The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-05-08

A Spicy Letter About that Charming Country
May 3, 1873.

phEEl AIElt, May d, 1919.
To the Editor Of The Leader:
Perhaps a few lines from this part of
the Territory will be of interest to your
readers; to those especially who may
contemplate the removal of their stock
from the o~vercrowded ranges near
Cheyenne to Il more favorable locality.
The Sweetwater is n small stream
shallow, and averaging perhaps not
more than twenty-five or thirty yards
in width throughout its length. 1t rises
in the Wind River mountains and flows
nearly due east, falling into the Platte
between Fort Steele and old Fort Cas-
per. The valley is from ten to fifteen
miles wide, and is well watered by
streams coming mainly from the south,
the river running along the northern
extremity. On the south it is bounded
by a low range of mountains, easily ac-
cessible, and for the most part densely
covered with white pine and spruce,
capable of furnishing all the timber
requisite for building and fencing pur-
poses for many years, even should the
valley become thickly settled. On the
north is an irregular, broken series of
bare rocky ridges and mountains, into
and through which penetrate bread
transverse valleys, generally well wat
cred by small streams flowing down
from the mountains on either side. In
the pockets and cafIons of these noun
tains pitch pine and cedar, suitable for
posts and fuel, is found in abundance;
and good logs for building purposes can
also be obtained here, though the sup
ply is limited. North of these noun
tains is a broad, u%ndulating plain,
gradually ascending until it eliminates
in the divide between the Sweetwater
and Wind rivers.
The pasturage and shelter for stock
is excellent-fully equal to that of any
portion of the Territory which l have
seen. During the past winter several
herds of cattle were held at different
points on the river, and on creeks that
are tributary to it, all of which did
well. Green grass began to spring up
about the middle of March, and by the
18th of last month there was good
green feed for all kinds of stock.
From all appearances L believe the
valley is well adapted to farming. The
present season, however, will place the
matter beyond mere conjecture; and
when / am able to speak from an abso-
Lutte knowledge of facts, 1 will give you
more on this subject.
Every community has its grievances:
Ours, at present, is the unauthorized
influx of the Utes. No sooner is the
country rid of one tribe of Indians than
it is overrun by another. True, the one
was openly hostile, the other is ostensi-
bly, friendly. But have we gained any
thing by the exchange? l think not.
Along the frontiers, for hostile tribes
every man is prepared, and will allow
no Indian to approach until he is con-
WINGED of his good intentions, and will
even then be careful to give him no ad-
vantage. With friendly Indians it is
different. They come and go at will, in
parties large or small; and have aver
the advantage Of the settler when they
feel disposed to use it. And who can
tell when that will be? 1t generally is
when it is least expected. Besides,
when several tribes are allowed to roam
at will over the same tract Of country,
the settlements in the vicinity are
more subject to raids than they would
otherwise be, because it gives the In
dams an opportunity to steal on the
credit of another tribe. Since the list
of December last, the Sweetwater has
been the home of a large party of Utes,
where they have been visited by both
Arrapahoes and S~hoshones. This spring
has brought II fresh supply. They have
a reservation in Colorado. Why are
they permitted to come into Wyoming
and to appropriate to their own use
portions of n of her finest valleys?
White settlers are a source Of wealth to
the Territory; Indians are not. If they
are allowed TO remain they will retard
settlement, and the sooner they are re-
moved the better. WYo.
New Goods.