corruption in this branch of the service, and to make the best possible
use of all moneys that might be appropriated for Indian civilization,
when he took the radical step of inviting each of the denominations
interested to name the agent at one or more agencies, their candidate to
hold office as long as he enjoyed their confidence, and to choose his
own subordinates. It was confidently hoped that by this means the civil
and religious work might be in full harmony, and that the Indians,
instead of being hopelessly confused by conflicting views and practices
among their would-be teachers, might learn equally by precept and
example.

Grant's policy remained in force for about ten years, and there is no
question that in this short space of time the churches accomplished
wonders among the raw Sioux but lately confined to their reservations.
The following agencies of which I had personal knowledge were then
industrious Christian communities: namely, Sisseton under the
Presbyterians, Devil's Lake under the Catholics, Yankton under the
Episcopalians, Santee under the Quakers. Winnebagoes, Pawnees, Omahas,
all the wild Plains Indians did well under consistent and conscientious
management. Large fields of wheat were cultivated by them, with but
little assistance, which have since gone back to wild land under the
"spoils system," and over which, ten years ago, I hunted prairie
chickens.

There were developed during this period many strong Christians of a
genuinely apostolic stamp, who became teachers and preachers to their
wilder brethren. Both children and adults were taught to read in their
own language, and at least two papers were published monthly in the
Sioux tongue, which had been reduced to writing by the Riggses and
Williamsons, the earliest Protestant missionaries. It was then and there
that I myself received my impetus toward an education. My father, who
was one of the two hundred and sixty Sioux pardoned by Lincoln, had
voluntarily abandoned the reservation with its pauperizing influences,
and was a self-supporting citizen in 1870.

Another interesting feature of Grant's administration was the number of
Indians holding responsible positions in the service. At a time when
there were no great Indian schools, there were found and trained men
competent to act as agency blacksmiths, carpenters, millers, etc. There
was even a full-blood Iroquois at the head of the Indian Bureau--Grant's
chief of staff, General Ely Parker