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 Indians, 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 considered 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 number 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 our number has decreased by death and removal, 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 run 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 exceedingly 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 forgotten that they have acquired the previous nine. MISSIONARY. All missionary work for the benefit of these Indians, since they have been connected with this reservation, has been performed by the agents and employés, 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 zeal. 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. 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 contagious diseases have passed through the reservation; these, in conection with typhomalarial 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 accomplished 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 civilization; 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, but they cannot withstand the temptation to drink when one offers 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, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. C. G. BELKNAP, United States Indian Agent. SOUTHERN UTE AGENCY, COLO., 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 Colorado, 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. The Utes at this agency are not inclined to agricultural pursuits, although I think with paper 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 winter 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 honorable Secretary of the Interior I made the attempt to secure Ute children to attend school off of the reservation, with little hopes of success, as these Indians have always 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. SANITARY. There has been during the year but little sickness among the Indians of this agency, with the exception of small-pox, which raged to some extent. There were some fifteen 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 direction. 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 accommodation and comfort of the agent and his employés. 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 here with statistical report. The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. WARREN PATTEN, United States Indian Agent. 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 acknowledges. 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.) 1 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 contributions. 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, however, that the practice cannot long continue without some guilty party being discovered, in which case an example will be made. In matters pertaining to the interests of the service and to the welfare of the Indians generally in this locality I have been materially assisted by Mr. George P. Waldron, 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 shrinkage 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 present 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: 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; 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 employés, and about 45 acres, in lots of from 1 to 5 acres, was cultivated by Indian families. With the present force of employés 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 efficient, 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 Indians. There is also on the reservation a mission maintained by the Congregationalists, 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 condition of our schools. The boys' boarding school at the agency proper is under the immediate supervision of Mrs. Emma C. Swan, principal, assisted by Miss Louisse Cavalier. 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., principal, assisted by Mrs. J. F. Kinney. There is an attendance of from 32 to 36 scholarsall 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 undertaking 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 Indians, 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. The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. WM. A. SWAN, United States Indian Agent. |