| OCR Text |
Show REPORTS OF AGENTS. COLORADO; RlVER AGENCY, ARIZONA, August SiO, 1884. Silt: In accordance with instructions to Indian agents I have the honor to submit this as III. V second annual report of the Indians in charge of this agency for the year • Muling . June 30, 1884. '. • The I hree bands of Indians under my jurisdiction are the Mohaves, Chimehuvas, and Yuiuas. According to the last census tlin whole number of Indians among the Mohaves and Chimehuvas was 1,012, and divided as follows: 519 males and 49:} females; .. r of the Mohaves, 412 males and 3911 females; of the Cbiuiebuvas, 107 males and 103 i- tualcs. I believe from what I have seen and learned of these two tribes that there has been a slight increase siuee my last report was made. The Yumas are said to numl. fr nearly 1,200 souls, and are also a very quiet, orderly, good people. i_ Mv time while at Fort Yuma was so taken up with the starting of a new school • trnung them that I found it impossible to take the ceusns for this report, but it is my desire to take a new and complete census of all the tribes of Indians nuder my jurisdiction next vear. All I be Indians ' have behaved remarkably well during the past year where they have bad so much to contend with iu the loss of their crops, & c. I have not heard uf a single instance of a disturbance of any nature among them. Then- is no intemperance among the Mohaves and Chimehuvas, which is a great blessing This is owing, in a great, measure, to the remote distance the Indians are located from the white settlements- being 200 miles one way, and nearly 100 in another direction- places where they only visit when they desire to make purchases or to secure labor. In all such cases a pass is furnished them by the agent, which ihcy regard as a good omen, and keeping them from all barn, when away from home. The Yumas are inclined to drink all kinds of liquors, but if caught under its influence they are immediately arrested by their Chief. Pasqual, and a most severe puu-ishiii. ut inllicted upon them. In ordinary cases, for the first and second offenses, the Indians are brought, from the town of Yuma and placed in the presence of their chief, who then and there decides what their punishment shall be. In all instances his decision must be complied with. While at Fort Yuma I witnessed the punishment of one Indian for drunkenness, as follows: The Indian was carried and dragged •> v » r tin- ground tor a distance of nearly two miles after receiving his sentence; was tlwn tied to amesquit tree, wb re be was obliged to remain tightly bound from 5 p. " i. until sunrise the following morning, when be was released and placed iu a position to receive an additional puuishment of thirty lashes. Following this comes a good lecture from the chief and set free. In this way Pasqttal has in a great measure broken up their desire for drink, and has done more good in that particular than any Indian chief I ever knew. Ho also says that ho would prefer to see bis people all ' b- ad than to be a set of drunkards. KI> UCATIO.\. • Since I took charge of this agency I am gratified to report a very gradual and steady progress among the pupils. During the mouth of April last I opened a new "•• liool among the Yunias a! the Jaeger Farm, about one mile from Fort Yuma, under the most favorable auspices, beginning with thirty scholars, ami retaining a good general average during the term. The scholars are very bright and made remarkable progress for the fir- t quarter. I believe that fully fifty scholars can be secured for the next term of school, and provision should be made for that number, and also to in- « bide some, supplies for the Indians, who are really expecting something from the '• real Father at the next school opening. I'be agency school has about fifty scholars with a fair average attendance, as the reports of the superintendent will show. This is owing in a great measure to the " ind treatment given them and the assurance of better food and raiment than they 45 |
