The New York herald., 1879-10-29


they learned what success General Adams had
in stopping the further advance OF Merritts
command. Meeker's papers were burned and
what money Mrs. Meeker had was taken from
her by Douglas Their intention was to Kill the
women and children. The windows OF the room
in which they first took refuge We're rduied
with bullets the instant they had left it for
more secure place. Mrs. Meeker thinks that
Susan, the squaw, wife of Chief johnson ana
sister of Ouray, did more than all others to
save their lives. She was as kind to them ms a
mother and their parting from her was very
touching
Jacks men fought the troops and Douglas
men killed the agent and employees. Agent
Meeker was killed by Antelope and Waupattts
Mrs. Meeker was shot at while running from
the house and attempting to hide in the sage
brush. The ball passed through her dress and
made slight flesh wound in her thigh about
four inches long.
WHAT MERRITT ESCAPED.
The arrangements for fight with Merritt's
command were most complete. Two hundred
Araphoes had joined Jack, and many others
from the neighboring tribes and had it not
been for the timely arrival Of Chief
Ouray's order to fighting the name
of Merritt and his command would
have passed into history by the side of
Custer with the same epitaph-sA Annihilated
by Indians The outbreak may be attributed
to four things-vz., the repeated change and
lessening of the amount of rations issued to the
Indians, no head chief like Ouray being here,
Ute Indian for interpreter unfIiendly to Meeker
and plenty of bad whislley furnished by ranch
men. Major Pollock is here doing all III his
power to make the ladies comfortable and look
ing after the interests of the department in gen
eral.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE
cAPTIvEs-IMpoRTANc OF GENERAL ADAMS
MIssIoN-A GENERAL INDIAN WAR FEARED.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
WASHINGTON, Oct 2S, 1879.
The news received to-day at the Interior De-
partmcnt regarding the captivity Of the women
and children by the Ute Indians has disclosed %
fact kept secret until now, and that is
that unless the hostile Indians can be
induced to surrender an Indian war of
the greatest magnitude is believed to be
Inevitable. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs
says that the point now to be gained with the
Utes is to disarn them and bring them away
from their impregnable position. If this is
done the danger will be over. but If it
fails there is every reason for believing
that they will induce the Navajoes and
other warlike tribes to join them in an
offensive warfare against the whites
and by their strategy compel our army to so
divide its forces as to practically be of little
use in fighting the Indians in their businesses.
GENERAL ADAMS MISSION
1t is understood that to avert this impending
calamity is the mission of Special Agent Adams.
The Interior Department relies upon him solely
| to manage the matter us to draw the
Utes away from their present location. For
these reasons the report of his conference with
| the Utcs is awaited with the great
est anxiety. 1t is not improbable that
i'll view of all the difficulties the
| government will consider itself hound to treat
| the demands of the hostile Indians with consid-
Grafton rather than invite conflict the cost of
which in life and money would be greater than
any victory that could be achieved.
! THE OFFICIAL NEWS.
| Inspector Pollock telcgraphs to the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs from Los Pinos, Col,
Saturday, October 20, via Del Norte 2Sth, as
follows:-
..The captives-Mrs. and Miss Meeker Mrs.
charge of Major Sherman. the agency
clerk, and Mr.. Kleine. They slept at
Ouray's house and 30 East to-day. They
are in good health, considering the
hardships endured. l have taken their state
ments in detail. No books papers were
saved. They brought away only the clothes
they wore Their private funds, amounting to
$50, were taken. Adams is expected here to-
| morrow"
The following telegram has been received to-
night
| "ALAMOsA, Col, Oct. 2S, 1879.
COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washing
ton. d. c. =
"Just arrived with captives. En- route for
Denver in u day or two. All papers burned ;
money and personal property stolen by the In
dians. General Adams performed a wonderful
feat in getting the captives when he did.
RALPH MEEKER."
BODY AT RAwLINs AND CHEYENNE MILITARY
| HoNoRs.
| BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
RAwLrSs. Wy, T.. Oct 2s. 1879.
The remains OF First Lieutenant William Is. Weir.
Chief of Ordnance of the Department of the Platte,
who killed the other day while out on u hunting
expedition south of General Merrtt's camp. are ex-
pected here within the next three days and will be
received with military honors. The encampment of
the troops detained here under Colonel Bracket goes
west from Rawns. near the road by which Lieutenant
! Wer's body will come. On the appearance OF the
escort accompanying the body on the crest OF the
neghboring hill 1t will be met by cavalry guard OF
honor, which will proceed along with IL to the town.
The entire camp will turn out. and, af er sauting
the cavalcade will follow IL with reversed arms TO
e1.Nx fatsttI