The Prairie Band, Kickapoos, Iowas, and Sac and Fox of the Missouri Indians are all well supplied with horses, wagons, farming implements, and in short, all facilities necessary to successful farming operations. Their lands are adapted to the production of corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, and all kinds of vegetables, but especially to corn, being located in the best part of the "corn belt" of the United States, and failures in this crop, or indeed in any crop, are as little or less frequent than in any other section of the western part of the country, although, owing to excessive rainfall in the early part of the season and the want of it for the past six weeks, the corn crop will be considerably shortened; but that growing on the reservations is quite as good as elsewhere. Potatoes and vegetables of all kinds have yielded largely, and the grasses, particularly that of the prairie variety, are yielding a full crop.

This grass, the seed of which was probably brought here attached to icebergs during the glacial period, if considered in all respects, is perhaps the most useful that grows, and, as I stated in my report last year, should be preserved as far as possible where it remains on the reservations in the agency. It is indestructible from natural causes, and continually enriches the earth upon which it stands. During the months of July and August, when other grasses frequently become unfit for pasture, it is in its prime for fattening purposes, and when made into hay it is superior to any other kind, except timothy, perhaps, for horses. In the last few years a very large demand has been developed for this hay, and I estimate that the grass standing on 24,000 acres of the Prairie Band Reservation will be sold for hay during the present season, consisting of both allotted and surplus lands, in nearly equal parts. The allotted lands, being selected, are naturally the best and have brought from 40 cents to $1 per acre, with the ruling price at about 50 cents: the surplus lands, consisting to considerable extent of high and rocky points, has brought from 30 to 60 cents per acre, with the ruling price at about 40 cents.

One of the greatest difficulties I have had to contend with in controlling the business consequent upon the sale of grass arises from the constant effort of unscrupulous and speculative members of the tribe to act as intermediaries for the purpose of deceiving and wronging their fellow-Indians for their own advantage; and in fact this difficulty has to be met in all the tribes in business transactions that afford opportunity for combinations for profit. There are methods by which white men in such cases can usually be controlled-unless they have strong political support, which is frequently the fact-but the Indian schemer who wishes to defraud his brethren is not only irrepressible but ever present.

Upon assuming charge of the agency I found that this class, on one of the reservations particularly, had in the interests of their white clients succeeded in establishing the rental of lands much below their real value, and when I attempted to raise the prices to a proper standard they became very indignant and in some cases went through the form of making leases in towns adjacent to the reservations, and in fact denied the authority of the United States in the matter of leases. The prices, however, have been increased for pasture 25 cents per acre and for cultivated lands nearly $1 per acre.

Allotments and surplus lands.-Allotment of lands were made to all the Indians of the different tribes in the agency up to the date of the completion of the work. This work was undertaken and accomplished with the full consent of the Iowa and Sac and Fox of the Missouri Indians, but was resisted by factions of the Prairie Band and Kickapoos. The members of these factions still contend that no allotments have been made; that they hold the reservations in common, and that in a short time all the fencing on the reservations will be torn down and affairs will be conducted in the "old way." I think about seven unauthorized delegations of this class from the Prairie Band alone have visited Washington during the past six years in the prosecution of their intention to "break allotments," and, strange as it may seem, they receive from that source encouragement and assistance that is very perplexing to an agent as well as discouraging to the law-abiding and progressive Indians of the Prairie Band. This faction, consisting of but a small minority of the Prairie Band, while opposing allotments, have commenced to grasp very greedily all pecuniary advantages arising from them, and are becoming as much interested in the location of their lands as the large majority of the Indians who made their own selection of lands and voluntarily asked that they be allotted. Their fight on allotments is becoming strictly technical.

The Chippewa and Christian Indians hold their allotments under provisions of a treaty made in 1859. Their affairs are now being adjusted preliminary to a pro rata distribution of their trust funds and accomplishment of full citizenship through legislation accepted by them last year.

The Prairie Band have 16,010 acres of surplus lands, nearly all of which will be 5976-12

required for members of the tribe who were absent when allotments were made, and for children born since.

The Kickapoos have about 6,000 acres, much of which will be required for members of the tribe as yet unprovided with land.

The Iowas had an insufficient area of land for allotments to all of their people, many of them being landless.

The Sac and Fox of the Missouri have but a few acres of surplus, but all of their people are provided with allotments.

Civilization.-The civilization of the Indians is the result of education and industry, and its degree is clearly defined by the advancement and development of these two important principles in the elements of human progress among the Indians. Previous reference has been made to the great improvement in the educational conditions of the Prairie Band of Pottawatomies, and another striking proof of their advancement along the lines of genuine civilization is the steady increase in the number of houses built and occupied by them. In 1873 they numbered less than 10; now there are 194, many of them commodious and well furnished.

Altogether there are 360 houses occupied by the Indians of the agency, consisting of a total population of 1,160 souls. Many of the houses are fully equal to those of white farmers living adjacent to the reservations, and are quite as well kept. The erection and occupation of houses has not only involved the abandonment of the barbarous system of lodge shelter, but has brought about radically improved changes in methods of cooking, sleeping, dressing, and in the very important particular of treatment of women, who, under the old system or practice, were required to retire into solitary occupation of small and badly built lodges upon occasions when they should have been provided with the best accommodations and care.

While the acceptance and practice of these improved methods and habits are somewhat imitative and the result of changed conditions, there are evidences of advancement in thought and ideas that are encouraging, particularly to those well acquainted with them and who do not think it necessary that their civilization should be accomplished through the total loss of their land and money, as I have known to be suggested by alleged friends. They can not be civilized and invested with moral perception by a system of isolation, but must be brought into contact with civilized individuals and communities, and if with the advantages reaped therefrom there are some disadvantages they must suffer the consequences, as have all other barbarous races or wild people since the era of civilization opened.

Religion and missionary work.-Good work has been done for many years on the Chippewa and Christian Indian Reservation by a missionary of the Moravian Church, and the church has been largely instrumental in educating, at Bethlehem, Pa., several bright men, among whom is John H. Killbuck, now and for many years a missionary in Alaska. From all I know and have heard of him I believe him to be one of the most unselfish and advanced Indians of this generation in America.

The Holiness Sect has performed some successful religious work on the Iowa Reservation for some years, but do not seem to be holding the attention of the Indians as well as formerly.

A majority of the Kickapoo Indians continue to worship at a church established by a member of the tribe forty years ago. The principles taught are the primary ones of Christianity, and were evidently selected from the creeds of several different churches because of their adaptation to the minds and religious wants of the Indians. During my acquaintance with this tribe, extending through a period of twenty-two years, there has always been some prominent member of the tribe who gave his whole time and influence to the support and strengthening of the church, and, in my opinion, with excellent results to his people.

The Prairie Band principally practice the Indian religion, but a number of them are Catholics, and attend churches located adjacent to the reservation; in fact, churches of nearly all denominations are located within a few miles of the different reservations, and are attended to a considerable extent by the residents thereof. What is classed as "* Indian religion" has many of the elements of the Christian belief, and I have observed that each year the barriers between them grow less distinct, and that the transition from his own practice to that of an acceptance of all the truths of revealed religion becomes less difficult. During the year a speaker of the Prairie Band, and a leader in their religious rites of much prominence, with several of his friends, were baptized in the Christian religion, and he has since expressed himself as having gained thereby the religious contentment he had sought for all the mature years of his life. The intensity and sincerity of the religious convictions of the Indian give promise that when he has become acquainted

with and accustomed to the creeds of the Christian religion and those who practice it, he will accept it as the true one.

Industries.-The industries incident to farming and stock raising only are followed in the agency. There are no towns located within the reservations where the Indians can learn or pursue other avocations or trades, and, indeed, their experience and interests fit them for, and incline them more to, agricultural and pastoral pursuits than any other.

Shops.—Blacksmith and wheelwright shops, separately, are conducted at the agency for the Prairie Band of Pottawatomies; also a blacksmith shop for the Kickapoo Indians, on their reservation, wholly at tribal expense for all of them. Every class of work required in farming communities is performed in these shops promptly and in the most workmanlike manner.

Physicians. Physicians are employed regularly for the Prairie Band and Kickapoo tribes of Indians and schools, with great advantage to all of them. I think it a serious mistake that provision has not been made for the employment of a physician for Iowa and Sac and Fox of the Missouri Indians, and the Great Nemaha school, which the children of those Indians attend, especially as one would be sufficient and could be employed at a very reasonable salary.

Intemperance.-Owing to the location of the reservations of the agency in the midst of thickly settled white communities, and within a few hours' ride of a number of small as well as large towns, in all of which intoxicants are sold to Indians as freely as to others, it is impossible to prevent the evil of intemperance among them, but it can be and has been reduced. I notified all the Indians of the agency at the commencement of the year that annuity payments would not be made to any tribe when drunkenness was known to exist at the date of payment, or immediately previous thereto, and in the thirteen made since there was no drunkenness or gambling in sight, except in the case of one tribe, and the prompt arrest and imprisonment of the guilty parties cleared the field of further indulgence of the kind.

The statistical information, agency and school, asked for in your circular letter is herewith respectfully submitted.

SIR: Assured that whatever may be written will be of most interest to employees contemplating a change, or those newly elected to this place, I will so conform my report which I have the honor of submitting through you.

The school is 25 miles from Topeka, 18 from Holton, and 10 from Hoyt, the nearest station on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific. The buildings are within one-half mile of the agency and trading store. The place is beautiful for situation, enabling the buildings to be plainly visible for many miles in all directions. The main building covers an area of 5,000 square feet, and when the attic is completed will make a flooring of 15,000 square feet available for dormitory purposes. This building is heated with steam, and is supplied throughout with water pipes, Two heaters supply the children's bath tanks with hot water. The three schoolrooms and assembly hall are in a separate building, capable of accommodating 150 pupils, and are first-class as to design, light, and ventilation.

I was put in charge of the school shortly after the 1st of September. The average attendance for each month closing the quarters is as follows: September, 67.03; December, 91.2; March, 95.29; June, 98.79. Average monthly attendance was 89.15. The enrollment reached 105. These figures show a gradual increase and faithful attendance to the end. This is said to be the best attend

ance the school has ever had.

As to the discipline and management of the school, the comparatively few runaways-none toward the last-the growing good will of the parents toward the school, the decrease in the necessity of petty punishments, and the reductio ad absurdum of the prejudice existing against some of the best employees, because of different tribe, etc., are some of the fruits as evidence. It took severe punishment to break up running away. One of the rooms in the main building was made into a quasi jail. After confining the worst cases in there for a week or two on limited rations, they generally preferred staying with us. You may tell it in Gath and publish it in the streets of Askelon that one of the parents said, "Why don't you whip him," referring to his boy then in jail.

Much of whatever success we had in preventing friction, I believe, is due to the liberty that was given the children. The boys had the run of the prairies, woods, and streams. In the winter, they chased the rabbit. In the summer, they were allowed to fish and swim. All will tes tify to their appreciation of this treatment, and how seldom they abused it being late for school or work.

The work accomplished on the farm referred to in the agent's report, together with all freight for school and agency delivered by the school force, and the return of nearly all pupils by one or more of the employees, 1 do not wish to pass over without commending the industrial teacher and the farmer for their interest in this work and their cooperation. The farm has cer tainly had the curse of Adam upon it in the form of cockleburs, and we shall be disappointed if 1,500 bushels of corn and cockleburs are not raised,

The literary work of the school has been much broken into by the frequent changing of the head teacher, by transfer, and promotion. The upper room has had three teachers during the year. The primary teacher has been allowed to remain at her post, and though, with the care of nearly 50 most of the year, has worked with more than ordinary patience. A third teacher Las been added for the coming year, which will certainly be a great advantage.

The improvements asked for are much needed, namely, a reserve water tank, a kitchen, a larger laundry, and the completion of the attic. These would be adequate for 125 or 150 pupils. A few families are still opposed to school, and these are not on this account the most wicked Indians in the world. Some of them belong to the conservative class. Some of them are possessed of commendable traits-freedom from gambling, swearing, etc., that would be well for their better educated white brethren to imitate. By a continuation of the past year's policy it is to be hoped that even these Indians can be brought into school. These will probably make the best ones. I visited nearly every home during the past year. Some of the other employees also visited the Indians. We wish to make a record of our welcome reception, and also the good effect of such visits.

Whatever of kindness and encouragement, especially from the Indian parents, are appreciated and belong equally to my associates in the work. The matron has been "my better half." in a different sense, however, to most superintendents' matrons. We are singularly fortunate in having for assistant matron one who is proficient in both languages, and can find out the little ones' wants. The agent, being possessed of what may be called Scotch "dourness,” has made us rest assured that when once a pupil was in school he had to stay in. This has been of much help to us in securing such regular attendance JAMES J. DUNCAN.

Yours, respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

(Through George W. James, United States Indian agent.)

REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF GREAT NEMAHA SCHOOL.
POTTAWATOMIE AND GREAT NEMAHA AGENCY,
GREAT NEMAHA BOARDING SCHOOL,
August 23, 1898.

I have the honor to submit the annual report of the Great Nemaha Boarding School for fiscal year 1898.

The year has been marked for its steady progress in all departments of school work. At the opening of school all pupils were ready and willing to be in school promptly, clean and well dressed. The 1st day of September found a larger per cent of pupils in school than other years. Each home had been visited by employees before the opening of school and the children urged to be prompt, and parents were encouraged to take more interest.

The practice of pupils visiting their homes at stated periods has been kept up during the past year with no apparent injury to the success of the school, the pupils carrying home with them new ideas of home life, which the parents have adapted to the conditions and circumstances of the home, and many improvements have been made. A closer relation has grown up between school and home. Each pupil going to the home has in a measure effected a work similar to that of a well-equipped field matron. The mothers have visited the school to learn how we make apple butter, catsup, vinegar, hominy, yeast, soap, etc.. and ask, or have interrogated for them, many questions further about cooking, cutting, sewing, etc. Parents have visited the schoolroom work and were well pleased with the recitations of pupils and progress of the individual pupil. At times when pupils have had a specially arranged programme, parents have visited and have taken great interest in every detail of the programme. Parents have visited the Sunday school and chapel exercises with profit to the school.

The work in each department has been performed promptly, cheerfully, and very carefully, no loose ends left undone for some one, but each department has closely connected, bringing all work up to its proper place.

The schoolroom work has been in the hands of a teacher well qualified for the position. She has been interested in the individual success of the pupil as well as the school as a whole. Primary work has been given excellent attention, together with the more advanced grades. As a result the pupils read and recite promptly, speak English accurately and unhesitatingly. Very little of the Indian language is heard at the school, and when parents visit the school the children speak English in conversation with them.

The untiring efforts of the matron have added greatly to the success of the school, guiding and directing the children in their housework, giving careful attention at play, and during sickness ever watchful and patient.

The work of the seamstress has been careful and painstaking. The quality of the work with quantity has been the standard. Great care has been given to the neatness of repairing garments, together with the cutting and fitting. This, carried on in the same line with care in school work, correlates industrial work and class work.

The laundry work, although under the care of two different employees during the year, was made a helpful source of instruction in that line of work.

The work performed in the kitchen and dining room under the direct supervision of the cook has been the most practical of all the year's work. The girls have taken unusual interest in the work in all of its details. The making and baking of bread, preparing fruits and vegetables for the meals and cooking of same, together with the cooking of meats, were such lessons to them as the girls could take home and apply.

The industrial work performed on the farm by the boys has been well done. They have been busy feeding and caring for the stock, and in the spring they were very enthusiastic in the planting of the crops and during the time of cultivating worked diligently. They combined their school work with the industrial work in making a study of how plants and animals grow and are nourished.

The school enjoyed the visits of Inspector Duncan, Supervisors Peairs, Bauer, and Smith. We wish to thank these gentlemen for these visits.

I am very grateful to the honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs for all the benefits derived through the Office of Indian Affairs in the support of the school, and to George W. James, United States Indian agent, who has continually endeavored to promote the best efforts of the school and make it successful.

Very respectfully,

The COMMISSIONER INDIAN AFFAIRS.

(Through George W. James, United States Indian agent.)

THAMAR RICHEY.

REPORT OF AGENCY IN MINNESOTA.

REPORT OF WHITE EARTH AGENCY.

WHITE EARTH AGENCY, MINN., August 26, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith my first annual report of the affairs at this agency for the year ending June 30, 1898, I having taken charge of the agency January 1, 1898:

Census.-The census of the Indians shows the number to be 7,883, divided into different bands, as follows:

The above shows an increase of 232 since last census. Schools.-Eight schools are located at this agency, 7 being boarding schools and 1 a day school, the average attendance being 442. If better school buildings are erected, more pupils can be accommodated. As it is now, many have been refused admittance on account of the buildings, which are small and badly in need of repairs.

Contract has been let for the erection of fine school buildings at White Earth. The work is now going on, and it is thought that they will be completed and ready for use by June 30, 1899. Congress has also appropriated funds for the erection of school buildings at Red Lake and Leech Lake. Both places are badly in need of new buildings, although the superintendents of the schools at the points named above have kept up the attendance to the capacity of the present buildings.

When these new school buildings are completed and ready for use, many Indian children can be taken in and educated that never have been to a school, owing to the small capacity of the present buildings.

Agriculture. There is no question as to the advance in civilization among the Indians at this agency. Their desire to live in good houses, their attendance at church, and their desire to educate their children go to show their advance toward civilization. I believe that there is less crime among them than in the States among the same number of people. There are very few cases of polygamy among them, and, in my opinion, it will only be a short time when such practice will be entirely done away with.

Court of Indian offenses.-There are three competent, progressive, and just men who compose this tribunal. Court convenes twice a month to try any case that may be brought before them. They are dignified in their bearing, and their decisions are just and generally received without complaint by the Indians.

Reservation roads.-The work on the roads is still progressing, and under favorable auspices. Most all the Indians seem to understand the necessity of good roads, and are willing to put in their time on the same. Many a mile of road has been repaired, and quite a number of miles of new roads have been made.

Sanitary. No epidemic has visited this agency during the past year. Quite a number of deaths have occurred, but mostly among the old. The Indians avail themselves of the agency physician, Dr. John H. Heidelman, by calling at the dispensary and by having him call upon them at their homes.

Indian police. The police have all done their duty acceptably and satisfactorily, and they are indispensable to an Indian agent. There has been no serious trouble among the Indians during the time since I have been in charge.

Lumber. Three million feet of lumber and about 2,000,000 shingles have been manufactured and issued to the Indians for the improvement of their allotments, which in most cases has been done by erecting houses, barns, and other necessary buildings.

Logging.-Authority was granted to cut the dead and down timber on the diminished reservations and on the ceded lands, and about 70.000,000 feet of pine logs were banked and sold by Indian loggers, they having received on an average $5