Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-20
U WIN TIE: v1es.
The Colorado Mining Region Organized
+ Aud Armed for Fight.

Ouray Times, nth.
There are wars and rumors Of wars, and
taking for our maxim "%prevention is. better
than cure" the citizens Of Ouray have pre-.
pared themselves for defence in case of an
attack. In our two militia companies We
have 100 men armed with the regulation
Springfield rifle, and outside of the com
panies there are probably a. many more
armed With Winchester, .shaFp's and other
rifles. IhrouRh the courtesy of the Pi,kin
Guards, of Lake City, who in answer to our
request, sent us 1000 of ball-cartridge, we
are for the present. pretty we'll supplied
with ammunition. Il a. ne
A special courier was sent overto Lake
City on Tuesday with a dispatch for the
governor, stating our situation and asking
for arms and ammunition. The governor
had anticipated this, however, and on Sum
day . special train left Denver with about
. ton Of arms and ammunition for Lake City
and Ouray. General David Cook accom-.
panied this train with orders to take COM
mand of all San Juan troops, and with
general Discretionary power, The Downer
guards, of S~aguache, we're ordered to Lake
City, and are probably there now, making
two companies there which can be concen-
trated in Ouray at twelve hours notice. A
company has been Organized at Alamoss,
and 800 men are ready 1t Leadyillo for
service against the Utes. Should it become
necessary, nearly 1000 men from the sur
rounding camps, would respoad for duty in
t%wenty-four hours. We are not nearly 90
defenceless as our friends in Denver and
the east seem to think.
Our worthy governor is using every effort
to throw into Lake City and Ouray as
many troops - possible. He has asked
General Pope for troops for Lake City and
cavalry for Ouray, has telegraphed to every
town Of importance ia Colorado to know
how many troops could be raised in case
they were needed on the frontier, and the
answers received show that the people Of
Colorado generally are willing and ready
to help US to the utmost of their power, /
should their services be needed. The
situation of Ouray is such that it would be
very dif6cult for Indians to get into it be-
fore our men would be ready. With the
q rosd picketed constantly, and men
stationed OF all the trails, the whole tow
could be alarmed and under arms before
the attacking party could get here.
A report originating at Mineral that the
Southern Utes, under the leadership of Ig-
netio, bad burned Animas City and were
killing citizens and settlers, threw the whole
town into the widest excitement Tuesday. |
A citizens meeting was held and q messen- /
ger sent to Mineral to ascertain the truth or
fafsity of the report. Dnring his absence
the most improbable and monstrous rumors
went around, magnifying as they went.
When the messenger returned the horrible
tale had dwindled down to the fact that the
Utes had ordered the settlers of their reser-
vation. So have other equally groundless
reports been flying around constantly, not a
single. one Of them being, confirmed.
Last Monday, Ouray, head chief of the
Utes, came up to our town, accompanied by
his squaw, and remained until the nextday. |
those whom he knew he was very com-
municative, and spoke very re-assuringly
of the attitude of the Uncompahgre Utes. !
When asked what he thought of the gener-
al situation here, he said that it was a bad
time ; white man afraid of Ute; Ute affaidd
Of white man." He approved Of al tie
taken, but ct no time did he
say that he had lost control of his tribe.
Ouray u not the man to quietly resign hls
chiettxinship, and no better proof 10 nesded
Of his mighty power over the tribe than the
letter from Mr.. Sherman. clerk at the agen-
cy, which j. iyen below. Ouray Is bound
to tie whites and has proved his friendship
several occasions, and 90 long o hsliyes
vail entestaiaahfs power over The Utss.
Should the tribe revolt from his authority,
the chief believes that he can trust shout
. hundred Of his warriors to stay BY him.
In the event of . revolt by his Utes our
people car be certain that the chief will
givs5 y swatniag. His fisndghip il worth
utofe to; d thaa many soldiers.