of the school would require. This plant is totally inadequate to accommodate the number of children that should properly be in school.

Under the supervision of the industrial teacher the boys have performed all the industrial work connected with the school. They have sawed and split wood, milked the cows, cared for the stock, and planted and cultivated a garden. The girls work in the kitchen, laundry, and sewing room has been quite satisfactory. The literary work has been all that could be desired, the scholars having made rapid progress in their studies. Considering the circumstances under which we have labored, I can not complain.

Visitors. During the year Indian Inspector McConnell and Supervisor Rakestraw have each paid us an official visit, from whom we have obtained much information, which has been highly beneficial in the performance of our duties.

Permit me, in conclusion, to express my grateful appreciation of the courtesy, forbearance, and liberal support given me by the Department during the past year; also the hearty support and cooperation given by the employees. All have endeavored to do their duty and render good, honest service.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

E. M. YEARIAN,

United States Indian Agent.

REPORT OF NEZ PERCÉS AGENCY.

NEZ PERCES AGENCY, Spaulding, Idaho, August 1, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to forward this annual report with statistics for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898:

Children over 6 years (males under 18, females under 14).
Children under 6 years.

Total.....

These figures show a small increase in the tribe during the last year.

446

598

342

272

1,658

This, or what was formerly, the Nez Percés Reservation was wiped off the face of the maps nearly three years since, when trust patents were issued to these people for land previously allotted to them, since which time they have been fullfledged citizens of the State of Idaho, amenable to and having the benefits of State laws. It is true, however, that a great many of the Indians and not a few of the whites do not understand or realize the changed condition, still insisting that the old laws and regulations which governed while they were wards of the Government living on an Indian reservation are still in force.

Allotments.-There have been 1,997 trust patents sent to these people, over 100 of which have since been canceled and returned to the Department, 17 of the number being duplicates-two allotments made to the same person under different names; others were given allotments who for various reasons were not entitled to them: while quite a number were voluntarily relinquished by members of "Chief Joseph's Band" of the Colville Reservation in Washington, who preferred to retain their rights there.

Owing to the strong opposition of about one-third of the tribe to accept land in severalty, and their refusal to give the allotting agent the number and names of their families, much confusion and unavoidable mistakes were made during allotment which has since required hundreds of investigations and affidavits to adjust, quite a large number of which are yet unsettled. Some eighty-odd allotments have been made here since the allotting agent left the field, and there are a dozen or more applicants whose cases are still pending.

These allotments comprise 80 acres of agricultural, or double the amount of grazing land. All of the allotments. however, embrace more or less farming land which is of an excellent quality, yields bountifully in all cereals, fruits, and vegetables grown in the Northwest, and does not require irrigation except along the river and creek bars. The soil on the high benches and table-lands, being closely underlain with a hardpan or clay. holds water which accumulates during the winter and early spring. In most instances water can be obtained for culinary and stock purposes, by sinking from 10 to 15 feet even on the high table-lands.

A fine belt of pine, spruce, and fir timber crosses through the center of the reservation over 30,000 acres of which is reserved for the sole use and benefit of the allottees. Two good portable sawmills are kept in almost constant operation turning out lumber from this reserve timber, which enables the Indians so inclined to make permanent and needed improvements at a moderate expense.

Industry and agriculture.-Industry is not a characteristic of the Indian race in general, and this tribe in particular, as they have too much ready cash at their command to be compelled to resort to hard labor. Plenty to eat and fancy clothes for the time being is the height of their ambition. Of course there are many notable exceptions, but as a class they are not industrious. Many of the ablebodied men, who are not allowed to lease their allotments, are allowing their land to he idle and grow up with weeds rather than to put their hands to the plow or even employ white men to do the work for them. Take it all in all, there has been but little, if any, improvement in the line of industry during the last twelve months.

Stock raising among the Indians is carried on to a considerable extent, and would be greatly increased were it not for the fact that cattle thieves, mostly white men, make the business unprofitable.

Roads. Owing to the fast settling up of this section of country by homesteaders and Indians moving onto their allotments, many new roads have become necessary, in the locating of which the county commissioners and road supervisors have shown a disposition to be fair and impartial between the whites and natives; nevertheless, much wrangling, a few resorts to the courts, and an occasional arrest for fencing up county roads and cutting wire have occurred of late.

The Northern Pacific Railway Company has during the last few months completed the Spokane and Palouse extension through and past the agency to Lewiston. Idaho. This road will greatly facilitate the shipping of grain and other farm products and should materially enhance its value.

Payments. Financially, this tribe is well provided for; each man, woman, and child having received from the Government during the last three years $746.73 from the sale of surplus lands, and they still have some $300 each due, which they will receive in semiannual payments during the next two years. Add to this about $20,000 each season-money derived from leased lands-it can readily be seen that they are in very comfortable circumstances. I regret to say, however, that quite a large percentage are not improving their allotments" while the sun shines," and in many instances are squandering their money as fast as received. Liquor traffic. The whisky business has not in the least abated; in fact, owing to the inability or indifference of the only United States deputy marshal in the northern half of the State, the traffic has materially increased of late. I have exhausted every effort in trying to get a "live" deputy stationed here. With such an officer the curse could be greatly reduced, if not entirely broken up, so far as its introduction on the reservation is concerned; but Indians with money, who desire, can get liquor in any town in the United States where liquor is sold, all laws to the contrary notwithstanding. As shown by the accompanying statistics, 10 whites and 22 Indians have been convicted by the United States court during the past year, receiving more or less severe punishment, for this unlawful traffic, still it seems that for every man convicted there are two left ready to take up the trade.

The court of Indian offenses was abolished at this agency soon after the Indians became citizens. A small police force was retained until the close of the last fiscal year, when they, too, with a single exception, resigned from the service. Their places have not been filled, as it is quite evident that they have no authority in law to make arrests under any circumstances; at least I have been unable to get a ruling from the Indian Office to the contrary. The necessity of retaining this one policeman is due to the fact that he alone can positively identify every allotted member of the tribe, consequently his services can not well be dispensed with during the making up of pay rolls, payments, establishing heirships, etc.

Health-The general health of the Indians under my charge has been as good as could be expected of Indians. Consumption, the greatest foe of the human race, has not overlooked the Nez Percés, and while there have been many cases of la grippe and pneumonia, consumption has claimed far more than its share, according to the report of the physician. Indian doctoring by medicine men" still continues to a limited extent. but as the State of Idaho has no medical laws there is no legal way of abr.dging this nuisance.

Education. As the school has been managed by a bonded superintendent during the last fiscal year, and being situated some distance from the agency, I know but little regarding it, but presume the superintendent's report on the Fort Lapwai Indian School for the last fiscal year will not be "rose-colored" to any extent.

Some twenty mixed-blood and Indian children have, during the last year, attended district schools within the confines of what was formerly the Nez Percés Reservation, with very satisfactory results.

Religion. Very enthusiastic revival meetings were conducted here last winter by the native elders, which resulted in quite a number of new converts being made, and some old ones who had "strayed from the fold" were called back. Employees. The regular employees of this agency, without exception, have performed good and faithful work during the last year. * * Respectfully submitted. S. G. FISHÉR. United States Indian Agent.

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

*

REPORTS OF AGENCIES IN INDIAN TERRITORY.

REPORT OF QUAPAW AGENCY.

QUAPAW AGENCY, IND. T.,
Seneca, Mo., August 10, 1898.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith my first annual report of the affairs of this agency, together with the required statistics, suggestions, and such other information of interest as I have been able to gather.

Location.-The Quapaw Indian Agency is situated in the northeastern corner of the Indian Territory, and is bordered on the north by the State of Kansas and on the east by the State of Missouri. The agency headquarters are beautifully located 4 miles from Seneca, Mo., which is the railroad and telegraph station and post-office address. Although the surroundings are all that can be desired, the buildings have been neglected to such an extent as to make them at present almost uninhabitable. Not only are all conveniences lacking, but the sanitary condition of the houses is very bad, the most inconvenient feature being the quality and scarcity of water. However, requests have been made and approximate estimates forwarded by me for making necessary repairs on buildings and for the erection of a more wholesome and adequate water supply, which, if allowed, will be a source of gratification to the employees at this agency.

Tribes and population.—

This shows a gain of 21 persons since last report.

Although there are in this agency eight distinct tribes, there seems to be the most friendly feeling between them. They intermingle and intermarry to a reat extent, and from appearances one would think there is but one tribe. In looking over the census reports, I find this singular fact-that among the Eastern Shawnees not one member is married to one of his tribe.

Among the Seneca Indians there has been for a number of years past an internal strife, the tribe being divided into two factions, each having its own chief and council. This has, to a great extent, retarded the progress of this tribe, besides being a source of annoyance to the Indian Office and former agents, on account of their many trivial complaints and grievances. I finally succeeded in having both factions agree to meet at this agency for the purpose of holding their election. On July 1 every adult male member, with the exception of three, was present, and they elected a splendid set of men for their chiefs and councilors for the ensuing

year. All seemed satisfied and pleased at the result and agreed that in the future factions and differences would be unknown in their tribe and that they would all work together for the advancement of their people. I am gratified at the result of my efforts and feel that some good will come from them.

Some of the ancient Indian customs are still observed among the Quapaw and Seneca tribes. In May last, from curiosity, I attended the "strawberry feast observed by the Seneca Indians. This is a religious ceremony and has to the Indian the same significance as the taking of sacrament has to the Christian. I was invited into the "inner circle," and participated with them in the drinkin the juice made from the fresh strawberry. (I was informed that this privilege is seldom accorded by them to a white man.) After the ceremonies all resorted to pleasure, the men and boys playing an Indian game of ball and the women and children engaged in other amusements characteristic of their tribe. I was very much impressed with what I saw, and can not believe that harm can come from such practices.

During the month of August there will be held on the Seneca reserve what is known as the "green corn feast," and, while the arrangements are under the direction of the Seneca Indians, the ceremonies are usually participated in by other tribes from this and adjacent agencies. This feast is the Indian Thanksgiving, they taking the opportunity on this occasion to offer up their thanks to the Great Spirit for bountiful crops and other favors showered upon them during the year. I am informed that the only drawback to this feast is the intrusion of a number of disreputable white men whose vocation is the boot-legging of whisky to the Indian. Arrangements have already been made to have the police force of this agency attend the gathering to arrest, for the purpose of prosecuting to the full extent of the law, any person found engaged in this nefarious traffic.

Civilization. I am unable to say just how much progress has been made in civilization among the different tribes of this agency the last year. This I can, however, say, that in their attire, behavior, and habits they compare favorably with white communities in which I have heretofore resided. The Indians of this agency are law-abiding people: marital laws are generally observed, and they are no more addicted to vices than are their white brethren. Since taking charge of this agency I have not learned of a single serious crime committed by an Indian on this reservation.

From personal observation I am satisfied that the percentage of those who habitually use intoxicants is no greater than among white men, although the procuring of it is as easy for the one as for the other, living as we do on the borders of the State of Missouri, in close proximity to several towns whose principal industry is the sale of intoxicants. Until a recent decision, given by one of the United States judges, no beverage having the semblance of an intoxicant was openly sold in this agency. Since the decision was rendered, however, the towns in this agency all have their metropolitan hop-ale joints, which "hop ale" is, in my opinion, nothing more nor less than common, ordinary beer, and a shield behind which they dispose of the vilest adulterated liquors.

Religion. The missionary and religious work in this agency is conducted by the Methodist Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopal, and Society of Friends denominations. They have in all 15 places of worship and 16 missionaries. The latter are all sincere in their work and are making every effort, with considerable success among the Indians, for the recognition of God and the adoption of the Christian doctrines.

Leases. Very few leases have been forwarded by me for approval. This can be accounted for by an act of Congress approved on June 7, 1897, which gave the allottee in this agency the right to lease his land without departmental supervision or approval. I do not consider this act as beneficial to the Indian, but believe instead that it is a great detriment to his advancement, and unless some changes are made in existing laws very little progress in the way of agricultural pursuits will be made by the Indians for years to come. Notwithstanding the many statements heretofore made as to the thrift and industry of the red man, I find them to be, as a class, indolent and devoid of the above traits. Of course there are a great many exceptions to this rule. Some of the best and most successful farmers can be found among the members of the different tribes of this agency, but generally speaking they would sooner rent a piece of land and receive $10 in cash for it than to work and earn $100 from this same piece of land. When an Indian wants money he wants it very badly and very little persuasion is necessary to have him agree to any kind of a contract; this gives the unscrupulous white man too many chances to drive good bargains, as he soon learns how, when, and where to attack the weak point of his red neighbor.

While I do not think it absolutely necessary for the leases to have departmental

approval, I do believe that all contracts made with Indians who can not read or write, should be examined and witnessed by the agent and the provisions of the same explained to the Indian. A great many have come to me complaining that their white lessees make certain agreements and promises which they are not fulfilling. I examine their contract and invariably find the conditions different than stated to me or understood by the Indian. There is no doubt in my mind that in the majority of cases he is imposed upon; but I can not help him, as the contract is usually properly drawn, and in nearly every case witnessed by friends or relatives of the white man.

One change, which I think would be beneficial, is not to allow the allottee to lease all of his land, but compel him to retain at least one-third of all of his tillable land. This, I believe, would have a good effect, as he would soon make up his mind that in order to get returns from his land he must do some work on it.

Sale of Indian lands.—I have forwarded to the Department for approval, since taking charge of this agency, some 48 deeds, made by Indians for lands from which restrictions had been previously removed. Of this number 40 were returned approved, 3 disapproved, and the others not yet heard from. The consideration for these lands varied from $3 to $30 per acre. A number of deeds were executed prior to my taking charge, and in nearly every instance the laws and instructions of the Interior Department were violated. These cases were investigated by United States Indian Inspector C. R. Nesler, in December last, and it was clearly shown that flagrant violations had been practiced in these transactions. While no punishment has been meted out to the guilty parties up to this time, the investigation has been of vast benefit to those who have disposed of their lands since.

The late changes in the instructions made by the Department, in reference to the sale of these lands, is a benefit to the grantor as well as a protection to the grantee. I can not say that the grantee was altogether to blame for the wrongs committed in these former transactions. According to the instructions of the Secretary of the Interior the grantee was compelled to pay for the lands the value placed upon them by the agent, which in a number of cases was altogether too high, as the grantee had previously made a contract with the Indian for a less price, and as he had already paid part of the consideration money he was compelled to make some arrangement with the Indian in order to make himself whole on the deal. If dissatisfied with the appraisement and he allowed the deal to go by default, he would lose the amount advanced, as the Indian had already disposed of the money and the purchaser had no recourse to get it back.

In the majority of cases where the Indian sold land the consideration money was squandered in a reckless manner, and there is nothing now to show excepting that the allottee has only half of his allotment left. In two cases the grantors did not have one penny left one hour after turning the deed over to the bank and receiving the consideration money, and the only thing they had to show for their money was what is commonly known as a "jag." One case I wish to cite: An Indian woman sold 100 acres for $600. I would not appraise this land at so low a figure and both grantor and grantee were indignant and threatened to report me to the Secretary of the Interior for refusing to forward the deeds. A few days later I found a purchaser for the same land and the deed was executed for $900, an increase of 50 per cent. On the return of this deed approved I paid to the grantor the purchase money, and after liquidating obligations in my presence, which she assumed while the deed was under consideration in Washington, she had only $67 remaining out of the $900, and there was nothing to show for this expenditure; no improvements made on her land, no horses, vehicles, or farming implements purchased; the money was simply squandered, and to-day she has not a decent garment nor a dollar to her name.

I believe it would be of greater benefit if, instead of paying all of the consideration money to the grantor, upon the approval of the deed, the lands be sold on deferred payments-say one-fourth of the amount upon approval of the deed and the balance divided in three annual payments bearing interest, nontransferable nts to be given, payment of them to be made through the agent.

One satisfactory statement I can make in reference to this subject, that, in a majority of these conveyances, the purchasers are honest and industrious men who acquired these lands for homes and not for speculative purposes. Already a number of substantial improvements are being made by these home seekers, and their presence will certainly exert a good influence among the citizens of this

agency.

Surplus lands.-One source of contention among the tribes of this agency is the surplus land. Very little benefit is derived from it by them in its present state; not being fenced, there is no protection to the timber or pasture. The individual members feel that they have a right to do as they please in regard to these lands,