REPLIES FROM INDIAN AGENTS ON RESERVATIONS WHERE ALLOTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. CROW CREEK INDIAN AGENCY, Crow Creek, S. Dak., May 2, 1898. Mr. E. WHITTLESEY, Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C. SIR: Replying to your letter of April 5, 1898, in which you ask for information as to the results of the policy of allotting land in severalty to Indians, would say1. That there have been 879 allotments made to the Indians of this agency. 2. That there have been 199 patents issued. 3. That all the Indians that have been allotted are living upon their allotments. 4. That they are cultivating their lands to a small extent for the reason that crops are almost a sure failure by reason of the repeated droughts. 5. That there are none of the lands leased. 6. That, in my opinion, the allotment plan is disadvantageous in many respects, more especially in a country like this where agriculture is almost a failure. I would not like to discourage this plan here now for the reason that the Indians have all taken their allotments and are living upon them. But if these people could have been given a sufficient number of cattle to start a common herd among them, and the reservation fenced, I think they would have been in much better condition now than they are by trying to till the soil and graze whatever of stock they have upon their own lands. This is preeminently a stock country, and I think this industry will be the one that will eventually make these Indians self-supporting. They have been averse to taking their patents for the reason that they think they will become citizens then and will have to pay taxes and be amenable to all the laws of the white man. Another serious drawback to the allotment system is that when they take their allotments in severalty they are regarded as citizens and the Indians of this agency, and other agencies that I am acquainted with are far from being ready to assume the responsibilities of citizenship. When the power of the agent to discipline the Indians of his agency is taken away, and such power is taken away when the Indian becomes a citizen, it instills a spirit of insubordination in him and makes him a more lawless and worthless character than he otherwise would be. I think also that the leasing of certain allotments near the border of the reservation to substantial farmers would be a good thing for allottee and the Indians as well. Very respectfully, JAMES H. STEPHENS, United States Indian Agent. Hon. E. WHITTLESEY, DEVILS LAKE AGENCY, Fort Totten, N. Dak., May 6, 1898. Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report in pursuance of your request of the 15th ultimo: 1. Our records show that 1,158 allotments have been made. 2. That 865 patents have been issued. 3. The majority of the adults are living on their allotments. 4. There are 4,000 acres in crop this spring, and they would have put 2,000 acres more if we could have obtained the seed for them and rations sufficient to have kept them alive, some actually being reduced to the necessity of living on gophers. 5. The leases are few and confined to themselves in all but one instance, where a white man has rented for the present year; result not arrived at. 12 6. The benefits of the allotment system are, first, a wider knowledge of individual property rights, consequently some degree of personal responsibility (though the latter is not a marked feature of the present generation on this reservation); second, a tendency to fixed habitation and home building; the evils seem to arise from ignorance on their part and the selection, in many instances, of lands totally unfitted to agriculture; third, dividing the allotment into 40-acre lots, in some instances many miles apart, necessitating great inconvenience in the cultivation; fourth, alloting to children should be discontinued, the land being saved and allotted when the child becomes of age and has saved enough to cultivate it. Yours, respectfully, F. O. GETCHELL, United States Indian Agent. SAC AND FOX AGENCY, Washington, D. C. The BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS, GENTLEMEN: In reply to your inquiries dated April 5, 1898, I have the honor to submit the following answers: 1. There were 2,363 allotments made to Indians under this agency. 2. A patent was issued by the Department to each allottee and delivered to allottee by Indian agent, who would receipt for same in duplicate. 3. About three-fourths of the Indians under this agency are either living upon their lands or controlling them through lessees. 4. Not more than one-fifth of the Indians are cultivating their lands in person. 5. About one-half of their lands are leased and with the best of results, as a source of revenue to the allottee, and his contact with the white lessees is encouraging more of them to work themselves. 6. The benefits to the Indian in taking his allotment are numerous. It brings him more directly in contact with civilization. He observes more closely the advantages of industry and frugality as seen in his white neighbors. He is brought face to face with the advantages of education, sobriety, and religious habits of life. When the Indians' lands are not allotted, they keep up their old tribal relations, live huddled together in villages, and seldom come in contact with the influences of civilization and enlightenment. Very respectfully, Hon. E. WHITTLESEY, LEE PATRICK, United States Indian Agent. MISSION TULE RIVER "CON" AGENCY, CAL., San Jacinto, May 12, 1898. Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication bearing date April 25, 1898, and respectfully reply to your inquiries as follows: 1. The records of this office show that 361 allotments have been made to Indians of this agency. The location, number of allotments, and by whom made are detailed as follows: 2. Patents have been issued for Pala, Pechanga, and Sycuan. These patents, amounting to 117 for the three reservations named, have been delivered so far as possible. 3. Practically all the Indians are occupying the lands allotted to them. 4. Generally speaking, the Indians are cultivating their lands fairly well. They are proud of their lands and homes and by observing are improving each year. I regret to say in this connection that the present year is most discouraging to farmers in California. We are experiencing a severe drought in southern California; crops are almost a failure; natural feed is scarce; hay is high. This will cause much hardship and suffering for the Indians and their stock and will tax their ingenuity to the utmost to obtain subsistence until the rains come again. 5. I am not aware of any leases having been made by individuals. 6. In my opinion there are some benefits from the allotment policy, provided, however, that the Government has undoubted title to the lands allotted. The land difficulties at this agency are numerous, covering, as it does, so much territory and embracing so many reservations, and there is such a stubborn resistance on the part of many white people to the Indians occupying the lands set apart for them that the friction between Indian and white neighbors is constant. I would suggest that a better system of surveys should be made, giving good conspicuous stakes or monuments, thus plainly defining the lines of the reservations. Indians seem ignorant of the lines of their reservations and often come to my office for information. Being poorly equipped with good and accurate maps and good descriptions of the reservation lines, I am frequently unable to give the Indians the information they desire. In conclusion I trust I have been sufficiently explicit in complying with your request. I assure you that the Indians will work. They are becoming better farmers, more self-reliant and self-supporting, year by year. Their landed interests give them the greatest concern, and to the end that their lands and homes may be secured to them and be made permanent I will gladly give any information and assistance in my power. Respectfully, L. A. WRIGHT, United States Indian Agent. CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHOE INDIAN AGENCY, Hon. E. WHITTLESEY, Secretary Board Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C: SIR: Replying to your letter of April 5 last, I submit the following data, as requested: 1. Three thousand three hundred and twenty-eight. 2. Three thousand three hundred and twenty-eight trust patents. 3. Eighty per cent. 4. All able-bodied Indians are cultivating their lands, with a fair degree of success. 5. Twenty per cent of their lands are leased, with fair results. Owing to the fact that some Indians have more land than they can cultivate, and others being incapacitated by reason of age, etc., the leasing of land is thought to be the means of improving their allotments, affords them a revenue, and in such instances is encouraged. 6. The benefits derived from the allotment policy are indeed many; the evils few. Allotment of land in severalty serves to break down the nomadic habits of the Indian. It gives him land which he can call his own and in which he acquires a personal pride. He is encouraged to make for himself a permanent home with pleasant surroundings, and while living side by side with his white neighbors he has the benefit of practical object lessons in his efforts to adopt civilized habits. While objects aimed at may not in all instances be acquired in the present generation, the civilizing wedge will be driven, and those following will take up the work of their fathers and push it with vigor, for we must remember that where once stood the log cabin of the hardy pioneer is to-day covered by structures towering to the sky as silent witnesses of the onward march of civilization, which were little thought of during the early days. So let us trust that the same lot and portion awaits the Indian. I wish to say that your letter was received while I was at Washington on a visit, was filed away in the office here until now, and hence the delay in giving you the desired data. A. E. WOODSON, Major, U. S. A., Acting Indian Agent. Respectfully, yours, BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS, QUAPAW AGENCY, IND. T., June 3, 1898. Washington, D. C. SIRS: In reply to your communication of April 5, 1898, asking for certain information in regard to allotments, etc., to Indians of this agency, I have the honor to submit the following: 1, 2. All of the Indians of the reservations of this agency have received allotments, except those born since the allotments were made, and patents have been issued to such allottees. (See Report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1897, pp. 432, 433.) 3. About seven-eighths of the allottees live on their allotments and cultivate portions of the same. 4, 5. About three-fourths of the allottees lease the greater portion of their lands and live on and cultivate the balance themselves. The other fourth cultivate all of their allotment, with good results. The leasing of their lands is a benefit to the allottees, as it brings them good neighbors, and lands which in most cases would lie idle are greatly improved by the lessee. Very few of the lessees are a detriment to the Indians. 6. Where the Indians are prepared to receive allotments, as is the case at this agency, the allotment policy is a benefit to them. When allottees have progressed sufficiently in the ways of civilization, they should be permitted to alienate portions of their lands, not to exceed one-half, with the understanding, however, that the proceeds of such alienation shall be devoted to the improvement of their remaining lands. In my opinion the education of Indian youth in reservation schools is the solution of the Indian question. EDWARD GOLDBERG, Very respectfully, United States Indian Agent. COVELO, CAL., June 16, 1898. SIRS: In answer to your questions of the 1st of April, 1898, I have the honor to submit the following: Six hundred and twenty-two allotments have been made. Six hundred and four patents have been issued. About 75 per cent of the Indians are living on their allotments. About 50 per cent of their lands are being cultivated. Their lands are not leased, owing to the small allotments and the requirements of cash rent for the consideration of the conditions necessary to lease. The community is so remote from a market and the roads thereto are so steep and difficult of travel and the expense of transportation so great that it is impossible to transport farm products to market, the cost of transportation being from $20 to $40 per ton, according to the season. Therefore farm products, as a rule, are fed to stock and the stock driven to Ukiah, the nearest market, a distance of 75 miles. If I were allowed to lease the allotments for grain rent, or lease others for a term of years to have them cleared, fenced, ditched, and small houses built, I am of the opinion great good could be accomplished for the allotees. I could with little difficulty lease a number of allotments on the latter conditions, and in a few years the whole reservation (the valley portion) would be under cultivation and yielding a sustenance for the Indians, where, as is now, I am convinced that these allotments spoken of will long remain in their native brush and be of little benefit to their owners. Another evil which, in my opinion, should be remedied is: When the news of the contemplated issue of lands, etc., was spread abroad a number of very undesirable half-breeds and squaw men flocked to the reservation and procured lands. A great many left immediately and have not since done labor or other improvement. Some of these allotments are situated on the margin of the fenced portion of the reservation, and the fence which was on it at the time of the issue, which was placed there by the Government, has decayed, and the aforesaid parties will not improve the fence, and as a result stock break into the fields and destroy the crops of the Indians. This is a nuisance which should be abated by the cancellation of their allotments and the issue to others who have no homes and who would improve them. In my opinion the allotting policy should be amended to overcome these evils, and the improvement of the Indians would be more rapid. Very respectfully, GEO. W. PATRICK, Superintendent. Mr. E. WHITTLESEY, PIMA INDIAN AGENCY, Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C. SIR: Under date of April 5, 1898, you addressed a communication to the agent of Pima Agency, who was then Mr. H. J. Cleveland, who died May 17. I find your letter on the files of this office unanswered. Although a little late with reply, I, as special agent in temporary charge, will endeavor now to give you the information asked for. This agency has in its charge the Pima, Papago, and Maricopa Indians. The only allotted lands so far are to the Papagoes, at San Xavier and Gila Bend reservations. At San Xavier, 291 allotments, 291 patents issued; 40 living on their allotments. At Gila Bend, 679 allotments; no patents yet; but few if any living on allotments, by reason of no water for irrigation. In further answers to queries 4, 5, and 6, I respectfully refer you to report of Mr. J. M. Berger, farmer, in charge of the Papagoes at San Xavier, under date of April 21, which gives all the information on the subject this agency can at present supply. Could the Government or some private corporation see its way clear to make an investment of a couple of million dollars in what is known as the Butler Reservoir, a permanent and abundant water supply could be obtained that would make serviceable, and with astonishing results, many thousands of acres of these Indian lands now practically worthless? Perhaps the day may soon come. There would then be a great incentive to taking allotments and making improvements. With water, this great valley would be rich; without it, but little better than a desert. Respectfully, S. L. TAGGART, United States Special Indian Agent, in charge. PIMA AGENCY, ARIZ., Hon. H. J. CLEVELAND, United States Indian Agent, Sacaton. San Xavier Reservation, April 21, 1898. SIR: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to give you below the information asked for in "Circular letter" of the honorable board of supervisors in regard to allotting land in severalty to Indians at the San Xavier Reservation under my charge. 1. In 1890 291 allotments were made, each head of family receiving 20 acres of farming land, and 140 acres of timber and so-called mesa land. 2. In 1891 patents (291) therefor were issued. 3. About forty families are living on their farming land. In view of the fact that about one-half of the cultivated land is overflowed every year in the rainy season, it would be dangerous to live permanently on land so exposed, and therefore, many of the allottees reside there only temporarily. 4. About three-fourths of the allotted farming land is under cultivation. 5. As yet no land has been leased. 6. In my opinion no steps could have been taken which would benefit more these Indians than allotting land in severalty to them. With the exception of a very few malcontents, found everywhere, each allottee appreciates now fully the privilege of being the exclusive owner of a piece of land which he positively knows belongs to him and his family. It gives them a greater inclination toward farming, and especially toward a more careful clearing and cultivating of their land, than they ever had before. I am very often called upon to settle questions in regard to boundary lines of individual parcels of land, which goes to show that they begin to appreciate the value of every foot of land allotted to them. Notwithstanding the fact that the clearing of land here is a very laborious task, on account of the frequent occurrence of mesquite trees and stumps and the exceedingly pertinacious sacaton or bunch grass, there is continuously more allotted land cleared and cultivated, and that too, by Indians who in 1890, when the allotment was made, thought, and in my presence said, that the land allotted to them was not worth fencing and clearing. I have known personally these allottees and their situation since 1893. In 1890, when the allotment was made, I acted as official interpreter, and since then, for eight years, I have been the farmer in charge of this reservation, and I am, therefore, certainly in a position to know the condition of these allottees. Very respectfully, J. M. BERGER, Farmer in charge. GRANDE RONDE SCHOOL, OREG., May 1, 1898. E. WHITTLESEY, Secretary Board of Indian Commissioners, Washington, D. C. SIR: Yours of the 5th of April relative to the results of the policy of allotting lands in severalty to Indians to hand. In reply: 1. Two hundred and sixty-nine allotments have been made to Indians of this agency. 2. Two hundred and sixty-nine patents have been issued. 3. Ninety-seven. 4. Nearly all tillable land is being cultivated this year. |