tributing all among the Indians. This purchase could be made with funds, "removal and support of confederated bands of Utes," of which there is a balance to the credit of these Indians. They take excellent care of the cattle they have. I have never known them to kill their cows or young stock except in extreme cases. I have impressed upon them in council and personally the utter uselessness of their ponies and the great profit in raising cattle. I believe they only need to be started.

SCHOOL.

The agency boarding school did not open till the 19th of November. It was maintained till the last of June with an average attendance of 19 pupils. The employés consisted of a teacher, matron, and cook. The cost of each pupil, including salaries of teachers, has been $108.83. The expense of the school has been entirely sustained by the Department. The pupils made gratifying progress during the short time school was in session. They had regular hours for work. The boys in the autumn and winter cut all the wood for the school-room and kitchen and in the spring they were taught gardening. The girls were taught sewing, washing, cooking, and general housework. I regret that no industrial shops are connected with the school. I do not expect to make scholars out of these children, but I do hope to teach them habits of industry and carefulness. They possess bright minds, but the new pupils are not able to speak a word of English and being constantly thrown in contact with their home associates they naturally acquire it slowly. Great results can be reached only by sending the Indian youth to Eastern industrial schools, where they will be entirely free from tribal relations.

DRUNKENNESS.

We have been greatly annoyed during the year by drunken Indians. I first adopted the plan of putting the drunken Indians in jail. This was not a permanent relief. The latter part of May I employed two Indian detectives who succeeded in obtaining evidence against a white man of Ashley, Utah. He was arrested, but being able to secure bonds was let loose, and began immediately to sell whisky again. He was again arrested the latter part of June and taken to jail at Salt Lake City for the action of the grand jury in September. Since that time I have not seen an intoxicated Indian. The Indians will all drink if they can get whisky. In a drunken row in June one of our policemen was shot and killed, and another Indian severely wounded. On several different occasions Indians have been fined for drunkenness and disturbing the peace.

POLICE FORCE.

Our police force numbers 7 in all-1 officer and 6 sergeants and privates. They are not as efficient as I could wish. The salary is so inconsiderable that it is not possible to secure the best men. Their intentions are good; they will do anything if told, but they are not aggressive.

LAND IN SEVERALTY.

In several of my monthly reports during the year I have given my views upon the question of having the arable land of the reservation sectioned and surveyed and allotted to the Indians. The question of boundary lines between Indian farms is constantly arising. This matter cannot be satisfactorily adjusted till the land is defined by metes and bounds in actual survey. The natural jealousy between these two tribes of Indians aggravates the matter. When the White River Utes were brought to this reservation three years ago the Uintahs occupied all the best lands either for farms or pasturage. Believing theirs a prior right they were reluctant to yield to the White Rivers. If the lands were surveyed we would feel justified in confining each Indian to his treaty rights, and not allow him to roam over four or five times as much as he can properly care for. If lands were allotted to the Indians with the assurance that they would be the rightful owners after a period of years, they would be stimulated to make improvements, build honses and barns, fences and ditches. I do not pretend to say that the majority of these Indians are far enough advanced to receive land in severalty, but some of them are. Such a measure will be a practical solution of many difficulties. It is an inevitable consequence, and the sooner the good work is begun the better. The Indians will gradually avail themselves of the opportunity of acquiring titles to their land.

FREIGHTING.

These Indians hauled with their own teams 87,201 pounds of Government supplies from the railroad terminus at Park City to the agency. The distance is about 150 miles. For this work they were paid $2,180.02.

HABITS AND CONDITION.

These Indians cannot be classed with the so-called civilized tribes. For the most part they live in "wickeups." Several houses have been built for them, but they are soon abandoned and used only as granaries or storehouses. Most of them dress in blankets and leggins. Their children are brought up in squalor and filth; very little attention being paid to the boys, none to the girls. Whenever dirt and rubbish accumulates in such quantities as to make ingress and egress difficult, they seek other places to pitch their tents. The above is true of the majority of these Indians, though it cannot be said of all. They are honest and virtuous in their social relations. There are not over half a dozen mixed bloods in the tribe. They are fond of gambling and horse-racing. It is always possible to find some gambling whenever there is any money among them.

MISSIONARY WORK AND RELIGION.

No missionary work has been done during the year. We have no churches, no preachers, and no Sabbath-schools. The only training of this kind the Indians have is what they get in the school.

Most of these Indians are Mormons. Nothing else could be expected, surrounded as they are on all sides by the "latter.day saints." I am told they find hearty sympathizers in the Mormons in all their little troubles with Gentiles. The Indians apparently accept the Mormon religion, not because they have any profound religious convictions, but because the polygamy of the Mormons suits their tastes. I will say this, that the influence of the Mormons in encouraging the Indians in agriculture has always been good.

"Medicine men" still retain a strong hold upon most of the Indians, though it is evident that their power is waning. A few years ago no white man was permitted to attend the burial of an Indian; they are now frequently invited to be present at the funeral. The practice still obtains among them of killing ponies, burying blankets, robes, and presents with their dead. They used to destroy all the property of the deceased; much of it is preserved now. Our only hope is in educating the young; the oid men will never outgrow these superstitions.

SANITARY.

These Indians are strong and healthy. Little or no constitutional disease exists among them. They are learning to have great confidence in white men's medicine, and patronize the agency physician more than ever.

In conclusion, the chiefs of these two tribes, having confidence in the Department, have worked in harmony with the agent to carry out your instructions. The Indians must depend upon the courtesy of the Government for several years to come, but they are on the right road to become independent. The reservation is ample for all their present needs; it affords abundant facilities for farming, grazing, hunting, and fishing. The Indians only require encouragement to develop its resources. Respectfully submitted, ELISHA W. DAVIS, Indian Agent. Per FRANK PIERCE, Clerk in charge.

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

COLVILLE INDIAN AGENCY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,

August 12, 1884.

RESPECTED SIR: I have the honor to submit this my first annual report on the condition of the Indians intrusted to my care. There are three reservations, the Colville, addition to the Colville (Spokan), and Cœur d'Alene, on which and the adjacent country are located the Colvilles, Lakes, Okanagans, Methows, Nespilums, San Puells, Spokans, Calispels, and Coeur d'Alénes, in all making nearly 4,000 Indians.

I assumed charge of affairs October 23, 1883, relieving John A. Simms, a faithful officer who has done much for these Indians. I found the employé force so much reduced in numbers as to render the service nearly ineffective, no interpreter even being allowed, and how an agent could get along here without one is more than I could conceive. But, thanks to the Department, an interpreter was allowed in March, for with the continued press of land business nothing could be done without one.

In December I had the pleasure of a visit from United States Indian Inspector Henry Ward and Special Indian Agent Cyrus Beede, gentlemen who have the good of the Indian at heart, I believe. They visited our schools and gave the teachers some valuable advice.

CONDITION.

I write of the Spokan Indians first, who are living in the vicinity of Spokan Falls. A lamentable condition of affairs exists among them. They were living in peace along the banks of the Little Spokan River, cultivating small patches of land sufficient for their needs, until the whites came in and gradually took their lands from them (they failing to enter their homesteads), until now some 50 families are wandering here and there. Unwilling to go to the reserve, they prefer to hang around the town of Spokan Falls and be supported in their miserable laziness by the drudgery and prostitution of their wives and daughters. Disreputable whites who sell them whisky are easily found by them, and until of late intoxication has been very frequent. An estimate of the cost of removing them to the Cour d'Aléne Reserve (where they could soon become prosperous and thrifty) was submitted in due time at the first session of the present Congress, but for some reason failed. They should be removed at once to some reserve without any sentiment in the matter, as the life they are now living can end only in death and misery to them.

The Okanagans depend more on the raising of stock than on the products of the soil for support, and are in the main doing well.

The Colvilles, Lakes, and the Spokans of Whistlepoosum's band are making an earnest effort to support themselves, and by so doing have received much encouragement from me during the past year.

The Calispels still retain many of their wild ways, and are cultivating the soil only in a small way. A few of them in the vicinity of the agency are making some progress, and are not opposed to accepting a knowledge of the "white man's" way. Of the Methows, San Puells, and Nespilums but little can be said. They are peacefully living on and cultivating the soil in a small way where they have been located

so many years.

The last tribe to come under this notice is the Cœur d'Aléne, who, by the testimony of the Jesuit Fathers, were accounted the most cruel and barbarous of the tribes of the great Northwest are now the most civilized, receiving nothing from the Government, only the support of their schools. They are, step by step, taking the lead over even their white neighbors. Their farming implements are of the latest and most approved kinds, and the instructions from the lips of their resident farmer, James O'Neill, have been well received and carefully carried out. I respectfully call your attention to the accompanying report of the resident farmer, showing them to have raised 45,000 bushels wheat, 35,000 bushels oats, 10,000 bushels potatoes, &c. Owning over 6,000 head of horses, 2,500 cattle, 4,900 swine, in the enjoyment of two excellent schools, they may be classed as among the fortunate ones of earth. For this happy state of things the Government can thank the missionaries who have faithfully labored among them, and their able instructor, Resident Farmer James O'Neill; and in this connection I would respectfully recommend that a comfortable dwelling and stable be erected on the reserve for him during this year.

TRESPASSERS.

The mining excitement in the Cœur d'Aléne Mountains attracted many people to the vicinity of the Cœur d'Alene Reserve, and as a consequence the attention of the agent has been called many times to that reserve to stop the cutting of trees for lumber and other purposes. The people passing over the reserve have not interfered with the Indians. For the benefit of the Government and the adjacent settlers living near the reserve there is great need of placing monuments in reasonable proximity to each other defining the lines of survey of this reserve, so that settlers will not encroach thereon and cause trouble among the Indians.

CRIME.

I found on my arrival that several murders had been committed on and off the reserve, and the murderers still in the country. I sought at once to correct this evil, and instructed the chiefs to arrest and punish the guilty. As a result of my endeavors they arrested Theodore, who murdered Francois, and as a result of the trial before his chief and headmen he was found guilty and executed. Previous to his death, in a speech to the assembled Indians of his tribe, he warned them of the direful effects of whisky, pointing to his death as a dreadful warning to them to shun forever the drunkard's way. Through the able co-operation of Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam, commandant at Fort Spokan, who caused the arrest of Michel, who murdered Shafer,

Smoolmool, who murdered a squaw on the Columbia, and some horse-thieves (all awaiting trial), the reserve is comparatively free of cut-throats. The chiefs have one other case on trial a Lake, who murdered an Okanagan Indian, and if satisfactory evidence of his guilt exists he will be hung. The last week in July, at the fishery on the Spokan, an Indian was stabbed by a drunken Indian, who in turn was killed by the brother of him who was stabbed. The affair was settled by payment of nine head of horses.

GAMBLING.

Gambling is a vice much indulged in by some of the Indians of this agency. I have had a conference with Tonasket, Seltice, Victor, Ka-to-lo, Or-a-pac-kan, and Whistlepoosum, principal chiefs, and they have each promised to try to reform their people in this respect. On one of my visits to the Coeur d'Aléne Reserve I had occasion to send from that reserve some 70 white men who came to participate with the Indians in gambling and horse-racing. Seltice informed me that every year bands of renegade Palouse, Cayuse and Nez Percé Indians came on his reserve for the purpose of gambling, &c., saying white men who came with them furnished them liquor, setting his people a bad example. I finally sent the renegades, some 350, off the reserve, ordering them to mend their ways before paying a visit to Cœur d' Aléne again. No matter how vigilant an agent may be, bands will stray away from the reservation. These two evils, gambling and drinking, have existed since man was first created, and never can be eradicated from among the Indians until the whites cease to encourage them in their pernicious practices.

SANITARY.

The health of the Indians is good, no very serious illness being reported by the agency physician. During last winter the measles made sad havoc among the children, and many, from the want of proper care and attention, died. At one time, at the Colville girls' school, 27 were sick; but owing to that loving care and devotion of the Sisters not a case was lost. The medicine men are seldom consulted by the Indians.

INDIAN HOMESTEADS.

It has been my pleasure to enter, under the act of March 3, 1884, several homesteads outside the reservation limits, and in my efforts to locate the Indians on these claims I have been ably seconded by your office and the local land office at Spokan Falls. The place of birth is as dear and cherished a spot to him as is the home of the white man, and an Indian should be protected in his rights to that home. All honor to the authors and promoters of the amendment to the Indian appropriation bill giving the Indian a chance to secure his 160 acres of land without the payment of fees or commissons.

EDUCATION.

There are four schools connected with this agency, two located at the Colville Catholic mission and two on the Cœur d' Aléne Reservation. They are supported by the Government under contract with the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Catholic Indian missions. These schools are industrial boarding schools, the only schools which can be a success among the Indians, I believe. During the months from November to April a day school was maintained at the Mission, near Spokan Falls (average 20 Indian pupils) under care of Father Cataldo. I have seen the schools increase at Cœur d' Aléne from 65 to 104, and I hope before the fiscal year expires to see them numbering 120. I believe Cœur d' Aléne to be the model Indian school of the Pacific coast. The schools at Colville were retarded somewhat during the winter by sickness, but through the efforts of the Sisters they are now in a prosperous condition. The annual exhibitions were attended by many whites and Indians and much praise can be awarded the Sisters and teachers for the pains taking care that has brought these schools up to the high degree of excellence they have attained. A new school building has been erected and another is in course of erection at Cœur d' Aléne for the schools. Much hard work has been undergone and money spent by the Jesuit Fathers to erect these buildings for school purposes, and they ought to be (partly at least) reimbursed by the Government. I am a Protestant, but I must testify to the unswerving love and devotion that the Jesuits have for these schools. How much labor is expended by them in rescuing these children from the vices and miseries of the camp will perhaps never be known, but in the end they will receive the mandate "come up higher."

MISSIONARY WORK.

The religious instruction these Indians receive is from the lips of the Jesuit Fathers, who for the past forty years have been performing their labor of love-they call it

their simple duty-among the Indians of the great Northwest, aiding the Government much in preserving peaceful relations towards the whites, restraining the natural vindictiveness of the savage, teaching them that the only "trail" to follow, to meet with success in this life, is the white man's path. Their untiring devotion and earnest zeal for the elevation and welfare of the Indian is great, and is seen at every step the agent takes in his visits among the tribes of this agency. Their work exhibits a thoroughness plainly perceptible.

CIVILIZATION.

In the ratification of the agreement between the honorable Secretary of the Interior and Moses, Tonasket, and others, providing for the erection of mills, school buildings, and the furnishing of agricultural implements, I see only the hand of justice. Money spent for the education and civilization of Indians is well spent, no matter if in the eyes of some it may appear to be extravagance. We who are toilers in the field know that it is spent in a noble cause.

The Indians of this agency have nearly all adopted the dress of the whites, with the exception of those who lead a nomadic life. I have felt it to be the agent's duty to go among the Indians of his agency and familiarize himself with their manners and customs, and in doing this it has been a labor of love. I have tried in my feeble way to teach them that the only source of contentment and happiness lay in leaving off their bad habits of gambling and drinking, and to take up the plow-handles and go to work, to be men, to educate their children in our industrial schools, preparing them for the battle of life. As it is hard to break from habits, so is it hard for an Indian to quit his nomadic way of living. Civilization has been cruel to the Indian in some respects. It has brought in its onward march that terrible curse to the red men, whisky, and its blight is always upon us.

My greatest trouble and anxiety has been with the Indians of the vicinity of Spokan Falls. Five prosecutions of liquor sellers have been successfully undertaken, and in all cases a heavy fine was imposed. One of the parties is serving his sentence in the penitentiary.

CONCLUSION.

In conclusion, I would urge the recommendation made so often by my predecessor, the urgent necessity of agency buildings being erected at some locality convenient to the Indians on the Colville Reserve. Much need exists for a farmer to help these Indians, and encouragement is of much account to the Indian. Give the Indian his land in severalty, extend the United States laws over him, compel him to send his children to school, and we shall be far on the road toward solving this Indian problem. The report of Resident Farmer O'Neill and the statistics required are herewith appended.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

COLVILLE INDIAN AGENCY, WASHINGTON TERRITORY,

July 26, 1884.

DEAR SIR: I have the honor here with to hand you the report of the farming operations of the Coeur d'Aléne Indians. The rapid progress they are making, and the great interest manifested by them in their farm work, in their fences, cultivation, in improving the breed of their horses and cattle, and in fact in all things to make their farming a success, is commendable. It was feared in the early spring that the great rush to the Cœur d'Aléne gold mines would cause considerable tresspassing upon their reserve, but happily so many other routes were opened to them that there were but few crossing the reserve, and now it has nearly ceased.

In anticipation of the great demand for their farm products, large quantities of wheat and oats were sown last spring and more potatoes than usual planted. Upon the reserve there are about eighty-four inclosures; some of them including the smaller farms of a few. These inclosures will average more than 200 acres each. Some of the leading farmers, however, have larger bodies of land inclosed. Regis and his brother have about 2 miles square; Aeneas, between 400 and 500 acres; Leo, 250 acres; Peter and Sebastian and Charles Louis have each about 14 miles square. All of these farms are well cultivated, fences well built, some few with post and board fences. During the plowing season, Saltise, head chief, had two whites with sulky plows working for him, as did also Regis Basil, Bartelmy and Marcella; Alexi and Louis 4266 IND-11