DEVIL'S LAKE AGENCY, DAKOTA, 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 extreme 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 ultimately 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 haying just commenced I can only approximate the yield as follows: Wheat, 18,000 bushels; 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 land 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 breaking new land and settling down on distinct patches, and making improvements thereTo 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. on. 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," 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 "McCormick 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 without 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 employés 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 received 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 during the year. The peltries disposed of by the Indians to their trader and the military 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 disposed 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 being 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 accommodate 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 personal 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 succeeded 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 civilized 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 elsewhere 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 "problem"? Teach the young boys the English language, husbandry, and trades in industrial 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 connection 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. 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 instructing 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 afternoon 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 composed 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 employés 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 immediate 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 Department 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 appointment 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 difference 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 return 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 understand 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 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 considerable 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, material 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 generous 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 BRULÉ CONSOLIDATED AGENCY, Crow Creek, Dak., August 20, 1883. SIR: I have the honor herewith to transmit my first annual report of the Consolidated Agency of Crow Creek and Lower Brulé. 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 coming here, that I. have had but little opportunity to make preparations 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 structures, unfit for occupation; others are the remnants of old Fort Thompson, and so rotton 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 employés during 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 lands. The farming lands constitute the larger portion 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 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 summer 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 properly 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 localities. 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 supplying all alike with what they all equally need and to which they have an equal right. Condition of the Lower Yanktonais 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 promising 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 gardens 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 stackedthere 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 employés. |