CHAPTER XXXIX. GENERAL COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

There are some general observations which I desire to make prior to my conclusions. Any one of these might be expanded into an entire chapter, but since that is impracticable, it is necessary in the following pages to refer to a number of subjects both related and unrelated.

An illuminating comment as to affairs on the Great Plains between 1850 and 1880 is found in the Mormon records of their great migration from the East to Salt Lake City. There is no authentic narrative indicating a serious clash between these Mormons and the thousands of Indians whom they encountered. After their location in Salt Lake City and vicinity they preserved friendly relations with the Indians. Brigham Young made a statement, embodying the above facts, to Honorable J. V. Farwell, one of the original members of the Board of Indian Commissioners, in 1869.

People interested in Indians would do well to consult the early reports of the Board of Indian Commissioners. The first one was written in 1869 and published in 1870. Contrary to general belief, the Five Civilized Tribes, living in what was then Indian Territory, were working, building houses, fencing lands, and progressing. In other sections of the country as well there was progress to be noted. We do not need to confine our observations to the Apache country, Oklahoma or California in order to prove that the disinclination of many Indians to work, was entirely due to the fact that the Indian was suddenly removed from savagery and placed in civilization. Practically all Indians were self-supporting, prior to white domination. Otherwise, they would have soon died of starvation. The deterioration of the Indian was caused not entirely by removal of the means of livelihood (lands, game, irrigation, etc.,) but because of unwise, not to say foolish and incompetent, handling of Indian affairs. Washington is not so much to blame as is the entire country. Let us consider a specific instance at some length. Mr. John H. Seger went among the Cheyenne Indians in 1872. From Darlington, Oklahoma, he ran a stage to Fort Elliot, Texas, 160 miles. In 1884 the cattle men leased all the Cheyenne and Arapaho reservation west of the South Canadian River. They paid $100,000 per year, cash rent. As these Indians were drawing blankets, rations and clothing from the Government, so large a sum of money nearly ruined them. Captain J. M. Lee was appointed Agent, and after two years the Government cancelled the leasing privilege. These Indians, who formerly raised corn and hauled freight (thus earning money in addition to their free sustenance) complained, and desired to continue the leasing privilege in order that they might loaf. Captain Lee concluded that Mr. Seger was the only man able to persuade the Indians to return to their former mode of life. Seger was given to understand that if he learned the language, and gave up his life to the care of this band of Indians, he would be continued in the Service. He moved the Indians sixty miles to the Washita River and founded what is known as Seger’s Colony. The story of his work among these Indians and the many difficulties he overcame makes very interesting reading. Seger established a school and later the place was known as Seger township. Indians soon constructed twenty-eight houses. He labored for more than twelve years, persuaded a missionary organization to establish a mission and the last year he was in charge the net profits of the industries carried on at his school amounted to $6,993. The story of his removal and the subsequent purchase of much of the Indians’ land would be a repetition of what has occurred elsewhere in this country. I never could understand why competent men are not retained. Frequent removals, or changes in Washington, are of less moment, but in Indian communities much is lost and very little gained when a faithful employee, who has perfected himself in a study of his people, is removed from office and some stranger placed in his stead.

Several thousand Indians owning farms protect themselves and hold their own against white people. They do this notwithstanding changes of men or of laws. Such need no protection, and I have said little concerning them in this book. I would that all Indians were so satisfactorily placed in our body politic. As an illustration of this class of Indians, I present the following incident.

When travelling with Major Brennan across Pine Ridge reservation, I observed on the cabin of an educated Indian, who wished to protect his allotment, a large board sign which read as follows:

NOTICE

NO TRESPASSING WILL BE ALLOWED

ON MY ALLOTMENT UNDER PENALTY

OF THE LAW