Page 194

194  REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 
and support of such a careful Christian agent as yourself, I have every reason
to believe 
that in the life-time of a single generation a distinctive mission to this
people would be quite 
unnecessary. Hoping, therefore, that you may long continue in your present
sphere, and 
that you will in the future, as in the past, still extend to us the right
hand of your sympathy 
and co-operation, 
I subscribe myself, yours, most respectfully, 
I. BAIRD, 
Superintendent Odanah Indian Mission. 
Dr. I. L. MAHAN, 
United States Indian Agent, Baylield, Wis. 
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES INDIAN AGENCY, 
Lac Courte Oreille, Wis., July 16, 1874. 
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations for
the past 
year: 
In June, 1873, we passed through Rush City on our way to the reserve, where
we met 
Col. E. E. Henderson, acting agent. On arriving, purchased three yoke of
oxen, two 
wagons, and four cows, together with the balance of supplies necessary, and
proceeded to 
Lac Courte Oreille. 
Commenced the next morning building fence, and soon after the conclusion
of council 
commenced cutting hay, of which we cut 50 tons, most of which was hauled
to the stable, 
(six miles.) Cut timber and brush from 40 acres; grubbed 25 acres. Put up
school-build- 
iner and dwelling-house combined, 21 by 31 feet, 18 feet post of hewn timber,
three floors, and 
celar; also warehouse, stable for twelve head of cattle, and other outbuildings.
Assisted 
in putting up six hewn-timber houses for the Indians. Built good house, 16
by 24, for head 
chief, A-ke-wen-zee. Whipsawed 6,000 to 8,000 feet board, shaved 30,000 shingles,
cut and 
hauled 3,000 rails, cut 50 cords of wood, mostly timber, down and going to
decay. Have 
also finished up the school-building and dwelling-house at Pah-kwa-a-wah.
Have planted 
a good area to garden, as an example to the Indians. Have plowed a large
number of 
pieces of ground here and at Pah-kwa-a-wah for individual Indians, upon which
they have 
good crops. Quite an interest is manifested by them  to raise vegetables-corn
and 
beans-for themselves ; something of rivalry existing as to who shall excel.
The hauling 
of supplies has been no small item, of which we have kept a stock on hand,
consisting of 
flour, pork, tea, sugar, saleratus, soap, and salt, furnished at cost, transportation
added, 
exchanging for work. Have now on hand some 800 pounds of maple-sugar. Since
the 1st 
of December comparatively little work has been done. Previous to your order
suspending 
work, I had purrposed preparing ground, and putting in quite an amount of
seed, and put- 
tLng up a number of buildings for the Indians, and grubbing the balance of
the ground 
upon which the timber had been cut. I shall cut all the hay and grass there
is, and break 
up all we can in July and August, it being much the best time, as far as
the decay of veget- 
able matter is concerned. 
There has been a marked improvement in the habits of the Indians, and quite
an advance 
made toward civilization. The desire to exchange the wigwam for houses is
quite prevalent. 
It has been much more quiet since the trading-post was removed, there being
no resort 
-now for the whites to congregate, whose influedce with the Indians was pernicious,
the 
whites opposing all improvements as related to schools, or any improvements
instituted for 
the advantage of the Indians. 
The unsettled condition of the pine question causes a feeling of discontent,
and calls for 
work and help, making it very unpleasant for themselves and us. They are
constantly 
receiving reports from some source to the effect that they are to be removed,
that the chiefs 
are all called to Washington, and that they are being cheated, thus keeping
them constantly 
excited. They have to a great extent availed themselves of the advantage
of the school. 
The children have made very good progress. I hope there may be a school in
operation at 
Pah-kwa-a-wah ere long. A great desire is manifested by the people there
for it. We are 
unable to keep a supply of provisions adequate to the wants of the Indians
under existing 
circumstances. Mr. Hickok, our present blacksmith, gives good satisfaction.
The change 
has proved very advantageous. 
Could the trading-house here be occupied by a good, moral man, with family,
who could 
supply the Indians with goods needed, and also provide accommodations for
travelers 
through fall and winter, it would be desirable. The two Indians to whom permits
were 
granted last spring to trade have no stock in store. 
Trusting all matters may be settled, so that work may go on and we be enabled
to put 
up a number of houses for the Indians before cold weather, and that their
lands can be sub- 
divided, which they earnestly desire, 
I remain, yours truly, 
JOSEPH B. HOLT, 
Government Fa? mer. 
DP. I. L. MAHAN, 
United States Indiati Agent.