USA > Arizona > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 78
USA > New Mexico > History of Arizona and New Mexico, 1530-1888, Volume XVII > Part 78
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5 On the militia regulations and organization, with something of their ser- vices in suppressing lawlessness, see N. Mex., Rept of Adj .- gen., 1882-3, in Id., Official Reports, p. 61-144; Ritch's Blue-Book, 71-3.
6 That is, after 1880 there were 16,000 Navajos, 9,000 Pueblos, and 3,000 Apaches. In the early years the general estimates from different sources were 19,000 or 20,000, which were too small, the Navajos especially being under- estimated at ahout 11,000; there were also 1,500 to 1,800 Utes. The Pueblos increased somewhat, and the Navajos considerably; but the Apaches steadily decreased, and the Utes were removed from the territory. See estimates of the different tribes and bands later in this chapter.
" Ind. Aff. Reports, 1864 et seq. Subsequently, however, B. M. Thomas, the Pueblo agent, was a kind of special agent for all tribes. In '66 J. K. Graves is named as a special agent; and in '68 N. M. Davis was acting supt. Besides certain differences with the mil. authorities on points to be noted in connection with annals of the trihes, there is nothing requiring special notice in the administration of the successive superintendents.
728
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
$1,000 to $5,000 later; besides special appropriations, chiefly for the Navajos and Apaches, amounting to about $2,000,000 in 1864-84.8 The military expendi- ture, as we have seen, was about $3,000,000 per year.
Respecting the subject of Indian affairs in New Mexico since 1864 as a whole-that is, as distinct from the history of the separate tribes and sections, to be presented a little later-there is not much to be profitably said. In all the general phases of its devel- opment, including obstacles, controversies, and results, nearly all that has been said on Indian history in Ari- zona and other territories for the corresponding period, and in this territory for the preceding period, might be repeated without essential modification. I append some general notes in chronologic order.9 As a rule,
8 U. S. Statutes. See also résumé of congressional action earlier in this chapter.
9 1864. The gov. reports depred. much less frequent and serious than in former years, though the Apaches are hostile. The supt. declares that depred. have been frequent, and might have been prevented by more liberal supplies of food. The com. of Ind. affairs notes no improvement under mil. management, but thinks some experience is being gained for future guidance. A mem. of the legisl, gives losses at the hands of Ind, in the past 15 months at 99 killed, 47 wounded, 18 captured; and property stolen to the value of $448,683. In Morris' Address are given statistics, etc.
1865. Supt complains of want of funds; commissioner, that most agents cannot speak English. Gov. in a procl. of May 4th forbids exped. by citizens, and all trade in captives.
1866. Special agent Graves makes a report, generally adopted by the com. and supt. The settlement of the claims of citizens for Ind. depred., breaking- up of peonage and captive slavery, and suspension of raids by citizens are urged. Agents should be Americans, and their salary not less than $2,500 (instead of $1,500); a special com. should select reservations; and whites should be strictly excluded. A few bad Ind. spoil the reputation of a whole tribe. The Apaches may be made self-sustaining in 3 years by liberal approp. and good management. The gov. says the Ind. must, Ist, be conquered; 2d, their claimed right to roam taken away by treaty; 3d, reserv. defined, at a distance from settlements; 4th, Ind. must be kept on and whites off the reserv .; 5th, the U. S. must aid liberally in cloth, seeds, implements, etc., for 10 years; 6th, education must be enforced in an industrial school on each reserv. A mem. of the legisl. and the gov.'s mess. give the losses since 1846 as 90 killed, 31 wounded, 20 captured (123, 32, and 21, acc. to Ind. Aff. Rept); and property to value of $1,377,329.
1867. Report of joint spec. com., devoted mainly to earlier annals and to Carleton's corresp. Expend. since U. S. occupation $4,000,000 per year. It would have been much cheaper to buy the whole territory and turn it over to the Ind.
1868. Report, chiefly devoted to an argument against turning over Ind. affairs to the war dept. Arny was sent to Wash. on a mission connected with Ind. affairs. Cong. com. report against an increased and deficiency approp. Gov. is bitter against the U. S. for not sending more troops, now that the war of rebellion is over, also against the peace com .; complains of
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729
GENERAL PROGRESS.
while petty depredations never ceased entirely, the loss of life and property was never serious after the Navajos had been settled on their north-western res- ervation, and before the southern Apache outbreaks of 1880 and the following years. Finally, all the na- tives were gathered on reservations or in their pue- blos, and Indian wars have become, perhaps, a thing of
constant depred .; and says the settlements must defend themselves, as it is not best to call out the militia. Utes peaceful, Jicarillas ditto, but ' constitu- tionally dishonest,' other Apaches hostile, and but little to hope for the Na- vajos.
1869. Com. disapproves treaties with Ind. as sovereign powers; no de- cided improvement. Supt says nothing can be done till congress furnishes means to carry out policy of feeding as cheaper thau fighting Ind. 1870. Nothing notable. Report on missionary work, in U. S. Govt Doc., 4Ist cong. 3d sess., Sen. Ex. Doc. 39, p. 98-113.
1871. Bigger approp. needed. Com, thinks Grant's peace policy has improved the character of agents, etc. List and statistics of reservations, in Ind. Aff. Rept, 683. Collyer, in his report of Dec., says that for 15 years the Apaches have desired peace, but the agents have had no means of feeding them.
1872. Some general progress; but all rules fail when applied to Apaches. It is better to feed than fight them, but neither will control them, though a combination of the two in the hands of a discreet man will accomplish much. The supt should have authority to investig. all claims. Reports on Ind. and operations of troops, in U. S. Govt Doc., 42d cong. 3d sess., H. Repts, iii. Dis- cussion on Ind. aff., Cong. Globe, 1875-6, p. 2607-11.
1873. Supt reports things generally in a satisfactory condition. Better agents should be secured by higher salary. Prompt approp. would secure lower prices for all goods. The com. thinks the plan of appointing agents on recom. of religious bodies is working well. Gov. says Ind. depred. no longer amount to anything, a false impression having gone abroad on that matter. Ritch's Hist. N. Mex., MS., 4-6, gives some information about Ind. affairs from 1873.
1874. Supt Dudley at Wash. reports that not a single white had been killed during his term. Official rept on education, in 43d cong. 2d sess., H. Ex. Doc., viii., pt v., p. 515.
1875. Agents' reports show no troubles. Petition of citizens for removal of Ind., noted in 43d cong. 2d sess., H. Jour. 270.
1876. Com. urges in general concentration, allotment of lands in sever- alty, extension of U. S. court jurisd. over Ind., and the removal of N. Mex. Ind. to Ind. Territory. Rideing's A-Saddle, 83-6, contains some information on the mismanagement of reserv. 1877-9. Nothing new, but southern Apache troubles began at the end of '79. Nothing of general interest in 1880.
1881. The com. says: 'To allow the Ind. to drag along year after year and generation after generation in their old superstitions, laziness, and filth, when we have the power to elevate them, would be a lasting disgrace.' No change to be expected as long as the Ind. are simply fed. All the Ind. of southern N. Mex. should be moved north, away from the frontier. On this latter proposition the mil. authorities were agreed. Nothing of general im- portance in 1882-3.
1884. The gov. thinks no more raids like those of 1880-2 in the south are likely to occur. The legisl. protests against discrimination against N. Mex. in the purchase of supplies, and asks that N. Mex. be made a mil. department, with headquarters at Sta Fé.
730
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
the past. In New Mexico, as in the other territories, however, the problem of educating and civilizing the aborigines, of protecting their rights as well as those of the citizens, remains to be solved, with but slight prospects of success. Elements and conditions of the problem are substantially the same here as elsewhere; though certain qualities of the Pueblos and Navajos should offer more than ordinary encouragement.
In a former chapter we left the Navajos, or over 7,000 of them, at the Bosque Redondo reservation, on the Rio Pecos, where they had been brought in by the campaigns of Carson and other officers, under the di- rection of General Carleton, where they were kept as prisoners of war under military management and under guard of the garrison at Fort Sumner, and where were also 400 Mescalero Apaches under Agent Labadi. Subsequently, more Navajos were brought in, and the greatest number at the Bosque was 8,491 in 1865. It was supposed by Carleton and others that not more than 2,000 remained in their old home; but it later appeared that not much more than half the whole number, and these not the most troublesome, had been removed. Finally, for want of accommoda- tions and means of subsistence, orders had to be given to send no more prisoners to Fort Sumner. At the end of five years the number had been reduced by deaths and escapes to 7,304; but the greater part of the decrease was in 1864-5, when there were several outbreaks and pursuits.10
As a military measure, to gain complete control of the Navajos, to show them the power of the govern- ment, to make them appreciate the value of their old home, to prepare the way for a treaty, and to teach the Indians their true interest in keeping the treaty, General Carleton's policy of removal, as compared with
10 On the Bosque Redondo experiment of 1864-8, see Ind. Aff. Reports, especially Rept Joint Com., 1867, including Carleton's Correspondence. Dunn's Massacres of the Mountains, 447-76, has an excellent chapter on the subject.
731
BOSQUE REDONDO.
any other likely to have been adopted at the time, must be considered a wise one; and too much praise cannot be accorded him for his energy in carrying out his plans. But the Bosque Redondo as a reservation had no merits whatever; and as a means of civilizing the Indians, the project proved a total failure. Carleton was disappointed in his belief that he had captured nearly all of the Navajos, and in his hope that their removal would open up a rich mining district in the north-west. Still more was he disappointed in his expectation that when the Indians had been conquered, removed, and supported for a year or two at a cost of over a million dollars, the government would be ready with funds and a settled policy to take them off his hands, and proceed in earnest with the work of teach- ing them to be self-supporting. The government, as usual, did nothing promptly or definitely.
Moreover, a bitter opposition to the scheme was aroused from the first. Nobody in New Mexico de- sired the raiding Navajos to remain permanently on the Pecos, especially under the lack of control which experience had taught the people to expect; though the governor and others favored somewhat the Bosque Redondo as a possible stepping-stone to the ultimate removal of the Indians from the territory. Superin- tendent Steck was a leader in the opposition, finally going to Washington to urge his views; and the con- troversy between Carleton and his opponents became very hot, leading to much exaggeration on both sides.11
11 1864. Preliminary discussion on the reserv. in Wash. U. S. Govt Doc., 38th cong. Ist sess., H. Ex. Doc. 65, 70; Sen. Doc. 36; Sen. Mis. Doc. 97; Gov. Connelly's ideas in his mess. of '63-4. Petition for Carson's appt as supt at B. R. signed by gov. and many citizens. Carson, Papers, MS. There was an approp. of $100,000 soon expended. T. W. Woolson was appointed a com. to investigate. Supt declared the scheme would cost $2,678,000 per year. Much inform. in Carleton's Corresp. for 1864-5. C. says that Steck favored the B. R. plan before he went east. The reserv. was 40 miles sq. C. promised the Ind. that the reserv. should be permanent; and he favored neglecting all other Ind. in favor of the Navajos. 1865. In April a board under Maj. McCleave made a report on the management at B. R. A board of com., J. R. Doolittle pres., took much testimony, which is given in the re- port of '67, p. 323-62. The commissioner at Wash. took no decided position in the controversy, but says the Ind. seem to be doing well and cultivating 3,500 acres. Delgado, Steck's successor as supt, approved Carleton's ideas.
732
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Meanwhile, on the reservation matters went on from bad to worse. The Navajos were not farmers, and from lack of skill, ravages of the corn worm, and va- rious other causes, the crops failed year after year. Most of their flocks and herds had been lost, and the grazing was not sufficient for the animals left. There was the greatest difficulty in keeping them from star- vation. They were once or twice attacked by the Comanches and other Indians of the plains. They quarrelled with the Mescaleros, who ran away in 1866, after their agent had been driven off on a charge of irregular dealings in cattle. Under the new conditions the health of the Indians was much impaired, and the ravages of syphilitic disease became alarming.
Finally, in May 1868, when the condition of affairs had become hopelessly bad, the peace commissioners, General Sherman and Colonel Tappan, arrived, and on the 1st of June made a treaty for the removal of the Navajos to a reservation of 5,200 square miles in their old country, in the north-western corner of the terri- tory. Each Indian was to receive five dollars in clothing per year, and each one engaged in farming or any trade was given ten dollars. The head of a family could select 160 acres of land if he chose, and was in that case given $100 in seeds and implements the first year, and $25 for the second and third years. 15,000 sheep and 500 cattle were to be purchased for the tribe; buildings were to be erected at a cost of $11,500; and a school-house and teacher were to be
1866. Spec. agent Graves favored B. R. as a permanent reserv. It was the intention to turn over the Ind. to the interior department. Theodore H. Dodd acted as a kind of agent from June. There were only 1,050 horses and 1,100 sheep at B. R. 1867. Approp. of $200,000, but no rations to be served after July 1st, except in case of extreme necessity. Speech of Delegate Cha- vez in congress protesting against refusal to make approp. for B. R. Cong. Globe, 1866-7, app. 149. Bill to authorize a treaty for removal of the Nava- jos from B. R. and an approp. of $150,000, passed by house and amended by senate. The legisl. asked for an approp. for education at B. R., favoring the views of Father Bleick. Five soldiers killed in a fight with the Ind. Re- ports on unsuitable nature of the B. R. reserved. U. S. Govt Doc., 40th cong. 2d sess., H. Ex. Doc. 248, 308. 1868, More approp. urgently demanded. Id., H. Ex. Doc. 185. Howsley's claim for damages to his farms by Navajos. Id., 42d cong. 2d sess., H. Ex. Doc. 99. Treaty and removal.
733
THE NAVAJOS.
provided for each 30 pupils, the Indians binding them- selves to compel the attendance of all children from six to sixteen years of age. An appropriation of $150,000 was made by congress to pay the cost of removal, and make a beginning of reservation work under the treaty.12
The removal was immediately effected, 7,304 Nava- jos arriving at Fort Wingate, where the new agency was temporarily established, on the 23d of July, under the care of Agent Dodd. I append a list of agents in later years.13 From this date the Navajos have lived more or less quietly on their reservation, and with the exception of occasional misdeeds of renegades for a few years, their old-time raids for plunder and their broken treaties were at an end. They have grown rich as a tribe in flocks and herds, and from a military point of view have given the government no trouble. Over 16,000 in number, and constantly gaining, they fully understand, as they did not in earlier times, that war is likely to prove fatal to all their interests. Their reservation annals have been similar in most respects to those of other tribes. Some details are appended.14 The Navajos
12 The total of approp. for the Navajos in 1864-84 was about $2,000,000, the largest amount being $422,000 in 1868, and the smallest $5,000 in 1882. 13 Navajo agents: Theo. H. Dodd 1866-8, J. C. French 1868-9, F. T. Ben- nett 1869-71 (with - Ford, succeeded by J. A. Manley, as spec. agents in 1870), James H. Miller 1871-2, W. F. Hall 1872-3 (Kearnes in charge from June to Sept. '72, between Miller's death and Hall's appointment), W. F. M. Aruy 1873-5, (I. D. Gould spec. agent in '73), Alex. Irvine 1875-8, J. E. Pyle 1878-9, Galen Eastman 1879-83 (T. T. Bennett acting in '80), D. M. Riordan 1883-4.
1+ 1869. Census for distrib. of goods 8,181: 2,000 or more roving or with other tribes. Survey of reserv. being made by Capt. E. W. Darling. Com- plaints of depred. caused Gov. Mitchell in Aug. to issue a procl. declaring the whole tribe outlaws; but Gov. Pile in Sept. modified this so as to include only the marauding bands.
1870. Survey completed; area given as 6,120 sq. m. Count 8,234. Agency estab. at mouth of the Cañon Bonito, 48 m. N. w. of Ft Wingate, and across the Ariz. line (old Ft Defiance); 14,000 sheep and 1,000 goats distrib. in Nov. '69 and doing well. Trouble in getting the money approp. Much planting on widely scattered farms, but failure of crops and prospective destitution. Many outrages by Mex. and Utes; a few slight depred. by Navajos. There should be 5 subagencies. Miss Charity A. Gaston kept a school of 30 pupils for several months, aided by Rev. J. M. Roberts. The Ind. have fully kept the treaty.
1871. Continued failure of crops; 30,000 sheep, 8,000 horses, and a few
734
INDIAN AND MILITARY AFFAIRS.
were more intelligent and industrious than the Indians of most other tribes, but their great advantage, or
cattle; more sheep needed. Great need of buildings. Only 1 acre in 50 of the 3,916,800 acres of the reserv. tillable. Rev. Roberts and John Menaul acting as missionaries, without much progress. Mrs (Charity Gaston) Menaul's school has 40 pupils. Treaty with the Moquis and Zuñis. Some disease con- tracted at Bosque Redondo.
1872. Crops look well, but not enough raised for support. New farming district in the S. Juan valley. 130,000 sheep, 10,000 horses. Census 9, 114. 100 captives restored by Mex. settlers. School not very prosperous, on acct of irregular attendance; industrial school needed. Mounted native police did good service, 100 strong. Agent Miller killed by Utes in Sept.
1873. Crops bad again; reserv. not fit for agric., but half of it good for stock; 175,000 sheep; $50-75,000 needed for food till next harvest. No school. Arny favors an indust. school on S. Juan, but the supt disapproves this. Seed and tools needed. The reserv. should be extended on the south. Police disbanded. Supt thinks the Ind. will be self-supporting on expiration of . treaty.
1874. Good prospects. New police force of 200. Force of employés re- duced by act limiting expense to $6,000. School taught by Prof. Freise, Mrs C. A. Stowe matron; new school-house for 28 pupils; 85 taught in all. Cen- sus 9,068. Many sheep killed by cold; crops generally suffice to Dec. Ist. Bill to reduce reserv. in north and extend it in south approved by house com. 43d cong., Ist sess., H. Rept 638.
1875. Agent Arny and the teachers involved in a quarrel, and driven off, as he says, by influence of the 'squaw men.' He is very bitter against the military for refusing aid, favoring prostitution, etc. Hand-looms introd., with prospects of success, which were not realized.
1876. Grasshoppers destroyed the wheat crop. The agency should be moved to the S. Juan. where extensive farming would be done but for the hos- tility of the Utes. The southern extension asked for proves to be on R. R. lands. The agency is close to the line and traders do much harm. No pro- gress in schools. Mormons making advances. An Ind. being killed by a herder, a herd of sheep was seized, and the mil. permitted 450 sheep to be retained.
1877. All going well. 200,000 lbs. of wool sold, besides blankets and skins. The horses a detriment. Most of the good land utilized. Chiefs ob- ject to a census for distrib. of goods. Whiskey-selling does much harm. School not prosperous. Steam saw-mill procured.
1878. Ind. prosperous and industrious, but best land on the S. Juan not utilized for fear of the Utes. Only half the Ind. on the reserv., which is too small. Little or nothing accomplished for educ., because the govt has not fulfilled the treaty obligations. Buildings in a bad condition. Rations should be stopped. Treaty about to expire; but no danger, because of prop- erty interests. Legisl. demands that the Ind. be kept on the reserv., which, by order of Oct. 29th, was extended westward in Ariz. to 110° long. north of 36° lat.
1879. Count of 11,400 Ind., but many never visit the agency. 500,000 sheep, 22,500 horses, 1,600 cattle. Only ¿ crop, on acct of drought; 40,000 bush. corn. Only 11-15 children attending school, but they learn well. Presbyt. missionary expected. Ind. have partially adopted dress of civiliza- tion-also taste for whiskey and cards.
1880. Agent Eastman incurred the hatred of the Ind. by his efforts to regulate their amusements, keeping Sunday, etc. To avoid an open rupture, Gen. Pope put Capt. Bennett in charge, and quiet was restored. Pope deemed E. an unfit man by reason of his fanaticism, and his view was sus- tained at Wash. Rept Sec. War, p. 85. Only 7 per cent of subsistence fur- nished by govt. 40,000 horses, 500 mules, 1,000 burros, 500 cattle, and 700,000 sheep; 800,000 lbs. of wool sold, 10,000 acres of land cultivated.
735
NAVAJO RESERVATION.
that of those attempting to control them, was their inclination to raise live-stock. In 1884 they had a million sheep and 35,000 horses, though the latter were practically of no use to them. The possession of so much wealth made them fear war. In agricul- ture they were not so successful, though showing commendable industry under adverse circumstances, cultivating at times over 10,000 acres. The farming lands were, however, of limited extent and scattered in small patches; the water supply was inadequate and irregular; frosts and various pests were frequent obstacles; and the crops were usually more or less complete failures. Their chief disadvantages were the gross immorality of their women; their addiction to strong drink, though some progress was made in checking this evil; the inability of the chiefs and rich men to control the masses; their living in widely scat- tered bands from the necessities of farming and con-
Windmills and pumps introduced. Fine building being erected for a board- ing-school. Rev. A. H. Donaldson died in April, soon after arrival. No police organization, on acct of small pay allowed. Whiskey does much harm; and some of the young men getting restless. Legisl. protests against order of Jan. 6th, which added to the reserv. a strip 15 m. wide on the east and 6 m. on south.
1881. Pop. estim. at over 16,000. Agent Eastman restored, and com- plaining of mil. interference and pretexts. Crops ruined by drought and flood. No increase in stock since '79. Approp. much too small. The R. R. brings some evils. Homestead acts of '75 and '80 will enable Ind. to keep their farms off the reserv. School not thriving, but Mr and Mrs Perkins have done all they could. Arms are illegally sold to Ind .; and illicit sexual relations with whites are increasing. 5 per cent of subsistence from hunting and 5 per cent from govt. Gen. Pope thinks there is great danger of trouble since E.'s restoration. The tribe is very powerful, and must be carefully treated. He expressed the same views later, also disapproving the extension of the reserv., but he was finally pleased with Riordan's appointment.
1882. A good season until the frosts came. $5,000 an absurdly small approp. School-house nearly done. No missionary work. 54 pupils. The R. R. creates a market for blankets. Of the treaty approp. there was an un- expended surplus of $156,651, and an effort was made to secure this for the Ind.
1883. Gen. Pope deems the Mormons dangerous, and says there is no doubt they incite the Ind. to hostility. No. of sheep said to be 900,000. Native work in jewelry described in Matthews' Navajo Silversmiths. Wash., 1883, fol., p. 171-8. Some troubles by roaming bands.
1884. Reserv. extended westward to long. 111° 30', and consolidated later with the Moqui reserv .; on the north the boundary was made the S. Juan and Colorado rivers; but 46,000 acres were thus cut off in N. Mex., leaving the area 8,159,360 acres. Estim. pop. 17,000; 15,000 acres of land cultiv .; crops 220,000 bush. corn and 21,000 bush. wheat; 35,000 horses and 1,000,000 sheep; 50 men induced to build houses; 25 able to read.
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