OCR Text |
Show REPORTS OF AGENTS IN COLORADO. Cbrintianity. A8 I have repeatedly written, I cannot speak very encouragingly of this department. They will asent to esergthing you say, and make many positive promises to l e d oorreot livea, but nndgr temptstion their oonrae is nsdslly such that the missionary is dmost disconraged in his etiorta to bring them to a better under-etanding of the obligations and responsibilities of life. If every department were as satisfactory as this there would be encouragement soffioieut to warrant nlcimate soooess. It would not be sayin too moeh to afim that these Indians won16 easily snpport themselves if they were fooated upon suitable lends. They are doing remarkably well in this regard, considering their opportuni-bies. I think now perhaps it wanld be well to give them a. reasonable start in stock-cattle, with the undemtanding that they will soon be thrown entirely upon their own resources. The only omberrassment in the wag of self-support and eon~fort&blheo mes is their . ungovernable appet,ita for strong drink. I think, however, even in this regard, there has been this year aome improvement over the past. SANITARY. There has been during'the part year six deat,hs and &Wen births, an increase of one. Thin ia a remarkably good showing considering the diseaaed condition ofthese Indians. There has been s, great deel of aiokness, but not of quite so severe s. type as the Fear previoun. I an, satisfied their sanitary condition is gradually improving. The most of them, when sick, come tome for treatment. Some, howeverthink, by the Indian medicine-man aloneis the healing art possessed. CIVILIZATION. Living in close proximityto thewhitesforso many years, all havelong sin= adopted eitizena' dress. The wornenant andmake their own clothing qnite as neatly as white women. Their waahing and irbniug will also oompsre favorably. All take pride in appearing well dressed m the presence of company, and are quite as observant of the rules of etiquette as white people. If one ia addreslied politely you nlay be sure of a similar response. If they oould beoonle bona- de owners of land with an inalienable title, it would lift the", ;p in self-respect, antgive them more encouragement than any other possible rneaanre. I am, sir, wry respectfully, jonr obedient s emant, c. c. BELKNAP, United States I?rdian Agent. he COMMIG~IONERO W I N D I ~& FAIRS. -- |