a few instances the general has given permission for parties to purchase animals of the Indians to be used here. This prohibition makes it more difficult for the well-disposed Indians to procure the necessaries of life; but, under all the circumstances, we think it best. While the Indians have an open market to sell horses, many of them will steal them to supply the market.

By an order from the military department, arms and ammunition are not allowed to be sold or given to the Indians. This is as it should be, so far as it applies to the Kiowas, Comanches, and Apaches, but I think the commanding officer should, at his discretion, allow the Caddoes and other of the affiliated bands to purchase some for their own use. They have not for many years fought against the Government, nor are they addicted to stealing.

Last spring the Kiowas, Apaches, and Comanches all appeared very restless and uneasy. Many of the latter tribe had cultivated corn and vegetables last year, inclosing lots with temporary fences, and assisted in planting; but last spring there were none of them who appeared willing to do anything toward raising a crop. They told me, however, that the next spring they would go to work at planting and cultivating their land. I believe they were aware that there was going to be trouble here this summer.

At the annual "medicine dance," which occurs about the time the cotton falls from the cottonwood trees, the Kiowas, Apaches, Cheyennes, and about half of the Comanches concluded to remain on the plains for a time and commit some depredations, assigning four reasons therefor: 1st, because they got so few annuity goods last fall; 2d, because so many of them got sick and died here last summer and fall; 3d, because they are not allowed to purchase ammunition; 4th, dividing the land into reservations, instead of having all the Indian country in common, and liberty to roam and hunt over it at will. They commenced their depredations in Texas, soon after the dance, and have continued, at frequent intervals and at various points, ever since; have murdered many persons there; taken several women and children into captivity, and have stolen and destroyed a large amount of property; and have caused the frontier settlements of Texas to be withdrawn near 150 miles, as I have been informed. The Kiowas accuse the Cheyennes of being the most urgent for war, and of taking the most prominent part in the depredations, but I think they are all about alike guilty.

On the 28th of 5th Month last, 20 or 30 of the Comanches, with a few Cheyennes, made a raid in this vicinity, drove some men out of one of the agency corn-fields, stole about 20 head of horses and mules, and killed one man, without meeting with any loss themselves. On the night of the 12th of 6th Month, eight Kiowas took 73 mules from the quartermaster's corral. They were detected about the time they got them out, and pursued in the morning, but the trail was lost among fresh buffalo tracks. About daybreak on the 22d of 6th Month, 5 Kiowas came to a camp of citizens, about 200 yards from the agency, who were working for the Government, shot one of the men, but did not kill him; then rode to the butcher pen, about one mile from the agency, killed one of the men there, and stole several of their horses. Another man was killed in the vicinity the same morning, by a different party of Indians. Since that time there have been several herds of cattle stampeded between here and Red River, that were being driven to this place for Government use, and one of the herders killed. We understood from the Indians that they did not intend to have a general war. From about the 1st of 7th Month the Indians have been sending word to the general and

myself, to know if they might come back and be friends again. We sent word to them that they might, if they would deliver to us the captives and horses they had stolen, and let us know who had been the leaders in the various raids in Texas and here, but we could not tell yet what would be done with them.

On the 14th of 7th Month, Black Eagle, one of the principal chiefs of the Kiowas, came to see us in regard to returning. We gave the same reply to him that we had previously sent to them. I am told that in no case have the Kiowas ever been required to return a horse or mule that they had stolen. Black Eagle gave us the assurance that all the Kiowas would be here in a few days, with the mules stolen from the quartermaster; but, instead of coming in, nearly all the chiefs, with their young men, went to Texas, and made the most extensive raid of the season.

The Indians on the plains appear to be well supplied with guns and ammunition. They report that they got some of these from traders who go to their camps from New Mexico, giving, in exchange, horses, mules, and cattle, stolen from Texas. They say these Mexican traders encourage them to steal from Texas. They sometimes take buffalo robes to New Mexico, and sometimes to Chihuahua, in Mexico, to trade for ammunition.

The Qau-ha-da or Roving Band of Comanches, who are variously es timated at from 500 to 2,000, are having a very injurious effect on the Kiowas, Apaches, and Comanches located here; they delight to ridicule them for remaining here instead of doing as they do, roam unmolested over the plains, and raid in Texas when they wish, without any one calling them to account; they belong to this reservation, but have not reported themselves here.

The Indians have undoubtedly commenced and carried on their depredations this year without cause; everything reasonable has been done for them by the officers and others in this vicinity that could be done: they have received no injuries, indignities, or insults from citizens or soldiers, but they, no doubt, expected to get a large amount of goods for discontinuing their murders and depredations.

There has been no opportunity to count the Indians for several months. I shall, therefore, take the last census that was made for issuing rations, which was about one year ago, with the corrections as we have been able to make since: Kiowas, 1,896; Apaches, 300; Comanches, 2,742; Wichitas, 260; Caddoes, 500; Delawares, 95; Keechees, 100; Towacanies, 140; Wacoes, 125; Hie-en-eyes, 100.

In the spring of 1869, General Hazen, who was in charge of the Indians of this agency, contracted to have several hundred acres of land plowed for the various tribes of Indians; he appeared to have a comprehensive view of Indian affairs, and was carrying it out with energy: his labors ceased here on the 30th of 6th Month, 1869, previous to the execution of his plans for farming; his interest for the Indians and agency, however, has not ceased; in the spring of 1870 he furnished me with $3,000 to be expended, in his name, for agricultural purposes; but for this I should have been unable to have done any farming for the Indians or the agency, having failed to obtain funds from the Department for the purpose. With the assistance thus furnished I have been enabled to render valuable assistance to some of the affiliated bands of Indians. The Delawares, Caddoes, and Hie-en-eyes appear to be mak ing creditable efforts to farm, but are very deficient in agricultural implements, a few of which have been furnished. The Wichitas prefer their

small patches in the edge of the woods to a field. The Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches have made no effort to raise a crop this year.

There have been no schools in the agency the past year; there have been no funds either to build houses or sustain teachers for the affiliated bands of Indians, many of whom are very desirous of having schools among them. By the regulations there must be 30 scholars in a school before there can be a second school in the agency; this condition, I think, should not exist; there are probably two-thirds of the district schools in the States that do not have 30 scholars each; were such a regulation required there, it would result in a very serious disadvantage and wrong to numerous neighborhoods; the influence will be no less detrimental among the Indians.

I am having a one-story stone building erected for a school-house, 30 by 60 feet; on the lower floor there is to be a school-room, 25 by 30 feet, a hall and two other rooms; on the upper floor there is to be a hall and four rooms.

Since my last report I have completed the agency building and erected a saw-mill, with shingle machine and grist-mill for corn attached, with a part of the upper story finished off for a house for the engineer. I have also had a house erected for a farmer and for the miller, all of which are substantial and in good condition.

The two commissary buildings erected during the past year under the supervision of the military department, and transferred to me on the 1st of 7th Month last, are both very frail and defective; one of them has leaned over 71⁄2 inches in the story of 10 feet. I have four props against it to prevent it from falling.

Colonel Grierson, the commanding officer at Fort Sill, has endeavored, I believe, to faithfully carry out the policy of the administration in its treatment of the Indians, and has rendered all the assistance practicable to assist me in my official labors with them. The clemency shown them, however, has only been accepted as cowardice. With his concurrence and counsel I withheld the rations until the seven captives taken by the Kiowas were delivered to me, instead of purchasing them, as has been usually done, at from a few hundred dollars to fifteen hundred, as I have been informed has sometimes been paid for them. They have returned 31 head of the mules stolen from the quartermaster, and the only one stolen from the agency.

From what I can learn, the Indians do not intend to commit further depredations in this vicinity, but intend to continue it in Texas, especially the Qua-ha-da band of Comanches, and the most disaffected ones of the other Indians who will join them in their raids into that State. Respectfully,

LAURIE TATUM, United States Indian Agent.

Friend ENOCH HOAG,

Superintendent Indian Affairs.

No. 95.

UPPER ARKANSAS AGENCY,

North Fork Canadian, Indian Territory, 9th Month 1st, 1870. ESTEEMED FRIEND: From the date of my last annual report, 9th Month 6th, 1869, up to the time of the removal of the agency, early in 5th Month last, from Camp Supply to the North Fork of the Canadian

River, where the military road from Fort Harker to Fort Sill crosses that stream, nothing of importance transpired among the Indians of this agency. The Indians, when not absent hunting the buffalo, have drawn such rations as they needed, with which they seemed well satisfied, except in the matter of sugar and coffee, of which they are extremely fond, and wished to receive a larger amount than the regulations allowed them, viz., 4 pounds of sugar per 100 rations, and 2 pounds of coffee per 100 rations.

As it was known the Indians would not permanently remain in the vicinity of Camp Supply, nothing could be done in the way of erecting buildings for our comfort, or preparing the ground for future harvests; but the time has not altogether been lost. We have been becoming acquainted with the leading men of the tribes, and thus preparing the way for future usefulness.

About the end of 5th Month last the mules belonging to a train often wagons, loaded with Indian subsistence stores, and four wagons loaded with traders' goods, en route from Camp Supply to the new agency, were captured, and one of the train men killed by a small party of Apaches. Following this outbreak several men were killed around Supply, but by what parties the murders were committed we have not been able to ascertain.

ARAPAHOES.

These Indians have remained at peace, and not a single instance has come to our knowledge of any of them committing any depredatious within the past year. All the leading men among them have said repeatedly to me that they will never again make war upon the whites.

CHEYENNES.

A portion of these Indians, led by Medicine Arrow and Bull Bear, about 200 in number, are reported to have gone north of the North Platte River, late in the spring or early in the summer, and consequently I know nothing of their conduct since. I believe all the remaining Cheyennes were at the council of Kiowas, Comanches, and other tribes, held in 5th Month, on or near the Salt Fork of the Red River, when the question of peace or war was fully discussed. Of the particulars of that discussion, we learn from Indian testimony that but one Cheyenne chief spoke in favor of war, and he was one that has very little influence in his tribe. A considerable number left the council before it closed, and came to the agency before any depredations were committed, and remained during all the time of the continuance of Indian hostilities. Big Joke, a very prominent chief, remained at the council for a longer period, and we have abundant Indian testimony that he labored earnestly and faithfully to prevent any of the tribe from doing anything offensive to the Government, and for the preservation of peace and good order, and I believe he has been eminently successful. He has recently been to the agency, in company with his band of near 200 lodges, and drawn rations, and left again by permission to hunt buffalo for a short time, promising to return. Those who know this chief have much confidence in his integrity. It is my opinion that with proper care on the part of the Government they will not cause any serious trouble, although there are some restless spirits among them that would go on the war path were they not restrained by those of influence of their own tribe. These tribes are dependent upon the Government for their subsistence, with the exception of what meat they obtain from the wild buffalo. The ra

tion now issued them, per instructions of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated August 8, 1870, is as follows: Beef, 13 pound daily, except four times per month; bacon, of a pound four times per month, in lieu of beef; flour, pound daily, when corn or corn meal is not issued; coffee, 4 pounds to each 100 rations; sugar, 8 pounds to each 100 rations; soap, 1 pound to each 100 rations; salt, 1 pound to each 100 rations; tobacco,pound to each 100 rations; corn, pound daily, in lieu of flour.

I would respectfully suggest that the Department give to such leading men of these tribes as have stood firm and true during the recent hostilities, some tangible evidence that their services in behalf of peace and good order are duly appreciated.

In becoming acquainted with the Indian character, I find their minds often fixed upon obtaining some trifling article, or some small favor which the agent has no authority to grant, or means to procure. These requests would cost but little, yet they would exceed the agent's individual ability to furnish. If judicious agents were allowed a little discretionary authority, in such cases, great benefit would arise therefrom in permanently securing the confidence and friendship of many who would become earnest supporters of the Government.

IMPROVEMENTS.

We have a saw-mill in operation cutting timber for the buildings provided for by treaty. A stone building, 25 by 80 feet, in which is an office, has been erected for storage purposes, and materials are on the ground for the erection of several of the other buildings. Two small temporary buildings have been erected, and two others commenced and in process of erection, for the accommodation of employés, with families engaged in the service; and we hope to have at least two more buildings completed before winter commences, all of which will be occupied.

FARMING.

We have about 220 acres of prairie broken, and so much as was done in time for seeding was planted in corn, beans, and pumpkins, and some turnip seed was sown; but as it was not possible, with the means at my command, to have the ground fenced in time, only a portion of the crops could be saved. We have a quantity of wire and other material for fencing now on hand, and will proceed steadily to erect fence preparatory to next season's farming operations.

Respectfully,

BRINTON DARLINGTON,

United States Indian Agent.

ENOCH HOAG,

Superintendent Indian Affairs.

No. 96.

NEOSHO INDIAN AGENCY, Indian Territory, October 4, 1870.

SIR: In compliance with instructions contained in circular letter of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated June 1, 1870, I submit the following report.