REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PIMA SCHOOL.

PIMA BOARDING SCHOOL, August 13, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to submit my first annual report of the Pima Boarding School for the year ending June 30, 1898.

The year just closed has been in the main successful; one of steady progress after annual organization had been effected.

Attendance and capacity.-Attendance has been regular and full, averaging 193, with an enrollment at the close of the year of 196. This is in excess of the estimated capacity (150) of the school, but by eliminating overgrown and overaged pupils, who properly belong to nonreservation schools, and accepting only children aged between 5 and 15 years, it was found a few more could be accommodated. Were facilities provided, double the number of children could be obtained. As it was, at least 50 were turned away during the first two or three weeks of September for lack of room. These Indians are so eager to acquire educational advantages for their children that I have strained every possibility to accommodate as many as could be.

Health. The health throughout the year has been good, no serious ailments claiming attention. Sanitation. The sewerage system of the school might be considerably bettered. At present all waste water finds exit not exceeding 300 feet from the main building, thence to the "river." When the river is dry, the waste water stagnates, breeding malaria and kindred ailments. Literary. A regrading of pupils in the class rooms, and the promulgation of a definite outline of work in conformity to the departmental outlines, have produced desirable results, and a uniformity of purpose is more noticeable in the teachers' corps. The kindergarten, not theretofore in operation, has proved to be of incalculable benefit to the smaller beginners; results which will be noticed perhaps more next year, when the primary class will claim some of the kindergarten pupils. The introduction of regular monthly entertainments served to free the children of bashfulness to a gratifying extent.

Literary and musical programmes were presented Christmas and Washington's Birthday, creditable to the pupils and the teachers, who devoted themselves to successful drill and presentation. The closing programme was presented June 16, largely attended by the parents and friends of the pupils."

ladustries. It gives me pleasure to report satisfactory progress in the various departments, industrial and domestic. There has been no exceptional training, but the pupils concerned Lave received valuable instruction of lasting benefit, calculated to serve rather as an apprenticeship to what may be offered by the higher, nonreservation institutions.

Discipline. Discipline has been maintained throughout the year, with but few runaways. Military drill has been continued successfully with the usual benefits. The spirit of obedience and right-doing is an inherent quality with these children, requiring but proper guidance rather than attempts to create. Maintenance of organization and, on the whole, harmonious action, have characterized the services of the employees' corps. To efficient effort and the acceptance of suggestions much of the success of the year is indebted.

Improvements.- General repairs, considerable painting, and slight internal changes have characterized the work of the carpenter's force and industrial detail. Steps were taken to better the bathing and washing facilities for boys by installing shower baths and suitable wash trays with running water. That is yet unfinished, due to nonarrival of materials.

In the early spring a number of rees, rosebushes, and shrubs were set out, roadway outlined and graveled, and a lawn started and inclosed. The plants are doing nicely, the lawn and inclosure and the definite driveway insure more privacy, while the whole adds greatly to the appearance of the school plant.

The needs of the school are not so numerous as essential. Foremost among these is a schoolhouse and assembly room capable of accommodating at least 300; the present schoolhouse to be remodeled for dormitory purposes. An adequate water supply for fire protection is a pressing need. In this connection an electric light plant seems urgent; power is here, in the mill. The visits of inspecting officials at times during the year were exceedingly helpful. In conclusion, I beg to acknowledge appreciation of recommendations approved.

Very respectfully,

SAMUEL L. TAGGART,

W. H. HAILMANN, Superintendent.

Special Indian Agent.

REPORT OF PHYSICIAN, PIMA AGENCY.

PIMA INDIAN AGENCY, Sacaton, Ariz., August 13, 1898.

SIR: The sanitary history of this agency for the year ending June 30, 1898, has little of special note. Taken as a whole, the health of the tribe has been fair. By far the greater part of the sickness occurs during the winter season, while the heated term is remarkably healthful, except for bowel troubles among children, caused by faulty diet, and which is often fatal.

An epidemic of whooping cough during the fall and winter caused a number of deaths among the younger children from pulmonary and bowel complications. Inflammatory troubles of the eye are prevalent, largely due to lack of cleanliness. Venereal diseases are not so prevalent as might be expected, but are by no means rare, and do not seem to be on the increase. Tuberculosis continues to cause a large per cent of the deaths and seems to be increasing, largely due no doubt to overcrowding of poorly ventilated houses. The earthen floors absorb the sputa of tuberculous patients, which soon becomes dry and finds its way into the lungs of others through the medium of dust, thus communicating the disease. Under the circumstances such troubles must continue to increase. I have endeavored to impress this upon them, to teach them the contagiousness of consumption and how to guard against it in their homes. this I have been fairly successful.

In

The medicine man" is not active as would be expected among so primitive a people. His hold on the tribe is weakening, but he is occasionally heard from. A large proportion of those living nearby apply at the office for treatment, while many come long distances. As a rule, medicines are taken faithfully for a short time, but are apt to be set aside unless prompt improvement follows.

The health of the school has been fair, although sanitary conditions are not what they ought to be. Sewage from the dormitory, laundry, and kitchen empties into a creek only 50 yards

away, and the odor is often noticeable throughout the building. When the creek is dry, it forms a cesspool, making matters worse. The building has an additional odor from the corral, which joins the girls' playground in the rear of and 25 yards from the building.

Another objectionable feature is the overcrowding of dormitories. So many are crowded into small space that, in spite of careful attention to ventilation, the air becomes very foul, which can not fail to be detrimental to health.

Tuberculosis in the school has been guarded against and several doubtful cases sent home. Diseases of the eye are very prevalent among the children when they first come from camp, but cleanliness generally effects a cure without much other treatment.

It is almost useless to employ Indian nurses in the school, as they are incapable of doing the work; nursing was done principally by the matron, while the nurse was assigned to other duties. Lack of necessary drugs has greatly embarrassed me in my work. Twice during the year an additional estimate was made, but was not granted by the Department, leaving me to get through the year as best I could on the small annual supply. Respectfully submitted.

S. L. TAGGART,

Special United States Indian Agent in Charge.

A. P. MERIWETHER, Agency Physician.

REPORT OF FARMER IN CHARGE OF PAPAGOES.

PIMA AGENCY, ARIZ., San Xavier Reservation, September 3, 1898.

SIR: In compliance with regulations, I have the honor respectfully to submit herewith my eighth annual report of the affairs at this reservation under my charge for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898.

The last census taken shows the following population: Males, 262; females, 253; total, 515. Thereof are children of school age, from 6 to 18 years: Males, 73; females, 71; total, 144. The decrease of population under last year's census has entirely resulted from emigration of nonallottees who had resided here only temporarily.

With the exception of one Pima, all the Indians living on the reservation are Papagoes, and about three-fourths of them belong to the Catholic Church.

In 1890, 41,280 acres of this reservation were allotted to Papago Indians, who were then residing thereon, giving to each husband or head of a family 160 acres, and to children 80 and 40 acres, according to their age. The remainder of the reservation, about 29,700 acres, not allotted, is so-called mesa land of very little or no value. The allotted land consists of about 1,580 acres of farming land, 6,440 acres timber land, and about 32,260 acres mesa land.

The farining land, of which there is now about 1,000 acres under cultivation (against 400 in 1890), with a limited water supply for irrigation, is good and productive. All of the timber land, upon which is growing the largest mesquite timber in the Territory, would be in every respect splendid farming land, provided that the necessary steps were taken to bring it under irrigation, and this desirable measure could be effected with comparatively small expense when the great benefit resulting therefrom is taken into consideration. Mesquite, the only timber growing on this reservation, makes a splendid fuel, and it is used also largely for fence posts, but none is sawn or used as lumber.

The allotted mesa land (32,360 acres) is all of the same kind as the unallotted land, useful only for grazing after a plentiful season of rain. It is not under fence, and the Indians do not derive any benefit therefrom. At the time the allotment was made 2 acres of this land was given for each acre the Indians had been entitled to, which goes to show that the quality of the mesa land had always been considered to be poor. All the farming land and the timber land is inclosed by a good substantial wire fence.

This land is generally overflooded every year in the rainy season, and the floods are continually causing considerable damage to irrigating ditches and to roads and bridges, and in many locations also prevent the planting for the so-called second crop; but otherwise these floods do much good, as the considerable amount of sediment they bring is considered to be, and, as a matter of fact, is, a great fertilizer, and land so overflowed does not need any artificial fertilizing. The southwestern part of the reservation has been often prospected for copper. There is copper ore in plenty, but until yet none of a paying quality has been found. A few miles south of the reservation there are several copper mines now being worked with more or less success. In regard to farming, I have the pleasure to report a marked progress. The past year was one of the most prosperous we have ever had. Partially this was due to the better prices which farm products, principally hay and grain, brought; but the principal cause for the change for the better is certainly that the Department has, for the first time, furnished this reservation with a reasonable number of good plows and other necessary farming implements. This has given a great impetus toward more and principally better farming, notwithstanding the last season, taken in general, was not over an average one in regard to favorable condition of the weather, etc., for the farmer. The Indians have raised and harvested a few larger crops from their fields this year than any previous year, and it was the result of good plowing only. Our land is mostly of the so-called black adobe soil, very rich and productive, but it can be cultivated only with good implements. Cultivating prairie land is comparatively an easy task in comparison with the amount of work our land requires.

Cutting barley for hay has again proven more lucrative in this section of the country than anything else in farming, and notwithstanding the fact that the Indians had to pay the usual price of $2 per ton for baling, which considerably reduced their profits, each of them who made barley hay was able to buy a new wagon, paying therefor from $85 to $125. Wagons, and in fact all heavy farming implements, are very high in price here, owing to the enormous freight charged by the railroad company. If the honorable Commissioner would kindly consider favorably my repeated request for a hay press, it would foster the hay industry to a great extent, and farming would be made more profitable for the Indians.

Prospects for our so-called second harvest are not good. The unusually large floods have destroyed what the grasshoppers, which made their appearance again this year, had not eaten up of the planted corn, beans, and squashes. The damages caused on roads, bridges, and fences the last few days are very considerable and heavier than for many years.

Agriculture is in a much more advanced state than formerly, and there is hardly an Indian who has not made some kind of improvement upon his allotted land during the past year.

About 900 rods of new fences have been erected, 8 new houses built, 4 wells dug, and all the necessary work on roads and ditches has been performed by the Indians in a manner that would be a credit to a white settlement. The Indians very willingly assisted in all such public work whenever called upon, which goes to show that they fully appreciate the great benefit they derived from good roads and from good ditches.

The educational facilities of this reservation consist of a "day school," conducted and supported by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The two schoolrooms are large enough for all the children of school age, and they are well equipped. During the past year school was held fully nine months, from September 1 to June 1, with an enrollment of 46 boys and 37 girls. The average daily attendance was boys 38 and girls 32. The attendance of the boys could frequently only be kept up with the Lid of the policemen. The parents are generally willing enough to send their children to school, Fut, as a rule, they exercise very little control over them and allow them to do as they please; and, while the girls willingly go to school, some of the boys are causing trouble, and in such cases the police are needed.

In addition to the regular teaching of a day school, instruction is given in sewing and general housework to the larger girls. The two sisters who have had charge of this school continuously for many years are faithful and competent, and they possess certainly the necessary qualifications to teach Indian children successfully. I believe this school to be doing very good work and to be an effective actor in the early civilization of these Indians.

Most of the Indians are devoted Catholics and attend regularly the mass held by a Catholic priest every second Sunday in our old church building, and also the Sunday services conducted by Mrs. Berger on alternate Sundays when mass is not held. They have their children baptized and bring their dead, neatly prepared for burial in decent coffins, to the church, where some mortuary services are performed by a Catholic priest, when one can be procured, or by Mrs. Berger, when the services of a priest can not at the time be procured.

The Indians here generally respect the laws, seldom quarrel with each other, and the committal of a theft is an extremely rare occurrence. As a rule they are upon good terms with their white neighbors. Only one arrest-for cruelty to animals-has been made during the past year. An Indian had beaten to death a cow which frequently entered into his wheat field. His punishment was to pay $10 to the owner of the cow and to be imprisoned for fifteen days in the county jail.

No liquor has been brought to this reservation during the past year; but since the United States marshals are paid by salary, sales of liquor to Indians in the city of Tucson are considerably more frequent than in the time the marshal received fees. An arrest now is very seldom made, and the persons engaged in the business of selling liquor to Indians have no fear of being prosecuted or punished.

The Indians of this reservation live much better than they did formerly. They have better houses, wear better clothing, have more to eat and of a better quality, and they are more cleanly in their habits, consequently their sanitary condition has improved. Their health has been very good during the past year, except during last December and a part of January, when some kind of pneumonia raged among them. In these two months more deaths occurred than during the balance of the year. This epidemic, which existed also among the white people living in the vicinity of the reservation, was probably due to unusually sudden changes of the temperature. Last March Indian Inspector Col. C. F. Nesler, on a tour of inspection, visited this reservation. He expressed himself pleased with the state of affairs, principally our improvements, which he said he found to be of a more substantial kind than he had seen on any other reservation. This was the first official visit made by any inspector in nine years.

The inspector was here again in May after some of the Papago Indians who had come over from Sonora (Mexico) in the beginning of 1897 on account of trouble they had with the Mexican authorities, and were living since with their families on the American side. Most of them had armed themselves and recrossed the border line for the purpose of recovering some cattle and ponies, which they claimed belonged to them and which they were compelled to leave behind the previous year. Inspector Nesler conducted this investigation from the San Xavier Reservation, and under his direction I arrested the 25 Papagoes who had taken part in this trip. The 4 leaders were brought before the United States court commissioner and held prisoners to appear before the next grand jury at Tucson; the other 21 were sent to the agency at Sacaton. On June 14 last. Col. S. L. Taggart, special Indian agent in charge of the Pima Indian Agency, requested me to arrange, if possible, for the release and transfer to the agency of the four leaders in jail at Tucson, they being very sick, and one of them being in a very serious condition. After explaining the matter the court very kindly reduced bail from $500 to $100 each, and going myself on their bond for this amount, they were released from prison and sent by me to the

agency.

Since last harvest the Indians have bought several sewing machines, 5 new wagons, many new sets of harness, also 20 coils of fence wire, and it can be justly said that the large majority of them are in a prosperous condition.

In making a review of the year's work I can see much to encourage, for in many things that go to make up a prosperous people and good citizens, great progress has been made. In conclusion I thankfully acknowledge the uniform kindness and support given me by the agency during last year. This reservation had always been neglected by the agency, as shown in all my previous reports, but since the appointment of Mr. H. J. Palmer as clerk, matters have changed entirely for the better. My letters are now promptly and courteously answered, and as for the first time in nine years the Department has been just and generous to the Indians under my charge and has allowed mostly all my requisitions for supplies, it is only natural to believe that the honorable Commissioner had never before been informed of our wants and needs. I have no doubt that all communications from me in this matter had been thrown in the wastebasket by former agents and clerks.

For the past year the Pima Agency was under the charge of four different agents. In the beginning of the fiscal year under the former agent, Young; thence under Mr. Cleveland, who died May 17; thence for two months under Special Agent Colonel Taggart, and at present under Mr. E. Hadley. Under such circumstances the credit for our improved condition is most certainly due to Mr. Palmer, and as farmer in charge of this reservation 1 feel deeply indebted to J. M. BERGER, Farmer in Charge,

him.

Very respectfully,

REPORT OF SAN CARLOS AGENCY.

SAN CARLOS AGENCY, ARIZ., August 24, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the San Carlos Agency, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898.

According to the census taken, there are on the reservation:

This includes children absent at school, Indian scouts in the service of the United States, and Indians who have permanent occupation in adjacent towns but does not include the Indians on the San Pedro River and the lower Gila River, at Mohawk, and in that vicinity, who originally belonged to this reservation, but were permitted to leave some years past, and have since lived by their own industry. They belong principally to the Yuma and Mohave tribes. There are no records here to show that a census has been taken of these Indians since their departure from this agency. Their number was estimated by my predecessor at 600. There has been but one complaint lodged against a member of these tribes, and that, upon investigation, was found to be groundless.

I assumed charge of the agency. November 7, 1897, relieving Capt. Albert L. Myer, Eleventh Infantry. I found the Indians in an excellent state of discipline and contentment, and the affairs of the agency generally in a very satisfactory condition.

The Indians have made very satisfactory progress during the year in agricultural pursuits, considering the very great disadvantages they are continually laboring under. The yield this year shows a very considerable increase over that of last year, it being 13,246 bushels of barley and 6,652 bushels of wheat. The grain, however, is of a very inferior quality, due to the fact that the seed has run out from continuous planting. It should be renewed before another planting, and I earnestly recommend that the agent be authorized to purchase, and make a gratuitous issue, of new seed. No seed has been issued to these Indians for a period of four years.

I am convinced that the greatest need of these Indians is a proper system of irrigation on this reservation. This would, of course, involve considerable expense. but until it is done, there will be a large number of Indians who will be compelled to remain practically without employment, and consequently dependent upon the Government for their subsistence.

There is sufficient land that is susceptible of irrigation to give each family a farm, from which it is thought they could furnish the greater part of their subsistence, and their willingness to help themselves in this way has been demonstrated beyond a question. All lands under cultivation are eagerly sought and bargained for, and cultivated to a very satisfactory extent. The system now in vogue consists of a number of small ditches, supplying a few families which are banded together in different places. These ditches have been crudely and faultily constructed by the Indians themselves, and are washed out and partially destroyed by each flood, which occurs at least once during the year. I am told that in the past it has occasionally happened that the Indians have lost their entire crops from these causes. The work of rebuilding involves the loss of a very considerable amount of labor, which is very discouraging.

The gristmill has done very satisfactory work in grinding wheat into flour during the last year, and with the addition of the new machinery now on hand the capacity will be materially increased. The amount of flour made from Indian wheat during the year amounted to 63,256 pounds.

The farmers have performed their work in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Many of the Indians have secured employment in the adjacent towns, and a large number have found employment on the construction of the Gila Valley, Globe and Northern Railway. It is estimated that at least 50 per cent of the labor employed in the construction of this road has been furnished by the Indians, who have shown a disposition to earn money by hard labor, which is very encouraging. Pursuant to instructions contained in your letter, Land, January 21, 1898, a council of the Indians was convened at this agency on February 8, 1898, to consider the question of granting the right of way to the Gila Valley, Globe and Northern

Railway Company through this reservation. The railway company was represented by its president, Mr. William Garland. After the matter had been fully explained to the Indians, a vote was taken which was practically unanimous in favor of granting the right of way. The proceedings of the council were promptly forwarded to the Department, and having been approved, work was begun on the construction March 12, 1898. The road is now completed to the agency. The grading is practically completed through the reservation, and trains will probably Le running into the town of Globe by November 1. It is thought that the road will prove to be of considerable advantage to the Indians, by furnishing a market for their produce, giving employment to many of their number, and producing other good results in the matter of civilization, etc.

The wheelwright and blacksmith have been constantly employed and have rendered efficient service in the repair of wagons, farming implements, tools, etc.

A very severe epidemic of whooping cough occurred during the months of March, April, and May. Several hundred cases were reported and treated. The mortality among the children living in camp was very great. No deaths occurred among the school children, although a very large percentage of them were afflicted. The mineral lands segregated by the act of February 25, 1896, have not yet been thrown open.

There have been no cases of murder on the reservation since my arrival, and bat once during the year, the killing of an Apache Indian by a member of his land. The murderer was turned over to the Territorial authorities for trial and was acquitted.

The boarding school was in full operation during the year, with an average attendance of 1081. On my recommendation, based upon the excessive heat, the school was dismissed for vacation on June 10. The progress made by the pupils during the year has been very satisfactory. They seem well contented with the conditions, and there is no difficulty in keeping the school filled to its utmost capacity. The management of the affairs of the school has been given into the hands of the superintendent almost entirely, and I take pleasure in testifying to the efficient and successful manner in which she has performed her duties. The school employees generally have rendered excellent service and are highly satisfactory.

The addition of a new kitchen and dormitory, plans for which have been submitted, are very essential to the proper maintenance of the school.

The agency employees have performed their several duties in a cheerful and satisfactory manner.

The report of the superintendent of school is herewith submitted.

Very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

SEDGWICK RICE,

First Lieutenant, Seventh Cavalry, Acting Agent.

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SAN CARLOS SCHOOL.

SAN CARLOS, ARIZ., June 20, 1898.

SIR: My fourth annual report of the San Carlos Boarding School is hereby respectfully submitted. Owing to the fact that by some means my report of last year's work was omitted from the Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, I will endeavor to embody an outline of the two years' work in this communication.

This school has a capacity of 100 pupils, but has been crowded beyond its proper limit, having had an average attendance of 1104 and 108 for the two years.

We have a good stone school building and two small adobe buildings, which have been in use but four years. The remaining buildings are old dilapidated adobes, one of which, the boys' dormitory, is considered by all to be in an extremely dangerous condition. It is believed that a heavy rain or a slight earthquake shock would cause a collapse of the building, the walls of which are cracked, rotten, and bulging, and they alone serve to support the heavy roof.

Plans and estimates have been submitted for a new dormitory building, and also a kitchen building, with storerooms, root cellar, and bathrooms connected. These are urgently needed for the proper, safe, and hygienic conduct of the school. The boys still bathe in washtubs in their play room, and the girls have four zinc tubs in a rough board shed. As much labor has been expended in repairs to these old buildings as the material furnished would permit.

The garden consists of about 2 acres, and has furnished a fair supply of small vegetables. Potatoes can not be raised here, and the irrigation from one well is not sufficient for crops of corn, which could otherwise be raised. Vegetables are much enjoyed and appreciated by the pupils, and the milk from the 5 to 10 cows kept is also relished.

The arrangement of work and school details so that pupils have two consecutive half days in the schoolrooms, but not both in one day, has been a decided improvement, giving, as it does, all pupils equal advantages, and affording opportunity for work to be completed without the interruption of another class coming between the two sessions.

The labor of the school has been, in most cases, well and conscientiously performed. Apaches excel in manual labor. We have seven Apache employees, all of whom give good satisfaction. A Pima Indian boy has served as cook during the present year, and has given good service,