38 THE GEOEGE CATLIN INDIAN GALLERY. 



tlieir intrepidity. Tliey are, physically and morally, among the most striking of their 

 race. Their history abounds with daring and desperate adventure and romantic in- 

 cidents, beyond the usual course of Indian exertion. 



The State of Iowa, with considerable pride, has named many of her 

 counties, towns, and cities after the Sacs and Foxes. 



PRESENT LOCATION AND CONDITION, 1885-'86. 



The Sacs and Foxes, June 30, 1885, were distributed as follows: 



On Sac and Fox Reservation in Indian Territory, under Keokuk, jr., 457; on Sac 

 and Fox Reservation in Iowa (Tama County), known as the Fox or Musquakie tribe 

 of Indians, about 380 ; on Pottawatomie and Great Nemaha Agency Reservation, the 

 Sac and Fox of Missouri, about 187 ; total, 924. Mohoko band of Sac and Fox, wan- 

 dering in Kansas, tributary to Sac and Fox Agency, Indian Territory, 350. Almost all 

 civilized — farmers and herders. 



The agent at Sac and Fox Agency, Iowa, writes, 1884: 



For honesty and truthfulness our Indians stand above the average white man with 

 the merchants with whom they deal. They give no trouble to the State, and none 

 whatever to the General Government, while I, as their agent and friend, cannot re- 

 frain from praising their good conduct, which is so desirable. 



The agent at the same reservation, Tama City, Iowa, in his official 

 report, dated August 10, 1885, says : 



I have the honor herewith to submit my first annual report of the condition of 

 affairs of the Sac and Fox Agency in Iowa. 



Our Indians, the Sac and Fox of the Mississippi, disclaim any connection whaterer 

 with the Sac tribe, and claim most earnestly that they are Foxes only. Under cer- 

 tain treaties made with the Government over thirty years ago the Sac and Foxes of 

 the Mississippi were removed from Iowa to Kansas. Their relations there not being 

 as pleasant as desired they returned to their old home in Iowa and settled in Tama 

 County, locating on both sides of the Iowa River some 2 miles west of Tama City. 

 The main object that they had at this time in selecting this particular locality was 

 the fact that the Indian cemetery where their ancestors, brothers, and children were 

 buried is situated here. It seems to be a part of their religious faitb to guard with 

 fidelity and watch with care the spot where their numbers are buried, and during 

 their stay with us, covering a period of over thirty years, it is a notable fact never 

 have they allowed this sacred spot to be entirely unguarded. 



Early after their arrival in Iowa they commenced purchasing lands, having certain 

 portions of their annuities set aside for that purpose, until they are now the owners 

 of some 1,340 acres, all lying together. This laud is situated on the Iowa River 

 bottoms, and is valuable for grazing purposes and agriculture, subject to the objec- 

 tion that in time of high water it overflows. 



Under the head of civilization, it is proper to state that they have made but little 

 progress, and very slow progress. Living in the rude huts of their ancestors, cooking 

 their food from a fire made on the ground, the smoke escaping from an open roof, 

 sleeping on bunks of boards arranged like bunks around the sides, wearing their 

 blankets, painting their faces, and decorating their heads, are all relics of the Indian 

 life of their fathers, and to which they cling with wonderful tenacity. On the other 

 hand, they have adopted some of the civilized customs and habits of their white 

 brothers, among which may be noted : They have to a great measure adopted our 

 commercial plans and modes of doing business ; driving good trades in the sales of 

 such property as they wish to dispose of, scrupulously keeping their contracts for the 

 payments of their debts, and knowing exactly the amount of the same. They have 

 also adopted the use of improved agricultural implements, such as are used by the 



