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Show REPORTS OF AGENCIES IN COLORADO. discarded, and the great majority of Indians now appear in citizens' dress. and it may truthfully be said that among those who never showed a disposition to work a desire has sprung up to improve their lands and allotments and to have a home of their own. Craps.-Considerable more hmd was put in cultivation last spring than in former years, and as wheat and oats are now ready for harvest and beyond danger of hailstorms and grasshoppers, the Indians are assured a good yield of grain to help them out through the ooming winter. I have impressed upon them the absolute necessity of saving enough grain for seed for the collling npring, but I am ahaid that a compliance with such order can not as yet be strictly enforced. . Irrigation.-The work of conatrncting the canals and ditches for irrigating the lands on Pine River and Spring Creek has been continued during the last frsoal year under the superintendency of a competent engineer. The eas+side canal or Spring Creek ditch, the largest of all the projected canals on the reserve, is now completed and needs only the addition of a small lateral, about a mile in length. to cover someallotmentsat the head of Spring Creek, whicl~c ould not he brought under irrigation by an extension of the main canal except by an unwarranted expenditure of money without obtaining any adequate results. The canal of the west side of Pine River has been compieted as far as the top of the firat plateau or mesa, there connecting with and snpplying the old agency ditoh. A further appropriation will be necessary to complete this canal. Improvements.-Authority for improving the dilapidated condition of the build-ings at this agenoy was granted durinpthe year, and with the aidof newmaterial, carpenters, and paint, the main build~ngas t leant, tovether with the old residence for agent, have assumed a respectableappearance, an$ as we arenow repairing the old issue house, implement house, blacksmith shop, wagon shed, and barn, these a180 will appear in a better light in their finished condition. Deportment.-Sioce the killing of " Quinche" by Manuel or ';Annee," on the 8th day of December last, a special report of which was forwarded to your Office at that time, no crimeof any serious character, except an occasional drunk, has bean committed on tbis end of the reserve. Theft or the crime of larceny is almost unknownamongthe Indians here, and in this respect they will compare favorably with their white brethren. Ednoationa1.-No progress in the way of ed~~catiahna s been made at this sub-agency. It is a difficult question to handle: but after ownership to laud has been issued, and the reserve opened to new settlers, we will endeavor to enforce the State law as to attendanoe, and thus secure at least the bulk of the children for the Fort Lewis Indian school, which is conveniently located on the north line of the reservation about half way between the allotted ant1 unallot,ted Utes. Missionary work.-The Presbyterian Board of Missions has a missionary stationed at this agency by the name of A. J. Rodreguez, and commendable progress has been made during the year by this noble Christian, as evidenced by the now almost finished schoolhouse, the erection of which is entirely due to his untiring efforts in that direction,animated by B nobledesire to better the conditionof the red man. Xsvajo Springs and Unallotted Utes.-Regarding the condition on the west end of the reservation and of tne unallotted Utes, I can but repeat what I stated in my last annual report: That part of the reserve contains the most valuable lands in the State of Colorado, favored alike by climate and altitude, yet upon this vast tract of land no water has been provided to even cultivate an acre of land. and during the summer the Indians aye compelled to take to the mountains with their stock, so as to find a sufficient supply of water to quench their thirst. I sincerely hope that the existing conditions will soon be changed, as the honorable Secretary of the Interior has been authorized by Congress to provide wat,er for that now arid region. The condition and suu'rouudings ac the west end or unallotted part of the reserve have been alike discouraging to Indians and those intrusted with the task to better their condition. Health.-The health of the tribe of Weeminuohe or unallotted Indians has not been good during thelast year. Pneumonia and consumption have claimed many victims, and this condition is liable to continue until homes and better comforts are provided for them. Smallpox has entirely disappeared among them, and 1 sincerely hope that the dreaded disease will not appear again. Very respectfully submitted. WILLInm H. MEYER, United States Indian Agent. The COXMISSIONEOEF INDIAANre alrs. |
