The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-10-28
A MAN.
u. L. Mansfield, h Only Surviving
Employe or white River Agency.

- tte $3.50
Employe OF white River Agency.
E. L. Mansfield came up from
Greeley, Colorado. yesterday. and de-
parted on the east-bound train. Mr..
Mansfield is the only male employee at
White River agency who escaped the
fury of the savage Utes. Hence, he be-
comes a mar of much interest. He is
on his way to Washington to report in
person to Secretary Schurz and Indian
Commissioner Hayt. He does not
know just what is expected Of him, but
supposes that the two named officials
wish to learn something of the early
history of tho Ute troubles, and obtain
data on which to base Judgment as to
the real causes of the affair. and a rem
edy for the future. Under the circum-
stances. Nj. Mansfield was DESTROYS of
expressing no opinions on the casei So
when the LEADER inquisitor laid siege
Mr.. Mansfield yielded reluctantly, al
though anxious to grant the favor Of
information. However, the inquisitor
drew considerable information from
his victim, which, boiled down to the
briefest space, is about as follows;
The Utes at White River were rest
less all summer, but did not give any
indications of warning, not ever after
the assault of johnson, the medicine
man, on Agent Meeker. Mr.. Mansfield
having been the sawyer at the Agency,
was absent from the buildings when
the assault took place, but Mr.. Meeker
said that johnson shook him violently
and pushing him out Of the house,
kicked him under the coat tail. Mr..
Meeker again sent for troops to pre-
serve order, and arrest Johnson, we'll
knowing that resistance would be made
unless u strong body of men IN He
had sent repeatedly for troops during
the summer, to drive the Indians back
to their reservation, but always failed,
until Major Thornburgh was sent out
with the necessary authority to make
arrests, etc.
On Friday, Sept. 26th, three days be-
fore the Milk creek fight, sealed orders
from the war department for Captain
Dodge, of The colored cavalry, were re-
ceived at the agency, to be delivered to
the captain. at that time no n knew
the exact nature of the orders, but
supposed that Dodge was ordered to
move to the agency to protect the
whites.
Mr.. Mansfield was selected as the
courier to bear the orders to Captain
Dodge, who was known to be some
where between Georgetown and Steam
boat Springs. The Utes were very sus-
piciou5 of Mans1eld's departure, al
though they gave no evidence Of having
war-like intentions. But then Jack
and his followers were away from the
river, and, Of course, were preparing,
even at that time, to attack the troops.
It Is owing to the fact that Mr..
Mansfield took the orders to Captain
Dodge hat his life is spared to-day.
Otherwise he would have met the fate
of all the other male employees of the
agency.
He met Dodge and his company in
Egeria Park, and Dodge proceeded to-
wards the agency. On the night of the
29th, John Gordon came up to the
command with the story of the battle
of Milk Creek. Mr.. Mansfield did not
60 back with the colored command,
but proceeded to Bear River with some
other dispatches. Thus did fortune
again favor him,
Since that time Mr.. Mansfield has
been at Greeley, and. upon telegraph
ing for orders, was ordered to proceed
to Washington, as above stated.
Relative to the White river chiefs,
Mr.. Mansfield says that while Douglas
was nominally the head man at the
agency, he lost his influence gradually
because of his peacefulness, and
f~riendliness to the whites. The turbu-
lent spirits were Jack, johnson and
Colorow, with influence ranging in the
order named. Jack is the main man
the n who created the trouble. Col
oioW udu ouly u suIdAi W Lie
aged bucks were the only ones who
stood by Douglas and respected his au-
thority.
There were eight buildings at the
agency, and they were all burned. The
one remaining, is that which was in
process of completion. Mr.. Mansfield
saws he has had enough of Indian
agen cies and wants no more of it. He
wisely observes, that when the White
River Utes showed treachery and broke
out, no dependence a be placed in
any tribe. He is nightly pleased
over his good fortune in being out of
harms way at the time Of the massa-
ere.
PERSONAL POINTS
A. R. McCool, of Tie Siding, is in the
city.