SISSETON AGENCY.
Farming Tools Bought.
E. H. C. HOOPER, AGENT
For several years past, till last year, the crops on this reserve have been nearly all destroyed by grasshoppers; but this season promises an abundant harvest. The farming has been attended with unusual success, and the Indians feel very much encouraged with the result of their farm labor.
At present there are 2,191 acres of land broken on this reservation, 450 acres of which are new land broken during this season. Seventeen hundred acres are under cultivation by the Indians. There was a much larger acreage plowed last fall than ever before at the same season of the year, and, under the supervision of our farmer, it was well prepared for seeding in the spring. Nearly all our Indians, who were without seed, were provided from the warehouse early in the season, and manifested a good degree of interest in planting and cultivating.
Early in July, many of the Indian farmers, feeling confident of a large yield of grain, were very earnest in their appeals for grain cradles and other appliances with which to secure their crops. And, under authority from the Department, a lot of grain cradles were bought and issued to them. But the number purchased was insufficient to supply the wants of all, and a considerable portion of the wheat in small fields was cut with scythes.
Several of our Indians who have large wheat fields, have bought harvesters for themselves, at a cost of from $165 to $200 each, and are to pay for them from the proceeds of their sales of wheat; this is a move in the right direction and cannot be too highly commended.
All our Indians are half-breeds (with but few exceptions, and these generally confined to very old people) wear citizens’ dress, and a large majority of them live in very comfortable houses, made of hewed logs, and are furnished with cook-stoves, tables, seats, and other housekeeping conveniences.
There are some forty frame buildings occupied by our Indians, several of which are two stories high and painted, all having more or less land under cultivation.
Schools.
During ten months of the year—(the Manual Labor School eleven months)—three schools have been in successful operation: the Manual Labor School, the Good-Will Boarding and Day-School, and the Ascension School. The Manual Labor School building, situated one and a half miles from the agency, was originally provided with seats for fifty-six scholars, but the sleeping accommodations for this number of children have never been sufficient, and during the past year our carpenter has made an addition of several new sleeping rooms, and improved the condition of the old ones, which has added very much to the comfort and convenience of the pupils.
There are only four or five boys of sufficient age to be serviceable about the farm or garden. When out of school they were kept at work preparing the ground for seeding and cultivating, besides attending to the stock and farm work generally, all being done under the immediate supervision of the principal, who is, fortunately, a good farmer.
After the regular school hours, the girls are taught sewing of all kinds; cutting, making and trimming dresses, repairing garments; darning, knitting and use of sewing machine; also all kinds of housework, cooking, and the work of the dairy. After service in the evening, instructions are given in music, instrumental and vocal, in which both boys and girls take an unusual interest and show a marked improvement during the year. Mr. Tuckey, the present principal, assumed the duties of his office May 1st, and has been untiring in his exertions to advance the pupils in their studies, and, for the short time which he has been with them, appears to have been very successful. The two female assistants having had two years’ experience here, and been deeply interested in their pupils, have proved very valuable and successful teachers, and have the confidence and respect of the parents.
The time of the matron is fully occupied from six A. M. to nine P. M., in looking after and providing for the numerous wants of the pupils, and in this difficult and laborious work has proved to be very efficient.
The Good Will Mission Boarding and Day-School is situated one and three quarter miles from the agency; the children are rationed and supplied in part with clothing from the warehouse, but the other expenses—salaries, etc—are borne by the A. B. C. F. M. This school has accommodated as many as thirty-two scholars, part of them boarding at houses in the vicinity.
The day-school, situated at Ascension, about six miles from the agency, had, some months, thirty scholars; they live in the vicinity of the school-house, and are quite regular in attendance.
In addition to these three schools, two others were opened, and reading, writing and arithmetic in Dakota were taught by Indian teachers, during two months in the spring, with an average daily attendance of eighteen scholars each. These schools were opened at the earnest request of several of the leading men in their vicinity, in the form of a petition to the agent. These parents seemed in earnest in their efforts to have the schools opened, and showed a continued interest in them by frequent visits during the time they were in operation.
The estimated number of children of school-going age on this reserve is three hundred, and we have two brick school-houses, built in 1873, at an estimated cost of $600 each—one situated about one and a half miles south of the agency, and the other at the Mayasan, twenty miles distant; both are provided with improved seats, tables, etc., and will accommodate forty scholars each; neither of them has been used, for school purposes to any extent since they were built, but allowed to remain unoccupied.