Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1879-10-16
Cause Of The Indian nn,r,rnns.


O1 investigating for the cause OF
| the recent hostile movement among the
Ute Indians whereby Major Thornburg
lost their lives, it appears that in July
last Governor Pitkin telegraphed to the
secretary Of the interior that the Indians
were burning timber, and stated that
| if they were not Immediately stopped
! by the government that the citizens Of
Colorado ~ould undertake to stop them.
Secretary S5hur1 Immediately directed
Agent Meeher TO call in the Indians en-
gagged in this work, and, if necessary,
TO secure military assistance. The idea
OF the Indians in burning the timber, it
is said, vas 10 concentrate game. in
order that 1t might bs killed with less
diff uliy. Agent Meeker, however, suc.
oeeded only temporarily IN stopping the
| destruction Of the woodland, and subse-
Quently IN the same month party of
Utes destroyed, in the vicinity OF Mid
| Gle Park, together with a tract of tim.
Der, some property beloDa,ag to one J.
b. Thompson. For the purpose of
arresting the Indians engaged in the
destl uction of Thompson's property,
| Governor pitkin dispatched the sheriff,
with posse, to the White River agency.
Chief Douglass of the White River Utes,
protested against their entering the
agency, which was reported to ths In
dian bureau. Agent Meeker was then
instructed to cause the arrest of the
guilty parties, md IN attempting to
carry out tho order he incurred the i'll
viii of the Indians and it is Thought
at the Indian Office that the recent out
breaS was caused by the declared in
tention Of the government to arrest the
INDIANS engaged IN the firing of the
Thompson property. 1t is said at the in.
terror department that She country north
OF the Colorado reservation Is very
desirable for farming and grazing pnr.
posea, and is thickIy settled that the
Indians for three or four years past nave
been IN the habit Of leaving their reser-
ystiUn, which caused considerable an
noyance to the settlers, particularly on
snake and Bear rivers. There are
many lawlees persons in that vicinity.
1t Is alleged, who for years have carried
on brisk trado with the Indians. sun.
plying them with whisky and ammu-
milton, which has been the cause of con.
stant complaint at the Indian Office
Depredations have also been committed
by the Indians along the valley of the
rivers referred to. In the fall of 1877
Agent Danlorth visited that country. in
connection with Lieutenant Parker of
the Ninth cavalry, United States army,
with view to the adoption OF some
measures to protect the settlement and
break up this unlawful traffic. They re-
ported in September 1877, that it was
necessary to establish q military post
there that this would keep the Indians
seEa slit5sE Eeaerys.tfOur, ~ Ssteet
the settlers and break up the unlawful
trade referred to. On the 10Th of that
month copies of their report were re-
ceiyed by the interior department, with
a recommendation that the war depart
ment be requested to take action in the
matter. The interior department con-
Cured in this recommendation, aud re-.
ferred the matter to the War Depart
ment, by which the recommendation
was rejected. Since then the bitter
feeling manifested by the settlers against
the Indian haa been intensified. col
lisions have taken place and the trade
III whisky and ammunition has in.
creased, and within the past few months
has been very brisk,