I believe that history, since inspecting the “works,” as evidence is in sight to show where thousands of days’ work have been done, and many greenbacks “sunk.”
I called to my assistance Agent Lafollette and George Tillottson, of Dallas, Polk County, a man acknowledged to be the most successful and practical mill-builder in our State, who stands unimpeached as a gentleman of honesty and candor. The result of the conference was, that it would require $5,000 to build a dam that would be permanent; that all the lower frame-work of both mills would require rebuilding at a cost of $2,000, and that at least $1,000 would be required to put machinery in good working condition; and, when all was done, these people would have only tolerable good old mills, patched up at a cost of $8,000.
But mills are indispensable civilizers, and must be built. I am determined to start these Indians off on the new track in good shape.
There are three several branches coming in above the old mills, any one of which has abundant motive power. On one of these creeks a fall of thirty feet can be obtained by cutting a race at the bend of a rocky cascade, taking the water away from the danger of freshets, and building the mills on good, solid foundations, convenient of access by farmers and to unlimited forests of timber.
Mr. Tillottson estimates the total cost of removing the old mills and such parts as are useful, and rebuilding on the new site a first-rate No. 1 double circular saw-mill, with Laffelle turbine water-wheel, all the modern improvements attached; same kind of water-wheel for flour-mill, with new bolting apparatus, etc., at about $4,000, exclusive of Indian labor.
I submitted, in full council, to the agent and Indians, the proposition to apply funds already appropriated for the repair of agency buildings, a portion of the Umpqua and Calapooia School Fund, that has accumulated to upwards of $5,000, and so much of Annuity Fund as may be necessary to this enterprise, on the condition that the Indians were to do all but the “mechanical work.”
The matter was fully explained, and, without a dissenting voice, they voted to have the mills, if furnished tools, beef and flour.
The agent has now on hand a considerable amount of flour. For beef, I propose to use a number of the old, worn-out oxen, as they are now fifteen or twenty years old, worthless for work and dying off with old age.
To sum up, I have put this enterprise in motion, and propose to have the new saw-mill making lumber in sixty days, and the flour-mill grinding in ninety days.
I now ask permission to apply the funds I have named to this object, fully satisfied in my own mind that it is for the benefit of these people. If it cannot be granted, then I will insist on funds, that may be so applied, being furnished from the general funds of the department. These Indians must have a mill; besides, it would reflect on the present administration of Indian affairs, to turn them over to the world without that indispensable appurtenance of civilization.