TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. 1894. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1895. 35145 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. WASHINGTON, D. C., February 9, 1895. SIR: The Board of Indian Commissioners, pursuant to the act of May 17, 1882, respectfully submit their twenty-sixth annual report. Since our last report we have suffered a grievous loss in the death of our highly esteemed colleague, Hon. Elbert B. Monroe, of Tarrytown, N. Y. At a meeting held in New York May 31 the following minute was offered by President Gates, and unanimously adopted: Mr. Elbert B. Monroe has served on this board since December 17, 1891. He has shown himself deeply interested in all that concerns the education, the civilization, the Christianization of the Indians. His experience in business life in New York, his sound judgment, his gracious and attractive personality, and his invariable devotion to principle, and advocacy of the highest standards, and the most unselfish spirit in all dealings with the Indians have made him a valuable member of the board and have endeared him to us all. We wish to express to the members of his family circle our high appreciation of his character and our sense of personal loss in his death. We regret to report, also, the death during the last year of two former members of the board, Gen. George Stoneman, of California, and Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Rhode Island, the latter having served faithfully and efficiently several years as our chairman. The vacancy caused by the death of Col. William McMichael, in 1893, was filled, by the appointment January 29, 1894, of Hon. Charles C. Painter, whose long experience and service as agent of the Indian Rights Association rendered him a valuable accession to our board. But after serving a little less than one year he was suddenly removed by death. At a meeting of the board held January 15, 1895, the following minute was offered by Commissioner Garrett, and unanimously adopted: We were anticipating a career of great usefulness from Mr. Painter as a member of this board, when he was suddenly removed from works to rewards, on the 13th of January. He was in many respects peculiarly fitted for his position, having great vigor and energy in discovering and exposing abuses in the Indian service, zeal in the defense of the Indians' just rights, and perseverance in urging upon the Government and Congress important measures in their interest. His recent visit to the Pottawatomies, of Oklahoma, was the last undertaken by a member of the board. His long experience in the cause in connection with the Indian Rights Association made him one of the best informed men in this country on the Indian question, and he was not infrequently consulted by the President and Members of Congress on important subjects upon which they desired information in this connection. His loss will be severely felt by the board, and we sincerely sympathize with his family in their sudden bereavement. 3 |