Finding myself unable to secure assistance from the courts in the administration of justice, I am compelled to fall back on our mild agency system, where prisoners are placed under the charge of Indian policemen, who are not always as strict as white men in enforcing prison regulations. We have at this time three Indians in the agency jail, convicted of horse-stealing. If these could be imprisoned at a distance and their board paid for out of Winnebago funds, the effect would tend to arouse a feeling in the tribe against the perpetrators of these crimes. The sentiment of the tribe in former years, and a trace of it lingers to-day, rather supported horse-stealing, when accomplished without discovery, as the mark of a brave man. I would suggest that some arrangement be effected whereby those convicted of serious offenses may be imprisoned off the reservation at the expense of the tribe.

WISCONSIN WINNEBAGOES.

Until within the last three or four years the stray bands of Winnebagoes remaining in Wisconsin were not considered as having any claim upon the funds of the tribe. Singular as it may seem, no question on this point was raised until that portion of the tribe had been moved, at considerable expense, to a reservation purchased for them in Nebraska, and which they soon after deserted to return to their former homes; since that time over $16,000 of tribal funds have been set apart each year, awaiting such time as Congress may see proper to divert it to some other use than to settle the Winnebagoes upon their reservation in Nebraska. The Wiscons n Winnebagoes were not taken into account in the computation and payment to the half-breeds in Minnesota of their share of the tribal funds per act of Congress approved March 3, 1871. I consider it a misfortune to have the tribe divided. The Wisconsins certainly cannot find better lands or a more favorable opportunity to better their condition than on their reservation here; and their scattered location affords a safe asylum for escaped criminals from this reservation.

Very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

HOWARD WHITE, United States Indian Agent.

NEVADA INDIAN AGENCY, PYRAMID LAKE RESERVE, NEV.

August 19, 1878.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my fourth annual report of the condition of affairs under my charge.

A marked improvement in the conduct and habits of the Pah- Utes at Pyramid Lake Reserve has encouraged us to increased efforts in their behalf. They evince greater desire to acquire and retain property, and fence their lands and plant grain, and to remain at home in houses made like white men's houses. All that is needed to foster and encourage them in their praiseworthy intentions is to be able to supply them with food until two or more successful seasons have given them abundant crops and a surplus to lay up against a dry season. During this year they have been rewarded for their labors with good yields, but their hard winters exhaust them.

An excellent saw-mill and engine have been placed on the reservation this year, much to the delight and satisfaction of the Indians. Owing to the preparations for farming and the subsequent harvesting, I was unable to secure enough force to obtain saw-logs; but now that the season is ended, if subsistence can be furnished, the sawmill can be run constantly, and by the time winter sets in we will have sufficient lumber for all those who are willing and desire to make fences and build houses for themselves. As they have nothing but the fishing business to interfere with their other operations, they can more conveniently devote their time to work of this kind. Though I commenced operations with some misgiving as to the adaptability of cottonwood, our only timber here, I have been agreeably surprised in finding it make as good scantling, boards, and posts as have been brought here from a distance, seasoning well and straight. In a short time, there is every reason to believe, the Indians may be settled in substantial cabins, their farms inclosed with board fer ces, and themselves be so much further advanced in civilized ways.

The school was opened on the 1st of March, and its very commencement indicated its permanent usefulness. The attendance has averaged about eighteen during the six months of its operation. Larger numbers would have reaped advantage by the instruction given, but for the necessities of parents and relatives requiring the aid of almost the whole population in obtaining food. This difficulty could be obviated by the allowance of small quantities of subsistence for the scholars. We could then make a grand showing in attendance, and much improve the rising Pah-Ute generation in intelligence and morality. I consider this part of our work the most important in the

service, it being less difficult to train the youth in industrious habits than to recover the adults from the inherited errors and habits of a savage and superstitious life.

One great cause of discontent among these Indians is the occupation of their fishing grounds on Pyramid Lake by white trespassers. The profits of this traffic are large enough to induce these men to disregard the law and its officers, and the want of definite monuments to define the boundaries seems to give them a technical defense before the courts. If they could be removed I do not doubt but that the Pah-Utes would congregate here in large numbers and soon become permanent.

At Walker River Reservation the crops have been good, the Indians satisfied, and pressing onward to that stage in their progress where they can be safely left to take care of themselves. No new occurrences have varied their quiet, easy life, except occasional rumors of threatened Bannack inroads.

Moapa River Reservation has been unfortunate in not having as good crops as usual during this season, but the Indians are not at all disheartened, and have gathered in their harvest with grateful hearts.

The Shoshones, at Carlin Farms Reservation, have advanced so rapidly as to surprise their most sanguine friends. They are industrious and energetic, and extremely anxious to become independent farmers. During the year the receipt of a large quantity of agricultural implements, including a thrasher and cleaner, gave increased impetus to their labors. I have Lo hesitation in recommending these people as deserving of the highest praise and encouragement. Their crops are larger this year than last, but owing to the exaggerated estimate given by the late farmer in charge of the reservation, the statistics do not show the fact.

Notwithstanding the relationship existing between the Shoshones and ho-tile Bannacks, and the solicitation and threats of the latter, the Shoshones remained faithful and gave us frequent notice of events about to happen. The same may be said of the Pah-Utes, to whom the marauders sent messengers asking for alliances of offense and defe se. It was a trying period to the force in charge of the Pah-Ute Reservations, and nothing but the kindly relations existing between us enabled me to restrain the few unsteady ones from participating in the depredations and extending the theater of war. Happily, by establishing a scouting system, and counselling with the prominent men of the tribe, I was successful in maintaining peace and quiet, although the alarm was naturally great among the settlers for a time.

An agreeable event of the year was a visit from Pee-sent-yi, or. Captain Sam, an influential Shoshone of Duck Valley. This man seemed actuated by Christian principles and honorable motives. He came to tell me what he knew of the troubles during hostilities. He had steadily refused to join the Bannacks, although they had come to him and his people; attempted to arouse their prejudices against the whites, whom they designated a common enemy; threatened them with loss of life and property, and yet Pre-sent-yi was bold through all. He replied to them that he had entered into treaty with the United States and would adhere to it; that he preferred all the dangers they spoke of, rather than tell lies to his white friends, and this ended the endeavor to seduce the Shoshones from their allegiance. One promise made by the Bannacks was that when they had destroyed the railways and killed the whites, they would divide both sides of the world among their friends, and kill all Indians who had not united with them. Captain Sam thinks the world is wide enough for both races to live in, without rubbing too hard against each other, and said the government s! ould prevent bad white men from imposing on Indians and forcing them into retaliation, and regrets the frequent presence of soldiers among his people, because the soldiers debauch their women and introduce whisky, which makes them bad and prepares them to commit crimes.

The sanitary condition of the Indians has been good, no disease prevailing to any great extent excepting chills and fevers. These afflictions will cling to them until we have them all housed and protected from the changes in temperature. They sleep in the open air at night, which is generally quite cool, and in the day-time expose themselves to the rays of a hot sun. I am happy to say, however, that they are fast adopting our way of living, both as to houses and food. The disease yields readily to simple treatment, where the patient swallows our prescriptions and regulates the diet as ordered. This is difficult to do, because we have no hospital and because of the influence of their medicine-men, who find their occupation nearly gone; and, besides, the old Indians are still strong in their superstitious customs.

A gratifying observation may be made in reference to the sobriety of the Indian residents on the different reservations, intoxication being unknown except among those who hang around the towns on the railways and the mining towns of the interior.

* *

All of them wear the same dress as citizens, and seem anxious to reason and act and talk like white men. Continuous employment will fasten them in their new aims and habits. The men take more willingly to work of all kinds, and have more pride in dressing and acting like ourselves, while the women are equally careful of their own and children's dresses, and all are cheerful in their labors, whether at home or in the

fields. This fact is worthy of remark, as it demonstrates a rapid advance from their silent and morose moods while laboring. They haye a more intelligent and appreciative sense of the dignity of labor and its value. Another feature of improvement is their desire for houses built of sawed lumber, with interior adornments. As they have no money to buy pictures, they utilize the stray copies of illustrated papers. They see the necessity for close application to farm-work, and their requests for assistance are usually for plows, harness, and other requisites for agricultural operations. And this fact has helped me to be so urgent in my recommendations of the purchase of farming implements, believing we can solve the problem of self-support in this way better than in dealing out the scant supplies afforded by a limited appropriation. Indeed, these small issues delay the progress of the Indians by allowing them to hope for them for all time, and keeping the idly-disposed from labor. The fertility of the soil, when irrigated, demands but little physical effort to produce abundant returns, and affords a better means of obtaining a sufficiency of food.

They ask frequently about the Sabbath, why we refrain from labor on that day, and are themselves foregoing many of their pleasures and exercises in order to rest as we do, and because they have an indistinct but sensible idea that it is good for them in other ways. This is leading, also, to an abandonment of many of their savage customs and pagan ceremonies. They have less faith in their medicine-men and often laugh at them, and do not so readily kill, as formerly, their horses to make feasts to assist the doctor in his incantations and howlings; nor do they dispose of their most valuable effects to pay him for his care of the patient. This expense is great, since all the friends of the sick Indian congregate at his camp and join their voices with the doctor in invoking relief. As a consequence, we have more demands made for remedies from the medical stores of the agency.

With the means and assistance allowed me in the prosecution of my duties as agent for four different reservations, I feel that as much has been done as could be reasonably expected, and it is a source of great pleasure to me to be able to report so favorable a condition of affairs generally.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WESTERN SHOSHONE AGENCY,

Elko, Elko County, Nev., September 14, 1878.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report for 1878. The Western Shoshone Indians are peaceable and most of them improving in civilization. They inhabit most of Eastern, Southeastern, and Northern Nevada, where a reservation has been selected for them. The Central Pacific Railroad divides the south and southeastern part of the country inhabited by these Indians from the northern part. Some of these Indians are migratory, shifting from place to place as they see fit; and others, most of whom are south of the railroad, reside permanently on little farms or ranches cultivated by them, except at some seasons of the year when they are engaged in hunting, gathering pine nuts, &c.

Twenty-one of these ranches have been cultivated this year to an advantage, all but one of which are south of the railroad. Nearly all of the land so cultivated by Indians belongs to white people. In some cases the Indians pay for rent of the land in labor; in other cases their white friends charge them nothing. The Indians referred to are generally put to a great inconvenience in regard to the use of water, especially this season, which has been unusually dry. In such seasons the white people take the water in preference and the Indian crops suffer thereby. In examining closely into affairs south, I find that something must be done soon for these Indians for the reason that the white people who own the land cultivated by them are likely to take it at any time. In fact, I learn that several cases of this kind will probably occur next year. The Indians state to me that they feel "bad" when they look at the uncertainty of the future, which they fully appreciate. They state that they cannot see what is to become of them unless a suitable reservation is established.

A council was held with several chiefs and leading Indians from south of the railroad, among whom was old Timoke (rope), who, before he became unable to act on account of age, was the recognized chief of all the Western Shoshones, and who even now retains great influence. His arguments were clear, sensible, and plain. He laid before me the present condition of affairs and asked me to do all in my power to improve their situation. He states that he will probably remain in Ruby Valley (which is spoken of as "south") the balance of his days, which can be but few; that he is, however, auxious that something be done for his people; that many years ago this country was valuable to them, there being plenty of game and other means of subsistence; that when the

country first commenced to be settled by the whites they felt encouraged, because they thought the Indians would learn to farm the land to advantage, which would greatly improve their condition. He states that years ago the Shoshones were promised a reservation in Ruby Valley, but subsequently the same land was sold to the whites and nothing more was said about the reservation; and since that time all the valuable land, water, and timber in his country has been disposed of to the whites; that the game, heretofore in abundance, has disappeared; that some of the Indians have gone to farming and have greatly improved in civilized habits, notwithstanding the great disadvantages they have labored under, that is, the scarcity of water and the poor quality of land forced to be taken. He states that his Indians are scattered over a large tract of country; that while many of them, through being employed by the whites, have learned to farm and do almost all kinds of work and are now able to carry on a farm themselves, yet others have become demoralized and are now roving vagabonds, living about mining camps and railroad towns, subsisting upon refuse food thrown away by restaurants and boarding-houses; that they got drunk and committed crimes among themselves; that their squaws are prostitutes; that loathsome diseases were spreading among them; that in consequence they were degenerating and would soon die off if something was not done to improve their condition. He strongly recommended, as the Duck Valley Reservation was the only land unclaimed in the State which was fit for the purpose, that every possible means be used to make it attractive to the Indians, that in time all may be induced to go there and improve in civilization; those who have already learned to farm would serve as an example and encourage the balance. Over 1,000 Shoshones are employed farming for themselves south.

The Shoshones north of the railroad have not been as fortunate as those south. They put in a large amount of wheat, barley, and vegetables, which promised to be a fine crop. In the latter part of April last I was sent for by the Indiaus to come to the reservation; that some Bannocks were on their way to interview me and the Indians under my charge in regard to some trouble that they stated was likely to occur; that a large number of Shoshones were encamped near Cornucopia, waiting my arrival. I at once went by stage to that place, where I found a large number of Indians who were greatly excited, stating that the Bannocks were preparing to break out. I, after inquiring into affairs, proceeded to the reservation, where was met by the Bannock Indians, and was told by them that they were sent to see me and the Shoshones whom they had requested to join the Bannocks in a war against the whites, provided that satisfactory terms of peace were not arrived at. They also stated that they were directed to see and warn me that if I used my influence to prevent the alliance they would kill me. I told them to return and remain peaceable; that the Shoshones would not join in a hostile move against the whites, but, on the contrary, would assist the whites if necessary. As the Indians returned home they repeated their threats against me. In consequence, I visited and warned several of the most isolated ranchers, repeating the threats made by the Bannocks, and advised them to be on their guard, but not to get excited and leave their homes until danger did approach; that I had instructed the Shoshones to keep a close lookout and give them timely warning, which was done by a Shoshone, known by the whites as "Bruno John," Indian name, Ang-1a-tickoo (salmon-eater), who saved many lives by riding night and day to give the promised notice. I would recommend that a special reward be given him.

It will be remembered that I reported the facts of the excitement and probable danger to the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs under date of May 6 and May 27, 1878. Finding so much excitement in the country, I selected part of the Indians to remain on the reservation, all that could work to an advantage, and instructed the balance to disperse and try to find work among the whites. A number of them started for the Bruno country; others staid about Mountain City and Cornucopia, and some went to work for ranchers, as advised.

Early in June I was again sent for and informed that the Bannocks were "murdering and plundering through the north country"; that the Shoshones were greatly excited and were congregating on the reservation; that the whires were leaving their homes and fleeing for safety. I proceeded as soon as possible to the scene of trouble, found great excitement prevailing, volunteers arriving daily and proceeding north, with whom I sent Shoshone scouts. Full particulars of this I reported to the honorable Commissioner under date of July 18, 1878. At the reservation all was excitement, and a very large number of horses and cattle had been driven there for safety and were running at large; the Indian crops could not be protected and consequently were destroyed, thus leaving them without any reward for their labor. I am glad to state that the confidence I always have expressed to the department in the good-will and friendship of the Shoshones toward the whites was fully sustained, they acting as scouts and in many ways rendering valuable services, identifying themselves with the whites and winning their good opinion.

In conclusion, I would earnestly recommend that buildings be erected on or near the reserve for store-houses and offices for the accommodation of agent and employés, where the Incians will feel they have a home and where they can expect protection,

and where their farming cannot be interfered with, believing that every inducement should be used to bring these Indians to their reservation in Duck Valley. It is thought that confining the delivery of supplies and annuity goods to the reserve will greatly aid in this object and in a great measure relieve the railroad and mining towns of their presence, and further prevent the sale of liquor.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

LEVI A. GHEEN,

Farmer in charge of Shoshones.

ABIQUIU INDIAN AGENCY, Tierra Amarilla, N. Mex., August 7, 1878.

SIR: I have the honor to submit my annual report for 1878. In my last annual report I referred to the prevalence of small-pox in the vicinity of the agency, and, as a consequence, that the Indians had almost entirely absented themselves from the agency. This disease continued to prevail as an epidemic until some time in the succeeding winter, and there were comparatively few Indians here from May, 1877, until the spring of 1878. That the Indians were wise in remaining away from the agency is shown in the fact that while full one-fifth of the Mexican population in the immediate neighborhood died there were but two deaths from small-pox among the Indians, and the first one of these a man who came in to learn whether the disease was abating.

When the Indians came in this spring, it was very evident, both in their appearance and by their statements, that they had suffered for food and clothing. These were furnished them in such quantity and kind as to make them comfortable; and I think they were more appreciative than ever before of the care given them by the government. I told them that I had blankets and duck (for houses) for them, but would not issue them until fall. I did not think it best to give them these articles at the beginning of warm weather; they could get through the summer without them; and, as they would expect others in the fall, would sell them for a trifle, gamble them off, and in various ways get rid of them, without receiving any actual benefit. It would also have a tendency to keep them from scattering before an opportunity for removing them, as was contemplated.

In obedience to your instructions of the 19th of March, I ceased issuing rations to the Ute Indians after the 10th of April, and required them to go to the Southern Ute Agency for their supplies. One band of them remained near, and continued to come to this agency and solicit supplies for about two months, but finding that they must subsist themselves or go to that agency, they chose the latter alternative; so that with the Utes the change was made from this to the Southern Ute Agency without trouble or expense. The Apaches are still here.

While disclaiming an undue "sentimentality" (that oft-repeated expression when writing or speaking of the Indian), the Indians, as a people, have my hearty sympathy, and I especially and sincerely sympathize with the Jicarilla Apaches. These Indians have been denounced by superintendents and agents as "thieves" and "vagabonds." I do not believe they are any worse than other Indians, or even whites would be with the same treatment. It is not the fault of these Indians that they are not to-day self-supporting. They have been left by a paternal government without a home, and compelled to become wanderers, by being driven from place to place when they have attempted to locate and cultivate the soil. They have, through me, been for almost four years begging for a home; a place where they could farm and have schools for their children. It has thus far been denied them. Having referred to these facts, and urged their location upon a permanent reserva ion in three previous annual reports and in frequent letters to the department, I rejoice in the present prospect of their early removal to the Mescalero Agency, not because I dare hope that it will be permanent (I apprehend that in a few years they will be removed to the Indian Territory, where I wish they could have gone now), but because I feel that it will be better for them than to remain as they are, notwithstanding their determined opposition to that particular locality.

My resignation having been tendered some time since, I avail myself of this opportunity to say that while I have not at any time claimed to have sought or accepted an Indian agency from motives of philanthropy, I did wish and believe that I could be instrumental in doing them good. I supposed that all agencies were located on Indian reservations; that more or less farming was done; that there were schools connected with them, and all reasonable effort made to civilize, educate, and Christianize the Indian. Instead of such influences, and opportunity for usefulness, I found my agency located in a Mexican village, more than fifty miles from a reservation; and the Indians, when visiting the agency, exposed to all the most demoralizing influences. I have, of course, been disappointed in my expectations.

In the economic management of the agency, I flatter myself that no complaint will