3. It cannot be questioned that we have come to a new stage in Indian affairs. At last there is throughout the country almost complete control of the wild Indians. The day of Indian wars is over. We may very likely never have another. Now that the buffalo has largely disappeared, the Indian is dependent on the Government supplies for food and clothing, unless, like the white man, he resorts to agriculture. In consequence, without any large display of military force, the Indian agents are able to preserve excellent order on the reservations. The Indians feel their dependence and recognize the power of the Government. If fairly treated by the white man they will give us little trouble hereafter. It is easy to see that modifications in their condition, all looking toward civilization, are constantly taking place. They are giving up their Indian dress. It is now rare to find an Indian whose dress is not in some way conformed to the white man's. They are learning the comforts of civilization through the supplies from Government, and welcome the frame house, the sugar and syrup, the flour and beans, the tools and clothing which come to them from this source. They feel the pressure of the white population crowding upon them from every side. They see their wild life is a thing of the past, and while there are selfish, vicious, superstitious and conservative influences strongly at work against the change, still the change goes on. Their more thoughtful men, perceiving the necessity of the change and recognizing its advantage, are urging the establishment of schools and churches among them. There can be little doubt that as these processes continue the tribal relation will eventually cease, the reservation system will be abandoned, the Indian will come under ordinary laws, he will be assigned land in severalty, will cultivate it for his support, and become citizen. Already this is true of many Indians, and the day is not far distant—I venture to prophesy that it is within the next twenty years—when, if these influences continue, the Indian will be so thoroughly absorbed among his white brethren that as a separate race he will be lost to sight, and the Indian question will be a question no more.
INDIAN IN NATIVE DRESS, FORT BERTHOLD.
A word now in explanation of the illustrations accompanying this article. An Indian chief is prominent in the first cut. His son is on horseback beside him. His wives and younger children are seated on the ground. The influence of civilization already appears in the dress of these people and in their use of cattle. The second cut represents a small portion of the large burying-ground at Fort Berthold. The wigwams in the third cut are mostly of skin, but generally canvas furnished by the Government is now used. The arrangement of poles and the desolate appearance of the tents scattered here and there are true to life. In the sixth cut the heavy earrings and necklace are of wampum and very valuable. The dress, while cut in Indian fashion, is, like nearly all that the Indians now wear, furnished by the Government. The Indian in the fifth cut wears his hair long and tied up in two queues, with mink-skin pendants. His constant companion, a pipe of red pipe-clay, is in his lap. The lodge in the seventh cut admirably represents the peculiar homes of Fort Berthold Indians. It is very large, and sometimes divided into several rooms inside. It is well constructed as a protection against the severe winters of Northern Dakota.
INDIAN BOYS AT SANTEE NORMAL TRAINING SCHOOL.
On the top of the lodge an Indian is standing. For many years the Indians of Fort Berthold have been accustomed thus to look out across the Missouri, on the watch, lest their ancient enemies, the Sioux, steal upon them unaware. Beside the Indian may be seen the wicker framework of a "bull boator," skin coracle. The Indians can seize these in a moment, run with them on their heads to the river, and paddle across the Missouri with ease after a deer or a buffalo. In the foreground is a travoir, or Indian wagon, made of two poles with a pouch of leather thongs slung between them. A pony rather than a dog ordinarily drags this. Another cut represents the Santee Indian as he was a few years ago. He now lives in a comfortable log-house, or often in a frame house given him by the Government. In the last cut are very good likenesses of two girls who are now at the Normal Training School sustained by the American Missionary Associates at Santee. They are pure-blooded Indians. Their father is a chief at Fort Berthold, who has turned from his wild life to become a regular attendant at church and a thoughtful imitator of the white man's ways.
DAUGHTERS OF INDIAN CHIEF "POOR WOLF."
Two other cuts represent groups of school-children at Santee, all Indians. The artist has not exaggerated the bright and attractive look upon their faces. They come from all parts of Dakota and the Santee Reservation. In the ninth cut is represented an Indian who, with a white man's shirt, retains his native leggings, blanket, necklace and tomahawk.