| OCR Text |
Show I 29 REPOET OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. of their work. Their pride was wholesomely pricked by the result, and it is plain that they do not intend to he beatin again if they can help it. The races and sports, it is perhaps needless to say, were conducted with great vim. A good half-mile track had been laid off close to the agency in a beautiful flat area nearly surrounded by the Little Rig Horn River. Native trees and shrubs border and enhance its attract-iveness. A grand stand, a judges' stand, relay stalls, and fence were all the permanent artificial improvements attempted last year. For this autumn's fair a floral hall, stalls for race horses, and buildings for poultry, pigs, cattle, etc., will he added. The judging of exhibits and awarding of prizes made a very busy day for the judges and secretaries. Any fear that they would show personal favoritism was soon dispelled, and the Indians generally seemed satisfied with the results. At the exhibit of work horses, brood mares, colts, and stallions, probahly 200 animals were led around the track. Many squaws took part; One led a large bay mare which was followed by five of her colts and the father of the bunch, a 1,500-pound brown stallion. The colts were respectively 4 , 3 , 2 , and 1 year old, and one still unweaned. All were bedecked with ribbons. Chief Plenty-Coos, one of the best workers as well as the most eminent Indian. on the reservation, competed for the prize for the best driving team, bbt was beaten by a team owned and driven by a squaw, and the other Indians had a great deal of amusement at. his expense, which he took without offense, as became a father, of his people, saying that the award was " good." The agency school hand furnished music for the entire week, and ali the schools contributed creditable exhibits of scholastic and depart-ment svork. The last afternoon was spent in convention, at which several lead-ing Indians spoke. I t was decided that the same officers should hold over for another year, with the exception of three or four who, it was thought, had not taken so much interest in their farm work as they ought for exemplary purposes. Their places were filled by men who had approved themselves better. The gathering was unanimous in declaring that the fair had been' a great event and that the next one milst.be made still better. Not a case of gambling or whisky drinking was reported, and everything was harmonious to a aegree which wonld furnish a profitable lesson to white people in good will and good manners. But to my mind one of the most honorable features of the whole business is the fact tliat,the fair was conducted thrnoUt by the Indians without any Government aid. All premiums, purses, and other obligations were paid from the gate receiptr;. An admission fee was |
