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Show 162 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF INDIAN COMMISSIONERS. the hunt this winter, and suffered greatly from cold, The Pawnees live upward of one hundred miles from the city of Omaha, their reservation being near the Northern Pacific Railroad. They number about twenty- four hundred. A large proportion of them are still blanket - Indians, living in mud lodges. Some of them are advancing in civilization through tlie agency of an industrial school; this, however, accommodates only about seventy scholars, and is, therefore, limited. A day- school is in operation, and lias about fifty scholars. Their lands have not been allotted yet. and they do not seem to be prepared for that by reason of the encroachments of the Sioux, with whom they have, been at war for years. An effort was made to negotiate a treaty between these tribes, but failed. White settlements are, however, being made around their reservation, and I hope that will keep out the Sioux and enable the Pawnees to pursue their intention of farming. Many of them are willing to work, and request that a small portion of land may be given them. Heretofore they have cut do. vii trees for their ponies to feed upon the boughs, but now, for the first time, they have provided hay. The manual- labor school is a great blessing to the tribe, but is capable of accom-modating only a small number of pupils. Tim Ottoes and Missourias number about 4"> 0. When I went out there first they had no schools ; they did not work, and depended for their support upon the small annuity allowed them by the Government. Now they have a flourishing school. They are taking up farms on the prairie, cutting and hauling logs, and converting them into lumber; doing it all themselves. I consider them in an improving state. The lowas number about 250. They are much improved since we went there. They " were very much addicted to intemperance, but have now a temperance society in op-eration among themselves, and keep the pledge remarkably well. The most of them dress like white people. They have a good school and orphan asylum. The Sacs and Foxes are in a more unsatisfactory condition than any of the others. They have dwindled down to about 80, and many of them are intemperate. They receive the largest annuity ( per capita) of any Indians in the superiu tendency, and yet they have the fewest comforts. I suppose they will be removed to the Indian Terri-tory, to which they are not averse. I consider it essential to the progress and civili-zation of the Indians that they retain their reservation, be protected in their rights, and properly cared for by the Government. If this is done, they will become civilized, I have no doubt, in less than a generation, which is as fast as could be expected. The whole number of Indians in the superintendency is between six and seven thousand. During the last year they have increased two thousand. I wish to say a few words relative to the civilization of the Indians. In the first place, secure them a permanent home ; give them land of their own ; assist them in building houses; deal fairly, kindly, and decidedly with them ; and I would recommend thai as many intel-ligent, virtuous women as can be induced to go among them should be sent there. I have always thought that if our agents .1,11( 1 employes were married men, the influence of their wives and daughters would be beneficial to the Indians. The Indian women are less advanced in civilization than the men. They are shy and timid, and will have but little to say to any except women, and consequently the presence of white women among them will be of immense advantage. If you can commence the work of civili-zation among the women, the civilization of the whole tribe will rapidly follow. A sufficient number of schools should be established to accommodate all the children of each tribe between the years of six and twelve. When they have made some progress in the English, ( I should teach them nothing but English,) then transfer them to an industrial boarding- school. The boys should be put to work, as they are in the indus-trial school in the Pawnee agency, where they will be able to learn farming, & c. The girls should be instructed in boose- keeping, sewing, & c. Sabbath- schools should bo provided, and religious meetings should be held among them as often as possible. I will remark that during the past two years nearly all the children going to school, with the exception of the San tee Sioux, have been clothed with material sent by friends of our denomination. They have also sent supplies to the sick and infirm, amounting in all to about $ 21,000. I believe if this policy is pursued, in a few years there will be no more trouble with these Indians, and that others, seeing that they are progressing in civilization, will follow their example. Mr. TATHAM. You speak of the allotments if) severalty ; is there any permanent title; how long are they guaranteed the use of the farm ? Mr. JANNKY. The Omahas, for instance, receive 160 acres for each head of a family, and 40 acres to each individual, and they have received certificates a kind of posses-sory title which secures the land to them and their heirs, but does not allow them to alienate or transfer their title to any white person. They can sell only to members of their own tribe, and to the Government. Mr. BKUXOT. We have the honorable Secretary of the Interior, and General Walker, the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, present. If the Secretary has something to say to the, meeting we shall be glad to hear him. [ The Secretary declined to make any remarks.] |