128               REPORTS OF AGENTS IN          MONTANA. 
of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, as expressed to the Indians in
Washington, 
I promised to each (1) a choice of 160 acres of unoccupied land on the reservation;

(2) the erection of a suitable house; (3) assistance in fencing and breaking
up ten 
acres of land for each family; (4) the following gifts: two cows, a wagon,
set of 
harness, a plow, with other agricultural implements, seed for the first year,
and pro- 
visions until the first crop was harvested. 
Taking into consideration the very kindly and just expressions made use of
in con- 
nection with the deserts of these Indians by the President and honorable
Secretary# 
I could have made but an unfavorable impression by offering less. I would
add that 
even after the first year they will depend somewhat on the generosity of
the Govern- 
ment to uphold their hands in striving for a civilized independence and a
sustained 
well-doing. My action met with the approval of the Government, and I have
been 
enabled to carry out every promise made to the Indians. Ten families reported
at 
the agency, and for them I erected ten houses, tenced in their fields as
agreed upon, 
and to-day they are harvesting their crops. Three other families followed
after I 
sent in estimates fer the first ten, and to them I assigned land, but could
not fence or 
build, although I provided them with fields, which I plowed inside of Government

and other inclosures, where they raised crops this year. These additional
three fam- 
ilies have been provided with cows, as well as the original ten for whom
houses were 
erected. Two more families soon followed the thirteen mentioned, and this
week I 
have been notified by three other families that they will remove here at
once. I have 
no hesitation in saying that if the same policy is carried out in the future
as in the 
past year, it will be only a brief matter of time until Charlos band, with
exception of 
that chief and a few of his relatives, will be settled on the reservation.

Fears were entertained that by the issue of agricultural implements, provisions,

and seed, which were supplied by the Government last year for Charlos band
re- 
maining in the Bitter Root Valley, it would be an inducement and an incentive
to 
them to refuse to remove to the reservation. On the contrary, it has encouraged
and 
given these poor people faith in the promises and fostering care of the Government

should they leave their homes and remove to the reserve. 
THE POLICE FORCE. 
For several years a volunteer force of Indian police used their best energies
to keep 
peace and good behavior among the tribes, but the building of the Northern
Pacific 
Railroad through the reservation changed the condition of affairs, and caused
so much 
lawlessness along the line that I (leemed it best to disband the old force
and organize 
a paid force under immediate control of the agent. 
The Indians now have their own judges, three in number, a code of rules governing

the court of Indian offenses, and the laws are enforced by imprisonment,
bard labor, 
and fines. The administration of the laws in all respects are borne out with
good 
judgment and dignity. I would recommend, however, that the judges of the
court 
be paid as well as the police, as upon them principally rests all the good
that police 
can perform upon the reservation, and they should be encouraged. Since the
organi- 
zation of the paid force of police and the adoption of the rules governing
Indian 
offenses, we have had scarcely any trouble upon the reserve, and I trust
good en- 
couragement in the way of equipments, food, and clothing, in addition to
pay, will 
be granted them. 
PAY OF INDIANS FOR "RIGHT OF WAY"' THROUGH AND "TIMBER CUT"
ON 
RESERVATION. 
Early in the month of January I commenced and concluded the payment per capita

to the Indians of the reserve for the right of way of the Northern Pacific
Railroad 
and for timber cut on the reservation for construction purposes, involving
the sum of 
$21,458. The payment was entirely satisfactory to the Indians, as I took
especial 
pains to see that no person entitled to payment was left off the list. The
task was a 
great one, as the Indians are scattered all over the reservation, living
in their farm- 
houses, hamlets, and lodges, and in such an inclement season, and considering
the 
vast extent of the reservation, I feel especially elated that no complaint
has yet 
reached me of a man, woman, or child having been forgotten or overlooked
in the 
payment. 
BAMITARY. 
The health of the Indians was very good during the past year, with exception
of 
the Kootenais. A malignant disease broke out among them early in spring,
which 
carried many of them to the grave. The sickness first visits the patient"-
by severe 
pains in the body and stomach, followed by an eruption resembling chicken-pox.

Where advice of the agency physician was followed the disease as a general
thing