The New York herald., 1879-10-03

Indians withdrew. In the entire engagement
there were fourteen killed and tbirty-four
wounded. Every officer was shot except Lieu
tenant Cherry, of the Fifth cavalry. Two hun
dred head Of mules were killed. Surgeon
Grimes was wounded but is still able for duty.
PANIC OF THE SETTLERS
The settlers on Snake River are leaving. They
report that Agent Meekcr and all the employees
were killed on Sunday. MIR. Meeker's wife and
daughterwere with him at the agency. The In
dians have been burning great quantities OF tim
Der and grass and committing other ,depreda-
tions, creating damage amounting to millions
This first began in the uninhabted DISTRICTS then
on the night Of the 9th of July they burned the
houses belonging to J. b. Thompson, for many
years general agent of the Utes, and an effort to
arrest the criminals failed. Troops were called
for by Governor Pitkin and a company was sent
to Middle Park, 100 miles from the agency.
NO IMPROVEMENTS WANTED by THE sAvAGEs
Agent Meeker had attempted several reforms,
among others to farm lands This was objected
to by the Indians. A delegation of savages re-
Gently visited Denver to see Governor Pitkin.
They complained that Mr.. Meeker was trying to
educate their children and they wanted no ed
ucation. He was also making too many inn
thousand warriors, and of the White River
Utes about two hundred and fifty. xThe South
ern Utes have sent up about one hundred war
riors. All are well armed with Winchester
rifles.
A LETTER FROM AGENT MEEKER.
A short time since Governor Pitkin, of Col
orailo, received the following letter from Mr.. n
C. Mecker, agent of the Utes at White River
Agency
WHITE RIVER AGENCY, Sept. 10, 1870.
TO Governor PITKIN:-We have ploughed
eighty acres. The Indians object to any more
being done; shall stop ploughing. Ono of the
ploughmcn was s]sot st last week. I was as
saulted Monday IN my own house by Chief
johnson, forced out doors and considerably in
| jured. The employees came to the rescue. The
Indians laugh at my being forced out of the
house. feel that none OF the white people are
safe, and want United States troops to protect
me. They are positively needed at this time.
N. C. MEEKER, Agent.
STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR PITKIN.
When questioned to-day regarding this COM
munication, and as to the events which had led
to the uprising of Utes, the Governor said:-
"This Indian trouble had been brewing all
summer. Since last Jupe the Utes have been
burning the forest and grasses along the line OF
their reservation, distance of over three hun
dred miles. Rowing bands have wandered up
and down the entire country, leaving
trail of fire wherever they went.
Fires were started in uninhabited dis
tricts at first, but in August the. houses of
Mr.. j. Thompson and Mr.. Smart on Bear River,
Routt county, were burned by the Indians, who
were seen and recognized. Complaints for arson
Judicial District. who issued warrants for the
arrest of two Indians named Bennett and o
Chinaman A sheriff and posse followed the
Indians into the reservation to execute the
warrants, but were unable to find the Grim
inals. Chief Douglass denied the right to
arrest Indians on the reservation. This
fact was officially reported to me by
Judge Beck, and l applied to General
Pope for tfoops to execute the war;
rants, on the ground that no Indians
guilty of arson should escape punishment for
crime by taking.rciuge on the reservation. Gen
then scouting in Middle Park, to the agency to
arrest the Indians and assist the Sheriff. Mean
while Mr. NIeelxer, the White River agent had
difficulty with certain members of the tribe,
and had been rudcly handled by johnson,
leading chief. He applied to me for troops for
protection, and made the request of General
Pope, who at once ordered Colonel Thornburgh
on the mission in which he met his unfortunate
DEATH
from this tribe, thcni" asked your corre-
spondent.
''I have thought for six weeks that there was
a liability of the White River Utcs making
trouble, and, as I say, have written several let
tcrs to General Pope"
COMPLAINTS OF THE UTEs.
"When the four White River Utcs visited YOU
as cnlissarics recently what did you learn of
their demands or complaints!"
"Thcy were here two days. They seemed
dissatisfied greatly and complained because tho
government butchered the cattle of tho tribe
for consumption, instead of allowing the herd
to increase and purchasing other cattle
for butchering. They also complained
that Agent Mcekcr was endeavoring to