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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1879
([1879])
Reports of agents in Idaho, pp. 52-57
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Page 52
52 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN IDAHO The agency horses, ten in number, are not in good condition; they are old and almost unserviceable, having been condemned by a board of survey, and their sale ordered. I trust other and better horses will soon supply their place. SHEEP. From mismanagement, want of proper care and attention, quite a number died, as I am imformed, from both starvation and disease. Their condition was such, on my assuming charge, that a board of survey on them was deemed expedient. The board recommended it advisable to sell the sheep, and in obedience to instructions from your office, they were sold for the sum of $1,800, as also this spring's clip of wool, 3,9141 pounds, for the sum of $782.90. The agency buildings are all in good order and condition, excepting a row of old ones on the bank of the river, which will soon be torn down, and such of the timbers as are of account will be used in the erection of new warehouse and stables, which you have authorized to be built. IRELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL. There are two missions at this agency-Protestant Episcopal and Presbyterian; the former under charge of Right Rev. Win. H. Hare, missionary bishop of Niobrara; the latter under charge of Rev. John P. Williamson. Both missions are doing much good toward the civilization of this tribe, with quite a number of accessions to the church during the year. There are one boarding and seven day schools on the agency. Num- ber of children attending one month or more, males, 115; females, 156. The average attendance has been good, and quite a number of the children are learning to read and write. In conclusion, I have only to add that this nation or tribe is now in a prosperous and progressive condition, and much good may be expected of them in the near future. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT S. GARDNER, Special Indian Agent. The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. FORT HALL AGENCY, IDAHO, August 31, 1879. SiR: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of agency affairs for the year ending this date. The present year has been one of peace and prosperity. I doubt if any community of like number has been more quiet and orderly than the Indians at this agency. Even the prisoners who were brought here last spring have shown a spirit of subordination that is most remarkable. They have come to the wise conclusion that it is far better to remain quietly at home than to go on the war-path, and that it is much more healthy for them. NUMBER OF INDIANS. There are at present on the reservation 888 Shoshones, 331 Bannacks. It ie esti- mated there are 142 Shoshones and 129 Bannacks absent; making a total present and absent of 1,500 Indians belonging to the agency. By this showing there has been a loss of 205 Indians since last annual report, which is accounted for as a result of the Bannack war. EDUCATION. A day-school was opened onthe 20th of January, with 8 children present. This num- ber was gradually increased until there were 22 scholars on the rolls, with an average daily attendance of 17 during the five and a half months we had school. They were at- tentive and made rapid progress. In addition to their regular school studies, a garden was cul ivated by the boys, for their own benefit, under the direction of the teacher. On the 30th of June it was deemed best to give the children a vacation of two months, with which they were very much pleased, and expressed a desire to return as soon as the school should be reopened. While a day-school is better than no school at all, it does not supply the needed
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