house, are located 6 miles from the mouth of that stream, and 4 miles from Niobrara, Nebr. The Ponca Indians were removed to Indian Territory in 1877, and a portion of their tribe returned to their old reservation in Dakota with their chief, Standing Bear. Others have returned since, so that there are now 207 Poncas living at Ponca Agency, Dakota. They cultivate 519 acres of land, which was less than was reported last year, but a careful measurement failed to show more than the amount named. All the land that was cultivated last year was cultivated this year. The crop is as follows: The drought and heat cut down the yield. They had a very promising crop the fore part of the season, and did very well in its cultivation until the dry weather set in. Fifty-one acres were broken during the year. They harvested and stacked their grain promptly, and have put up a nice lot of hay thus far for the coming winter. The Poncas are taking hold of work and are getting along very well. Their talk to me has all been for tools and implements for their young men to till the soil with, instead of having their means spent for food. I built ten frame houses for them during the year; size 12 by 24. They are the least advanced morally of any of the people under my charge. This is accounted for by the absence of schools and missionary work among them in past years. They have had some schools but not to the extent that the Santees and Flandreaus have had. The Government day school is doing some good work, but the Poncas are so scattered that not many of their 51 children of school-going age can attend a day school. I have thought that, in justice to these children, a small boarding school should be established there, so that they could be put in school and kept from the bad influences they have at home. They would patronize a boarding school with very little persuasion. The chiefs have spoken to me about such a school several times. The white settlers along the south side of Running Water cross on the island and steal wood in large quantities. This I endeavored to stop, and reported to the district attorney several cases for prosecution with names of witnesses to testify. Six of them have been indicted, as I was informed by the prosecuting officer. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, CHARLES HILL, United States Indian Agent. Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. NEVADA AGENCY, NEVADA, SIR: I have the honor to submit this my second annual report of the workings for the year, and present condition of affairs at this agency, together with statistics and census of Indians on reservations. AGENCY AND RESERVATIONS. This agency consists of three reservations, viz, Moopa, Walker River, and Pyramid Lake Reserves, which were set aside from the public domain by Executive order for the benefit of the Piute and Pah Ute tribes of Indians. Headquarters of agency is located at Pyramid Lake Reserve, which is in Washoe County, Nevada, and contains 322,000 acres, and includes Pyramid Lake, which is said to be 40 miles long and from 6 to 15 miles wide. This lake abounds with trout weighing from 2 to 16 pounds, and is a great source of revenue to the Indians during the fishing season, which lasts from October 20 to April 20. They usually sell their fish to the trader here, but at times take them to towns along the line of railroad when the supply is too great for the trader to handle. It is estimated that the catch in the lake and Truckee River last year amounted to 90,000 pounds, which probably amounted to $5,000 cash to the Indians. The reservation buildings are situated 3 miles south of the lake, within 1,000 yards of the river. Walker River Reservation is in Esmeralda County, Nevada, and contains 318,815 acres, and, according to survey made by Eugene Monroe in 1865, includes the entire waters of Walker Lake. Yet some claim that a subsequent official survey made in 1880 restores a portion of the lake to the public domain, and white fishermen claim the right to fish in this portion of the lake to the detriment of the Indians-not by reducing the quantity, but by overstocking the market. The fish at this lake are not so easily caught by Indians as at Pyramid. Yet they are a larger species of trout, and wel weigh from 4 to 28 pounds. But few were caught by Indians during the year. Moopa Reserve is in Lincoln County, Nevada, and contains 1,000 acres, and is located on the Moopa River, generally called the Muddy. I have been informed that it is the intention of the Department to abandon this reserve, as there are but twentyfour Indians living there all told. These Indians are the Piutes, and owing to the reserve having been located in this isolated country, where it is almost inaccessible to transport supplies, the Indians living there have received no Government aid either through me or my predecessor. INDIANS. The Indians belonging to the Pah-Ute tribe, according to previous reports, are estimated at 3,600. My opinion is that there are at least 4,500 who claim to be Pah-Utes. Yet this is only my estimate, as there has been no provision made to take the census of the tribe. Only those residing permanently on the reservations have been taken. They amount, all told, to distributed as follows: At Pyramid Reserve, Walker River, 411; Moopa, 24. Piutes: The tribe of Piutes are estimated at 150, all told. AGRICULTURE. There has been raised and harvested at this agency wheat, barley, oats, corn, hay, melons, pumpkins, squash, cabbage, potatoes, turnips, beets, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and numerous other assorted vegetables of excellent quality. Quantity shown by statistics. EDUCATION. The boarding school at this Pyramid Reserve, opened the first week in September 1885, with a daily average aitendance of 25 pupils, and continued to increase steadily in numbers until the close of the fiscal year, having reached 70 in attendance the last week of the school session, and averaged a daily attendance of 52% for the 43 weeks of school. The pupils are very apt, and are learning very fast. Thirty or more write a good legible hand, and are pleased to be called to the black-board to show visitors what they can do. They are very fond of music, and some 10 of them play accompaniments on the organ at singing, which they are exceedingly fond of, and I encourage them in singing in every conceivable manner, believing that is the best way to make them familiar with our language. They are certainly as apt as white children in primary teachings. How they will succeed in the higher branches of education time alone will tell. Many of them read well, and understand the simple rules of arithmetic. Unlike white children, it is seldom that they quarrel among themselves; never fight, and from school age up it is a rare thing to hear one cry. I have been asked by inspectors how I punished them, if I whipped them myself. Answer. No; I don't believe in whipping children. Then appoint a policeman to whip them, saying spare the rod and spoil the child. My experience will bear me out in rebutting that saying by replying, rule with rod and ruin disposition. I give myself credit for having better judgment than a child, and for the first offense, unless a serious one, a reprimand before the school is far better than a dozen whippings, because one can teach the whole school that the offender has done something that is wrong, and they all know it and will remember it, while it is humiliating to the offender and answers better than whipping. These children are very obedient, and I am pleased to be able to say that during the two years that I have had charge of them I have not had an occassion that would warrant me in whipping, slapping, or cuffing a single one of them, and I have not done so. MISSIONARY. We usually have divine service once a week, on which occasions the school-room is filled to its utmost capacity with school children and their parents, the Rev. J. M. Helsey, of the Baptist Church, who resides in Wadsworth, officiating. Mr. Helsey takes a great interest in this people, and especially the school, and is prompt and punctual in fulfilling his announcements, rain or shine. I have frequently invited preachers of all denominations to visit us, yet none, excepting the Rev. J. W. Davis, of Boston, Bishop Whittaker, of Episcopalian church at Reno, and the Rev. Mr. Jones, of Winnemucca, a friend of Mr. Helsey's, has done so. We are always pleased to have any and all that are laboring in the Christian cause. INDIAN INDUSTRIES. The Pah-Ute Indians of this agency are as a rule very industrious. Their industries consist principally of farming, ditching, cutting wood, and fishing. They also transported 217,223 pounds of supplies from Wadsworth to Walker River and Pyramid Reserves, receiving for the same $1,032.15 in cash, and $125.48 credit on wagons and harness, earning by freighting $1,157.65. They raise no stock worth mentioning, except horses at Pyramid Reserve, while at Walker Reserve they have about 100 head of cattle. This brand are the original and increase of 30 cows that were bought them with money received for the right of way of the Carson and Colorado Railroad, some five years ago. Ponies are worth from $10 to $20, while cows bring from $40 to $75, and Indians don't like to give three or four ponies for one cow; hence it is impossible to get them to exchange their horses for cattle. The boarding-school boys, under the supervision of the industrial teacher and farmer, have raised an abundance of cucumbers, tomatoes, and corn, also an abundance of assorted vegetables, some 3,000 melons, 300 pumpkins, 200 squash, 200 cabbage, 2,000 pounds of beets and carrots, 15,000 pounds potatoes, 2,000 pounds turnips, 1,000 pounds onions. I appointed two of the school-boys as apprentices to the carpenter, and they are learning the trade very fast. The boarding-school girls, under the supervision of matron and seamstress, manufactured 13 aprons, 8 bolsters, 15 cases for bolsters, 67 cases for pillows, 94 dresses, 15 sheets, 9 shawls, 74 shirts, 19 boys' suits, 6 ticks for beds, 12 towels, 66 undergarments, 2 boys' waists, besides doing an immense amount of mending, cooking, cleaning house, &c. CIVILIZATION. The Pah-Utes on the reservation have made rapid strides toward civilization. They wear citizen dress and are fast adopting the role of the civilian in almost every respect that regulations and laws will admit of, yet I have found it impossible thus far to prevent them from howling over their sick. It appears to be a part of their religion, and I suppose is encouraged in every possible manner by singing doctors, through selfish and mercenary motives. However, since the Department has appointed a physician for this agency, in May last, there have been over 300 calls by the Pah-Ute Indians on and off the reserves for medical aid. This shows an improvement in that direction in their willingness to adopt the civilian's habits. BUILDINGS. The buildings at this agency are in good condition. The two school-houses, storehouse, barn, and outhouses, having been whitewashed, the casings and boys' dormitory have received two coats of paint, and necessary repairs have been made where required. STOCK. Stallions, horses, and cattle are all in fine condition, and having harvested and stocked in barnyards 180,000 pounds of excellent assorted hay, wheat, and oats cut in milk, alfalfa, and blue joint, I will have an abundance to carry the stock through the winter and a considerable amount to issue to Indians starting new farms next spring that have no feed for their stock. Hogs.-Having received authority to invest $60 in the purchase of swine, I bought in the first quarter of 1886 ten shoats for $40, and 1 fine Berkshire pig boar, from Orphans' Home in this State, for $20, which will now weigh at least 300 pounds. The increase has not been as great as expected, as they were kept in close pens and the stock was young. I now have under fence a pen of about two acres, which I seeded last spring in alfalfa, wheat, and corn. This makes a splendid swine farm, and from this start I confidently expect to put up all the pork, bacon, and lard that will be required for the school after this year, reserving enough breeders to continue doing so. have raised enough feed to carry the hogs through the winter, with the slops from school table and offal from stable, COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES. This court has tried and passed the following cases during the year: Three cases of assault; in two cases the defendants were acquitted; one conviction; sentence three days in prison and two weeks in harvest field for prosecutor, whose arm had been dislocated by defendant; sentence fully complied with. One assault and battery with intent to do bodily harm, by running his horse over a woman twice; tried, convicted, and sentenced thirty days in guard-house; sentence carried out. Two cases of willful destruction of property; one acquittal; one conviction. A mother-in-law case-aggravated case; sentenced ten minutes in guard-house, with request of court to accompany prisoner on account of not humiliating her; sentence executed; court and prisoner placed in prison for the prescribed time. One divorce case; divorced by mutual consent; and three civil cases, rights to property of deceased persons; amicably adjusted. The court of Indian offenses as established at this agency has undoubtedly proved a success. It is a terror to evil-doers; has almost entirely suppressed the use of intoxicating beverages, as I have seen but 3 Indians drunk in the last year, 2 of whom are serving out a sentence at the present time of 30 days in the guard-house. It was through the workings of this court that the evidence was obtained that convicted Hamilton for selling Indians whisky, for which offense he served 6 months in State prison, and I have placed the case of the man who sold the whisky to Indians, now in prison, in the hands of the United States district attorney at Carson City, Nev., and expect a conviction, as the evidence is conclusive. CONCLUSION. In conclusion I desire to state that the Indians placed in my charge have been peaceable and well behaved, the school children studious and obedient, and it is my candid opinion that there is no class of people on earth, numbers considered, who are as well contented and happy as the Pah-Utes on Pyramid and Walker River Reservations. The employés have been industrious and vigilant and faithful, carrying out my instructions and orders on all occasions. Therefore, if the management of this agency has not been a success, I, and I alone, merit the obloquy and censure of mismanagement. To you and the Department I wish to convey my sincere thanks for the prompt and courteous manner in which you have complied with my requests for fands, supplies, and assistance during the year. I am, sir, very respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. W. D. C. GIBSON, United States Indian Agent. WESTERN SHOSHONE AGENCY, September 30, 1886. SIR: In compliance with instructions of the 14th instant, received from the Department I have the honor to forward here with my first annual report. Having but recently assumed charge of this Agency, my report will consequently be short and unimportant. The first step of importance to which I desire to call the attention of the Department is the importance of re-establishing the industrial boarding-school, which I am informed existed, and was in a prosperous condition when my predecessor was placed in charge of the agency. Very soon thereafter he discontinned the boarding-school and opened a day-school. I regret to say, from my personal observation, and the information I have obtained, that since the industrial boarding-school has been abandoned the scholars have made but little progress. The system of Indian farming pursued on this reservation is by no means encouraging, as the result of the present year's farming indicates. The crop of wheat that has just been thrashed will yield about 25 tons, eight of which will be required to sow the next crop. This failure I attribute in a great measure to the continuous cultivating and seeding the same land from year to year, and never giving the land any I estimate the number of acres under cultivation this year to be about two hundred and fifty. rest. The destitute Piutes, who were induced to settle on this reservation under promises made them that they would this fall be furnished by the Government with wagons and farming implements, I regret to say have become greatly demoralized and dis contented since learning that Congress had failed to make the appropriation necessary for that purpose. Polygamy is very prevalent on this reservation; it is one of their worst vices. believe that future polygamous marriages can and should be suppressed. I Gambling is another vice to which they are greatly addicted. They gamble away their horses, blankets, and wearing apparel. I will endeavor to put a stop to it. In concluson will say, having but recently been placed in charge of this agency, I have to omit many things that properly come under the head of an annual report. Very respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. JOHN B. SCOTT, United States Indian Agent. SIR: Complying with instructions contained in circular letter from your office, dated July 1, I have the honor to submit here with my first annual report as agent for the Mescalero and Jicarilla Apache Indians. I arrived at the agency November 18, 1885, and assumed charge on the 24th, relieving Agent Llewellyn, who was serving his fifth year. LOCATION. The Mescalero Agency is in Lincoln County, New Mexico, and is somewhat romantically located in the Tularosa Cañon, Sacramento Mountains. The cañon is narrow, but well watered. The mountains on each side rise to something like 1,500 feet above the agency, and about 7,500 feet above the sea level. They are rugged and covered with a pretty dense growth of piñon and cedar, interspersed with firs on the north sides. THE INDIANS. There are 417 Mescaleros and 785 Jicarillas belonging to this reservation. The former have occupied this section of country, according to their statements and tradition, for a long period of time. The Jicarillas were brought here by my predecessor from the northern part of New Mexico in 1883. In point of civilization there is hardly an appreciable difference in the two tribes. Both have the general characteristics of Apaches. Their training, however, has been different, for while the Mescaleros were accustomed, until a decade or so ago, to maraud after the manner of Geronimo, defying the military, stealing stock, and murdering settlers, the Jicarillas have been content to wander about the country, from camp to plaza, to and fro, bartering their annuities for Mexican whisky and gewgaws, begging a sheep from a herder here and stealing one there. The characteristics evolved by such training are yet plainly to be traced. Their manner of living is that of their ancestors, with very little modification. They have lodges made of ducking furnished by the Government. A strong and persistent effort has been made during the year to induce them to build houses and live in them, but to very little purpose. They declare that they will die if they attempt to live in houses, and I rather think they are right, as their filthiness of habit is so great that if they did not constantly change their location it would breed fatal disease. As it is many of them do suffer from diseases resulting from filth. None dress exclusively in civilized garb. The common style consists of a shirt and vest, with leggings, breech clout, and moccasins. A few wear hats. All have hats issued to them, but they soon disappear, and the Indians are barehead for the rest of the year. The squaws are invariably without head cover, except in extremely cold weather they use their shawls or blankets as such. In midsummer both sexes are fond of wearing wreaths of weeds or twigs. AGRICULTURE. Although the reservation contains nearly 500,000 acres of land, not 1 per cent. of it can be considered arable. The lateness and uncertainty of the rainy season are such that hardly anything can be produced without irrigation, and the streams are few and small, there being but two that amount to anything for agricultural purposes, and one of them has been about dry during the summer. Another obstacle to successful farming is found in the altitude. Frost and ice do not disappear until May and reappear in September. There is rarely a night during the summer when |