Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-01-01
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
PAPAGo hEsgKyATIoN.

For more than year past there has been considerable trouble b~sween tle Papago Indians and the Mexicans living on the reservation.
 The latter hav.. been repeatedly order ed to leave, but the order not being rigidly enforced they have managed to remain. Not satisfied with occupying lands rightfully and legally belonging to the Indians, they have further prevented the Papagos from getting wood that was on the reservation. The Indians have borne this injustice patiently, and though an outbreak has often been imminent, they have been quoted with promises that the matter would be lighted These, however, have been unfulfilled, and af- fairs have lately taken such turn that bloodshed was feared, and the determ- ined interference of the authorities be- come necessary. Indian Agent Roswell G. Wheeler has been in town several days looking into the matter. The InJUstlce done to the Indians became at once ap- parent, as there could be no question of the Mexicuns living on land and claim ing rights to which they had not the faintest title.
 Agent Wheeler at once took decided stand, and yesterday gave the MeXIcans notice that they must leave within twenty-four hours, or their houses will be leveled to the ground. The United States Marshal and posse of men were to have left this morning for the reserva- ton, but being unable to get the neces- sary papers in time, it was decided to put the matter off until tomorrow. There need be no fear of any trouble, as the Mexicars, knowing they have not the ,Ightest vestige of right to the ground, ShsGt- .. ',arrn their preparations have already oe7 1sils
 for leaving. 'h5zayov,
 PIMA INDIAN AGENCY.
 When Agent Roswell G. Wheeler took charge Of the Pima Agency in July last affairs were in a very i'll regulated cOu- dition. The Indians were allowed to get drunk. gamble, steal--In fact, to do as they pleased.
 To change this condition of things with an untutored and almost wild race, was work of no mean proportions, and well calculated to fill person placed Tn this trying position with considerable apprehension.
 Agent WEeeler's first work of reform was to stop the Indians from gambling. Previously they had been in the habit of gambling off their clothes, their horses. and even their wheat. In consequence their families were often compelled to suffer the tortures of hunger, and the loss of their horses made 1t unable for them to attend to their farming. The stopping of this has somewhat incensed certain traders near the reservation, but the Indians have begun to see the wis dom of it and it has almost entirely ceased.
 Drunkenness is very rarely found amongst them now, as most stringent measures have been taken to see that no whisky is sold to them.
 Another conspicuous reform has been to abolish the ancient custom, these h. dians have, of destroying the horses, houses and other property Of their friends, after they have died. The school Is in a most hourishing condition, and has seyenty-two scholars who are clothed and fed there.
 The Pimas take very kindly to farm- ing, and during the last season have raised unprecedented crops of barley and wheat.
 The Pimas, as a class, are very intelli- gent, and are anxious to grow more like white men. One of the first changes Mr. Wheeler managed to bring about, was to have them abstain from painting their faces. To tell them that the paint made them look like Apaches, was al- most sufficient to bring this about, for the Apache is to the Pima, what holy water Is said to be to the devil. One of the most abhorrent things among Indian nations Is the lack of feeling they have for the virtue of their women. Especially is this the case where they have lived near the vicinity of white men. History tells us that the h. dians regarded the purity of their wo- men as a priceless pearl; but they have retrograded considerably since then, and, it must be confessed with a sense of shame, their fall in virtue has been not q little due to the contaminating influence of the white man.
 Agent Wheeler has been making strenuous efforts in this respect, and feels hopeful of success. He has pre- vented the women from leaving the camp in company with their bucks for the large neighboring towns, and any buck who is detected bartering his squaw's favors is dealt with in a manner that must impress itself on his memory.
 These reforms and changes have not been effected without some trouble, and the outbreak in November last, when the life of the agent was threatened, was the result of false stories told to the Indians as to the aim and purpose of the agent, in thus changing and abolishing their old customs.
 Affairs on the agency are very quiet and prosperous at present, and Mir. Wheeler is determined that they shall remain so while he is in charge, in which good work all honest citizens will freely aid him.