The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau pg.64-65

When the white stockmen did remove their trespassing cattle they rounded up the Indians cattle with their own herds as Captain Cooke reported, “They are not particular about cutting out the Indian cattle, but would drive everything off that happened to be mixed with theirs.” Captain Cooke continued his irrigation project to force the Indian cattle ranchers into irrigated farming projects instead of re-building their destroyed cattle industry ideally suited to the reservation grazing lands and the Blackfeet cattle ranchers proven abilities. The irrigation ditches transported Indian water to white farmers.

In a reservation economy profitable to Cooke, Texas cattle kings, border-whites and the agency ring, Cooke wryly wrote in his monthly report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs; “This reservation is well adapted to stock-raising, as is evidenced by the persistent encroachment of cattlemen, who drive their herds near the southern and eastern boundaries, with a view of their working on to the reserve, which they have done at times in great numbers. I found soon after taking charge from 10,000 to 15,000 head of trespassing cattle and horses, which I caused to be removed.” He noted that “a special report will be made later as to the course to be pursued to protect the Indians from the wanton inroads of vast herds accumulating near their southern and eastern boundaries.” Captain Cooke then “discovered” between four and five thousand head of cattle, accompanied by a cowboy camp, grazing on Cut Bank Creek on the reservation.

Yet another Government Inspector arrived on the reservation, Thomas Smith, nephew of the Secretary of the Interior Hoke Smith. Upon hearing of the bad deeds of the “breeds” and squaw men he warned them to obey Captain Cooke or leave, and granted Captain Cooke discretionary powers to expel them if they challenged his authority.         The agency physician had warned that the standing water in the basement of the school was a major health hazard, but the Captain had no funds for immediate repairs. The destitute Indians would have to patch up their old raggedy winter coats and trousers to withstand the 40 degree below zero weather as their issue of winter clothing wasn’t delivered by Fort Benton contractor T.C. Power once again for the second year.
-The Sacred Buffalo Vision by Robert J. Juneau and Robert C. Juneau  
pg.64-65