The Press., 1898-01-27
NORTH DAKOTA LETTER.

oberon, N. D., Jan. IS, 1898.
 Ever since have been here have had it in my mind to give some account of the Indians, who are our neighbors to the east of us. The Devils Lake reservation lies on the south shore of the lake of that name. The lake forms its northern boundary; Its southern boundary is the Cheyenne River. It extends east and west about thirty-five miles, and from north to south from eight to eighteen miles. There are about one hundred and sixty-six thousand and four hundred acres, one half of which is fairly good agricul- tural land. The rest Is timber land, hills and meadow. The country around Fort Totten is very pleas mt; indeed, there are some views worth going far to see. As late as the summer of 1895 the number of Indians on the reservation were, males, 49S; females, 523 total, 1.O21 males over eighteen years of age, 287; females over fourteen years, 37S; school children between six and sixteen years, males, 102; females, 99. The total population is 32 less than two years before. The general opinion is that there is nc increase, but rather a gradual decrease in the popula- tion year by year. The death rate is un- usually large, being nearly seventy to the thousand for the two years preceding 1895. The main cause has been want and desti- tuition.
 The Indians have allotments in lands, prairie and timber. When the allotments were made the government furnished the Indians 8 certain number of cattle, hogs and horses, and some farm implements, but the Indian is not a farmer, or the son of 8 farmer, and has to learn everything about agriculture. While he is learning this he has to live, and for his living he has to look to himself. He likes to eat, and when he has anything to eat he eats it. He gets hungry while he is trying to raise something which he can convert into | bread and meat. His cattle to farm with, his cows and his hogs, it was convenient for him to kill and eat. Of course, when he had eaten them he did not have them ! to work with. His farming operations fell behind. His machinery he either sold or used up. So it came to pass that he can't farm 1t. He has nothing to farm with, and yet he must provide his own food. Formerly he hunted and fshed, and exist only in the memory. Since have been here the government has help. cd them very little. They have had seed furnished them once or twice, and believe little meat. There are a few who are doing quite well as farmers. IT 1895 there were 4, TOO acres of land under cultivation, of which 5000 were sown tc wheat. The rest was divided between 1 oats. barley, potatoes, corn, and few other small seeds. Indians-a number o them-have been known to bring this seed wheat furnished them into town sell it, take the money and buy something and use it up at once, thus reaping quick harvest, and as quickly disposing of it.
 They need con tant watching. I have seen very few cattle on the reservation do not now recall ever having seen COW but ponies, all the Indians have. There is quite class of young men who hay, grown up since the land was allotted, bu they are not able to get living of th' land because they have no machinery o tools whatever to work the land, and nc means to get them. If they ever have tools, machinery or cattle, the govern ment will have to help them; but tn, government does not seem disposed to d. 1t. It must be said of these young mel that they are disposed to work, and appl, to the agent for it. But their opportu mites for work are very limited. Thei
 best time is in harvest an1 threshing, bu the period is brief, and the openings few In the summer, and in fact the yea around, we have them coming into tow frequently with wood, and, in the seasol of it, hay, which they are glad to sell Usually they have no trouble in disposin. of all they bring in. This, wonderful, open and snowless winter, enables then to market considerable wood and hay and that is all they do now. But tn
 wood is, much of it, young timber, whic
 should never have been cut. In a feI years there will be none to cut. A hun gry, starving Indian is very human, an
 will have care for his stomach, and vii
 put young, growing trees into it. Ever year there Is much suffering among then every year their condition grows worse You may see the squaws about tn town every little while searching care fully around the houses and stables, @,
 erywhere in fact, for anything that ma
 be converted into food, or be used in IT dian housekeeping or out. They ar good natured creatures, and bear uncon plainingly their hard lot. In their sem
 civilized state they are worse of than
 their former wild condition, when tn chase ard the fishing was sufficient t supply them with food and clothing How little food they get now; ho' poor Is their clothing. No wonder s many die of pulmonary diseases and des titution. Having taken their huntin and fishing grounds from them, the gov ernment should keep them in comforLabl food and clothing, to say the least. Ho' can 1t expect to make farmers of them a day? As for the reservation school and some personal experiences wit some of them, shall have to reserve fo