The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-04

an of but i've men. Thornburgh refused. re-
memberng the fate of Colonel Candy in the Modoc
war, and in the morning ordered advance of all
his force. The road is ascending one and
follows the course of the the northwest for
about three miles. 1t then trails q
divide or high range of hills. Descending the
canyon of small brook, a locality known
as Morapitz by the Utes is reached, aud
in the canyon of another small stream
abrupt turn to the South occurs. This stream is q
tributary OF Williams Fork aud flowing north is in
a beautiful canyon. Sandstone rocks with steep
Incline rise abruptly either side to GOO
feet more. The bottom is narrow and
confined. Leaving this stream and continuing to
the south after crossing hill. road passes to
the side of and along the base of the sandstone cliffs
Beyond this high divide. with long and steep
slope. is passed. the summit being eight thou,
sand feet.
CREEK cASYos-THE FIGHT.
Tho descent leads directly Milk Greek. called
from the whitish appearance of its waters. 1t was
at this point that the signs of hostile Indians
first discovered by the keen eyes the scout RAM
kin. and hence the place, which subsequently to
be the of the short but disastrous combat.
merits description. At the point where the road
the creek is the northern line of the Ute
reservation, ana twentyf miles from the agency.
White River. Milk Greek is not more than ten
feet wide and but four inches deep. Its
border timber is few cottonwood II
winds and turns, being crossed five times by
the road. The canyon through which it runs is mar
and tortuous and confined by steep hills. those
upon the side rising sharply to 500 600 and
lower down, 1000 feet. No better place for
buscade could be imagined. Keen eyes. as has been
noted discovered the that hostile Indians lined
the heights along this death trap. The wagons
corraled, and the scout led tho advance GU ard,
with which was Major Thornburgh. over trail for
horses and light vehicles that makes detour through
the hills and joins the wagon road below Milk
Greek canyon They had not proceeded far before
the Indians discovered that the soldiers had not
marched into the trap they had laid and out Of
which not one could have escaped alive. But the
savages ably led. and while body crossed
the hills to confront Major Thornburgh another
body made dash between him and the wagon train.
The Indians in his front began firing, but fearing
the wagons would be lost he faced about and or.
dered q charge the road he had come On this
rush he fell, with thirteen of his men. twenty
besides being wounded. The remainder gained the
wagon train. where they made IN intrenchment out
Of the wagons and the bodies OF the horses and
mules killed in the fight. There they waiting
the help that General Merritt is hurrying forward.
The battle occurred on Monday. The relief cannot
reach them before tomorrow using the greatest ex
Can they notd out LOT SIX oaySg
UTEs
From Mr.. Stickneys letter to the Ute Commits
sioners. under date of November 81 extracts are
made below. which will throw light upon the con-
dition of things at the White River Agency a year
ago. The agency was then in its old quarters. the
removal referred to being since accomplished.
MR. srIcKNEY's LETTER.
After riding in days about two hundred miles
we reached the White River Valley and the Indian
agency. The agent. Mr.. n c. Meeker. received W
very cordially. and introduced to the scanty
quarters and poor fare OF the agency boarding
house. "Wednesday q council was convened, and,
a result, have the pleasure to submit herewith the
written consent OF most of the chiefs and head
men-vz., thirty-four in number. to "whatevsr
disposition the Capotes, Muaches and Weeminuches
may make OF the southern aud western strips Of
The Indians very friendly and wished the
Great Father to distinctly understand that they tho
White River Utcs) do not want to tight nor in any
incur the displeasure OF the whites. In regard
the late murder III Middle Park, they disclaim all
connection. Washington. who was present at the
murder, claims to have advised Piah against it, but
his counsel was disresaraed. Pish mas not yet re.
punished by the government authorities the effect
ON the Indians would unquestonably be for the
best, and would have tendency to prevent early
repetition OF the crime.
INDIANS.
The condition or the White River Indians and the
agricultural capacity of their country to be
but little known outside OF the agency vicin.
age. The old distinction Of the Yampa and Grand
river bands is rapidly disappearing and they ali
call themselves white River Utes. The chief no
longer has absolute authority but acts only in ac-
cordance with the will Of majority OF his coun
cllors. They are all well of-hardly Indian has
less than twentyiv ponies. All have good guns aud
an abundance of ammunition. Game is plentiful
and the Indians rich from their hunting. They
hunt outside the reservation going two. three aud
four hundred miles north. preferring to keep their
own game intact until the rest Is gone. They also
own common 500 head OF CATTLE from which herd
posed to be killed without the consent OF the agent
The White River Valley Is 80 mild and so
we'll protected in winter that the herd
can Craze within sixteen miles OF the
present agency during the whole This
is the place to which he Honorable Commissioner Of
Indian Affairs has ordered the removal OF the agency.
There the valley is wider. and the fall of the river
great that irrigatng bitches being easily
structed and fall Of sixty feet for milling pur-
poses can be secured The agent is already breaking
up the ground, and hopes to obtain wheat crop. n
at least by next season.
FARMING COUNTRY.
The settlers Snake and Bear rivers regard this
valley far superior to their and better adapted
for grazing agricultural purposes than any other
part OF this country. All seemed to that ut
least thousand Indians could be supported there.
the agent, professional farmer claiming that he
can support 10000 people in that valley and its
subsidiaries. He also says, This White
River range the reservation Is unequalleI
in the West. aud it possesses the great advan-
tage OF not being trespassed upon by any other
herds. condition that dimnshes the labor OF herd
ing and reduces the losses by and steangs.
This range has a money value of ut least S50000.
There is section comparable with it south OF the
divide between White aud Grand rivers This
country seems much better adapted for
cultivation than the Uncompahgre Valley.
1t lies south OF the mountain ranges.
which protect 1t from the extreme cold;
1t is fully q railroad about one hundred AID
seventy-hve miles over good natural road and IL
well removed from the settlers. Should it be thought
best to consolidate the Los Pinos with the White
River Agency there certainly would be difficulty
in supplying them; the White Rivers probably have
than four hundred. certainly less than i've
hundred, and your honorable body has already
Appropriated the number in Ouray's band as aboup
one thousand making total of. at most. thou
sand five hundred Indians.
THE COUNCIL.
Lieutenant McCauley. in his valuable account OF
the journey refers 70 the council alluded to in
Mr.. Stickncy's letter AS follows:--
At the council a full representation Of the chiefs
and head men we're present. They regarded at first
with suspicion the document presented for sigma
ture stating that the LANDS referred to belonged to
other tribes and that IN them they had Interest,"
evidently fearing there some catch in the
matter The paper first prepared they rejected. and
u second one. written by Mr. Meeker. their agent.