Many of them purchased land and cultivated it to great profit both to the community and to themselves.

Others entered the service of the government as mechanics and contractors, from the employment of which some of them realized handsome incomes.
The more important development, however, was that of manhood.

This was best observed in their growing consciousness of rights, and their readiness to defend them, even when encroached upon by members of the white race.

They quickly learned to appreciate freedom and exhibited evidences of manhood in their desire for the comforts and conveniences of life.

They readily purchased articles of furniture within their means, bringing their home equipment up to the standard of that of persons similarly circumstanced.