Page 253

REPORT    OF   THE   COMMISSIONER       OF INDIAN     AFFAIRS.     253 
Last November a yoke of oxen and a cow was issued to the head of each family
that had 
secured hay for the same. Thirty families were provided with stock in this
manner. They 
were given to understand that the stock so received did not belong to the
tribe, but was their 
individual property, and that they were expected to care for it accordingly.
They have 
taken much pride in their stock, and in no case have they killed an animal
that has been 
issued to them as individual property. A yoke of oxen and cow are still being
issued to the 
head of each family that provides hay and shelter for the same. I see no
reason why these 
Indians may not, within a reasonable time, become successful stock-growers,
the country 
being well adapted to grazing pursuits and but poorly adapted to agriculture.
Two schools, one a day and the other a boarding school, have been taught
at this agency 
during the year ; the attendance has been fair and the results encouraging.
Religious services have been held each Sunday, with few exceptions, by Rev.
Mr. Burt, in 
charge of the mission at this agency. The services have'been regularly attended
by many of 
the ludians, who have conducted themselves with the utmost propriety. 
THE LOWER BRULE" INDIANS. 
These Indians are located at the Lower Brub6 agency, Dakota Territory, on
the west side 
of the Missouri River, ten miles below the Upper Missouri Sioux agency. These
Indians 
have made little, if any, advancement during the past year; they are of a
wild and violent 
disposition, and the presence of troops is found necessary to preserve order
and protect 
property. These Indians number one thousand eight hundred, and are of sufficient
im- 
portance to demand a separate and distinct agency with a resident agent.
I would re- 
spectfully recommend that they be provided with an independent agency at
as early a day 
as practicable. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
HENRY F. LIVINGSTON', 
United States Indian Ag 
Hon. E. P. SMITH, 
Commisioner of Indian Affairs, washington, D. C. 
WHETSTONE, AGENCY, DAKOTA, Saptember 30, 1874. 
SIR: I have the honor herewith to forward this my annual report of affairs
at this agency 
for the year ending August 31, 1874. 
This location being considered an unfavorable place for an agency, it was
confidently ex- 
pected that a new location would be selected about 1st September, 1873, and
the Indians 
having shown an inclination to move, some preparations were made with that
end in view. 
But soon after that time they signified in council their wish to remain here.
Arrangements 
were therefore made, and temporary buildings and corrals were erected for
the protection of 
public property, until such time as a new location would be selected. 
Owing to the unsettled state of affairs very little progress was made in
farming during 
1 373, and this summer considerable attention has been given to cultivating
small pieces of 
ground, with tolerable success, although the probability of moving during
the summer pre- 
vented many from planting who otherwise would have done so. 
TI e number who have expressed a desire to cultivate land is constantly increasing,
and 
although the niajority are opposed to work, they gradually foresee that the
time will come 
when they or their childreai must do something to support themselves. 
The annuity goods were distilbuted on the 25th September, 1873. They were
of excellent 
quality and condition, and gave general satisfaction. 
Soon after the distribution Indians from tribes living in the northern part
of this reserva- 
tion commenced coming here, and continued arriving in large numbers until
the middle of 
winter. The Minneconjoux comprised the principal portion.  The rest were
Oncpapas, 
Sans Arcs, and Two-Kettles. The former are a troublesome band, generally
well armed and 
mounted, roving during the summer, living at some agency during the winter,
and usually 
taking with them on their departure, which is sudden, horses, ponies, and
mules which do 
not belong to them. Their presence here during the winter added greatly to
the issues of 
beef and other provisions at this agency, which additional expense here was
probably saved 
at the agency where these northern Indians properly belong. These bands were
unusually 
troublesome in February last at this and other agencies, and although no
person was killed 
within the limits of this agency, many very hostile threats and demonstrations
were made 
here, which, although not participated in by the Brulhs of this agency to
any considerable 
extent, they were not met by the latter with the spirit of conciliation or
of resistance that 
they ought to have shown. As a consequence of these troubles, troops were
sent early in 
March to this and other Dakota agencies for their protection against these
unruly bands. 
They were received quietly by the Brultis, and not the slightest difference
or difficulty has 
taken place between them. 
I