Page 186

186'  REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
be urged in -favor of an electric-lighting system. We have abundant water
power, not in use after 5 p. m. Authority should be given me to carry out
plans 
already submitted to your office for electric lights and other much needed
im- 
provements. The engineering supervisor or supervisor of construction should
be sent here to examine conditions and make new plans and estimates. Only
.9 few minor improvements have been allowed here for several years past,
and 
our imperative needs should receive favorable consideration. 
Employees.-Most of the employees have been faithful, zealous, and loyal in
advancing the interests of the reservation and school, and credit is due
them for 
the good work accomplished. The suggestions made in my efficiency reports
should be put into effect. 
Health.-There were several more deaths than births on the reservation 
during the year. I believe that most of the Indians still have greater faith
in 
their "medicine men" than in the agency physician, and it is very
difficult 
to get them to carry out instructions faithfully. A combined agency and school
hospital and a field matron understanding nursing would be a great help in
bettering conditions. 
Indian court.-A number of minor offenses and difficulties have been tried
and 
settled by the Indian judges during the year. The Hupa are generally peace-
ably disposed and private settlement of troubles is encouraged, the court
being 
appealed to only when other means fail. All unnecessary litigation is dis-
couraged. 
Liquor selling to Indians.-There has not been as much trouble *as usual with
selling of liquor on the reservation. Three cases have been brought before
the 
United States commissioner during the year; one was dismissed because of
the 
Heff decision; one has not yet come to a hearing, and in the third the de-
fendant pleaded guilty and was confined in the county jail for several months.
Logging and lumbering.-A great deal of work of this kind has been done 
both by Indians and by agency employees. Sawing was suspended during the
summer because of the scarcity of water power, there having been no rainfall
for several months-past. Practically all the available timber near the school
has been cut, and it will be necessary to extend the wagon road farther up
Sup- 
ply Creek to reach suitable timber. 
Murder case.-John Mahach, an Indian of the Old Klamath River Reserva- 
tion, was tried in the Del Norte County courts for murder, the death sentence
being imposed, contrary to the recommendation of the district attorney who
conducted the prosecution. This sentence seems to me an unjust one and steps
have been taken through your Office and the Department of Justice to have
it 
modified. 
Marriage and divorce.-There were four formal marriages during the year 
and no divorces. Moral conditions are greatly improved, but not yet entirely
satisfactory. Respect for the marriage relation is increasing and legal mar-
riages are taking the place of the marriages by Indian custom, which involved
the payment of money to the parents of the bride. 
Missionaries and morals.-Faithful, conscientious work has been done by the
two missionaries, Miss Chase, Presbyterian, and Reverend Douglas, Episco-
palian. A new dwelling was erected by the latter. A formal organization of
the Presbyterian Church was effected after a series of revival meetings by
Doctor Noble and Reverend Hicks. A prize-medal speaking contest on the sub-
ject of temperance was successfully conducted by Miss Chase with beneficial
results not only to the young men and women who participated, but upon the
Indians generally, intemperance being one of our greatest evils. 
Orchards.-Largely because of the limited market, fruit orchards have been
much neglected. A great many new trees have been purchased by the Indians.
The valley is particularly well adapted to fruit culture, although insect
pests 
must be guarded against. Some spraying and pruning was done under the 
direction of the farmer. 
Public schools.-The Indians along the Klamath were in charge of competent
teachers, but the attendance was somewhat spasmodic and irregular, particu-
larly during the winter season. I am a believer in public schools, but I
think 
that where home surroundings are filthy, immoral, and degrading, or when
reg- 
ular attendance is not enforced, the children are much better off at Hoopa,
where cleanliness, morality, and industry are taught in addition' to "book
learning" and where the attendance is necessarily regular. 
Rations.-These in limited quantity are issued biweekly to 25 or 30 old, blind,
sick, and crippled Indians, to whom a little beef, flour, and rice affords
an agree- 
able change from their usual ration of acorns, salmon, nuts, fruits, and
berries. 
The quantity allowed for issue should be increased, as several worthy appli-