The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-05-08

succeeded IN getJlnS set ASIDE some
two and a half townships of this res
ervation for the establishment of an
agency and home for them. The
Indian reserve was named Rocky
Boy after the aged chieftain. Poor
Rocky Boy had a little better luck
than Moses, for he lived to enter the
promised land and lived for a year
or two after the reservation was set
aside for his people.
The family history of the members
of the tribe was taken in May, 1917.
The roll was approved by Secretary
Franklin X. Lane July 16, 1917. The
reserve was set aside in 1916, and
the intervening time being utilized to
enable the scattered families to ga
Their from all portions of Montana.
When finally completed the total
number of members was about $50.
The population at this time is about
400.
Progress is Marvellous
John B Parker of the Indian SER
vice took charge of the reservation
in May, 1917, for the Indian depart
ment. At that time the only build
ings we're a few rude log huts that
liz lAlOldh0 q III ~ MlhLCl IL
the previous winter while they were
gathering. Mr.. Parker was com
PEELED to reside in one of these cab
ms till such time as he could build
quarters. The contrast between this
first effort of the Indians without
direction, and the present splendid,
though modest, agency is rather sur
prising to anyone who had not visit
ed the agency since that time.
The progress of these poor, home
less, detected and untaught people to-
wards self-support, self-respect, clean
living and success in agriculture is
a marvel to all who knew them dur
ing the time of their pilgrimage
through the wilderness. Much has
been published recently in the Mon
tana papers about the progress of the
other northern Indians in the bust
ness of agriculture, but it is my firm
belief that no people in modern times
have made more progress from a
wandering, starved and degraded
tribe to an almost self-supporting
position in the brief period of seven
years, that period, as we'll, being one
of adverse climatic and marketing
conditions for all who have been en-
gagged in farming pursuits.
Reservation Fenced
Briefly, 1 will sketch what has
been accomplished with and for these
people.
In 1917, the reservation was fenc-
ed, the money coming from the REIN
bursable fund of the Indian depart
ment. The fence is &c miles in
length and consists of four strands
of wire. The posts are a rod apart
and all labor of cutting the posts,
digging the holes and putting up the
fence was done with Indian labor
under the direction and supervision
of superintendent Parker.
That same year the Indians raised
some 400 bushels of grain and cut
and stacked about $50 tons of wild
hay. This hay was sold to the late
J. L. Sprinkle, who had rented the
unoccupied portion of the reserve for
grazing purposes.
I remember distinctly the first load
of wheat brought to Box Elder. The
grower was an Indian named Well
Off-Man, and his crop amounted to
the sum of $28. Feeling that an In
dian would better appreciate what
his crop meant if he were paid in
silver, he was given the money in
dollars. It was a proud Indian who
paraded around town with his pock-
cts bullying with % silver dollars.
Increasing Crops
In 1918, the reservation produced
about 1900 bushels of grain and 500
tons of wild hay.
In 1919, 1000 bushels of grain
and 500 tons of hay were raised.
This being a dry year, it is but truth
full to state that much of the hay
was brushy and of poor quality.
In 1920, 1000 bushels of grain
and $50 tons of hay were raised.
In 1921, 5000 bushels of grain
and 500 tons of hay were raised.
In 1923, $4,000 bushels of grain
and 500 IONS of hay were harvested.
In 1923, 10000 bushels of grain
and 500 tons of hay were raised. 1t
is only fair to these farmers to state
that nearly one-fourth of the crop
was destroyed by hail and grasshop-
The land is also becoming
somewhat infested with wild oats and
other weeds. The Indians are begin 4
ming to learn that something more is
necessary to produce a crop than
and seeding.
EVIL Spirits" Visit :
I remember last summer that one
DID fellow put in his crop carefully. |
He then went for a visit about the Z
line his crop was due to head put ]
rhe field looked promising when he t
eft, hut what was his surprise upon {
lis return to find that his field of
wheat mad turned into wild oats dur |
his absence. Nothing could con-
him but that the evil spirit /,
lad visited his farm during his abb :
and changed his wheat to wild :
,ats.
Another old mar named Crooked
1ose took his farm so far up in the |
ills that it was impossible to get
harvesting machinery to his plot. He {
lad in two and a half acres. Not :
o be baked out of his harvest he
ut the entire patch with a butcher
.nife, his old wife binding it into :
haaVes However his WELD was 132