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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1879
([1879])
Report of agent in Utah, pp. 137-140
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Page 137
REPORT OF AGENT IN UTAH. 137 UINTAH VALLEY AGENCY, UTAH, Augu8t 20, 1879. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following as my ninth annual report of the con- dition and progress of this agency and the Indians under my charge: It is gratifying to be able to report the continued kindly disposition, good conduct, and industrial habits of our Indians. With few exceptions it is believed they will compare favorably with any other in the service, especially when the amount of encour- agement and support they receive from the government is considered. Anxious as we are to make a good showing as to numbers, we cannot report as many as we did last year, viz, 430; the number this year being only 402. The difference be- tween the births and deaths will not account for it. We know of several, with their families, who come here occasionally, but spend most of their time elsewhere. These we have not counted this year, which accounts to some extent for the difference. Though the number of births and deaths do not show an increase, yet our theory is that they aye now increasing in numbers, and that the decrease is accounted for by the rejection from out count of those who spend most of their time elsewhere, and the greater difficutly in getting the number of births than the number of deaths. Our figures to the con- trary, we are confident that there is a small increase which future enumerations will show. FARMING OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTS. By reference to my statistical report it will be seen that there is considerable increase in products. At the commencement of the farming season this year I called my Indians together and urged upon them the necessity for doing more than ever before, and sug- gested that they could, by the extra seed furnished by the government, raise all the wheat needed for flour and thus save the funds for other purposes. Many of them seemed to think they could do so, while others expressed doubts. I finally told them that I had concluded not to estimate for any flour, and that they must therefore make extra exertions to provide for themselves. They did so, and many of them changed their locations for better ones, opened new farms, and made strenuous exertions to raise an extra crop. They used all the seed provided by the government and much of their own, putting in a greater number of acres than usual, and in an improved manner. This refers not only to wheat but to other cereals and vegetables. From the energy and diligence manifested at the commencement of the season, we were sure of a largely increased production, but early in the season the grasshoppers made their appearance in great numbers and for a time seemed to cast a gloom over all our prospects. Indeed at one time I feared nothing would be left, but after the first panic we encouraged the Indians to fight them, as much with a view to see what could be done as with the hope of saving their crops. Most of them did so, and those who went to work energetically saved most of theirs, but some became discouraged and gave up, as did some white people elsewhere, and of course lost nearly all. On the whole much more was saved than was anticipated, so that after all the ravages of these pests, we think, after a careful estimate, that they will have at least 2,000 bush- els of wheat left. It is confidently believed they should have had over 2,500 bushels at least, which would have afforded them a pretty good supply of flour. We think the showing in our statistical report, to which you are referred for the amount produced, and which we feel assured, judging from former estimates, will hold out, is a good showing, considering the discouragements with which they had to contend. Of course those who gave up for want of pluck will have very little and will have to depend on bartering with others for what they need. I think it may fairly be claimed that our Indians are making slow, to be sure, but gradual progress in the amount and efficiency of their farming operations, considering the small means at their disposal and the difficulties with which they have to contend. From the extraordinary dryness of the season our hay crop is very light, so that neither the Indians nor the employds, for the use of the place, have been able to gather as much as usual. After the wheat harvest, which is now pressing us, we may be able to increase the amount of bay, but not to any considerable extent. Thecereals seem to be quite as good as estimated so far. INDIAN STOCK AND OTHER PROPERTY. There appears to be a greater increase of Indian stock than usual. This arises, it is believed, from their greater care of their stock, and also from a more careful and ac- curate count than we have been able heretofore to get. Their increase in stock is evidence of their diligence in looking after it and appreciation of its value as a means of future subsistence and aid in their farming operations. Notwithstanding the in- crease it is noticed that they draw more fully from their cattle, than formerl y, for their subsistence. By noticing the number of cattle owned by our Indians (1,1'24 head), it would seem that they ought to supply all the beef they need. This certainly could be
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