improvements since last
report than any others in this agency except the Iowa tribe The industrious and
prosperous members are verv anxious to possess money and property, which requires
them to be energetic and active. They will realize one-half larger crops than in previ-
ous*(y T ears. A number of these Indians are very good farmers and managers. Under
the diligent care of the superintendent of farming they have learned the necessity of
planting their crops early. The old custom was to wait in spring until their ponies
could get fat on grass, which is obviated by the use of corn. There are a number of
very aged Indians among them that never* will or i, wer could change their mode or
custom of liviug. They are, with the exception of a few, provided with comfortable
houses, which they are enlarging, remodeling, and repairing all the time.
Act of Congress May 17, 1882, appropriated $8,000 for these Indians annually from
funds (interest on Pottawatomie general fund) for their support and civilization,
which was expended last year as follows: $5,000 paid per capita, $1,000 for support
of wheelwright, and $2,000 for purchasing agricultural implements and lumber.
KICKAPOO INDIANS.
The Kickapoo Reservation is located in Brown County, Kansas, 5 miles north of the
Union Pacific (Central Branch) Railroad and 40 miles from Atchison City. It is a
fine body of land, interspersed with streams fringed with timber, with uplands grad-
ually sloping back, which are very fertile. Three-fourths of this reserve can be util-
ized for agricultural purposes. The remaining one-fourth is well watered by springs,
and is fine grazing land.
These Indians have every advantage to become self-sustaining people. A majority
of this tribe are advancing in civilization, but as heretofore stated in my reports there
has been a faction among this tribe for three years, consisting of a leader with follow-
ers, who oppose any advancement towards civilization, and has used his power in a
way to be a detriment to the industrial school for that tribe.
The agricultural results, as shown in accompanying statistics, are as satisfactory
as could be expected. They have done more fencing in the last twelve months than
in any previous year; they have comfortable houses, and there are several fine bear-
ing apple and peach orchards on the Kickapoo Reserve.
A tract of this reserve laid aside for mill-site and missionary purposes has lately
been appraised for the purpose of selling to the highest bidder, the proceeds to be
used for the benefit of the Kickapoo tribe.
IOWA AND SAC AND FOX OB 1 MISSOURI INDIANS.
The Great. Nemaha Agency was consolidated with Pottawatomie October 1, 1882.
That agency is comprised of the lowas and the Sac and Fox of Missouri. They are
located in Kansas and Nebraska, on joining reserves, containing about 24,000 acres of
REPORT OF AGENT IN KANSAS. 93
excellent grazing and farming land, interspersed with streams well timbered. The
lowas are far more advanced in civilization than the Sac and Fox of Missouri. The
lowas are a prosperous tribe of Indians, the white blood predominating to a more or
less degree. They are as good farmers as the average white class, some of them rais-
ing fine fields of corn, wheat, oats, &c. They seem to appreciate their surroundings,
send to school, and are willing for their children to work, and if it was not for the
use of intoxicating drink would be an exemplary tribe.
The Sac and Fox of Missouri are of a different nature, they clinging somewhat to
the traditional superstition of their fathers, but which is being gradually destroyed;
and they are, with the exception of a few, an indolent and dissipated tribe, receiv-
ing larger annuities, which is to their detriment rather than their ad vantage. They
seem to tolerate the school, and through the persuasions of the employe's send their
children. This tribe, with the exception of a small per cent., are full-blooded In-
dians.
The Sac and Fox of Missouri Reserve is situated along the Nemaha and Missouri
Rivers, and is the finer reserve of thetwo, but this year it was submerged during
June by the freshet from the Nemaha and Missouri Rivers, materially injuring their
crops. ,
The lowas and Sac and Fox of Missouri have been agitating the question of moving
to the Indian Territory ever since and before I assumed charge of them. This has
had its detrimental effects in the way of improvements upon their present homes.
Last spring they wished the Department to allow them to use each tribe's part of
their annuity money for the purpose of defraying the expenses of. delegates to visit
the Territory to select homes there, and were to remove if the delegates should like
that country. The Department granted the authority for the use of funds as re-
quested by thetribes,in letter dated March 9, 1883, but with the proviso "that all the
Indians at the Great Nemaha Agency belonging to the said tribes should remove to
the Indian Territory." Under the authority, with the exception of a few, they con-
cluded to remain upon their present reservations, and have been satisfied until the
last mouth, when a delegation of two Indians from the Indian Territory visited them
for the purpose of explaining to them the benefits derived by removal ; and at the
present time they are agitating the question again, and a large majority are express-
ing desires to join their tribes in the Indian Territory.
CHIPPEWA AND MUNSEE INDIANS.
The Chippewa and Munsee Reserve is situated in Franklin County, Kansas, on the
Marais des Cygnes River, 8 miles from Ottawa City, and contains 4,395 acres of land
which is known as the Chippewa hills. The soil, all but what is in the valleys,
which is not over a thousand acres, is of a clay subsoil, mostly covered with black
oak timber, and is very fertile for that class of laud. These Indians raise very good
corn, oats, and potatoes.
This tribe having been made up of two different tribes, the Chippewas and the Mun-
sees, which are about equally divided as to number in the band now, seems to cause
some strife among them. They have some very good Indians, but as a tribe they are
very quarrelsome and dissipated. There are some white men among them who are
agitators and keep up a dissatisfaction among the tribe. They have made several
applications tome to visit the Indian Territory for the purpose of selecting a new home
and selling their present reserve, which I believe would be to their advantage. They
are principally half-breeds ; there is not a member of the tribe without white blood.
EDUCATIONAL.
This agency has 3 industrial boarding schools under charge: Pottawatomie 1,
Kickapoo 1, and Sac and Fox of Missouri 1, which are not as satisfactory as I would
like, but at the same time they are doing very well considering ohe light in which
the class of people who support these schools look at education they who so recently
held to the traditional predelictious of their fathers, who believed in the chase and
his annuity for a livelihood. It can be seen very plainly that the man who engages
in agricultural pursuits much sooner realizes the necessity of an education than
the man who depends on his annuity for his support. Few Indians send to school
through choice, but from the persuasive influences and understanding that unless
he does the child's annuity will be cut off, or he will be deprived of agricultural
implements. And after the parents are induced to send to school, they are very
troublesome about their children working, which I consider the most important bene-
fit derived from these schools.
The average attendance at the three schools during the year was 76 pupils. The
pupils in attendance are becoming industrious and cleanly boys and girls. Attached
are statistical reports of each school.
94 KEPORT OF AGENT IN MICHIGAN.
WHISKY TRAFFIC.
The reservations of this agency are located in Kansas and Nebraska and surrounded
by a thickly-settled class of farmers, which stimulates, to some extent, the indus-
trious Indians' desire to imitate their neighbors in agricultural ways; but, on the
other hand, there are always some among these settlers who infuse bad ideas among
the Indians and assist them in a great many cases to secure intoxicating drinks in a
way which is very hard to detect.
While we have a prohibitory law in Kansas, it appears to have been a detriment, so
far as the Indians are concerned, in securing whisky. I have indicted several parties
during the year, and have warrants in the hands of the United States marshal at this-
time. The only trouble in breaking up the whisky traffic is from the reluctance upon
the part of Indians in testifying against whom they purchased the whisky, and in many
cases it is procured from itinerant whisky venders, who visit the borders of these res-
ervations, particularly after annuity payments.
There has been more sickness than usual in the past year, particularly with the
Pottawatoniies.
Very respectfully,
H. C. LINN,
United States Indian Agent.
Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
MACKINAC INDIAN AGENCY,
Ypsilanti, Mich., August %, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor herewith to submit my second annual report.
The Indians of this agency are for the most part Chippewas, with a large sprink-
ling of Ottawas, and a remnant (about 100) of Pottawatamies. The first-named are
scattered widely over the State north of Saginaw Bay, and settled in small communi-
ties of from thirty persons up to several hundred. The Pottawatoniies are by them-
selves, located in Calhoun County, upon land owned in common, paid for from means-
provided by the Government some years since, and surrounded by flourishing communi-
ties of whites. The total number of Indians in the agency is bet ween seven and eight
thousand. An agency so situated requires more effort to secure results than one where
the Indians are all confined within the narrow limits of a reservation. To assist them
in their real grievances and dismiss their imaginary ones without injustice, to see to
their schools, protect them in their land troubles, and encourage them in their indus-
tries has been my constant aim. I have been specially interested in two things:
First, urging them to keep and work their land; secoW, to keep their children in the
schools. I have succeeded fairly, not np to the full measures of my desires or hopes,
but many Indians have during the last year been impressed with the importance of
these matters, and lands are far more difficult of purchase from them than a few years
since, as they begin to realize their value. Had patents not been issued in fee, thou-
sands of Indians would have good homes who now have none, having years since
parted with their land, in many cases for a mere pittance, while the wise policy
incorporated in some treaties of allowing them to sell only by consent of the Presi-
dent has saved large numbers of homes to them.
During the year there has been no epidemic whatever. There is much scrofula
among them, and many are consumptive, while owing to poor houses and our rigorous
climate many of the children die; but happily the people have escaped epidemics pe-
culiarly fatal among Indians, as they have but little idea of nursing and poor accom-
modation for their sick.
The Indians of Michigan are mainly engaged for a livelihood in fishing, working
at jobs, and farming ; there are very few mechanics among them ; they are valuable
in the lake ports as laborers to load and unload vessels, and are first-class woodsmen,
and in these two pursuits hundreds are constantly engaged. Besides these laborers,
there are several hundred connected with the fisheries in our great lakes in one way
and another, and a few are proprietors of fishing apparatus and succeeding well.
A large number also are engaged in farming, and are succeeding moderately well.
Most of the lands occupied by them are well to the north, and will not admit of grow-
ing much wheat, but oats, barley, potatoes, ;ind hay can be grown in abundance, and
these farm products they are, for the most part, engaged in raising. I have encour-
aged them as much as possible in these pursuits, and at council meetings have often
spoken, as I believe with good effect, upon the great value and importance to them of
farming.
While keeping in view my duty to urge them by all possible means to be industri-
ous, I have also kept the schools at work as best I might to assist the children. I
REPORT OF AGENT IN MINNESOTA. 95
, experienced mw.li trouble in keeping up the attendance during the last cold winter,
and yet more with some of the teachers whom I found at work when I assumed charge
of the agency and who were entitled to a fair trial. I have weeded out the poor ones,
as I believe, and having thoroughly repaired the school-houses, and received the
promise to send thrir children more regularly, I am hoping that the current year will
see a larger attendance. But the meager cost of these schools is not for a moment, in
my judgment, to be compared with their real value. I have eight schools now and hope
to be granted permission to open two more. Without these schools 90 per cent, of those
in attendance would never see the inside of a school-house, so remote are they from
white schools.
The bane of the Indian is whisky; this is the one foe that stands over against his-
prosperity and future. It is a question of time only when he will disappear unless it
can be kept from him. During the year I assisted in prosecuting one Joseph Cook for
selling liquor to an Indian. He was tried in the United States district court without
a jury, both sides being desirous that the law should be interpreted, the facts not being
disputed. Judge Withey reserved his opinion au<l the case will be reargued in October
before a full bench, when the constitutionality of the law will be passed upon, and it
is hoped for its affirmance. In this event I will see that the business is made too un-
profitable to follow.
In looking over the year's work I have not accomplished all I had in mind and heart
to do, but I can see that something has been done; the Indians, many of them, have
progressed, many others are striving to do and be something, and I expect to aid them.
much more during the present year by reason of my experience in the one just gone..
Very respectfully,
EDWARD P. ALLEN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
WHITE EARTH AGENCY, MINN., August 21, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit my second annual report of the condition, progress,,
and prospects of the Chippewas of Northern Minnesota, containing the three reserva-
tions of Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth, and under the name of the White
Earth Agency.
While the advancement of these Indians towards civilization may seem slow, I am
fully convinced that they are improving, and each returning season they are more-
desirous to obtain the latest improved farming implements, and show much anxiety
to become self-sustaining through their farms. My policy has been to impress upon
them that their subsistence must soon be wholly the product of their own labor, andi
to disabuse their minds of the idea that the Government owes them a living.
It is very important that the south and eastern lines of this reservation should be
well marked out so as to avoid any conflict between them and the white settlers, and
would recommend that this be done as soon as possible. Many Indians have removed^
to the southeast corner of the reserve, and trouble has arisen in this matter of not
finding the exact lines.
The Pembina Indians, living on their own township 18 miles north of this agency,,
have made good progress in enlarging their farms, and they have every reason to be
thankful to the Government for being so liberal to them, as they receive about one-
fifth of the appropriation called the Red Lake and Pembina fund.
The Otter Tail Pillagers, living north of the agency about 13 miles, and about 8
miles east of the Pembinas, have not been so bountifully cared for, and consequently
their progress is not so marked. They are in need of oxen, wagons, and other imple-
ments, and I hope to furnish them out of this annuity fund, intending to make out
the estimate soon for those articles.
The band of Indians living here and called the Mississippi Chippewas is the largest
in numbers, and as their annuities, according to the present treaty, will expire next
year they may be compelled to rely on their own resources. It is unfortunate that
the other part of this band, living at Mille Lac, White Oak Point, and Sandy Lake,
could not be induced to make this reservation their home, where no better region of
country of the same extent can be found in the Northwest adapted to agriculture and
grazing purposes. If funds could be appropriated and the proper effort made, it
would no doubt start the tide which would bring them all here in a few yeais.
1 have been much gratified with the progress made the past year in our schools. I
consider it the most important feature of my work, and one on which the future good
of these Indians will depend almost entirely. When the school closed last year the-
scholars had dropped out one by one until the attendance was reduced to a smalL
number. This year, at the close, we had almost our full quota, and they were all even.
96 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA.
anxious to remain during vacation. The teachers have enforced good order, and
more than ordinary interest has been shown in their studies. With the energy and
good management of our principal, the boys have worked well and raised sucli a boun-
tiful supply of all kind of vegetables as never had been seen here before, and our
school garden of five acres, besides its usefulness, is highly ornamental and the admi-
ration of all visitors.
Our new school building, when finished and furnished, will give us all the room
necessary for many years. I think it wise to conduct the school independent of any
sectarian influence, as the children attending are from families of both denomina-
tions.
The police force has been a strong arm this year to the agent in the enforcement
of law and order. I am sorry that "men so faithful cannot receive better remunera-
tion.
The judges of the court on Indian oifenses selected from the police force have given
much satisfaction in the decision of cases among their own people, and have done
much to aid me in producing peace and harmony.
The Indians at Red Lake are not rapid in their improvements. The soil is not
adapted for agricultural purposes, but on the western part of their reserve there is
plenty of prairie of the best quality, and they should be induced to labor there. I
have urged them to take up homes on the prairie lauds, but the older men are dis-
inclined to listen to such advice.
The Leech Lake Indians should be removed to this reserve. There is no hope for
much advancement while living around Leech and Winnebagoshish Lakes. Their
soil is unfit for farming purposes and scarce in grass. These Indians are much troubled
because there has been no settlement of damages for building the dams. They have
made threats as to what might occur if their claims for damages were not heeded soon.
I think a new effort should be made, and the only feasible way in my mind is that of
arbitration.
During the last winter the small-pox did much havoc with the Chippewas at the
head of the Mississippi River; seventy-two of their number died from that dreadful
disease. Dr. Walker, who was the physican at Winnebagoshish Dam, at the onset of
the disease began to combat it, and did so at the peril of his life. I think the Govern-
ment is greatly indebted to him for his valuable services.
I have to thank the Department for the patience exercised and the assistance ren-
dered me in the many complex questions which have arisen during the past year.
Very respectfully,
C. P. LUSE,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
BLACKFEET AGENCY, MONT., August 6, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to forward my seventh annual reporC of the transactions at
this agency, and that a correct understanding of the present condition of the Indians
under my charge may be had, a brief retrospect is necessary.
These Indians are part of the large nation known as Blackfeet, Bloods, and Piegans,
and their reservation extends along the northern boundary of this Territory for 300
miles. The division line, when established, left about equal numbers in charge of
each government, and as children of the same family or nation the intercourse has
been continued and has its effects on their habits and civilization. Until within the
past two or three years the Canadian Government issued no supplies to their Indians,
and as a natural consequence the Indians from north of the line made use of their
family relationship to gravitate towards the agency that issued food and annuities,
thus swelling the number on the agency roll and drawing from its supplies. Since
the commencement of the Dominion Government to issue food and money to their
Indians this usage is reversed, and the movement is assisted by the reduced rations
this agency has now to give, many Indians, especially those not having bouses, artfully
trying to belong to and draw rations from both sides of the line, but without much
success. From these causes a steady reduction of the numbers on our record has been
going on.
AGRICULTURE.
Since the first efforts at farming and house building were made, some six years ago,
the work has made moderate but steady progress. There are now nearly 200 log cab-
ins, substantial and comfortable, with, in most cases, small patches of cultivated
ground attached. They are scattered over the reservation where there is tillable land.
Last, fall there was a fair crop of potatoes raised, and as no Indian had cellarage frost-
proof, they were instructed to bring into the agency cellar a portion to be preserved
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. 97
for seed. This was done by some forty of them, and 138 bushels were taken care of
and distributed to them again this spring. All other Indians who had prepared
ground also received seed. The Indian farms being so far apart, it was impossible
to supervise and see that the seed thus given was put in the ground. An after-in-
spection of the farms showed that only a small part of the seed had been planted; the
greater part had been eaten, as might have been expected.
There was much alarm and disturbance caused by the frequent raids made from
across the line by Crees and half-breeds during the spring and summer months. As
many as 200 ponies were stolen and run into Canada. In some cases pursuit was given;
and encounters followed, resulting in 1 Piegan killed and 2 severely wounded. The
Crees are reported to have suffered greater loss. One of our Indian villages on Two
Medicine River, eight miles north of the agency, was abandoned in consequence of
these raids, the Indians yet living in lodges near the agency, afraid to return to their
homes and farms. Several visits were paid us by United States soldiers who made
search for these Crees, but unsuccessfully. As a result of these alarms, a check was
given to house building and the cultivation and extension of their farms, which will
take a long time to overcome.
Early in winter, from reports of the killing of cattle from the agency herd, a night
guard was appointed, but was only useful in checking, not in preventing, the evil.
A stop was only put to the practice by driving the herd near the agency, and corral-
ing them at night. The only palliation for this outrage was that the rations issued
were not sufficient to prevent hunger. Only by this resource, and the issue of the 30-
tons of potatoes raised on the agency farm, was fatal suffering avoided.
Two impediments to the success of Indian farming exist here : First, the inability of
Indians to break up the ground, stronger horses and more skill than they possess-
being necessary ; second, the necessity for more supervision and instruction while
planting, caring for, and reaping crops than it is possible for the limited agency help
to give. The Indian will work if shown how, and he understands the benefit re-
sulting. His imitative power is great.
EDUCATION.
The day school has been well attended throughout the year, and fair progress was
made by the pupils, the number present often being above one hundred ; yet the two-
teachers had no trouble in keeping order, and no urging was required to keep up the
numbers, as the school is popular with the children.
A boarding school was commenced in January with seventeen pupils, and continued
with small alteration in number till the end of June, when a vacation was given..
The benefit to the Indian children from constant attendance, and away from the dirt
and evil example of lodge life, was evident in their rapid progress, especially in Eng-
lish speaking, as this is much discouraged by Indians amongst themselves. The
invariable evening recreation indoors was to repeat over again the lessons of the-
school room.
The giving of the vacation was hastened by the parents of the boarding-school
children, on one pretext or another, drawing them away, and the offered resignation*
of matron and assistant. The reasons given for their resignation were various, ancll
not by any means satisfactory, the principal one being that " they were tired of living,
a civilized life, and wished to return to their old habits." Distrust had been sown
in the minds of the children and their parents by county officers, who had arrested'
a youth for killing cattle, and told the school boys that they were coming back to
arrest them all. When the vacation ends and another matron can be had, the board-
ing school will be reopened.
CIVILIZATION.
One of the most formidable difficulties in the way of the civilization of these tribes
is their unreasonable heathen superstition. A house in which a death occurs must be
at once abandoned, and all the deceased's effects are promptly appropriated by the
surviving relatives. Until these and other practices more senseless and cruel are
given up, it will be impossible to abolish their nomadic habits or permanently locate
them.
These tribes present a wide field, and it should not be overlooked our own home
field for the exercise of Christian missionary effort.
POLICE.
The police are becoming more useful as they get familiar with their duties. Dur-
ing the year two were discharged for disobedience. As the service is popular, the best
men can be had to fill vacancies. Stricter discipline, less liberty to wander off, and
more service to perform, have increased the efficiency of the force.
5916 IND 7
98 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA.
CONCLUSION.
Now that all game is gone from their reservation, no support can be derived from
hunting, and they evidence the proper disposition to help themselves by doing as
they are instructed in tilling the soil and raising such crops as the rigor of the climate
allows. A wise guardianship of these wards calls for them to be provided with such
instructors and proper means as are necessary, with least delay, to bring them up to
the point of self support. Until that is reached humanity requires that they and
their children should not be allowed to suffer hunger.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN YOUNG,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
CROW AGENCY, MONT., August 15, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit my report of affairs at this agency for the year
1883, being my second annual report. I am very sorry indeed that I am unable to re-
Eort greater progress. Although I have been in charge of this agency a year and a
alf, I am not yet situated so that I can carry out the settled policy I wished to pur-
sue to teach, persuade, or compel these Indians to become self-supporting.
It was my intention and my earnest wish to place not less than fifty families upon
their permanent, separate homesteads at the beginningof this season; and there were
that many, or a larger number, who would have done well, but I have not been able
to do this for the reason that we have not yet succeeded in getting the agency removed
to that part of the reservation where their permanent homes are to be. The location
selected is so remote from this agency that it is difficult for us to labor with the Indians
over there, as long as they have to be supported by the Government, and our base of
supplies are at the present agency, 120 to 150 miles distant, and at the same time attend
to our duties here. For these reasons we can hardly be said to have made a begin-
ning. We feel that we have been held back by these questions, which ought to have
been settled some two or three years before the time of my arrival.
At the date of this writing the indications are that the new agency buildings will
not be completed in time for us to take possession next spring, but even if they are
not we shall make an effort to locate seventy-five to one hundred families on the Big
and Little Horn early in the season.
On account of the expectation that we would remove in the fall of this year (in
which expectation I fear we shall be disappointed) we have not extended the limits of
our farming operations much beyond what they werf ^ast summer, because we thought
it useless to break up sod-ground for use one season only.
There have been a much larger number of Indians who were anxious to farm this
season than heretofore, some that I really did not expect would be willing to do any-
thing for years, if ever certainly not during my term of office. To provide land for
these Indians I have been compelled to divide our agency field into smaller patches
than last year. In this way I have been able to accommodate sixty-six families in
our agency field alone, and quite a number of families in the four other fields close
by, but separate from the agency field. Their patches are free from weeds and in
good order, as many visitors to the agency this summer can testify. We have also
broken a little new ground, but not much, for the reason above mentioned.
In the mean time, while we have not been able to carry out our settled plans for
making the Crows become self-supporting, the surrounding country has settled up
with whites with such surprising rapidity that their occupation, their moans of sup-
porthunting by which they have been accustomed to support themselves three-
fifths or two-thirds of each year, has been taken away from them suddenly and before
they comprehend the situation, so that they are thrown helpless upon the Government.
There is no game left upon their reservation at all worth speaking of, and we shall
have to have a much larger quantity of supplies than have been allowed us for the
present fiscal year, or the Crows will starve, or else go over the line and hunt upon
the adjoining territory, much to the annoyance of their white neighbors. For several
years it has been customary for the entire Crow camp to move away from the agency
and spend their winter months in hunting, frequently outside the limits of their own
country, as they thought they had the right to do under the fourth article of the treaty
concluded May 7, 1868. They ought not to be permitted to do this another time, and
if not, then the Government will have to support them, certainly until we begin to
locate them upon their permanent homes on the Big and Little Horn Rivers, and par-
tially for a time afterwards. I shall exert myself to make this time that they have to
be supported as brief as possible, and after we get started shall be able to do many
things to produce this result which I cannot do now.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. 99
Although we have such a meager report to offer in regard to the progress of the
Crows towards the life we are so anxious to have them adopt, yet we must say that
they are not entirely to be blamed in the matter. It is true that many of them are
worthless and will never do anything to earn a living until driven to it by necessity
and want, but those who show a disposition to do something for themselves have not
been encouraged and assisted as they should have been and would have been, had we
been able to establish them on their separate homes. It is true that there is no Crow,
not even the best and most progressive, "who does not prefer his wild life to that of the
white people, but there is a considerable number who are sensible enough to see that
the old times are past and can never return. We can reason with such men, and they
are now ready to locate on their permanent homes, and have been for a couple of
years or more.
If any agent would try to locate the entire Crow people at once he would make a
dismal failure of it ; but let him take those who are already well-disposed, give
them a fair start with the moneys now due them, and he will succeed ; and the re-
mainder of the tribe, seeing the first prosper, will soon be anxious to follow after.
In most other respects, aside from our failure to locate the Crows upon their home-
steads, our affairs have moved along satisfactorily. A few cases of horse-stealing
have been reported by the whites against the Indians, and by the Indians against
the whites. We have not suffered nearly so much from the raids of northern Indians
as last summer. A number of parties have trespassed on the reservation by cut-
ting timber, but not so many as we expected would do so.
There has been very little drunkenness. A few Indians have drank a good deal of
whisky, not in the vicinity of the agency, however. But the great majority of the
Crows have no taste for it ; they dislike it. I am able to prevent the use of intoxicat-
ing drinks very easily in the vicinity of the agency, but it is seldom I have to exer-
cise my authority in this respect.
In respect to learning our language and sending their children to our boarding school,
the Crows appear to be more backward than those tribes that have been the fiercest
and most warlike. It has taken a great deal of talk and persuasion to get the few
scholars we have. Except in regard to numbers the school is a success. We have
now but 8 boys and 7 girls in our boarding school. Since my last report we have sent
3 of the largest boys to Carlisle, Pa., 1 little half-breed girl to relatives in Ohio,
and 1 boy was compelled by his parents to run away, so that now we have a less
number than at the beginning of the year. We had the misfortune to lose our dor-
mitory by fire on the night of the 1st of the present month, and expected also that half
our children would not come back to us in consequence of the fire, but have^succeeded
in getting them all to return. We immediately crowded the employe's of the agency
closer together to make room for the children in the quarters, but cannot find room
for a larger number than we now have. We have 6 Indian children attending our
school in addition to those who live with us in our home, and the children of employe's.
After we shall have removed to the new agency we expect to require the Crows to send
their children to school.
It seems to me that the things the Government ought to do to settle this Indian
business are few and simple ; that is is only the agent and his employe's who have the
difficult, wearisome task ; that if the agent has the disposition to do right and knows
what is the right thing to do the Government ought to allow him to go ahead and do
these things in the same way and with as much energy as he would if it was his own
private business. If they have not such an agent they ought to get one without
delay.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY J. ARMSTRONG,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONT.
August 13, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with your instructions, I now have the honor of submitting this
my seventh annual report.
I much regret to record the fact that the inclemency of the weather during the
month of May had a very injurious effect on seeds planted, many of the more tender
vegetable seeds, such as beans, corn, melons, squashes, &c., having been entirely
destroyed by frost. Again, the cold and constant rains of the spring were followed
by scorching heat, and the grain harvest will be extremely light.
"Quite a number of Indians are at present engaged in putting up hay, a fact which
will doubtless be considered a stronger evidence of their advance towards civilization
than the harvesting of their grain, which has also now commenced. During the pres-
100 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA.
ent year a large increase of acreage has been sown, and were the results, which, of
course, can only be approximated in the accompanying statistical report, such as to-
repay them with an abundant harvest, the Indian farmers would have been greatly
encouraged as to future efforts. I fear, however, no retrogression, as the inhabitants
of this reservation have evidently proved to themselves that farming, even with light
crops, affords them a more comfortable and reliable, if not more pleasant, livelihood
than hunting and trapping ; and nothing has so much conduced to this end as the
distribution by the Department of agricultural implements.
In connection with education, there are two schools one for boys and one for girls
located some 18 miles north of this agency, at St. Ignatius Mission. These are con-
ducted according to a contract with Rev. J. B. A. Brouillet, director of the Catholic
Indian missions, and under the present management are in a flourishing condition.
Still better results, however, may henceforth be expected, for, as appropriations have
been increased, attendance will be increased accordingly, seeing that ample pro-
visions are now being made for the accommodation of children ; and I have no doubt
that our schools, as institutions for the industrial education of Indian children, will
continue to bear, as I believe they have heretofore borne, a favorable comparison
with those of any other agency.
Two new school-houses are now in course of construction, one of which, being for
boys, the missionaries at Saint Ignatius are building, entirely at their own expense,,
while the other, for girls, is being built by the Sisters of Providence, those parties
having the educational charge of the children. The new building for boys is in the
shape of an L, each arm being 66 feet in length and 22 in width or depth. There
are, besides, an addition of 14 by 14, and a two-story porch or veranda 14 feet wide and
90 feet long. The main building is to be three storied, of which the first floor is to con-
sist of a chapel 39 by 22, a recreation-room 27 by 22, two class-rooms 22 by 22 each,
and an infirmary 14 by 14 ; the second floor of two class-rooms, each 22 by 22, a museum
27 by 22, two private rooms each 12| by 22, and a clothes-room 14 by 36; and the third
floor of a dormitory 110 by 22. For safety in case of fire it has been determined to
erect two staircases, one at each end of the building, which, when completed, it is com-
puted will cost not less than $7,000. The new structure in connection with the present
school for girls is also to be a building of three stories, 50 feet in length by 45 in breadth,
while in height the first story is to be of 10 feet, the second of 11, and the third of 10.
A corridor 6 feet in width, and having three rooms on each side, will bisect the first
story, the six rooms composing a parlor, a sewing-room for the girls, and four apart-
ments for the use of the Sisters. The second story will likewise be divided by a cor-
ridor, having on one side a chapel, and on the other a dormitory, while another large
dormitory will form the third story. The two lower stories will be connected with
the school-house, now in use, by passages 15 by 15, when the whole will present a com-
modious and healthy institution.
With regard to missionary work, which is under the supervision of Rev. L. Van
Gorp, S. J., of Saint Ignatius Mission, everything appropriate is being done for
the spiritual welfare of the Indians, who, added to this, have gained much in tem-
poral matters through the aid, precept, and example of their spiritual advisors. Sev-
eral priests and brothers of the order of Jesuits are stationed here, the Mission being
one of the oldest in the Territories, having been established under the Apostlelate of
Father De Smet, whose zeal and perseverance have, here at least, been well emulated.
Several Sisters of Providence have also established themselves at Saint Ignatius
Mission, and it would only be an unnecessary repetition of words to try to portray the
great and lasting benefits conferred by their Christian teachings, their physical and
moral cleanliness, and their habits of industry, or to describe the civilizing influence
wielded by them over the Indian girls who are so fortunate as to be placed under
their gentle and charitable care.
With reference to industrial pursuits, in addition to the cultivation of land and the
erection of a number of houses, many Indians have been engaged in furnishing piles,
ties, and cord-wood for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and have been well
pleased by the fair wages paid them, and the means thus opened to procure the nec-
essaries and some of the comforts of existence. These Indians are excellent herds-
men, and pay great attention to their stock, each owner of any number having his
own brand, which is respected quite as much as is the case among white herdsmen.
The high prices lately paid by beef contractors connected with the railroad afforded
the Indians an excellent market for surplus steers, but very few were induced by the
most tempting offers to part with their cows.
Of the Indians under my charge, it is undeniable that there are some who still pre-
fer to lead more or less of a nomadic life; but even of these very few are criminal,
and very few are paupers. With regard to criminals, I think there are few popula-
tions in which, compared in number, a smaller number of offenses against law occurs;
and as to paupers, I believe that if the amount of assistance afforded these Indians
by the United States Government be compared with the poor rates of many of the
States, such a comparison will not prove unfavorable to the Indians. On the other
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. 101
band, there are a few whom it is almost impossible to prevent from wandering about
the country, leading vagabond lives, seeking for opportunities to drink and gamble,
and of such I have just had a vivid experience.
While away from the agency, under orders to locate the northern limits of the res-
ervation, some forty Indians arrived from the Columbia River country, consisting of
Spokanes, Lower Calispels, Umatillas, and Nez Perec's, who evidently visited this
region on a gambling excursion and for a spree. Having induced five young men of
this reservation to join their carousals, they encamped just across the southern border
of the reserve, where, having procured whisky, of which they imbibed freely, they
proceeded to terrorize a few railroad employe's, threatening death and destruction if
their wishes, which seem chiefly to have been centered on fire-water, were not com-
plied with. A traveler also was halted by three Spokanes and three Nez Percys, and
compelled to yield up his pocketbook, containing $210. As soon as the news, which
was conveyed by startling telegrams, reached me, not knowing the extent of the
emeute, I sent a dispatch to Major Jordan, at Fort Missoula, for assistance, and started
for the scene of action. On my arrival there I placed under arrest, for selling whisky
to Indians, a white man, who, having done so off of the reservation, was turned over
to the county authorities. With the military command which had come at my request,
I then followed the Indian offenders to the reservation. Those, however, who had
been engaged in the robbery, made their escape ; but I went with the soldiers and
"rounded up" all of the alien Indians on the reservation, and, under a penalty of
imprisonment in case of disobedience, ordered them to their homes. They left without
delay. Peaceful pursuits followed the departure of the "visitors," and perfect quiet
now prevails.
Before concluding, permit me to make, in connection with the foregoing, the fol-
lowing comment. While not being surprised that strangers on the ground should be-
come excited and create unnecessary commotion on account of such behavior on the
part of a few drunken Indians, and while being still further from having any desire
to palliate such actions, I desire to call attention to the fact that such a disturbance
might at any time take place in a town of medium size and scarcely be heard of in
the next street, while, on the other hand, judging from past experience, occurring as
it did, to some extent at least, in connection with an Indian agency, there is a prob-
ability of more or less attention being attracted thereto over the length and breadth
of the land, and of occasion being taken therefrom to criticise, in not the most com-
plimentary terms, the Indian Department, its servants, and their charges.
As a proof that the Indians of this reservation, while undoubtedly brave, are also
law-abiding, I refer with pride to the fact of the completion of the Northern Pacific
Railroad through their lands, and against their strongest wishes, without any annoy-
ance or opposition being offered to the railroad company that for a moment could be
termed serious.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PETER RONAN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
FORT BELKNAP AGENCY, MONT.,
August 13, 1883.
SIR : Herewith I have the honor to hand you my fifth annual report.
This reservation is bounded on the north by British America, on the east by the one
hundred and eighth parallel of longitude, on the south by the Missouri River ; the
western boundary has never been fully defined, but is supposed to run to the one
hundred and eleventh parallel of longitude. This area of country comprises a tract
embracing both mountains and prairie, adapted to mining and stock-raising on the
mountains and prairies, and to agricultural pursuits on the margins of the various
streams. It covers an area of probably 5,000 to 6,000 square miles.
In former reports I have given a more favorable account of its capacity for agricult-
ural pursuits than I can indorse at this time. Two years of almost complete failure
of the crops would necessarily change a man's views somewhat. I now believe that
the result would be too uncertain to justify a private individual in attempting to
raise crops here without the aid of irrigation ; with that the result would be cer-
tain, and probably in three years out of five he would be fairly successful without
irrigation.
NUMBER OF INDIANS.
There are some 950 Gros Ventres and 750 Assiuaboines.
102 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA.
SUPPLIES.
The supplies heretofore have been sufficient for their wants, taken in connection
with the game they have been able to kill ; but a new era is dawning upon them.
The buffalo is practically extinct, as is also all other game. The crop is nearly a fail-
ure, and the food problem assumes a new and unpleasant aspect. Congress, in its
wisdom saw fit to reduce the food supply at this agency $7,000, when in point of fact
it ought to have been increased that amount. The facts are these : Unless game comes
into this reservation, these Indians are liable to be in a starving condition before the
winter is over.
RELATION WITH WHITES.
Their relation with the whites is all that can be expected or desired. No outrages
and but very little horse-stealing have been perpetrated the past year.
MORALS.
I can see no difference in the state of the morals of my Indians, and I can see no-
immediate prospect of any improvement. The influence of the whites upon them is
bad, and still through contact with whites and civilization will come the agencies
that will gradually work reform in their morals.
AGRICULTURE.
I ani pleased to state that there is a visible increase in their adaptation to farm-
work. They have shown a greater willingness, in fact, I may say, desire, to till their
crops than ever before. I doubt if many fields in the older States could show better
culture than do the fields at this agency, but I am sorry to have to state that it looks
as though all the seed and work had been thrown away. There has practically been
no rain this summer; all small grain is a complete failure. Corn and potatoes and
other vegetables may make something if rains come soon. I am, however, of the
opinion that more attention should be given to farming operations. By this I mean
more land should be broken and greater efforts be made to raise wheat and vege-
tables.
The determined attempt that is being made to open a portion of the reservation to
settlement will probably be successful at no distant day, and for that reason I would
not recommend the expenditure of much more in improving at this location. It will
be necessary very soon to build new agency buildings, and when the matter of re-
building is determined, it should be done at some more available point ; and in deter-
mining that point care should be taken that the place should be selected where
irrigation could be accomplished easily and successfully.
ILLICIT TRADING.
Illicit trading has been confined principally to parties who make their headquarters
on the Missouri River. There is a bad set of men there, who ostensibly are there to
conduct wood-yards, but who are really a set of men (with honorable exceptions) who
are ready to trade whisky or steal a horse, as occasion offers. These men are well
known, but for some reason they manage to carry on their business with but little
interference by officers of the law. It is a well-known fact that where one horse is
stolen by an Indian, ten are stolen by whites.
INDIAN POLICE.
Indian police are moderately successful, but would be more so if led by a good, re-
liable white man. However, I manage to get considerable assistance from them in
the way of keeping order in the camp, and in some cases intimidating whisky traders.
SCHOOL.
A day school has been in operation, and with moderate success, but really a board-
ing school is the need of the hour. At this time with a day school it is impossible to
keep scholars at their studies steadily and long enough to insure satisfactory results.
The work of educating Indians is slow at the best, therefore the best means attain-
able should be employed to accomplish desired results.
This reservation is essentially a grazing country and should be used for such pur-
pose. On the rich feed that grows all over its plains, coulies, and mountains, thousands
of head of cattle can range summer and winter. It would be but a short time before
the lands would be covered with cattle, sheep, and horses, whenever the Indian title
to the lands is extinguished, and one of the first things that should be done, in my
opinion, should be to get a herd of cattle for the Indians. I believe they would make
capital herders, and would in a few years replace, to a certain extent, with beef herds
the wild buffalo that used to roam this country in uncounted numbers.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. 103
On the whole, I think my Indians have made fair progress the past year, but not to
the extent that I could wish, and the reasons are obvious. The amount of land bro-
ken, 200 acres, is not sufficient to furnish rr.ore than a small fraction of the work they
are able to do, and I could not utilize all their labor if I had more land, from the
fact that from the small appropriation by Congress it becomes an absolute necessity
that a large portion of them should be hunting game, in order that their supplies
shall remain for their support during the inclement months of winter ; and as long as
Indians follow the chase they will not readily learn to grow corn and potatoes. But
game will soon be a thing of the past, and unless they can rely upon the products of
the soil, or more liberal aid from the Government, the time is close at hand when
starvation will be upon them. I am in hopes that arrangements will soon be made
with them to relinquish a large portion of their country and receive from the Gov-
ernment therefor a liberal yearly stipend. The Indians are fully aware of the situa-
tion, and are anxious to make some arrangements of the kind indicated.
I am sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
W. L. LINCOLN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
FORT PECK AGENCY, MONT.,
August 10, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with Department instructions, I have the honor to submit my
first annual report of the affairs at this agency. For more than two years I have lived
at this agency, and occupied the position of superintendent of the industrial board-
ing school, which has afforded me opportunities of becoming familiar with the condi-
tion and affairs of this agency, and am better prepared to write my first annual report
than had I entered upon the duties and assumed the responsibilities of agent as a
stranger, unacquainted with agency affairs.
The Indians at this agency are peaceable, well disposed, and easily governed ; there
has been a gradual growth towards a civilized life ; the advancement is slow, but
steadily increasing. It is no longer considered a disgrace by the Indian to wear the
costume of the white man, as in the past ; neither is it an indignity to engage in man-
ual labor. Many of them, even the young men belonging to the " Grass Bands," show
an inclination to abandon the former customs and habits of their forefathers and
adopt the better ways of the white man. They plainly see that there is but one way
to better their condition, viz, to take hold of the implements of civilization, such as
the ax, the hoe, and the plow, and follow up civilized pursuits, instead of the old
trails of the buffalo of the past. They are submitting to the inevitable very kindly.
I am aware that it is an utter impossibility to civilize, educate, and Christianize a
nomadic people while wearing blankets and breech-clouts. In the past these Indians
have been provided with only a sufficient amount of ready-made clothing to accom-
modate a few of the many that call for white men's clothing.
Heretofore this people was expected to hunt and provide for their own subsistence
for at least two-thirds of the year, the Government furnishing supplies for about one-
third. While the buffalo roamed in large herds over these vast plains it was an easy
matter to subsist, and, according to the Indian ways of living, they lived in luxury
and there was no incentive for them to work; but now the game has practically dis-
appeared, for between the Indians and the many white hunters the buffalo are a thing
of the past in this Northwest. Neither the Department nor the Indians anticipated
such a sudden disappearance of the game ; therefore no adequate provision has been
made for their subsistence during the present fiscal year.
FARMING.
There were about 1,000 acres of land planted by the Indians this last spring, not-
withstanding the almost entire failure of crops last year. They took hold of the
work with the greatest zeal, and with the expectation of realizing much from their
labor; but the drought came on and everything was dried up, and a total failure of
crops is the result. When my predecessor saw the inevitable, he urged them to go
and hunt, which the majority did; but not finding enough game to subsist upon, they
came back discouraged and heartsick. With no crop, no game and, as yet no sup-
plies, the wolf of hunger is in every lodge. The situation at present is anything but
pleasant, but I have hopes for the future.
If I could have a few thousand dollars' worth of provisions as an extra ration, and
a small appropriation to pay a civil engineer, I could turn thousands of acres of this
now desert and waste land into beautiful farms, which would in two years' time more
than pay for the outlay. The soil is here, the water-power and Indian muscle can be
utilized, which will make permanent and profitable improvement, and but a little
help from the Government will be needed. This is the only way to solve this problem
104 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA.
of agriculture ; and two failures out of every three crops demonstrate this fact, viz,
that agriculture at this agency is a failure, and that all the time, labor, and expense
used in this direction are lost.
SCHOOLS.
There are five schools at this agency. One Government day school at Wolf Point,
under the entire supervision of the Government, which has been in operation for six
years. There is a desire on the part of the Indians to have a boarding school at this
place. Under the management of Mr. F. A. Porter, the school at Wolf Point planted
and cultivated 5 acres of corn, potatoes, and other vegetables. The regular attend-
ance for the past year has been very good.
The industrial boarding school is located at Poplar Creek, and is under the super-
vision of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although I was its founder, and
also its superintendent up to the time of entering upon the duties of agent, I do not
cleem it egotistical in me in saying that the school is a grand success. I can say no
more in favor of the school than my predecessor said in his last annual report, except
thafc the school has been progressing in every department. The school has now more
scholars than it can accommodate, but the present number could be doubled if there
*was more room. There are now 66 scholars in the school, and we have been compelled
to turn many away on account of there being no room for them. The scholars are
apt, studious, and industrious. The boys during the last spring planted and culti-
vated over 40 acres of land, but on account of the drought they realized nothing from
their labor. More room is essentially necessary for the comfort, convenience, and
sanitary condition of the school. The present buildings are entirely inadequate to
aneet the growing necessities of the school. They are built of logs, poorly planned
and poorly finished. It would be economy on the part of the Government to provide
more rooms and better facilities for doing the work, as the only pleasant phase and
outlook on an Indian reservation are the schools.
There are three mission day schools at this agency, under the supervision of the
Rev. G. W. Wood, the Presbyterian missionary, and an indefatigable worker. The
school at Poplar Creek is taught by the Misses Dickson and McCreight, of the Home
Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church, and the ones at Deer Tail and Grant-
"ville by educated Indians. They are doing a good work, and are laying the founda-
tion of virtue and intelligence among this people. The average attendance has
been good. In order to secure a regular attendance, the Government has issued the
scholars rations, thereby reaching their intellect by the way of their stomachs.
INDIAN POLICE.
The Indian police at this agency are very efficient, and are improving. They have,
as a rule, always been ready and willing to perform -py service that they have been
called upon to do. I would respectfully urge upon the Department the necessity of
recommending to Congress an increase in their pay ; and also that it would be bene-
ficial to allow them a compensation for the use of a horse. This compensation should
be stopped if they did not keep their horses in a proper condition for service at all
times. The 25 policemen allowed this agency are sufficient for the protection of the
agency, and are all the force that I shall require.
MORALS.
The morals of this people are very low, as they have been so long in contact with
the always very-degraded element that is found on the frontier; so that virtue
among them is a rare thing. Among all the demoralizing elements that they come
in contact with, none is greater than the Army. The military is in close proximity to
the Indian camps, and it is an utter impossibility to prevent them from becoming de-
moralized and the women made prostitutes of, as long as they are permitted to visit
and remain within the limits of the garrison.
Another element of demoralization is the traffic in intoxicants. Where and how
it gets into the Indian camps seems to be, as yet, an impenetrable mystery. It is,
indeed, a rather uninviting field for missionary work, since the moral atmosphere is
overcharged with the hostilities of hell; but we hope, pray, and labor that the peace-
able fruits of righteousness will ultimately prevail.
SANITARY.
The sanitary condition of this people is very good, except the prevalence of diseases
contracted by immoral practices. There has been no epidemic of any character dur-
ing the past year. There is no hospital, but one is greatly needed at this agency.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedieut servant,
S. E. SNIDER,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEBRASKA 105
OMAHA AND WINNEBAGO AGENCY, NEBR.,
August 27, 1883.
Sir: I have the honor to submit this my annual report. This is a consolidated agency,
composed of the Omahas and Winnebagoes, two separate tribes, speaking languages
entirely distinct and dissimilar, and with habits, temperament, and aims of life totally
at variance.
The Oinahas are a staid people, attached to their land and desirous of making homes
for themselves. They enjoy the peculiar privilege of never having been removed,
and having lived for the past two hundred years or more where their present reser-
vation is situated. As in most Indian tribes at the present time, the Omahas are
divided into two parties; one progressive, desiring education, law, and looking
toward citizenship ; the other, conservative, clinging to old customs, and strongly
opposed to changes. The progressive party, while not in the numerical majority,
have in their ranks men of strong mind and" firm purpose, and to the efforts of these
men is very largely due the present peculiar and promising condition of the people.
When making the treaty of 1866 the Omahas caused an article to be inserted pro-
viding for the dividing up of the reserve into individual farms. Already a number
of families had broken away from the central village and begun to build log cabins
and work on farms, and about ten years ago a scattering very nearly general was
effected, and some three hundred and fifty certificates of allotment were issued to
heads of families and single persons. This move was followed by increased pros-
perity. Wagons and farming utensils became the sole issue, and each year new land
was broken and the farms increased in size, until this year the Omahas have about
6,000 acres under cultivation, raising 15,000 bushels of wheat and the promise of a
large crop of corn, not to mention vegetables. In the breaking up of the old village
the people still clung to the timber, and made their farms in the little valleys that
border the streams, and few of those who took out certificates for 160 acres found all
those acres arable land. This hindered the development of larger farms, while the
distance from market reduced the profit on corn, wheat, potatoes, beans, &c., which
had to be hauled from fifteen to thirty miles to meet the railroad.
Another cause operated to check the courage of the Omahas. During the forcible
removal of the Poncas, a few years since, many of the Omahas visited their relatives
in the camp of the Poncas, and learned how unstable is the hold of the Indian upon
his land. This led to an examination of their certificates of allotment, which were
taken to white lawyers, and the Omahas, who had cherished those certificates as
patents, suffered a great disappointment in finding them legally worthless. The ter-
ror of the Indian Territory was constantly in their minds and they knew no peace.
Two years since it chanced that a student of ethnology, Miss A. C. Fletcher, of
Peabody Ethnological Institute, Cambridge, Mass., came to live and study among
the Omahas, and becoming interested in the welfare of the people, and sympathizing
with their love of home and land, and their distress that they were not secure in
the midst of their own fields, determined to help them. Gathering careful statistics
of the labor of the people, a petition to Congress was framed, based on the idea that
these Indians had practically homesteaded their lands, having worked from five to
fifteen years on their farms. Growing out of this effort was the passage of a bill,
approved by the President August 7, 1882, and published in the last report of the
honorable Commissioner. During the past three months the work of carrying out
the provisions of the bill has been placed in the hands of Miss Fletcher, who labored
to secure the land, and the progressive courage manifested by the people is surprising.
Realizing that nearness to the railroad and its market will enhance their profits,
and that the rolling prairie of the valley of the Logan is the place to make farms which
will yield handsomely, a large proportion of the Indians, including nearly all those
of the progressive spirit, have selected in this locality, some already having broken
land preparatory to crops and setting out cottonwood trees, and the starting of a new
home far away from the scenes of the old village life. A few have crossed the rail-
road, the line of demarkation between the new limits of the reserve and the land to
be sold, and have cast their lot directly among the white people.
The outlook for the Omaha tribe is propitious. Education and labor will solve
their difficulties. The close proximity of the white settlements will give to those
going out on the Logan the invaluable object lesson of seeing how work should be
done, an advantage absolutely necessary to assured success, and impossible to obtain
in the seclusion of a reserve. The conservative class are gradually accepting the
situation, and it is believed that before the work of allotment is completed still greater
numbers will be added to the industrial element in the tribe. The influence of the
children at Carlisle, and of the married couple at Hampton, is to make the people
prize more highly the opportunities offered on the reserve for sending children to school.
SCHOOLS.
The schools for the Omahas for the past year have been quite successful. The
children have advanced rapidly in the knowledge of books and the more important
106 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEBRASKA.
knowledge of industrial and economic labor. The Indian child, when properly tanght r
advances as rapidly in learning as the average white child, and excels in writing and
drawing. The increasing usefulness of the schools was the result of the authority
granted me by the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs to establish compulsory
attendance. When the subject was first presented to the Indians it was received with
great disfavor/but by bringing it before them at every council, and answering all their
objections, they at last consented to try it. Then, by advice of Major Haworth, I ap-
pointed two of the councilmen as inspectors, to visit the schools at least once a week
for one month, to be succeeded by two others for the following month. By this means
we interested the councilmen in the schools, and they became anxious to 'have all the
children in attendance ; and when an Indian refused to send a child to school, they
took it as an offense against themselves, and used the police to enforce their wishes.
So far the plan has worked to perfection. The schools are both filled to the limit of
their capacity.
The school in charge of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church is
doing a very fine work among these people, both as an educational institution and as
a center for moral and religious instruction by precept and example. The plan and
management of this school have been very excellent and highly successful. It is hoped
that the usefulness of this school will not suffer by experimental changes of doubtful
utility.
The industrial boarding-school under charge of the Government is occupying a
large field of usefulness. The children are taught successfully all the branches ne-
cessary to make them intelligent and prosperous citizens.
The Winnebagoes, although belonging to the same great family as the Omahas, are
as unlike the latter as a Frenchman is unlike a Saxon. Frequent removals have
produced the unhappy result of destroying love of locality. The Winnebago has
little home feeling on" his reserve. His natural indifference to farming adds to the
difficulty. Lithe of frame, active in mind and body, skillful as a laborer, and with
something of the incipient artisan in his flexible fingers, the Winnebago is not likely
to become exclusively a farmer and find his self-support in that direction. Not only
has he suffered from being torn up from home after home, but his native religious
customs have never been met by persistent missionary efforts. As a consequence,
the people are nearly all under the control of their own religious teachers, and there
is little outward respect shown the Sabbath, and dances, all more or less religious,
are frequent. In view of the situation, it is difficult to manage the people so as to
bring to pass for them not only material prosperity, but a lifting of their minds out
of the old ruts. These Indians are industrious; their value as laborers is known to
the people living near the reserve. They are light-hearted and kindly, and possess
qualities which, if properly trained, and proper opportunities offered for the legit-
imate exercise of these powers, will make the Winnebjgoes useful members of society.
One thing the Winnebago needs to learn, and that is the ubiquity of law, and that
it will mete out punishment to the wrongdoer. It is particularly needful that he
feel this in the case of offenses committed against one of his own members or other
tribes. All Indians are well aware that the law guards the white man, but as be-
tween Indian and Indian he has no such knowledge. To the offender there is only
' >use, all of which lacks
man's law, and being
i his mind. An act of
Congress approved February 21, 1863, provides that the Winnebagoes "shall be
subject to the criminal laws of the State or Territory in which they may hereafter
reside." It is to be hoped that the Department will see the importance of providing
the means of prosecuting a few Indian offenders, for the sake of the moral effect it
will have on the tribe and the civilizing lesson it will give them.
The Winnebago industrial boarding-school is in a flourishing and prosperous con-
dition. The attendance is quite satisfactory, which is the result of the same system
of management as with the Omahas. The councilmeu, as school inspectors, evince
great zeal in bringing into the school all available children, and in pursuing those
who straggle off to their homes. This plan seems to be the only available one to
reach these people. If we had rations or annuities in ever so small a quantity to be-
stow for good conduct, or withhold for disobedience, it would be a very easy matter
to fill the schools and correct all evil practices ; but we have absolutely nothing to
bestow or withhold. These Indians are as independent of the smiles or frown's of
their agent as any other community of people ; hence the importance of reaching
them by the only means at our disposal.
The police force is an important branch of the service, and could not well be dis-
pensed with. By carefully selecting men of character and influence, they become an
efficient element of strength to assist the agent in all his plans for the advancement
of the people, but especially are they indispensable in the proper conduct of the
schools.
The miller and sawyer at the Omahas, and the carpenters and blacksmiths at both
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEBRASKA. 107
agencies, are Indians, and are as efficient and reliable as any mechanics we could em-
ploy. The mills at both agencies need new machinery to improve the character of
the flour.
There is one custom among the Indian tribes which tends more than all others to
keep the people impoverished and to promote idle dancing, and that is the visiting
of parties of Indians for the express purpose of begging presents of horses, blankets,,
and various other gifts. Indian hospitality knows no other mode of entertainment,
nor will the tribe learn any other way of receiving guests, until a steady and strong
pressure is brought to bear to prevent these begging visits. The two tribes under my
care have suffered serious loss, particularly the Winnebagoes, on the occasion of such
visits. Public opinion, custom, and the bantering habit of the Indian force a mail
to part with property he cannot spare, which throws the man back in his efforts to-
ward civilization. So strongly is the subject forced upon me, and so firm is my convic-
tion of the evils resulting from these expeditions, that I would be glad if the Depart-
ment would issue an order forbidding the issuing of passes to visiting parties, and
authorizing the agents to arrest and turn back all parties of visitors without passes.
I should be glad to have the Indians under my charge thus sent back to their reserve r
and to have the authority to protect my people from being robbed in this manner. I
do not claim superiority in respect for my Indians over those of any other tribe, for
no doubt when they are away from home they accept gifts with great facility; but
the whole practice is inimical and should be stopped.
Very respectfully,
GEO. W. WILKINSON,
United States Indian Agent*
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SANTEE AGENCY, NEBR.,
Eighthmonth 6, 1883.
RESPECTED FRIEND : In accordance with instructions, I submit my seventh annual
report of affairs at the consolidated Santee, Flandreau, and Ponca Agency of Nebraska
and Dakota.
The Santee Indians are a part of the great Sioux Nation. They were removed here
from Crow Creek Agency in 1866, where they had been temporarily located after re-
moval from Minnesota in 1863. The Flandreau Indians are a part of the Santees, who-
became dissatisfied with their titles for land at Santee Agency and went to Moody
County, Dakota, took up homesteads under special act of Congress, approved March
3, 1875. The Government has looked after them ; has extended care and assistance
when it has been needed. The Poncas are a part of the Ponca tribe of Indians who
were removed to Indian Territory, became dissatisfied with their location there, and
returned to their old homes in Dakota.
The Santee Reservation is located in Knox County, Nebraska, bounded on the north
by the Missouri River, is 12 miles wide and from 12 to 18 miles long, according to bends
in river; it contains 115,000 acres of land, about one-third of which can be used for
agricultural purposes. There are a number of high bluffs and deep ravines through
the reservation which cannot be used for agricultural purposes. There is more or less
sand mixed with the soil. That which can be cultivated is considered good soil for
raising wheat, corn, oats, rye, &c. The land has been surveyed and allotted in sever-
alty to a number of families. They have cultivated this year 1,043 acres to wheat,
420 oats, 920 corn, 25 rye, 124 barley, 175 potatoes, &c. ; crops of all kinds are very
good, better than last year, except corn, which has been neglected. Three hundred
and twenty-eight acres of land broken this year, making a total of 3,035 acres under
cultivation, against 450 acres in 1872.
The acreage has been gradually increased from year to year, and the rations with-
drawn in accordance with their ability to support themselves, always pinching the
lazy ones or those that were behind the harvest. The issue of rations has quite re-
cently been entirely discontinued to all except to children attending school and
100 old infirm persons, whom we must continue to support the same as among whites.
All wear citizens' dress, and as the young grow up who have attended school, they, as-
a tribe, are better calculated to transact business of all kinds with their white neigh-
bors who are gathering around them than the older Indians are. I hope in a short
time to be able to recommend the opening up of the reservation and place the Santee
Indians as citizens upon the roll of civilization with the rest of mankind.
The Santees have been well supplied with farming implements and stock. I have
quite recently issued 220 head of American horses to them that were purchased for
them from funds arising from the sale of land that belonged to them in Minnesota.
I have also built 50 houses, 14 by 28, for them, to be paid for from the same fund. There
has been a gradual advance, like a child growing to youth and manhood ; those who>
108 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEBRASKA.
are with them from day to day scarcely note the change, but when we compare the
present with ten years ago or less, we find the acreage under cultivation has increased
more than fivefold; that the quantity raised of wheat, corn, oats, barley, potatoes,
<fec., for subsistence has increased in proportion, so that we have no fears as to the
ability of the Santee people to support themselves as citizens. The rations, as I have
said, have been entirely withdrawn, whereas a few years ago large quantities of beef,
flour, sugar, coffee, &c., were issued weekly. The Indians have learned trades, and
now have charge of blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, harness shop, mill, and herd.
Indians are now manufacturing brick for sale, conducting the business on their own
responsibility. Joseph Kitto, for a number of years the Indian blacksmith, is now
running the engine at the mill, and I believe will be successful. I also employ Henry
Jones (Indian) as issue clerk. I find him very efficient and correct in his work. John
Jones is blacksmith, Solomon Ross herder, Francis Frazer miller, Joseph Redwing
harness- maker, and Samuel Wolf brick-maker.
The agency buildings consist of 2 school buildings (combined), 4 stables, 9 dwell-
ings (frame, log, and brick), 2 grist-mills (frame and chalkstone), 5 workshops, 1 coun-
cil house, 2 warehouses, I machine house, 1 saw-mill, 1 slaughter-house, 1 ice-house,
1 jail, 1 physician's office, and 2 granaries. The chalkstone mill was about 10 miles
from the other buildings ; it was run by water power, which was very expensive to
keep dam in repair; the building and machinery were in bad condition ; it was there-
fore abandoned and a new frame mill built near the agency, to be run by steam.
There are two missions at Santee, the " Protestant Episcopal" and the "American
Missionary Association." The Episcopal mission has 3 churches, in which religious
services are held by the Rev. William W. Fowler and Indian ministers. The first
principal church is located near the Government buildings, and presided over by Mr.
Fowler, with the assistance of a native helper, who aids in preaching, teaching, &c.
The second chapel is located about 10 miles south from the agency buildings, in a
prosperous farming community ; the work is performed by an Indian under the care
of Mr. Fowler ; they have a large congregation, and meeting is well attended. The
third church is located 5 miles east in a somewhat isolated locality ; the services are
looked after by an Indian. The Indians have nearly abandoned this part of the res-
ervation on account of bad location. The mission contemplates moving the building
to a more central or convenient part for the Indians. W. W. Fowler reports the at-
tendance of the churches very good ; that there are 199 Indians who are members of
his church; that 490 have been baptized, and that the religious influence t is very
perceptible throughout the tribe.
This mission have a male and female school at Santee and a school at Springfield,
Dak., for both sexes, the male school under the care of W. W. Fowler, the female
school under the supervision of Amelia Ives, taught by Mary S. Francis. They gen-
erally have about 35 scholars. Much credit is due this " Saint Mary's School " for the
efficiency and progress that is made for general good in teaching the English language
and instructing the girls in the industrial arts, so that they may become good house-
keepers. Hope school, at Springfield, Dak., is a boarding school 3 miles from Santee ;
they get their supplies from Santee. It is under the care of Mrs. E. E. Kuapp ; they
have about 25 children, who are brought from various agencies to be educated ; the
children are well cared for. The school is a good one, and a credit to the mission and
those who have charge of it. The English language is taught entire.
The American Missionary Association have within the last year bought the mission
property that belonged to the "American Board of Foreign Missions," consisting of
1;wo churches and a number of dwellings and school buildings. Rev. Alfred L. Riggs
has charge ; he has been in the mission work for a number of years. He reports a gen-
eral advance of the school in every way for the last year ; that they have introduced
several new branches of study in the higher grades, and that they have graded and organ-
ized the school more complete. He states that the scholars have learned more of ap-
plication at study and work, and that the attendance has gained in regularity ; that
the educational sentiment is growing in the community and among the patrons of the
chool in other communities, so that now he has little trouble in keeping the scholars
in school. This school I think a very desirable one; the children are boarded in four
separate buildings, one building for the large boys and one for the small boys ; also one for
the large and one for the small girls. The children are all brought into one school-room.
School has been maintained 10^ months ; 114 children have attended a portion of the
year ; average attendance, 76. The children are well cared for, and instructed in in-
dustries of various kinds.
Of the church work Mr. Riggs says that the condition of the native church con-
nected with the mission is good; that they have maintained Sabbath service under
the charge of the native pastor, Rev. Artemas Ehnamani, and his assistants at two
points, the mission chapel and Bazil Creek out-station ; that the church has contributed
duriug the year $106.60 for pastor's support ; for missionary to the wild Indians, $55.58 ;
and for sick fund and miscellaneous purposes, $66.15, a total of $228.33; that there
are 162 Indian members of church.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEBRASKA.
The Government industrial boarding school, under supervision of agent, is taught
by Samuel H. Seccombe, who has a general oversight of the school. Rebecca F,
Hobbs is matron, and has a general care of the girls ; 58 children have attended school
a part of the year (34 males and 24 females) ; 47 was the largest number attending
during any one month. The boys are taught the various kinds of manual labor. Mr.
Seccombe reports that, contrary to previous years, the pupils remained in school until
the final exercises were completed ; that the school numbered 50 during the last two
weeks of school ; that an increased interest is apparent in the attendance and labors
of the school ; that in the manual labor part there is quite a creditable improvement ;
that there were eight girls who could take the material and with no help from the
seamstress fit, cut, and make a dress that would be well-fitted and tasty; that nearly
every girl in school, from eight years and upwards, underutands running a sewing-
machine and doing all ordinary work on it ; that the smallest girls in school, with one
exception, can neatly and correctly set and clear tables, wash and wipe dishes, make
beds and darn stockings, while many of the large girls can do nearly all plain cook-
ing ; that the boys are becoming more accustomed to the details of farm work, such
as plowing, harrowing, planting, and cultivating; the larger boys do the milking,
take care of horses, cattle, and hogs.
The school-room work has been marked with much progress ; the studies for the
year have been reading, penmanship, drawing, spelling, arithmetic, geography, lan-
guage, and object lessons. Oii of the greatest successes has been in getting the
children to talk English. This was accomplished by making the language compul-
sory among the children in attendance at the school. At first the Dakota was not
allowed to be talked in the buildings ; second, not allowed to be talked about the
buildings. The orders being encouraged by all the employe's, the good effects began to>
appear and the English language to predominate. We believe as the children learn
to talk English they become more interesting and interested scholars, and uncon-
sciously assume with the English language the civilization and refinement that is
associated with it.
The subject of allotting land in severalty to Indians has occupied considerable of
my reports for the last six years, and it now gives me pleasure to state that an arrange-
ment has been consummated by which the Santees are allowed to get patents for 160
acres of land for each male person, under article 6 of the Sioux treaty of 1868. They
are required to have previously occupied the land for three years, and made improve-
ments thereon to the value of $200. Considerable of the reservation has been resur-
veyed and allotments made to about 100 persons, 50 of whom have filed their applica-
tions for patents. The treaty provides that those who receive patents will be citizens
of the United States and be amenable to all the laws the same as white citizens
except for taxes, &c., upon the land obtained under this treaty as provided for by
special act, which exempts the land so received from taxation and forbids a transfer
of it within the period of twenty-five years. This will gradually place the Santee
Indians upon the roll of civilization ; and I believe if they comply with the require-
ments of the treaty and get their patents, they will be fit subjects to thus be enrolled.
The Ponca Indians under my care number about 170 souls. They are located on the
the old Ponca agency in Dakota, about 15 miles from Santee r along the Niobrara River,
which is very bad fording on account of quicksand bottom and swiftness of current ;
horses often get fast in crossing. They have under cultivation 169 acres to wheat,
212 to corn, 31 to potatoes ; have broken during the year 116 acres. Their wheat and
potatoes are very good.
I have a warehouse, a blacksmith shop, and dwelling-house for their use, and for
Samuel Sullivan, the superintendent; he understands the blacksmithing and wagon
making trade. I have two Indians working under him. This I hope will be a help
to them as farmers in keeping their tools and machinery in proper repair, and be a
center of attraction which I hope will cause them to stay at home and attend to their
business. They are very much in need of a school to educate their children. They
have a fine location. Help and kindness has been extended to them by the Depart-
ment. They are making a start, and I see no reason why they should not soon be a
happy and prosperous people. Their land has not been surveyed nor allotted to them
in severalty, but they are nicely located, so that when the proper time comes for the
allotment it can be done without any special removal.
The Flanclreau Indians are recognized citizens of the United States. They have pat-
ents for their land, and are generally conducting themselves like white people. They
have under cultivation wheat, corn, oats, barely, potatoes, &c. They have a day school
supported by the Government for their benefit. They number about 300 persons.
They have fine locations along the Sioux River about 140 miles north of Santee. I
have been told that some of them have sold all or a part of their land to white people,
but at present I am unable to give correct figures about the matter. They have two
churches in which religious services are held by native ministers. Within the last
year they have received 128 oxen, 10 bulls, 325 heifers, 320 hogs, and 50 sheep, two-
thirds of which have been disposed of, all paid for from money due them from sale of
f
110 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA.
land in Minnesota ; some have kept the property, others have disposed of it to white
persons at a sacrifice. I find it a very difficult task to have some of the Indians
keep and take proper care of their stock. The Government employs for them a phy-
sician, a teacher, and an Indian as superintendent.
In closing my report I can assure you that there is no doubt in my mind of the final
ability of my Indians to make an honest living for themselves. What we need is
proper legislation enacting laws covering the peculiar cases arising among Indians,
and I will venture to make some suggestions for improvement as coming under my
observation :
(1.) Section 2139 of the Revised Statutes forbids the introduction of ardent spirits
under any pretense whatever into the Indian country, stating that every person
(except an Indian in the Indian country) who sells, exchanges, &c., shall be punished
by imprisonment for not more than two years and by a fine of not more than three
hundred dollars. This section should be so changed as to hold the Indian amenable
the same as the white person ; then the agent could arrest and have punished the bad
Indian who goes out and brings the liquor into the Indian country. This I think very
important, and I hope will not be overlooked.*
(2.) Then, again, we find all the United States laws bearing upon trade with the
Indians, &c. , make special mention of acts committed in the Indian country. The words
"Indian country" should be defined in some way, so that there would be no doubt as
to what was Indian country. Indians go outside of their respective reservations and
trade off property that has been issued to them, and I find trouble to get officers to
attempt to execute a law about which there is so much doubt. The words "Indian
country" should be stricken out, or the lines drawn clearly, defining what is meant
by the " Indian country." In the introduction of ardent spirits into the Indian coun-
try we draw the lines, so far as the introduction is concerned, immediately around the
reservations, but when an Indian goes out and disposes of his property we try to
make it appear that the "Indian country" includes all west of the Mississippi. I
wish we could reverse it and have no ardent spirits this side of the Mississippi.
(3.) There should be an act making education compulsory upon all Indians, the
school facilities should be furnished and the law put in force requiring all children of
proper age to attend school a certain number of months each year.
The new rules governing Indian offenses has been put into operation by organizing
the court and having parties brought before it for trial. Too short a time has elapsed
to note much of the effect, but from what I have seen I am satisfied it will be a great
help to us.
^ Allow me to express my thanks to thyself and the honorable Secretary of the Inte-
rior for the kindness extended to the agency which \ represent during the past year.
I am thy friend,
ISAIAH LIGHTNER,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NEVADA AGENCY, NEV.,
August 11, 1883.
SIR : Herewith is submitted annual report for 1883. The Nevada agency has under
its supervision two tribes of Indians, the Pah-Utes in western and northwestern
Nevada, and the Pi-Utes in southeastern Nevada. The Pah-Utes are of medium stat-
ure, well-developed, strong, and intelligent. Their reservations are for much the larger
part arid sage-bush lauds, not to be cultivated without irrigation. Only a small part
of the whole lies so as to be susceptible of irrigation ; about two per cent, of the land
lying low enough to bring the water from the rivers on it.
The Indians are very earnest to farm all available land, and make efforts and sacri-
fices to build irrigating works to water the land. Last year they built a bridge and
darn, and the present year have rebuilt in great measure the dam and strengthened
the ditch, built flumes, cleared up new land, fenced it, broken it, planted it, and the
crop, not yet all harvested, promises fair. More are eager to have allotments for next
year, and there seems to be established the fact that there is not arable land in suffi-
cient quantity to allot to each family the small amount of fifteen acres.
Yet they (the Indians) have remained peaceable and have worked out by the day, or
month, or job, and earned a fair living for most of them. Their fishing at Pyramid
Lake is of great value to them, as it affords them employment for half the year, and last
year the sales were something over 75,000 the average price, 7 cents ; amount, $5,250.
These were actual sales to outside parties. Then there was other labor performed,
which was not paid for in cash, but only in permanent works for future use, as the
irrigating works. There was constructed by them at Pyramid Lake reserve 2 miles of
* This change has been made. See page 269, Supplement to Revised Statutes.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA. Ill
main ditch, which would have cost by contract $1,500 per mile = $3,000, and six miles
of subordinate ditches that would average a cost of $300 per mile =$1,800. They have
also hauled 225,000 pounds of freight from Wadsworth, and have received no cash for
any of this work, but only their rations and feed for their teams while doing the work.
The past season has been very dry, and the utility of the irrigating works have
therefore been made especially manifest this year, and the success of their using the
irrigating works has brought others to call for* an allotment close by the farms already
in successful operation.
These Indians seem endeavoring to conform to the existing order of things, and are
making efforts to learu the use of tools in every line; especially they take to black-
smithing ; quite a number of them shoe their ponies, and can mend some of the iron
work on their wagons. They are encouraged to keep on, and it is expected that a
number of them will soon be capable of doing most, possibly all, of the patching
and repairing required on the agency.
The portion of the tribe at Walker River have started to build a fence around the
arable land, and then expect to farm it in small ranches. Those farmers there are
good examples to the rest, as they have had good crops on some part of their farm
produce each year.
The Pi-Utes have been more backward in taking hold, and only this year has any
onsiderable interest manifested itself among them. They now seem to realize that
they must take hold and do something more than they have been doing, and they
are making inquiries looking toward this end.
The schools of the agency, of which there are two, were well attended last year,
the one at Walker River being a day school and new ; yet altogether unaccustomed
as they were, and strange as it seemed to them, several of the scholars made rapid
progress, and it is hoped that this year will make even a better showing.
The other school is a boarding school, at Pyramid Lake, and when first opened was
full, but the measles breaking out it was deemed wise to send home those that were
sick, and some others that were frightened, so that the attendance was less for the
last two months. The scholars are eager to learn some of the lessons, and some
things it is very hard to get them to take properly. That is the way that white
schools and scholars would do. They commenced farming a little, but the ground
was new, incomplete fences, new ditches and all the discouraging circumstances of
a new farm in a new country ; and they made this year only a start, with enough
of promise to make it reasonable to look for a fair result this ensuing year. The
parents take much interest, and are willing at all times to go with teams to haul
lumber and material and supplies for the school, and also to keep clear the brush,
level the land, fence it, and whatever work may be necessary.
Two more of the Indians have put up frame houses at their own cost, and more
would do so, but find it difficult to raise the money necessary to buy the material. The
Indians at Walker River take much pride in their herd of cows, and the herd is in
good condition, having plenty of feed. It is hoped that this will soon add largely to
their means of livelihood. There would thus seem to be indications of a change of
movement in their minds toward looking at things in a manner more like civilized
life, and a tendency in them to copy after the habits of their white neighbors, so
that as education spreads more among them they come to leave their old habits as of
no use to them any longer, and try to earn a living in ways more civilized.
Very respectfully,
JOSEPH M. McMASTER,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
WESTERN SHOSHONE AGENCY, NEV.,
August 20, 1883.
SIR: Pursuant to your instructions I have the honor to herewith transmit my second
annual report for your examination, giving a brief account of the improvements made
and the work performed upon the reservation farm during the past year by the Indians
and white employe's, regular and irregular, with such other facts and information
properly connected with the subject matter of this report.
Great progress has been made by the Indians of this reservation in the arts of in-
dustry. Full the major portion of the men are capable of performing almost every
kind of farm work, some doing one kind of labor and others performing another
according to their taste or talent. There are among them good teamsters and expert
herders of horses, cattle, and sheep. They can plow, sow^ grain by hand, make and
cultivate gardens, irrigate grain, mow, cure and stack hay,*and cap, stack, and thrash
grain, dig ditches, and make fence, build cellars and corrals, and chop and cord wood.
As a matter of course it is understood that many of the Indians do this kind of work
112 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA.
in a slow way, and while some are quite expert others are not so proficient from the
want of longer experience or natural ability. I have some five or six Indians who
make adobes, and one of the number can lay them almost as well as a white man.
The blacksmith informs me that Little George, who is an apprentice and helper in
the shop with him, learns blacksmithing faster than the average white boy.
IMPROVEMENTS.
A new adobe addition has been built to the present agent's residence on the west
side of the same, being 38 feet long by 18 feet wide and 10 feet high, one story, with
a hall running the entire length of the building and 3 feet wide ; also three rooms
12^ by 12 feet. This building has five windows, one front door (main entrance) and
seven inner doors. I have also erected a farmer's house, built of adobe, one story high,
14 by 26, containing two rooms, two doors, and two windows. These buildings were
necessary for the accommodation of the agent and employe's. I have also erected two
wooden buildings for the use of the two head chiefs, Captain Sam and Captain George.
Notwithstanding the great cost of transportation of lumber, the high price paid for
skilled and unskilled labor, the entire cost of these four buildings does not exceed
$2,000, which, considering the above facts, is remarkably cheap. All of the unskilled
labor was performed by the Indians, at the rate of $1 per day, they performing their
day's labor regular like the white man, from 7 a. m. to 6 p. m., taking one hour at noon.
The Indians of this reservation have been remarkably industrious and cheerful
during the past year. They have erected 1 miles of wire fence (two strands), planting
new posts 10 feet apart and 6 feet high, also about 1-J- miles of pole fence. In addi-
tion to this they have erected three new stables for the use of thir cows and ponies.
These stables are 30 by 12 feet each. Three new corrals for horses arid four cow cor-
rals; also five cellars for their milk and butter in the summer and their vegetables in
the winter. They have repaired all of their old irrigating ditches and made crossings
over the same. The work of building the above-mentioned stables, corrals, and cellars
would seem to be of little moment to those unacquainted with the difficulties to be
encountered and the distance to be trareled to procure the necessary timber for that
purpose, from the high and rugged neighboring mountains ; but when these facts are
taken into consideration the work of erecting these farm improvements becomes of
considerable importance, and is worthy of recording as a matter of industry on the
part of the Indians. They received no help from the Government except a few pounds
of nails and a few feet of lumber to make doors, they purchasing out of their own
earnings padlocks for their cellars.
CROPS.
There has been plowed and sown about 230 acres of barley and wheat, of which
amount there is about 80 acres of barley ; but I regret to say that the total area of
acres will not average a half crop, from the fact there is a local weed known as the
tar weed which has taken possession of a large portion of the ground sown, and
entirely kills all kinds of vegetables or growing crops that it comes in contact with ;
otherwise we should have had not less than 100 tons of wheat. I cannot now esti-
mate with any degree of certainty as to the amount of wheat we may eventually re-
alize from the present year's crop, as we may encounter unfavorable weather before
we shall have cut, thrashed, and housed the same ; but with reasonable good luck we
ought to have not less than 60 tons of wheat and 40 tons of barley.
For the first time in the history of this reservation each lodge or family has planted
and cultivated a separate garden for themselves, consisting of lettuce, cabbage, rad-
ishes, onions, corn, turnips, parsnips, beets, pease, and potatoes, all of which were grow-
ing nicely and promised an abundance of garden vegetables for fall and winter use ;
but this high expectation of myself and the Indians has been blasted by the visitation
of an immense band of grasshoppers, the vanguard arriving here about the 1st of
August, eating everything green clear to the ground, except the potatoes, which they
only partially attacked. The Indians feel discouraged, this being their first general
effort at gardening. The Government furnishing last spring an abundance of all kinds
of garden seeds, hence a general effort was made at gardening under the supervision
of the farmer.
Quite a number of the lodges have put up small stacks or ricks of hay, from 10 to 20>
tons each, aggregating from 190 to 200 tons, for the use of their cows and ponies dur-
ing the most severe portion of the winter. The women of the most civilized lodges
have so far advanced in the knowledge of household duties as to be able to make
good, sweet butter and cheese ; others are now following suit, and are breaking cows
for that purpose.
EDUCATION.
The boarding school, heretofore maintained under charge of Professor Wilson and
his assistant, was closed in the early part of August, 1882, and from that time until
the 4th day of May, 1883, no school was opened for the reception of Indian scholars..
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA. 113
At that time il was opened as a day school, under charge of Rev. James J. Callan, a
teacher of high educational qualifications, who, from his long experience as a teacher
and civilizer among the Indians, was deemed the most eminently fitted for the impor-
tant factor in humanizing, christianizing, and elevating them from their normal con-
dition to a higher and more noble one. No work on behalf of this class of persons is
so effective and so productive of good results as those flowing from the reservation
school, when conducted, as it is now, by a faithful, competent, and conscientious
teacher whose whole heart is in the work, arid whose sympathies are with the Indi-
ans and with the purposes of the Government. Too much credit cannot be given this
gentleman for the remarkable advancement the children have made during the last
three months in spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and vocal music.
The Indian chiefs and parents have manifested unusual interest in school matters;
consequently the large attendance at the day school. The scholars themselves are as
anxious to attend school as we are to have them taught; a pin could be heard to
drop upon the school floor, so quiet are they during school hours in studying their
lessons. Their decorous conduct during school hours is an example worthy to be fol-
lowed by white children, with credit to themselves. The average attendance since
school opened has been 28; number of scholars enrolled, 33; books used are Sheldon's
Primer, Monroe's First Reader, Franklin's Primary Arithmetic, Cornell's Geography,
Spencerian copy-books, and the Testament. The children, at the request of the
teacher and agent, have given up painting, and the boys have allowed their hair to
be cut, and they appear at school neat, clean, and tidy. On the opening day the
teacher requested all those present having clean hands to hold them up ; at this an-
nouncement they all looked at each other for a moment, boys and girls, and made an
instantaneous dive for the door, and in a moment there was not a pupil in the school-
room, but the whole band could be seen rushing furiously towards the river, about
250 yards distant, where a general wash was indulged in, and in about 30 minutes
they all returned with clean hands and faces, since which time they have been
exceedingly clean in their persons. For a moment the teacher was durnfounded ; he
thought he had lost his school. They have developed an extraordinary talent for
vocal music ; they can be heard during the evening hours at their camps or lodges
singing the tunes they have learned at school. A boarding school is very much
needed at this reservation, and I most sincerely hope that your honorable Depart-
ment will make arrangements for the reopening of the same at an early date. 1 ven-
ture the opinion that a more advanced Indian school cannot be found on any of the
reservations for the number of days that the school has been open for the attendance
of scholars. The progress of the scholars has been most rapid and gratifying since
last May, particularly in reading, writing, and vocal music. I believe in economy in
all public or private affairs, but in school matters, having in view the education of
the people, thereby bringing the masses up to a higher moral standard, I would favor,
as a matter of economy, a liberal expenditure of money for school and industrial in-
stitutions, even to what might be called extravagance by the more economical.
TRESPASSES.
We are much annoyed by persons passing through the reservation, in transit, with
their bands of horses and cattle, to Idaho, Washington Territory, and Northwestern
Oregon. The stock belonging to these persons eat and tramp down the grass reserved
for pastures for the Indian ponies and Government horses ; also pasture for the Indian
cattle. Many of the parties in transit have heavy-loaded wagons, which are fast
wearing out our badly worn-out bridge which we are continually repairing, upon
which a new floor must soon be laid ; our irrigating ditches are tramped in and filled
up by the passage of the wagons and stock above mentioned.
REMOVAL OF SETTLERS.
In accordance with your instructions, Mr. Levi Harris, Harry Boyle, and David
Coates, who were tenants-at-will upon the public domain, the same being within the
limits of the reservation occupying the most desirable portion of the reservation for
the raising of grain and hay, and for pasture purposes were removed by the military
authorities of the United States, under charge of Lieutenant Brown, from Fort Hal-
leek, Nev. The removal of the parties in question was effected on the 23d and 24th
of May, 1883, who soon thereafter returned by permission for the purpose of taking
and carrying away all of their personal and movable property. We are now in full
possession and enjoyment of the reservation, a thing long desired by the Indians,
and which has heretofore kept a large number from locating here. The removal of
these persons from the reservation and your recent order for the survey and estab-
lishment of the boundary lines of the same has elated the Indians at this timely act
of justice towards them. They now feel as if this was their home, which inspires
them with confidence in the good faith of the Government towards them.
5916 IKD 8
114 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA.
The number of Indians as permanent inhabitants thereof is about 350. They have
during the past year enjoyed unusually good health, only six deaths occurring since
my last report three men, one woman, and two children making the total death
rate for the past year a fraction less than 2 per cent., against 22 deaths for the year
1882, out of a population of 250, it being over 8 per cent. The great change for the
better in the sanitary condition of the Indians is principally due to the fact that they
have all been well fed and clothed during the past year by your honorable Depart-
ment, and by reason of the past winter being unusually mild in February and March.
POLYGAMY.
I am happy to report that polygamy, one of the greatest obstacles to civilization, is
fast disappearing among the Indians of this reservation. The teacher and myself
lecture them upon this subject almost every Sabbath after Sunday school is over, and
our lectures to them seem to meet the hearty approval of the chiefs and heaumen,
some of whom have recently discarded their extra wife. None of the young men
who have espoused wives during the past year have taken more than one. There is
but one genuine believer of polygamy on this reservation ; this Indian is called Dr.
John, who arose at one of our meetings to combat our views upon polygamy, which
caused us to reflect a moment before answering him. His language was as follows:
"You say heap wives no good, white man only one wife, me no savva all this talk.
I see some white man have five, maybe so ten wives" (at the same time holding up
one hand and then both to indicate the number). "What for you talk Indians have
no two or three wives, when all same your Big Chief at Washington let Mormon
man have plenty squaws to heap work all timef I no savva this talk." This little
speech from Dr. John took us both back for a moment ; we, however, soon rallied, and
explained to him and our Indian audience the peculiar relation of the Mormons to our
Government. This reflection of Dr. John upon the apparent inconsistency of our
Government on this subject is worthy of note and needs no comment by me.
TREATY.
As the present treaty with the Western Shoshone tribe expires during the month
of October, 1883, 1 deem the present occasion a proper one to most respectfully urge
that your honorable Department will at your earliest convenience take such steps as
may in your judgment seem just and proper for the future maintenance and protec-
tion of these wards of the nation. Although they have made rapid progress towards
self-support, they are nevertheless still unprepared to be left alone to provide for
themselves, particularly the old and decrepit men and women, and young children.
Their hunting and fishing grounds are partially destroyed by the white man, hence
their annual sources for support have been cut ofi'. They have lately inquired of me
what the Big Chief at Washington would do for them, or if a new treaty would be
made. I replied that I did not know what would be done, but that soon the Bio-
Council at Washington (meaning Congress) would talk the matter over and do some-
thing for them, but how much or what way they would do it I did not know, but
they could depend upon one thing, and that was the Government would act justly
and honorably by them, and continue its watchful care over them until they could
fully provide and protect themselves.
POLICE FORCE.
It is due to the police force of this agency to say that they have been very pro-
ficient and obedient during the past year, always promptly reporting to me anything
unusual occurring upon the agency, or the presence of strangers, either white or
Indians, upon the reservation. The peaceable and obedient dispositions of the
Indians of this reservation, I am happy to say, has caused us but very little trouble
and given our policemen but little to do. But two arrests have been made during
the year: one for leaving the school and the reservation without leave (a sixteen-
year old boy ) ; the other arrest was an Indian, by the name of Jim Hull, who assaulted
and beat over the head with a stick most unmercifully the wife of Captain Charley.
Upon being arrested he confessed his guilt before me and the Indian judges, and was
sentenced to fifteen days' imprisonment in the county jail. The prisoner was escorted
to Elko by Captain Buck and Elko Jack. The policemen, while in the performance
of their duty, dress in their uniform, and take great pains in appearing clean and
neat; and, taking the force as a whole for the year, they have been quite efficient in
preserving peace and good order among the Indians, and in taking care of the Gov-
ernment property.
During the year no Indian has been murdered, or killed by accident, on the res-
ervation. Since my last report one Indian woman, by the name of Susan Bill, was
found dead in a deep ruining shaft at Mountain City, 13 miles from reservation.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEVADA. 115
Upon making inquiry in relation to the matter among the whites at Mountain City,
and among the Indians at the reservation, I was unable to gather any facts pointing
to any particular party as being guilty of the murder, the whites claiming that the
Indians were the guilty parties, but could show no proof to establish their allega-
tions. On the other hand, the Indians not only strenuously denied being guilty of
the charge, but asserted, with equal earnestness, that Susan Bill was killed by some
white man. As I could get no positive information, one way or the other, I was,
obliged to allow the matter to drop.
INTOXICATION.
The love for strong drink and the playing of cards are two social evils that exist
among the Indians to a greater or leas degree, and they are hard to overcome or en-
tirely eradicate from among them. These evils have been the curse of all grades of
humanity and in all ages of the world, and doubtless will continue to be so long as
men exist. The only practical common-sense effort that can be made is to lessen
these evils by degrees, for an attempt at a sweeping reform in any one or both of
these evils only results in a failure to accomplish the purpose in view. Good ex-
amples by the whites for any moral purposes are more eifective with the Indians
than moral persuasions followed by bad examples.
No case of intoxication has occurred upon this reservation, but several have
occurred at Tuscarora and at Elko. Nevertheless, I am glad to be able to state that
cases of intoxication are growing less and less every year, and that the percentage
of drunkenness among Indians is much less than among the same number of white
men. It is very hard for the county officials to put a stop entirely to the selling of
liquors to Indians, as it is only the lowest and most degraded beings, such as China-
men and Greasers (the mixed order of Mexicans) that sell liquor to Indians. The
Chinamen are the hardest to convict, as they keep it secreted in their low dens of
infamy and disgusting filth, and when one of their number is arrested on suspicion
it is impossible to have them testify against each other. They will not absolutely
tell the truth when the truth will convict and cause punishment to be vested upon
one of their own people. *
ADOPTING CITIZENS' DRESS.
All of the Indians of this reservation have adopted citizens' dress; the only excep-
tions to this general rule are when a wandering or stray Baunack or Snake pays us a
visit from the Bruneaus.
The most of the young women of this tribe have learned during the past year,
through the untiring zeal of Mrs. John S. Mayhugh, to cut, tit, and make their
own garments, and to make sweet yeast bread from hop yeast, also butter, and to
keep their houses and wigwams clean, and to calculate time by their clocks, most of
the lodges having clocks, having purchased them from their own earnings. This
Mrs. Muyhugh has done without the hope of compensation and reward, excepting
that flowing from a conscientiousness of having performed an act of love for her less
favored sisters. Many of their dresses are made and fashioned with good judgment
and taste, and to some extent in the prevailing style of dress, as they are natural
imitators. Many amusing incidents could be related by Mrs. Mayhugh in her experi-
ence and intercourse with these daughters of the mountains.
The Indians are fast discarding their Indian names and adopting the Christian and
surnames of the whites I have taught the Indians to speak of each other's wives as
Mrs. Bruno John, Mrs. Black Hat, Mrs. Nosey, Mrs. Captain Sam, Mrs. George Wash-
ington, Mrs. Elegant Price, Mrs. Ruby Bill, &c., in place of, as heretofore, my squaw,
Joe Buck's squaw, &c.
AREA OF RESERVATION.
Having noticed some criticism from respectable quarters as to the policy of the Gov-
ernment in setting apart large areas of lands for the use of the Indians, a few words
in relation to this matter may not wholly be out of place in this report, so far as the
same relates to this reservation, which contains 243,200 acres in a compact farm of 20
miles square. It is nevertheless true that not more than one-sixth of this vast Tract
is of any value for agricultural or pastoral purposes. To demonstrate this fact and
to disabuse the public mind, particularly in the Eastern and Middle States, that this
seeming extravagance on the part of the Government in allowing a few hundred In-
dians to occupy so much of the public domain to the exclusion of white settlers is
unfounded, it is only necessary to state a few facts to dispel this poetic illusion. While
it is true that the reservation does contain 243,200 acres of land it is also true that there
is not more than from 1,400 to 1,500 acres that is adapted to the raising of kernel crops,
and about 1,800 to 2,000 acres for hay purposes after considerable reclamation work has
been performed. There may be also about from 35,000 to 40,000 acres of tolerably
116 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO.
fair pasture land for summer and fall use, but the balance of this large area (200,000
acres) is absolutely worthless for any purpose except as the home of the coyote, man-
eater, rattlesnake, horned toad, centipede, and tarantula. The iron-bound mountains
on the immediate east of the reservation buildings and the lava desert plains on the
west, cut up with deep canons and gorges, make up the major portion of the 200,000
acres above described. The only pleasant portion of the reservation to look upon is
along the Owyhee for a distance of 16 miles from the point where the river leaves the
'mountains on the east, flowing to the northwest, entering the low lava hills, losing
itself as it were in the deep canons, where it seems to be crowded for room in its struggle
for exit in coursing its way to the Snake, thence to the Columbia, finally into the Pa-
cific Ocean, a distance of 1,200 miles.
EMPLOYES t
I find it very difficult to secure and keep good, sober, and moral employe's at the
reservation, for the reason that the salaries paid by the Government are too low when
compared with the prevailing rates paid for the same kind and character of services.
The common laborer receives from $2.50 to $3 per day. Mechanics or skilled laborers
are paid from $5 to $6 per day, suuh as blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, engineers,
machinists, painters, &c.
All of which is most respectfully submitted.
Yours, respectfully,
JOHN S. MAYHUGH,
United States Indian Agent, Western Shoshone Agency, Nevada.
The COMMISSIONER OP INDIAN AFFAIRS.
HEADQUARTERS MESCALERO AND JICARILLA APACHES,
South Fork, N. Mex., August 15, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith my third annual report, with accompa-
nying statistics, in accordance with printed instructions received from your office,
dated July 13, 1883.
THE RESERVATION.
In accordance with the Executive order of May 19, 1882, and in compliance with
the request of the Interior Department to the honorable Secretary of War, Lieuten-
ant Cecil of the Thirteenth Infantry was detailed, and during the year has completed
the survey of the exterior lines of the reservation, a large number of the Mescaleros
accompanying him, building stone monuments, blazing trees, and thoroughly mark-
ing the line upon the ground. At Three Rivers, on the northwest corner of the res-
ervation, Lieutenant Cecil discovered that township 10, range 11 east overlapped the
reservation some 4| miles. As this township had been subdivided it gave settlers a
pretext to locate on the Indian farms at Three Rivers, and several locations were
made thereon. In March last, when I acquainted your office with these facts, all of
said township was promptly withdrawn from further settlement, pending the decis-
ion of the question. I mention these facts for the reason that I have had much
trouble with the Three River band of Mescaleros to keep them from forcibly ejecting
the settlers from their lands, assuring them that the Government \vould protect their
rights and remedy the error of the Government survey.
In this connection I wish to refer to the visit made 'by a delegation of fifty of these
Indians to the tertio-millennial celebration at Santa F<5, N. Mex., in July, where they
had an opportunity of an extended talk with Hon. John A. Logan, Congressman
W. M. Springer, Payson and Laird, and other distinguished gentlemen. As this was
the first time the Mescaleros have had an opportunity to see anything of civilization,
it was an event of great importance to them ; and to the gentlemen named above
they presented their claims and requests for a patent for their reservation. It is my
opinion that this visit to Santa Fe" will result in great good to the Indians. They
were kindly received by the citizens, and, I think, returned to the reservation with a
better idea of our civilization than they have heretofore had.
AGRICULTURAL.
The Indians have made rapid progress in this direction during the past year. When
I first came to the Mescalero Agency there was not a single Indian who could plow ;
now there are 20 of them who can handle a plow in a skillful manner. I estimate
they have from 250 to 300 acres of land in corn this year, every acre of which is cul-
tivated by the Indians themselves.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN" NEW MEXICO. 117
I am sorry to Lave it to say that about one-half of this land is rented from Dr. J.
H. Blazer, whose mill property and farm lies within the reservation lines. Being
without work oxen or teams to break land for the Indians, I consented to the Indians
renting the above mentioned laud, for which they pay one-third of the crop.
LAW AND ORDER.
There has been but very little complaint of these Indians violating any law during
the past year. The Indian " Carpio Monte," who last year killed Nicholas Acosta, and
was arrested by the Indian police and turned over to the United States marshal for
prosecution, was taken before the United States court at Las Cruces, New Mexico, at
the last March term. The case of this Indian was presented before the grand jury,
and on Indian testimony he was indicted, and on Indian testimony before a jury he
was convicted and sentenced to be hung. All this goes to demonstrate that these In-
dians can and will punish their own criminals.
The Mescalero Apaches are a restless and turbulent people, and require firm
government; and the Indian police of their number have, during the entire year,
preserved good law and order among them. The manufacture of "Tiswin" and
intoxication has been entirely unknown during the year.
The depredations committed in the Rio Pecos and Rio Penasco in Lincoln County,
New Mexico, last fall and winter, was the work of two Mescalero renegades and a small
band of renegade Comanches. Last November these Indians attempted to visit their
families at the agency ; they were fired upon by the Indian police, and the next day
thereafter nine of the Indian police accompanied Lieutenant Gale, of the Fourth Cav-
air/, in pursuit of them. The Indians captured their horses, saddles, and blankets,
which were afterwards sold for the benefit of the Indian police.
Finally, to show you that these " terrible Apaches" with whom the Government
has had so much trouble are acquiring a better reputation, 10 of their number, at
the request of General McKenzie, U. S. A., have enlisted and are attached to the vari-
ous cavalry companies in Southern New Mexico, and have gained for themselves a
good reputation for reliability.
MISSIONARY AND SCHOOL WORK.
Padre Sombrano, a Catholic missionary of Lincoln County, New Mexico, has vis-
ited the agency in the interest of that church, and has baptized 173 of these Indians
He is the only missionary ever on the reservation.
The day school is fast becoming a creditable institution at the agency. It has fre-
quently been visited by army officers and others passing through the agency, and
they speak of it very highly and are agreeably surprised at the aptitude of the Indian
scholars and their desire to learn.
By the time this report is in print the boarding school will be in readiness with ac-
commodations for 30 pupils.
AGENCY BUILDINGS.
During the past year I have expended the sum of .$5,000 in the erection of buildings
for the agency. There is now a good dwelling-house and office accommodations, ware-
house and small boarding school, and by another spring, when I will plant trees and
have the inclosures completed, this agency will begin to assume an air of respecta-
bility and look somewhat more like civilization. The Mescaleros were delighted
with these improvements, and did much work carrying the adobes, &c. They say now
that they think the talk of moving them each year will cease.
SUPPLIES AND ISSUES.
Supplies of excellent quality were promptly delivered at the agency by consign-
ment during the year. While the quality of supplies was good the quantity has been
entirely insufficient for the support of these Indians. The annuity goods furnished
by your office have been first class in every particular, and the quantity in my opin-
ion was sufficient. Subsistence supplies were issued each week on Wednesdays, the
annuity goods being issued quarterly.
PHYSICIAN'S REPORT.
W. H. LLEWELLYN, Agent :
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following notes concerning the health of the
Mescalero Indians during the last twelve months. Although the number of cases of
illness reported in this period is larger than in the previous year, it does not represent
a less degree of health, as I believe the cases were not fully reported before, while
most of the cases in the latter period were not grave.
118 RERORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO.
The small-pox prevailed in the vicinity of this agency since November, 1882, but no
case occurred among the Indians or employe's. The Indians showed great zeal in
seeking vaccination and I vaccinated nearly all in the tribe who had not been vaccin-
ated the winter before.
In May and June an epidemic of roseola struck the tribe, over eighty cases occuring
among persons of all ages ; as the symptoms were light and of brief duration no alarm
was felt.
I think there has been a very marked increase in the promptness with which the
Indians seek medical aid, and in their knowledge atid practice of the methods of
treatment of disease as used among the better classes of whites, their principal " medi-
cine man" being among my most zealous patients. The mortality has been very small,
five deaths among 550 persons, several of these being from old age and one from vio-
lence. On the whole the health of the tribe has been good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANCES H. ATKINS,
Agency Physician.
CONCLUSION.
The Mescalero Apaches have many singular customs; it is a fixed law with them
that the mother-in-law and son-in-law never visit each other and never see each other
if it can possibly be avoided. I am not prepared to say whether this is a step in the
direction of civilization or not.
They are firm believers in witchcraft. Shortly after my first coming among these
people they burned an old woman accused of practicing the black art. I ditLnot
learn of this until last spring. In May last great preparations were made to mini
another witch ; I visited their camp with the agency physician and informed the prin-
cipal men that I would hold them personally responsible if their intentions were car-
ried out. Up to the present time they have refrained from committing this terrible
crime. Many people will doubtless be shocked, but when we reflect that these In-
dians are but a little over a century behind our Puritan forefathers, we should not
regard this custom which these savages still retain as such a strange thing after all.
WILLIAM II. H. LLEWELLYN,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
JlCARILLA SUBAGENCY,
Amargo, N. Mex., August 10, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with instructions contained in Department circular letter
dated July 13, 1883, I have the honor to submit herewith ray second annual report of
affairs at the Jicarilla Subagency for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883.
The last census, which was taken September 25, 18tt2, showed the following popula-
tion of the tribe.
Men 156
Women 230
Boys, of school age ^ 78
Girls, of school age 49
Children, five years or younger 234
Total.. . '. 74?
This was no doubt a very correct census, as there was a good opportunity to conn
them, and every effort was used to have all members present and to have none counted
more than once. The list of names now shows that the number has increased some
during the year, and gives a total at the present time of 755.
There seems to have been but very little sickness among the tribe during the year
and but few deaths, almost all of which were during our severe winter.
All supplies that were received during the year were of the very best quality, but
the amount of almost every article was so limited that complaint came from Indians
on every side both relative to hunger and comfort. Early in the fall they began to
inquire when they would receive their annuity goods, and were especially anxious
for their tenting, as the tents they had were already one year old and badly worn,
besides many families having absolutely none, and every appearance of a hard winter
coming upon them. All the annuities that were received were very late in reaching
here, so they were obliged to endure about half of our exceedingly severe winter wit h,
I may say, no protection. There were 6,000 yards of tenting estimated for to furnish
h em protection, for which w r e anxiously awaited, but not one yard was received ; so
f;he entire tribe was obliged to do with their old tents, and many of them, as I have
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO. 119
already stated, were obliged to live under a pile of brush of their own crude archi-
tecture, while the snow buried around them to the depth of 3 feet on the level, and
the thermometer standing as low as thirty-five degrees below zero. It is certainly
wrong for a government to pretend it is caring for a tribe of Indians when it places
them in such a country and under such circumstances and then give strict instruc-
tions that the tribe must stay inside the lines simply because, as people state, they
are blessed with a reservation and all their wants cared for by the Government.
Relative to the subjects of agriculture, education, missionary work, &c., there is
simply nothing to be said, as there is no such work going on. It is true they have
planted a few small pieces of corn, and in fact all that could be, but yet it is so little
that it is not worth mentioning only for the fact of giving them credit for trying to
do anything under their circumstances, as they were obliged to scratch up all the
ground they planted by means of a few old hoes and shovels they chanced to have,
then carry the water out to the ground in buckets.
Owing to the consideration that the instructions from the Department are to move
this tribe of Indians to the Mescalero Reservation, it is to be hoped that when there
they may receive the aid from the Government which is necessary, under which cir-
cumstances I am certain there will be more to form an annual report out of one year
from this date.* Trusting that our removal may m^et with success, and that it may
be a grand step towards placing these Indians in a condition to become self-sustaining,
and thereby free the Government from the burden of continuing to care for them for
years in the future,
I have the honor to remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FRANK W. REED,
Farmer in Charge.
WILLIAM H. H. LLEWELLYN,
U. S. Indian Agent, Mescalero and Jicarilla Apaches.
NAVAJO AGENCY, FORT DEFIANCE, ARIZ.,
August 14, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with instructions received from your office dated July 13, 1883, 1
have the honor to submit the annual report of this agency for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1883.
Premising that I did not take charge until the 1st of January last, that I have been
without adequate assistance to perform the work of the agency, that I was much of
the time without funds, that the labor demanded of an agent here under present con-
ditions is such as to prevent his performing any of his duties in a satisfactory man-
ner, I will say that this report must needs be incomplete. It would require the de-
scriptive powers of a Scott or a Dickens to portray the wretched condition of affairs
at this agency in language such as to present a faithful picture of it to the mind of
one who never saw it.
This reservation is situated on the elevated table land known as the Colorado
plateau, and lies partly in New Mexico and partly in Arizona. It is about 105 miles
square, and embraces something over 10,000 square miles of the most worthless land
that ever laid out doors. It is Wholly a sandstone mesa country, with occasional
patches of valley laud susceptible of cultivation by the rude Indian methods. It is
almost waterless, in fact a barren rocky desert. What water does exist is alkaline,
and nearly all of it is such as any well regulated animal east of the Rockies would
refuse to drink ; still it is the only kind available for these people and the white
workers amongst them. Many a civilized stomach "goes back" on its owner on
its first introduction to the " sheep water" of the Navajo country. The face of the
country is almost entirely rock. Rock everywhere. No soil, as such, simply the
sand and debris accumulated in the lower spots by ages of erosion and the action of
water since the " early days " when the world was new. An Illinois or Iowa or Kan-
Mis farmer would laugh to scorn the assertion that you could raise anything in the
sandy beds which form tho planting grounds of this people.
Seventeen thousand Indians manage to extract their living (in addition to the mut-
ton which forms the staple article of food) from these spots, and that, too, without any
Government aid. If they were not the best Indians on the continent they would not
do it. The United States has never fulfilled its promises made to them by treaty. It
is safe to assume that it never will. As I have resigned and am about to leave here,
and will probably bo relieved before this report is read, I may be pardoned for resum-
ing my rights and privileges as a citizen and speaking plainly of the gross wrongs
i)t>rpetrated by the Government on the Navajos and on the Navajo Agency. Whether
that treatment is due to ignorance, malice, or neglect it is time something was done
* The removal was effected in October. See page LXV of this report.
120 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO
to remedy existing evils, and I should feel lacking iu the performance of a plain duty
if I failed to point out a few of them.
The character of the country, as already briefly described, makes it incumbent on
these Indians to depend almost entirely on their flocks for a livelihood. The t v are
purely a pastoral people, and necessarily so. Their sheep and goats furnish their
staple food, and from the sale of wool they procure the other necessaries, flour, sugar,
and coffee. These comprise almost their entire range of food supplies.
Heretofore little in the way of aid has been furnished by the Government for the
sick, indigent, and helpless Indians, the agent being compelled to see them suffer
under his eyes and to close his ears to their requests, or else supply the much-needed
articles at his own expense. Coming, as I did, fresh from business life, and knowing
the failure of the Government to fulfill its Obligations to them, I for a time did my
best to supply their needs. I spent some $800 in that way. I thought I could do for
the United States what I could for any honest business man, firm, or corporation in
the country that is, make up for its 'omissions; and that, upon proper representa-
tions, the money would be repaid. I found, however, that the United States does
not pay anything it can avoid. I was compelled to stop that, of course, in self-
preservation. How any man could turn a deaf ear to the sufferings I witnessed here
last winter to the cries of hungry women and children whose only support had per-
ished, owing to the severity of the winter, and who were thus deprived of all means
of livelihood puzzles me. * But that impersonal myth, the Government, neither sees
nor hears these things; and if any of its officers has humanity enough in him to heed
them, he pays the expenses. I do not state this for my own benefit. I shall not be
here when any action is had on these matters, if it ever is. What I have done is-
done. The money it cost me is dead loss. An institution which does not fulfill its
written obligations cannot be expected to sustain its officers in an action dictated by
any such weak sentiment as humanity. But, for the sake of the unfortunate indi-
vidual who has to wrestle with this work hereafter, I desire to call your attention to
the need of strengthening his hands and of sustaining him in doing the right.
When I came here there was not an ounce of hay or grain at this agency ; there was
not an ounce of provisions of any kind for issue; the thermometer ranged as low as-
20 below zero (and we are over 7,000 feet above the sea) ; there was not a horse that
could walk 2 miles without falling down from sheer fatigue caused by hunger and
age, and I was compelled to buy food for them at my own expense rather than see
them die of starvation. This at an agency for 17,000 people. There was not a house
that would keep out the snow or the rain. The roofs leaked, the water ran in on the
floors (the floors are below the level of the ground). In a word, the agent and em-
ploy 6s who were to lift up these people to a higher plane, to carry out the civilizing
policy of the Government, were expected to live in a lot of abandoned adobe huts, con-
demned by special, regular, and annual reports as unfit to live in fifteen years ago, con-
demned by every one who has ever seen them since, and repeatedly damned by all who
have been compelled to occupy them. They are full of vermin and utterly unfit for hu-
man habitation. I have had to tie my children in chairs to keep them out of the water,
on the floors, in mid-winter. I have seen my wife, a delicate lady, and who was at
that time nursing a baby, walking around with wet feet on the floors of the agent's
palatial quarters in a freezing atmosphere, and there wasn't a dry room or a warm
room in the house. I have seen, as soon as the weather began to moderate, the snakes-
come out of the walls of those same palatial quarters. You wonder we kick. Of course
we do. I sent my family away and sent in my resignation (the first time) in June
because I felt that the conditions never would be bettered. It is not to be supposed
that the Government would pay any more attention to the matter now than it has
heretofore. Through all the weary years since this agency was located here those
who did this work before me have begged, pleaded, implored for a place to live in,
bnt all to no purpose. Why don't the Government give an agent here as good a shel-
ter as it gives a mule at Fort Wingate?
I was told repeatedly by influential and well-meaning friends, verbally and by
letter, to "hold on," "be patient," "we can't do it all in a mouth," "just "wait till
Congress meets," &c. You have heard it all repeatedly. The meeting of Congress-
would have been very consoling, no doubt, had I buried one of my loved ones as the
result of this experiment. My family is not enduring this now, thank God; but the
conditions are not bettered a bit (only that the weather is warmer), and the family
of the agency physician is putting up with it in the hope that something will be
done. I predict they won't stand it all next winter. "Wait till Congress meets.' r
Wait until an indifferent Congress gets good and ready, and if this one doesn't wait
for the next. But don't forget to wait. The same old" song for the Indian, too.
Last winter I promised the Indians I would go amongst them and visit the portion*
of their country which I had never seen. I have always felt that it was an agent's
duty to make himself personally familiar with the entire country covered by his
Indians; to know their wants, their habits, their resources, the climatic conditions:
the amount and kinds of stock owned by them ; the number of families, the number
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO. 121
of children of school age. In short, an agent ought to know his Indians. These
Indians range over not only the country embraced within the limits of the reserva-
tion as defined on the maps, but far into the adjoining lands. They are found to the
south of Zuiii, as far east as the Rio Grande, on the north in Colorado and TJtah, and
to the west as far as the Little Colorado, as well as on the banks of the main
Colorado. Many disputes have arisen between them and the surrounding whites.
Many are rankling to-day. The Navajos cover more than 15,000 square miles of ter-
ritory.
When I announced my intention of visiting the country they inhabit, and of
examining into all the matters of interest to them, it was joyfully received by the
Indians, as well as by the whites, who had been patiently waiting for some authori-
tative determination of the questions so long unsettled. Fifteen thousand square
miles of mountain country is a good deal of ground for any one man to cover, in the
few breathing spells one gets while doing the clerical work for 17,000 nomadic
Indians, in quadruplicate. I managed to make fourteen trips amongst the tribe
during the six months from January to June, in spite of the onerous conditions
placed upon me by Congress; but in denying an agent for these Indians any clerical
assistance, that body prevents his performing any of the higher duties of his office
almost as effectually as if it forbade his doing so.
I have had no police. Navajos cannot be had for any such sum as $5 a month.
The right to fix the pay of police should be vested in the Secretary of the Interior,
and not be arbitrarily named by men who have no conception of the duties required.
I have had to go after red horse-thieves and white; to remove unlawful traders from
the reserve; to recover stolen stock; to chase criminals; and to do it all myself be
agent, clerk, chief of police and entire force, hostler, courier, eA^erything, to be able
to cope with, single-handed, and to wisely treat all The questions arising between
17,000 Indians and their white neighbors; "and to personally watch over and guard
every item of Government property at the agency while doing this; in a word, to be
(were at possible) a hundred miles from here settling a dispute, and to be quietly
making up papers and guarding the dish cloths and tin cups at the same moment.
The reservation lines have never been surveyed. Oh! how often I have written
those words. And how much they mean to the man in charge here. How in the
world am I to be always right on questions of jurisdiction, guarding this immense
tract with its restless occupants? Must an agent continue to assume (as I have had
to) that the reservation is right where he happens to be? There isn't a mark on the
ground.
This work is a bricks-without-straw task all the way through. If a man has the
mental and physical qualities demanded, the patience to endure, he can take those to
a much better market and he need not travel far. Any man who fills the bill here
is worth $3,000 a year "arid found.'' He is entitled to a good, comfortable house to
live in, furnished: at least as good as an ordinary mechanic occupies "in the States."
I do not believe the Government will get the right man for less. It could not keep
me for a quarter of a cent less. But I consider myself "discharged, cured." I plead
for the future worker in this field.
The Government ought to do something for the development of water on this res-
ervation. There are places where the supply of water is barely sufficient for the
needs of a few, and where, I think, a small sum properly expended would develop
sufficient water to irrigate considerable land. In other places water has cut a chan-
nel through the loose sandy soil, into which it finally sinks, until the present beds of
the little streams are 30, 40 feet below their former levels. These places are aban-
doned. Suitable dams would cause them to become productive by enabling the
Indians to irrigate, and induce the natives to make permanent homes.
Since I came here I have freed some twenty persons from slavery. A regular slave
system has been in active operation amongst these Indians from time immemorial. I
determined to put an end to it. The slaves are descendants of war captives and of
persons sold into slavery from other tribes. The original bondsmen were Utes, Co-
manches, Apaches, Moquis, Jemez, and from other tribes. Some were Mexicans cap-
tured in infancy. It is estimated that there are some three hundred slaves in the
hands of the tribe. My plan was to prevent any concert of action in opposition to
the freeing of the slaves, by taking each clan or gens and dealing with it singly. By
judiciously fostering the jealousies and rivalries I found existing between them, I
have so far succeeded in doing my work without open resistance, although some
pretty violent talk was indulged in; and I was paid a visit one day by forty of the
worst in th tribe, armed to the teeth, and prepared for a fight. I carried my point,
however, and freed the very slaves they swore they would not surrender. Tliis work
ought to continue. Slavery should be eradicated.
Upon taking charge of the agency, numerous complaints came to me in reference to
horse stealing by the Indians. I set myself to work to stop it, and by active measures
and doing my work in person I have been able to do something toward that end. I
have taken away from the Indians forty-six head of stolen horses and over five hun-
122 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO.
dred sheep. Of the horses, fourteen were returned to their owners; and of the sheep,
all but thirty-two. The balance of the horses and the thirty-two sheep were sold at
public auction, under instructions from your office, after being advertised for three
months under the laws of the Territory of Arizona, the proceeds, after defraying
expenses, being turned over to the county treasurer of Apache County, Arizona, by
the justice of the peace who made the sale.
The agency farm was abandoned this season for the dual reason that we were with-
out proper implements to work it and that I am of the belief that Government farms
on Indian reservations are not the best thing for the Indians. The ground was turned
over to the Indians, being divided into plots for them ; and, under the intelligent
supervision of the agency farmer, Mr. W. R. Fales, the water from Bonito Creek was
conducted to the right spot and the whole farm systematically irrigated. The result-
is as fine a field of corn (Indian) as one would wish to see, and a due proportion of
melons and pumpkins.
The wool clip this year will amount to about 800,000 pounds. The wool does not
come up to its usual standard this season in either quantity or quality. The decrease
in quantity is attributed to the very heavy loss of sheep during the severe winter of
l88^-'83. Many of these poor people lost every head of sheep they had. Some lost
50 per cent. One man I know who had a flock of one thousand head saved but
thirteen. Losses of two, three, and five hundred were frequent. The fiber this sea-
son is neither so long nor so fine as usual. The method of shearing amongst the
Navajos is crude, barbarous, and wasteful in the extreme. They catch a sheep and
throw him down, the shearer sitting on the animal or holding it in any manner to
suit, his convenience. He proceeds to hack (rather than clip) the wool from it with
a case knife, a piece of tin, or any other instrument which can be whetted on a piece
of sandstone. The result is, the sheep is sheared in chunks, so to speak ; and not
half the wool is realized that should be. The fleeces will not average more than a
pound apiece. The wool is never washed. Navajo sheep are very "scrubby." The
bucks are permitted to run with the flocks the year round. No care is taken of them
other than to keep them from straying from the herd. In a flock of, say, five hundred,
one will see a hundred and fifty bucks. Goats and sheep breed together to some ex-
tent, strange as it may seem. The result of such shiftless, improvident methods is
easily apparent to any thinking person. They have too many sheep. The number
could be reduced fully one-half (I believe, two-thirds) with benefit to the tribe. It
has been urged that they be encouraged to reduce the number by the introduction of
some blooded bucks and by issuing of the product to such of the Indians as proved
deserving and who were willing to improve their condition and methods ; they being
required to take care of the high grade stock and to use their present " scrub " animals
for food until the desired object was obtained. The result would be a better grade
of wool, plenty of grass (such as it is) for the reduced number where now there is
very scant picking ; six, eight, and ten pounds of wool to the fleece instead of a scant
pound, as at present ; better wool, and consequently better prices for it. Out of all
this would grow the care of stock, shelter for them in winter, selection, the idea of
accumulation, permanent homes, desire for education, education itself, and ultimate
civilization.
I think this would bring with it the turning of the excessive amount of horses and
ponies they have into cattle, with its consequent benefits. They have an enormous
number of useless ponies; out of all proportion to their needs. One Indian I know
(and he is a young man, too) has over four hundred head. These animals are con-
suming grass and water that ought to be raising beef or mutton. And the continued
use of them only tends to confirm their owner in habits of indolence and improvi-
dence. As the Navajos measure a man's wealth by the number (regardless of quality)
of horses he has, a radical change in their modes of thought must be brought about
before much improvement can be made in this regard ; but it can be done by persist-
ent effort I feel sure.
The agency school was conducted during the past season under contract with Dr.
H. Kendall, secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions, and was in oper-
ation at the time I took charge, with an attendance of about 80 pupils. It was managed
as an industrial boarding school, though no system of teaching industrial occupa-
tions was in operation or could be under the conditions existing. This was owing to
the usual failure of the United States to perform its agreements in connection with
the Indian work. The Government, by its failure, compelled the opening of the
school in an unfinished building, without suitable appliances ; without even a wood-
shed or a water closet ; with a roof 011 its kitchen and dining room that was about as
good as a sieve as a protection (it certainly was no better) ; sans everything almost
that was needed for success in a school of this kind. Make bricks without straw, ye
workers in this field. " Wait for Congress," and keep on waiting. But as sure as
you do you'll get "left." The school is not a success thus far, and the United States
Government is to blame.
We have a saw-mill, which I am told cost $10,000 to place in position. The only
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN NEW MEXICO. 123
covering for this valuable and useful machinery is the sky. It lies there exposed to
the snow and the rain, to the sandstorm and the blizzard, rusting, rotting, and with
a tine forest of pine timber within rifle shot. I have begged, implored, clamored for
money to cover its nakedness. It makes me angry every time I look at it. I have
offered to start it up at my own expense (the money to be refunded to me) and to net
$500 a month to this tribe without the cost of a dollar to the United States. This,
too, must "wait for Congress." It may be law, but it isn't business.
The interest I take in this work is my only reason for stating these matters. The
indifference, the neglect of the legislative ^branch of the Government in regard to
this important work, is not conducive to serenity of disposition. I have found in the
honorable Secretary of the Interior and in your office a most earnest desire to do all
that was possible to elevate this people. The history of mankind shows that the
advances from barbarism to civilization have been by a series of steps or jumps rather
than by a gradual forward movement. The Navajos have been standing still, in a
transition period, for some time. They are ready for a jump. Shall it be a forward
one? It can be made so by wise action, and where they set their feet when they
alight there they will remain for a time. If this generation is given the proper im-
pulse the next will be a wealth-producing factor in the civilization of the Southwest.
Congress ought to do something to enable such of these Indians as are willing and
of the right caliber to take up land without being compelled to pay for it. It ought
to devise means to protect them against being swindled. I know a most deserving
Indian who selected a ranch one hundred miles from the reservation twelve years ago.
He has lived there ever since quietly, has raised seven children, has built a house and
corral. Four years ago he went to Santa F6 to get a title to his land. He paid some
scoundrel $160 for a worthless paper, the man representing himself as the United States
land agent. I reported these facts and sent the paper the Indian had received from
this swindler to your office, but nothing was done. That sort of work discourages
others who are willing and who have both the desire and the ability to become inde-
pendent men.
The Navajos are, in my judgment, the most independent, self-reliant Indians we
have; and I believe that in native shrewdness and intellect they are superior to any
other tribe in the country. They are all armed and well armed.
I am, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
D. M. RIORDAN,
United States Indian Agent. "
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PUEBLO INDIAN AGENCY,
Santa Fe, August 8, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit for your consideration my first annual report for
the A. D. 1883, which is as follows :
The Pueblo of Zufii is in good health. Its crops are very promising ; has a very good
stock of sheep, cows, horses, goats, and donkeys ; works wool, and its crops depend
on rain. It is unclean and superstitious, but inclined to learn.
The Pueblo of Acoma is in good health. Its crops are not very good on account of
drought ; owns a good number of sheep, cows, horses, and donkeys. It is industrious,
works wool for its clothing, improves in its habits, and is disposed to learn.
The Pueblo of Laguna is well. Has good crops ; owns quite a number of all sorts of
animals, which it cares for with careful attention. Its habits seem to improve, and
it welcomes education.
The Pueblo of Isleta is well. Its crops, under the immediate irrigation of the Rio
Grande, grow abundantly. It raises corn, wheat, beans, pease, oats, beautiful grapes,
apples, peaches, &c. It has a considerable number of animals the fruit of its indus-
try. It is improving its habits, and highly appreciates education.
The Pueblo of Sandia owns very good lands along the shores of the Rio Grande ;
raises fruit and grain enough to live. It has some animals. It does not show any
noticeable sign of improvement, but, on the contrary, is of a fanatic disposition. It
is in good health.
The Pueblo of Santa Ana has very good crops bordering on the Rio Grande; raises
many kinds of fruits, grain ; grows horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys, and
works wool. It is superstitious and ignorant, but promises to learn. The small-pox
was there, but has utterly disappeared already.
The Pueblo of Zia plants little. It enjoys good health, and has a considerable
number of animals. It is superstitious and unclean, but promises to learn.
The Pueblo of Jemes owns a rich soil and has very abundant crops of all kinds. It
possesses a good stock of animals, and is well. Its habits are antiquated, supersti-
tious, immoral, and ignorant ; it is disobedient and lazy.
124 KEPORT OF AGENT IN NEW YORK.
The Pueblo of San Felipe raises grain and many sorts of fruits, enjoys perfect
health, and owns some animals. It is habitually superstitious, but wants to learn.
The Pueblo of Santo Domingo is a large one, having extensive and beautiful lauds,
and a great number of animals. It raises an abundance of grain, is in good health,
and its habits are filthy, fanatic, and immoral. It is slow about education.
The Pueblo of Cochiti raises a great deal of all sorts of grain ; works pottery, has
good herds of horses and donkeys. It is filthy and immoral, but favors education.
The Pueblo of San Ildefonso is a very small one ; most of its lands are owned by
the whites, who have obtained them by purchase It has draught animals, raises
enough for its living, is obedient, and wishes to learn. The small-pox has killed about
thirty of its little ones lately.
The Pueblo of Pojoaque is almost extinct. Its best lands have been sold to the
whites and the few remaining Indians hardly live. They are well.
The Pueblo of Namb6 owns good lands and is Avell. it is lazy, antiquated, and
superstitious. It scarcely lives, but seems to favor education.
The Pueblo of San Juan is a large one, has good lands, grows horses, donkeys, and
a few cattle. It works pottery for sale. The small-pox has found its way to this
Pueblo and made victims of all those whose parents did not believe in vaccination,
on account of their stale superstitious. It is very disobedient, abides by its old habits,
and wants to keep them.
The Pueblo of Picuris is small, and the greater part of its lands has been sold to
the whites. It has very few animals and its habits are filthy, vicious, and retrograded.
It is not inclined to learn.
The Pueblo of Taos owns a beautiful tract of land on the lap of the Sierra Madre
and at the gap of the Canon of Taos River. The small-pox is there now, and has
wrought a great havoc. These Indians are superstitious, fanatic, and vicious, being
yet in their old darkness, and go more on their ESTUFAS (secret chambers) than on
education, but some inclination, however, can be seen in them for education.
The Pueblo of Tesuque is small and its soil very dry ; raises very little ; owns some
cows, horses, and donkeys. Its habits are antiquated, and cares not for morality.
The Pueblo of Santa Clara is very poor, fighting always among itself, and its
habits are unclean and superstitious. In its disposition bad and lazy.
There are three schools under my care ; one at ZuQi, one at Laguna, and one at
Jernes. These are supported by the Government partly, and partly by the Presby-
ferian church. The teachers at these schools have to struggle with the laziness and
little application of the Indians; progress, however, is there visible.
I would wish to have been more concise in this report, but could not, as I had to
refer to every Pueblo, ever so slightly. From the time I took charge of this agency
I have visited the Pueblos, spoken to the Indians of each respectively, and had the
opportunity of making them understand the necessity of a change of life. I have
patiently noticed their actual condition, habits, and disposition, and I would con-
sider myself happy, if, with the aid of Providence and the Government, I could see
these Indians respect the moral law and social order, as well as make them under-
stand the love and fidelity that each husband ought to have for his wife, and vice
versa ; the duty of parents to bring up and care for their children properly, and,
above all, to appreciate and care for the virtue of their maidens.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
PEDRO SANCHEZ,
United Mates Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NEW YORK INDIAN AGENCY,
Randolph, August 20, 1883.
SIR : I have the honor to submit herewith my third annual report of affairs at this
agency.
The year past has been an uneventful one with the Indians under my charge. Crops
have been good, and the Indians have been generally well supplied with subsistence
from the products of their own farms. Some, however, work off the reservation, and,
for such as desire to do so, plenty of work is found at good wages.
A good demand exists, and is growing constantly, for the services of Indian girls as
cooks and household assistants in the best families in the vicinity of the reservations.
Such especially are sought after as have had a course of training in the industrial
schools. Good wages are paid them and they soon become very efficient. Many In-
dian parents fully appreciate the advantage to their daughters of residing for a time
in white families, and progress in housekeeping among them is very noticeable from
this practice. If it were more common for the Indian boys to work for white farmers
several seasons each before undertaking farming on their own account, I think their
REPORT OF AGENT IN NORTH CAROLINA. 125
improvement in" agriculture would be more rapid. And yet they are making constant
progress.
Daring the year a number of stump machines have been procured for the Seneca
Indians, by direction of the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs. These have
proved a great help to the Indians. They are kept in almost constant use, and many
fields, which before were filled with large numbers of unsightly stumps, are now
smooth, and the whole surface is brought into cultivation.
Many of the Indian women keep up the old custom of working in the fields, plant-
ing, hoeing, and harvesting, either alone or with the male members of the family.
But among the more advanced this practice is rapidly becoming obsolete, and as the
women learn the art of housekeeping more perfectly, they find their time fully occu-
pied with household matters, and abandon the field work to the men.
The fight against the sale of intoxicating liquors to the Indians has been kept up
during the past year. But the work of suppressing this evil is truly Herculean. The
appetite is so strong in many cases that the victim will procure the drink at any cost,
and too many stand ready to furnish it. Fine and imprisonment are risked unhesi-
tatingly, and the difficulty of procuring evidence sufficient to convict is such that
but few can be punished.
The schools upon the various reservations in my charge have in general been well
sustained through the year, and the attendance has been good.
Upon the whole I think very satisfactory progress is being made by these Indians
toward that citizenship which they all look upon as inevitable at some not very dis-
tant time.
Very respectfully,
BENJ. G. CASLER,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NORTH CAROLINA CHEROKEK AGENCY,
Nantahalah, N. C., August 20, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit my first annual report of the Indian service of this
agency.
One thousand members of this tribe live within the Qualla boundary situate in the
counties of Swain and Jackson, North Carolina ; these are mainly of full blood. In
the counties of Graham and Cherokee about 600 reside, half of whom are full blood,
and the other half being more or less mixed. In the counties of Buncombe, Yancy,
Madison, and Clay, are near 400, none of whom are of full blood.
The Qualla boundary contains about 50,000 acres, mostly mountain land. Through
it pass two beautiful streams Ocona Lufty and Soco. Along their banks and at their
confluence some fine bottom land is situated, nearly all of which is under cultivation,
and yields abundantly of corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, and garden vegetables. The
mountain portion of this land, which is by far the greater portion, is an excellent
range for cattle and sheep. The Indians, however, are but little benefited by this, as
only a few of them own stock except for farming and dairy purposes. The mountain
portion also has an abundance of excellent timber on it.
These Indians own about 30,000 acres in detached tracts outside of the Qualla
boundary, the larger portion of which lies in the counties of Cherokee and Graham,
much of which is occupied and cultivated by them. The title for these lands is held
by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in trust for the tribe. Some of these lands
have been entered by white men and are now occupied by them, they claiming that
the grantor to the Indians had never acquired a title from the State of North Carolina
for the same. This has thrown a cloud upon the title of a portion of the lands belong-
ing to the Indians and has given them much annoyance.
The condition of the persons composing this tribe compares favorably with their
white neighbors. There are nine ministers of the Gospel, full-blood Indians, in this
band, who " break the bread of life'' each Sabbath to well- attended congregations
at some eight or nine different points. Denominationally they are Baptist and Metho-
dist. Well-attended Sabbath schools usually precede church services. They use no
instrument of music in their churches, the human voices constituting this part of their
devotion, which is rendered in a most beautiful manner. Among them there are some
intelligent minds, and had they enjoyed our civilization earlier would probably now
have been occupying higher spheres in life; but what the fathers have failed to
.achieve can be reasonably looked for among the children of the present generation,
who are now enjoying excellent educational advantages, through the beneficent acts
of Congress, and a fund of their own set apart for this purpose by the wise forethought
of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Of the members of this tribe there is only one demented person, and suicide is
126 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON.
seldom if ever heard of among them. The physical condition of this people may be
regarded as at a standstill, and the increase, especially among the full bloods, is very
slight. None of the full-blood Indians residing in this State are wealthy. Afew of
them, however, own individual farms outride of their lands in common, and all of
them are self-sustaining and producing sufficient for support, except a few lazy ones.
There is much room for improvement in their social order of things. Taken as a whole
they are orderly, peaceable, sober, law-abiding, and tolerably industrious. The State
dockets of our courts present only a few cases of violations of law by these people.
The crops of this year will not'exceed those of last year except in wheat, which is
probably double that of any previous year.
At five different points schools are conducted, under the supervision of the Society
of Friends, during ten months of the year, and are well attended. These Indians at
this time seem to be much interested on the subject of education ; they desire to learn
the English language, and many of the younger ones speak and read it very well.
These people enjoy the benefit of much missionary work from neighboring ministers
of different denominations. Mr. Thomas Brown, the superintendent of the schools
here, is an excellent worker in this field. The main industry of this tribe is agriculture.
In conclusion I will say that, in my humble opinion, the prospect looks favorable
that at no great distance in the future the people in this band will be fit subjects for
useful and intelligent citizens.
A census and new roll of this tribe have just been completed.
Respectfully, yours,
SAM. B. GIBSON.
Ayent North Carolina Cherokee*^
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
GRAND ROXDE AGENCY, OREGON,
Auaust 11, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with Department regulations and instructions, I have the honor
to submit the following as my twelfth annual report of this agency.
The condition of the Indians at this agency has not materially changed since my
last annual report. I may safely say, however, that they are constantly improving
in morality, and establishing upon a firmer basis the truths of religion, and gradually
advancing in the social and industrial habits of life, and a majority of them are capa-
ble of becoming citizens.
In the agricultural sense of the word, the past year has been one of general reverses ;
and notwithstanding the fact that the acreage is greater this than in any preceding
year, the Indians will not thrash one-third the quantity of grain that they did last
year. Last fall they seeded down large tracts in fall grain, which was all killed by
the exceeding hard frosts of the winter. By their own endeavors and the assistance
of the Department they were, however, enabled to resow their fields this spring ; but,
owing to the summer droughts, quite a portion will never be cut, while other fields
will have to be cut for hay on account of the meadows being destroyed by the inclem-
ency of the past winter. And unless we have a liberal fall of rain here early this fall
to start the grass, which is now perishing for want of moisture, the Indian cattle will
be in but poor condition to withstand the rigors of winter.
A general cause of complaint with the Indians of this agency for some mouths back
is that the whites are intruding upon their lands and allowing their cattle to run
across the supposed line on the agency. In order to put an end to such actions I deem
it advisable that the east boundary line of the reservation be resurveyed. The Indians
are also desirous of having deeds made to them for their lands in severalty. Upon
examination I find it impossible to do this without the aid of a surveyor, and I hope
the Department will allow the estimate forwarded, that I may be able to fulfill their
wishes in that regard. Many improvements are retarded by them, not knowing defi-
nitely where their boundary line will be by the new allotment, and this work canuot
be completed any too soon for the advantage of the Indians.
According to Department instructions, I nominated three of the most intelligent
and impartial Indians of this agency to act as judges of the Indian court, with one
additional to act as sheriff for the court. As we have no Indian police at this agency
now or at any other time, and there is no necessity for such officers at this agency to
preserve law and order, I deem it but just that the judges of the Indian court be
allowed the salary of policemen; otherwise there will be difficulty in securing any
one to act in the capacity of judges, as the officers of the previous court here estab-
lished have been paid without expense to the Department.
I have to report the continued prosperity of the schools under the able and efficient
supervision of the Benedictine Sisters. The average attendance at the boarding-school
at this agency for the past fiscal year has been fair, and the moral tendency of the
REPORTS OP AGENTS IN OREGON. 127
instructions has proven very beneficial, and the progress of the pupils in their studies
and industrial habits has been to a high degree satisfactory.
The missionary labor on this agency, under the supervision of the Rev. A. J. Cro-
quet, is in a flourishing condition, a new church 33 by 82 feet having been erected
by the Indians, with assistance from Catholic Church, at a cost of $3,000. Divine serv-
ice is held every Sunday morning and evening. Judging from the attendance, much
interest is manifested in the services and teachings of the missionaries. Father Cro-
quet has been resident priest here for twenty-two years, and during twenty-two years
he visited Siletz Agency frequently every year as missionary, but never received any
compensation from the Government. Father Croquet labors with great zeal, and
now, after twenty two years' service, sees the fruits of his labors in the fact that every
adult Indian and child belong to the church and comply with its requirements in
their daily lives.
The sanitary condition of this people is good, and, now that a physician is allowed
this agency, I feel confident that they will increase in population.
I would respectfully call the attention of the Department to the verified petition
of the Indians located at the mouth of Salmon River, forwarded to the honorable Sec-
retary of the Interior February 19, 1879. Also the petitions verified and forwarded
to the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs under date of August 11, 1876, ask-
ing that they be attached to and form part of the Grand Ronde Reservation. When
these Indians were moved to Salmon River from Neztucca by Commissioner Simpson,
as an incentive to their removal he promised them the benefit of the school at this
agency ; that they were to have the same privileges of the saw and grist mills as the
Indians located here ; that they were to have their troubles settled here by the same
laws that govern the Indians of this agency ; and that efforts would be made to have
the Salmon River country attached to and form part of the Grand Ronde Reservation.
These promises were made to them before their consent was obtained to their removal
to their present location. The reasons calliug forth these petitions are : 1st, their
location at the mouth of Salmon River is but six or eight hours journey from Grand
Ronde over a good wagon road, while to reach the Siletz agency they have no road
or trail, but two days' journey, the greater part of which they have to cross Siletz
Bay and up the Siletz River, and during winter is very perilous in an open canoe. 2d,
they have, since the establishment of this agency, been accustomed to visit here, are
acquainted and intermarried with the Indians of Grand Ronde, and have to come
here to obtain supplies and find a market for their products. The only road leading-
in and out to Salmon River is through Grand Ronde Agency, where the Neztuccas,
Salmon River, and Tillarnook Indians are located. Under the circumstances their
wishes are reasonable, and I see no reason why the promises made them by the Gov-
ernment should not be fulfilled.
The Indians belonging to Grand Ronde Agency, when first moved from the Willa-
mette Valley, were moved and located at the mouth of Salmon River, in 1855 and 1856,
between Siletz and Salmon Rivers. They were afterwards moved to Grand Roude,
their present location, with the privilege of hunting, fishing, and pasturing stock at
all times in Salmon River country. This country was under the jurisdiction of Grand
Ronde Agency, but lately the Indians of this agency are forbidden to visit Salmon
River, by order of F. M. Wadsworth, United States Indian agent, Siletz Agency. * * *
During the year the agency has been visited by Inspector Gardner, Archbishop Seg-
hers, and other personages of note, and all, I believe, express themselves as satisfied
with the progress made by these Indians in the religious, social, and industrial habits
of life.
During the months of May and June we erected a substantial bridge over the
Yamhill River, between the agency and mills, with a span of 125 feet. Nearly all the
work was performed by the Indians, with but little cost to the Department except
material. The statistical report called for is also inclosed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. B. SINNOTT,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
KLAMATH AGENCY, OREGON,
August 10, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to herewith submit my fifth annual report of Indian affairs
at this agency.
HISTORY OF THE YEAR.
The past year has been marked with no striking events, but with general peace
and prosperity. The summer has been unusually warm and dry. In consequence of
this the hay crop is not as large as usual. Grasshoppers and crickets have swarmed
upon the eastern portion of the reservation, doing considerable damage both to pas-
128 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON.
tures and meadows. The " black leg " has again appeared among the Indian cattle,
and has destroyed a considerable number of this year's increase.
The killing of an Indian doctor by one of the tribe, \vho claimed to have had
grievances sufficient to justify the act, his capture while fleeing northward, his sub-
sequent trial by a jury of his own people, his conviction by that jury, and his execu-
tion by tribal authority, forms the most important event of the year, and has left a
lasting impression upon the minds of the people in favor of law and order.
The opening of a new boarding school, located at Yainax, 40 miles distant from the
agency, was an event of great interest among the Indians in that locality ; so great
that it has been found that the building, though 72 by 34 feet and two full stories
high, could only accommodate about one-half the number of pupils who applied for
admission.
It was also found that the school building at the agency was much too small to
meet the demands of the people. Permission and funds were obtained from the
Interior Department to erect new buildings at the agency to accommodate from 80 to
100 pupils. This building is finished upon the outside and about one-half completed
upon the inside. It is also two full stories high, and on an average 40 feet wide and
90 feet long. It is an imposing building, and one of the finest of its kind in southern
Oregon. It is hoped that it will be ready for occupancy and use during the early part
of the winter.
Our boarding schools have been quite prosperous during the year, and have been
crowded to their utmost capacity. During the forenoon of the day the children are
in the school-room, where they are successfully taught the usual branches pursued in
primary schools. The afternoon is devoted wholly to industrial pursuits, mechanical
and otherwise. In these pursuits the children manifest much interest and are making
commendable progress. With the enlarged and improved building and other accom-
modations now in progress of completion, we hope to be able another year to report
an attendance of 150 pupils.
AGRICULTURE.
So far as frostiness of climate is concerned the present summer has been favorable
for the raising of grain and vegetables. Last year an effort was made to raise potatoes
for the agency school at a sheltered place upon the southern part of the reservation
called " Modoc Point." One-half of an acre was planted upon the shore of Klainath
Lake, ami the result was a decided success. This year we have planted nearly an
acre, and the prospect is fully as good as last year. There is a probability that there
will be a yield of from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds. There is in this piece of laud that I
have selected for a school garden about 4 acres of good soil. Considerable work will
need to be done in fencing the land and in removing the encumbering rocks. This
place is 13 miles distant from the agency school, and yet it is the nearest place where
vegetables can be successfully grown nearly every year. There is, adjoining this
school garden, a tract of good agricultural laud of about 2,000 acres, lying between
the lake and the high range of mountains on the east, that is too dry for grain
raising, &c. Could this land be irrigated it would be productive and of vast benefit
to the Indians. It is thought by some persons that a portion of the water of Sprague
River, about 4 miles distant, can be turned out of its channel, and by an irrigating
canal made to fertilize and make productive this body of land. It is my purpose to
investigate the feasibility of this plan, and may report upon it at some future day.
Year after year these Indians have made efforts at grain raising. Occasional success
has inspired them with new hopes. I have no doubt that they would succeed as
agriculturists had they suitable lands for cultivation.
At Yainax, 40 miles east of the agency, our school, under the control of Mr. William
T. Leeke, the teacher, has made a fair beginning in cultivating a school garden.
About 3 acres of oats were sown, which have produced a good crop of grain-hay,
which would, no doubt, have yielded, had it been threshed, about 100 bushels of
oats. They have also put in about one acre of newly-broken land to the hardy kinds
of vegetables with fair success. Should the season be favorable, another year will
doubtless produce much better results.
INDIAN POLICE.
The order which required that but one ration should be issued to a policeman has
driven from the force some of our best men. Others remain through the solicitations
of the agent. The wonder to me has been that any remain. How men who are poor
and have families to support can be induced to give their time to the service for $5
per mouth, two or three suits of clothes per year, and one ration per week, is more
than I can tell. And yet such is their interest in the welfare and good order of the
people that some of them continue to do so. With all these difficulties they are
doing good service for the Government.
The saw-mill has cut about 750,000 feet of lumber during the year. One-half of
REPORTS OP AGENTS IN OREGON. 129
this amount has been expended for Government purposes. The remainder has gone
to the Indians, and been largely used in improvements upon their ranches.
The Indian apprentices are making good progress in their trades, and will, in time,
make fair mechanics. They lack, however, one essential to success, viz, a good com-
mon-school education.
The Indians under the control of the agent are about 1,000 in number. They are
comprised mainly of Klamaths, Modocs, and Snakes, with a few Pit Rivers and
others. The Klamaths and Modocs number about 800 ; the Suakes about 150. The
remainder are Pit River, Rogue River, and Molalla Indians. The Klamaths and
Modocs were originally one people, and speak the same language. They are, by inter-
marriage, rapidly becoming one people again.
THEIR SANITARY CONDITION.
The health of these Indians is generally good, and they are, I believe, slightly on
the increase as to numbers. The number of deaths has, this year, been unusually
large, and has been mostly either children or people past middle life. A large per-
centage of these deaths occurred during the winter months, and was the result of
chronic cases.
THEIR SUBSISTENCE.
Fully two-thirds of these Indians subsist by raising cattle or by working for out-
side parties at cutting wood and rails, making hay, and general farming. They
earned last year over $3,000 by transporting supplies for the military at Fort Klainath
and for private parties. The balance subsist largely upon the natural products of
the soil and the waters of the reservation.
THEIR HABITS OF LIFE.
To say that they are mainly industrious and good workers, that they are frugal and
judicious in the expenditure of their money, that they are nearly all free from the
vice of intemperance, or liquor drinking, that they have all adopted the costumes,
and most of them the modes of living of the whites, is only saying what is known by
those acquainted with them to be strictly true. Their progress in civilization is uni-
form and general, embracing nearly all the persons and families belonging to the
tribe.
THEIR SOCIAL CONDITION.
Occasionally there are family difficulties, aud difficulties between different members
of these tribes, but these are yearly becoming less frequent. I know of but one
Ind an among them who has more than one wife, and no case of the purchase of a
wife has been known during the last three years. They are longing to understand
and appreciate the marriage relation, and most of them desire to be legally married.
WHAT THEY HAVE OVERCOME.
Years ago many of them were intemperate, but have entirely reformed. Many of
them were formerly engaged in horse-racing and gambling, but a case of this kind
very seldom now occurs. A few years ago they were all under the influence of and
afraid of their medicine men. Bat few of them now apply to these doctors for treat-
ment, and many do not fear them. They have not for several years practiced any
of their Indian dances known as the snn dance, the war dance, &.c. Still tbey have
many of their Indian ways, traits, and superstitions, which can only be overcome by
years of civilizing influences and by the teachings of the school-room. Give them the
years of protection aud fostering care which many other tribes have had, and they,
in my judgment, will be second to none in all that is required for citizenship.
Yours, very respectfully,
LINUS M. NICKERSON,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
SILETZ INDIAN AGENCY, OREGON,
August 13, 18^3.
SIR: In compliance with instructions I have the honor to submit my first annual
report of affairs at this agency. The time that I have been here is so short that I
cannot make a report as complete as I would like. Many things will have to be esti-
mated that, had the report been due at a later date, could have been given from actual
count.
AGRICULTURE.
The great liberality of the Government in providing these Indians with the neces-
sary farming implements has resulted in great good. I find a strong desire among
5916 IND 9
130 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON.
them to make homes. The yonng men desire to take land. The old lines and corners
are so nearly obliterated that it is hard to get the matter of allotments as it should
be to prevent trouble among them. The old maps on file in the office are of a poor
quality, and so incomplete that they cannot be relied upon. Some work in the line
of surveying and making maps is greatly needed in order to establish permanently
the lines, so that each one may know where to do permanent work. With the proper
encouragement these Indians will soon all, or nearly all, be established in homes of
their own and be cultivating the soil.
The crop of hay is housed in as good condition as could be desired, but is not as
large as that of last year, for two reasons: 1st, their fields have been run too long
in hay and need breaking up and re-seeding, having become foul and run down;
2d, this has been a very dry season, no rain having fallen since the middle of May.
Good wheat can be grown here if properly put in, and that in the fall. Oats are
more certain. Some of the finest fields of oats are now being harvested that I have
ever seen. Some lots will yield from 50 to 60 bushels per acre. Many fields are light,
owing to the slack manner of putting in.
Number of acres under fence, 2,500; under cultivation, 1,440; acres of new land
broken, 18; new fence and old repaired, 1,513 rods.
The amount of grain now being harvested I have estimated as follows, viz: Oats I
placed at 30 bushels per acre, 850 acres giving 25,500 bushels; wheat will not be
over 15 bushels per acre 1,700 bushels; potatoes will be very light owing to the
continued dry weather -20,000 bushels; turnips, 1,000 bushels; hay, 500 tous. There
are a great many small gardens, but poorly cultivated. We hope to overcome much
of this. We also have a garden of from 3 to 4 acres connected with the boarding-
house, cultivated by the school-boys, under the direction of our efficient farmer, F. M.
Stanton. I have carefully read the last annual report of my predecessor, and have
carefully studied the situation, and I really cannot give so flattering a report as his.
It is true the season has been against us, and many fields now sown in grain are very
foul and need to be summer-fallowed. There is an abundance of good land here, and
when rotation in crops is taught them we will be able to enlarge the figures.
Our old thrashing-machine has been repaired, and is now doing very fair work.
Our new machine has just arrived and will be in running order in a few days.
TRANSPORTATION.
The greatest portion of our supplies come by schooner to Toledo, 8 miles from the
agency, from which point they are transported in wagons by Indians and the Gov-
ernment teams. During the fiscal year ending June 30 the Indians transported with
their own teams 105.829 pounds, and earned by such freighting the sum of $351. (54.
To say that the work has been well done is but just to those doing the work. I
would join with Mr. Swan in urging that the supplies be forwarded at an earlier date,
if it can be done, so as to reach us before the fall rains set in, for the reason that when
these commence it about doubles the work and expense.
INDIAN POLICE.
On the first of July I reorganized the police force ; some of the old ones I dropped
from the force, adding new ones. I retained the old captain as a private, and pro-
moted the acting sergeant. He was soon convicted of giving whisky to another In-
dian, and was removed from the force and also punished by confinement and hard
labor. I then again promoted the sergeant. The force is now doing good service
with a very few exceptions. I am satisfied that a course may be pursued here that
will give us a good police force. Of course some changes will have to be made to
effect it, but it will come in time. The greater portion of complaints brought are for
wife- whipping.
SANITARY.
The sanitary condition of the Indians will compare favorably with the whites on
this coast, with one exception, and that is the one great curse of venereal diseases,
which does fearful work among them. Oar resident physician, Dr. F. M. Carter,
however, speaks hopefully in regard to the matter, and thinks he sees a slight change
for the better. I can truly say that our physician is doing his duty and i.s endeavor-
ing to help me in my efforts to bring this people up to a fair standard of health and
cleanliness.
Number of births, 41 ; deaths, 29 ; number of Indians who have received medical
treatment during the year, 500.
MILLS.
We have a good saw-mill and flouring-mill, but cannot run them for want of money.
The great need just now is lumber; many, very many, wish to build. In fact, there
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON. 131
is a constant demand for building material, and we cannot give it. In my opinion
a great mistake was made here io making these mills steam power instead of water
power. If they had been provided with water power the Indians could have used
them without assistance. As it is, the saw-mill cannot be run without an engineer
and head sawyer, am we must ask the Department for funds to work with. Now,
we ueed much in this direction.
BUILDINGS.
The Government buildings are in a sad condition. We need lumber to rebuild, to make
and repair fences. The much-talked-of "Alsea houses" are not completed, and there
is no lumber to complete them. Out of fifteen that were promised the Alsea Indians,
only ten have been completed. A great many of our young men would take land and
go to work making honors for themselves if they could get lumber to build with. I
have allowed the agency trader to use the mill to cut a few thousand feet of lumber
for the erection of a store building. I have notified him that I will have to use the
Government building now occupied by him for a commissary, as the shed now used
for that purpose is not fit to store anything in.
INDUSTRIES.
The Indians' chief industry is farming, and I am agreeably surprised to find a very
strong desire to know how to do better farming. Willing to learn, they quickly take
to the trades needed here, but do not become first-class mechanics, for the want of
the necessary facilities to make them so.
EMPLOYES.
Of white employe's, we have a clerk, physician, farmer, teacher, assistant teacher,
matron, and a cook. Of Indian employ6s, an interpreter, a teamster, carpenter,
ferryman, mail-carrier, seamstress, and laundress and, up to July 1st, we had also a
shoemaker. Our police force consists of one captain, one sergeant, and ten privates.
I am happy to say that at this writing all of these employe's are working together in
unison and hearty co-operation, and giving me as good service as I could ask.
EDUCATIONAL WORK.
Upon this hangs the destiny of this people. Without earnest and patient work in
this direction, we can accomplish but little for the upbuilding of the Indians. The
old are dying off, the middle-aged are set in their habits and ways. The young are
susceptible of development under careful training. About the 1st of November, 1882,
the school buildings connected with this agency were destroyed by fire, and, to the
great sorrow of all concerned, the children were left without a place to pursue their
studies, and many of them without a decent home to go to. After a short time an
old and deserted mill was fixed up for a boarding-house, in which about 42 children
were crowded. With a great deal of patience and care they were managed. A part
of the ol<l agency house was converted into a school-room ; and in these very narrow
quarters the educational work is going on. At the present our scholars are taking
their much-needed vacation. We shall take up school again the 1st of September.
We were for a time much elated to think we should have new buildings, in which
we could place some 90 or 100 children, but there seems to be some doubt now as to
having them for the present. We earnestly hope that every difficulty may be over-
come, and that we will be granted the privilege of putting up new buildings.
I believe we can accomplish much good in this direction, as in this part of the
work special attention is given to teaching the girls to sew, to cook, and to do every-
thing pertaining to good housekeeping, and, as proof of the efficiency of the work,
quite a number of the girls have been sought after to go out and do the cooking for
the hands during harvest. The boys are taught the care and management of horses
and attle, also the planting and raising of all kinds of garden, as well as farm work
in general. The Department has kindly given me funds to put an apprentice in one
of the shops, which I shall do shortly.
CHURCH WORK.
The teacher, Rev. T. B. White, has charge of this branch of the work, holding re-
ligious services on each Sabbath morning and evening. The attendance at church is
good; in fact, with our limited room, I may say all come who can get a seat. There
is quite a lively interest manifested. The church record was lost in the fire last fall,
so that it is impossible to report the exact number of members, and it is only as we
ran iiml them out by actual contact that we can tell who are clum-h members. But
I am happy to say that since I have been here the church work is taking on an en-
couraging look.
132 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON.
MINES.
There are some beach gold mines on this reserve, and much feeling and speculation
is had in regard to them. Parties have applied to me with propositions which I could
not consent to. I have told them that I had no authority to allow them to work them,
and have referred them to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior.
CONCLUSION.
We are happy in the fact that we have a good square Christian man as trader to
these Indians, keeping such goods as are needed, and with fair prices.
Some of the cows purchased by the Government and distributed to the Indians by
Agent Swan have been sold by those to whom they were given. I have forbidden any
further sale of such cows. Several were sold and butchered before I was informed of
the manner in which they came in possession of them. In such cases I have required
the Indian to buy another one in the place of the one sold or butchered. I havo also
forbidden them to sell their stock cattle, as there is plenty of room here for many more
cattle than they have now, and, if managed well, in a few years they will have plenty
of cattle to sell. There is a general disposition to get horses, and not being able to get
first-class ones, they take up with cheap and inferior stock. The horses here belong-
ing to the Government are getting old and worked down, as are many of the work oxen.
There are at present, by actual count, 637 Indians on the reserve. The census of
1880 shows 998 belonging here ; of that number, about 360, composed principally of
the Sinslaws, Coos, and Uinpquas, are scattered along down the coast all the way
between here and the California line. Many of them desire to return to the reserva-
tion, but have not the money necessary to make the trip, and I am not provided with
funds to send for them. I think steps should be taken looking toward their return
to the reservation.
Very respectfully,
F. M. WADSWORTH,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
UNITED STATES INDIAN SERVICE,
Umatilla Agency, Oregon, August 10, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with instructions from your office dated July 13, 1883, I have
the honor to submit this ruy first annual report of affairs at this agency, to embrace
the 10th of August. On the 1st day of May, 1883, I assumed charge ot v this agency,
relieving R. H. Fay, my predecessor, in accordance with instructions of April 6, 18->3.
The ludiaus have been actively engaged during the past few months in work of
various kinds, such as fencing, splitting rails, cutting cord-wood, farming, &c., and
on the whole they have done as well, if not better, than ever before. They see more
and more the necessity of depending on their own exertions for a living, and there is
no doubt but what they will succeed, more especially, surrounded on all sides by the
whites as they are, they will be compelled to take land in severalty and live like their
neighbors.
I have issued, in accordance with instructions from the Department, a fair amount of
agricultural implements, at which my Indians seem to be much gratified, and I am
satisfied that they will take good care of them, more particularly as I have impressed
upon them your orders and the consequences that will ensue for a violation thereof.
The late order from the Department appointing Indian judges, although but a short
time since, has been productive of good results. There have been onlj 5 cases which
have come under their surveillance and punished by fines, which were all promptly
paid. This mode of punishment I am compelled to adopt, as, until I can get sufficient
lumber sawed, I have no place for confinement. I am under the impression that the
Indians will not give much trouble, as they perceive that their own judges are in
earnest to carry out the wishes of the Department.
Surrounded as we are on all sides by the whites, the greater part of whom look
with longing eyes on this reservation, it is not to be doubted that every means will
be resorted to in order to get a chance at this land, which is, perhaps, about the best
in Oregon. The most effective weapon for this purpose is, of course, whisky, or some
other intoxicant. Notwithstanding all our efforts, viz: the United States judge, mar-
shal, commissioner, and myself, there are cases of this nature which we are unable
to discover with certainty. The punishment inflicted in the few cases brought before
the United States district judge at Portland, Oreg., have been punished in most
instances by fine of from $10 to $25. In my opinion, where a person is convicted of
selling liquor to Indians, in addition to a'fine, a term of imprisonment should be
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON. 133
exacted, and the fine should be enough to reimburse the Government, cost of trans-
portation, &c. I am pleased, however, to notice that the cases, so far as the Indians
are concerned, are but few for the past three or four months, of this nature, and
accompanied with no aggravating circumstances, except in one instance, last May,
where an Indian was killed at McKay Creek a case of justifiable homicide, according
to the decision of the court here. Whisky was the cause, as well as the cause of the
murder of a white man on this reservation last February. Four Indians are now
undergoing sentence of 10 years in the Oregon penitentiary for this offense. All the
facts were reported to the Department at the time of the occurrence.
During the mouth of July I, together with my employe's, was working at the saw-
mill (17 miles from here), fixing the mill-race, flume, and dam, which we succeeded in
placing in proper working order. Owing to the fact that the number of my employe's
(exclusive of physician and school employe's) has been reduced to three, I will not be
able to accomplish the work I intended. The half-breeds or mixed bloods and In-
dians have hired a sawyer, whom they pay themselves, to saw sufficient lumber for
their present needs. This is a move in the right direction, and will tend to develop
the resources of the Indians here, without in any way (except so far as the use of
machinery is concerned) being an expense to the Government.
The boarding-school constructed last year has been in progress since January 1,
1883, and so far the results are satisfactory; although so far 45 is the number of schol-
ars, yet I hope to be able to raise the number to 75. On the 12th of May last I issued
to the boys an ample supply of clothing, generously furnished by the Government;
also some to the girls, to their great gratifi cation, as well as their parents. There are
at the Forest Grove school some 18 children of this agency. With some few excep-
tions the report of the superintendent, Mr. Miuthorn, is favorable.
The polic have been zealous and efficient in the performance of their duties, and
look after everything on the reservation with vigilance. I trust, my recommendation
for a subsistence allowance, as shown in my last estimate of funds, may meet with
approval.
The health of the reservation is good ; although a good many cases appear in my
sanitary report, yet there are none of a very serious character.
For official courtesies extended by the honorable Commissioner and his officers, for
ihe short period I have been in office, my thanks are due ; also for valuable assistance
rendered by the district attorney and the United States Commissioner. Statistics
enclosed.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. J. SOMMERVILLE,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
WARM SPRINGS AGENCY, OREGON,
August 14, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as my annual report for the year
ending July 31, 18S3.
INDIAN POPULATION, ETC.
As no regular census has been taken during the year, I can only arrive at the total
number of Indians by referring to the records of the births and deaths as far as such
items have been reported. From these I find that there were 19 births and 30 deaths;
excess of the latter over the former, 11. To this add 15 Piutes, who have either re-
moved to the Yakama Reservation, or ran off to their former country: there is a total
loss of 26. This taken from the 835 reported last year leaves 809, made up as follows :
Males.
Warm Springs
192
"Wascoes
123
Teninoes
35
John Days
26
Piutes
7
Total.
127
40
425
250
75
49
10
Among these are included the 5 mixed bloods.
There are at least 700 persons who wholly wear citizen's dress, and 109 who do so in
part. About 80 persons can read, and quite a number can write in English. The
latter is the only language taught. No papers or books have ever been published in
134- REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON.
the Indian language. Many who can read cannot or will not speak in English, so
that there are only about 4n Indians who can use the English language well enough
for ordinary conversation. We have been so accustomed to the jargon language that
we understand them much better in it than when they try to make us understand in
English. But for all this I look with no favor upon the jargon language, and always
regretted the necessity for its use.
NUMBER OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, *:TC.
/
I report 140 children of school age. Of this number there have been in school 80.
Of these 70 were in school one month or more. Two schools have been carried on
upon this reservation one at this agency called the "day and boarding school,''
and one at the Sin-e-uia-sho Valley, about '20 miles northwest of this agency, called the
"Warm Springs Industrial and Boarding School." In the former school was kept
during eleven months, though but 202 days school was taught. The average attend-
ance during the time was 2o. Largest attendance was in December last, whi h was
3bY>r out of 50 scholars enrolled. From the first of November to the first of May a
noonday meal was given to all the Indian scholars. Hence the name, "day aud
boarding school."
At the industrial school, sessions were held in every month of the year, though
but 190 days school was taught. The boarding-school commenced August 29 ot last
year, with 7 scholars. This number increased up to 26 boarding and 4 day scholars,
in January of this year. The average attendance was lo-fa. Largest average was in
January last, and was 26}f out of 30 scholars. There were employed in this school
one industrial teacher and one matron, until last June, when an assistant teacher was.
employed. At the agency school there was one teacher, and for six months a matron
also acting as assistant teacher. At the latter school industries were taught only to
the girls, as most of the boy were too small; and, had they then been old enough to
perform labor, there were no facilities for carrying on industrial labors. The girls
were taught cooking, housekeeping, aud plain sewing. The industrial school has a
garden of about 14 acres, which is doing quite well, notwithstanding the long-con-
tinued dry weather. None of the principal garden products are sufficiently advanced
or matured to form a correct estimate. The boys have been taught carpentering^
gardening, and the cutting of wood with ax and cross-cut saw. The girls vvenP
taught cooking, sewing, and housekeeping. It has been difficult to keep the children
at this school. Their parents and friends do not fully appreciate the advantages of
the training we aim to give, and too often take the children's part, when they run
off' home, on account of having been corrected, or from getting homesick.
APPRENTICES.
During the year I have had but two, one assistant blacksmith and one assistant
sawyer. These two now fill the positions of blacksmith and sawyer, formerly filled with
white employe's. They give good satisfaction, aud, while in some respects they can-
not fill the positions as well as skilled white mechanics, they can do all that is really
necessary in their line of work, with a little oversight on my part, or of some of my
white employe's.
PHYSICIAN'S REPORTS, ETC.
From these reports I find that 600 cases were treated, mostly among the Wasco and
Tenino Indians. The Warm Spring and John Days are not convenient to the agency,
hence seldom call for a physician, though they frequently procure medicines for the
more common ills, but in severe sickness they invariably call in their Indian doctors.
For a time I had hoped that they would abandon their belief in their medicine men,,
but it is ingrained into their very being from earliest infancy ; and though they some-
times declare they have given up this belief, yet the very next critical case finds them
flying to these men for assistance. The agency Indians are, in a measure, reclaimed,
but have not altogether abandoned their belief. It is doubtful whether the present
generation ever will be fully reclaimed. My principal hope is with the rising genera-
tion, though many of them will grow up with more or less of Indian superstitious in-
stilled into their minds.
The mortality has been very large during the year as compared with the past, as
there were 30 deaths ; of these 20 were near the agency ; two were accidental ; a
majority of the balance were chronic cases or old people.
MISSIONARY WORK.
This has been carried on almost entirely by myself and employe's. Services have
been maintained throughout the year, at both this agency and the Sin-e-ma-sho
Valley upon nearly every Sabbath. The world's week of prayer was duly observed,
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN OREGON. 135
at which time'l had the help of Rev. Mr. Dick, from the Willamette Valley. Quite
a number professed Christianity and united with the Church. No contributions have
been made during the year by any religious societies or other persons. The church
building, 24 by 40 feet, which I reported as commenced last year, has been so far
completed that services are held in it every Sabbath, and have been since the first
Sabbath in July last. Most of the work has been performed upon it by my own
hands, often in weariness and painfulness. I did it as my last legacy to the Indians
I loved and whom I have so long helped.
CRIMES COMMITTED.
The year has been quite free from the more aggravating crimes. The few of the
latter that we have had to deal with were nearly always brought about by intoxi-
cating liquors. One Indian doctor was murdered last spring by an Indian whose
father had been killed by this doctor, as he boasted. Two other men were in the
tragedy, but there was no proof that they took part ; but all three were drunk, and
the drunken doctor was strangled by one man while the other two looked on. The
murderer is new bound over to appear next September in the circuit court for Wasco
County, to answer to the charge of manslaughter. I report but six Indians arrested
and punished by civil law, and all for being drunk. Personal encounters are very
rare among Indians. 1 report only three cases. Indians punished by an Indian,
council, 15, the causes being mostly for stealing horses or wives of other men. The
court for the trial of Indian offenses has not been fully organized, hence I cannot say
how it will succeed. I have great confidence in its ultimate success when fully car-
ried out. I report no crimes as against the Indians by the whites, nor contrary wise.
At least two whisky sellers have been arrested for selling liquor to these Indians ;
but as only nominal fines were imposed, there results but little fear of the law.
LANDS CULTIVATED, ETC.
By the Indians, I estimate 2,000 acres as having been cultivated ; by Government,
but 12 acres, and these were sown for graiu-hay. The season has been the dryest
known for years ; in fact, there is no record of its equal since the settlement of this
country. For all this, the crops are turning out much better than last year. This is
owing to the bountiful rains in April and May, which so well saturated the ground
that the crops in most places got a splendid start. Had the favorable weather con-
tinued the year's crop would have been the largest ever harvested, for all a scarcity
of seed-grain prevented a much larger acreage from being sown. I estimate 3,500
bushels of wheat and 1,000 bushels of oats as the probable yield of the principal grain
products. Gardens generally look well, and there will likely be 1,000 bushels of po-
tatoes with other vegetables in smaller quantities.
LANDS IN SEVERALTY.
No allotments to any persons have as yet been made. A part of the reservation
was surveyed years ago into lots suitable for allotment, as provided for by treaty of
June 2-\ l-*55, but nothing more has been done. Each passing year will make a
satisfactory allotment more difficult.
STOCK OWNED.
Number of horses is estimated at 5,800; cattle, 500. During the year upwards of
200 head of cattle have been sold off or butchered for home use ; so that there is no
gain. But two men have sheep, of whom one has 200 and the other 100 head; the
latter purchased this summer. The broken character of this reservation makes it
better adapted to stock, and especially sheep, than anything else. The winters are
milder than at any other point east of the Cascade Mountains. Last winter, while
the mercury was marking from 10 to 30 below zero in other localities, at this
agency the lowest was 6 below, and but little snow on the ground ; so that stock
all wintered in good condition, and we had fair beef all the time right off t e ranges.
THE MILLS.
The saw-mill has cut upwards of 139,000 feet of lumber, mostly for Indians. Dur-
ing most of the time it has been run by an Indian.-
The grist-mill was run but little, as compared with former years, for there was but
little wheat to grind. What time it was ruu^an Indian had charge of the work, and
my miller for the present year is an Indian.
FISH, FURS, ETC.
The run of salmon has been unusually good, and most of the Indians have secured
a liberal supply of salt and dried salmon. But few furs are taken now-a-days, but
136 REPORT OF AGENT IN TEXAS.
during the hunting season last fall a large number of deerskins were taken, and the
total sales were upwards of $1,000. Unlike many of the white hunters, the Indiana
save all they can of the deer they kill. No doubt sometimes they kill deer too poor
to save; but as long as dried venison, &c., is a necessary article of diet, they are not,
as a usual thing, going to wantonly destroy game, simply for their hides or skins.
HOUSES OF INDIANS.
There are 75 frame houses occupied by Indians and 22 log houses. Seven frame
houses were built daring the year, all by the Indians themselves. None of them are
very costly, but are good, comfortable buildings.
INDIAN FREIGHTERS.
The Indians have hauled with their own teams upwards of 40,000 pounds of freight,
mostly Indian supplies, from The Dalles. For their work they have received near
$400 in cash.
SUBSISTENCE OF INDIANS.
Fully nine-sixteenths of this is obtained by the labor of the Indians, for themselves
or others, in civilized pursuits, and seven-sixteenths by fishing, hunting, root gather-
ing, &c. There is an increasing demand for Indians as sheep herders, stock herders,
assisting in gathering up and branding stock, especially cattle. Quite a number of
men devote nearly the entire working season to gathering up stock and helping drive
them to the various markets, especially Portland, Oreg.
EMPLOYES.
My present force of white employe's consists of one physican, one clerk, two teach-
ers, and one assistant teacher. All the rest of the employe's are Indians. While we
mi*s the society of those of our own race, it seems best for the future of these Indi-
ans to throw them upon their own resources as rapidly as possible. Knowing that
this is the wish of the Government, I have bent all my energies in this direction, and
expect that success will crown my efforts. The year has been one of progress. The
seed sown will yield an increase some time in the future years. I cannot hope to see
the full fruition. Others will reap the richer harvest from these years of toil, but to
me there is joy in knowing that ray own hands have gathered in some of the ripening
grain.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN SMITH,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
TONKAWA SPECIAL AGENCY,
Fort Griffin, Texas, August 10, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with instructions from your office, I have the honor to submit
the following as my annual report of the aifairs at this agency for the fiscal year end-
ing June 30, 1883 :
Since making my last, annual report there have been no important changes at this
agency. The tribe of Toukawas is in camp a few miles above the town of Fort Griffin,
and they depend partly on the rations which are issued them by the Government and
partly on hunting and fishing for their subsistence. The game is very scarce in this
vicinity, and in consequence they often suffer for want of food. The amount appro-
priated by Congress for their support d uriug the year 1883 was only $3,000, and the same
amount was appropriated for their support the present year. They are on no reserva-
tion and own no lands of their own, so they can do very little towards supporting
themselves. The soil and climate are not suitable for agricultural purposes, and the
only way in which they could be made self-supporting here would be to supply them
with cattle until they could get a start. The lands in this vicinity are being fenced,
and it will be only a short time before this tribe will be compelled to leave here, if
not removed by the Indian Department.
These Indians claim this country as their original home, and manifest a dislike to
leave it; but if they could be furnished a good reservation in the Indian Territory,
remote from that of the Comanches, their mortal enemies, there would be no trouble
in securing their removal. I have several times called the attention of the Depart-
ment to the condition of these Indians, but no action has been taken toward their re-
moval.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH. 137
The Government owns no buildings here, and the office, storehouse, &c., are rented
from private parties.
There have been no cases of crimes being committed by Indians against Indians,
Indians against whites, or whites against Indians.
There have been four cases of whites selling liquor to Indians, and all have been or
are being prosecuted. One was convicted, and the other three are to be tried in a few
days. This is the principal source of annoyance at this agency, and I find it almost
impossible to keep the Indians from getting liquor in some way. A few more con-
victions, however, will have a good effect on the liquor-sellers.
The sanitary condition of these Indians is not good, and the number of deaths is
largely in excess of the number of births, the former being eleven and the latter only
four. Our reason for this is that there is no physician here authorized to care for
them, and treat them when sick, and they are not able to pay for such medical serv-
ices themselves. At the present rate it is a question of only a few years when they
will become entirely extinct. There are no schools nor churches here, and as a con-
sequence they have made no progress during the year in the direction of education
and Christianity.
These Indians are perfectly peaceable and law-abiding, and no trouble has ever oc-
curred between these Indians and the white settlers. The Tonkawas have ever been
the friend of the white man, and they have many times suffered at the hands of their
neighbors, the Comanches and Kiowas, on account of that friendship; yet, notwith-
standing all this, they are more poorly provided for by the Government than any
other tribe of Indians in the country. Their lands have all been taken from them, and
none have been given them in return.
In conclusion, I would respectfully recommend that some steps be taken for the re-
moval of these Indians, after the present year, to some suitable place in the Indian
Territory, when, with a little assistance for a few years, they can become self-support-
ing.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ELIAS CHANDLER,
Second Lieutenant, Sixteenth Infantry, Acting Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
OURAY INDIAN AGENCY, UTAH,
August 13, 1883.
SIR: In accordance with your letter of instruction, dated July 31, I have the honor
to submit the following as my second annual report of affairs at this agency.
During the last year I have ridden over most of the reservation, and find after
careful observation that the bottom lying along Green and White Rivers contains all
of the farming lands within the lines of the reservation. There is not a stream out-
side of the two mentioned that has running water in it two months during the year ;
the fact of the matter is, it is nothing but a desert, and it is just an utter impossibility
for an agent to keep the Indians inside the lines of this reservation, as on three sides it
is bounded by mountains where there is plenty of water, grass, and game.
DISPOSITION AND CONDUCT OF INDIANS.
The Tabequache baud of Utes as a class are a well-disposed people, who express a
desire to please Washington in every way except in going to work and having their
children sent away to school. They are as fat as pigs, and most of them are the per-
sonilication of laziness. They spend three-fourths of their time in lying down or
sitting flat upon the ground. When awake they spend their time gambling, horse-
racing, and hunting There are some exceptions to this general rule, as I have some
Indians that are good workers. As a class, they are good-natured and friendly to the
whites and Mormons. They do not class the Mormons as white men ; they know too
much about them.
DRUNKENNESS.
I have never seen but one Indian under the influence of liquor at this agency, but
I am reliably informed that some of my Indians get drunk at Uintah. It is no trouble
for them to get all the alcohol they want from the Mormou settlers through the
country.
EDUCATION.
In regard to education and schools, I am sorry to say there has nothing been done
whatever. I have used all the arguments and inducements at my command to get
some of my Indians to send some of their children to some Eastern or Western indns-
138 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH.
trial-school, but have always been met by the same reasons for not sending them, viz:
"Why is it that Washington does not build a school-house here, as he agreed to when
we sold him our lauds in Colorado? If we send our children away to school squaw
heap cry all the time. Ute squaw heap like her papoose. Ute boy no understand
white man house, mebbe so die." But their main argument is that Washington has
always promised the Utes a school-house and never built one, but when he does, they
will send their children to school.
BUILDINGS.
The dwellings are nothing but log huts, not fit for a white man to live in ; they are
full of vermin, and it is impossible to get rid of them, as the houses are built of cotton-
wood logs, with the bark left on. Just imagine the agent's house with a 7-foot ceiling
and no ventilation, sitting on an eminence that is as destitute of vegetation as the Dry
Tortugas, with the sun pouring down upon it for fifteen hours per day and the ther-
mometer at 105 in the shade, and then going in there to sleep ; and my house is the
best on the reservation. My employe's and myself have been sick a great deal this
summer, caused principally from having to sleep in these sweat-boxes, and the way
it is proposed to fix up old Fort Thornburgh for the new agency is not going to help
matters much.
IMPROVEMENTS.
There have no improvements of a permanent kind been made at the agency during
the year, notwithstanding there has been a very large amount of money expended
for that purpose which was worse than thrown away. As far as the agent is con-
cerned at this agency in the matter he is utterly powerless to do anything, as the
agency for the last year has been continually afflicted either by commissioners or
special agents who have spent a large amount of money and accomplished absolutely
nothing. I do not know whether other agents are afflicted in this way or not, but any
that are have my sympathy.
AGENCY FARM.
My employe's fenced, plowed, and planted in wheat, oats, potatoes, &c., 40 acres
of land which was virtually labor thrown away, as the $^0,000 irrigating ditch that
was recommended and constructed under the personal supervision of the Ute commis-
sioners is an absolute failure, and as I expected to get my supply of water from it of
course the farm is a failure also.
INDIAN FARMS.
There are ten of my Indians who made a start at farming this spring and have
raised small patches of wheat, oats, potatoes, corn, &c. There were at least thirty
more who had their locations selected and were ready to go to work, but there was
no water forthcoming, and they did not put in a crop. I do not think they will ever
farm very extensively, but most of them, in time, will cultivate small farms.
CRIME.
There has been no crime committed by these Indians or against their persons dur-
ing the year on the reservation whatever. There was one of their number killed on
Miguel Mountains, in Colorado, last October. It was impossible for me to get any
definite information in regard to it, only that he was killed. The Indians themselves
think he was as likely to have been killed by Colorado Utes as by white men, and I
am inclined to the same opinion. On the 7th of August, 1883, there was a white man
by the name of William Redman, of Middle Park, Colorado, committed suicide by
shooting himself through the head. He was found by Harry Golden, of Snake River,
and Andrew Strong, of Blue Mountain. A thorough investigation of the facts by
myself and other white men found this to be the cause of his death.
SETTLERS.
There are two Mormons who claim ranches on this reservation: A. C. Hatch and
P. Dodds. These ranches are the headquarters for all the cow-boys who want to
hold cattle on the reservation. I understand Hatch is moving a large band of horses
and cattle to this ranch ; also, that he is going to cut hay on about two hundred acres
of Indian land this summer. On December 23, 188^, I wrote to the Department, stat-
ing the facts in the matter, and was informed that it would require further report.
This Hatch ranch is not one day's ride from this agency, and it is just as easy for
an officer who has the authority to report on it in three days as it is to wait one year.
My Indians talk about this matter a great deal, and are considerably worked up
over it.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH. 139
STOCK.
These Indians now own five good blooded stallions, of about 1,200 pounds weight
each, that will have the effect of improving their stock wonderfully in the next three
or four years; they are better pleased with this purchase than by anything that has
been d<>ne for them. In the coming October they will have 800 good American cows,
which is one of the best investments ever made of Ute money. If they are branded
with the I. D. brand and their calves branded the same so the Indians cannot sell
them, it will not be many years before they would have a herd so large that the sale
of the steers every year would keep them in blankets and provisions. And if the
Ute Indians of this tribe are ever to become self-supporting, it will be by making
them rich in the increase of stock in spite of themselves. But there will have to be
some measure adopted to keep them from selling their young stock, as there are
plenty of white men standing ready to rob them, and if an Indian wants money he
will sell his shirt if he can.
MISSIONARY.
There has been no missionary work done here except by the Mormons, and that
was of a very practical kind, consisting of helping some of the Indians take out a
water ditch for the purpose of irrigating their crops. The Unitarians are very anx-
ious to do something for these Indians, but I am obliged to answer all their inquiries
with there can nothing be done here now, as there is no place for a missionary to
stop, which is much to be regretted, as I know that a good minister would have a
good influence over the Indians as well as the white employe's.
SANITARY.
The sanitary condition of these Indians is remarkably good. There have only been
five deaths reported during the year. There is very little venereal disease among
them and no new cases ar that. They receive and use a great deal of medicine from
the agency physician, in whom they have great confidence. The medicine men have
very little power among them now.
THE INDIANS.
The Indians on this reservation are what are known as the Tabequache band of
Utes, and consist of 720 males and 640 females.
STATISTICS.
The annual statistical report of the agency is herewith inclosed.
In conclusion, I will say this is not a rose-colored report, but it is a true report of
affairs at this agency.
Very respectfully,
J. F. MINNISS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
UINTAH VALLEY AGENCY, UTAH,
August 14, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with Department instruction, I have the honor to submit the
following as my first annual report of this agency and the Indians under my charge.
I assumed charge of this agency on the 21st of July. Owing to the short time I have
been here, my report will be based more upon the condition of the agency and the
habits of the Indians than upon the progress made during the last year.
This reservation consists of a table land 6,300 feet above sea-level, sloping gradually
toward the south, and containing over 2,000,000 acres, of which over 300,000 is arable.
It is well watered by the Du Chesne and the Uintah rivers with their numerous tribu-
taries. It is one of the most healthy and fertile districts in this section of coun-
try. From its natural slope, its many rivers, and its fertility, much more of the land
is available for cultivation than the Indians in their present state of civilization and
slow progress will be able to cultivate for many years. The canons on the outskirts
of the reservation produce plenty of wood and timber for the use of the agency and
for the Indians. The streams afford good fishing and the mountains good hunting.
Its natural facilities make this a wise location for an Indian reservation. The agency
buildings are situated near the upper part of the reserve, commanding a view of a
140 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH.
large part of it. They are sufficient to meet the present needs of the agency with
the exception of a school-house. They are in good repair. Most of them are framed,
though a few of the older buildings are made of logs.
The Indians on this reservation now number 965 Uintah and White River Utes
nearly half and half. I find that it would be more satisfactory to the Indians and
save the agent much trouble if these two tribes could be consolidated. The White
River Utes receive more subsistence supplies and more annuity goods than the
Uintahs. These two tribes come to the same agency and are treated differently in the
presence of each other. The system as it is now conducted is calculated to cause
jealousy between the tribes, and ultimately result in serious trouble. The chiefs of
both tribes wish to be consolidated. I confidently hope it will be done as soon as
possible.
Notwithstanding the friction resulting from this cause, I find that many of the
White River Utes who are reported never to have done any farming before this year
have followed the example of the more thrifty Uintahs and cultivated small patches
of land here and there. This shows the disposition of the White Rivers, though no
material results will be derived from many of their small farms this year.
Most of the Indians live in their "wickiups" and cook their food in the most primi-
tive ways. Cooking-stoves have been issued to some of them, but after a short time
they abandon them and return to their camp-fires. The majority of the Indians dress
in leggings and blankets. My statistical report will show that only 23 of the tribe
dress wholly in citizens' clothes and 31 in part. The Indians cannot make any de-
decided advancement as long as they use one hand to hold theirblanket around them
while they are trying to work with the other. As a class they are indolent and poor,
and do not look out for their future wants. They are very friendly to the whites at
the agency, and are disposed to consult the wishes of the agent in ail matters pertain-
ing to their welfare.
They have under cultivation 223 acres of land planted to oats, wheat, corn, and po-
tatoes. My farmer who is now harvesting their crops reports that they will have an
excellent yield of oats, wheat, and potatoes, but that the corn crop will not mature.
The seasons are too short for maturing corn. We estimate that their wheat crop will
round up to 2,300 bushels, oats to 1,710, and potatoes to 900 bushels. Besides this
they have built 3,647 rods of good fence during the past year, inclosing their small
farms and pastures. The farmer superintended nearly all their agricultural works,
and is pleased at the combined results of the efforts of the Indians and himself.
In the matter of stock raising the Indians have a decided preference to ponies over
cattle. Four or five Indians of the Uintah tribe own nearly all the Indian cattle on
this reserve. Their influence among the tribes is measured by the number of ponies
they possess, and as long as this custom obtains among them they will raise ponies in
preference to cattle. Nor are their ponies as good as they might be. They train the
best for racers and riders, and leave the smaller and poorer ones for stock horses. The
result is that not one in twenty are fit for work horses.
I am not able to give a full report of the school. My statistical report shows that
the average attendance during the eight months of school of last year was 17 pupils.
Perhaps this small number is due to the fact that there is no suitable school building
here. I confidently hope that a new school building will be erected here as soon as
possible. My teacher reports that the pupils who attended school during the last
year made decided improvement. He says that while the Indian pupils are not as
bright as white children, they possess a very fair degree of intelligence. The school,
heretofore under the control of the Presb.N terian Board, during the past year, has been
conducted exclusively by the Department. The school employe's consisted of a
teacher, matron, and a cook. Rations have been furnished from the commissary for
the Indian pupils. The cost of each pupil during the past year has been $105.74.
Much prejudice exists among the older men, and especially among the medicine men,
against the children attending school. Whenever the older men do consent to allow
the children to attend school they consider that they have conferred a special favor
upon the agent and the teacher. The younger men, who are brought more in contact
with the whites in the settlements in the vicinity of the reservation than the more
conservative old men who stay at home, see the advantages which the white people
have from their schools, and consequently urge their children to attend the agency
school. I cannot help thinking that the prospects for the school this year are better
than they ever were before.
The police force at this agency numbers seven in all one officer and six privates.
They are very efficient in quieting little quarrels among the Indians. Their presence
is always a guarantee of good order.
On the evening of the 19th of July the Chinaman cook was assaulted by two white
men who demanded his money, and on refusing was brutally beaten over the head.
The Chinaman succeeded in arousing some of the employes to come to his assistance
and the robbers made off. The Indian police were summoned as soon as possible
and put upon their trail. They followed the trail of the robbers about 12 miles by
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 141
moonlight, and then lost it, but instead of abandoning the search they camped where
they lost the trail, and in the early morning succeeded in finding it again and soon
came upon the robbers, arrested them, and brought them back to the agency. The
criminals were turned over to the United States marshal and are now in jail in Salt
Lake City awaiting the action of the grand jury in September. I give the details
of this capture to show how persistent the police are in performing their duty. In
this connection I may say that this is the only crime known to have been committed
on this reservation during the past year.
Whisky has been brought in several different times by Indians and on one or two
occasions brought to their camps by white men. The introduction of whisky is a
matter of serious annoyance to the agent. It is much easier for Indians to obtain,
whisky now than it was before the country around the borders of the reservation had
been settled. I do not think whisky is sold to the Indians openly. One Indian who
had been fined by the chiefs for selling whisky to other Indians, said that a white
man, whom he did not know, sold it >o him in the dark. Nearly all the Indians love
whisky, and it would be a hard matter to make them turn informers.
The sanitary condition of these Indians is very good. Nearly all of them come to
the agency physician when they are seriously sick. The influence of the medicine
men is gradually giving way to the services of a skillful physician.
Referring to their moral condition, they love gambling and horse racing, but they
are honest and virtuous. Nearly half of them belong to the Mormon church ; not
from any special piety of the Indians, but the Mormons have always endeavored to
curry favor with them.
In conclusion, I think the prospects for steady advancement are brighter than they
ever were before. The Indians must for several years to come depend largely-upon
the Department for their support, but they are gradually learning the art of self de-
pendence. Colorow and his little band of followers who would not corne to this re-
serve to live have expressed to me their intention of permanently settling here with-
out compulsion. The agent and the Indians are one in purpose, and the employe"
force is as good as I could wish.
Respectfully submitted.
ELISHA W. DAVIS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
COLVILLE INDIAN AGENCY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,
August 15, 1833
SIR: I have the honor to submit my eleventh annual report of the affairs of this
agency and the condition of the Indians under my charge.
NON-TREATY INDIANS.
No treaty has ever been made with the Indians belonging to this agency. The
reservation west and north of the Columbia River was set aside for them without
their being consulted in the matter ; consequently the Indians who have always lived
upon the east side of the Columbia took but little interest in the reserve, and but a
small number, comparatively, have removed to it, each tribe continuing to occupy
their former locations, which, for the different tribes, are widely separated.
NO GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS FOR USE OF AGENCY.
No provision ever having been made for the erection of agency buildings upon the
reservation, although the necessity for the same has frequently been urged by me in
my annual reports and in special letters to your office, the residence of the agent was
with the approval of your office located at a point most accessible and convenient to
the different tribes as at present located, viz : The Colvilles, numbering 670, at a
distance from the agency of from 22 to 30 miles, on the east side of the Columbia River,
west of the agency ; the Lakes, 333, at about the same distance, upon the west side
of the Columbia River ; the Okanagaus, some 330, about 150 of the tribe being across
the line in British Columbia, are located along Kettle River to Soozoos Lake, 135
miles distant: the San Poels, 400, on the San Poel River, 100 miles distant; the
Methows, 315, living upon the Methow River, are about 100 miles distnut ; theSpokaus,
685, Upper Band living upon the Little Spokan and adjacent prairies, 50 miles dis-
tant ; the Middle Band in the vicinity of Spokau Fails, some 00 miles distant ; the
Lower Band on the addition to the Colville Reserve set aside for the Spokan In-
dians, 35 miles distant; the Cosur d'Alenes, 425, are on the Coaur d'Alene Reserva-
tion in Idaho Territory, 110 miles distant; the Calispels, 400, on the CaJispel Bay,
142 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
near the Peud d'Oreille River, 35 miles distant from the agency ; some 60 or 75 of
the Calispel and Colville Indians live in the immediate vicinity of the agency. It
may be inferred from the location of the Indians as above given, that their manage-
ment is a matter of some difficulty, but their peaceful disposition was favorably
commented upon by General Sherman in his late visit to this section, who volunteered
the remark that the Indians of this agency at least had not given his department any
trouble.
NECESSITY FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ON RESERVATION.
Although, as shown, the residence of the agent is centrally situated as regards the
location of the different tribes, I remain unchanged in my opinion that Government
buildings foragency use should be erected upon the Colville Reservation at a point on
the Columbia River accessible to the greater number of the Indians of the agency, as
the larger number of the different tribes will always be on the east side of the range
of mountains between the Columbia River and the Okanagan River.
There should also be a small residence, stable, &c., erecttd on the Cceur d'Alene
Reservation for the use of the resident farmer there.
NECESSITY FOR REMOVAL OF INDIANS TO RESERVATIONS.
I would renew the recommendation in my last annual report bearing upon the re-
moval of the Upper Spokans to the Cceur d'Alene Reservation, referred to in my letter
to your office of February 15, Ib83. It would also be advisable to remove the Ca!is-
pels to either the Cceur d'Alene or Flathead Reservation ; they were oiiginally from
the latter place. There will, of course, always be some individual members of above
tribes who will prefer taking homesteads and remaining where they are, and in such
cases provision should be made for the necessary tees to enter their land. The, funds,
$500, placed to my credit by telegram for payment of homestead fees of Indians at
this agency were not received until the 28th of June, 1883, too late to be available.
I would recommend that provision be made for payment of said fees for the present
fiscal year.
TRESPASS UPON TIMBER, CCEUR D'ALENE RESERVATION.
Much annoyance has been occasioned by white settlers trespassing upon the timber
of the Cceur d'Alene Reservation in consequence of the undefined boundaries of the
reserve, which, however, will be remedied when the survey authorized will be com-
pleted.
FAILURE OF CROPS.
Owing to the unusual dryness of the entire season the crops will fall far below the
average of last year, although there have been a number of new farms taken and an
increased acreage under cultivation; the Cceur d'Alenes in particular have suffered
severely from the drought, and it is anticipated that there will not be half the yield
of former seasons.
BOARDING SCHOOL AT CCEUR D'ALENE RESERVATION.
The new boarding school erected by the Sisters of Charity, at a cost of $4,500, at
the Co3iir d'Alene Indian reservation, referred to in my last annual report, has been
completed, and is a large and commodious building, well adapted to accommodate 50
or more boarding pupils.
COLVILLE MALE AND FEMALE BOARDING SCHOOLS.
The huildings for accommodation of the male and female boarding schools at
the Colville Indian Mission have been enlarged and improved during the past year.
The attendance of the boarding scholars at the three schools of this agency has been
very regular during the past year, and at the annual examination the proficiency of
the pupils was favorably commented upon by the large number of white settlers who
were in attendance. More attention than formerly has .been given to the industrial
pursuits of the pupils. The larger girls and boys are very diligent in assisting in the
dairying, cooking, farming, gardening, and general work incident to the conduct of
the school.
AGENCY POORLY PROVIDED FOR.
The agency was visited last November by United States Indian Inspector Gardner,
who commented upon the poverty of the agency equipments, and, I understand, rec-
ommended that they should be materially improved by the purchase of an ambulance
and additional animals. He also visited the schools and professed himself as very
favorably impressed with their management and the proliciency of the pupils.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 143
MISSIONARY WORK.
The missionary work among these Indians is still carried on by the Jesuit Fathers,
who have labored among them forty-three years past with a degree of success worthy
of all praise; and much of the general good rendered to the public and to the Gov-
ernment by their influence over the Indians will never be known.
REDUCTION OF THE EMPLOY^ FORCE.
The continual reduction of the employe" force of the agency from year to year until
we are at last deprived of even an interpreter, although there are eight different dia-
lects spoken by the tribes of this agency, would seem to imply great proficiency on
the part of the agent or that very small results are desired. It can scarcely be ex-
pected that an agent can perform the office work required and the necessary corre-
spondence with yonr office, and at the same time give the proper attention to some
3,500 Indians, scattered over a tract of land equal in area to at least two of the New
England States; and if some of the Indians complain of being neglected it should
not be considered very surprising.
The practice of allowing parties having no connection with the agency to go
among the Indians, without the knowledge of the agent, with authority from some
official source, to inquire into their wants and make them promises which the agent
would have no authority to do (and which would require an act of Congress to com-
ply with) is calculated to impair the service and to render the Indians dissatisfied,
and to destroy the authority of the agent. Too little has been done to strengthen
Ihe hands of the agent, and too much license has been given to persons to interfere
with his work.
PROGRESS OF THE INDIANS.
Although there has been much to contend with in the management of this agency
from the meager appropriations, the lack of the necessary employe's, the want of mills
and suitable buildings, the encroachments of whites upon their domains, and the
difficulties attending the land titles of the Indians, the most incredulous will have to
acknowledge that there has been a steady progress made in the right direction among
the greater number of the tribes. They have maintained peaceable relations with
the whites; they have abandoned their nomadic habits, and from the pursuit of
game and fur-bearing animals they have turned their attention to agricultural pur-
suits. They have learned to appreciate the advantage of education for their children,
and are fast becoming a self-sustaining and independent people. With fair dealing
towards thi-m by the Government there is no reason but to anticipate that their
offspring will become good citizens and useful members of society.
The statistical report is herewith inclosed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. SIMMS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
NEAH BAY AND QUINAIELT AGENCY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,
Neah Hay, August 15, 1883.
SIR: In compliance with the instructions contained in your circular-letter of July
13, I have the honor to submit the following report for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1883, being my first report for Neah Bay and Qninaielt agencies consolidated, and
my sixth report as Indian agent.
This agency is located on the straits of Juan De Fuca, just inside of Cape Flattery,
and the tribes and bands of Indians belonging thereto are scattered from the straits
to the Columbia River, a distance of 200 miles by the coast line, and inland at Gray's
Harbor and the Chehalis River, a distance of 50 miles. With Indians so widely scat-
tered it is a very difficult matter for the agent to visit them as often as is really
necessary for good government.
NEAH BAY AGENCY.
On taking charge of the consolidated agency September 17, 1882, I found the popu-
lation of the Neah Bay Agency reported as follows: Makahs, 701; Quillehutes 318;
and a school population of Makahs, 139, Quillehutes, 109. These numbers were re-
ported by me until I could take a correct census, which was carefully done by the
agency physician and myself during March and April last, and there are 507 Ma'kahs
and 23h' Quillehutes; total, 743. The census also shows 88 children of school age of
the Makah's and 48 children of school age of the Quillehutes.
144 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
On the 1st of October I had 43 scholars attending the industrial school. This num-
ber was increased to 58 during the winter and the average attendance has been 50.
The school room is 21 by 24, and is well crowded with that number of scholars. Sixty
is the outside number that can be accommodated unless the buildings are enlarged, but
as 200 of theMakah Indians live from seven to fifteen miles distant from the agency it
is not likely that more than 60 scholars can be had for the school. I am aware that a
greater number have been reported by a former agent as attending school regularly,
but facts will not justify the reports. The teacher, J. H. Forrest Bell, has, in addition
to his duties as teacher, supervised the manual labor of the boys, conducted a Sab-
bath school regularly, and preached a short sermon every Sunday evening. I deem
it of great importance in the work of improving the Indians to teach them a due
observance of the Sabbath, and Mr. Bell has been a faithful helper in this work. He
is a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and through his efforts a large
number of useful presents were sent to the scholars by the Episcopal Board of Missions
of New York, evidencing to the children that people living at a distance were inter-
ested in their improvement and welfare. All of the school employe's have been faith-
ful and attentive to their duties and a gradual improvement has been made.
The sanitary affairs have been looked after by the agency physician, Dr. Robert
Lyall, and there is a perceptible improvement in cleanliness and a gradual lessening
of the Indian methods in caring for the sick. Some of the old and fanatical ones
still try to maintain the influence of their medicine men, but it is a rare thing to find
them attempting to practice their tomanous.
I have endeavored to establish an Indian court as directed by the rules governing
the court of Indian offenses, but so far I have not been able to find suitable Indians,
who are willing to serve in that capacity. All offenses are examined into by myself
or, in my absence, by the agency physician, and the offenders are punished by con-
finement in the agency juil and at hard labor, in proportion to the nature of the
offense committed. I have no serious trouble in governing them, and am satisfied,
that with firmness and fair and honest treatment no serious trouble need be appre-
hended.
There has not been any serious offenses committed by the Indians of Neah Bay
Agency since I have been in charge, and the credit for good behavior is, to some ex-
tent, due to the vigilance of the Indian police. As a rule they have been prompt to
perform every duty required of them. Those who have been negligent were promptly
discharged.
The Quillehute Indians are 30 miles from the agency by land and 40 miles by water
and so difficult of access that I cannot make frequent visits to them. The route by
land is along the ocean-beach at low tides and over the spurs of the bluffs, and can
only be traveled on foot. In my visits to them I have taken advantage of a smooth
sea and made the tri in a canoe. These Indians are anxious to have a day school,
and I have repeatedly urged to have their request) granted. There would be an
average attendance of 25 scholars, and I again respectfully request to have a school
for them.
The Makah and Quillehute Indians depend almost entirely on sealing and fishing
for a living. The sealing this year has been a comparative failure. From the best
information I can gather not more than 5,000 seals have been taken, and the average
price paid will not exceed $3 per skin. Under the rules of sealing one third of the
catch is given the schooners furnished for sealing purposes, and this leaves but
$10,000 for the Indians, a falling off of $15,000 of the amount reported last year.
But little can be done in the way of farming, for the land at both locations is of
very inferior quality and constant fertilizing is required to produce a respectable crop.
I have given every possible encouragement to farming, assisted them in plowing, and
furnished seed in many instances, but the late spring rains prevented seasonable
planting, and the dry summer has hindered the growth of vegetables to that extent
that the harvest will be very small.
QUINAIELT AGENCY.
Robert M. Rylatt has been the teacher at Quinaielt Agency since October 1, 1882,
and has had general charge of the affairs at that place since that time. I have visited
there regularly at the end of each quarter to pay the employe's and make up the
reports and returns, and found that reasonahle progress was being made in the school
and in general work among the Indians. The task of taking full charge of the agency
and teaching the school is a laborious one, and Mr Rylatt is entitled to great credit
for the faithful performance of his duties. The other employe's have also been faith-
ful and attentive to their duties, and are entitled to a share of the progress made.
Dr. J. B. Price, agency physician, sent in his resignation in May, to take effect
June 30. Circular No. 10 1 prohibits the agent from selecting a physician to fill the
place. On the 4th of June I informed the Department of the vacancy, and after
waiting until the 15th of July for an answer, or the appointment of a physician, I em-
ployed Dr. George A. Dearden to the place, and forwarded a descriptive statement for
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 145
approval. This action was rendered necessary for the reason that a physician could
not be had within 70 miles of the agency ; and to enable the agent to suppress t ( e In-
dian doctors it is necessary to have a physician at the agency to attend to the sick
whenever his services are required.
The trader, John VV. Hume, is erecting suitable buildings for canning the salmon,
and this will give employment to all the adult Indians during the fishing season. The
Quinaielt River has a greater abundance of salmon, and of a better quality than any
stream of its size on the Pacific coast, and the Indians are highly elated at the pros-
pect of having more constant employment and better pay than ever before.
The school has made reasonable progress, but the attendance is not equal to the
three previous years. This is caused by the death of some of the scholars, the matu-
rity of others, and the lack of children of suitable age adjacent to the school to keep
up the numbers. I transmit herewith the report of Mr. Rylatt for your information
SHOALWATER BAY.
The school at Shoalwater Bay was not as well attended as formerly, and I closed it
March 31, and discharged the teacher, not feeling justified in continuing the school
with an average attendance of eight .scholars. I shall employ another teacher and open
the school again as soon as the Indians are settled in their homes for winter. During the
summer they are very generally engaged in fishing and oysteringfor the white inhab-
itants, very few of them remaining at their village, and it would be a waste of money
and time to try to keep the children in school while their parents are thus employed,
unless a boarding school was authorized. A day school cannot be maintained at that
place more than eight months in a year.
The employment of these Indians throws them in direct contact with the worst ele-
ment of whites, and drunkenness and gambling have frequently occurred. During
one of their drunken brawls one Indian was shot and instantly killed. As soon as I
learned of the affair I went down there and arrested the murderer, and then learned
that he had been arrested and examined by the civil authorities and admitted to bail
on his own r< cognizance. After a careful exauiiuatiou into the circumstances I be-
came satisfied the killing was intentional, and sent the prisoner to the agency jail
at Quiuaielt to hold until I could communicate with the Department. My action was
approved, and as the killing was done off the reserve I was directed to communicate
with the prosecuting attorney, which was done, and I was informed by him that at the
next term of court held in Pacific County the affair would be carefully investigated.
The prisoner is still in jail at Quinaielt.
The Shoalwater Bay Reserve is worthless for farming, all being sandy beach and
precipitous bluff's, and nothing is raised by these Indians except a small amount of
potatoes, turnips, and carrots. A few cattle and horses are owned by them, but no
feed is secured to keep them in winter. They graze on lands adjacent to the reserve
at all seasons.
Under date of June 7, last, I received a communication from the Department in
reference to placing the S'Klallam Indians in charge of this agency, to which I replied
under date of June 26. These Indians are remote from the Nisqually and S'Kokomish
Agency, to which they are assigi.ed, and are contiguous to this agency. Large num-
bers of them are here during the sealing season and more or less of them are here at
all times, and for the reasons stated in the letters above referred to they should be
placed in charge of this agency, and the Quinaielt Agency should be placed with the
Nisqually and S'Kokomish or made a separate agency. It is 300. miles from the Neah
Bay Agency to the Quiuaielt over the usually traveled route via Port Townseud and
Olympia, and the only other way of reaching there is by sea in a canoe The dis-
tance is 90 miles, requiring two days' time to reach there, and this mode of travel is
hazardous at all times. I have made the trip in a canoe, and can do it again if nec-
essary in discharging my duty as agent, but would not undertake it for any other
purpose.
The policy of the Government in cutting down the salaries of agents is not calcu-
lated to increase their usefulness and efficiency. A man qualified to discharge the
required duties must necessarily have fair business and clerical ability, and be able
to govern successfully those placed in his charge; and as Indians are employed as
tanners, carpenters, blacksmiths, &c., he must have a fair knowledge of farming and
mechanical work, for he must necessarily supervise and direct everything connected
with the agency if anything is accomplished successfully, and for this service a sal-
ary of not less than $1,500 per annum should be paid.
I inclose herewith the statistics for the schools and industries, which give a fair
exhibit of the work done for the past year.
All which is respectfully submitted.
Vcrv respect fullv, \ours,
OLIVER WOOD,
United States Indian Ayent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
5916 IND 10
14t> REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
QUIXAIELT INDIAN AGENCY, WASHINGTON TKRKITOUY.
Aitfjuat 3, 1883.
SIK: In compliance with your orders, I respectfully submit my report of affairs at
this reservation. Having heen intrusted by you TO take charge here on the 1st day
of October last, and having hitherto been an entire stranger to these Indians and
their habits, and taking into consideration the many duties I am called upon to ful-
fill as teacher in charge, 1 may be pardomd if, while yet possessing but a limited
knowledge of my widely scattered charges, I am unable to furnish as satisfactory a
report as you would desire.
In presenting to you the labors and results of those employed at this agency, and of
the Indians generally, I will commence with my own immediate charge, "the school."
The average attendance during the year has been 25. During that time 3 male and 2
female scholars have been permitted to withdraw, having attained maturity, and 4
new scholars have been added, leaving a present total of 24 boarding scholars. 1
take great pleasure in rendering a favorable report of the progress made by the
scholars in all branches of learning taught. In the school-room they are attentive,
and pliable to the will of the teacher. At out-door employment they are cheerful,
obedient, and industrious. The girls are quick to take in and retain the instructions
of the matron and cook; some of them are excellent seamstresses, good plain cooks,
good washers and ironers ; equally good at bread and pastry making. The boys at-
tain a general knowledge of gardening, and some knowledge of field work; also in
the use of the ax and other tools, and in the management of a team. I estimate the
boys of the school will this year realize some 200 bushels potatoes, 20 bushels beets,
300 bushels turnips, 75 bushels carrots, 5 bushels onions, and sufficient of pease and
cabbage for school requirements. As you are aware, sir, many kinds of garden pro-
duce do not thrive or mature well so close to the ocean in this latitude. Our onion
crop is almost a failure. Cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and green com do not thrive
well here. We expect to secure about 12 tons hay; 45 rods fencing has been done by
the employe's and the scholars. A great portion of this has been in the renewal of old
fences; also, 4 acres new ground have been broken.
Of the employe's of this agency I cannot speak too highly ; they are all that could be
desired. I may specially mention the employe" holding the position of teamster and
blacksmith, whose duties are multitudinous, and none other than a worker, and a
man capable of turning his hand to anything, could fill the position. Such a man I
fortunately possess. The work of a teamster alone at this agency during one-half of
the year is no sinecure.
There are no apprentices here; there are no employe's to teach apprentices; save
the x>hysician and teacher, this agency has but one white male employe". There are
no missionaries here; the employe's have exerted themselves in the good work to the
best of their ability. There are many aged and indigent Indians here, whom it is
found necessary to supply with necessaries from time to time.
The death rates shown indicate the climate to be a healthy one, and, in fact, the
general sanitary condition of these Indians is good. Considerable scrofula exists, but
not to the extent I have known with some tribes.
The three Indian police of this agency do not display the zeal I could wish. They
have done good service certainly, and a good police force is indispensable here; but
on two occasions I have had to recommend changes in this small force. There seems
to be a laxity it is hard to overcome. I should strongly recommend that this force be
increased in fact, doubled. There is a field here for their usefulness, as at times it is
necessary to dispatch them to a considerable distance, often leaving the agency with
but one of these officers at command.
Of the agricultural improvements by the Indians of this agency I can say but little.
The tribes are so scattered, or live at so great a distance, that but little can be ascer-
tained; and I might add that the ideas of these Indians, living isolated from civili-
zation, are so limited tbat it is hard to get at facts and figures. Moreover, my duties
are such, that to visit them has hitherto been out of the question. I can, therefore,
only give by approximation the following : 1,000 bushels potatoes, 1,000 bushels tur-
nips, 100 bushels carrots, 10 bushels onion?, 20 bushels beets. A few have cabbage
and pea patches ; and of their hay crop probably 20 tons. But little has been done by
these tribes so far as I can ascertain in breaking new land during the past year ; and, in
fact, it is hard to turn their attention from their old pursuits of hunting and fishing.
These modes of life are more remunerating than farming patches of land, and they
adhere to them with the tenacity they adhere to some of the heathenish customs and
superstitions of their forefathers.
This allusion to the heathenish customs of these tribes leads me to speak of the code
of rules governing courts of Indian offenses, dated March 20 last, and issued by the
Indian Department, in pamphlet form, for enforcement at the several agencies. I
called ageneral meeting of the Indians, and had a good gathering. Each rule was
carefully read and explained, and as carefully interpreted. The Indians were invited
to ask a' further explanation of any rule they did not fully understand, and the same
t
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 147
was made clear to them. Upon conclusion, and after a talk among themselves, to
my surprise but one rule was seriously objected to. I had expected much disapproval
of Rule No. 8, but I presume the strict measures you had hitherto adopted to crush
this buying and selling of their own kith and kin had prepared them to acquiesce to
this order with scarce an objection. Rule No. 6 was the onesore spot, and as no modi-
fication could be allowed, but must be enforced in all its bearings, I was unable to
form a court of Indian judges. Many would have been glad of the honor but for this
stumbling block. I have not yet seen an Indian of this agency but believes in the
efficacy of their native doctors ; and I think I am safe in saying these same doctors
are the main hindrance to advancement, having so firm hold of the superstitious natures
of these people. An Indian doctor has but to spit on the ground and make certain
meaningless signs to awe the stoutest of them. Although much has been done
to induce these people to abandon these pernicious teachings, and although the prac-
tice is not tolerated at the agency under pain of severe punishment, yet so firm is the
belief, that the sick are in many instances carried off to a safe distance for treatment
by the magic arts of the medicine man.
I am of the opinion it would be better if the Indians of this agency were more broken
up into factions; but, so far as I can observe, their relationship to each other, in a
friendly sense, is very close, and they are not so prone to report irregularities as is the
case with some tribes.
Very respectfullv,
R. M. RYLATT,
Teacher in charge.
NlSQUALLY AND S'KOKOMISH AGENCY,
New Tacoma, Wash., August 24, 1883.
Sin: I have the honor to submit herewith my thirteenth annual report. During
the past year I have occupied three different positions and had headquarters at three
different places. First, as farmer in charge at Skokomish Agency up to September
30, 1882. Second, as agent of the consolidated agency, comprising what had been the
Nisqually, S'kokomish, and Tulalip Agencies, and including ten reservations, viz:
Tulalip, Swinomish, Luinmi, Port Madison, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually,
Squaxin, Chehalis, and S'kokomish, with headquarters at Tulalip. This position I
held from October 1, 1882, to July 16, 1883. The extent of territory over which these
reservations were scattered, and In which the Indians belonging to them lived, was
about 200 miles in length by about 150 in width. Third, as agent of the Nisqually and
S'kokomish Agency, comprising the last live reservations above named with head-
quarters at the Puyallup Reservation, which service commenced July 17, 1883.
An education being the most important aid to advancement that any one can have,
and the Government having appreciated this fact with reference to the Indians, there-
fore nearly all the expense incurred for the benefit of those under my charge has
been in the way of schools. There have been four boarding schools and one day school
kept up most of the year, with a total attendance of nearly three hundred and an
average attendance of about two hundred and twenty-five". The schools have been
distributed as follows :
AT TULALIP
is a boarding school conducted under contract between the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs and the representatives of the Catholic Church, and managed by six Sisters of
Charity and one layman, who acts as industrial teacher, besides the aid of the priest,
who has a kind of general supervision over the school, as well as doing missionary work
among all the Indians of that subageucy.
The attendance here was limited to an average of 75, and most of the year the
attendance was kept up nearly to the maximum. Children attending here were
gathered from the five reservations belonging to this sub-agency, and were taught,
fed, and clothed at Government expense. The self-denying and laborious efforts of
these teachers show good results in the advancement and deportment of the scholars.
The neatness with which everything is kept is highly commendable. During the year
two scholars were sent from this school to the Indian training school at Forest Grove.
AT PUYALLUP
is another boarding school, which, like all those hereafter mentioned, is conducted by
Government employes, nominated by the agent and appointed by the Commissionef
of Indian Affairs, and the food, clothes, books, &c., are all furnished by the Govern-
ment. The average attendance here has been about 65. The school is situated within
2 miles of New Tacoma, the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the in-
fluence that contact with the bustle and enterprise of such a place has is very appar-
148 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
ent on both Indians and scholars. Fourteen scholars have gone from this school to
Forest Grove within the year, and eight others have graduated, but the number in
school has been well kept up. The corps of teachers here employed will compare
favorably with those of any white school in the vicinity. The discipline is excellent,
the progress good, and the school is a credit to the service. There is still need of
improvements on the buildings to make them comfortable for winter weather.
AT CHEHALIS,
through the earnest and untiring efforts of the head teacher, the boarding school has
increased from 30 to 50. More remote from the centers of business than the last named,
it has the advantage of a particularly healthy location, and the absence of many
forms of temptation to vice that seem to be inseparable from our civilization.
The buildings are all in good repair aud capable of accommodating fifty scholars,
which are as many as can be easily obtained in that vicinity. From here eight
scholars have been sent to Forest Grove. What has been said in commendation of
the schools formerly mentioned will also apply to this. The self denial of the indi-
viduals who isolate' themselves and contribute their poorly paid services for the bene-
fit of the benighted sons and daughters of the forest merits more appreciation than
it generally receives.
AT S'KOKOMISH
the pay of the teachers has been cut down so low that it has been with the greatest
difficulty that I could keep the school manned. At the commencement of the iiscal
year I had a first-class corps of teachers there, and the school was in the best condi-
tion it has ever been, but all left within a few months on account of the reduction of
pay, and with much difficulty I supplied their places with others, who again, after six
months' service, rinding the labors too great for the pay, all resigned, compelling me
to hunt up others. This is very discouraging and disheartening to the agent, as well
as disastrous to the school. Such frequent changes render almost useless the money
spent for the scholars, and makes a great amount of extra work for the agent. Not-
withstanding all these obstacles, the school has increased from twenty-five to thirty-
five, and two have been sent to Forest Grove. In some respects the scholars here are
in advance of any in either of the other schools, especially in the department of music,
a number of the girls being quite competent to play the organ in church, and for
Sunday school. The outside influences here, however, are not good, and do much to
paralyze the good that is done the Indians and their children, and retard their advance-
ment very much. This school is also boarding and industrial.
AT DUNGINESS
has been the only successful day school I have known in this vicinity. The average
attendance here 'was about 25, but, as was the case at S'kokomish, for want of suffi-
cient pay the teacher resigned in April last, and the n e has been no school at that place
since that time. Although this is not on any reservation it is an important settle-
ment, and deserves the aid of the Government in the education of its youth.
Allowances were made for other day schools at Port Madison, Lummi, and Muckle-
shoot Reservations, but the wages were so small that I was unable to obtain teachers,
and therefore no schools were established.
There is an industrial department, connected with all boarding schools, and the
scholars are taught to do all the kinds of work that the appliances at hand will admit of.
At most of the schools the larger scholars work from three to four hours a day, besides
their night and morning chores. Farms are attached to each of the schools, where
the vegetables, &c., required for the school are raised by the boys, and the girls work
with their instructors for their own benefit and that of the other scholars. The in-
terest which the Indians take in the education of their children is much greater thau
ever before, as they see the advantage it is to those who have obtained it, and how
much better off these younger educat ed ones are thau themselves. If the present policy
in regard to schools is continued for a few years longer, the Indian problem for this part
of the Territory will be no longer a matter of doubt, but a result to be looked back
upon with satisfaction.
The next most important matter with reference to the Indians is the allotment of
lauds in severalty, and the granting of good and sufficient titles to such Indians as
will occupy and cultivate land given to them. On this point too there is an evident
advance in the Indian mind, and the avidity with which those having the opportunity
fcvail themselves of obtaining land is a strong argument in favor of granting it to
them. Finding that nothing had been done for the Indians of the Tulalip subagency
in alloting them homes, except the surveys of the reservations which were made many
years ago, and the marks of which had in many cases become obliterated, I obtained
an allowance to employ a surveyor, who has re-marked the boundary lines of such
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 149
allotments as fhe Indians wished to select and occupy on both the Tulalip and Swin-
omish Reservations, and he is now at work on the Lummi Reservation. Indians who
have roamed about the country have, of late, returned to their several reservations
and taken np land, and seem to feel a new interest in making something of themselves.
It is very evident to my mind, and is coming I think to be the prevailing opinion in
this part of the country, that the proper course for the Government to pursue is,
instead of keeping large and valuable tracts of land idle, on which an Indian dare not,
and a white man cannot, make any improvements, to give to such Indians as will use
it what land they need or are entitled to under the varions treaties, with such safe-
guards as are needed to protect their ownership in it from the rapacity of avaricious
and unprincipled white men, and then dispose of the remainder to actual bona fide
settlers, and apply the proceeds towards the education of the children of the several
tribes entitled thereto. The example of the more energetic Caucasian will stir up
his more phlegmatic and untutored neighbor to greater efforts for himself, and har-
mony and good feeling towards the Government, and the Indians will be likely to
exist in a greater degree than at present. On the reservations belonging to the Nis-
qually subagency the allotments have generally been made, but there is but little
record of them in the office, and there is need of much labor to get such records as are
needed arranged.
The sanitary condition of the Indians is not encouraging. On both the Tulalip and
Puyallup Reservations the mortality during the past winter was very large. The
closer they are brought in contact with civilization the faster many of them seem to
fade away. Those, however, who successfully pass as it were the shoals between
barbarism and civilization seem to improve, and the health of themselves and their
offspring is fairly good.
Each of the three sub agencies has had the benefit of the labors of a missionary,
who has devoted his time to the religious welfare of the several parishes. These are
supported by the several denominations to which the agencies were originally as-
signed, and are Catholic, Presbyterian, and Congregational. There are eight differ-
ent church buildings owned and mostly built by the Indians, and in which they meet
to worship God, besides two other Government buildings which are also used for the
same purpose. As a rule the labors of gospel ministers have been as fruitful among
Indians as any other class of people, and the rule holds good among the Indians of
Puget Sound. To the labors of these devoted men is largely due the sobriety, indus-
try, and good order of the varions tribes.
In conclusion I have to acknowledge with pleasure the kindness and co-operation
of the members of the varions denominations with whom I have been called to act,
and the faithfulness of the several employe's who have aided me in my arduous and
at times oppressive duties.
Very respectfully,
EDWIN EELLS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PUYALLUP INDIAN RESERVATION,
August 1, 1883.
DEAR SIR: The time for making my annual report has arrived. In so doing I have
the honor to set before you the following facts concerning the educational operations
connected with the school and farm on this reservation :
SCHOOL.
There were 57 pupils in this school when I took charge last year, viz, on November
25, 1882. Since that time 14 have been drafted into the Forest Grove training-school,
8 have graduated from the school and returned to their homes, 5 left school on account
of ill-health, of which number 2 died, making a total of 27. This has been more than
offset by the admission of 35 new pupils, most of them small, and very ignorant. Of
the pupils now in school, 59 are full-blooded Indians 35 boys, and 24 girls ; 6 are half -
<';islr children vi/, 4 girls and 2 boys.
GRADING OP SCHOOL.
The school is regularly graded into two departments, each department occupying a
separate room, and being under the care of its own teacher. All the pupils are required
to be in school four hours in the forenoon of each day. The smaller pupils spend
an additional two hours during the afternoons in the school-room, nnder care of the
assistant teacher, who is a Normal School graduate, and a teacher of many years' prac-
tical experience.
150 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
INDUSTRIAL INSTRUCTIONS.
During the afternoons the larger boys arc placed in charge of the industrial teacher,
who instructs them in farming and other manual labor. At the same time the larger
girls are in charge of the matron, seamstress, cook, and laundress, who instruct them
in general household duties and work, such as cooking, washing, ironing, making and
mending clothes, dining-room and chamber work. Several of the larger girls use the
sewing machine with ease and skill.
The teachers all aim to perform their respective duties faithfully, and, as much as in
them lieth, to assist those children of the forest in rising up to the habits of our Chiist-
ian civilization, out of which have sprung the highest culture of mankind.
FARM.
We have 20 acres of laud under the plow, besides a hay meadow of considerable
extent, from which a good crop has been cut this season. We have 10 acres in oats,
4 acreg in potatoes, and 6 acres in rutabagas, cabbage, beans, carrots, and other veg-
etables. We have 4 horses belonging to Government on the reserve, 2 cows, 3 oxen,
2 young cattle, and 2 calves.
TRIBE.
The Puyallup Indians have allotments of land in severally, and are doing good
work as farmers in a small way. They nearly all depend upon their farms for sub-
sistence. This implies a certain measure of industry, and the development of self-
reliance and independence. Some of them take pride in makiug their homes and
surroundings neat and comfortable. Not a few of them own teams and wagons,
plows, and other necessary farming implements, and many of them live in good plank
or " balloon-frame " houses, such as most of the white farmers of this country inhabit.
RELIGION.
A few of this tribe are Roman Catholics, but by far the largest number belong to
the Presbyterian Church. The whole tribe, with perhaps a very few exceptions, are
nominally Christians. Many of them are exceedingly earnest in the practice of their
religious duties, coming for miles each Sunday to worship r 4od in the neat and com-
modious mission chapel, erected partly by their own contributions, though chiefly by
the Church Erection Board of the Presbyterian Church, and other liberal members
of that denomination. This house stands within a stone's throw of the Government
school buildings. It can be plainly seen from New Tacoma, the Puget Sound ter-
minus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and right beside the line of the Puyallup
road of that company. When the Cascade division of this great transcontinental
highway is finished, the traveling world, as it goes towards our great Western Ocean,
must pass within hailing distance of this ever eloquent proof that it is far more glo-
rious for this Christian nation to help the Indian heavenward than to leave him a
savage, and then kill him 'because he acts according to the savage nature which is
left untamed and unenlightened. On each returning Sabbath morning hundreds of
Indians gathering into the house of God to join in Christian worship and celebrate
His praise, furnish living proof of the falseness of the atrocious adage, sometimes
uttered by nominally civilized American citizens, that "The only good Indian is a
dead Indian."
The missionary of the Presbyterian Board on this field is Rev. M. G. Maun, who
was formerly teacher of this school, but resigned some years ago to enter upon an
enlarged sphere of labor, which embraces all the tribes" within this agency. The
Presbytery of Puget Sound has recently given the missionary an assistant also sup-
ported by the Board of Missions. This gentleman, Peter Stauup, was a former pupil
of the Puyallup school. He afterwards took a course of instructions in Forest Grove,
subsequently studied theology under a committee of Presbytery, and was licenced to
preach the gospel in the early part of the present summer. This mission will cost the
Presbyterian Board about $1,400 during the current year. When the missionaries are
absent on Sundays at other places off the reserve furnished by them with Christian
instruction, the elders of the Puyallup church conduct gospel meetings. The exer-
cises at such times are conducted in their own language, and consist of singing, pray-
ing, reciting the Apostles' creed and Lord's prayer in concert, and of exhortation.
The earnestness and fluency of those dark-browed Christians, so recently brought to
the light of the gospel, might with great advantage be imitated by not a few religious
assemblies composed of white American Christians.
The pupils of the school, as well as the teachers who can do so, make a point of
attending the religious services of the church every Lord's day morning. Besides
this, the children are all gathered into the school-room on Sunday afternoon for Sun-
day school services conducted by the teachers. The school is opened every morning
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 151
by a few minfltes of prayer and singing. We thus endeavor to impress upon the
pupils a sense of moral and religious responsibility, by cultivating the spiritual side
of their nature. I need scarcely add that religious evening prayers form a part of
the daily home and family life of this school.
Trusting that you will find the foregoing satisfactory, I have the honor to be your
obedient servant,
G. W. BELL,
Teacher.
EDWIN EELLS, Esq.,
Indian agent, yiHquaHy, <fc., Agency.
TULALIP AGENCY, August 31, 1883.
SIR : In compliance with telegram received August 30, 1883, I respectfully forward
annual report for the year ending June 30, 1883. I did not assume charge of this
agency until after the close of the fiscal year, and supposed, as a matter of course,
that my predecessor, Edwin Eells, had written up the annual report covering the
year ending June 30, 1883. The limited time that I have had charge of this agency
precludes the possibility of my making any lengthened report.
Upon my arrival here on the 16th of July, 1883, I relieved my predecessor, Mr.
Edwin Eells, and since then have devoted my whole time to the affairs of the
agency. I found the agent's house iu very good condition; the employes' houses were
also in very fair condition; but the houses at the mission were sadly neglected.
The crops this year have been poor, owing to the dryuess of the season. The saw-
mill here, which is worked by water-power, proves to be one of the greatest acquisi-
tions to this agency, as it enables us to saw all the lumber used on the reservation.
The dike at the Swinomish is all fenced, with the exception of about 3,300 feet. A
ditch 4,000 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 2| feet deep has been dug along the bluff for
drainage. This dike now incloses 350 acres of the best farming land in Whatcom
County, but there will be some trouble in plowing it, as the sod is thick and very
firm.
EDUCATION.
The agricultural and industrial boarding schools are in charge of the Sisters of
Charity, and a better conducted school is not to be found in the country. The chil-
dren are all well dressed and are clean and well-behaved ; the school-rooms are neatly
arranged and kept well ventilated and clean. Those children while at school are
never from under the watchful eyes of the Sisters, who are untiring in their en-
deavors to instruct them in the ways of civilization. The children attending these
schools are not allowed to converse in their own language, but are strictly confined
to the English language: in this way they learn much faster, as many of them read
quite well, and some write a plain, intelligible hand. The boys are taught to work
on the farm, to become proficient in the use of tools, to take care of the stock, and all
such work which tends to make industrious and good men. The girls are taught to
sew and do general house- work, and many of them make excellent housekeepers.
A number of the Indians work in mills and logging camps on the sound, and earn
from $1.25 to $2.50 per day. Many of them cut cord-wood and sell it to the steamers,
for which they can get $2.50 per cord, this being the most remunerative occupation
in which they can engage.
Three-fourths of the population belong to the Roman Catholic church. They
attend church every Sunday, and are attentive, pious, and well-behaved.
The Indian police are faithful and atteniive to their duties, always reporting cases
of drunkenness and other misdemeanors.
Wry respectfully, your obedient servant,
PATRICK BUCKLEY,
I'nited States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
YAKAMA AGENCY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,
A Hyu*t 16, 1883.
SIR : In accordance with the requirements of your circular letter of the 13th ultimo*
with blanks for statistics, I have the honor to submit the following as my first annual
report from this agency :
I assumed charge of this agency on the 1st day of October last as the successor of
Rev. J. W. Wilbur, who had been in charge here for about twenty years, and had
15? REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY
during all that time, with his excellent wife, labored honestly, faithfully, and effi-
ciently in the tedious business of working Indians up from barbarism Towards civili-
zation. And in this thankless and difficult business he was comparatively as successful,
if not more so, as any other agent during that time within the limits of the United
States, as is attested by the churches, dwelling-houses, barns, farms, and the appear-
ance of a large portion of the people of this reservation. But as civilization is a plant
of exceeding slow growth, under the most favorable circumstances, and as it has as
yet nowhere on earth reached maturity, and on this reservation had many adverse
circumstances to contend with, it had not under the long and incessant cultivation of
Agent Wilbur attained a large growth here, when wearied with labor and age he
tendered his resignation. But the substantial results of his long and weary labors
among this people well merit the plaudit of " well done, good and faithful servant. '
YAKAMA RESERVATION.
This reservation, in its location and advantages, is so well and fully described in
the first part of my predecessor's last annual report (see Report of Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, 1882), that little more need be said on this point. It contains in all
800,000 acres, about one-third of which is agricultural land, the most of which i
very rich and fertile. About two-thirds of the reservation is mountainous arid
broken, but is valuable for timber and pasturage. Considering all its natural advan-
tages, this reservation is probably the most valuable body of land of like size in this
Territory.
THE INDIANS
belonging to this agfiicy, by the census of 1880, were 3,400 or over. I think, by what
I have observed, that this number has been somewhat increased by excess of births
over the deaths. But the Piutes, who were included in that census, have since
stampeded, and the greater part of them left the agency and gone back to the region
of country from whence they were brought by the military in February. 1879. At
that time, according to the report of my predecessor for that year (see Report of
Commissioner of Indian Affairs lor 1879, p. 158), the Piutes then numbered 543.
They were never contented here, having that strong fanatical attachment to the
locality of their birth, universal among all barbarians; they have always been
desirous of going back, aud have been stealing off in small numbers, at different
times, for the past four years. The census of 1880. taken in the latter part of that
year, shows their number then to be 472, a difference of 71 in something over a year
and a half. The decrease has been going on from the same cause, notwithstanding
they have been drawing full rations of flour and beef weekly, have had blankets and
clothing issued to them, and been paid for what work they have done for the Depart-
ment. During the months of May and June they left in large numbers, ostensibly
for the purpose of fishing for salmon in the Columbia River. But they only stopped
there a short time, and passed over and on, easterly, towards "home, sweet home."
I had no means, power, or authority to force Indians back to the reservation who
decided to leave it. Their leaving was reported by me to the honorable Commis-
sioner of Indian Affairs, at different times, stating my inability to force them back,
and requesting that if the Department desired the Piutes returned to this reserva-
tion, that the War Department be requested to have them again brought here by
soldiers. Under date of July 25 ultimo, I received a letter from the honorable Com-
missioner of Indian Affairs (received on the 10th instant), informing me that the
honorable Secretary of W r ar had been requested to have the Piutes returned here by
the military, and that I might expect them at an early day. The number of Piutes
left on this reservation is less than 100. These were only waiting to see whether any
steps would be taken to forcibly return those who have left. If this is not done,
those remaining here will soon follow. As the Yakama Indians regard and treat the
Piutes as inferiors, and as the language of the Piutes and Yakamas is totally dissimilar,
there never has been, and probably never will be, any social intercourse between
them, and as the Piutes, since being brought here, have always been dissatisfied, and
regarded themselves as aliens, and have made absolutely no progress in civilization,
or towards self-support, I suggest that their condition would be greatly improved if
placed on a reservation among a kindred people.
CIVILIZE AND CITIZENIZE.
It would greatly facilitate the civilization of our Indians, sufficiently to be citizens,
if a tixed and settled policy for that purpose was determined on by the Government
and rigidly adhered to, and they required to unwaveringly adhere to it. It is surely
the interest as well as the duty of the Government to run all her Indians through the
civilization mill that they may be civilized and citizenized, and the Indian Bureau
ended as soon as possible. The best and most speedy means to the accomplishment
of this important end having been determined on, the whims and wishes of ignorant
Indians should not be consulted or permitted to interfere with its attainment.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 153
INDUSTRIAL BOARDING SCHOOL.
This is the mill or course* through which onr Indians must reach civilization. Adult
Indians, with their habits, prejudices, and superstitions fixed, like full-grown trees,
can be but little changed by culture. It is wholly different with minor Indians.
With them it is a truism that "just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." Indian
children can learn and absorb nothing from their ignorant parents but barbarism.
Hence the vast importance of detaching them from their parents as soon as they
reach school age and placing them in industrial boarding schools under the charge
of energetic Christian teachers and instructors to take the place of parents, and by
them be trained up during the formation periods of their lives into civilized habits
and industries. Too much importance cannot be attached to industrial boarding
schools among Indians. Upon the efficiency of teachers in these schools depends the
progress of Indian civilization.
Upon taking charge here, I found a commodious two-story school-building, the
lower story of which was divided into two school-rooms, and the whole upper
story in one room as a dormitory for boys. I also found a tolerably commodious
two-story building in process of construction, the upper story to be used as a dor-
mitory tor boys and the lower story for sitting and study rooms. Upon the com-
pletion and occupation of the latter building, I had the upper story of the school-
building partitioned and finished off into two commodious school-rooms. These, with
the two lower rooms, furnish school room for about 200 pupils. But the dormitory
and dining-room accommodations are only comfortably adequate to about 130 pupils.
The two-story boarding-house is without any room for a laundry, the kitchen is very
inadequate, and the whole building having to furnish dormitory accommodations for
the female pupils, and rooms for the matron, one assistant teacher, the cook, seam-
stress, and rhe laundress, and a sewing-room and sitting-room for the girls, together
with (lining-room for all the pupils, and laundry, is wholly inadequate for all these
purposes. By a letter from the Department of the 28th ultimo, I Avas authorized to
have additions constructed to the boarding-house and boys' dormitory, in accordance
with plans and specifications previously submitted. I shall proceed to have said ad-
ditions constructed as speedily as possible, which will enable me to accommodate
about 250 boarding pupils, which is about half the number of Indian children of
school age that belong to this agency. The highest interest of civilization demand
that all these children should be placed in school and that none should be allowed to
grow up in the ignorance and barbarism of their parents. But this cannot be done
without greatly increased facilities.
It will be seen by reference to the fifth article of the treaty with the Yakarnas,
that the Government has never fulfilled her obligations to establish at suitable
points within said reservation, within one year after the ratification of said treaty,
"two schools, erecting the necessary buildings, keeping them in repair," &c.
Another unfulfilled obligation of our Government appearing in said fifth article is
the stipulation to '' erect a hospital, keeping the same in repair," &c. It is going on
25 years since said treaty was ratified by the United Srates Senate, but no two schools
or hospital has yet been constructed on this reservation. "'Tis true, and pity 'tis 'tis
true," that the treaties and solemn promises by our Government to her Indian tribes
are so lightly regarded and so often violated.
INDIAN JUDICIARY.
When I took charge I found myself overrun daily with trying cases and settling
troubles, civil and criminal, from all parts of the reservation* At a general council,
convened a few weeks after I took charge, I made known to the Indians that they
must have tribunals among themselves for the settlement of their troublevs; that
it was time they commenced throwing off their old Indian ways, and taking on those
of the whites, into whose great tribe they must soon be merged; that to this end I
desired them to cease to have chiefs, and instead thereof to have justices of the
peace, judges, and reservation (in lieu of county) commissioners. I at once districted
the reservation into five districts and appointed a chief in each of said districts with
the jurisdiction of justice of the peace, to act as such temporarily till an election
could be held on the first Monday of the following April, for justices of the peace in
each of said districts, the policemen in each district to discharge the duties of con-
stable. In March last another general council was convened, at which arrangements
were made for holding elections in April for justices of the peace in said districts, by
appointing a polling place in each district, appointing a judge, inspector, and clerk
of election in each precinct, and designating the manner of voting by requiring each
candidate to adopt a color, and the voters (all male Indians resident on the reserva-
tion over 20 years of age) to each use a scrap of colored paper as a ballot of the color
adopted by the candidate he desired to vote for. At said last-named council I dis-
tricted the reservation into three districts, and appointed a commissioner in each to
154 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
form a board to perform such duties as are devolved on eouuty commissioners. At
the same time I appointed three judges to constitute a reservation court of original
and appellate jurisdiction. As this April election was the first attempt of the kind
ever made on this reservation, it was a novelty to the Indians, who took great inter-
est in it, and as it was the first, I thought it best riot to complicate the election with
filling more than one office. At all the polling places the election went off harmo-
niously, the returns were duly made to me as directed, the successful candidates came
to me from each district, and were fully instructed in their duties, commissioned, ami
sworn into office, and returned and entered upon the performance of their duties,
and have been getting along in the discharge of the same fully as well as could be
expected from ignorant, illiterate men. All parties tried before these justices of the
peace have the right of appeal to the reservation court, ihe first term of which com-
menced on the third Monday in May. In aggravated cases of injustice or mistake in
the verdicts of said justices of the peace (some of which occasionally occur), I re-
served the right to set aside or change the same.
The board of reservation commissioners met at the agency on the second Monday in
May, were instructed, commissioned, and sworn in by me. The clerk of the court
is also ex-officio clerk of this board, who districted the reservation into convenient
road districts; appointed road supervisors in each district; designated days on which
all able-bodied men between the ages of 20 and 50 should work on the various roads
and bridges; fixed the compensation of commissioners and clerk when employed, and
of road supervisors ; assessed a poll-tax of one dollar upon all able-bodied men be-
tween 20 and 60 years of age ; appointed a collector and treasurer, said tax being
for the payment of judges, commissioners, and road supervisors; aud adopted the laws
of this Territory as to working roads, what constitutes a lawful fence, breachy ani-
mals, &c. Said board of commissioners met again in regular session on the 6th instant,
and transacted various business matters pertaining to the line of their duties.
The reservation court convened at the old church, 7 miles from the agency, to hold
its first term on the third Monday of May last. The three judges having been pre-
viously commissioned by me were duly instructed in their duties and sworn into office,
with the clerk, an educated halt'-bre< d, who speaks English fluently. Among the
instructions was the reading of the rules "governing the court of Indian offenses,"
issued from the Indian Bureau and approved by the honorable Secretary of the Inte-
rior April 10, 1883, and received by me May 16, five days before the meeting of the
first term of the court. I found said rules mainly proper and applicable for the guid-
ance of the court of this reservation in its duties, but in several particulars I found
said rules inapplicable, and so instructed the court. It was not deemed practicable,
as required by the first rule, to have "the first three officers in rank of the police
force" to serve as judges, as this would have been mixing the executive and the judi-
cial together, which is incompatible with our ideas of government in this country.
Also, the requirement in the latter part of said rule, that " the judges herein provided
for shall receive no money consideration on account of their services in connection with
said court," is totally impracticable and inapplicable, as it requires a much higher
and more unselfish patriotism in Indians than has ever been found among the whites.
The Indian judges here, knosving that white, judges receive a liberal salary, expected
that they also would receive a salary, but when they found the Government had pro-
vided no funds to pay them for their services they refused to serve. I offered to pay
them from taxes $3 for each day they served in session, but they regarded the amount
as beneath the dignity of judges. I then offered them $o for each day they served in
session, provided the amount was raised from taxes and fines, and they agreed to
accept and serve for one year. The requirement in the second rule, that "the court
shall hold at least two regular sessions in each and every month," was wholly inap-
plicable to this agency, having five justices of the peace in different localities, whose
courts are always open for business. Therefore, the second term of said court was in
June, one mouth after the first term, and the third term, commencing on the 20th
instant, two months after the second term. Hereafter the terms of said court will be
once in two months. The withholding rations in whole or in part as a penalty for
offenses, as named in rules 4, 5, and 8, is, of course, inapplicable at this agency, where
rations never have been regularly issued, except to children at the boarding school,
the police, and Piutes. Of course the requirement of the ninth rule, that "the civil
jurisdiction of such court shall be the same as that of justice of peace in the State or
Territory where such court is located," is wholly inapplicable to this agency, where
there are five justices' courts always open.
The reservation court has held two terms, and will commence the third term oil
the 20th instant. They were in session two days the first term and three days the second
term. I have been present at the court during its sessions, explained the law gov-
erning each case, and directed in the examination of witnesses, and explained the
elementary rules of evidence, but have left the court free to decide each case themselves
upon the tacts obtained from the evidence. Nearly half the cases tried by the court are
appeal cases from justices' courts. The decisions of the court, with a few exceptions,
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 155
havo met my Approval. The court is becoming so well acquainted with the modus
operandi of doing business, that in future they can get, along without my presence.
I shall merely reserve the right to correct errors, and will thus be relieved from much
labor, and have time to give more attention to other matters of importance, among
which is
LAND IN SEVKRAI,TY.
Next after education, the division of reservation lands in severalty, with secure
titles in each Indian to a homestead, is the most important factor in the civilization
of our Indians. This fact is so self-evident to thinking minds, that reasons in support
are superfluous. My views on this point were fully expressed in my annual report
for 1872 (see Report of Commissioner of Indian Affair* for 1872, pages 329, 330, under
the head of u Surveys"). When I took charge here I found that none of the fences
of the Indian farms conformed to the surveyor's lines and corners, that said lines and
corners were wholly ignored and unknown, and there were disputes about the bound-
aries of farms which came to me for adjustment. But upon examining the agency
records, I found no maps, plats, or surveys of any portion of the reservation, or the
record of any allotment made to Indians. I was therefore powerless to adjust said
disputes about the boundaries of farms, and directed said disputants to wait till I
could obtain plats and field-notes of the surveyed portions of the reservation to ena-
able lines and corners to be found. I have written several letters to the Department
on this subject, but thus far have only received plats and field-notes of three wholly
and three partly surveyed townships about half the surveyed portion of the reserva-
tion. It is very important to the location and record of boundaries, to allotment
claims, and to the permanent location of public roads, that the plats and field-notes
of all the surveyed portions of this reservation should be here. Many Indians on this
reservation have large and Well-cultivated farms, but not one has the scratch of a pen
to indicate his ownership in land.
NON-RKSIDENT INDIANS.
About half the Indians belonging to this agency remain habitually off this reserva-
tion. Most of these have no fixed homes, but move about from one locality to
another as their necessity for a supply of fish, game, roots, or berries may demand.
Said supplies being precarious and often failing to satisfy their wants, they forage
on and become very troublesome to white settlers, from whom I receive frequent
complaints, of some of which I have apprised the Department at different times,
and requested authority to force these roving Indians to come on the reservation,
and make permanent homes thereon, in compliance with their obligations in the
second article of their treaty, " to remove to and settle upon the reservation within
one year after the ratification of this treaty." I also requested that where said In-
dians refused to obey my order to come and settle on the reservation, the military be
required to force them to come. But said requests have been unheeded.
As there are thousands of acres of rich unoccupied agricultural lauds on this reser-
vation, I deemed it my duty last spring to make an effort to get said roving Indians
to come and settle on portions of said lands, and accordingly sent out the Indian
police of this reservation with orders to all of said Indians to at once come on the
reservation and select permanent homes. But some lawyers and other white men in
different localities had got the idea that the clause in the third article of the Yakama
treaty giving the Indians
The right of taking fish at all usual and accustomed places in common with citizens of the Territory ;
of hunting, gathering roots and berries, and of pasturing their horses and cattle on open and unclaimed
land,
gave the Indians the right to remain off the reservation as they pleased, and said law-
yers and other whites so informed the Indians and advised them to do as they pleased
about going on the reservation, that the agent had no legal authority to force them
to go. The Indians being thus advised, defied -the police, and refused to obey my
orders. These roving Indians are being exposed to, and steeped in, gambling, idle-
ness, drunkenness, prostitution, and other lower vices of the whites, and their chil-
dren are being trained in these vices. It is the duty of the Government to at once
bring these vagabonds on the reservation, where they are not exposed to these evil
influences, and where their children can be in school and the adults on farms of their
own. As immigrants have been for years and still are rapidly pouring in :md settling
up this country, "open and unclaimed lands," within the meaning of said third ar-
ticle, have, either by occupancy or vicinage, ceased to exist. Indians of the agency
should therefore be confined to the lands of the reservation, which arc ample for five
thousand.
156 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
f
INDIAN POLICE.
I have found the Indian police here very prompt and efficient in the discharge of
their duties, and a great power for good and the restraint of evil. I frequently have
to send them outside the reservation, sometimes as much as a hundred miles, to make
arrests, recover stolen property, &c., and so far they have always been successful in
the performance of their required duties, without interference or hindrance from the
whites. When ordered outside the reservation in the performance of any duty, I
always give them a written order, stating the duty to be performed, and requesting
white men not to interfere with but to assist them when necessary and convenient.
There being no law requiring white men outside the reservation to respect the
authority of an Indian policeman, I respectfully suggest the enactn ent of a law by
Congress giving Indian policemen the power and authority of United States mar-
shals in the performance of their duties outside of reservations.
CHRISTIANITY.
Experience has fully demonstrated that no healthy and permanent progress in civ-
ilization has ever yet been made among our Indians unaccompanied by Christianity.
This truth is clearly apparent on this reservation, where all Indians who are trust-
worthy and upright in their conduct, and have cultivated farms, good, comfortable
dwelling houses, barns, granaries, implements, cattle, horses, domestic fowls, with
the dress and cleanliness of the whites, are all now, and have for years been, profess-
ing Christians. On the other hand, all Indians of this agency who are untrustworthy,
lazy, live in rude, comfortless dwellings, or wickeups, amid filth, vermin, and squalor,
the men having long and often plaited hair, and dressed more or less in the costume
of the savage, depending but little on agriculture, and that little generally carried on
by the labor of the women, and looking to fish, game, roots, and berries as the prin-
cipal source of subsistence such Indians, without exception, are not Christians, and
adhere to the vile superstitions of their ancestors. The transforming power of pure
Christianity is everywhere apparent among our Indian tribes: therefore Christianity
should, by the Government, be highly favored among the Indians, and no officials or
employes who do not respect, profess, and practice Christianity appointed, as it is upon
officials and employe's sent among them that they are dependent for civilization, which
without Christianity is only cultured barbarism.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, LIVE STOCK, ETC.
On account of the long-continued drought in this region, there not having been any
rain since the 1st of May, the grain crops will not be near so abundant on this reser-
vation this year as some previous years. But all who have attempted in good faith
to raise wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and garden vegetables, have succeeded reason-
ably well. Those who depend upon agriculture for subsistence and made a proper
effort in that direction will have amply sufficient for their maintenance, and many
will have a surplus for sale. This is not a corn country, and but little is raised except
for table use in the form of roasting ears. Wheat is raised for bread, and some for
hog- feed. Hay, oats, and barley are raised for feed of cattle and horses. Harvesting
of wheat, oats, barley, and hay is about all over, and thrashing-machines are busy in
thrashing Avheat, oats, and barley.
The thrashing of the Department grain is about 'finished, yielding 1,200 bushels of
wheat, 2,000 bushels of oats, and 1,000 bushels of barley. There is, in addition to the
new wheat, about 1,600 bushels of old wheat of last year and the year before on hand
belonging to the Department. About 50 tons of hay have been put up for the Depart-
ment from the school farm and about 600 tons at the cattle ranch. These supplies of
grain and hay will, I think, be amply sufficient for department use for a year.
As the grain belonging to the Indi'ans has not yet been thrashed, except in small
part, the amount thereof can only be estimated as follows : Wheat, 3,500 bushels ;
oats, 8,000 bushels ; barley, 3,000 bushels ; and hay, 2,500 tons.
I received from Agent Wilbur 1,241 head of neat cattle, 442 calves, 77 horses, and 12
mules. I have issued to the Indians 71 head of cattle and killed 137 head for beef;
have issued to Indians 121 horses and 3 mules.
But all these matters are minutely set forth in the statistics herewith sent as a bill
of particulars.
Very respectfully,
R. H. MILROY,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WISCONSIN. 157
GHEEN BAY AGENCY, Keshena, Wis., August 13, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to submit my first annual report, and I trust that the fact
that I have only had charge of this agency about three months will sufficiently ex-
plain its brevity.
This agency embraces three reservations in Wisconsin the Oneida, in Brown
County, the Stockbridge, in Shawano County, and the Menomonee, between tShawano
and Laaglade Counties and each reservation is occupied by the Indians for which it
is named. The number of Indians in each tribe, the quantity of lain! embraced in
each reserve, the character of the soil, and many other facts of a kindred nature
have been repeated by my predecessors, and I may safely pass upon them by saying
in these there is no particular change.
The Stockbridyes are moving on in about the same channel as of old, lumbering to-
some extent in the winter season and cultivating small farms during the summer.
The Oneida Indians are in advance in civilization of any other tribe in this agency,
and more capable of sustaining themselves. The majority of the tribe are anxious,
for an allotment of their lands in severalty, and some are desirous of becoming citi-
zens. Farming is the principal employment of the greater portion of the tribe, while
considerable wood is cut from dead and down timber and sold at the nearest market.
The Menomonee Indians, as a tribe, are the least civilized. Many of the Menomonees
of the Pagan party clothe themselves entire in buckskin and subsist principally upon
the chase. In the winter of 1881 and 1882 the Meuomonees made their first venture
on their own account in lumbering, or cutting saw-logs from dead timber, upon their
reserve. The trial, accompanied with the good luck they met with in selling the
logs, made the venture a success financially; but this was followed by bad results in
other respects. The farm was entirely neglected and their fields became desolate,,
and the money which they received for their logs, in most cases, was entirely gone
at the approach of a long winter again. Last winter they cut and banked about six
million feet of this same kind of timber, and although the prices offered are low, they
are such as to enable the operators to make a living and some profit for their winter's
work ; and the Indians are anxious to embark in the same enterprise the coming
winter. In farming, the Menomonees have made very little advancement for the past
twenty years. The Menomonee tribal personal property, such as oxen, wagons, &c.,
should be sold to individuals, as it is a noticeable fact that the cattle and wagoiia
belonging to individuals fare better than the tribal property of the same kind.
The agency farm is a failure of itself, as the cost of production of produce and grain
with Indianlabor is more than its value, and it is only a favored half dozen that it
gives employment out of the mass; but the farm as an auxiliary to the boarding
school must be a success, as many of the wants of the school can be supplied from
the farm with the labor of the boys.
The boarding-school house, the erection of which was begun in May last, is being
pushed forward to completion, with the expectation that it will be in readiness for
the winter school.
Very respectful y,
D. P. ANDREWS,
United States Indian Agent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
LA POINTE AGENCY,
Ashland, Wis., August 15, 1883.
SIR: In accordance with Department instructions, I have the honor to submit my
third annual report of the condition of this agency.
The Indians of this agency, known as the " Chippewas of Lake Superior," are
located, under the treaties of 1854 and 1868, upon nine different reservations, situated
in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. The payments stipulated in the treaty of
1854 have expired, but a small distribution of annuity goods and supplies is still con-
tinued to the bands who were parties to that treaty.
THE BOIS FORT OR VERM1LLION LAKE BAND,
who were parties to the treaty of 18H6, still receive a payment amounting to about
$14,000 annually, $3,500 of which is made in money, and the remainder, according to
treaty stipulations, is invested for them in provisions, clothing, farming implements,
pay of employes, &c. Their reservations being located at Net Lake, Saint Louis
County, Minnesota, remote from any white settlements, and in a country abounding
in fish and game, they have subsisted principally upon the products of the chase, and
have made less progress in civilization than some of the other bands in the agency*
158 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WISCONSIN.
During the last two years, however, the development of the iron and timber resources
of that region have furnished employment for many of the younger men of the tribe,
and the habit of labor acquired is showing in the increased attention given to the
cultivation of the soil. The acreage is small, but is gradually increasing, and each
year a much greater proportion of their subsistence is derived from this source. As I
visit this baud but once a year, and then in midwinter, I have little opportunity to
report from personal observation upon their condition ; but my employes located upon
the reservation report a marked improvement during the year. Whereas in former
times, when dependent entirely upon the results of the chase, they alternated be-
tween feasting and starvation, there are now but few cases of want among them.
This band, as enrolled at the last payment, in February, 1883, numbered 700 persons.
During the past year a school has been established upon the Vermillion Lake Res-
ervations, under the charge of Mr. W. W. Everts, who reports the Indians much in-
terested in educational matters, the attendance good, and the aptness of the pupils
as remarkable. In addition to the teacher and assistant, there are employed upon
this reservation a blacksmith and farmer for the assistance and instruction of the In-
dians.
THE BAD RIVER RESERVATION
is located upon the shore of Lake Superior, in Ashland County, Wisconsin ; is watered
by three important rivers Bad River, White River, and the Kakagon; it is heavily
timbered with valuable pine and hardwood timber, and comprises much valuable
agricultural land. The clearing and preparing farms in this heavy timber is slow
and expensive work, and the small patches under cultivation make but a poor show-
ing to visitors who have been accustomed to the large farms of our western prairies;
yet, by careful inquiry at the United States Land Office I find that the yearly im-
provements in the way of clearing and cultivation by these Indians exceed in very
many instances the average clearing and improvements of white settlers upon their
homesteads in this vicinity. The Indians occupying this reservation are in the main
industrious, frugal, temperate, and well advanced in civilization. Their homes are
comfortable log-houses, kept in cleanly and orderly condition, well furnished, and
the sewing machine and parlor organ have, in many instances, succeeded the bead-
work frame and Indian drum, which a few years since were the only specimens of
industrial or musical mechanism to be found.
There are upon this reservation a boarding and day school, supported by the Pres-
byterian Board of Foreign Missions and under the charge of the Rev. Isaac Baird,
superintendent, who is zealous, earnest, and untiring in his efforts to educate, civilize,
and Christianize the rising generation. That his success is not all that could be de-
sired is owing in a great measure to the irregularity of the attendance, a trouble
which it seems impossible to remedy, even those Indians who are most desirous that
their children should receive the benefits of the school not having sufficient control
over them to enforce a regular attendance. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the
beneficial results of the school are very visible among the younger Indians, there
being very few of them but can read fluently and write readily, at least in their own
language. There has also been recently established a day school under the charge
of the Catholic Order of St. Francis, which has a good attendance. Churches have
been built and religious services, both Protestant and Catholic, are held regularly.
I have, during the past year, delivered to Indian heads of families of this reser-
vation 122 patents conveying title in fee to 80 acres of land to each of the recipi-
ents, and still have many applications for allotments. Until recently most of them
have been averse to dividing up their reservation, preferring to hold it in common
and unimproved; but the desire for individual title to homesteads is now universal.
During the past winter authority was granted them to cut a portion of the timber
from their lands for sale under certain restrictions designed for their protection, and
many of them availed themselves of the privilege. The work was new to them, and
they labored under many disadvantages, yet in every instance the work was profit-
able, not only pecuniarily, but also as a matter of education in the proper and system-
atic conduct of labor. For the success of their logging operations they were largely
indebted to the assistance and advice of Mr. W. G. Walker, Government farmer, and
I regret that it has been decided no longer to employ a farmer for these Indians, as
his labor among them has been and still would be a great benefit to them.
These Indians are capable of entire self -support, and derive their subsistence from
the cultivation of the small patches of land which they have cleared from the timber
and from their labor in lumber camps, saw-mills, mines, and on the railroads in pro-
cess of construction in the vicinity of their reservation. The majority of them are
sufficiently civilized to be admitted as citizens of the United States, and I think their
condition would be improved if so admitted and compelled to rely upon their own
resources instead of being taught to look for annuity distributions from the Govern-
ment. The number of Indians of this band who have received annuities from the
Government during the past year w r as 482.
REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WISCONSIN. 159
THE RED CLIFF RESERVATION
is situated upon the shore of Lake Superior, in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. The
members of this band are mostly mixed bloods, and support themselves entirely by
the cultivation of their lands which have been patented to them in severalty. and
by labor in the various branches of industry, manufacturing, and fishing, &c., which
are carried on in the vicinity of their reservation. They have cut and sold during
the past winter a considerable amount of pine timber and steamboat wood from their
lands, and are prosperous and amply capable of providing ior themselves and should
be admitted to citizenship at the earliest possible day.
The great drawback to their advancement is the abundance of whisky in their
neighborhood, and my efforts to prevent the sale to them have been attended with
but little success ; I believe, however, that intoxication amoi g them is decreasing,
owing more to their own appreciation of the baneful effect upon themselves than upon
my efforts to prohibit the purchase of liquor by them.
The day school upon the reservation is under the charge of the Catholic order of St.
Francis, is well attended, and the progress of the pupils is very satisfactory. Many
communities of citizens may be found in this State less intelligent, industrious, and
prosperous than this band of Indians. The Government employe's upon this reservation
are a farmer (white) and a blacksmith (Indian). The number appearing on my pay-
rolls as having received annuities during the past year was 250.
LAC COURT D'OREILLES RESERVATION,
Situated in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, like all the other reservations in this agency,
is heavily timbered, and the clearing of farms is slow and expensive work, yet these
Indians, or a large portion of them, are deriving a handsome subsistence from their
labor and the cultivation of the soil. Their dress and habits are those of the whites,
and among them are business men who will compare favorably with the average white.
They are well dressed and well fed, through their own exertions, and are rapidly ad-
vancing in civilization.
During the year I have delivered to the heads of families of this band 188 patents
to lands in fee, covering 80 acres each, and they also have availed themselves of the
privilege of cutting and selling a portion of the pine from their patented lauds, and
have, in almost every instance, made a handsome profit from their winter's work.
During the past year there has been established upon this reservation at Lac Court
d'Oreilles a school supported by the Government, under charge of Rev. D. J. Miner,
assisted by Mrs. Miner, is well attended, and is accomplishing good results. A school-
house and church have also been built at this point by the Catholic order of St. Fran-
cis, and at Pahquauhwong the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions maintained a
resident native missionary, educated at their Bad River school, and also a day school
which has a good attendance.
There are also employed by Government a farmer and blacksmith, and until the
commencement of the present fiscal year an assistant farmer has also been employed
to aid and assist the Indians in their farming and other avocations. The number of
this band enrolled as having received annuities from the Government during the past
year was 841.
LAC DU FLAMBEAU RESERVATION
Is situated upon Flambeau Lake and the headwaters of the Flambeau River, in Lincoln
County. This is said to contain a large amount of valuable pine timber. I have not
been able to visit this reservation, nor have I any employe's upon it.
During the mouth of April last I received from the Department authority to erect
a school-house for the Indians, but upon examination I found that during the summer
months it would be impossible to do the work for th'e sum which I was allowed to
expend, as the intervening country between the railroad and the reservation was
swampy and of such a character that transportation of material, except in winter,
was impossible. I have asked that authority for this purpose may be again granted,
with the intention of erecting the building during the early winter months. The In-
dians of this band are cursed with neighbors who furnish them with all the whisky
they can buy, and are the most addicted to drunkenness of any baud in the agency.
I have prosecuted the guilty parties whenever I could obtain the necessary evidence
against them, but located as they are at a distance from the agency, and with no
employe" upon the ground to assist me, I have been able to accomplish but little
towards suppressing the traffic. The subsistence of this band is derived principally
from hunting, fishing, and labor in lumber camps operating in the vicinity. Their
advance towards civilization for the reasons above given is principally notable from
their having adopted its most debasing vices. The number of this band enrolled as
having received annuities from the Government during the past is 480.
160 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN WISCONSIN.
FOND DU LAC RESERVATION
Is situated upon the Saint Louis River in Carlton County, Minnesota. The Indiana
of this band have had no Government employe's located among them for a number of
years, and have derived little benefit from the agency, with the exception of the an-
nual distribution of annuity goods.
I have erected during the past summer, by authority of the Department, upon this
reservation a building designed for a school-house and teacher's residence, but have
not as yet found a competent person to accept the position of teacher at the salary
allowed ($600 per annum).
The lauds upon this reservation have hitherto been held in common, the Indians
being opposed to taking allotments in severalty. There has, however, of late been a
change of opinion upon this subject. Since my visits to them during the months of
May and June they have become desirous to select allotments and seem deeply inter-
ested in the school. 1 traveled over and inspected a large part of the settled portion
of their reservation, and found that many of them had erected for themselves com-
fortable houses and that they had considerable land under cultivation. Their reser-
vation has upon it some valuable pine timber and much of the soil is of excellent
quality for farming purposes. I believe these Indians, if they could be assisted by a
practical man located among them, could be rapidly advanced in civilization. Their
subsistence is principally procured from labor performed for lumbermen, manufact-
urers, and others located in their vicinity, and from the cultivation of the soil. A
small number of them still depend chiefly upon hunting and tishing. The number
of this band who have received annuities from the Government duriug the past year
was 431.
GRAND PORTAGE RESERVATION
Is situated upon Lake Superior, in Lake County, Minnesota, adjacent to the Canadian
boundary line. The reservation is barren and rocky and is of very little value either
as timber or farming laud. There is upon this reservation a day school supported by
the Government, under the charge of Mr. L. E. Montferrand; the attendance is very
small, owing to the fact that the Indians of the band are scattered at long distances
from the school, rendering it impossible for the children to get the benefit of regular
attendance.
Tne Indians of this band derive their subsistence from fishing, hunting, and labor
for whites located upon the northern shore of Lake Superior. They are a docile,
tractable band, and I regret my inability to give them more assistance and instruction
in the cultivation of their lands. The members of this band who received annuities
from the Government during the past year were '236.
A reservation of one township of land upon Deer Creek, in Itasca County, Minne-
sota, has been set apart by Executive order during the present summer in conformity
with the treaty of 1866 for the occupation of a portion of the Bois Forte band, who
have improvements at that point.
In general the improvement of the Indians of this agency and their progress in the
arts of civilization are very satisfactory. There is an increasing ambition among
them to make for themselves comfortable homes, and the system of giving to them
homesteads and allowing them to avail themselves through their own labor of the
proceeds of the natural timber productions of those homesteads is opening to them
a prospect of accumulating a little property, of which many will avail themselves,
and I believe this to be the most important step for their advancement which has been
made for years. Where the results of the day's labor are barely sufficient to supply
the family with food, it is difficult to educate an Indian to thrift or desire to accumu-
late property ; he literally takes no thought for the morrow, but with the sums real-
ized from the sale of his timber made iuio saw-logs, and delivered upon the bank by
his own labor, comes the possibility of a better manner of living and an accumulation
of property which has never been open to him.
There have been no serious troubles or disturbances among them, but they have
been more orderly, peaceable, and law-abiding than any white community comprising
the same number of individuals within my knowledge.
A glance at the map showing the different reservations in this agency, their dis-
tance from this office, and the want of facilities for reaching them, will show that the
agent has to depend almost entirely upon his employe's for information regarding the
condition of the Indians, and that a sufficient compensation should be allowed to
secure competent, reliable men for the different positions upon these reservations. To
make the work of the agent effective a large portion of his time should be devoted to
visiting the reservations, where his influence, if properly directed, would be bene-
ficial both upon the employe's and the Indians.
Very respectfully,
W. R, DURFEE,
l-nited States Indian Agent*
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
REPORT OF CARLISLE SCHOOL.
161
INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA.,
August 31, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith my fourth annual report. The change
in the time at which this report is required, leads me to think it better hereafter to
begin and end the report with the fiscal year, and I make this report to cover the
period between September 30, 1882, the date of my last annual report, and June 30,
1883, end of the fiscal year.
The following table gives statistics of pupils during the period covered by report :
Tribes.
Connected with the
school at date of last
report.
New pupils received
during the period.
Total connected with
the school during
the period.
Returned to agencies.
Died.
Remaining at school.
Total
Boys.
3
17
1
Girls.
2
13
Boys.
Girls.
5
30
1
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
3
17
1
Girls.
2
10
5
27
1
37
10
23
8
1
1
5
5
1
5
2
8
1
4
12
5
5
30
34
4
1
12
4
21
1
1
34
35
6
2
2
1
6
Arapahoes
3
Caddoes
30
11
12
1
43
11
25
8
1
1
5
5
1
9
2
8
1
4
13
5
10
31
34
4
1
13
5
21
1
1
5
1
i
26
10
11
10
15
2
10
8
13
Crows
8
1
1
Gros Ventres
* ^
i
1
2
3
4
1
2
1
Kaws
1
Keechieb
|
Kiowas
4
1
5
1
5
1
3
1
3
3
1
5
1
2
1
3
2
2
1
1
2
11
14
2
10
4
3
20
20
2
1
2
2
1
2
10
14
2
11
1
1
Vez Percys
4
8
20
20
2
Northern Arapahoes. . .
4
1
1
Osages
Ottawas
2
1
9
5
10
4
"~8~
1
8
4
4
Poncas
Pueblos
.....
1
'"2
1
11
1
10
"
1
Sioux Rosebud
1
23
23
11
8
35
36
8
2
2
1
7
1
1
1
23
26
3
11
9
3
2
Sioux, Pine Ridge,.
^
4
1
4
2
1
o
2
1
1
2
Wichitas
5
2
1
4
188
108
70
24
390
15
11
4
239
121
360
Our average during the nine months covered by my report was 367.7. For the
whole year between July 1, 1882, and June 30, 1883, it was 343.
During the winter we had out in families, attending the public schools, 33 boys and
19 girls. At the end of June, 1883, we had placed out 99 boys and 43 girls. Our
pupils come to us now for 5 years, 2 years of which we shall endeavor to place them
under this family training. My reports for 1881 and 1882 give a fair expression of
the continued esteem these placed-out students receive, and my remarks in those two
reports in regard to its advantages are reaffirmed. In my judgment it opens up a
practicable course to accomplish the destruction of race prejudices and to bring our
Indian population into useful, productive life. Two years in our school will generally
give to previously uneducated and untrained Indian boys and girls a sufficient knowl-
edge of English and enough skill and industry to make them acceptable helps in
farm and other industrial civilized pursuits. After three years' trial I can see nothing
to prevent a very great expansion of this system, so that it may be made to bear upon
thousands instead of a few score. But some encouragement and influence should
grow up looking to the enlargement of their sphere of life and usefulness beyond
reservation lines after the expiration of their school periods.
5910 IND 11
162 REPORT OF CARLISLE SCHOOL.
We have carried forward our shop-work much on the same plan as last year, and
have increased the number of apprentices to the limit the room and facilities we have
been able to create would allow. We are now able to give instruction to about 100
apprentices.
For information in regard to our school-room work, I respectfully refer to the report
herewith of Miss C. M. Semple, the principal of that department.
Your attention is also invited to the sanitary conditions during the year and some-
views and deductions in the report of the school physician, hereto appended.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. H. PRATT,
Captain and Superintendent.
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.
INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL, CARLISLE, PA,
August 20, 1833.
SIR : In reviewing the work of the school-rooms the points which seem of especial
interest and importance are those which relate to the classification of pupils and ar-
rangement of studies. It has been extremely difficult to secure uniformity in the
eectious of approximately the same grade either in methods or rate of progress. This
difficulty has arisen from several causes, the chief of which, the frequent admission
of new pupils at irregular periods, is made apparent by the following table showing
agencies from which they came and dates of entrance :
Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita, October 6, 1879 ; October 27, 1879 ; April 3, 1880 ;
September 9, 1880 ; August 31, 1882.
Sioux, October 6, 1879 ; November 30, 1882.
Cheyenne and Arapaho, October 27, 1879 ; September 6, 1880 ; February 3, 1881 :
August 31, 1882.
Ponca, October 27, 1879 ; February 20, 1880.
Pawnee, October 27, 1879; August 31, 1882.
Sisseton Sioux, November 6, 1879 ; November 6, 1880.
Menomonee, November 6, 1879; November 6, 1880.
lowas, February 25, 1880.
Pueblo, July 31, 1880 ; February 4, 1881 ; January 28, 1882 ; October 21, 1882.
Creek, January 22, 1881.
Osage, February 26, 1881 ; June 9, 1882.
Northern Arapaho, March 11, 1881.
Quapaw Agency, December 20, 1881.
Omaha, August 19, 1882.
Navajo, October 21, 1882.
Crows, February, 1883.
To find place and proper instruction for each company of new comers without any
especial provision for individual teaching, and yet maintain anything approaching to
a good system of grading, has been almost impossible. At the beginning of the year
the boys learning trades and girls regularly detailed for half-day work were graded
and divided into half-day schools, each teacher having charge of two sections. Be-
fore the close of the year the school resolved itself into seven of these half-day schools
and two composed of younger pupils whose details were less regular. The average
number of pupils to each teacher has been 37 ; the average attendance nearly the same.
I think it very desirable that we should have experimental shops for the boys not
learning trades, where, under the care of a teaeher, even the youngest pupils might
have some kind of manual training daily. I do not doubt that the gain in health,
energy, and clear-headedness would make any expenditure in this direction an ulti-
mate economy. We invariably find that when an idle or mischievous boy is put to work
at a trade his standing is raised in scholarship as well as conduct. In some cases the
improvement has been very remarkable ; in not one has it failed of good results.
At your request, I have put in the form of a schedule the course of study which we
have attempted to follow, or toward which we have worked. Some exceptionally
quick pupils have done a little more ; a few, mostly adults or irregular in attendance,
much less than the amount laid down. In the light of our experience and acquaint-
ance with the results of ludiau teaching elsewhere, this course seems all that ought
to be expected of the average Indian pupil coming into school ignorant of English,
and giving at least half the time to manual training. Further experience will prob-
ably show that in the case of large numbers it will be impossible to cover the ground
fully.
FIRST YEAR First session. Objective study of language, writing words, phrases,
and sentences upon slates or blackboards, and in note-books, in script. Number :
By the use of objects and numeral frame, addition and subtraction orally, counting,
writing, and reading numbers.
REPORT OF CARLISLE SCHOOL. 163
Second session. Continue script work, but begin the stucly of Roman characters
using charts or lessons prepared and printed for the class.
Drawing from the tirst : Illustrative, the pupil being encouraged to draw the object
studied linear, as a means of eye and hand training and the study of form.
Singing, gymnastics, modeling in clay, and other simple kindergarten occupations
alternate with the regular school routine.
Adult primary, the same, with the exception of kindergarten occupations.
Arithmetic is left indeterminate in amount throughout the course in the lower
grades. Adults can do much more than children in this branch.
Phonic drill and analysis to aid in securing correct enunciation and in the discovery
of new words, begun this year, and continued in all the grades.
SECOND YEAR. Continue objective script work. Begin First Reader, using Webb's
Model, Lippincott's First, Picture-Teaching, charts of the same grade or prepared les-
sons. Language: Sentence-making, letter- writing, descriptions of pictures or objects,
lessons or stories reproduced orally and in writing by the pupil. Number : Addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division Grube method as far as knowledge of
English permits. Drawing, singing, and gymnastics.
THIRD YEAR. Second Reader work ; language as in second year. Diaries begun.
Number as in second year, using and learning simplest tables of reduction and frac-
tional parts of numbers by use of kindergarten blocks and other objects. Much ap-
plied work in first four rules. Geography begun by use of molding-board ; drawing
and oral teaching. Easy lessons from Mrs. Hall's Our World or Guyot's Introduction,
for reading and reference.
FOURTH YEAR. Reading : Third Reader, supplemented by simple lessons in natural
science, history, and geography, from Guyot's Introduction, Our World, Hooker's
Child's Book of Nature, or printed lessens prepared for the class. Language : Ab-
stracts of lessons, diaries, letters, descriptions, compositions, "Language Lessons,"
part first, introduced. Geography : Oral lessons, the class using a text-book for ref-
erence ; drawing and learning definitions of natural divisions of land and water,
names, positions, and general features of continents and the United States. Arith-
nieiic: Reduction continued practically. Fractions begun. Much practical work in
tables of time, measure, and weight, and in finding the cost of supplies of fuel, food,
and clothing.
NOTE. The following example given to a class of this grade by the commissary
clerk was solved correctly by several pupils. Example : We have on the farm and
at the school 5 horses and 4 mules. We are allowed to feed each horse 12 pounds of
oats and 14 pounds of hay, and each mule 9 pounds of oats and 12 pounds of hay,
daily. How many pounds of each will they be fed from January 1 to March 31, in-
clusive?
To another class of younger pupils, same grade, the following example was given
as an examination question. Example : Metopa had $ 4.50, and bought 5 yards of
ribbon at 12 cents per yard, 3 collars at 15 cents each. What did they cost, and how
much had she left ? How many oranges at 4 cents each can she buy with the money
left ? Solved correctly by fifteen out of a class of seventeen pupils. Eight of the
same class worked practical questions in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division of fractions. Six of the class no errors.
FIFTH YEAR. Reading as in fourth year, introducing new Third Reader, or other
reading of nearly the same grade; prepared lessons reviewing oral teaching of past
years in natural science, animals, plants, &c. Language as in fourth year. Geography i
Elementary geography as text-book, alternating with history, taught orally and by
reading and writing abstracts. Number : Arithmetic continued ; study of geometrical'
form, using Hill's Elementary Geometry for reading and reference.
In this course I have not considered the more advanced pupils, who have come ta-
ns from mission and agency schools. Some of them have dropped into third and
fourth year grades. A small class have nearly completed the seventh-year studies of
the ordinary grammar-school course. Two members of this class have had some-
instruction in methods, and practiced teaching, under supervision, with success.
Previous to our public closing exercises, which occurred May 23, all the classes;
sustained a written review. The papers were carefully prepared, and generally
indicated the standing of the pupil, although no use is niade of them for that pur-
pose. We have had these reviews monthly throughout the year. No marking is
done, and as there is nothing of a competitive nature, we have seen no evidence of
the nervousness and mental strain which is usually attendant upon examinations.
The advance in text-book work, especially in the middle grades, has been appar-
ently slower than during any previous year. This is chiefly because our experience
has shown us the wisdom of making haste slowly. Our pupils, as a rule, come to us
after the best years for memorizing have passed away, and even with the youngest
of them this faculty is taxed by the multiplicity of objects and events which come
under their notice, and duties required, many of which are made the subjects of con-
stant instruction. The lessons of the school-room must be again and again re-
164 REPORT OF CARLISLE SCHOOL.
viewed and various tests applied before we can be at all sure that they are, in any
practical sense, their own.
Language study, by means of sentence-making, abstracts of geography and history
lessons, descriptions and letters, has received more attention this year than formerly.
In the upper schools time has been well spent upon diaries, the daily notes being
written upon slips of paper, and corrected before copying into the books. The result
of this labor is apparent in the letters and review papers. Although there is still
much bungling work, the May letters, written by scholars who have been with us
three or more years, are, with few exceptions, good in composition, spelling, and pen-
manship.
The order and industry, especially during the last session, have been excellent.
Not one of the new Sioux pupils, who came from camp December 1, and only one of
the Navajos, was reported. Very few required even a reproof from their teachers.
Respectfully submitted.
C. M. SEMPLE,
Principal Educational Department.
Capt. R. H. PRATT, Superintendent.
INDIAN TRAINING SCHOOL,
Carlisle Barracks, Fa., August 21, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor, in compliance with your request, to present the following
report of the health and sanitary condition of this school for the past year:
There have been treated over five hundred cases, the larger part of which were
simple diseases, such as slight colds and simple sore eyes. No malignant epidemic
has prevailed. There were 20 cases of measles, all of which recovered without
any untoward complications. The pupils passed through the diseases incident to the
seasons with fewer serious cases than the same number of white persons in the com-
munity adjacent.
There have been more cases of malarial fever than they have had in the town of
Carlisle, due no doubt to the fact that many of our pupils came from malarial dis-
tricts, and being subjects of the disease it is liable to recur under slight provocation.
Scarlet fever and diphtheria both* prevailed in the town and community, and a
number of deaths occurred from both. We did not have a single case in the school.
An epidemic of catarrhal fever, with many severe cases of throat and lung complica-
tions, passed over this community in February and March. Our pupils were not more
affected by it than the whites ; indeed, the most aggravated cases that came under
my observation were among the employe's and their families.
There have been 6 deaths; 4 were from consumption, 1 from acute pneumonia, and
1 from dropsical trouble, following pneumonia in a syphilitic subject ; 2 of these cases
were diseased when admitted; 1 took his bed same* day he arrived and 1 very soon
after. It will be seen that all the deaths that have occurred have been from pulmo-
nary trouble, and all excepb 1 resulted from tuberculosis. The record shows that a
very large majority of the deaths since the organization of the school have been from
pulmonary affections. This accords with my personal observation and experience
among these people.
The consolidated sick report of the Indian service for the year ending June 30, 1882,
shows that out of a population of 144,822 there \vere 1,225 deaths, or 1 death for every
118 persons. There were 732 cases reported sick with consumption, and to report a
case of consumption means to report a death in a very large majority of cases; hence
I conclude that considerably more than half the deaths from all causes in the whole
service were from consumption. Whether this is a larger death rate than occurs
from this disease among other races I have not the statistics at command at present
to show. Dr. B. G. Northrop, formerly State superintendent of instruction for Con-
necticut, and who has taken great interest in the Chinese and Japanese students sent
to the United States to be educated, told me that very many of those who came died
of pulmonary affections.
The opinion generally prevails that the Indians as a race are physically strong. In
regard to this I would say that where so much immorality and lewdness exists as does
among the Indians there must of necessity be a great deal of of venereal disease. This,
with its concomitant scrofula, which prevails extensively among them, due to their
utter disregard of all sanitary laws, and their use of improper and imperfectly pre-
pared food, cannot fail to produce impoverished and debilitated constitutions. Dr. S.
I). Gross, than whom we have no higher authority, says of syphilis, "A poison so
potent, so subtle, so diffusive in its action and so difficult to eradicate, is well calcu-
lated to make the most fearful inroads upon the system." Especially is this true
among the Indians, as their filthy habits and ignorance of remedial agents, gives the
disease the best possible chance to ravage the system and impair the vital powers.
Add to this sanguinary marriages, which are very frequent, as few marriages are con-
REPORT OF HAMPTON SCHOOL. 165
summated outside the tribes, and we have a train of influences which must deteriorate
and weaken and establish predispositions which very slight exciting causes develop
into fatal terminations.
In regard to the mortality rate of the camp Indians, there is no doubt but that the
statistics are very imperfect ; many bands and parts of tribes are far removed from
the observation of the agency physicians, and many tribes are loath to report the
deaths through superstition and for various other reasons.
In comparing our death rate with the figures as given in the Commissioner's report,
I would mention the fact that in some instances the weakly and to their people the
worthless children are sent to school. In this connection I would recommend that
hereafter all pupils be submitted to a thorough examination, as suggested by the
appended list of questions, before leaving their reservations.
I believe the half-day work and half-day school plan productive of the greatest
possible good to these pupils, both mentally and physically. I most heartily indorse
the planting-out system as inaugurated and practiced in this school. It furnishes
the pupils an opportunity of obtaining a knowledge of domestic life and of civilized
industry which they cannot get in the school. It is the most satisfactory test of char-
acter to which they could be subjected, as well as giving them the advantage of a
varied and nutritious diet in connection with regular physical exercise, thereby very
much enhancing their chances of overcoming any hereditary weaknesses. I regard the
sanitary conditions of the school good. It' is no doubt largely due to the sedulous
care taken in this respect that we have escaped some of the epidemics which have
prevailed in the community around us.
Respectfullv,
O. G. GIVEN,
School Physician.
Capt. R. H. PRATT.
Health examination of applicant to be entered as pupil in the- Carlisle School.
Name, ; sex, ; tribe, ; age, .
Examined at , this day of , 18.
Father's name, .
Living ? ; state of health, ; dead ? ; cause, .
Mother's name, .
Living ? ; state of health, ; dead? ; cause. :
Eyesight, ; hearing, .
Any disease of stomach? ; bowels ? ; kidneys 1 .
Any cough ? ; any spitting of blood ? .
Any skin disease ? ; any suppurating glands ? .
Any scrofula? .
Ever had fits ? ; ever had syphilis ?
Ever had severe sickness ? ; nature, .
Ever received an injury ? ; ruptured ? .
I certify that 1 have personally examiued the person above named with the results shown.
Agency Physician.
HAMPTON NORMAL AND AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE,
Hampton, Va., October 1, 1883.
SIR: I have the honor tp report as follows on the work for Indians at this institu-
tion during the school and fiscal year closing July 1, 1883, and to make statements in
connection therewith on the general Indian question :
Permit me to state, introductory, that, fifteen years ago, this school opened with
15 negro students and 2 teachers. There have been this year 578 students and 35
teachers, besides officers; and the "plant," uniucumbered, is valued at $350,000.
Until 1878, negroes only were admitted. In that year it become our unmistakable
duty to receive 17 captive Indians, who, under the care of Capt. R. H. Pratt, U. S. A.,
had" changed from the worst of savages to well-disposed men eager for education, for
whom no place was so suitable as Hampton, because of its industrial teaching. This,
iiiid all like schools in the South had been founded on the principle of admission for
all, " without regard for race or color or previous condition of servitude.' 7 This hos-
pitality to a few red men has resulted, not only in an increase to 109 Indians, but in
the great work of Captain Pratt at Carlisle, Pa., to which this was an essential step-
ping-stone ; in a new and hopeful public sentiment, a fresh departure in Indian edu-
cation, and in a new demonstration of the Indians' capacity, with proper opportuni-
ties, to become good citizens.
Whatever tlieir failures, they are found to be not from innate causes but from
surrounding influences. So hopelessly seems the latter against them, that many
despair of success ; but is it not a little gain to feel that the red race is capable ia
166 REPORT OF HAMPTON SCHOOL.
itself, both mentally, morally, and physically, of the duties of citizenship, and, not
whether it can be done, nor yet how to do it, but that getting the men and the means
of doing it is the question ? The point is, really, what is the nation's will in the mat-
ter ? That has not yet been decided. The weakness and inefficiency at Washington
is that of the people themselves. The Indian question is one of honor and justice.
The negro question involves the salvation of the country. The former touches the
nation at no vital point, save as its broken pledges are sure in time to work out their
revenges. It has a dramatic interest and present popularity which the other has
outgrown. Will the red race finally have a faithful constituency of friends, like that
of the blacks, who will steadily sustain the educational work for them that to suc-
ceed must be perpetual ?
National aid has weakened the work for the Indians, as the lack of it has strength-
ened that for the negro; which latter now, however, can, I believe, stand the effect
of it. The time for it has come. Well-meant legislation has been a curse to the
Indian and in many ways still is. The ignorance and indifference of Congress in this
matter are well nigh discouraging. A result of it is the annoying, harassing posi-
tion of those who attempt co operation with the Government in the matter, which
keeps in the background men able and willing to more than double such work as
Carlisle and Hampton are doing. Money appropriated to found Indian schools over
a year ago still lies in the Treasury, while funds needed to make existing work more
efficient cannot be had. A plan should be devised which shall give to competent
men the details of the difficult, delicate task of Indian education and civilization
never to be accomplished while a legislative body attempts executive work. The
most natural and simple way seems to be to make the Commissioner of Indian Affairs
an independent, responsible officer, at the head of a Department, with ample discre-
tion ; and to create an educational bureau, with a strong man at its head. The pres-
ent hydra-headed management is a good illustration of "how not to do it."
There is a class of men in the army, now that its righting days are about over, who
can be spared to help settle the Indian question, and are better than any other for
the nurpose; not because they are officers, but only so far as they are educated, ex-
perienced men, of high character and capacity; they have many advantages of posi-
tion. Then, the economy of it! Civilian agents (excepting a few too valuable ever
to lose to the cause) are not a success, with which the parsimony of Congress in
giving meager salaries has had much to do. At first hopeful, I am now satisfied that
nothing but this fatal parsimony must be expected, along with wasteful expenditures
in other ways. Whatever can come of thoughtful study of our Indian problem, and
of well-directed executive energy in working it out, is not, I believe, to be looked for
as things, are; while prompt, wise, and decisive action is imperative. To merely
study and be interested in Indians is one thing; to work for their improvement, to
learn their condition and meet practical obstacles, is to lose faith in present methods,
not because of the system itself, but because of the men who apply it and the mixed
control of affairs; while faith in the Indian is sure to grow. Success will not be the
outcome of a system of laws or regulations, but of a practical wisdom and devotion
of which there are to-day many individual illustrations in the Indian service.
Missionary work for Indians, during the past forty years an unobtrusive but vastly
underrated effort, has been the most important success of all. There is nothing to
compare with its results among the Cherokees, with the Sioux at Santee, at Peoria
Bottom, and at points in Minnesota and elsewhere. Government has constructive
power only in material things. It can build custom-houses and bridges and railroads,
but on the moral side it is critical and obstructive rather than helpful. It has very
slight results in character to show for its care of Indians for several generations.
REPORTS OF TEACHERS.
By Miss Isabel Eustis, in charge of classes: There have been 110 Indian students
at Hampton during the year; one has -died, leaving the number at present in school
109, 41 girls and 68 boys.
They represent 16 tribes.
Sioux 62 | Absentee Shawnee 4
GroH Ventres ) \ Apache
Pawnee 2
Papago , 2
Menomonee 2
Yuma I
Ouondaga 1
tres )
Mandau ;> 8
Rees
Sac and Fox 7
Omaha.. 6
Pima 5
Winnebago 4
Twenty-two Indian students, a much larger number than ever before, are taking
the regular normal course ; in the senior class, 1; middle class, 2; junior class, 19.
Twelve Indian boys have voluntarily become work-students this year There can be
REPORT OF HAMPTON SCHOOL. 167
no better training than this for an Indian hoy when he enters into the arrangements
intelligently and heartily. He has the discipline of six full days' work in the week,
and studies two and a half hours every evening with the colored students, who are
making a great sacrifice for an education. The remaining Indian students are divided
into seven classes. Four classes attend school in the morning and work in the after-
noon. Three work in the morning and go to school in the afternoon.
The plan of the school is to give each class a daily drill in reading and spelling,
arithmetic and language (including penmanship), with one daily recitation, as soon
as their knowledge of English will permit it, in some smdy which will give them new-
ideas and broaden their minds. Geography, history, natural philosophy, and natural
history are the studies chosen for this. When the scholars are sufficiently advanced,
we use the reading classes to some extent for the same purpose. An account of the
school work of three representative divisions is given below.
The first division (3 years' work)
furnishes an example of what can be done by a little more than three years' training
with bright scholars who came with 110 knowledge of English. It is made up of such
scholars, with the addition of some who have been here a shorter time, trained in the
mission schools before leaving their homes.
The first division in reading, Miss Cora Folsom, teacber. The object of the class
this year has been to establish a good foundation in spelling and a clear and intelli-
gent manner of reading at sight. To read well with an Indian means that he must
be interested, and to be interested he must have something to think aboub and study
over out of school. With this thought in view, we took up Dr. Hooker's book on
plants, and that proved such a success that we have lately taken up the volume on
animals by the same author. The Indian habit of observation shows itself very plainly
here. The wonders of plant and animal life 
