APPENDIX

During the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1925, the field work of the Board of Indian Commissioners comprised investigations of Indian affairs on reservations located in the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska. The special reports on these investigations in abridged form are presented in this appendix.

In the last annual report the abstract of Commissioner Moorehead's report on the condition of the New York Indians contains the views of Dr. A. C. Hill, who had charge of the Indian schools for the State of New York. The statement in Commissioner Moorehead's report that Doctor Hill's views were held by only a minority of the Indians was inadvertently omitted. Since the publication of that report Commissioner Moorehead has received letters from New York correspondents, the tenor of which would indicate that there is a general impression that he was in accord with Doctor Hill's views. On the contrary, Commissioner Moorehead believes that Doctor Hill's opinion is held by a minority of Indians and white people in the State; that the preponderance of the evidence obtained by him in his investigation tends to a conclusion opposite to those as presented by Doctor Hill.

TOMAH INDIAN SCHOOL, TOMAH, WIS.

Commissioner ELIOT

In his report on the nonreservation school at Tomah, Wis., which he visited in November of 1924, Commissioner Eliot writes that practically all of the recommendations in regard to improvements at this school which he made in 1919 had been carried out. Following are some quotations from his report: "The Tomah school now carries the children through eight grades. It ought at once to be equipped with a teaching force sufficient in number to carry the children through the tenth grade. The new school building provides space enough for these additional scholars and the dormitories can be made to accommodate an additional number of the older boys and girls. The enlargement of the dining room now under construction provides the needed space there. The urgent and immediate need of the school is for additional teachers. Even now the classes conducted by the individual teachers are altogether too large.

"No one can visit Indian schools without discovering that certain schools are deplorably understaffed and that sometimes schools of poorer reputation or quality are overstaffed. Occasionally one discovers more teachers than needed for the children, whereas at Tomah there are not enough teachers. It ought to be possible to make the appropriations for the different schools elastic enough to make it possible to move teachers from places where they are not needed to the places where they are needed.

"I am again impressed with the folly of applying to the smaller children in the Indian schools rules and methods well adapted to older pupils. The little children are too small for the out-of-door work. Their services on the farm and about the place are negligible. The plan by which the boys and girls spend half of the day in the school and half of the day in industrial occupations is well devised for the larger pupils, but it does not fit children of 6 to 10 years of age. Provision should be made so that these smaller children can have a longer time in the school room and on the playground, and less time devoted to doing chores for which they are not capable.

"The school at Tomah is fortunate in the cooperation of various departments of the State University. In particular I notice that the officers of the Department of Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin are in constant

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consultation with the superintendent at Tomah. The farm at Tomah is used for interesting agricultural experiments and is very productive. With some additional provision for drainage a considerable amount of good land now unused could be brought under cultivation.

“In my report of 1919 I urged that the work of educating the Indian children in Wisconsin should be more and more centered at Tomah, where the school is centrally located and planned and where the plant and spirit of the place have been developed through 27 years of service of one efficient and progressive superintendent. Tomah has not suffered, as so many of the schools have, by constant changes in leadership. Mr. Compton has made of the school an institution of which the department can be proud, and he ought to be in every way sustained."

Some of the recommendations carried in Commissioner Eliot's report are: (a) There should be more teachers. (b) A new hospital should be built, and the present hospital should be made over to provide living quarters for two employees and their families. (c) There is need for increased facilities for the industrial departments; a room for the dairy class; a room for the engineering classes; new facilities for the domestic science department. (d) A new gymnasium ought soon to be built between the boys' quarters and the girls' quarters. (e) The mattresses in the dormitories having become thin and poor should be replaced with new ones.

CHIPPEWA INDIANS OF MINNESOTA

Commissioner SULLIVAN

Commissioner Sullivan made a brief tour of inspection among the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota, visiting the Consolidated Chippewa Agency at Cass Lake and the Red Lake and White Earth Reservations. In his report he commented favorably upon the administration of Superintendent Peter Wadsworth, of the Consolidated Agency, and of Superintendent Brete Dooley, of the Red Lake Reservation. Some excerpts from this report follow:

"A new hospital for Indians suffering from tuberculosis is being completed at Onigum, overlooking Leech Lake. The building was formerly a boarding school. It had fallen into a state of disrepair, so that a large part of the appropriation for this hospital has had to be spent in the work of renovation and in seeking to fit the building for its new purpose. Unfortunately, not enough money is now available to build sun porches for the invalids. I recommend that an endeavor be made to secure funds for these porches, which are useful in promoting the health and comfort of tubercular patients.

In

"A school for children is located quite close to the site of this hospital. view of the well-known social habits of the Indians, and their lack of appreciation of the necessity of taking measures to prevent the spread of tuberculosis, I recommend that the school be removed to some distance from the hospital or else that strict precautions be taken to avoid the exposure of the school children to contagion.

"I was impressed deeply with the evidences of efficient and progressive management which I saw on the Red Lake Reservation. The agency buildings are in an excellent state of preservation. Cleanliness and good order were visible wherever I went. A sawmill is in process of construction. This and the fisheries in Red Lake will enable many of the Chippewas to earn their livelihood at work which is more congenial to them than farming. Large quantities of fish are caught in Red Lake and taken to the refrigerating plant maintained by the State of Minnesota on the shores of the lake at Redby.

"The Indians at White Earth are left largely under the local supervision of Dr. William Abbott, who looks after the hospital at White Earth. He is doing everything possible to induce the sick Indians in his neighborhood to take advantage of the facilities which are at their disposal in the hospital. A large percentage of the Indian women living in the neighborhood come to the hospital for the delivery of their babies,

"One of the difficulties facing those who seek to improve the health of the Chippewas is their lack of appreciation of the benefits to be derived from medical care and attention to hygiene. Some of them are unwilling to trust themselves to the ministrations of the physicians, who are ready and willing to look after them without any charge to their patients. It has been found, however, that the Indian women will receive and even welcome the help of the field nurses. Some of the Indian women are more disposed to avail

themselves of the services of the Indian field nurses than of the white nurses. Accordingly, I recommend that a special effort be made to train suitable young Indian women for this important work.

"I made some inquiry as to the truth of the allegations that last winter a number of the Chippewas at White Earth were in a starving condition. It is likely that there were isolated cases of those suffering from lack of sufficient food. Such cases exist in every community, especially during the : winter. I am convinced, however, that the broad statements as to general starvation were without foundation. Mr. Wadsworth keeps in close touch with the Indians under his charge and is prompt to relieve any acute condition. The affairs of his office are administered in a very businesslike way. It would appear that the stories of starvation were circulated in order to hasten the distribution of a portion of the Chippewa money held in trust for the Indians at Washington."

FORT TOTTEN INDIAN AGENCY, N. DAK.

Commissioner SCOTT

In the late summer of 1924 Commissioner Scott made an investigation of the Fort Totten Indian Agency in North Dakota. This jurisdiction comprises the Fort Totten Indian School and the Devils Lake Reservation. When he was a young officer of the United States Army Commissioner Scott was stationed, from 1878 to 1882, at Fort Totten, at that time and for a number of years later an important military post. He mentions this in his report in comparing the conditions of the Devils Lake Sioux in 1882 and the present time. The following quotations are from his report:

"Before my departure in October, 1882, there were very few log houses and a few small fields under cultivation. There was no large game left at that time. I remember the last bear killed here in 1879. The Indians were very poor and frequently had nothing to eat in the house save a few handfuls of corn. Their clothing was insufficient for severe winters and there was employment for only a very few men freighting supplies to the posts and agency from Jamestown. Since there were no settlements from the Red River to the Rocky Mountains, save a few hamlets along the Northern Pacific, many old people died in the winter from the effects of insufficient food and clothing. * * * An Indian was considered rich who owned 10 horses, and many of these starved to death when the snow became too deep. Many families depended upon dogs for transportation."

The present condition of the Indians is indicated by the following quotations from General Scott's report: "An inspection was made of the houses and barns covering some 90 miles travel at different parts of the reservation. There are many comfortable houses, some uncomfortable and insanitary. The superintendent reports 90 per cent of the families housed. Inspection of the dwellings showed an insanitary condition that requires the services of a field matron of force and ability, the position for whom has been abolished. It is recommended that the position be restored until conditions are alleviated. The total population of the 1923 census was 938. The 1924 census was 948, a gain of 10 in population, indicating an improvement in living conditions. All the young Indians have a knowledge of English as well as a few of the older ones.

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The people are a law-abiding, good people, although somewhat lacking in industry, especially those whose land has been leased. There have been 88 fee patents issued. A few of those who have received them have done well with their land and still hold it, but many have frittered their land away and live with their relatives without homes of their own. If the policy of issuing fee patents to others than those who have proved their capacity should be continued, a large part of these Indians would have no homes and would be a charge upon the community, with many in jail.

The

"This inspection shows a well-managed school and farm under the superintendent, Mr. W. R. Beyer, and the principal, Mr. James H. Hyde, and both are active, energetic, and capable men with a sympathetic attitude toward the Indian, and altogether the place has an air of industry and effectiveness. Indians show an advance in civilization, comfort of living, and properly accumulated knowledge of the white man's language and institutions, amount of land under cultivation, and crops raised, but not an advance commensurate with the length of time they have been in contact with white men.

Concerning the school situation General Scott reports, in part, as follows: "The only school facilities in this entire section (in 1882) was the mission school in charge of the Grey Nuns of Montreal, who devoted their lives to this service. This school was located about 8 miles to the east and could accommodate only a few children. This mission has since been moved to this vicinity and accommodates 100 Sioux children. This mission is larger and better equipped than the old one, and mainly lacks an engine and boiler for its laundry since the old one was condemned as dangerous.

"The Fort Totten School accommodates 350 children, mainly Chippewa from the Turtle Mountains. The school is in excellent condition. The premises are neatly kept. The buildings are solidly built of brick and should last for 100 years. The pupils are more comfortable than were the troops that built and occupied the post. The only need that I can perceive is a large room for the children to play in during the severe winters, when the thermometer runs down to 60° below zero and the snow falls to the depth of 2 feet, and high winds prevail, making it impossible to be out of doors. The children should not be cooped up for long periods in a narrow space. There is a fine central plant for pumping water, for heating, and for lighting the whole school. This institution is one of the most comfortable, durable, cheaply run and effective of any I have seen in the Indian Service. The attention of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs is invited to the unfavorable situation of this school in comparison with others of equal importance located on railroads. In addition there is a duplication of service, coal, and other expense, due to the fact that the two portions of the school are situated a mile apart. The allotment for the coming year of $200 per child is considered altogether insufficient.

“The medical service here has long been in a deplorable state; there has been practically no physician at all for the past 10 months. There are more than 90 cases of trachoma on the reservation and 46 in the schools, with 36 cases of tuberculosis on the reservation, besides Indians sick with other ailments, for whom no treatment is afforded."

FORT BERTHOLD INDIAN AGENCY, N. DAK.

Commissioner SCOTT

Commissioner Scott visited the Fort Berthold Indian Agency in August, 1924. The reservation approximates an area of 650,000 acres lying on both sides of the Missouri River in the western part of North Dakota. The agency headquarters is at Elbowoods 90 miles south of Minot, which is on the Great Northern Railroad. This is the reservation for the Arickaree, numbering 426; the Mandan, numbering 273; and the Hidatsa, numbering 547; a total population of 1,246. The Indians born before 1910 were allotted from 160 to 400 acres each, depending on the character of the soil and whether suitable for grazing or agriculture. The agency is in charge of Superintendent Stephen Janus. Following are some excerpts from General Scott's report:

"During the past year 238,900 acres were leased for grazing purposes. At the present time there are 29,500 acres leased for farming and 180,000 acres for grazing for the ensuing season. The land leased in 1922 netted $75,000, most of it at the rate of $1 per acre.

"There are no boarding schools other than the Catholic and Congregational mission schools. There are 368 children of school age on the reservation, all of whom attend some school, excepting those excused for physical disability, showing that the school facilities are adequate.

"The agency buildings at Elbowoods are in generally good condition. Good water, soft and pure, is piped from a well. The sewer and bathing facilities are inadequate, and the toilets adjoining the kitchens are in such a condition that they seem to me to be a menace to health. I recommend that proper sewers, baths, and sanitary facilities be installed. The crops at this reservation were generally good this year, free from losses on account of hail and grasshoppers. The Indians are generally prosperous and are pretty well housed from an Indian point of view. Superintendent Janus impressed me as an active, energetic, and sympathetic person deeply interested in the welfare of the Indians and careful of their needs."

FORT PECK INDIAN AGENCY, MONT.

Commissioner SCOTT

The Fort Peck Indian Agency in northern Montana, was visited by ComThe missioner Scott in August, 1924. Its headquarters is located at Poplar on the Great Northern Railway. Its Indian population of 2,215 comprises 808 Lower Assiniboin and 1,409 Upper Yanktonais Sioux. The reservation approximates an area of 800,000 acres, of which 212,000 acres were leased for grazing this last year and 16,000 acres for farming. It was reported that the Yanktonais farmed 2,857 acres and the Assiniboin 1,900 acres. The former tribe is mostly allotted below and the latter above the agency headquarters. According to the allotting agent there are 237,000 acres still unallotted. following is Commissioner Scott's report, in part:

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The

Most of this

There have been 622 fee patents issued at this jurisdiction. land has been sold by the allottees and a large part of the proceeds squandered. The superintendent believes it is doubtful if there is one Indian who has received a fee patent to his land that still holds it intact and unencumbered. Some of the patentees have gone to work, but many live off of the older people. There are six farming districts for this large reservation, but there are only two agency farmers. These farmers are the right hands of the superintendent, who is unable to cover such a large field personally. He should be provided with a farmer for each district; if he is to be held responsible for results, it is not reasonable to expect him to make bricks without straw. None of the Indians are becoming well to do through their activities in stock raising and farming, but the superintendent is of the opinion that quite a number of the Indian men, if they continue the way they have started this year, will soon be on the roads be on the road prosperity. Last winter it was necessary to issue rations to

"While at the reservation it was reported that there were 128 cases of tuberculosis and 286 cases of trachoma. Two doctors are assigned here, but one of them has no means of getting about the country to make visits to the sick, except for a car allotted to the farm station where he and one of the agency farmers are located. There is no field matron on the reservation, and several are badly needed to cover this extensive region where many of the Indian homes are in great need of improvement in a sanitary way.

"There are 1,203 children on the reservation. Of this number last year 43 were not in school on account of physical reasons, 27 were considered too small for attendance, and there was no record for 12 others. The agency and school buildings seem adequate and comfortable, and a number of the Indians have good homes.

"The superintendent, Mr. Peter H. Moller, was an assistant to Mr. Campbell, of the Blackfeet Agency, when the system of the five-year industrial program was evolved and is enthusiastic as to its value. It is being put in force as rapidly as possible on this reservation with good results as far as it has gone. Of the two irrigating systems reported on at my previous inspection of this jurisdiction as having no reserve water supply, the superintendent reports that no change has been made, and the ditches are often dry at the time water is most needed for irrigating the lands.

"This year there has been more rain in this western region than usually falls. The Fort Peck Indians are better prepared for winter than ever before as far as stock and feed are concerned. They have large and good gardens, and there has been a bountiful crop of hay which is close to transportation facilities. Superintendent Moller seems to be energetic, sympathetic, and deeply interested in his work."

FORT BELKNAP INDIAN AGENCY, MONT.
Commissioner SCOTT

In August of 1924 Commissioner Scott made a visit to the Fort Belknap Indian Agency to follow up an inspection he had made two years before. The reservation lies in northern Montana; its population consists of 582 Gros Ventres (Atsena) and 597 Assiniboin Indians. He noted a number of improvements in the agency and school plant which had been made since his previous visit. Parts of his report follow:

"The mess building has since been replaced, but the school principal and his family are still crowded in the girls' dormitory. A new building for the princi