The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-13
INDIANS READY
FOR CITIZENSHIP.
Captain Dougherty's Duty
at Haupa Valley
Agency.
ANGEL ISLAND POST.
Infantry Coming TO the Preside
for Target Prac-
tice.
CONTRACT FOR BARRACKS.
Wire From Washington Accepting N
McGowan's Bid of
STA 700
FOR BARRACKS.


Bids for constructing two additional
double brick barrack buildings at the Pre-
sidio were opened on the 9th inst at the
Office of Colonel A. s. Kmball, chief quar-
termaster of the department M. Nc
Gowan's bid of $74, 700 WIS found to be the
lowest. To hasten building operations
during favorable weather the bids were
teIegraphed to Washington and reply
has since been received by wire from the
quartermaster-gener authorizing the ac-
ceptance of McGowan's BID. The contract
papers have been duly executed and work
will begin Immediately.
Two companies of the First Infantry
from Angel Island will c,me over to the
Preside to-day and occipy the tented
field near the eastern line of the reserva-
ton, just north of the Uiion-street car
tracks. The infantrymen will be at target
pra ctice during the week. The report in
army circles that the infantry companies
now garrisoned on the island will soon be
stationed on themain land 3 regarded as
authentic.
Captain w. e. Dougherty, b. S. A., In
dian Agent at the Haupa Valley Agency,
Humboldt County, arrived IN the City
last Saturday en- ro1te to Yellowstone
Park with his wife. Captain Dougherty's
success in governing Indians has been rec
ognlzed in many ways by the Var Depart
ment. He possesses in a remarkable de-
gree the special bility required to man
age Indians, and at the same time TO in
struct them in the duties and obligations
of citizenship. He has had many years
experience with the tribes of the Klamath
River. 1t is hardly an exaggera;ion to say
that he knows every man, woman and
child of the Haupa Agency. He gave
names tc all the Indiang of the agency
who had been formerly designated ac-
cording to the aboriginal custom by some
| peculiar trait or defect.
| In bestowing names to Youngsters of the
male sex he lave freely OF me most dis
! tinguished army and navy nsmes in Amer
lean history. Many of the Indian girls
were given the Christian names of society
bellies. Many of the indians have ac-
CURED property, and some have saved
money and deposited it in bank at Eureka
Captain Dougherty is now firm in the
belief that the Indians of his agency
! should no longer remain w.rds of the
| United States. He believes that they are
capable of self-government under the laws
OF California. He resolved a year ago to
| try the experiment, and the change from
military to civil control is now il progress.
The schools of the agency hive taught
/ the indians to read. write and cpher. The
| generation now assuming the duties of
| citizenship is equipped as far as education
! goes TO carry on local government under
the general laws of California. The old
Indians of the generation passing away
are conservative and thoughtful. They
understand that the new order If things
is best for their chiIdren-that the family
relation as recognized by society is SUI
perior to the Indian tribal cuSom. In
due course of time elections will be held
for township officers and schooltrustees,
and the Indians elected to Office viii man
age public affairs in their respective sub
divisions of the county.
Captain Dougherty is not anxious to
make the transition too rapidly from one
form of government to another. The pro-
cess of change, in his judgment, should be
| gradual.