The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1890-09-27

Potatoes are q very fair crop this year.
Considerable of the wheat raised by the
Indians has formerly been ground into
-four ut the agency Touring mill, but the
most of it has been sold to outside buyers
whero the Indians trade. I see no reason
why all the wheat grown, excepting that
reserved for seed, should not be purchased
by the government and converted into
-four for issue. Not only would this tend
to encourage the Indian farmers, but the
operation of the mill would afford an OPP
p~ortunity for the instructive employment
of a few young Indians. The lack of such
work is a serious drawback to the ef1cien-
cy of the system of civilization outlined
by the department.. The return of pupils
from eastern schools, many of them fitted
for the pursuit oil some trade or occupa-
tion, is, under the present order of things,
a sad waste of material. With no avenues
Of employment open for them, and nothing
to stimulate what desire for advancement
they may have obtained at school, these
embryo citizens, reclaimed 20 far from
their primitive customs, rapidly drift back
to the old ways. There are many resources
of their country which they might be read
lily taught to develop, and in doing this
they could also be the means of light
ening the burden now borne by the gov
eminent. For instance, the instruction of
a few boys in the art of brick-making
would enable this agency to run a brick
yard in which material for the erection of
substantial and healthful houses for the
people could be made at little expense.
An abundance of the very best of brick clay
is to be found almost anywhere along the
river, and both wood and coal also abound.
I have made the matter the subject of a
special letter to the honorable commits
sioner, coupled with the suggestions of DR..
Geo. B. Cock, special census agent, who
Hts I0COulUI0AO0u ulx ucIuOU VI . uCe
ton.
MEoHAN1Cs.
Blacksmith and carpenter shops, one
each, employing two apprentices each, un-
der care of white instructors, are kept
constantly busy with the various repairs
incident to the employ of farm machinery
and tools. Nearly all of the machinery is
old and of little value, having been pur-
chased ten and fifteen years ago. The
four boys employed in the two shops, at
$15 per month each, are, after two years.
tuition, creditable workmen, able to turn
off many pieces worthy the skill of jour
neymen earning four times the pay they
receive. Others could be taken in for in
struction, hut that would necessitate the
dismissal of those now serving. The en-
largement of the facilities for work, so as
to allow of the making of some farm-tools,
as harrows, and even farm wagons, wonld
be of much service in spreading useful,
practical knowledge among the more en-
ergetic ones. t.
Although the facts are incontrovertably
against this country as a successful farm
ing region, without irrigation, when it
comes to its adaptation to stock-raising I
do not think toe much can be said in its
favor. While it has a severer climate than
sections further south, where cattle and
sheep thrive, it is also much more free
from disadvantages in the way of disease,
insect pests, scarcity of grass and indifer-
emit water supply. The grazing, as before
stated, is uniformly good all over the res
ervation, and water is plentiful and good
in quality. In fact, as a place for the rails
ing of cattle and sheep believe this section
has superior advantages. The extent of
agricultural development by the Indians
must be limited, since with increasing ef-
fort largely added expense must be in
Cured. The cost of machinery forms no
small itemyand it must be annually pro-
vided and kept in repair, crop or no crop.
The manifest inadaptability of the country
to agriculture suggests the early adoption
of some more reliable and profitable means
of livelihood among q people in which ma
terial prosperity must largely be the index
of progress. In view of these facts, I
would suggest that the subject of stock
raising, combined with wool production,
receive the attention of the department.
In case of the passage of the proposed
treaty of 1886, and the conse-
quent annual receipt of a considerable
sums by these Indians, it would be com
paratively easy to institute and, maintain
a system of ranching which would ulti-
mately result, and at no late day, in the
practical Independence of. these tribes
Experience among the whites has tended
to show that exclusive farming in this
region means bankruptcy.
TEMPER OF THE INDIANS.
The feeling toward the government
and the white man generally may be
designated uniformly pleasant, as has
always been. the case. Confidence in
the good intention Of the Great Father
is we'll established and as q rule the peo-
pie are satisfied with the management Of
their affairs. Few complaints are heard,
although occasional expressions OF
opinions on matters pertaining to the
service betray the Indians keen analy.
sis Of conditions and his perception Of
Justice. Not long since in discussing
/ Tho olk;tndo If varinila krihQa Inward flpo