Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-11-20
INDIANS IN MONTAN A
Reports From the Various Agents Show
They Are Progressive
Army Officers mt These Agencies Not
Afraid to Do Their Duty, Even
II Complaints Are Made.

Montana Indians are not among those
termed half-civilized even, yet the reports
of the various agents in that state to the
commissioner Of Indian affairs show that
they are making progress. 1t also appears
that the army officers at these agencies
are not afraid to do their duty, no matter
what complaints are made. The agricul-
tural pursuits Of these Indians depend
largely upon irrigation. The government
has recognized this, and money Is now be-
ing expended for irrigation bitches, from
which good results are expected. Mean
while stock raising Is the main pursuit
of the Indians who do anything for them
selves. 1t also appears that considerable
attention is paid to education, and the
Montana Indian children are profting by
1t. On most reservations 1t Is reported
that whisky Is sold, causing most of the
trouble. Capt l.. w. Cook, third infantry,
In charge of the Blackfoot agency, has
taken vigorous measures to suppress the
trafic and broke up a small village to do
It, and says no liquor has been sold at
this agency since October, 1888. He sums
up the results In the following: "Robare
abandoned; post Office discontinued; store
and saloons closed. and the proprietors
OF the latter sent to the penitentiary. The
sQuaw men referred to. not being provided
through the Issuance of rations to their
wives, with the necessities of life have
hdu W move away and engage In indus
trial pursuits. The benefit to the Indians
as well as to the squaw men Is moro
readily imagined than described. Thus
have / added recruits to the ranks of those
who claim army officers are arbitrary and
cruel"
He has also made trouble for squaw men,
informing them that they must live like
civilized people and get of the reservatt
None of the agents speak highly Of the
morality OF the Indinrs, and, In fact this
seems to be one OF the most serious oues-
little spoken Of In the ger eral Indian htera-
ture.
Lieut.. j. w. Watson, tenth cavalry, in
charge OF the Crow agency, speaks In high
terms OF the general advancement of the
Indians under his care, and shows that
whisky selling has decreased while he has
been actir g agent
Joseph 7. Carter, agent Of the Fiatheads,
commeDdS the missionary and educational
work done by the Catholics among the
Indians under his care.
Maj. j. NJ. Kelley, tenth cavalry Mt
Fort Belknap, has recently been in Wash
ington with delegation of head men of
the tribes of this agency, and reported good
progress among them. The Indians told
Commissioner Browning that Maj. Kelley
was the best agent they ever hSd, and they
did not want him changed.
Capt H w. Sprcle. eighth cavalry in
charge at Fort Peck, says that his Indians
have been disturbed by rowing bands from
North Dakota, and from across the Cana
dian border. Some Of those from Canada
claimed they were Sioux. and had been
there since the great Sioux massacre of
1862.
Capt. Geo. w. H. Stouch, third infantry.
does not present as favorable q report of
the Tongue river agency as the others