The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-06-17
NO. 7O1
FOOD FOE THE INDIANS.
How the Nations Wards May be Taushs
to Raise Their Own Cereals, Etc.


Observations among the Indians Of the
northwest convince me that they can be civ
ilized, and the vast amounts now expended
for the nations could thus be saved" said
indian Commissioner VIM. H. Lyon, refer
ring to the large amount of money involved
in the bids for Indian supplies awarded a
few days ago. Let the reservations be
done away with, the Indian be given his
land in seyeralty, furnished little house,
bedstead, stove, agricultural implements, a
little stock and an intelligent farmer as a
teacher for every twenty-five lodges, and I
believe they would very soon become self
supporting. They raise droves of the finest
horses in the world, caring for them as par
ticularly and as intelligently as any one
could-why could they not be taught the
cultivation and care of home? 1t is we'll
enough to educate the Indian children but
believe in educating the adult Indians also,
and the first thing needed is agricultural
education. As chairman of the purchasing
committee of the Board of Indian Commits
sioners, have assisted in making awards of
contracts for more than $40, 900, 900 worth
of beef alone Now, if the Indians had
land in seyeralty and teachers of agricuI
ture, this would not be necessary.
They are great on raising dogs, toe
Now, they are just as capable of raising cat
tie as horses and dogs. They need this agri-
cultural training just as much as they do
moral or religious teaching. This is the
most hopeful work, and missionaries could
do more in this way than in any other. In
fact, as have urged before, do not think
this great question will ever be settled until
the Indians are taught to get their daily
bread. If Congress would make appropria.
tons to be used in teaching them to raise
their own beef, there would be some hope
for their future"
But haven't the Indians any idea about
farming ?" was asked.
No, they seem to have no idea about it.
Not long ago visited tho Grow Reservation
in Montana. The land there is not suited
to agriculture without irrigation and the
agent had turned water from the river for
the purpose. The Indians were greatly in
terested, arguing that if little water would
make things grow, o great deal of water
would make them grow very fast. So they
turned the whole stream from its course and
of course washed away every thing that had
been planted. Later on visited the Fland-
reau Reservation. A special act was passed
number of years ago by which these In
dams could take homesteads. The tribe
was rather wild once it took part in the
massacre in Minnesota in 1868.
:" At the village of Flandreau went into
the stores and inquired if they did business
with the Indians and If goods were sold to
them on credit. oh yes was the reply,
and we would trust the Indian as quickly
as white man, if not more so.' At the
bank asked the same question and found
that things were the same. They did not
often lend money to Indians, because It was
not often asked. Sometimes an Indian Dor.
rowed money to buy yoke of oxen, or
something of that kind, and, as a rule, they
Ind proved themselves quite trustworthy.
From these observations l still CHIN that II
you once give the Indians lands in severalty,
breaking up tho reserves, and give them
teachers in farming, we shall not be com.
PEELED to buy millions Of dollars worth of
supplies for them.'