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United States. Office of Indian Affairs / Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, for the year 1879
([1879])
Reports of agents in Montana, pp. 89-100
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Page 90
90 REPORTS OF AGENTS IN MONTANA. their ponies became so much weakened as to travel with difficulty. One squaw and one child were frozen to death, and the whole band had a narrow escape from destruc- tion, finally returning to the agency in a deplorable condition. The experience of the winter has convinced their best men that the time has come for making such change in their manner of life as the failure of buffalo renders imperative. One said, "The timer is close when the tail of the last buffalo will be seen disappearing from the prairie.". REMOVAL OF TILE AGENCY. Under the authority given by the department for the removal of the agency buildings to a better location, work was promptly commenced, and such of the employis as could be spared were sent to camp at the new location, and all winter were occupied in cut- ting logs for use in spring when required, and in forwarding such other work as was possible. The removal was commenced as early as the backward season permitted, and was carried on uninterruptedly, until now there are good buildings in a suitable loca- tion. In effecting this change the Indians have not been mere lookers on, but have given efficient help in digging cellars, hauling stone, mixing mortar, hauling poles for fencing, helping to erect the fences, and other work. It was owing to the labor per- formed by the Indians that the removal was effected at small cost, and without any special appropriation for the purpose, which otherwise would have been absolutely nccessary. AGRICULTURE. Notwithstanding the heavy extra labor involved- in the removal of the agency, our farming operations were not neglected. New ground has been broken up aud planted an excellent irrigating ditch made, and our crops'of potatoes, oats,barley, turnips, pease, &c., are now maturing, and look as if there would be an abundant yield. In all these operations the Indians have given ready and efficient help, in planting, hoeing our growing crops, &c. Quite a number of these Indians have also selected locations near the agency, eiected cabins, plowed, planted, and fenced patches of ground, and are turning their attention to the care of cattle. In all these operations the employtis have, in addition to their other duties, given help and instruction, laying out their irrigating ditches, &c. One of the Indian farms, that of "Running Crane," has nine acres of potatoes and turnips now presenting a most promising appearance. Other Indian farms have nearly as much land under cultivation, and will produce good crops. The following are the statistics regarding agriculture, as nearly as can be estimated Land under cultivation this year, about......... ......... 75 acres. New land broken this year, about.................................50 acres. Increase acres of Indian farms, about-................................ 40 acres. Wheat ......................................................... 60 bushels. Ohat--and-barley -----------------------------------------------280 -bushels. Oats and barley ....... ... ... .. . ..... ... .. 380 bushels: Potatoes. .................................................12,600 bushels. Turnips ... .................................................1,000 bushels. Carrots-......................................................100 bushels. Peas .................-.......................................100 bushels. Hay .........................................................250 tons. No wheat or grain of any kind has been sown by Indians, for the reason that there is no flouring-mill in operation within hundreds of miles of this place. Their farming operations are principally devoted to the raising of potatoes and other root crops, of which they are exceedingly fond. EDUCATION. The day-school has been well attended, and while the great camp was near, the room was uncomfortably crowded. The progress has been marked and satisfactory; the in- telligtrce aid dccility ot the children was pleasing to see. I do not think the same large number of white children could be so easily controlled or kept in order by two teacheis. The boarding-school or "home" for Indian children, which is to be pro- vided for in the buildings at this new agency, will enable me to provide for several b oys who are to be apprenticed to the blacksmith, carpenter, and farmer, and will also secure the constant attendance at the daily sessions of the school of many bright schol- ars, whose presence could not otherwise be secured, owing to the nomadic habits of their partnts. MISSIONARY. The favorable field these Indians present for missionary work is yet unccupied, al- 'though appeals to the proper quarter have not been wanting. I often fe~l my etlbrta
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