OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF AGENT IN COLORADO. Health.-The health has been fair, and deaths so far as discovered about even up with the births. Owing to the faat that death cancels a par ca.pita ticket, it is dacult to ascertain the names and number who die upon the weat end, but as soon as quarterlyacoonnts are in and accommodationsprovidedatNavajo Springs n recount will be engaged in if weather permits. As to character of prevailing diseases see quarterly reports of agency physician. Eduaational.-The agencies that combat schooling on this reserve have been in control for years, but I have promises of some who will contribute pupils during the coming month, and in case of failure to comply we shall deem patience exhausted, and resort to rigid measures to enforce obedience on the west end, or Navajo Springs Agency, and rely upon the compulsory laws of Colorsdo to force the Moache and CapoteUa to comply. They are pregnant with superstition, and the death of Chewawa at the Colorado Deaf and Blind Institute in July ia credited to sohools; in fact, every calamity that overtakes any of their number is paraded by some indolent agitator who attributes all to schools, wire fences, allotment, or any dislike that chances to strike his fancy whenevents of a regretful character transpire. It is a maLter of sincere regret that all of the Ute children are not at the Fort Lewis Indian school, which is really a part and parcel of their reservation, but I fear a display of force will be essential to do the work, as Indians who work well are thrown into a rage when the subject is broached. The missionarv.ahvsician.and the few Mexicans allowed on the reserve in con-nc; ri..n with tllaira;l&dd agint at I~wnc~lo~,~ ~wr ~ v e Ill~irc. dl ~ n; w~arrah er ro<.r*copg tllr, ~ ~ ~ h o t ~ lhheor?u, a~ncd we ahall cudvavor r t ~pe rsnndo numo toar r~n~l . iu~r ra~~ur - n~.lllarlrrh .: littlt ~ l r blet~we en :a 11J 11. ils tho \vLirl.illltl Bl~xicaur llil.1n.n are hutchired. With this exception, not 5n Indian has been guilty of a crime, other than the theft of a saddle, since November, 1893. Agency bnildinp.-The buildings for Navajo Springs Agency are now being ccn-strutted, and owing to insufficiency of appropriation will be confined to issue and mess house, residence? and stable. All structures are of adobe with corrugated iron roofs. The cost of construction at this point is greatly augmented by wagon freights, as lumber must be freighted 50 miles lime 66 miles, and all material except sand and stone 406 miles, hence tbe approphation of $10,000 was inadequate to meet the demands for cottages for employees, implement house, wagon sheds, and other needed buildings. In addition, the cost of excavating, walling, and piping the spring was near $1,000, with additional expense for roads, bridges, etc. At Ignacio the subs,-enoy buildings have been condemned for the past ten years and the main buildingwill require anewraof and the residence a general olrerhaul-in;: to render them inhabitable during the winter. The overflow of Pine River this week was also very destructive to roads, bridges, fences, and culverts, and cost of repairs can not be estimated until waters recede, as the river is now run-ningin various channels over the school tract, carrying away outhouses, wood, loose ha? for cattle, etc. Employees.-The employees, with exception of one Mexican utilized as a hostler, have rendered every service within their power during the year. The blacksmith helps out the farmers, and one aidids the other in all work of a pressing character, |