The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-25
A SETTLER TALKS.
POINTED avn srRoNe EAcrs.
His Experience with Ute. Indians
Kindnesses Rewarded by All
use-Meeker's Work and
Its ResaItsl

HAis experience With Ute. q
Kindnesses Rewarded by Alb
use-Meeker's work and
Its Results.
Learning that George Baggs, ESQ.,,
the well known and extensive stock
man of Snake river, Colo, was in
town, the foreman of the local roundup
corralled him in the sanctum yesterday
afternoon and obtained many interest
ing facts relative to the Ute troubles.
Mr.. Baggs arrived direct from Raw
Inns yesterday morning. He says that
Gen. Brackett with six companies OF
cavalry and two of infantry, are put
ting in their time waiting for orders,
and waiting for something to turn up.
There are still a number Of families
in Rawlins from the ranches on Bear
and Snake rivers, and this will likely be
increased now that the Uintah Utes
are on the war path. .
Mr.. Baggs says the Utes have been
providing about the Wyoming and Col
orado boundary line for some time,
stealing horses and killing cattle. From
his knowledge of them, gained by a
long residence among them, he is led tc
conclude that If they are on the wal
path in good style they will sweep a big
region Of country unless prevented by
proper force.
.4
Ashley's Fork is in Utah, near the
western boundary, but Browns Hole Il
in Colorado. This Hole Ii nothing
more than a park about twenty miles
long and six miles wide, which is en-.
closed by high, precipitous hills. A
stream runs through it lengthwise, an6
at either end of the park there is 8
canon about 800 feet deep, through
which the stream finds inlet and outlet
There are many fine ranges in thii
region, and untold damage could b,
inflicted by hostile Indians.
MI. Baggs was very well acquainted
with the late Agent Meeker, and was {
frequent visitor to the agency. Hi
lower range bounded the upper line o.
the reservation, which made then
neighbors. He speaks of Mr.. Meekel
as a very kind old man, whose faults
as an Indian agent, consisted of two
much industry and trhstfulness. Their,
were about 80 acres of wheat grown
during the past summer. A garder
patch Of 10 acres was also planted, ant
the troops are even now digging up tn,
potatoes which Meeker planted.
OF the White River Utes Mr.. Bagg,
has nothing favorable to say. Thel
are imposters and thieves among the
vilest that go unhung. They frequent.
ly strayed about his ranch, and he al
ways fed them to prevent the stealing
of his cattle. But they always got away
with so to GO beeves every winter ant
about 100 calves, while they quartered
during the season on his range. Mr.
Meeker endangered to force them te
return to their reservation, after kind
ness failed, and even sent for troops t.
do it, but failed in every particular
Most of the entire. band that belonged
to White river vas always roaming OIL
private ranges. There vas one strange
feature in their depredations: While they
stole right along and set fire to timber.
they never burned any property. Ever
a large hay-stack which stands Just thii
side of Milk crack was spared The
torch.
1t was in killing cattle and stealing
horses that the Utes repaid Mr.. Baggs
many kindnesses. After the Milk creei
fight Mr.. Baggs gathered SO horses to
gether and drove them from his upper
ranch, which is 35 miles below the boun,
Diary line, and moved Them into Wyo
ming territory, two or three miles
above the line. That night (Monday
Oct. 81 the Utes stole them all. Thee
had evidently followed the trail during
the day. Tu-F4F9
The White River Utes broke up into
three bands when they left the agency,
says Mr.. Baggs. One went south tc
Los Pinos. Another went westward
to Uintah agency; and the third re,
manned north of the reservation. 1t il
not improbable that those who went tc
Uintah got a number of bucks to leave
the agency, and afterwards effected 3
junction with the band that has beer
~depredating near the boundary. Thi.
theory would. account for the large
number of hostiles reported to the south
of Green River, Wyo.
As to Mr.. Baggs' sentiments on the
Indian question, they are similar tc
those of settlers generally. He regards
Indians as entirely unworthy Of conf.
dence.
For fine jewelry to order 60 to
zEHNER, JACKSON &c BUKCHNER's.
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