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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the commissioner of Indian affairs, for the year 1874
([1874])
[Dakota], pp. 238-259
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Page 238
238 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. and eighth months there was no rain, and the intense heat and dry weather cut off the corn and other crops that were then maturing. The hot dry south winds, with the mercury stand- ing at 1100 in the shade, in a few days changed the appearance of the corn-fields from a fine healthy green to a brown or scorched-looking color, and the corn wilted and dried up. Last year the crops were also cut short by dry weather, and two successive seasons in which the crops have fallen short, and in many cases being an entire failure, have disappointed us in our expectation of having home-raised supplies, by which the Indians of the Wichita agency would be supplied with subsistence nearly sufficient for their use, by which the Government would be partly relieved from providing for them. The school continued in a prosperous condition throughout the year. When the winter- session opened at the beginning of the Ninthmonth, 1873, the Wichita children who had at- tended the day-school the previous session were admitted into the manual-labor and boarding school, at the request of the Indians, and the day-school was abandoned. At first there was some difficulty in keeping the children regularly in school; they would run away to their camps, and sometimes they would remain there for several days together. But after this state of things had existed for two or three months it was made the business of one of the teachers to follow them as soon as it was ascertained that they had left the school, and either bring them back or have their people to do so at once. In a short time all difficulty disap- peared, and the children soon became attached to the school and to those in whose charge they were placed. For a detailed account of the condition of the school, the branches taught, the number of scholars and their progress, I hereby refer to the teachers' report, herewith. Instructions having been received from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to enroll all Indians capable of bearing arms, it was accordingly done, and the Indians were instructed to remain netr to the agency, and not to leave it without special permission. In the Eighth. month, soon after this enrollment was made, several Kiowa chiefs came from their own agency, where they had been enrolled, and camped on the Washita River near to the camps of the Wichitas. Two Comanche chiefs who had not been enrolled encamped with their bands also near to the Washita, and not far from the building where the Indian supplies are kept. The general in command at Fort Sill having been informed that these Indians were at the Wichita agency, contrary to orders, he proceeded there with four companies of cavalry for the purpose of arresting the Comanche chiefs, and in making the arrest he was fired upon by some Kiowas, from behind the above-named building. This brought on an engage- ment which lasted several hours, during which time several white persons were killed by the Indians and more or less damage was done to property. From this sad occurrence the Indians of the Wichita agency, who are peaceable and loyal, suffered much loss in the de- struction of their property. This disaster, together with what they have suffered from loss of crops by dry weather, leaves them in a destitute condition, and they will require generous assistance from the Government. The Indians of this agency are still very much disturbed by lawless white men who bring whisky into the country, and trade it to them for ponies or other property. These lawless depredators steal their horses in large numbers, and are a great hindrance to their advance- ment in civilization. The great difficulty attending the prosecution of these marauders, even after being arrested, emboldens them to deeds of wickedness, which, with proper means of having them tried, and, when tried and convicted, properly punished, would remove in a great measure this great evil which now interferes so greatly with our labors. The difficulty does not so much lay in want of means for arresting these desperadoes, as in a prompt and efficient disposal of such cases after arrest. The parties have to be carried into the State of Arkansas, where it is almost impossible to get witnesses to go to testify against them. If the Government could pass an act that would remedy this evil, it is my conviction that the difficulties with the wild tribes that give us so much trouble would be greatly lessened, and the more civilized bands would advance much more rapidly. In conclusion, I would express my appreciation of the prompt and valuable aid I have received from the employds of the agency, and their efficient services in the different divisions of labor. Upon these depend, in a great measure, the success of the work, and none should be employed but those of confirmed moral habits, who can unitedly labor upon the principle upon which the work was undertaken. With such helpers and a confiding trust in the pro- tecting care of an overruling Providence, notwithstanding difficulties and discouragements will be met with, I trust the work which has been carried forward thus far will be continued to a successful conclusion, arid the Indians will continue to improve their condition, and finally become an enlightened people. Very respectfully, JONA. RICHIARDS, United States Indian Agent. DEVIL'S LAKE RESERVATION, DAK, Fort Ihtten Agency, September 1, 1874. SiRa- In accordance with my duty, I have the houor to make this my fourth annual report of the condition of the bands of Indians under my charge. The manual-labor school-house. comuenced 1ast year, is now finished and r eady for occu-
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