American Indians. To this virtue may be added a quiet peaceable disposition and an unusual degree of honesty. On the other hand they are improvident, slow to receive new ideas, tenacious in holding on to old superstitions, and have naturally but slight perception of morals.

Nonreservation Mohaves.-The Mohaves living in the vicinity of Needles and Fort Mohave are in a deplorable condition as to morals and progress toward civilization. As the agent can only reach them after a four days' trip up the river in a rowboat, they receive practically no benefit from the agency. They retain all their old-time superstition and barbarous customs and have added to them the vices of a border railroad and mining town. Drunkenness, gambling, and prostitution prevail to a shocking extent. Some 200 of the men are employed by the Santa Fe Railroad Company in their shops, yards, and construction and section gangs, for which they receive annually nearly $60,000 in wages. Yet their material condition is growing steadily worse. They live under sheds made of sticks in summer and sweat houses or artificial caves in winter. When one of their number dies all his property, ponies, etc., is burned along with the body. In addition, relatives sacrifice large amounts of property, buying calicoes, silks, and clothing to add to the splendor of the funeral pyre. This custom, along with drunkenness and gambling, absorbs all the Indians earnings and leaves the children and the aged destitute.

Reservation Mohaves.-On the other hand, the reservation Mohaves are making considerable progress in civilization. Practically every family has a comparatively comfortable adobe house, with chimneys, glass windows, and doors. Almost without exception they wear civilized dress, have ceased to paint, and do little tattooing. They have discarded their medicine men and have altogether ceased burning property at funerals, although they still cremate their dead. This is never done until after the agency physician has been notified and, when practicable, inspected the remains, and the funeral is conducted under police regulations. Drunkenness is absolutely unknown on the reservation and I have never heard of liquor being brought on the reservation. About one-third of the adult males wear their hair short (including all Government employees) and the number is increasing.

Morality. I do not believe that the morals of the reservation Mohaves are as bad as has been pictured. They are a very jolly, easy-going race, fond of gossip and scandal. This last characteristic has, in my judgment, led to erroneous opinions. To disprove the common opinion as to their morals can be offered the fact that the census records and careful inquiry does not disclose a single instance of birth in several years where the father and mother were not living together as man and wife. Of the total population there are but four of mixed blood on the reservation. They are not polygamists, but the younger Indians are disposed to discard their wives and take others, a practice which the agent is endeavoring to break up. Orders have been issued that in case of separation neither can remarry under six months. I have found this quite effective.

Religion. Until recently no religious denomination has ever attempted to work among these Indians. During the past two years M. J. Hersey, an Episcopalian, has labored effectively among them. In March last some 125 were baptized, and arrangements were on foot to build a church building. Unfortunately, plans were slow in maturing and Mr. Hersey received an offer to labor in a more advanced field and left the reservation the latter part of April. It is to be hoped that this or some other denomination will see fit to continue work in this promising field. Agriculture. The productive resources of the reservation are at present limited to about 70 acres of land, irrigated by a very defective steam pump, and to some small strips of lowland along the river and lagoons, irrigated in part by overflow in June and in part by carrying water in pails and pouring on the crops. From 200 to 400 acres are brought under cultivation by this means with varying success, depending upon the extent of the overflow. In about one year in three the river does not rise sufficiently to do much good, and some years the overflow is so great that a large part of their plantings are washed away.

Irrigation plant.-The irrigation of the 70 acres has been attended with great difficulty. The pumps or water elevators now in use are of a type never successfully used anywhere and are constantly breaking down. The white farmer and general mechanic devote at least two-thirds of their time to keeping them in repair, and they consume from five to ten times as much fuel to irrigate the same amount of land as the type of pump in common use for irrigation purposes. I have recommended the purchase of a new centrifugal pump that will irrigate 400 acres with less fuel than is now used, and hope for favorable action from the Department. With such a pump these Indians will become almost self-supporting.

The fuel used to run the irrigation pumps, about 400 cords of wood per year, is all furnished by the Indians. The pumps are run by the Indians under the direction of the farmer, and they also keep the ditches in repair and irrigate their land

intelligently. On irrigated land wheat yields an average of 35 to 40 bushels per acre. Corn yields about the same, while melons, pumpkins, and sorghum yield fabulously. Melons are a chief article of diet from June 15 to January 15-seven months of the year.

With 400 acres under irrigation, and with the construction of a small gristmill, to be operated by the irrigation steam plant, the Indians of the reservation will almost be able to support themselves.

Delivery of supplies.—The agency and school supplies are now brought in by steamboat, which makes two or three trips per year for the purpose, charging $1.25 per hundredweight from the railroad. Flour, barley, and the heavier school supplies are usually brought in promptly by about September 1. It is very difficult to secure the delivery of the dry goods, clothing, drugs, and smaller school supplies that arrive at Yuma and Needles later in the year, for the reason that the quantity is too small to make profitable trips for the steamboat. This year such supplies were not obtained until April and then only by sending the Indians for the goods with rowboats. This caused great inconvenience to the school, as it was almost impossible to keep the pupils' last year's clothing repaired so that they could remain in school.

For next year the Department has authorized the delivery of all supplies at Needles, Cal., and the transportation from that point to the agency by rowboats. This will not only secure prompt delivery, but will add about $2,000 annually to the earnings of the Indians of the reservation.

Difficulties of travel. --The greatest drawback to the agency is the difficulty of getting in and out. The only practicable means is by rowboat with Indian oarsmen from Needles, Cal., a distance from 85 to 100 miles. In the summer season the trip down from Needles can be usually made in one day, but from October 1 to April 1 two days are required. To get up to Needles usually requires four days, the Indians dragging the boat from the banks and cliffs by means of ropes. The current is in most places too strong for rowing upstream. During high water, from May 15 to July 15, one can only get out by being rowed downstream to Yuma, as boats can not be towed upstream. It is possible to get in and out on horseback from Yuma, a distance of 175 miles, over the trail used by the mail riders, but the trip should only be undertaken by those accustomed to horseback riding over rough roads. Usually the steamboat runs to take out employees about July 1 for their annual vacation.

Agency buildings.-The agency buildings are all of adobe, built in 1869, and are surrounded by a high adobe wall. They are plastered on the exterior and whitewashed. All are connected together in an odd way by verandas and courts, making a rather picturesque "white city." The buildings, though poor and rather inconvenient, have been kept in a fair state of repair, and will probably prove sufficient for the future needs of the agency if sufficient schoolroom is provided to relinquish those portions of the agency buildings now used for school purposes. Improvements in school plant.-During the past year the school plant has been improved by rebuilding and enlarging one of the old school buildings that had passed into disuse. It is now used for a boys' dormitory, and has ample room for GO boys, including sitting rooms, bath, and wash rooms, and room for the industrial teacher. This building is of adobe, 50 by 78 feet, covered with corrugated iron roofing, lined with asphalt paper to keep out the heat. It is lime plastered both inside and out, has new floor, doors, and windows. It was rebuilt at an expense to the Government of $1,005 for material, all the labor being performed by the employees and pupils.

The main school building, built in 1891, is also of adobe. It is two stories high, 40 by 80 feet, with rear one-story wings, containing kitchen, bathrooms, etc. It is covered with a painted shingle roof, surmounted by a tower and belfry, and has verandas along the south front.

Among minor improvements may be mentioned the fitting up of a new storeroom for school supplies in the old boys' dormitory, the building of two new frame water-closets for pupils, the first they have ever had, and some improvements in the drainage for the school laundry.

There is urgent need for an additional schoolroom and assembly hall, sewing room. and quarters for employees. Plans and estimates have been submitted for a building covering the requirements, and favorable action is hoped for at an early date.

School work. The agency boarding school has been quite successful during the past year, running with little friction. The children have been kept free from all contact with camp life and the attendance has been uniform and practically up to the enrollment. For practical results I am sure no reservation boarding school can show better returns with the facilities at hand.

During the past year there has been no serious trouble in the affairs of the agency. Employees have worked with harmony and all employees have done their duty, in my judgment, to the best of their ability. Outside of vexations and annoyances growing out of the failure to deliver supplies and the slowness and unsatisfactory nature of the delivery of beef cattle under contract, the year's work has been a pleasant one to the agent.

Only one crime has occurred during the year on the reservation. This was a murderous attack on two of the agency police April 18 by Joe Welch, an ApacheMohave, and his grown son. The police were returning a 12-year-old son of Welch's that had run away.from school, when they were set upon by the father and brother and both seriously stabbed. One of the police, after he was down, shot Welch in the thigh and he was soon after captured. The son escaped and fled the reservation, but was recently captured and brought in by the police.

There has never been a court of Indian offenses on this reservation, and minor troubles have been adjusted by the agent to the general satisfaction of the tribe. There are no white traders here, but five full-blood Indians keep small stores, bringing in their goods in rowboats four or five times a year. It would be better if the business could be restricted to one or two, as the trade is small for five and the opportunity for the improvident to get credit is greatly increased where there are so many anxious to sell. The agent and employees have labored to discourage unlimited credit with some success.

In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to the Department for the uniform courtesy with which I have been treated, practically every recommendation that I have made having been granted. I also feel under obligation to the corps of efficient agency employees, who have always cheerfully performed their duties and have done all in their power to make the administration of the affairs of the agency a pleasant task for the agent.

The report of Superintendent Bacon, of the agency boarding school, accompanies this report.

Respectfully submitted.

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

CHARLES S. MCNICHOLS,
United States Indian Agent.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF COLORADO RIVER SCHOOL.

COLORADO RIVER BOARDING SCHOOL,
Colorado River Agency, Ariz., July 1, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to submit this, my third annual report of this school, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898.

School was opened September 6, 1897, with an enrollment of 65, which was increased during the succeeding four days to 82, our former number. With the exception of one boy and one girl who had died during vacation, and seven who were rejected on account of ill health and disease contracted in camp, all of last year's pupils returned. The policy of keeping the children as much as possible from the influences of camp life was continued and a steady and regular attendance maintained, which contributed much toward our success.

Realizing that "eternal vigilance" is the price that must be paid for any degree of success in this work, persistent effort was made to secure English speaking, which has resulted in a more extended vocabulary and a better understanding of the language among the pupils.

Health. There were five cases of serious illness during the year, two of which (girls) terminated in consumption with a fatal result. The school was visited with an epidemic of la grippe during the latter part of April and first half of May, and two girls developed cases of tuberculosis. Our genial agency physician, Dr. Martin, deserves much praise for his zeal and untiring efforts in behalf of all who required his services.

Literary. The work in the schoolroom has been very satisfactory. A regular system, in accordance with the plans of the syllabuses, has been vigorously pursued with a definite purpose in view. The interest of the children was aroused, and they seemed anxious to complete the work and secure promotion, with the result that nearly all advanced to a higher grade. Good discipline was maintained. The exercises of the evening hour were varied to conform to the best interest and advantage of the pupils. They consisted of language lessons, study, needlework, and pleasure. Frequent informal programmes were carried out by pupils, who volunteered to read, recite, or sing, and the improvement was very marked in several ways. The natural diffidence of Indian children was overcome to a great extent, better order prevailed, and they learned to become better listeners.

Industrial. The work in this department could be much improved by better facilities. Boys were detailed to help the agency mechanic, and exhibited quite an aptitude for the work. Under the supervision of the industrial teacher the boys haul and prepare all wood used by the school, make repairs, keep grounds in order, dig trenches and sink holes for drainage, and work in the school garden.

Rabbits persisted in appropriating all garden plants as soon as out of the ground; but by repeated plantings, and by weaving arrow weeds into the barb wires (which partially kept them out), beets, onions, carrots, parsnips, and some lettuce and radishes were raised.

Matron. Girls were regularly detailed for work in the sewing room, laundry, kitchen, and girls' dormitories. I had all tables in the dining room cut down to a seating capacity of eight

each, and provided with tablecloths and napkins. In addition to regular details a large boy was placed at the head of each table (eleven in number) to dish meat, vegetables, etc., and a large girl as table matron. Each matron was held responsible for the care, cleanliness, and appearance of her table and dishes. The improvement in cleanliness and table manners by this arrangement over the old long tables covered with oilcloth, was very apparent. A small cook stove was placed in the kitchen to enable each girl, in turn, to learn to prepare meals for her family of eight.

The sewing room has been in charge of the agent's wife as temporary seamstress. Considerable assistance was rendered in this department by the lady teacher and by the assistant matron with a class of small girls. The number of articles manufactured and the material used are as follows:

The work in the laundry was performed as usual by Indians from the camps, assisted by the girls detailed for that purpose. Under such instruction it would not be reasonable to expect much improvement in this line of work, nor much advancement in English speaking and civili zation. It is too much like "the blind leading the blind." I hope my continued protests against this drawback in this school, added to the agent's recommendations, will result in securing the appointment of a white laundress the coming year.

Improvements. A new roof was placed on an old building and other needed repairs made, thus transforming an almost useless structure into a very fair boys' building, containing two dormitories, industrial teacher's room, small office for superintendent, small sitting room and bathroom. Two closets were made in the wide hall for clothing and a wash room in one end of the same. The repairing of this building affords dormitory capacity for 100 pupils, and enabled us to increase our enrollment on April 20 to 93, making the average for the year 83.9.

Improvements necessary to successfully accommodate the above number are: One schoolroom large enough for an assembly room, sewing room, employees' sitting room, a laundry, and five rooms for employees. Some of the rooms in the girls' building could then be used as a sitting room for the girls, which is absolutely indispensable, as they have no place in which to have a fire during the winter months.

The laundry, as at present situated (joining on to the boys' building), is a breeder of disease germs, and one should be built farther from the other buildings. The old laundry can be repaired for a boys' sitting room and the small one now in use be utilized as a room for the Indian assistant cook and engineer.

Our bathing facilities (one large tank for the boys and one for the girls, where several are plunged in like so many sheep) are disgraceful in the extreme. I would urge that the ring, or "rain bath," with proper heating apparatus, be furnished at once.

To those employees who have accorded me their earnest support, and to whom most of our success during the year just closed is due, I extend my thanks.

In concluding this report I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation of the uniform kind treatment and support accorded me by United States Indian Agent Charles S. McNichols, and to thank him and all of the agency employees for the interest they have manifested in our work, and for their assistance in making it successful.

Thanking your office for favors granted, I am, very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

WORLIN B. BACON, Superintendent.

(Through Charles S. McNichols, United States Indian Agent).

REPORT OF FORT APACHE AGENCY.

FORT APACHE, ARIZ., August 1, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor of reporting the affairs at this agency for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, as follows:

By an act of Congress June 7, 1897, the Fort Apache Reservation was segregated from the San Carlos Reservation and made a separate agency. This reservation embraces all the territory north of Black River, including within its bounds the White Mountain Apache Indians proper.

On the 30th day of June, 1898, by a careful census, the following number of Indians were counted:

The following number of domestic animals are owned by the Indians of this reservation:

Streams. The principal streams on this reservation flow into Black River or its tributaries. They are the Bonita and Turkey creeks, in the eastern part; the East and North forks, forming White River; Cedar and Carrizo creeks in the central part, and the Cibicu and Canyon creeks in the western part. The streams are separated by high ranges of mountains. The valleys are narrow, but fertile, and susceptible of a high state of cultivation under proper irrigation. Along these streams are the settlements, and in the valleys under a crude system all the produce except hay is grown.

Buildings. This part of the reservation was, up to the time I took charge, October 17, 1897, a subagency. The affairs were being managed at San Carlos, 90 miles away, with an almost impassable mountain range between them. To make this. a separate agency had been the subject recommended and discussed by the agent for several years, and the conditions which prevailed when I took charge proved the wisdom of these recommendations.

On my arrival I found all the effects of the subagency had been lately moved from the post to the North Fork of White River, 4 miles away. Little preparation had been made for the accommodation of the agent and employees. A storeroom, physician's residence, wheelwright's shop and cottage, and a small dispensary were all the agency buildings on the ground. The employees were badly quartered, some of whom sought shelter at the school, already overcrowded.

My first work was to lay off permanent grounds for agency buildings, and begin, with my limited force, the erection of quarters. I have completed at present one 4-room cottage for employees' quarters, one oil house, stable and corral, guardhouse, carpenter shop, slaughterhouse and corral, and fences around agency grounds and pasture. This work was done by agency employees and irregulars. The amount of money expended for the latter was less than $300.

With Indian labor, including prison labor, about 20 acres of bottom land was cleared adjacent to agency grounds and put under irrigation for the use of Indian employees. About 1 mile of stone fence was built by prison labor, serving the double purpose of clearing the grounds of rocks and inclosing them in part with a substantial fence. All the grounds around the agency have been practically cleared of rocks and rubbish, walks built, and placed in as good condition as the time would permit.

I have the framework completed for two more buildings, one to be used for an office and the other for employees' quarters. These buildings will be pushed to completion as soon as I am able to secure doors, sash, and builders' hardware. The urgent need of an agent's residence has been thoroughly discussed in all my monthly reports, as well as by special requests. It is to be hoped the Department will not let the summer go by without erecting this much-needed building.

The present system of hauling water in tanks and barrels for agency and school use creates an emergency that should be inet promptly. At this time of the year the water is unfit for use after standing a few hours, and will certainly result in harın. This subject has been discussed in all my monthly reports, and the matter