The annual report of the agent at the Siletz Indian Reservation, as submitted to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, has been published. Beal Gaither, agent at Siletz, reports that the population at that agency is 486, a decrease of twelve. He also reports that the Indians have been working and were employed in picking hops and packing fish at the cannery which has been constructed near the mouth of the Siletz River. The Indians received during the. year $15,562 from various sources including $5,853 annuity from the government. He reports a great deal of confusion among the Indians who claim to own land of dead allottees, as 116 have died since the allotment; was completed, making about 9,000 acres of land for the Indians to quarrel over. In some cases there is no question as to who are the legal heirs, but in the majority there are a number of claimants, and it is very difficult to determine the relationship of any of the claimants. The agent says it is a means of considerable annoyance, and will grow more so unless some simpler and less expensive method of adjustment is devised. At present application is made to the state courts to determine who are the heirs, and it is usually so expensive that it excludes the Indian from any means of determining his rights. Mr. Gaither reports gratifying work from the schools and says that there is not sufficient room in the building at the present time.
Lincoln County Leader, Toledo, Oregon, December 17, 1897, page 1


    Joseph Emery, United States Indian Agent at Klamath Agency, in his annual report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, speaks of the great improvement that has been made in the matter of agriculture. There was also a good crop of rye and oats, and more land had been fenced and more buildings erected than in any former year. There have been also other improvements and more would have been made if there had been a sufficient supply of lumber. The Indians on the reservation show a disposition to live in better houses than heretofore. More attention is being given to stockraising than usual, and a marked increase has been observed in the herds. Some purchases of thoroughbred cattle have been made, and the Indians show a disposition to take care of them.
    The agent also reports the gratifying results of the two schools of that agency. One hundred and fifty-two children were in attendance at the Klamath school, and 108 at the Yainax school.
    The Klamath Indians are thrown upon their resources, as all allowances ceased 12 years ago. Three-fourths of them are industrious and law-abiding, and are making their way very well. They are engaged in hauling freight and other work, besides agriculture. The total number of Indians on the reservation is 1,020, an increase of 59 over last year. A better system of waterworks and heating apparatus is recommended for the Klamath school.
    Bailey Gaither, agent at Siletz, reports that the population at that agency is 486, a decrease of 12. He also reports that the Indians have been working and were employed in picking hops and packing fish at the cannery which has been constructed near the mouth of the Siletz River. The Indians received during the year $15,562 from various sources, including $5,853 annuity from the government.
    He reports a great deal of confusion among the Indians who claim to own land of dead allottees, as 116 have died since the allotment was completed, making about 9,000 acres of land for the Indians to quarrel over. In some cases there is no question as to who are the legal heirs; but in the majority there are a number of claimants, and it is very difficult to determine the relationship of any of the claimants. The agent says it is a means of considerable annoyance, and will grow more so unless some simpler and less expensive method of adjustment is devised. At present, application is made to the state courts to determine who are the heirs, and it is usually so expensive that it excludes the Indian from any means of determining his rights.
    Mr. Gaither reports gratifying work from the schools, and says that there is not sufficient room in the buildings at the present time.
    Andrew Kershaw, the superintendent in charge of the Grand Ronde Agency, says there has been steady progress in the school work there, and he also speaks very highly of the industrial work of the pupils. He shows that there has been a decrease in the population during the year, but the reservation is in general good order.
Hood River Glacier, Hood River, Oregon, December 24, 1897, page 4

Last revised May 5, 2021