clerk, superintendent, and every white farmer, have left this agency by transfer since my arrival. This has increased greatly the duties to which I have been compelled to give personal attention. I feel that I have had responsibilities thrust upon me for which I never bargained. I presume that I could have the privilege of relieving myself of this load of official responsibility by quitting the service. However, the Department need not consider this my resignation. Very respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. C. R. A. SCOBEY, United States Indian Agent. REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF POPLAR RIVER SCHOOL. POPLAR RIVER INDUSTRIAL BOARDING SCHOOL, MADAM: I have the honor to submit my annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898. First quarter. Third quarter. Fourth quarter 153 178 186 183 The total enrollment for the year is 235. Of these 14 were transferred to nonreservation schools; 15 were withdrawn on account of sickness: 21 were withdrawn on account of having no privileges on this reservation, their parents belonging elsewhere. While 15 may seem a large number to have been withdrawn on account of sickness, they were pupils who were not really sick, but on account of running down somewhat this spring, it was deemed advisable to allow them to return home; and so far as we have been able to learn, all of them have recuperated and will be on hand at the opening of school this fall. We find this the most satisfactory way to treat these cases, as the pupil seems to recover much more readily in the freedom of the home, and it is much more satisfactory to the parents. We have had very little serious sickness in the school. Two cases of diphtheria developed, neither of which proved fatal. The condition and needs of this school plant were reported upon in my annual report of last year. The Department's attention has also this year been called to them in special reports from this school and agency, also by Inspectors McConnel and Wright and Supervisor Smith, consequently it will not be necessary to mention them in this report. While the condition of these buildings will not justify the expenditure of a very great amount of material and labor, we found it necessary to make some improvements. With very little expense we extended the water system so as to place water in the kitchen, laundry, boys', girls', and mess quarters. By so doing we have been enabled to do away with the former very unsatisfactory and expensive mode of delivering water daily to these quarters by means of a water wagon. By using some discarded fence posts, cottonwood logs, and other cottonwood lumber, and dirt for a roof, we provided the laundry with an addition 28 by 36 feet. This, with the water system extended to this building and a sewer to carry away the sewage has been very much of an improvement in this department. The same may be said of the kitchen, so far as the water system is concerned. We have added to the girls' quarters an unceiled log building, with dirt roof, 38 by 90 feet, which provides for the girls a room for recreation, also lavatories. While this building is not constructed according to modern ideas, it is substantial, and will answer the purpose for which it was designed. The farm and garden are proving quite satisfactory, and, considering the cost of produce from them, should it be necessary to purchase the same, quite remunerative. The prospects for a good crop this year are quite flattering. The agent has set apart 320 acres of land exclusively for school purposes, which in due course of time will be of very great value, and will be a means of helping to make the school self-supporting. If our increase of cattle is what can reasonably be expected, we will have 60 head belonging to the school. We are in hope eventually to have a large part of the beef as well as milk and butter for the subsistence of pupils from our own herd The school work as a whole has been conducted on similar lines to those of last year, making improvements wherever possible. The reading course prescribed by the superintendent of Indian schools was taken up by most of the employees, also by others not connected with the school. Everyone seemed to realize moral, social, and intellectual benefits from the course. We have been successful in creating more of an interest in school affairs among the parents than heretofore. As a consequence, the influences of the school have reached more homes on the reservation, thereby accomplishing a very important feature of the work of the agency boarding school. I am pleased to express the thanks of the school to ex-Acting Agent Capt. H. W. Sprole, Agent C. R. A. Scobey, and visiting officials for courtesies extended. Very respectfully, The SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN SCHOOLS. (Through C. R. A. Scobey, United States Indian agent.) F. C. CAMPBELL, Superintendent. REPORT OF TONGUE RIVER AGENCY. TONGUE RIVER AGENCY, MONT., July 19, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following as my report of affairs at this agency for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898: The agency is located in Custer County, Mont., on Lame Deer Creek, 65 miles from Rosebud Station, on the Northern Pacific Railway, on that part of the reservation set apart for the use of the Northern Cheyenne Indians under the Executive order of November 26, 1884. There is but limited area that can be used for agricultural purposes, as there is about 1,500 acres held by white men, who claim to have title for the land from the Government that they occupy. On that part of the reservation which was withdrawn later by order of the honorable Secretary of the Interior there is a larger area of land which might be cultivated to advantage by use of a proper irrigating system. The rest of the reservation is, in my opinion. only fit for grazing purposes, as it is a rough and hilly country, in which abound innumerable springs of good water for stock. The past season has been a very bad one for agricultural pursuits, as there was scarcely any rainfall during the entire summer of 1897, the long drought and the hot winds having dried up everything that was planted. Where there was no water for irrigation a limited amount of hay was cut. The Indians were compelled to cut in small patches upon the divide and in the coulies, as many of their hay meadows were dried up by reason of long-continued dry weather. These Indians have no stock to speak of. They have about 4,000 ponies and, probably, 50 horses, which is a good estimate, the ponies being small, worthless beasts. I would suggest that the Indians be induced to sell or trade them for cattle, if such a trade could be effected, as they are of no use and only keep the grass eaten off the reservation. As I am firmly convinced that the only means by which these people can become self-supporting upon this reservation is by stockraising. I believe a way should be opened for them to this end. They could raise sufficient vegetables, corn, potatoes, etc., to enable them to live until they could get started in the proper manner, which could be done by placing competent persons in charge of this industry until the Indians learn how to manage and care for range cattle. I believe these people to be intelligent enough to be able to learn to manage and to care for stock in a few years. They all seem anxious to do something for themselves, but they realize that they have not the means to start with. I sincerely trust that some steps may be taken in the near future in relation to more adequate school facilities for these people. There should be a boarding school upon this reservation large enough to accommodate at least 250 pupils. At present we have 384 children of school age. St. Labre's Mission, a contract school on Tongue River, can accommodate 65 pupils, the day school at the agency can accommodate comfortably about 30 pupils, which leaves 289 children without any school facilities whatsoever. The Rosebud Indians have no means of educating their children at all, as the day school is filled with children whose parents live on Lame Deer in the vicinity of the agency. There have been one or two complaints from white settlers who have claimed water rights under State laws to water running in streams above their holdings. In those cases I have permitted the Indians to use water sufficient to irrigate their small gardens, then instructed them to shut the water gates and allow the water to run in its natural bed without wastage. I hold that the water rights of the settlers do not extend beyond the limits of the legal holdings of each person having rights on this reservation. There are a great many whites upon this reservation, the town of Hutton, on Upper Rosebud, being about 24 miles north of the south line of this reservation. It has a population of about 50 people, has 2 stores, blacksmith shop, livery stable, restaurant, town hall, and post-office, and probably 15 or 20 log houses. The other whites are scattered over the reservation. They should all be removed from the reservation; those having bona fide claims should be bought out, and those who came upon the reservation knowing they were encroaching upon the rights of these people should be summarily ejected. With the whites removed there would be no cause for any friction or complaints from either Indians or whites. The reservation should be fenced upon the proper lines; this being done, a policeman could be stationed near each gate in a comfortable house and who would prevent the entrance of all improper persons upon this reservation and thereby preserve the peace and safety of the Indians. The general sanitary condition and health of these people is very fair, there being no diseases of an epidemic character among them. Almost all the deaths that have occurred were due to tuberculosis or consumption. A few more of them come to the agency physician for treatment of their ills than used to come years ago, which fact shows that they are slowly drifting away from the medicine man, although the medicine man tries hard to retain his place and to ply his trade. They have transported with their own teams about 533,300 pounds of freight, for which they received about $4,000. They realized from the products of their own labor sold to the Government the sum of $2,050, making a total of $6,050 paid them during the past year. There have been no cattle killed by these Indians since January 1 last, with one exception; the police caught two men in the act, they having killed an unbranded calf. They were promptly arrested and were punished by being locked up in the agency jail, and were made to work about the agency for the period of twenty-one days. This punishment had a very salutary effect upon them and other young men inclined to get into mischief. We have three returned pupils from Carlisle; one of them will be put in the blacksmith shop and given employment; the others will be given places when vacancies occur, if they can fill them. In connection with the above it seems to me that when young men return from school after having finished the course some provision should be made for giving them employment to prevent them being compelled to drift back to camp life. At this agency there are no places at present for such persons. The agency buildings are log, with exception of the agent's dwelling, warehouse, and granary. A great many are in need of new roofs; the present roofs are of dirt and leak very badly in rainy weather; some are also in a dangerous condition, especially that of the blacksmith and wheelwright shops, and a board roof is needed very badly. The police force consists of captain, lieutenant, and 18 privates. It is a very intelligent body of men. To them is due the credit of keeping the people of this reservation under such good discipline. Their duties are varied and often arduous. Those who are not on duty at the agency are generally among the people giving them advice, the result of which is beginning to be felt among the younger men, as many of them now go to the captain of the police or the police for information instead of going, as of old, to the chiefs when they wished to do anything. The last census shows an increase of 19 in the population, viz: In conclusion, I desire to thank the employees for their courteous conduct and their intelligent manner in performing their many and varied duties. I also express my sense of obligation to the honorable Commissioner for his prompt action and assistance rendered this office. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. J. C. CLIFFORD, United States Indian Agent. REPORTS OF AGENCIES IN NEBRASKA. REPORTS OF AGENCIES IN NEVADA. REPORT OF NEVADA AGENCY. NEVADA AGENCY, Wadsworth, Nev., August 9, 1898. SIR: Pursuant to instructions of June 1, 1898, I have the honor to submit herewith my first annual report of the Nevada Agency. Agency. I assumed charge of this agency on November 26, 1897, relieving I. J. This agency at present consists of Pyramid Lake only, with an acreage of 322,000 acres, including a large body of water 40 miles in length by an average of 12 miles in width, known as Pyramid Lake, from which the reservation takes its name. This lake abounds in a bountiful supply of "salmon trout," which affords the Indians a profitable source of revenue as well as a good supply of food during the winter months. The agency headquarters are located near the lake, eighteen miles north of Wadsworth, Nev., a town of 600 inhabitants on the main line of the Central Pacific Railroad. Wadsworth is both the post-office and telegraphic address of the agency, as well as the point where all supplies for the agency and school are delivered and received. Population.-The following is a recapitulation of the census of the Pah Ute tribe of Indians, the only tribe under the jurisdiction of this agency, as taken on June 30, 1898: Indians.-The Pah Ute Indians have little in their history or tradition to excite the curiosity of their more enlightened brothers. They are a contented, industrious, peaceable and kind race of people, obedient to all regulations and rules promulgated by the Department, and are easily managed. These Indians have no treaty stipulations with the Government and rely solely upon the gratuity of Congress for what little assistance they receive toward their civilization and support. They have always been faithful in their allegiance to the Government. Agriculture. Only a very small portion of this reservation is adapted to farming. Most of the land is a dry, alkali, and mountainous country. What little land they till depends entirely upon irrigation for the cultivation of crops. Last year they cultivated about 200 acres, divided into small holdings from 4 to 12 acres each. In addition to this they irrigated and cut hay from about 800 acres of bottom land. This year their crops (except hay, of which they will cut only about two-thirds of the usual amount) will be a total failure on account of the scarcity of water. These Indians have been without proper instruction in farming for the past two years, the position of farmer having been abolished. This was a mistake. They should have by all means the constant advice and help of a practical farmer who thoroughly understands irrigation. Irrigation. The irrigating plant at this agency is, in its present condition, unreliable and totally inadequate for supplying the amount of water necessary to irrigate the lands under cultivation. The main ditch is a fair one, and, with the usual annual cleaning, carries an abundance of water for all purposes. But the dam at the head of the ditch has ever been a source of much trouble, and has been kept together at a heavy annual expense. A new, permanent, substantial dam is absolutely necessary if these Indians are to continue their farming industry, and if the school and agency plants are to rely upon the ditch, as they do now, for their supply of water for all purposes. In July I forwarded to your office a special report on this subject, and sincerely trust it will receive favorable consideration. If a new dam is constructed, at least 500 more acres of land can be put under cultivation. But it is useless for the Indians to break any more land until they are guaranteed a permanent and reliable supply of water. Stock raising.Stock raising could be made a profitable industry for these Indians, if properly started and supervised for a few years. The nature of the lands included within their reservation makes them far better adapted for this purpose than any other. The mountainous portion of the reservation is well watered and provides abundance of feed for cattle or sheep. This is a natural stock country and the Indians take kindly to this character of work, and they would always have an active and ready market for all the stock they could raise. Roads. The roads on the reservation are kept in good condition by the Indians without cost to the Government. They seem to realize the benefits to be derived from good roads, and do this work cheerfully when directed. Freighting. The hauling of Government supplies from Wadsworth to the Nevada Agency, a distance of 18 miles, is done by Indians at the rate of 50 cents per hundredweight. Last year they freighted 166,064 pounds, for which they received $830.27. They make safe and reliable freighters and are always willing and anxious to do the work. Purchases from Indians.-The hay, barley, and wood used at school and agency are purchased from the Indians at the usual market prices. There is no spirit of competition among them and the prices paid are regulated by the agent according to the prices prevailing in the vicinity of the agency. Last year they sold to the Government the following: Wood $1,047.50 Total. 1,825.39 Court of Indian offenses.-Three judges comprise the court of Indian offenses and dispense justice in a very satisfactory manner. All minor disputes and transgressions of the regulations are submitted to the court for adjustment. Their decisions are rendered after full consultation with the agent in a spirit of fairness and impartiality. Indian police.-The force at this agency consists of one officer and seven privates, one of whom resides in Wadsworth and cooperates with the local officers in the suppression of the liquor traffic. The members of the force have been faithful in the discharge of their duties, and have cheerfully responded to all calls made upon them. No serious crimes have been committed on this reservation during the past year. Agency buildings.-The agency buildings are in good condition and provide ample accommodations for employees' quarters, warehouses, offices, etc. Agency employees.-The agency force consists of 1 clerk at $1,000, 1 physician at $1,000, and 1 general mechanic at $720. A practical farmer should be allowed this agency. The position was abolished a few years ago to the detriment of the Indians. Agency stock. The agency stock is in good condition. We have 2 driving teams, 1 saddle animal, and a mule for general work, a sufficient number for agency purposes. School stock. The school owns 13 cows, 1 bull, 4 heifers, 3 steers, and 13 calves, all of which are in good condition and furnish the school with an abundant supply of milk. The school also owns a good work team. The stock is properly cared for by the pupils under the supervision of the industrial teacher. School buildings.-The school buildings are in good condition, but do not provide proper accommodations for the children of school age on the reservation or even the number annually in attendance. The buildings in use do not properly provide room for dormitories, recitation rooms, and employees' sleeping quarters. We have no assembly rooms for either employees or pupils, no lavatory or dressing rooms, no suitable clothes rooms for boys or girls, and the dining room and kitchen are entirely too small and ill-arranged for their purpose. The buildings should be materially improved and enlarged. Education. Pyramid Lake Boarding School is the only school in operation at this agency. It has been well conducted during the past year and a marked improvement in all its departments is the gratifying result of the year's work. The attendance was excellent; with an enrollment of 108, an average attendance of 94 was easily maintained. At all times during the year the school was crowded far beyond its capacity. The total cost of maintaining the school was $12,276.63, or a per capita cost of $131.11. The school was in session only ten months. The industries taught in the school are those common to most reservation schools. The girls are taught to cook, sew, wash and iron, and to do general household work. The boys are instructed in farming, caring for stock, and general repairs to buildings. The school garden contains 15 acres, 8 of which are devoted to the growing of vegetables for the school, and the remainder to hay and pasture for school stock. In addition to the repairing of the pupils' clothing, the following articles were manufactured in the sewing department: The literary department of the school is under the management of a principal teacher and two assistant teachers. The work of this department has been satisfactory and the improvement in the pupils is quite noticeable. |