Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-03-30
COLORADO LETTER.
GREELEY, Col, Mar. Is, 1880

GRKKLKY, Col, Mar. 10, 1880.
To the Editor Of the Dsmeerat:
1t is a long time since wrote to ycu.
have not delayed because there was moth
ing to write, but because there was so
much that could not hope to do the sub
ject justice. or course refer to the mas
sacre of Hon. N. c. Meeker and his help
ers, who were nearly all our neighbors and
friends. l am not going over that sad
story now, but will say that Mr.. Meeker
was near neighbor, and, although pecu-
liar man, he was faithful and honest. The
wonder Is, that knowing something Of the
wolf nature Of his Utes, having been once
shot at, he did not keep his men armed.
When he left his home the last time, he
said he knew there was danger, andthought-
fully remarked in fatalistic sort OF way,
''What is 10 be will be-" IL has been very
hard for us, who knew him best, to have
him denounced as bad man by the East
crn press. He tried to do his duty and
follow out his instructions from the depart
ment. II one OF his men lost even half
day from sickness or any other cause, he
stopped the mans pay for that time, thus
trying to be just to his government and his
employees. He wrote to gentleman Of
this town for intelligent workers TO be sent
to him; men OF good morals-frst class
men; and that was the kind that were sent.
Most OF them were personally known to
me as teachers, pupils in our schools, or
citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Price had had previous
knowledge Of Indians, and on the morning
OF the massacre, Mr.. Price loaded his rife
and laid it on the bed; and with this young
Dresser shot two Indians after the attack
commenced. Years ago Mr.. Price, with
his wife and brothers-in-law, were cross
| ing the plains, when party OF Indians
stole all their horses and LEFT the party In
sad plight but the young men len the
women 10 care for themselves, and pursued
the Indians two days, on foot, and came
up with them at night, where they were
sleeping In ravinc, and killed nine on, OF
twelve, and brought back their horses in
triumph.
Since Mr. Mcekers death, the Town
Board has changed the name Of our prin-
cipal street 10 Meeker Avenue.
One OF the young men who spen, above
n year at the Agency with Mr.. Meeker has
/ given Us some idea OF the discipline that
exists among the Ute warriors. During
/ the summer OF 1878 various dcpredations
were committed in North Park by the In
dams from the Agency, and Al old man
named Elliot was murdered. The settlers
In the Park, headed by that brave old
| frontiers-man VIM. y. Byers, for many
years editor OF Denver's chief newspaper,
marched down Bear river aud into the 1n-
dian settlement whose warriors number
several hundreds. think there We're only
ten OF the invading party. young Ute
happened To be some miles above the Asen-
CIV, fishing for trout in the canyon, and saw
the little warlike band moving down tow
ard the wigwams In the valley. Down he
came just flying on his reeking pony. The
ties saw him coming, and some note OF
alarm was given best known TO the Indians
themselves. In less time than IL would
take 10 count one hundred, all the warriors
in the village dashed out and displayed for
action; armed, equipped, and with trap
pings all on. Presently 10 the gaze OF
Father Meeker and his employees, appear
ell the wee squad of North Park men, on
foot, hut armed with Winchester rifles,
firing sixteen shots In about q minute.
Stern as fate old Byers deployed his little
party face 10 face with the great Indian
I squadron. My informant says he never
saw so brave man as Byers seemed 10 be.
He acted rs If he had rather fight than not.
A parley in the Indian tongue ensued, in
which the white man informed the redskins
that they had come TO obtain satisfact ion
for the murder OF Elliot. The Indians
seemed 10 assent 10 the terms OF the whites
aud promised 10 hand over the Indian muir
derer for punishment, and after some
wholesome advice about burning, murder
ing, or even visiting North Park, the little
band returned as il came.
History gives innumerable instances OF
pluck, but do not remember any, that for
''pure sand" exceeds the following, told
me by Ed. Mansfield, the only survivor OF
the white men OF the White River Agency,
who, you will remember, was sent TO bear
dispatches TO the troops, and thus hap
pened to be away when the gentle savages
commenced the dreadful assault: Some
where on Bear River, at the time Of the
Indian attack, young fellow eighteen
years Of age was driving load Of wheat
along the mountain road. He was sudden
ly attacked by band OF Utes. Happily
he had his rifle along. From the shelter
Of the adjacent hills the Utes concentrated
a fire upon the young fellow, who coolly
returned the fire, intrenched behind his
sacks Of wheat in the wagon body. The
dreadful bullets from the Indians rifles
pierced the wagon bed, knocking it into
splinters. His clothing was penetrated
many times, and painful wound inflicted
by bullet which went through his foot.
Still he returned the unequal fire, all that
day, all the long night, and the next day.
What hope of succor in that savage wild
erness? With many ruse Of raising his
can ahoya the sacks of grain he managed