Total number of acres worked by Indians...

Increase over last year in acres.

3221

About 1,100 tons of hay have, up to this time, been made by the tribe.

AGENCY FARM.

1191

During the year 13 acres of new land was added to agency farm, making the area now under cultivation 60 acres, as follows: Wheat, 15 acres; oats, 20 acres; corn, 20 acres; potatoes and garden, 5 acres. Enough has been produced to provide feed for the agency stock and for seed next year for both agency and Indians. Eighty-five tons of hay were put up for agency use. It has been found unnecessary to purchase either wood or forage.

STOCK RAISING.

Early last spring 105 head of cattle were transferred from the herd held for breeding purposes at Crow Creek Agency to this place and issued to the Brulés; and on the 29th of June the 500 head purchased by the department for this tribe were issued to them.

I do not think that these people are quite prepared to carry on stock-raising extensively, or that they can become so until the common interest in the gratuities furnished by the government can be entirely extinguished. A number of the cattle issued have been killed and some given away to the people of other tribes. The majority of the people, however, take very good care of their cattle and herd them regularly, but these are the ones who suffer from the depredations of the others.

As I am writing this report, three individuals of the tribe ask permission to move away to Medicine Creek, about sixteen miles west of the agency, a very suitable place for a settlement, alleging that it is impossible for them to raise any stock that they may call their own in the immediate neighborhood of the tribe. Permission has been given, and they will be aided in every way possible, and others encouraged to follow.

CIVILIZATION.

The present situation of this tribe is one that leaves it equally balanced between the influences of civilization and the conditions of savage life. The Missouri River divides it from a railroad terminus on the east, the rapidly-increasing settlements of the white people, and the various industries that follow the track of the iron horse, while on the west, for 200 miles, extends the former hunting-ground, now occupied by 13,000 kindred Sioux, still savage and unsubdued, and in daily contact and intercourse with this tribe. Communication with the hostile Indians in the north is also constantly maintained, and visits are frequently exchanged.

Every family in the tribe, except a few old people who will not abandon the lodge, is now living in a house. The most of these habitations are of logs and of rude construction; but during the past year many of them have been greatly improved by additions and improvements made from cottonwood lumber, while a number of them have been entirely renovated, floored, and covered with shingles. The majority of the people have also constructed very good stables and corrals, but rarely make use of them except in the most severe weather. A few only have evinced a desire to improve the condition of the household at their own expense or by their own energy, while the articles supplied by the government, being readily obtained for nothing, are estimated to be of little value, and are often sold or bartered for things of no practical use to them.

A very marked improvement may be observed among those who have separated themselves from the villages and established domicils independent of the tribe and the chiefs. There is nothing more detrimental to the progress of civilization among Indians than the recognition and maintenance of tribal unity and the acknowledgement of chieftainship. It is only in the savage state that the chief is a leading and important character. In peace and under the influence of laws and discipline he is superfluous, arrogant, inflated, and a malcontent. Deeming it effeminate to work, much of his time is spent in counciling, fomenting discontent, and resorting to small schemes to enhance his importance and popularity with his people and with the agent.

It is my opinion that the Indian, when not disturbed, gains very much more than he loses by contact with the settlers, who are mostly farmers or stock raisers, and it may be observed that many of the changes that take place in the Indian mode of life are but imitations of the methods of the white man of the better class.

Opposition to labor, which so generally prevailed but a short time ago, has about disappeared, as the opposition to education did before it. As the necessity for labor increases, the sense of degradation imposed by it becomes less. Last spring the Indians plowed their land early, and there was no tardiness in putting in their crops.

The breaking of new land was performed by themselves, superintended by an employé. During the year two small parties left the agency, intent on resuming war with the Rees. They did not succeed in meeting any of their enemies, and returned to the agency and denied that their intentions were hostile.

I am not able to report that I am certain that dancing has sensibly diminished during the year, though I may allege that it is much less practiced now than it was three or four years ago. Dancing continues much as formerly, but the membership of the "Grass Lodge," and other dancing coteries, is gradually being narrowed by defection or want of interest. These Indians appear to have abandoned the "Sun Dance," and it is rarely spoken of except when there is to be one at another agency. On these occasions a large number attend. This atrocious feature should be interdicted and the military forces employed to prohibit the practice. This would be at least as consistent as the enforcement of laws preventing cruelty to animals.

The desire for the acquisition of personal property suitable to the civilized condition is becoming very great. This is probably because the uses and convertibility of goods and chattels are better understood than formerly. I have the greatest difficulty in equally distributing the use of farm machinery and tools and implements among those who learn how to use them. It frequently happens that a man having obtained the loan of a mower or other useful article will, after finishing, bring it to his house and challenge anybody else to take it without an order from the agent. These disputes are constantly going on and are an aggravating trespass upon the time and forbearance of an agent.

The Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad is now being graded to a point directly across the river from the agency, and will subsequently be carried across the reservation. Last year when the line was surveyed, the whole tribe was united in the determination to oppose it, by force if necessary, and I apprehended some trouble about the matter. After the subject was thoroughly canvassed, this opposition disappeared and the tribe was the first to sign articles of agreement conceding the right of way to the company.

A very amicable agreement was effected between the company's officers and the Indiaus, and twenty of the latter joined the surveying party and accompanied it to the Cheyenne River. The people are now as anxious to get the road as they were at first to resist it. It must greatly benefit these people in every way, but especially by affording them a ready market for their produce and by disrupting the monopoly of trade to which the Indians are compelled to submit.

EDUCATION.

A day school was open at Little Pheasant's camp near the mouth of White River up to the first of June. It was not successful.

Authority has been given for the purchase of material to construct an industrial boarding school near the agency. This will accommodate fifty scholars, and will be opened about the 1st of February. I regard all expenditure on account of camp or day schools in this tribe as a waste. Many of the people are anxious to send their children to the East to be educated, but the majority are opposed to this.

SANITARY CONDITION.

The total number of Indians who asked for and received medical treatment since Angust, 1879, is 313; died while under treatment, 4. These figures indicate that the Incantations and mummery of the "medicine mau are now rarely resorted to for relief from pain and disease.

Last spring some Indians at the mouth of White River invaded the sanctum of the principal medicine man, thoroughly dissected his laboratory, and exposed the earthy nature of the trash made use of by these impostors, to the ridicule and laughter of believers and unbelievers alike.

The physician reports that many of the diseases treated are induced by the improper preparation of food. The death rate has diminished over 15 per centum of what it was when the people lived in lodges.

MISSION WORK.

Mission work is conducted under the auspices of the Episcopal Church with the most Satisfactory results, the clergyman in charge being an educated Santee Indian. This man is also a practical and successful farmer, and in every respect his influence is saltary and full of good results. Service is held in the agency chapel in Dakota and English.

CRIMES AND OFFENSES-GRIEVANCES.

I am pleased to be able to record that during the year no known crime has been committed within the tribe by any member of it, and that the only offense recorded is one committed by an Indian from another agency, who killed a horse owned by an employé because he could not get supplies.

I know of no grievance existing, except one harbored by the trader against the railroad company for the invasion of the reservation. He regards this as an unparalleled outrage upon the tribe, and as certain to result in its dissolution.

INDIAN POLICE.

The police force was first organized at this agency in August, 1878. Opposition to it, as to every innovation, was general and very decided, and in the February following the members were forced to renounce service by the intimidation of an armed party under the dictation of the chiefs. In October last year it was reorganized, and now consists of one captain, one sergeant, and eight privates. It is not efficient or reliable, and cannot be so when every man is equally well armed and reserves the right to be his own policeman. There has, however, been very little occasion to test its efficiency or usefulness.

SUPPLIES AND ISSUES.

The subsistence supplies furnished during the year were abundant and of excellent quality. The beef was particularly good, and was plentifully and promptly delivered. Issues are made weekly on Saturday forenoon.`

THE AGENCY.

During the year the agency has been improved by the addition of a commodious issue house and two dwellings for employés, all frame buildings; and at present a new building 60 x 24 feet is being constructed of cottonwood lumber for blacksmiths', carpenters', and wagon shops, and the agency inclosure is being enlarged for several other buildings it is now necessary to erect.

A saw-mill 82 by 24 feet was erected last fall at the mouth of White River, all the material except the shingles having been sawed on the spot, and the work, as also that on the buildings at the agency, performed by the employés. The saw-mill is found to be an important factor in the improvement of the tribe as well as of the agency. The latter has been in an unfinished state since it was established, four years ago. I expect to have it completed this fall. A frame dwelling was also constructed near the agency for the principal chief, who is now old and unable to work.

EMPLOYÉS.

The employé force consists of-whites: 1 physician, 1 clerk, 1 farmer, 1 carpenter, 1 blacksmith, 4 laborers. Indians: 1 interpreter, 1 chief herder, 2 herders, 2 laborers, 2 apprentices, 1 messenger. Twelve to fifteen Indians are engaged at irregular times, when their services are required, harvesting, cutting timber, &c. The amount of mechanical labor necessary to keep in repair nearly 200 houses, over 100 wagons, the implements and machinery in use by the Indians and the agency, &c., is very great, and keeps the mechanics incessantly employed.

THE RESERVATION.

By the sixth article of a treaty made with the Lower Brulés at Fort Sully, in October, 1865, the reservation of this tribe is declared to be a tract 20 miles in length along the Missouri River, and ten miles in depth. The Indians declare that, although they made a treaty at the time and place named, they never knew that they consented to be restricted to the boundaries defined in the sixth article. They have always lived on and still claim to own the territory embraced between the Niobrara and Bad River, and the Cheyenne and Missouri. However this may be, the present reservation should be enlarged so as to include the Yellow Medicine River or the lower part of it, and the Great Bend of the Missouri, where wood, water, and arable land may be found together.

I think a part of the tribe will move to lower part of Medicine Creek, as they are now compelled to live on the Missouri and White Rivers to obtain wood and water. At the latter-named places the arable land within reach of the rivers is limited, and will not be half sufficient for the tribe if land is ever taken in severalty.

GENERAL REMARKS.

This tribe, and in fact twenty thousand of the Sioux, are now face to face with a commercial civilization, the advance of which neither laws nor physical force can stay or turn aside. They are encompassed, hedged in at every point, by a rapidly increasing and unfriendly population. The public lands from the border of Minnesota to the Missouri River will very soon be covered with farms, cities, and towns, that are springing up along the three great railroads that debouch upon the territory of the Sioux. These can never be peaceably removed, and their destiny will probably have to be wrought out on their native soil, the surrender of which can be but little longer deferred. That the fate of the Sioux can be a happier one than the fate of the great

tribes that were encountered by American civilization in the past is exceedingly improbable. Is it reasonable to assume that this tribe of wild, unconquered warriors will quietly and peaceably submit to the inevitable mutations that must either destroy them or submerge them under the movement of the dominant race? I think it is not. The history of the Sioux nation for the last eighteen years contradicts the assumption, and these Indians are now more homogeneous and powerful than ever before. If the fate that overtook the powerful Indian tribes that are now gone from existence can be averted from the Sioux, it can only be by their timely submission to civilization and laws. The very great majority of the Sioux, and among them the Lower Brulés, are unprepared for this change, and to await its development by evolution will be a fatal delay.

Accordingly. I believe that all the Teton Sioux should be disarmed and forced to receive and be governed by the laws or principles of law that govern the fifty million people who support them; that tribal sovereignty, chieftainship, the sun dance, all superstitious practices, and polygamy should be abolished by a prohibition by force; that each family should be allotted enough of arable land to live on, and at places where it is possible to live by labor; that labor and education be made compulsory; that the sale and abduction of women be made punishable by imprisonment, and that the organic unity of the family be established and maintained under one mother.

These changes can be effected only by the employment of physical force. If they ever are brought about, the change will necessarily involve the undoing of much that has already been accomplished at the expense of great labor and much money. But would not the result justify the means and the sacrifice? I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. E. DOUGHERTY, Captain, First Infantry, Acting Indian Agent.

THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

PINE RIDGE AGENCY, DAKOTA, September 1, 1880. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as my annual report for the past twelve months, in accordance with requirements of circular letter, Office of Indian Affairs, July 18, 1880.

THE INDIANS.

There have been carried on the rolls of this agency for the past year about 7,200 Indians, consisting almost entirely of Ogalala Sioux, with a small number of the Wazazas.

In addition to the above, there had been residing on the reservation, up to the middle of last November, about 120 of the Northern Cheyennes, under the famous chief Dull Knife. These were part of the Cheyennes who had departed from the Indian Territory in the season of 1878, and had afterward escaped with Dull Knife from the so-called Fort Robinson massacre in January, 1879. These people were a constant source of trouble, as they were mourning continually for their relatives who were killed after their escape from the Territory, and, being of a more warlike nature than our Sioux, were causing a more or less unsettled feeling, so I was only too glad to accede to a request of General Miles-and by authority of the Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs—to transfer the party to Fort Keogh, Montana, where they have since remained under the control of the military.

During the past year there have also been a number of delegates or messengers from Sitting Bull's hostiles at different times on a visit at the agency, the scarcity of buffalo and other game in the White Mothers' country, and consequent hunger, forcing them in to see what inducements the Great Father would offer them to return to what used to be their respective agencies; but discovering that the "prodigal son" system of dealing with them, formerly in vogue, had been abandoned by our government, and that the inducements in the way of unconditional surrender must come from their side of the house, they returned to their comrades in the far North sadder, and it is to be hoped wiser, men.

The Ogalalas themselves, belonging to and residing at the agency, have been, for the past year, remarkably quiet and peaceful. No crime of any kind has been com mitted by them on the persons or property of the white residents in the vicinity of the reservation. This certainly speaks well for a semi-savage population of over 7,000 people.

These people being at peace, as they are, with the whites and neighboring aboriginal Tribes, and being well provided for by the government, are necessarily on the increase. The births far exceed the death rate, so that the noble red man, contrary to the sanguide expectations of the majority of eastern people, is by no means becoming extinct, and there will probably be occupation for missionaries and Indian agents far into the future.