The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-20

We recently had an interview with
Capt. John Smith, agent at the Warm
Springs reservation, who had just re-
turned from trip to Portland, where
he had purchased the necessary ma
chinery for a gIist mill, and which
will be taken to the agency as soon rs
the teams arrive. The captain ex-
pected them her ~ his arrival, but
was disappointeds N our conversa-
tion we naturally turned to Indian af-
fairs, for the captain has large, Chris
tian heart, and is thoroughly in earn
est in his work. He showed us an ar
ticle in the Council Fire, in which
Mr.. Meacham gave description of the
condition of the Warm Springs Indi-
ans before Mr.. smith was appointed
agent. 1t was truly deplorable, and
Mr.. NJ. says they were the lowest in
civilization on the coast. Capt. Smith
and a great many have left their no.
madic habits and have adopted the
settled mode of life of the whites.
They have about 1900 acres of land un-
der cultivation, which produces nearly
$4,000 bushels of grain annually. One
Indian raises on an average from 800
W I,UbV DuSllcIS tNtiN Ntdi, sthu
are several smaller farms which pro-
duce from 800 to 400 bushels. A great
portion of the labor at the agency is
performed by Indians. The black
smith work is entirely done by them,
and there are two at work in the shop
who can do anything in that line. The
grist mill is also under their superin-
tendence. Charles Pitt, the farm su-
perintendent, is educated and intelli-
gent, though n full blood Indian.
There are six apprentices now at work
at the agency learning different trades,
to whom rations are issued daily. The
school averages an attendance of
about 40 scholars, and Mr.. Smith says
they are apt to learn, and orderly. a
noon ration is issued to the children
in attendance. Fifteen of the most
advanced of these school boys have
been sent to the Industrial School at
Forest Grove, where the agent expects
to hear a good report Of them.
Church services are held weekly, at
which the agent takes the superin-
tendence. The denomination is the
Cumberland Presbyterian, and there
are 100 of these Indians in church fell
lowship. The agent says he could
have admitted more, but he requires
of each an intelligent reason of their
faith in Christianity. After the SER
vice a conference is held, at which all
the men and women are requested to
speak, and Mr.. Smith says strangers
are often surprised at the intelligence
evinced by these children of the for
est, who but few years ago were ig-
norant savages. He was very anxious
to arrive at the agency in time to
make the necessary arrangements for
holding the week Of prayer, as the In
dians take great interest in these
meetings.
Capt. John Smith has been on the
agency since 1860, except the 15months
1t was under military control, during
which years he has devoted his whele
time to bettering the condition of these
wards of the government. His salary
has not reimbursed him for the expen-
ses he has actually incurred, and he
says he Is a poorer man to-day than
when he first went to the Warm
Springs. But he Is truly in love with
the work, and considers himselfamply
repaid In the improved condition of
the Indians and the esteem they have