Page 293

REPORT     OF   THE   COMMISSIONER       OF   INDIAN    AFFAIRS.     293
Heretofore, not being able to support themselves on this reservation, some
of the young men 
left it and moved into the vicinity of the settlements adjacent to it, where
they earned a pre- 
carious living by begging and working when they could get anything to do.
In this way 
they would fall easy victims to the liquor-seller. This year, however, having
plenty of 
water for farming purposes at home, many of the younger men, who were previously
" rovers," found employment in attending their crops. The liquor-traffic
still goes on, not- 
withstanding the efforts put forth for its suppression. 
Prostitution is one of the most lamentable sequences of intemperance, and,
hand in hand, 
they are doing more in destroying the Indian race than all the other evils
combined. The 
experience here has not been a pleasant one. Unable to check the one, we
are equally pow- 
erless in suppressing the other. Only a few years ago they were unknown among
these 
people, and that they now exist is a fact for which the white race stand
responsible..- 
Neither intemperance nor prostitution is by any means general among these
tribes, but, 
unless they are soon suppressed, the time is not many years distant when
purity and sobriety 
will be the exception. 
The settlers have experienced no trouble of consequence from the Indians
this year, and 
it is to be hoped that the latter will henceforth restrain their propensity
to r6am over the 
fields of the former. 
During the year two or three scouting raids have been made by the Indians
against the 
Apaches, but with little or no success. Owing to the operations of General
George Crook, 
military department commander, the latter have not depredated as freely as
in former years. 
No action as yet has been taken by the United States Supreme Court in regard
to the 
question of illicit trading with the Indians of this reserve, which is still
continued in its 
vicinity. 
The general health of the Indians has not been as good as usual, on account
of the rains 
of the past year. Fevers of various kinds, previously unknown in this section
of the coun- 
try, are now prevailing to a great extent. 
The educational work among the Indian children during the past year has been
success- 
ful. The Department has been furnished monthly reports of our efforts in
this direction. 
There are two school-houses on the reserve, located at the villages nearest
the agency, and 
at present there are employed here three teachers. The children are fairly
regular in their 
attendance and attention to their studies, and their progress will compare
favorably with, 
perhaps, any oth er children under corresponding circumstances. There are
over one thou- 
sand children on this reserve who are of the right age to attend school,
whereas the facilities 
for the simplest rudimental education are afforded to only about one-tenth
of that number. 
If we are to expect anything of the Indians in the future, we should educate
them now, and 
without a proper effort in this direction there is no hope for them but a
speedy extinction. 
What we need is a school in each village, conducted by able and devoted teachers.
Thus 
provided, these Indians will grow up fitted for a life of usefulness and
independence. The 
Government has hitherto done but little for these two tribes. As far back
as we have had 
any knowledge of them they have been a peaceable, hard-working, self-sustaining
people, 
asking but little at our hands, but that they might be secured in their claims
to the land and 
water where they now live, so that they might continue self-supporting. Now
they ask for 
schools, and your agent would earnestly recommend that all reasonable facilities
for their 
education be afforded them immediately. To accomplish this will cost much,
but the means 
thus spent will not be thrown away, and the end aimed at-the elevation of
the Indians to 
that plane of civilization where they can take care of themselves-can be
reached in no other 
way. 
Many things are needed at this agency for its well-being and the good of
the Indians. 
The supply of medicines needs replenishing badly. In the past year two estimates
of 
medical stores have been furnished the Department, of which nothing has yet
been heard. 
A small grist-mill erected at, or near, the agency would be of inestimable
value to the In- 
dians. The nearest mill is at Adamsville, twenty miles distant, and it is
both inconvenient 
and expensive to carry the grain there to be ground. A supply of material,
such as hard- 
wood, iron, steel, bolts, nails, &c., for use of carpenter and blacksmith
in repairing the 
wagons, carts, and farming- implements of the Indians and agency, is among
our wants. 
A shingle roof for the agency-building is most necessary to protect it from
the rains, 
which during the past year so badly damaged the building and walls that they
cannot be 
repaired without considerable cost. Some good animals are also among our
wants, and 
should be purchased immediately. A good assortment of tools for carpenter
and blacksmith 
are needed very much. 
The question of removal to the Indian Territory is now being discussed by
these Indians. 
Obedient to your instructions, last September your agent, with a delegation
of their chiefs, 
visited that country with a view, should they like it, of selecting a reservation
for their future 
hiome. The party was much pleased with the visit, and entirely satisfied
with the appear- 
ance of the country. Subject to the approval of the Department, a suitable
reservation was 
selected and the Indians returned home. On their arrival here a report was
given to the 
tribes, and a discussion opened that is not yet ended. It was found that
a considerable 
opposition to the removal was manifested by some of the older Indians, and
quite a number 
who last year assured me of their intention to go are now slow in coming
forward. This