Helena weekly herald., 1879-11-27
THE UTE COMMISSION.
More Hopeful Aspects Of the 1nves-
tigation.
Eloquent Outburst from Head Chief
Ouray.

Eloquent Outburst from Head Chie1
Ouray.
DENVER, November 20. Special dispatches
to the Denver Tribune from Los Pinos, say
that the proceedings on Thursday were de.
voted to taking the testimony of Wass and
Yanco. two runners sent by Ouray from this
Agency to the White river Utes prior to the
massacre. These in common with all the
hostiles who were familiar with the occur
rences at White river and who could not
plead exemption from self-committal, have
been absent from this Agency since the con-
vening of the commission, and not until yes
terday could their attendance be secured.
They gave their statements without reserva-
ton, and Ouray states that renewed conf
dence on the part of those who have already
testified will permit them to make clean
breast of everything. The hostiles met the
commission with the intention of telling q
consistent lie throughout, but Gen. Adams
coup d'etat brought them to realizing sense
of their position and they are now pleading
for peace. They are thoroughly frightened,
and the fears of winter campaign against
them have exacted promise to honestly tes-
tify and abide the consequences. They say,
zone big fight and Indians ammunition all
gone; no food, and we starve." They begin
to understand the utter fut;lity of further re-
sort to arms, and from the defiant air and in
tention to resist noticeable at first, they now
express not only willingness to submit to
peaceable arbitrament but desire that the
commission continue to q final settlement.
| The White river Utes have left Ouray and re-
| turned to their camp on Grand river. Ouray
says they have gone for their lodges and has
vouched for their return in six days, when
they will make a complete confession as to
their participation in the outbreak. Such is
| their promise to Chief Ouray, but judging
from their past conduct little reliance can be
placed on promises: Ouray has sent an order
10 Captain Jack to appear before the commls-
sion, assuring him that no personal danger
will be incurred by 50 doing. Ouray believes
that Jack will respond and will also accom-
pany the commission to Washington should
Secretary Schurz follow out the recommen-
dation of the commission in sdjourning to
meet at Washington.
After the final adjournment of the COM
mission, Chief Ouray claimed the attention
of the commission and made speech which,
for the depth of feeling, power OF eloquence,
and deep reasoning went tar beyond any OF
his previous efforts, by his words surprising
and gladdening the sorely tried and dlsheart-
orolo OT 1rht
cast upon previous efforts, all seeming incon-
sistencies were made clear, and Ouray now
stands before the world as the white mans
friend. He had been listening to the reading
of the testimony of the captives, and when
the commission was announced adjourned he
remained, with his head sunk upon his breast
in an attitude of deep meditation. Suddenly
he lifted his head and began to speak, hold
ing those present almost spell-bound by his
revelations. At times he discarded the SER
vices of the interpreter entirely and spoke in
English for short time. The substance of
his speech was as follows, beginning by say
ing ..:.
had lost confidence in him and believed ne
was playing them false. He went on to say
that the whole object of the commission from
the first to the last had been misunderstood |
by the White river Utec. His authority had |
gone only so far that they left their camp and |
came here, but every one Of them had come |
prepared to fight They thought that each |
witness as he finished his testimony of what
ever character it might be would be immedi-
ately arrested and put under guard. They
had determined to resist this to the death and
at the first movement in this direction on the
part of the whites, a tragedy, with all the
horrors of the White river massacre repeated,
would ensue. Have you not seen, he asked,
around on these hills my Utes day and night
Have you not seen all day one Of my Indians
these utes attacked you, brothers, blood
would have been shed. My word is plighted
to the whites, and though it cost me my life
no harm can come to them. He then went
on to say that UnQue, an Uncompagre Ute,
would appear before the commission to-mor-
row and testify fully in regard to the Thorn
burg fight, but who was not listened to by the
Utes. His testimony will bear hard on Jack,
as he has before stated that Jack was the
leader in the battle with the troops. The
White river Utes, continued Ouray, all come
in together to tell what they know. They
understand now, and have not before, that
the commission is not for the purpose of ap,
one single Ute, not even one
proven to be the, most guilty or innocent.
They will all come in together, and what they
say will be the truth. They had begun to I
;hink was working against them and was (
obliged to act as did to encourage them in
heir evasion and lies, in order that might .
'etain my influence over them until the time
hey could themselves see that this was 4
peace commission, working for them as we'll s
IS for the whites. They now see it {
4 L. ! ss> NJ |