Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1901-12-25

, Ions to produce intoxication, so its con-
fealment is no easy matter. There are
usually n number of Indians in the
cealment is no easy matter There are
not been n time in their history when
they can not remember having tiswin.
and they claim 1t is both food and
drink. But / am of the opinion that
they are more thirsty than hungry
when they use it. And they could just
as well eat the cor, they make it of.
The agency buildings are in as bad
n condition as possible TO be habitable
at all. l refer TO those which are sup
posed to be for the employees to live in.
They are unsanitary, full of cent?
pedes, scorpions, snakes. and the choice
assortment OF poisonous vermin and
reptiles for which Arizona is justly
famous. The floors. ceilings and roofs
are in just the right condition TO give
them free range. The old agency
buildings were put up in a square as n
measure OF protection in the hostile
days. The science of architecture was
given little attention here at that time,
it being more essential to save ones
scalp. But now ii is hardly reason
able to expect these antiquated struc-
lures to do service any longer.
1.-The land of this reservation capa-
BILE of irrigation should be put under
ditch system as soon as possible Ac-
curate surveys should be made to de-
tcrnine the area available, and the
work of providing each Indian with a
farm secure to himself alone should
proceed as rapidly as possible In a
few years their lands could be allotted
and the ration issue discontinued.
With the present inadequate system of
irrigation this is OF course impossible.
"Storehouses should be built to fos-
ter a spirit of providence. They do
not really need dwellings in this eli
mate. and would probably live in them
in such way as TO propagate disease.
Consumption is quite common among
them.
THE Apaches are very sensible Indi-
ans. and are. in my opinion, progress
ing toward civilization in n very salts
factory manner
Agent Hadley of Sacaton. referring
to the condition OF the Pimas. Mari
copas and Papagoes, in his charge
says:
I'm my last report expatiated on
the starving and helpless condition of
the Indians under my charge and the
necessity for the building of storage
reservoir by the government Practi-
caIly the same conditions now exist.
and the experience of the past year has
confirmed me in my opinion and EN-
Dhasized the need of n reservoir.
The department authorized the ex-
penditure of $1,000 for seed wheel and
barley. and l accordingly purchased
22o.eo0 pounds of wheat and 5000
pounds of barley. which was issued for
seeding purposes during October. No
vember and December. 1900. This
seeded about 1000 acres. and with plen-
ty OF water would have yielded 4.0O0.-
900 pounds OF wheat. There was suf-
ficient water in the early part of the
season. but before the wheat matured
the water supply gave out. the wheat
shrivzled W. and much of the graiu
failed to mature at all About 1000
600 pounds of wheat were harvested. OF
which. perhaps 30 per cent is good and
sound.
After putting forth every possible
effort (such efforts as white mel would
never make) to raise n CROP and make
themselves self-sustaining. these wor-
thy indians are again stranded on the
desert with scant provisions. sufficient
for only few weeks existence. While
the crop raised is nearly twice as large
as that of last year. such other re-
sources as they had are practically ex-
hausted There is no water for their
crop of corn. beans. pumpkins. etc.
which is usually planted after the
wheat is harvested. The weather is
dry and hot. with no immediate pros
pect of rain. Within n few months the
Indians will have to depend on the
government for support.
Il can not say too much in praise OF
these Indians. considering the trying
under which they have
endeavored to support themselves.
Many have sought work off the reserva-
ton. but there has been little opportun-
ity during the past year to secure out
side work for any large number.
There are many who have families and
cannot leave home. Some eke out
meager existence by cutting and mar
keting dead wood. of which the supply
is now about exhausted, or getting cac-
tus fruit or mesquite beans.
THE soil OF this reservation is very
the climatic conditions ia
vcrable to the Indians, and with suf-
fcient water to irrigate their small
ranches they would make a good liv-
ing and become good citizens. Until
sufficient water is furnished ] see no
better way TO provide for them than
that followed last year. viz, to furnish
work for the able-bodied on the resef-
walton and provide subsistence for the
old and helpless.