The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-03

the treaty is ratified Aguinaldo will be
taught a thing or two.
SENATOR MANTLE'S BILL
For the Establishment of AMI Indian
School ut Fort Keogh.
In support Of Senator Lee Mantle's
bill for the establishment of an Indian
school at Fort Keogh, Indian Commits.
sioner Jones has made an extended fav-
orable report. In this report the ON
missioner says: The Fort Keogh
military reservation is located in the
southeastern part Of Montana, embrace
ing a territory about nine miles square,
being bounded on the north by the
Yellowstone river and on the east by
Tongue river. The fort is situated on
level and well-selected land in the
northeastern corner Of the military
reservation, about one mile south Of
the Yellowstone and about two miles
west of Tongue river. As to climate
and location, Fort Keogh has a dry and
very healthful climate and the drainage
of the land is a gradual slope to the
Yellowstone OH the north. There are
about forty small buildings that would
be Of no value to an Indian school.
They are, most Of them, small and un-
servicable buildings, unsightly, and Of
no value whatever to an Indian school,
and would need to be removed were a
school established. There has been
no ever system put in at Fort Keogh.
However, about a year ago Lieutenant
Wilkins, then quartermaster at Fort
Keogh. made an estimate Of the cost Of
a complete system Of sewerage, which
was about S., 900. There is said to be-
a pump house, containing two steam
pumps and the necessary boilers. There
are also a tank house and an elevated
tank, with necessary water mains, by
drants and connections. They have re-
Gently been put in, are in good condi-
tion aud would furnish a supply of
good water for all the buildings of the
fort; but the wells from which the
water supply is pumped will need to
be repaired +, as they have been simply
boarded up.
'In order to teach any farming or
gardening a system of irrigation must
be constructed. There are two sources
Of water supply for such a system,
namely, the Yellowstone river on the
north and Tongue river on the east.
It is estimated tlaat the irrigation ditch
from the Yellowstone river would cost
$44, 84S. The other plan would be an
irrigation ditch from Tongue river,
which would cost about SIS, 900, in ad-
dition to which would be the water
right and annual water rent to the
Miles City Canal and Irrigating COM
pany. The regular charges Of this
company are from so cents to So per
acre, according to the land and kind of
crop raised.
"In order to establish an Indian
school at this place it would be neces-
sary to practically discard the present
buildings and a large portion of the
water mains running to these separate
buildings. OF course, a few of them
might be utilized as stables, outhouses
and possibly employees quarters. I
would estimate that, in order to put up
a first class non-reservation school with
a capacity Of $50 pupils, which should
always be the minimum capacity for
such institutions, it would necessitate
at least two dormitories which, of
brick, with modern improvements,
would cost not less than $40, 000 apiece:
a school building, to, cost $40, 900,
would also be necessary; a mess hall,
dining hall, kitchen, laundry, etc.,
which would require about $50, 900
more; fencing improvements, etc.,
about $5, 900, making a total Of $780,
900, to which should be added the cost
Of the irrigating ditch, either $44, 600 if
the Yellowstone river source is select
ed or IS, 900 and also the annual ex-
pense of ate right and rental.
AS to the desirability of such an
institution, / am satisfied that at
present there is a sufiicieney Of non
reservation schools. The effort of the
Indian Office has been, to render more
effective aud more efficient those
already in existence rather than the
establishment of new ones. However,
should congress see fit and proper to
make the expenditure necessary for the
reconstruction and maintenance Of such
a school, this Office would endeavor to
fill it to its capacity, although there is
a strong prejudice among the Indians
on the reservation against sending their
children off Of the reservations to
school. With proper compulsory school
laws there would be no trouble in fill
ing such a school if it were estab-
lished."
GENERAL STATE NEWS.