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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 240
240 REPORT OF THE COIMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. ceasing efforts it was accomplished by the employes with, comparatively speaking, little delay and at this date the agency buildings are secure in every respect. Illustrative of the willingness of these Indians, or a great portion of them, to reap the benefits accruing from industrial habits, I will state that 600 acres of land were plowed and planted the past year, principally with corn and vegetables. Of course some assistance was rendered by employcs, but most of the work was performed by the Indians; and it is an agreeable fact that the yield was so abundant that it has encouraged them to determine upon a further trial in the coming year. Had the case been otherwise, and their efforts proved abortive by a failure of their crops, it might have discouraged them so that future attempts would be abandoned. At present there are two hundred and thirty families living in houses which have been erected for them; and the satisfaction derived from the change from canvas to good solid structures is openly and repeatedly expressed, and thanks tendered for the kindness done them. Fresh applications for houses have been received, and consequently I have now in process of erection forty additional houses for Indians who have assured me of their inten- tion to abandon a nomadic life and become residents of a permanent home. It is to be re- gretted that my inability to employ suitable labor, consequent on the discharge of my em- ployds, will render it necessary for me to discontinue a project from which I expected such good results. The excitement occasioned by the report of the late expedition to the Black Hills country has reached this agency, and I am sorry to say has done visible harm in causing dissatis- faction and discontent. I find the Indians irritable, and even in those who have been hith- erto most friendly and appreciative I have discovered signs of incipient hostility and insub- ordination. Without any intention to reflect on the judgment or good intentions of the officers of the Army, I must be excused for saying that I consider it unfortunate that the report was given to the public at this early day. Another cause for disaffection is a rumor that the Indians are likely to be transferred to the War Department. This, coming from newspaper reports, is accepted by the Indians as authentic, and creates a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety which requires a considerable amount of persuasive eloquence to eradicate. I am happy to say that intemperance is comparatively unknown at this agency, and the introduction of spirituous liquors discountenanced by myself and employ6s. I am begin- ning, however, to feel anxious in this matter, from the fact that a whisky-ranch has been established about six miles above us on the opposite side of the river, and a license for traffic in liquor granted by the Internal-Revenue Department. Had I the authority which I sup- posed up to a late date was vested in me, I should most certainly take immediate steps to remove such a dangerous establishment, for although the Indians show no inclination to drink, still they dread the temptation to which a close proximity of liquor exposes them, and so expressed themselves to me on several occasions. One boarding-school has been in operation during the past year, under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and ably managed by the Rev. Henry Swift. The good re- sulting from this establishment is creditable to its manager and entirely satisfactory to all concerned. The building was erected by the agency employds. Two day-schools have also been in operation under the management of the Rev. Thomas L. Riggs, of the American Board of Foreign Missions, and have proved to be of immense enefit to the Indians, who are quick to learn, and, as far as my experience goes, retain all they commit to memory. In conclusion, I take pleasure in again stating that the progress of the Indians of this agency for the past year has been as satisfactory as the most sanguine could expect, and that the results of the kindness of the Government are easily apparent in the general willing- ness of the majority of the Indians to obey the instructions of the Department with as good a grace as the existing state of affairs will permit. I am, very respectiully, your obedient servant, H. W. BINGHAM, United States Indian Agent. H n. E. P. SMTru, Commissiuner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. FLANDREAU SPECIAL AGENCY, Flandreau, Dak., September 2%, 1874. SIR: I have the honor to present you this my first annual report of the Flandreau Sioux gency. HISTORY OF THE FLANDREAU SETTLEMENT. In March, 1869, twenty-five families of the most enterprising Indians at Sautee agency, Nebraska, openly dissolved their connection with that tribe, crossed the Missouri River, and wvent one hundred miles northeast to Flandreau, on the head of the Big Sioux River in Da-
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