GREEN BAY AGENCY, SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as my second annual report: The tribes over which the jurisdi tion of this agency extends are the Oneidas, numbering 1,490; the Menomonees, numbering 1,450; and the Stockbridges, numbering 120, making a total of 3,060 men, women, and children. Each of the tribes named is located on a reservation set apart for them by the United States, one of which be longing to the ONEIDAS, is situated but a few miles southwest from the city of Green Bay, containing about 65,000 acres, one-half of which, under proper treatment, would make excellent farms. The Oneidas are well advanced in Agriculture, a large portion of their reservation being with propriety called the garden of Brown County. The main settlement extending nearly the whole length of the reserve, north and south, is one continuous line of large, beautiful farms, with many good, substantial dwellings, barns, granaries, and tool-houses. By their industry they harvest large and profitable crops, and raise (considering the climate and latitude) a good proportion of horses, cattle, hogs, and some sheep. Not having a farmer on this reserve it is impossible for me to give an accurate account of all their productions. Interest in agriculture is steadily and yearly increasing; many new farms are being cleared and cultivated, while many of the old are enlarged and improved. Their continuous cry to the government is for the Allotment of their lands to each individual without being subjected to taxation, sale, or judgment of any court. This would be an incentive to further industry among them. They do not want to become citizens (as heretofore reported), but claim the protection of the government for at least twenty-five years in the future, as they deem the liabilities of a citizen fatal to the welfare of many of the most destitute Indians. They have four Schools, two of which were opened during the past year. All are well attended, and will be productive of much benefit to the tribe. Considerable interest has been awakened among them in Religious matters. At the Methodist mission quite a number have been added to the church' which is in charge of Rev. S. W. Ford, who is energetic in both church and school. The Episcopal Church, in charge of Rev. E. A. Goodnough, is well attended and in a prosperous condition. Drunkenness and the liquor traffic in villages and cities not far distant are the worst enemies the agent and the most respectable portion of the tribe have to contend with. In spite of the many arrests, trials, and convictions (for selling and giving intoxicating liquors to the Indians), the traffic is still continued by various and ingenious ways which are intended to evade the law. One of these devices consists in having an outlaw (called a white man) place a bottle of liquor under the sidewalk, woodpile, or some other convenient place easy to describe, then an accomplice is sent to tell the Indian that if he (the Indian) will give him a certain sum of money he will inform him where he can find something that will do him a heap of good; the Indian takes the hint, pays the money, is told of some particular spot, goes there and finds a well filled bottle containing what is called Indian whisky. The only practicable remedy consists in clipping off the light end of the penalty prescribed by statute, thereby depriving the judiciary of the discretionary power now allowed. Think of $1 fine and one day's imprisonment after the government has expended perhaps not less than $100 in bringing the prisoner into court! Until Congress makes the change stated, drunkenness will continue among the Indians of many localities. THE MENOMONEES are settled on their reservation containing ten townships of land, the south line of which is only five and one-half miles north of the city of Shawano. Some portions of this reservation are highly valued on account of its fine forests, estimated at 250,000,000 feet, the value of which at present prices will reach about $500,000. The soil in the greatest portion is sandy and not valuable for agricultural purposes. The loud cry of this tribe is for the sale of the pine, and that three or four years be given the purchasers to lumber it off, and that the lands be Allotted to each member of the tribe. But they will never consent to the sale of any of their land, fearing if their lands are sold they will be sent to the far West, the thought of which is greatly dreaded. The Menomonees are making steady strides in Agricultural and industrial pursuits. Every year new lands are cleared, fenced, and more seed sown and planted. The past year has been one of marked growth in all branches of industry in which the Indians are capable of taking part. They have a saw and a grist mill, both of which are run by an excellent water-power situated at Keshena Falls, one mile from the agency, and operated by the Indians. These mills cut all the lumber and shingles used, and grind all the grain raised. When they fail in finding employment on the reserve, a great many of the young and middle-aged men go to the pineries, the rivers, railroads, and among the white farmers, for employment. The Menomonees have, by their industry, reaped a fair harvest this season, which they are now thrashing with a machine of their own, furnished them by the government and operated entirely by Indians, in a manner that would do credit to many settlements among the whites. A marked interest is taken in the Education of their children; a large number of whom attended the boarding and industrial school at the agency during the past year, the number of scholars being one hundred and twenty during a part of the winter. Sixty-three learned to read, and good progress was made in all branches of study taught at Indian schools. Religious meetings are held every other Sabbath in the two church buildings, both being Catholic; and over half of the tribe are said to be enrolled as members of that denomination. No effort has been made among the Menomonees by any Protestant denomination of late years. is not uncommon among them. visited by the Indians, who, keepers to evade the law, often The unusual Drunkenness Shawano, being only 8 miles from the agency, is often through the cunning devices resorted to by saloonmanage to get liquor into their possession. Rains and floods of last June caused great damage to the tribe by carrying away all their bridges, three of which were large, crossing the Wolf River-one at the agency; one at the mill; the other near Kenebaway settlement, 4 miles above Keshena Falls. Two large breaks were washed out in the embankment of the millpond, which have already been rebuilt by Indian labor. The first two bridges are now being rebuilt by Indians. A new agency farm has been fenced in since winter, containing about one hundred acres; and forty acres cleared, plowed, sowed, and planted, which promises a good crop of potatoes and a light crop of oats. The STOCKBRIDGES are located on a reservation 7 miles west of Keshena, containing less than a township of land, which is considered as medium for agricultural purposes, in which nearly all of the tribe are engaged more or less, and reap a fair estimate of the products of the soil common to this section of country. They have one School, which is not well attended by the youth of the tribe, probably on account of the lack of interest on the part of parents, the average attendance being eight or ten; and yet, many children of people that are known as the old citizen party, who reside on the reserve, are prohibited by some of the Indians from attending and receiving the educational advantages afforded. Religious meetings are held in the only church building on the reserve, which is denominated as Presbyterian. The attendance is very small, and but little interest is taken in religion or things pertaining thereto. The continuous quarrels between two or three factions of these people is very detrimental, if not fatal, to their future welfare. Drunkenness is freely participated in by a large number when opportunity offers. Opium eating, as the habit is commonly called, is also practiced by many; and they are frequently heard making earnest appeals to the agency physician for the poisonous drug. Saloon-keepers and accomplices. During the past year fifteen persons were convicted for selling intoxicating liquor to the Indians of this agency, and six are awaiting trial at the next term of the district court. Those convicted were sentenced as follows: 2 for 60 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 2 for 20 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 2 for 3 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 1 for 25 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 1 for 30 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 1 for 5 days' imprisonment, and $30 fine; 1 for 1 day's imprisonment, and $50 fine; 1 for 5 days' imprisonment, and $50 fine; 1 for 10 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 1 for 2 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine; 1 for 40 days' imprisonment, and $1 fine. Herewith inclosed I respectfully submit the statistical information required, for the three tribes of this agency. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. E. STEPHENS, United States Indian Agent. LA POINTE AGENCY, Bayfield, Wis., August 21, 1880. SIR: In compliance with office circular letter dated July 18, 1880, I would respectfully offer the following as my first annual report: I came to the agency as an employé in 1873, and have served as superintendent of Red Cliff Reservation and clerk since March, 1874. How well I have performed my duty the department has my record, and it is very gratifying to me that they have shown their appreciation by appointing me to the position of agent, made vacant by the promotion of I. L. Mahan to the position of inspector. The treaty made at La Pointe on La Pointe or Madelain Island in Lake Superior, Wisconsin, gave to this agency its name. The headquarters are located at Bayfield, in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, just opposite to La Pointe on the main land. The agency includes in its boundaries seven different reservations, four in Wisconsin and three in Minnesota. The census was taken in 1877, and genealogical rolls made of all the bands, and they are known by the reservation on which they live. The population of the different reserves are Red Cliff, 726; Bad River, 736; Lac Court Oreilles, 1,093; Lac de Flambeau, 665; Fond du Lac, 404, and Grand Portage, 267. The treaty with these Indians expired in 1875, yet through the kind influence of our friends in Congress we have received each year since an appropriation of abont $16,800. Of this amount $600 is for the support of one blacksmith and shops; $1,200 for salaries of two farmers, and the balance, $15,000, is for agricultural and educational purposes, pay of employés, purchases of goods and provisions, and such other purposes as may be deemed for the best interest of said Indians, and with the exception of the amount necessary to pay salaries of employés the department makes the disbursements. The Bois Forte bands, numbering 1,088, are still receiving benefits under their treaty of 1866. They have five years yet unexpired. RED CLIFF BANDS occupy a reservation of four sections of land 3 miles north of the agency; we have communication with these both by land (a good wagon road) and by water (on Lake Superior). Thirty-one allotments of eighty acres each have been made to these Indians. They are enjoying prosperity and are well worthy of attention from the department in securing to them the rights of citizens in every sense of the word. They live in houses entirely, dress like whites, and, in my judgment, are able and in a condition to care for themselves, and I would urge upon the department to take the nec essary steps towards having a law passed by the next Congress making them citizens. The employés, one farmer and blacksmith with two apprentices, are located at the north of the reserve. BAD RIVER BANDS, located in Ashland County, Wisconsin, on a reservation of 124,333 acres of land just 12 miles east of Ashland. There have been 200 allotments of land of 80 acres each to these Indians. In the scale of civilization they stand next to Red Cliff, and their progress forward is steady and healthy. They are gradually giving up their old habits. The old still hold to them, but the young are crowding them, and one by one we rejoice to see them come into line. These bands have been noted for their troublesome disposition, but by treating them kindly yet positively, and by encouraging the young to take hold and work, we have about broken up the ranks of the dancing and counciling faction, and this year they have, with but few exceptions, settled down to work in a way that is truly encouraging. These Indians are not perfect, and how can it be expected of them? The government make them promises which they do not fulfill. For instance, in 1875 they were allotted lands and were promised their patents; two years passed and no patents came. The department sends Colonel Brooks out to revise the list, and the Indians were assured patents should be forthcoming; two years have passed again and no patents come. Can they be blamed for distrusting agents and employés? This failure of the department to recognize their title has caused more dissatisfaction and has been a source of more annoyance and harder to overcome than any one thing the agent and employés have had to contend with; it would discourage the best class of people in the world, and the incentive to take hold and work and make homes for themselves and their families is stifled by so much promise, so much waiting. "White man so good to promise and no fulfill." We communicate with them in summer by water on Lake Superior to the mouth of Bad River or the Ka-ca-gan River, and thence up to Odanah, a beautiful Indian village, at which point we assemble the Indians to council in all matters of business and distribution of goods and supplies. The employés are located here, a farmer, a blacksmith with two apprentices, and an interpreter. In the winter we have communication by the same route on the ice, or by way of Ashland, from which place we have a good winter road, and the department should make an allowance for fixing up this by building bridges, ditching, &c., so that it could be used in the summer. The Indians could then use their teams in carrying the produce to Ashland for sale. One thousand dollars would do it and give them a first-class road. FOND DU LAC BANDS, located on 100,121 acres of a reservation about 35 miles from Duluth in Carlton County, Minnesota, and are the next in the scale of civilization. Congress some years since passed a bill for their removal to Bad River and the provisions of that bill should be carried out, and something done with their reservation, for as it is now the pine, of which they have a good quantity, is being destroyed every year, little by little, by fire and trespass, and the Indians are receiving no benefit from its value. Allotments could be made to those who wished to remain, those who would remove could be taken to Bad River, and the surplus of land disposed of, and the money invested for their benefit. The young people make their living by work in the woods, logging camps, and saw-mills. Very little disposition toward agriculture is shown by them other than small patches of ground for small seed, and this for their own immediate use; we can do but little more than give to them such articles of goods and supplies as are furnished by the department, and they are called to meet the agent each year at Northern Pacific junction on the Northern Pacific Railroad to receive their small proportion. They have no employé on the reservation. To reach them from the agency we go by lake 90 miles to Duluth, Minn., then by the Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad to Northern Pacific Junction, 24 miles, to which point they are called to meet the agent. LAC COURT D'OREILLES BANDS. These come next and occupy a reservation of 69,136 acres around Lac Court d'Oreilles. Two hundred and five allotments, of 80 acres each, have been made to these Indians. The condition should be better than it is, which is owing to the very bad communication which we have had to reach them and bring them under the more direct civilizing influence of the agency. This is much improved in the last year by the North Wisconsin Railroad, pushing its way from Hudson to the northeast, and reaching a point within 36 miles of the reserve, at Chandler, from which point there is a good road. In summer we go from Bayfield to Duluth, Minn., by water on Lake Superior, to Saint Paul, on the Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad, then, via Hudson, to Chandler, on the North Wisconsin Railroad, and from there in team to the lake, where the gov ernment has agency buildings, at which place we have a farmer located; we also have an assistant farmer stationed 15 miles east at Bakweiawa. In winter we have to go from Bayfield to Ashland, thence by the Wisconsin Central Railroad to Junction City, change there and go to Valley Junction and make another change, and thence to Hudson and up to Chandler and in by team. When the North Wisconsin Railroad is completed to this bay we will be well located and have as good communication with all reservations as any other point that could be selected. GRAND PORTAGE BANDS have a reservation on the north shore of Lake Superior of 51,840 acres in Cook County, Minnesota, and is considered next in civilization, and for location is as bad as could be imagined, good for nothing unless it be the mineral that might be found on it. These people are of a roving disposition, the older portion making their living by the hunt and fishing; the young men of the band earn a living for themselves, and those remaining at home by packing, cooking, carrying the mail, &c. ; but few remain on the reservation the entire year, and these are the very old people and young children who make their homes at the portage. We have a school house at this point and supply them with a teacher, and are endeavoring to bring up the young in the way of civilization; as they are now situated we can do no more for them. They are visited every fall, and the goods furnished for them by the department are issued, and the little they do get is very thankfully received, as it helps them through the cold winter. We reach them by taking a steamboat or tug at Bayfield; the distance is about one hundred and forty miles across the lake, and costs the government each year from $150 to $200. The department should take some steps toward bettering their condition by removal to a more suitable reserve where they could be instructed in agricultural pursuits, and be under a more direct civilizing influence of the agency. LAC DE FLAMBEAU BANDS located around Lac de Flambeau in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, the reservation having in its boundaries 69,824 acres. These Indians have had but little attention from the agent other than to meet them each year, and issue to them the goods and supplies furnished by the department. This is owing in part to the insufficiency of the means at the hands of the department, and the inaccessibility to them on their reservation which is some 40 miles in the interior from the Wisconsin Central Railroad, and no roads by which to reach them. They are called each year to meet the agent at Phillips on the Wisconsin Central Railroad which we reach by taking a tug to Ashland, 18 miles, thence by railroad 78 miles to the place stated. There should be a good road opened to the lake from either Fifield or Phillips, and bridges built, so that the agent could take their goods to them; and with a farmer to show them the way, their advancement would be as rapid as those in any other section of the agency, for they are a good and wellbehaved band of Indians and have often made demands for assistance in this direction, and their disposition to help themselves should receive its reward. BOIS FORTE BANDS. This reservation of 107,509 acres is located about 140 miles northwest of the agency, partly in Saint Louis and partly in Itasca County in the north of Minnesota, out of reach and good for nothing. Of all places to locate a band or bands of Indians I think this the worst, if the location had in view any good to or for the advancement of the Indian in civilized pursuits. They are the only Indians in the agency who have an annuity and receive supplies under existing treaty, and they are as follows: Annuity in money, which is paid to them per capita, $3,500; for educational purposes, $800; farming, $800; blacksmith, assistant and support of shop, $1,500; annuity in provisions, ammunition, and tobacco, $1,000; annuity in goods and other articles, $6,500; total, $14,100. Of this amount the agent disburses the "annuity in money" and $1,200 for pay of employés, of which we now have one blacksmith at $600 and a farmer at $600 per annum. The department disburses the balance of the fund in purchasing the goods and supplies, which are furnished to the agent for distribution, which is done in accordance with department instructions and regulations. There are but few of them located on the reservation; they have scattered over the northern part of Minnesota and into Canada. Those disposed to farming have located where good or fair lands could be found. Those settled in the vicinity of Vermillion Lake are the most prosperous; one reported last winter that they had corn, potatoes, and onions to sell and had some wheat, and wanted to know what to do with it. At Vermillion Lake, about 100 miles north of Duluth, Minn., we go each winter, leaving the agency headquarters on the last boat up for Duluth, the goods and supplies having been delivered at that point by the department contracts. We superintend shipping, which is done by the teams as soon as sufficient snow has fallen for good sleighing. When the sup |