Arizona republican., 1899-12-05
Various Agents Report on
 Their Condition.
SOME HAVE SUFFERED
They are Industrious and Courageous -Te Agency Employees do not Lead Life of Ease Our Ancient Enemy tee Apaches Contribute Much to Their Own Support and Increase Slightly in Population.

Washington, D. C., Dec. 1.-The re- ports of the Indian agents of Arizona for the fiscal year including reports of sub-agents and superintend- ents of schools constitutes the greater part of the report of the com | missoner of Indian affairs. The report ] of Agent Chas. S. McNichols of the Col orado river agency is in part as fol- ! lows:
 1 The first half of the year was pe- culiarly trying one Not only did the 1 Colorado river fail to make it's annual overflow, but the old experimental ir- rigation pumps erected in 1892 broke down altogether in August, running all unmatured crops and leaving the In- dians without any opportunity for self support on the reservation. By Sep tember l there was not a spear of food i producing vegetation on the entire res ervation. As the agent is only fur nished rations to supply one-third of the population many of the Indians were compelled to leave the reserva- ton to escape starvation.
 The unusual drought conditions pre- vailing for months over the surround ing country for the previous year had caused all the cattle to be driven out of adjacent territory. For this reason the department could secure no bids for the delivery of beef cattle at the
 
 for months afterwards. It was not un- til September that bid was secured at nearly double former prices, and coupled with the conditions that the cattle should all be furnished at one delivery. The agent protested as soon as this condition was learned, but it was too late to prevent the contractor bringing in 11S,O0O pounds of fat steers in October. Here was sad condition of things, as there was absolutely notll- ing for these cattle to eat except brush and leaves growing on the margin of the river. The department promptly authorized the purchase of hay, but only a limited amount could be had from the Indians. To ship in by row boats after a lcng shipment by rail meant the prohibitive cost of $60 per lOH lOI nay OEQtI lHt ClICulIlSldHGcS it was deemed best to divide the cattle in several punches and herd them over as wide territory as possible, with the limitation of having to.keep them near the river on account of the failure of all other water supply. The weaker cattle were brought to the agency and fed hay. By this course the loss of cattle during the winter was only about faO 1paH D.Irf thp nnrY.a T11Y1 fe1 ried out under difficulties. The Indians are not very good herders and the drought had practically lost them their horses. Those remaining were so poor as to be unfit for duty. This made the work largely devolve on the employees and agent and gave them many weeks of physical hardship and mental anx- iety. Meanwhile arrangements were t, being made to better conditions. Sev- eral months previous the agent had l estimated for a forty-horse steam en- zine and a fifteen-inch centrifugal pump. costing not exceeding $2,000, de- liVered and installed, to be used in con- nection with the seVenty-horse boiler and other appliances of the old irriga- ton outfit yet in good condition. This purchase was urged more strongly af- ter the old outfit gave way entirely. , and finally in November the depart ment sent W. H. Graves. the special ir- rigation inspector, to investigate the ] situation. As soon as MT. Graves looked over the field he immediately wired the secretary of the internior approval of the agents request and urged immedi- ate authority. This was granted at 1 once by wire.
 The contract was let in January, but the pump en route from the east was snow bound in Colorado for weeks. When all arrived at Needles, and after a weeks delay were started on a small steamer, the vessel broke down and was eight days in reaching the agency. Thus it was that the plant was not in operation until April 15, SIX weeks after the proper planting season in this hot region.
 But here our trouble in this direction ended. Not for a single minute has the new plant refused to do its full duty. pouring into the ditches from the river from 5000 to 1000 gallons of water each minute of it's operation. From eighty to 100 acres are irrigated each day the pump is operated. Three hun dred and fifty acres planted to corn. melons, pumpkins, beans, and sorghum have made that luxuriant growth pc culiar to bottom land in hot climates where the supply of moisture is under control. The sight at present is a feast to the eyes, and the Indians are just beginning to feast in a more substan- tial way.
 Considerable trouble has been had with the dftches. It was foreseen that the old ditches would not be large enough, and they had been greatly en- larged and strengthened previous to the