JICARILLA AGENCY, N. MEX., SIR: In compliance with instructions from the Office of Indian Affairs, dated May 15, 1902, I have the honor to submit the following report of the Jicarilla Agency, with statistics, for the year ending June 30, 1902: Location.-As stated in my report for 1901, this reservation contains 415,713 acres, and is situated in the northwestern portion of the Territory of New Mexico. Population. The census roll accompanying this report shows a population of 802, 11 less than the enumeration given in last report: Males, 378; females, 424; total, 802. Chidren of school age: Males, 127; females, 102; total, 229. Agricultural products.-Most of the land on this reservation is fit only for grazing, There are 500 acres under cultivation; upon this, last year, in spite of a very severe drought, were raised 200 bushels of wheat, 500 bushels of oats, 100 bushels of corn, 300 bushels of potatoes, 10 bushels of onions, 15 bushels of beans, and 40 bushels of other vegetables; 200 tons of hay were cut. Stock. The stock consists of 1,260 horses, 16 mules, 140 burros, 75 cattle, 2,500 sheep, 650 goats, and 250 domestic fowl. Dwellings. During the past year 24 cottages have been built by the Indians with the assistance of Government employees. The house is gradually superseding the tepee, although the latter will probably continue to be a favorite habitation in summer. Roads and bridges.-It has been practically impossible to keep statistics of the amount of work performed by the Indians on the roads during the year; 2 miles of new road have been built and all roads and bridges have been kept in good repair. Fences. About 20,000 acres are under fence, 3,000 rods of new fencing having been built during the year. Native industries.-Bow-and-arrow making, beadwork, and basket making are the native industries of these people. During the past year they realized about $4,000 from this source. Their work is of excellent quality and commands a high price in the market. Issues.-About one-fourth of the support of the Apache Indians is derived from the issue of Government rations. Issues are made as usual, semimonthly. There are also small issues of annuity goods each year, but no annuity money is given out. Most of the money obtained by the Indians is derived from the sale of their own products. Indian courts.—A court is maintained, composed of 3 Indian judges. During the year 8 Indians have been punished for various offenses. In addition, 27 Indians have been confined in the agency jail for being drunk and disorderly and for disobeying instructions. Missionaries.-Two ladies, Miss Moore and Miss Munger, and a native pastor, Reverend Martinez, are supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church as missionaries. They work unceasingly to elevate the condition of the Indians. They instruct the people in the Christian faith, do charitable work, and hold religious services on Sundays and Wednesday nights. Liquor traffic.-I stated in my last report that there were six saloons located close to this reservation, four of which are owned by one man, and that I had turned over to the United States attorney for Colorado affidavits for four Indians claiming to have purchased liquor from these saloons. The United States attorney presented the evidence to the Federal grand jury who returned seven indictments. These will come up for trial when court meets in September. However, indictments do not seem to deter these people from selling fire water to the Indians, as I have mailed to the United States attorney within the last sixty days four more affidavits, showing the purchase of whisky by Indians from the same persons who were indicted. Health.-The health has been good during the past year, there having been no epidemics of any kind. Education. The contractor finished the new school buildings and water system on April 18, 1902, though the contract called for their completion by August 1, 1901. The reservoir is not yet thoroughly soaked, and consequently does not retain all the water pumped into it. I hope to have it in proper shape by September 1, when school opens. The Indians are very anxious to send their children to a reservation school, and the attendance this fall will tax the full capacity of the building. Returned students.-There are now on the reservation 17 males and 6 females who have returned from the Indian schools at Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Mescalero. One is the agency farmer, another is the agency blacksmith and carpenter, and others are engaged in agriculture. These returned students spread among the people ideas and methods acquired in school and do much toward advancing their Indian brethren in civilization. The women who have attended school make much better housekeepers than those who have not, and are more popular with the people. On their return, however, they drop their civilized dress and go back to the blanket and moccasin. General progress.-The progress of the Jicarilla Apaches along the line of industry, morals, and education has been very good. They are very quick to learn and take advantage of any opportunity for bettering their condition. The tepee is being gradually discarded for the house. The Indians seem to value a home more and more as time passes, and are more concerned in the welfare of wives and children. When I came among them they were wearing blankets and "gee" strings; now twothirds of them wear citizens' clothing and the rest make use of citizens dress in part. Our blacksmith and wheelwright is an Apache who learned his trade in the agency blacksmith shop. The agency farmer and assistant farmer are likewise Apaches, each receiving $60 per month for his services. There is a growing desire for education. Am expecting very good results from the school which has just been established on the reservation. Present condition.-The temporal welfare of these Indians, however, is far from satisfactory. The severity of the past winter was such that the Indians were compelled to use their seed grain and potatoes for food in order to live. Never in the history of northern New Mexico has there been such a drought as has prevailed during the past six months. The Indian crops for 1902 are a total failure here. Indians have dug under rocks for enough water to quench their thirst and have driven their stock for days before finding water for them; many horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are dying of hunger and thirst. The Indians themselves are compelled to drink water that would kill an ordinary man. The rations have been cut one-fourth by the Department. It is its intention to furnish the Indians with an amount of money equal to the rations cut off, this money to be given in return for their labor. This amount is supplemented by the sale of baskets and other fancy work. Many Indians hire themselves out as sheep herders, receiving for their services 50 cents a day. In spite of such self-help, there is not sufficient income to keep them from want. Needs.-There is one way in which these Indians may be made self-supporting. If the remedy is not applied, it is likely the Jicarilla Apaches will always be a burden upon the Government. The remedy lies in the sale of their timber, which is now gradually dying of heart rot. The proceeds should be applied to the purchase of sheep and cattle. I confidently believe that if this were done, in a few years these Indians would be among the largest stock owners of the Territory. At all events they would soon be able to support themselves. They understand sheep and cattle raising, and the reservation is one of the richest grazing districts of northern New Mexico. The honorable Secretary of the Interior and yourself tried to secure legislation providing for the sale of the timber on the reservation by introducing in the last Congress the following document: "DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, "SIR: In the Indian appropriation act for the fiscal year 1895, approved August 15, 1894 (28 Stat., 268-302), the following item appears: For support and civilization of the Apache and other Indians in Arizona and New Mexico, who have been or may be collected on reservations in New Mexico and Arizona, one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars: Provided, That the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may deem proper and necessary to protect the interests of the Indians of the United States, to sell or otherwise dispose of a quantity of timber, not exceeding twenty thousand dollars in value, on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation, the proceeds to be used in the purchase of sheep and goats for the benefit of the Indians belonging thereto as will best tend to promote their welfare and advance them in civilization.' "The Jicarilla Apache Reservation was established by executive order of February 11, 1887. Allotments have been made to 845 Indians, aggregating 129,313.35 acres. For mission, school, and agency purposes there have been reserved 280.44 acres, and the residue of the land, amounting to 286,400 acres, is unallotted. "No action has been taken by the Department in relation to the disposal of timber on the above reservation under the act of August 12, 1894, because it provided for the cutting and selling of the timber of the 'Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation' only, and did not include the timber on the allotted land, it being impossible to induce lumber companies to establish mills and pay a reasonable price for stumpage unless they could cut, under such rules and regulations as the Department may establish, not only the timber of the unallotted lands, but also that standing on the allotted land. The Department believes that provision should be made for the sale of the timber on the reservation. The Indians, it is believed, would be willing to have the timber cut, both on the allotted and unallotted lands, and sold and the proceeds used for their benefit, and I have therefore prepared a draft of a bill, which is hereby inclosed, with the recommendation that the same be enacted as a separate law during the present session, or that it be made an amendment to the Indian appropriation bill, now before Congress (H. R. 11353). "Very respectfully, "E. A. HITCHCOCK, Secretary. "The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES." A BILL authorizing the sale of timber on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation for the benefit of the Indians belonging thereon. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and he hereby is, authorized, under such rules and regulations as he may prescribe, to sell or otherwise dispose of any or all of the timber of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation in New Mexico, whether allotted or unallotted-if allotted, with the consent of the allottee-the proceeds to be used by the Secretary of the Interior in the purchase of stock for the benefit of all of said Indians, or for such other purpose as in his judgment will tend to promote their welfare and advance them in civilization. This bill, however, failed to become a law. It is to be hoped that efforts may again be made to induce Congress to pass a bill providing for the sale of the reservation timber and for the purchase with the proceeds of stock for the Indians. Respectfully submitted. N. S. WALPOLE, United States Indian Agent. The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C. IRRIGATION OF INDIAN LANDS. I desire to call special attention to the work the Federal Government is doing, or rather should be doing, toward supplying the Pueblo Indians with suitable irrigation facilities. In my last annual report, referring to this subject, I stated: It appears that at last, after more than half a century of a policy that, to say the least, has been continuously and persistently misdirected, these isolated and humble but most worthy people are to be accorded some modicum of that consideration which they so justly deserve. It is not to the credit of the Indian service in all these years that the Government should have failed to provide these Indians with reasonable facilities for properly husbanding their irrigation waters. Through such neglect the cost of their maintenance by the Government has been, perhaps, thrice what it would have been had this new policy been sooner inaugurated. As it is, it is tardy justice, but none the less commendable. It is sincerely hoped, now that a beginning has been made, that the Department of the Interior will not relax its efforts until all these Indian reservations are properly provided with irrigation facilities commensurate with their needs and annual provision made by Congressional appropriations to maintain the same. Better this, thus encouraging the Indians to labor and become self-supporting, rather than longer foster slothfulness and idleness by continuing the old policy of doling out annuities at a much greater expense to the Government. Among the Pueblo reservations at present in most urgent need of improved irrigation facilities are those of Zuni, Cochiti, and Zia. The appended report by the superintendent of irrigation on these reservations indicates that progress has been made during the year, and it is hoped, for the sake of justice and economy, if not for higher considerations of humanity, that the Indian Office will ere long become fully awakened to the importance of pushing the completion of these water enterprises. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, SIR: In compliance with your request I have the honor to report that the irrigation work on the Pueblos for the fiscal year 1902 was begun in January, at Zuni, where a survey for a reservoir to hold 16,000 acre-feet was made. This will reclaim 10,000 acres eventually, if constructed, and be of the greatest benefit to the Indians. The estimated cost of the system-including dam, canals, etc.—is $86,000. Surveys and estimates for improving the irrigation system at Cochiti so as to insure sufficient water at all seasons have been made, contemplating an expenditure of $8,400. The situation at Zia has been studied and recommendations made which it is thought will put an end to the poverty and distress that has been the lot of these people for many years. The work has been preliminary and preparatory to construction and at the points where greatest distress exists. Very respectfully, JOHN B. HARPER, Superintendent of Irrigation on the Pueblo and Jicarilla Indian Reservations. Hon. M. A. OTERO, Governor of New Mexico. MINES AND MINERALS. The Spaniards enjoy the distinction of being the first Europeans to plant permanent settlements on American soil, and the region now designated on the maps as New Mexico witnessed the founding of the earliest of these pioneer colonies. In 1541, in his search for the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola, Coronado penetrated as far north as Santa Fe. The glowing reports transmitted to Spain by this intrepid explorer and those who soon followed him into the trackless wilderness, then peopled exclusively by thousands of savages and infested by wild animals of almost all kinds, resulted in the founding of Spanish colonies in the Territory certainly as early as 1600, thus antedating the founding of Jamestown by the English at least seven years and the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth at least twenty years. The history of mining in New Mexico is coeval with that of these first settlements. Indeed, the discovery of quantities of gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, and other minerals, besides such precious stones as turquois, rubies, garnets, and opals, in the gravel beds and mountains of what was then termed New Spain unquestionably was the chief reason why the Spaniards braved all the perils and hardships incident to planting and maintaining the settlements indicated. It thus happened that millions of dollars' worth of gold and silver were washed out of the sands and dug out of the mountains of this Territory over a century before the precious yellow nuggets were found in the tailings of Sutter's mill in California. STORY OF PIONEER MINING. When Coronado and his venturesome followers originally passed through New Mexico, they found large colonies of Indians at various points in the fertile Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere in the Territory. Fully 15,000 of these primitive people occupied the present site of the city of Santa Fe and formed probably the largest of these ancient pueblos. Besides the comparatively inoffensive Pueblo Indians, thousands of wilder savages, such as Navahos, Apaches, and Utes, roamed over all parts of the Territory where game and fish abounded. These Indians exhibited to the greedy eyes of the Spaniards many enchanting nuggets of gold, rich specimens of quartz gold, silver and copper ore, rude decorations of the precious metals, and permitted glimpses of some of their gods graven out of stone whose eyes were composed of turquois of the rarest tints and texture and whose other ornaments were inset gems of much value. The pursuit of the treasures indicated at once became the absorbing occupation of the Spaniards. Hundreds and probably thousands of Indians were enslaved and forced to work in the mines by the crudest and most laborious methods. The amount of labor done during this early period and the value of the metals extracted can only be inferred from the miles of underground workings subsequently discovered, the rude reduction appliances and slag piles found in various places, and the traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. In 1680 the Indians broke loose from the chains of slavery that had been fastened upon them, murdered many Spaniards, and forced those who escaped death to leave the Territory. During the ensuing twelve years the Pueblos held undisputed possession of Santa Fe and all the surrounding mining districts. They expressed their hatred of enforced toil in the mines either by destroying all the workings or so completely covering them up that it is believed some of the more important of them have never since been found. AFTER THE RECONQUEST OF SANTA FE. After the reconquest of Santa Fe by Diego de Vargas, in 1692, mining was resumed in the Territory in a desultory fashion, and in spite of remoteness from the seaboard and commercial centers, lack of transportation facilities, absence of system and laborsaving appliances of any kind, hostility of Indians, and kindred causes, soon became an important source of wealth. Naturally attention was first directed to the renewed development of the extensive placer grounds and the restoration of the old mine workings in the southern part of Santa Fe County, which section not only witnessed the earliest mining operations in this Territory, but in the vast domain now embraced in the United States, and gradually prospecting and mining were extended to other parts of the Territory. Unquestionably the gold mines of Taos County and those of Grant County, particularly the Pinos Altos placers, were worked during this period and large values were extracted therefrom. The operation of the rich placer deposits in southern Santa Fe County was attended by the greatest difficulties under both Spanish and Mexican rule. During dry seasons water was packed on burros for several miles, and in winter scanty supplies were secured by melting snow with heated rocks. Modern tools and appliances were not dreamed of. The early workers were rarely ever able to sink their pits to bed rock, where the richest gravels are always found, and they were obliged, even when developing the pay streaks, to leave about one-half of the material standing as safety pillars. The strippings (or comparatively low-grade dirt) were of course thrown away, as there was no way then known of securing the values therefrom. Yet fortunes were washed out in this slow and laborious manner long before Fulton invented the steamboat or Stephenson pulled the throttle of the first locomotive. The gold saved was usually coarse, and many large nuggets were taken out at different times. One of these, found in Santa Fe County, is said to have been worth $6,000. It is certain that during recent years a nugget worth $400 was found near Dolores, and after heavy rains nuggets worth several dollars each are often picked up in both the old and the new placers districts. These inexhaustible deposits of auriferous gravel are still being worked by descendants of the pioneer Spanish miners by means of "dry washers," but such slow methods will soon be mere memories. Modern methods and machinery promise soon to begin on a large scale the work of rescuing the golden values from these extensive gravel beds. Millions of the precious metal are certain to reward the enterprise. OLDEST LODE MINE IN AMERICA. Some of the lodes in the surrounding hills, whence the placer deposits undoubtedly crumbled and washed down, were extensively worked under both Spanish and Mexican rule, and there are evidences that much gold was extracted therefrom. It is estimated that gold to the amount of $5,000,000 was taken out of the old workings of the famous Ortiz mine, and the wealth of several of the prominent native families can be traced to this source. It is certain that this is the first lode mine operated in what is now United States territory. Soon after the initiation of mining a few miles south of Santa Fe, and before the Pueblo revolt of 1680, the Spaniards penetrated the rugged mountains north in Taos County and there opened and operated by means of Indian labor mines of gold, silver, and copper of great value. The Franciscan Fathers, working in the name of the church, are said to have taken out several million dollars in this way. Immediately following the revolution the infuriated and triumphant Indians, believing that Spanish cupidity for mineral wealth was the sole cause of their oppression, filled up the mines, so far as possible obliterating all traces of them, and stubbornly refused to disclose their location when the Spaniards returned. Among the traditions firmly believed by many of the native people is that before the Pueblo uprising millions in gold and silver were taken out of the mines in the Taos Mountains near Arroyo Hondo, and that the Spaniards concealed a hoard of $14,000,000 in one shaft before fleeing from their savage conquerors. While the last feature of this tradition will doubtless be classed by most people along with the story of Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp, the statement that numerous mines were opened and worked in the Taos region before the Pueblo insurrection is proved by the later discovery of many of the ancient workings, and color is given to the belief that some of the richest of these old mines have not yet been found by comparatively recent discoveries of immense bodies of gold, silver, and copper ores on both the eastern and western slopes of the Taos Mountains. |