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Show 96 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. CIVILIZATION. It is a question irrmy own mind "whether it is possible for Indians to advance in civilization, situated as these are. In the first place, the very business followed for a livelihood necessitates isolation, and almost entire exclusion from civilized society. This is especially true of the female portion of the population. In the second place, the limited number of children of school age and their distance from each other renders i t absolutely improbable to have any school advantages. Under such circumstances it cannot be expected that very rapid advancement -will be made in higher civilization. The question of existence and ample support is no longer to be considered. That is already assured. That, however, does not mean civilization. They were in that condition before the white man invaded their soil. It is my honest conviction that it would bo a thousand times better for these Indians, especially for the coming generation, if this entire reservation were sold at auction and the proceeds devoted to the purchase of good farms, where they could be permanently located and onjoy educational and other civilizing advantages.. I would recommend this as tho best possible move towards tho advancement of these Indians. If this cannot he done, I would then recommend the restoration to the public domain of a strip of timber land on the eastern border of the reservation before mentioned, so as to lurnish employment for the Indians as near home as possible. STATISTICAL STATEMENT. According to the recent census there are belonging to this reservation : Number of males above eighteen years of ago 40 Number of females above fourteen years of age 4"> Number of school children between the ages of six and s i x t e e n . . . , 'J*2 This includes two families who are away from the reservation the most of the time but still enrolled hero. Leaving out these two families, the actual number of school ch ldren constantly residing on the. reservation amounts to 13 only. Of these 18, one-fourth are invalids and married, so that their attendance at school caunot be regularly secured. This reduces tho school children of this reservation whose attendance at school can be relied upou to the small number of' 13; and these are so scattered that during tho inclement part of tho year, and excessively warm weather of summer, it -would be impossible to compel their regular attendance. Hence there has been no school hero tho past year, neither do I see auy prospect of opening one in the future, unless an average of ten or twelve pupils be deemed sufficient. There is one school-house located at the agency near the.center of the reservation. IMPORTANT EVENTS. The most important event, or at least the most exciting event of the year occuri-ed on Christmas morning last. This was the killing of a medicine man who had been uasuccessful in curing one of his patients. . And what makes it the more surprising, the two principal actors were the most intelligent Indians bjlouging to this reservation. The Indian doctor was no doubt an unprincipled man, but his murder was an outrage of which Indians with half tho advantages these have enjoyed should be ashamed. The murderers were imprisoned for a short time in the county jail, but for want of jurisdiction by the State court the case -was dismissed. As I expect this to be my last annual.report I close with feelings of thankfulness and regret; thankful that my relations with the Department have been so pleasant. and regretting that I have not accomplished more in the work intrusted to my care. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. G. BELKNAP, II. S. Indian Agent. The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. SOUTHERN UTE AGENCY, COLORADO, August 5, 1~~~- SIR: I have tho honor to submit my third annual report as United States Indian agent for the Southern Ute Indians, Colorado, showing my transactions as such agea". at the close of the fiscal year 1337. This reservation consists of a narrow tract of laud 15 miles wide and 110 miles!01'-- situated in southwestern Colorado, and is surrounded by white settlers on all siO'5- The character of the land is agricultural and grazing; it is well watered by nun:-1'' |