EMPLOYÉS. A clerk is employed at the agency for the five tribes embraced therein. Physicians are employed for the Prairie band and Kickapoos, and the individuals of the remaining tribes employ, at personal expense, such medical services as they require. A blacksmith and wheelwright are engaged in the shops for the Prairie band of Pottawatomies, and a mechanic who can perform both kinds of work is employed in the shops operated for the Kickapoo and Iowa and Sac and Fox of Missouri Indians. No regular interpreters are employed in the agency, but services of special interpreters are allowed for the five tribes in the agency, at a total cost not exceeding $300 per annum. Six employés, consisting of superintendent and principal teacher, matron and assistant teacher, industrial teacher, seamstress, cook and laundress, and assistant cook, are engaged at each of the three boarding-schools in the agency. None of the employés named, either agency or school, could be dispensed with without serious detriment to the service. RELIGION. The Chippewa and Christian Indians have been for years under the religious charge of missionaries of the Moravian Church. All the younger members of the tribe have been baptized in that church and have had the advantages of constant religious instruction. This church has educated several of these Indians at Bethlehem school in Pennsylvania. One of these William H. Killbuck-is now performing successful missionary work in Alaska and is a credit to his race as well as to the church that developed his moral and intellectual forces. A number of the more advanced members of the Prairie band are members of the Christian churches, but a majority of them still practice a religion not pagan or quite Christian. While their method of worship is objectionable, their belief is much the same as that of orthodox churches; they worship the Creator, and no other God or Spirit, and believe in the principle of future rewards and punishments. While a less number of the Kickapoos than of the Prairie band belong to Christian churches, a larger number proportionately practice a more advanced religion than do those Indians. They have a neat church building built by their own labor, in which services are held each Sabbath. Two of their people preach alternately, and the older of these, Now-Kash-Kum, strongly impresses not only Indians, but whites who hear him, by his directness, fervor, and sense of deep responsibility evidenced by his manner and conduct in both public and private life. The Iowa Indians are generally Catholics, a few only being given to the practice of partly pagan beliefs. While a few members of the Sac and Fox of Missouri Indians are consistent members of Christian churches, a majority of them adhere to Indian methods of worship. Strangers visiting these reservations are apt to be honestly mistaken as to the actual religious belief of the Indians, and it is unfortunately true that persons not strangers purposely misrepresent it for selfish and unworthy purposes. It is worthy of note that since the question of allotting Indian lands has become a topic of discussion an astonishing zeal for the conversion of the Indians has been developed. Several ministers have offered to reside on the reservations for this purpose if houses were furnished them who seem never to have thought of this field of labor before. EDUCATION. Separate boarding-schools are conducted for the Pottawatomie and Kickapoo Indians and one is conducted for the Iowa and Sac and Fox of Missouri Indians jointly. Chippewa and Christian Indian children of school age attend either Haskell Institute at Lawrence, Kans., or the public schools in the vicinity of their reservation. Children belonging to the other tribes are also attending "Haskell" and other training schools. Owing to the comparatively large number of Iowa and Sac and Fox of Missouri children attending other than the reservation school, but very little increase in attendance can be expected. In view of the enrollment of allottee children among those of school age, the average attendance during the year of 27 children at the Kickapoo boardingschool is all that could be reasonably expected. Notwithstanding the totally insufficient and ill-arranged accommodations at the Pottawatomie boarding-school the attendance was increased during the year, and, as a matter of fact, all the pupils were in attendance during the fall and winter months that could possibly be accommodated in the boarding-house. Farms are operated for each of the boarding-schools in the agency, on which horses, cattle, and hogs are subsisted. Bacon realized from the hogs with fresh beef obtained from the school herds reduce the expenses of the schools, and cattle sold from these herds aid in making needed improvements in the school buildings, fencing, etc. The Pottawatomie and Kickapoo schools have each 20 head of cattle of excellent quality that can be spared and should be sold. Notwithstanding an unfavorable farming season, the school farms will produce sufficient corn and other feed to subsist the stock belonging to them. The majority of the school employés, in my opinion, have conscientiously endeavored to bring the schools up to the standard required; and while this may not have been accomplished, I am satisfied that they have been advanced in thoroughness and that their influence upon the adults and youths of the tribes has been highly beneficial not only in advancing their educational interests, but in establishing sound moral principles. I have to thank the Office of Indian Affairs for continued courtesy during the year and to again acknowledge that all reasonable facilities have been granted me for the education and advancement of the Indians under my charge. Very respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. JOHN BLAIR, United States Indian Agent. REPORT OF AGENT IN MINNESOTA. REPORT OF WHITE EARTH AGENCY. WHITE EARTH AGENCY, MINN., August 14, 1890. SIR: I have the honor, in compliance with your circular of June 1, 1890, to respectfully submit my second annual report, with the accompanying statistics for the year: EDUCATION. There are within the limits of this agency nine schools, three Government and six contract, located as follows: One Government school at White Earth, one at Red Lake, and one at Leech Lake. Of the six contract schools, three are on the White Earth Reservation, one at Red Lake, one at Leech Lake, and one at Cass Lake. The greater part of the year these schools have been well attended, and many more children would have been in the schools had the accommodations been sufficient. There is a general feeling among the Indians to have their children attend school during the winter months. Some of the reservations of this agency have no schools, viz, White Oak Point, Winnebagoshish, and the Mille Lac Reservations. The following table is respectfully submitted: On the Red Lake Reservation the Indians are steadily, though slowly, increasing the size of their fields, raising nearly all the grain and vegetables they need for their own use, but nothing for market, the great distance of their reservation from railroads and settlements depriving them of a market. But little farming is done upon the Leech Lake Reservation, the Cass and Winneba goshish, or the White Oak Point reservation. No attempt at cultivation, excepting some small garden patches. The Indians of these reservations live mainly by hunting and fishing and by gathering the wild rice (which grows abundantly upon all these reservations). But many of the young men are now learning to work in the lumbering camps. They are considered as competent, capable workers. But little farming is done on the Mille Lac Reservation. The uncertainty of their title and of their remaining upon their reservation has kept them from improving their lands to any great extent. The young men are very industrious, and are very largely employed by the lumbermen during the lumbering season. Agriculture on the White Earth Reservation has increased but little in the past few years, largely owing to lack of teams and agricultural implements, whilst the almost entire failure of crops the past two years leaves nothing for the Indians wherewith to make purchases. The following crop report for White Earth reservation is respectfully submitted as being a very conservative statement: The crops of all kinds look very promising, but it is entirely too early in the season to predict with any degree of certainty what the crop may be. Should another failure occur this year many of the Indians would become discouraged, and it would require much effort to induce them to plant with any degree of energy. The present season they have worked persistently and with a determination to succeed by planting and trying to raise all the crop possible. LUMBERING. Last winter, under the authority granted by the Department, the White Earth, Red Lake, and White Oak Point Indians were allowed to cut and prepare for market the dead and down timber on those reservations. The season's cutting was quite successful and of considerable profit to the Indians. The conditions and regulations governing the cutting of this timber were faithfully carried out. Under the supervision of the agent and the very competent superintendent of camps, great care was taken to protect the green and standing pine, and none but dead and down timber was marketed. There were five camps on the White Earth Reservation, two camps on the White Oak Point Reservation, and nine camps on the Red Lake Reservation, employing in the aggregate 310 Indians and only 8 white men, such as cooks and foremen of camps. The Red Lake Indians, owing to delay in having their contracts approved, did not start their logging operations until January, hence, did not accomplish as much as they otherwise would have done. The Indian contractors managed their camps in a business-like manner and are much encouraged with their success. They now see the fruits of being industrious. The money earned by the Indians was used in supporting their families, and was a great relief to them, none of the money being spent foolishly. The following table exhibits the results of the winter's work: The stumpage or poor fund derived from above amounting to $6,420.01 POPULATION. The following table is respectfully submitted in compliance with information desired: This court consists of three judges: Joseph Charette, age fifty-three years; William V. Warren, age forty-one years; and John G. Morrison, age forty-eight years, who were appointed July 1, 1889. These men speak English fluently and intelligently and wear citizens' dress. They are in favor of the allotment of land in severalty, the education of children, and progressive civilization. This court hears all cases arising under the regulations of the Department, such as family disputes, introducing liquor upon the reservation, assaults of Indians upon each other, trespass, and the like. They have tried twenty such cases during the past year. Their mode of procedure is similar to that of police and justices' courts elsewhere, and it is largely governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota. They keep a record of their proceedings and when a conviction is made the offender is either fined, imprisoned, or set to hard labor, as the evidence will warrant. One great difficulty they meet with in sentencing an offender to imprisonment, is that no provision is made for the subsistence of such offender when placed in confinement. The general influence of the court upon this reservation is good, and, in connection with the Indian police, is indispensable to the agency. These two factors (court of Indian offenses and Indian police) are potent in the preservation of peace and the maintenance of order. This court should be regularly established and the judges be compensated for their labor. SANITARY. The health of the Indians belonging to this agency has been generally good, la grippe or influenza being somewhat prevalent during the month of January. Although quite a number were affected, few deaths occurred. Yet the work of the physician upon this White Earth Reservation is quite arduous, owing to the long distances to be traveled in visiting the sick and the consequent exposure to the elements. While this is the case, I am free to say they have always readily answered all calls made upon them. CONCLUSION. In concluding this my second annual report, it would ill become me not to mention favorably the corps of agency employés under my control, who by their faithful attendance to their respective duties and prompt compliance with all demands upon their time and abilities have justly earned my sincere regard. They have generally in their intercourse with the Indians set a high moral standard for their guidance and following, and I am convinced their example has been of great benefit to all with whom they came in contact. Thanking the officials of the Department for the courtesies shown me the past year, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 13059 I A--8 B. P. SHULER, United States Indian Agent. REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. REPORT OF BLACKFEET AGENCY. BLACKFEET AGENCY, August 20, 1890. SIR: In compliance with instructions from your office I have the honor to transmit herewith my second annual report with accompanying statistics: Many of the buildings of this agency, which, with the exception of carpenter and blacksmith shops, are composed entirely of logs, are rotten. All the rooms are low, ill ventilated, and can not be made habitable longer than for the present season, and I would earnestly recommend, when new buildings are erected, a site be chosen either on Cut Bank Creek or Milk River, as it would be more centrally located and at the same time add 20 or more miles to the distance from the agency to Robare, where our Indians come in contact with the saloon element of civilization, and where those who are inclined to drink can get all the whisky they want. AGRICULTURAL. Between forty and fifty families heretofore living on a gravel bar in the immediate vicinity of the agency have been induced to take up land on the creek bottoms and are at present engaged in building houses, corrals, sheds, etc., putting up hay for their horses and the cattle that were issued to them this month, and preparing generally for the coming winter. This issue of cattle has induced many Indians to work that were never known to try to do anything for themselves before. Our crops of wheat and oats are a failure owing to drought and hot winds. In fact, this reservation is far better adapted to stock-raising than farming. The commendable efforts these Indians have made and the disappointments they have met with from failure of crops, through no fault of their own, together with the incentive to work this issue of cattle has been to these Indians this year, and the care and pride they take in the same, have led me to advocate the abandonment of agriculture, except in a few favored localities, and have the Indians turn their attention to stock-raising. INDIAN POLICE. The police force of this agency is composed of 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant, and 16 privates. They perform the duties required of them in a very efficient and satisfactory manner. No doubt the presence of a well organized police force has a beneficial influence upon these Indians as well as upon some lawless white men living on the borders of the reservation. COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES. The court of Indian offenses is presided over by three Indian judges. with dignity and are prompt to punish all guilty parties. SANITARY. They preside The sanitary condition of the Indians at this agency during the past year has been fairly good, the sickness being chiefly colds and chronic diseases. A suitable hospital, which has been recommended, would be of great benefit to these Indians, and I believe in chronic cases, especially, they would avail themselves of its benefits. Some 400 Indians had la grippe during the winter, generally in a mild form, no deaths occurring. |