school, of hereditary consumption of long standing. At the schools they get immediate and proper attention, which they do not receive in the camps.

The general sanitary condition on this reserve is good. The deaths have been mainly from consumption, scrofula, whooping cough, meningitis, and pneumonia. There has been no homicide nor suicide. Without keeping a count of miles traveled I have estimated them at about 2,560. I now respond to calls in the camps and in all cases which elude the skill of their medicine men they send for the agency physician.

One amputation with success was made last September, which was most generously supplemented by the honorable commissioner presenting the patient with a handsome artificial leg. The man is now at work on his farm and doing well. A large tumor was extirpated from the groin of Mr. Narcisse Narcelle, a mixed-blood Sioux and interpreter at this agency That operation was also successful and there has been no return of the trouble. An important operation for necrosis was performed under chloroform on a little boy of Mr. Garwin, a mixed-blood missionary. This was also successful. An operation for tumor was performed on the laundress at the boys' school with success. There have been a number of other surgical operations of a minor character which I will not detail here. In no case has any surgical operation resulted in failure. In two cases of child-birth the agency physician has been called in. There has been no death of a white person on the agency since my last report.

In compliance with your instructions I have regularly visited the schools and delivered lectures on anatomy physiology hygiene, pathology, cooking, bandaging, accidents, etc. The pupils take great interest in them. The schools are in fine sanitary condition. I go out every week and make a thorough personal inspection of every thing in connection with them.

At the boys' boarding school, there is no play room for the winter months. I believe that Dr. McChesney has estimated for an addition to that school. I do most earnestly invite your immediate attention to that estimate which I am informed provides for a play room. In the winter the boys can not play out of doors on account of the severe cold. They consequently are confined either in the school room or in a very small cloak room most of the time, whi h in either case is very disagreeable and in the latter pernicious to respiration. There should be built at once a large airy gymnasium for the boys.

The girls' school seems to require no special mention. Under the supervision of Mr. J. F. Kinney, jr., and hisaccomplished wife it is about as near perfection as could be desired for the purpose intended.

At the boys' school a number of overcoats, of rubber or oiled cloth, should be provided for those who are exposed to wind and weather doing outside chores. I believe the superintendent has made a request for them.

This report witnesses the retirement of Dr. Charles E. McChesney from the position of agent here. I desire to say that he has been very active in the discharge of all his duties connected with these schools: he has given the agency physician every assistance in his power, and personally from time to time inspected them himself,

I renew my suggestion in reference to a revision of the list of medical property and medical nomenclature of diseases. They are both superannuated and need a complete overhauling. Three experienced agency physicians should convene at Washington and co-operate with the Bureau in doing this work.

There is need of a hospital at this agency: only last ration day I saw three bad cases who should have been in one. A vast amount.of good could be accomplished with one, and I urge upon you to give this matter of an hospital all the attention you can. A hospital should not be an asylum for incurables, but a place where the injured and actually sick could receive rational treatment.

Dr. Daniel has rendered very efficient service ever since his arrival at this agency. He has performed a number of successful operations upon these Indians, and he has gained and justly enjoys the confidence of all upon this reserve. If the Department would keep pace with the progress made by these Indians there can be no doubt that the time has arrived for the building and proper maintenance of a hospital at this agency, and I therefore invite special attention to Dr. Daniel's remarks thereon.

INDIAN POLICE.

This force consists of the chief, captain, lieutenant, and twenty-five privates, and the best men that can be induced to enter the force are always sought after; but the compensation is not adequate for the work required and many of the best Indians will not During the year the force has performed its many duties in a very creditable The pay of the members of this force should be very materially increased.

serve. manner.

COURT OF INDIAN OFFENSES.

This court has been in operation during the entire year, having served since February 28, 1890, without any compensation. The judges have been Four Bears, Roan Bear, and Lazy White Bull, the first two representing the civilized Indians and the latter the less advanced element. This representation on the court has been deemed the most advisable one to follow in the present condition of these Indians. Four Bears, aged about forty-five, and Roan Bear, aged about thirty years, are both fair representatives of the Christian Indians favoring education, allotments, and progress; and Lazy White Bull, aged about thirty-eight years, is a good representative of the pagans, opposed to the taking of land in severalty, but still in favor of many measures calculated to advance his people. All the judges wear citizens' dress, have their hair neatly trimmed, and favor education of children. All have served the entire year.

About one hundred and twenty cases have been tried by the court, with eighty-five convictions, including such as theft, disorderly conduct, infidelity to marriage vows,

killing of cattle without permission, disposing of annuity goods, contempt of court, etc., for which offenses punishment is inflicted by confinement and labor in the agency prison, for periods varying from three days to three months, as may seem just and proper in each case.

All the proceedings of the court are reviewed by the agent immediately after each session and final disposition made of them. When any case is reported to the agent requiring the action of the court it is referred for trial at the next session. The court issues its summons for the principals and witnesses in writing (in the Dakota language) and the summons are served by the police. Order and decorum are observed in the court-room, and witnesses are examined in the presence of the accused, one at a time, all other witnesses in the case in hearing being excluded until after they have given their evidence. The sentences imposed by the court are duly carried into effect after receiving the approval of the agent, under direction of the police. No fines are imposed. A record of every case, with the testimony of all the witnesses, is carefully kept in the Dakota language. With good judges there can be no doubt of the great usefulness of such a court on Indian reserves and that it has a good influence in preserving order.

It is to be regretted that sufficient funds were not appropriated for the pay of the judges for the entire fiscal year, and a much larger salary (at least $20 a month) should be paid, for these judges incur the ill-will of many of their people and are sometimes subjected to annoyances and losses for which they should be sufficiently compensated. A clerk should also be provided, who should be properly compensated for his work. There can be no doubt that these Indians are slowly but steadily advancing. There are a large number of them who desire to take allotments on the diminished reserve, and it is hoped that the necessary surveys, to which the attention of the Department has been specially invited, may be soon made, so that such Indians as are desirous of so doing may obtain title to their land.

Being on the eve of retiring from the management of this agency, I wish to express my sincere thanks to the employés for their hearty and intelligent assistance. They have always responded, promptly and cheerfully, to the many calls made upon them for the discharge of important duties, and by their active co-operation have done much to render possible whatever success has attended my administration of the affairs of this agency since January 1, 1886.

This report has been somewhat hastily prepared amidst the work of transferring the agency to my successor, and it has not been possible to bestow the time required in the preparation of such a report as usual.

The statistical reports required are herewith transmitted.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

CHAS. E. MCCHESNEY,

United States Indian Agent.

REPORT OF CROW CREEK AGENCY.

CROW CREEK AND LOWER BRULÉ CONSOLIDATED AGENCY,

Crow Creek, S. Dak., September 1, 1890.

SIR: In compliance with regulations of Indian Department, I submit this my first annual report of the Crow Creek and Lower Bruié Consolidated Agency.

I took charge of the agency on the 16th day of August last, and the work of going over the Government property at the two agencies, 30 miles apart, and on opposite sides of the Missouri River, has taken up so much of my time that I have not become fully familiar with the agency business, nor had sufficient opportunity to get acquainted with the Indians under my charge; hence this report will be brief and necessarily incomplete. My predecessor, Maj. W. W. Anderson, received me kindly, and has rendered me valuable assistance in assuming the duties of this responsible position, and to him I am indebted for the statistical information accompanying this report.

CROW CREEK AGENCY.

This agency is well located on the east side of the Missouri River, 25 miles north of Chamberlain, S. Dak., the present terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. So far as I have been able to see I consider the agency buildings in good condition and the agency affairs generally in good order. With but few exceptions the Indians of this agency have taken their land in severalty, and are pretty well scattered

over the reservation. Several have had houses built for them by the Government, and, of these which I have seen all bear evidence of being appreciated by the look of neatness and comfort which surround them.

The census taken June 30 last shows 1,058 Indians and mixed-bloods. I am reliably informed that about 100 of these are Santees, Lower Brulés, Yanktons, and half-breeds. The balance are Lower Yanktonnai Sioux. Divided according to ages, the whole population is as follows:

Owing to the severe drought that has prevailed in this immediate section crops of all kinds were the next thing to an entire failure on this reservation. In but few instances has any attempt at harvesting been made, so thorough was the destruction by the hot winds and dry weather. I learn that only about one-third of a crop was raised last year because of the dry weather. This must certainly be very discouraging to these people, and if they were to rely upon farming as a means of self-support their lands will have to be irrigated, and I most respectfully suggest that the artesian-well system be tried on both the Crow Creek and Lower Brulé Reservations. I believe the Government can well afford to try the experiment. South Dakota has several fine wells in different localities and they are invaluable to the communities in which situated. I trust that speedy action will be taken in this matter, and that early relief be given these people in this particular. In accordance with your letter "L," August 1, 1890, I submit the following information concerning the court of Indian offenses at this agency:

Wizi, chief judge, fifty-seven years of age, appointed January 1, 1889, served one year and one month; John Thrown Away, forty-five years of age, appointed February 1, 1889, served one year and one month; Talking Crow, forty-two years of age, appointed February 1, 1890, served one month. The commissions appointing these judges for the

last fiscal year expired February 28, 1890.

Dur

The general character of these men is very good; they do not speak English, but wear citizens' dress and conform to the ways of the white man; they use their influence in favor of allotment of lands, education of children, and progress in civilization. ing the term of the court, last fiscal year, there were about twenty cases tried, the charges in most cases being for damages to crops, domestic troubles, etc., the verdict in most of them being in favor of plaintiff. One was tried for house-breaking and larceny, found guilty, and sentenced to fifteen days hard labor and confined in guard-house at night; one for stealing fence-wire, fined and imprisoned.

The court convenes once a week in the council room attached to agent's office. The police take turns in acting as court officers. When a complaint is made the case is docketed. The parties and witnesses are summoned to appear, which is invariably obeyed. Trial day the chief judge conducts the examination, first hearing complainant and his or her witnesses; then the defendant and witnesses are heard. The other judges also participate in the examinations. The evidence is then thoroughly considered and a verdict rendered. The influence of the court on the reservation is good and the Indians have great respect for the judges and their decisions. At present I have no suggestions to make regarding the improvement of the court.

The industrial boarding-school of this agency is in a prosperous condition, and is now being rapidly filled up with scholars. The accommodations of this school should be enlarged in order to afford educational facilities for all children of school age. The school farm has suffered from the drought also, and the superintendent informs me that it will yield nothing.

I have met and am much pleased with Miss Grace Howard, who is in charge of "Grace Mission," situated about 14 miles east of the agency. She is enthusiastic and energetic in her work and deserves much credit. A day school was opened at her place March 15 last, and was taught by Miss Hettie Rouze, receiving for her services up to June 30, last, $118.89.

The Immaculate Conception Mission School, located at Stephan on this reservation about 15 miles north of the agency, is conducted by Rev. Pius Boehm. I have not visited this school yet, but learn that it is in a prosperous condition and well managed. The missionary work here is conducted by the Rev. H. Burt, representing the Protestant Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Daniel Renville, of the Presbyterian Church. Catholic Church is also represented on the reservation.

The

LOWER BRULÉ AGENCY.

This agency is located on the west bank of the Missouri River, about 6 miles below Chamberlain, S. Dak. The agency buildings were not so numerous nor as good as those at Crow Creek, but were in fair condition and are ample enough for all purposes. According to the census taken June 30 last, the population of this agency, arranged as to ages, is as follows:

The Indians of this agency seem to be progressive and are doing well. They have a great number of well-improved farms with fairly good houses, and whilst they have suffered greatly from the dry weather, yet I learn they will have a bet er yield in crops than at Crow Creek. They are anxious to take land in severalty, and I hope the Government will soon locate them permanently and afford them this privilege.

I submit the following regarding the court of Indian offenses at this agency: Big Mane, chief judge, fifty-one years of age, appointed; January 21, 1889; served one year and one month. John Desomit, forty-eight years of age; appointed January 31, 1889; served one year and one month. Eagle Star, forty-four years of age; appointed January 21, 1889; served one year and one month. The commissions appointing these judges expired February 28, 1890. The general character of the judges is good; they do not speak English, but wear citizens dress and conform to the white man's ways; they use their influence in favor of allotment of lands, education of children, and progress in civilization. There were eighteen individuals tried by the court during the last fiscal year as follows: Two for wife beating; one was confined in jail six days and the other for thirty. One for destroying Government property; imprisoned for two weeks at hard labor. for breach of promise; made to pay a horse. One for assault and battery; not guilty. Four for rape; one fined $10, three not guilty. Four for stealing girls; two made to marry, one made to pay a horse, and one not guilty. Five for being intoxicated on the reservation; tour deprived of rations for thirty days, one confined in guard-house four days. One for cutting a cow with a hatchet; fined $5. The court procedure here is the same as at Crow Creek. The court has a splendid influence on the reservation and commands the respect of all. A court docket is kept on file in agent's office.

One

The Lower Brulé Industrial Boarding School prospered last year, and is now in good condition. The buildings of this school are by far inadequate for the accommodation of the children of this agency. I trust when these Indians are permanently located that sufficient educational facilities will be afforded for the education of their children. The day schools at mouth of White River, 6 miles south of the agency, and Driving Hawk's Camp, 40 miles west, I am reliably informed, have done exceedingly well the past year.

The missionary work at this agency is carried on by native ministers, Mr. Walker representing the Protestant Episcopal Church and Mr. Rogers the Presbyterian Church. Promising a more thorough report next year,

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. P. DIXON, United States Indian Agent.

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

REPORT OF PINE RIDGE AGENCY.

The

PINE RIDGE AGENCY, S. DAK., August 28, 1890. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of this agency for the past year. Pine Ridge Agency is situated in the southwestern portion of South Dakota, including a section of country nearly 60 miles north and south by 115 miles east and west. lands are valuable for grazing purposes, but owing to the short summer season and lack of precipitation agriculture can not be relied upon to make profitable returns even with the most experienced farmers. The present summer has been very dry, in many localities entirely de-troying all the corn planted by the Indians. Potatoes, which have nearly always been a good crop here, will scarcely pay for the trouble of digging. This succeeding the drought of last year, when nearly all vegetation perished, will compel the Indians

to depend for subsistence almost entirely upon what is issued to them by the Govern

ment.

The visit of the Sioux Commission to this agency last year resulted in a great deal of bad feeling among the Indians. From the first the bill was strenuously opposed by a large and influential body of Indians. Among other opponents of the bill may be mentioned Red Cloud, Little Wound, Young-Man-Afraid-of-his-Horses, and Big Road. These chiefs all have large followings, and succeeded in keeping their people from signing by telling them the whites were again trying to make dupes of them and that in the bill carried all who signed it would regret their action when too late. They argued that the promises made by the commissioners were not in good faith, that when their lands were once secured they would be laughed at when they called attention to these unfulfilled promises.

I must acknowledge it was a matter of some surprise when I learned shortly after the departure of the Sioux Commission that the allowance of beef for this agency had been reduced 1,000,000 pounds, or 20 per cent. for the year. The Indians friendly to the bill regarded the threatened reduction as being part of a plan to bring over the opposition, and I could scarcely believe myself that if the Government wished the bill to succeed it would pursue a course that, if made known in time to the Indians, would have prevented the commission from getting a single signature at this agency.

When it became generally known that the reduction was really going to be made it caused an intense feeling against the Sioux Commission among those who had signed the bill. They were made the targets for derision by the non-signers, who called them fools and dupes and told them they were now getting their pay in the same coin that had been received before whenever they were so foolish as to make contracts with the whites. The appointment of delegates to visit Washington in December, 1889, had the effect of quieting the excitement, as it was generally believed a statement of the facts in regard to the condition of the Indians would result in the allowance of the usual amount of beef. I regret to say that all efforts to secure this failed, although the justice of it was urged by the Sioux Commission, who argued that failure upon part of the Government to make the regular allowance of beef to these Indians for that year placed them in a compromising position with the Indians and made it appear that they had been acting in bad faith with them. When the delegates returned from Washington and it became known they were to be deprived of the million pounds of beef which they claimed they had been cheated out of by the Government, the change in the disposition of the Indians was at once apparent, and since that time there has been gradually growing among them a feeling of indifference as to the future, which I attribute to an entire loss of faith in the promises of the Government.

During the early spring a report reached these Indians that a great medicine man had appeared in the Wind River country, in Wyoming, whose mission was to resurrect and rehabilitate all the departed heroes of the tribe, and restore to these people in greater abundance than ever before known such herds of buffalo and other wild game as would make them entirely independent of aid from the whites, and that such confusion would be brought among their enemies that they would flee from the country leaving them in undisputed possession of the entire northwest for all time to come. Strange as it may seem, this story was believed by a large number of Indians and is this day. An Indian belonging to the Cheyenne River Agency who had lately visited the land where the new Christ is supposed to be sojourning temporarily came to this agency a few weeks since and before I learned of his presence he had succeeded in exciting the Indians living upon Wounded Knee Creek to such a pitch that many of them swooned away during the performance of the ceremonies which attends the recital of the wondrous' things soon to come to pass, and one of the men died from the effects of the excitement. On Friday, 22d instant, about two thousand Indians gathered on White Clay Creek about 18 miles north of the agency to hold what they call the religious dance connected with the appearance of this wonderful being. Noticing the demoralizing effect of these meetings I instructed the police to order the gathering to disperse, but found the police were unable to do anything with them. I visited the locality where the Indians had assembled on Sunday, the 24th instant, accompanied by twenty of the police. The Indians probably heard of our coming for they had dispersed before we arrived at the grounds, several of the bucks, however, were standing around in the neighborhood of where the dance had been held. Thsee men were stripped for fight, having removed their leggins and such other superfluous apparel as is usually worn by them and stood with Winchesters in their hands and a good storing of cartridges belted around their waists prepared to do or die in defense of the new faith. They were quieted after a time by being made to understand that we had no desire to harm them but had come to order the people to their homes, who, it had been reported, were gathered here in violation of orders. While nothing serious may result from this new religion, as it is called by the Indians, I would greatly fear the consequences should there be no restriction placed upon it.

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