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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1874
([1874])
[Kansas], pp. 211-218
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Page 211
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 211 the patient falls into the hands of the "medicine-men." A lady Friend has been sent here- under the auspices of the New York Yearly Meeting of Friends, to look after and care for the sick, and teach the women household duties A hospital would aid her very much in her work, and be of invaluable benefit to the tribe. I earnestly desire that steps be taken to secure such an institution at the earliest possible day. WISCONSIN WINNEBAGOES. That portion of the tribe known as the Wisconsin Winnebagoes, who were removed here last winter, have been the means of retarding civilization in the tribe to a very great extent. From the moment of their arrival they set up the cry of dissatisfaction, and have kept it up until they have unsettled and demoralized a number of the young men of the reservation, or Nebraska Indians, who previously had taken some steps toward industry and self-support, and have induced seventeen of these to return with them to Wisconsin. More than one- half of the Wisconsins removed here last winter have returned to that State within the last four months. On the 19th day of last Fifthmonth I received notice that a special agent, in the person of D. B. Bon, had been appointed to aid me in retaining these Indians upon this reservation, and to provide for their comfort, and also to assist me in advancing them in the arts of civilization. A quantity of clothing, blankets, shoes, &c., had been provided by the Department for their benefit, which the larger portion of the Indians refused to accept, claiming that they had been promised much more. Special Agent Bon urged the necessity of issuing the goods to those who were willing to remain, in order to make them the better contented. I reluctantly consented, (knowing their infidelity,) and the result is that many who received goods have left the reservation, notwithstanding all our efforts to retain them. A portion of the Wisconsin Indians who were removed are at work on their land, doing what they can with the means at hand toward making homes for themselves, and deserve the favor of the Government. MINNESOTA WINNEBAGOES. Previous to my assuming charge here a number of Winnebagoes from Minnesota, mostly half-bloods who had become citizens and received their proportion of the tribal fund. had come among the tribe. Their influence with the Indians was bad, and I frequently requested them to leave, without effect. I then notified the Department of their unlawful presence here and received authority to have them removed, which I have done, and hope now to be able to keep clear of their contaminating influence. DONATIONS. There has been furnished for the tribe during the year, by contribution from the New' York Friends, clothing to the amount of about $650, and $100 in cash for sanitary purposes, nearly all of which has been issued to the Indians, and has been of great benefit to theni, the sanitary fund in particular. The Friends have also sent a very fine bell for the indus- trial-school building which will prove a valuable acquisition to that institution. GENERAL REMARKS. It is my opinion that if the Winnebago Indians are kept under the care of some religious denomination that Will direct and protect them in a straightforward course, that the time is not far distant when they will become self-sustaining and independent. I do not think it would be wise policy to citizenize them; a few might prosper under such an arrangement, but the greater number would squander their property and become paupers and vagrants. I believe there is now great reason for encouragement, and, if they can be kept under the proper influences and guided and directed by honest officers, that the time will soon come when they will be a prosperous and happy people. Very respectfully, TAYLOR BRADLEY, United States Indian Agent. Hon. EDWARD P. SMITH, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. G. OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, CENTRAL SUPERINTENDENCY, Lawrence, Kans., Ttuthmonth 20, 1874. Hon. EDWARD P. SMITH, Commissioner Indian Afairs, Washington, D. C.: I present herewith my sixth annual report on the condition of the Indians of the Central superintendency, and in doing so it is gratifying to be able to state that a visible advance in civilization has been made by all these Indians, except that portion of the Cheyenues, Co- I
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