The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-10-20
TELEGRAPHIC
TIE COLORADO QUESTION.
The Centennial state Taking
Care CT SITS Citizens.

The Centennial state Taking
Care CT Its Citizens.
Washington, IS. = Indian Commi=-
sioner Meacham writes, on October u, a
private letter f-om Los Pinos detailing
the past iorty-eight hours OF excitement,
when the Utes stripped for a fight and
demanded toe murderer OF the Indian.
| He SAYS the facts of the affair were that
sn OK teamster upon little or no provo
cation, killed young Johnston, son of
| Chief HavAnaux, thirty miles from the
agency; next morning fifty armed Utes
before the agents door demanded the
blood Of the murderer. Every man
with arms uncovered, and the wife and
mother Of the dead boy, filling the air
with wild cries. Berry and Meschsm
assured them that the an should be
caugbt, and the agent went out after the
murderer, followed by wild human
tigers. To satisfy the Utes fifteen white
men and one officer went along, and at
Gives ranch the murderer was found
in charge Of citizens. Soldiers guarded
him ali night, indians forming the outer
guard. The scene was exciting beyond
description. 1t was l o'clock at night
when all became quiet. The citizens
desired TO wresk vengesnce on the muT-
derer, and the Indians sat watching like
hyenas every movement. Berry worked
as man never worked before, to keep the
Indians from exploding, but at the
Utes prepared for general slaughter,
saying: "No use, white man no die, all
Utes die, white man no care" The
citizens understood the peril. Berry
consented to return the prisoner 10 their
charge, and they started with him TO
Gunnison. The Utes appeared to agree
that the prisoner might be taken to Gun
nison The army escort then left for
camp, and Berry and l remained until
everything seemed settled and every
Ule had started home. Last night the
three white men, good, sober men, came
into the agency and reported that white
men and Utes had surprised them and
taken the prisoner. They we're terribly
excited. The name of the murderer is
only conjectured at this time. The Utes
are coming in as I close this. They
seem quiet. think the peril is over
unless some attempt should be made
to discover the rescuers Of yesterday.
If that is done cannot see the end. The
only thing that will save the treaty, save
blood and secure peace is to let the mat
ter rest where it is, and make payment
without delay.
(Signed) A. B. MEACHAM.
Commissioner Meacham, in letter on
October 5th, from Los Pinos, says he be- |
lieves the compromise with the Indians
was in good faith by Agent Berry, by |
citizens and by Indians. 1t was no put |
up job, as some teAmsters claim. The |
Indians would not agree that the muir
derer should go to the military camp, |
but said they would allow him to 90 to |
Gunnison If his trial and conviction |
would follow. the escort was chosen by |
the prisoner himself, and it was believed |
the danger was over.
Government authorities in this city |
have received no news from Colorado as
recent as that given by to- days press
The following diip4tch,
dated Los PiAos Agency, October 10th,
was, this afternoon, received at the inte-
rior department, and Immediately made
the subject Of consultation with the de-
partment ofjustice, but no decision was
Meanwhile press dispatch
that Agent Berry and other
persons, for whom warrants were issued,
had been arrested and lodged in jail at
Gunuison:
To the Secretary Of The Interior:
have this day called on the COM
officer OF the post in thi. vicin-
Ity TO eject from the reservation one
Smith and others, who claim authority to
arrest me, and which do not recognize.
consider the peace and
welfare of the Indians snd the country
10 general on the reservation and in this
II afa damands tho nourta
(Signed,) BERRY, Agent.
Secretary Schuiz, before leaving
Washington to-day, telegrsphed as fol-
ews:
To Governor Ptkin, Denver, Co..:
The Associated Press reports that five
Of militia have been started
or the reservation, to arrest Agent
Berry, snd that a conflict between them
and the Indians is sntic. pated. 1t seems
almost inevitable that if this proceeding
yoes on a conflict will follow. Such q
'orce is not necessary to secure obedience
% state process. or process on the part OF
government officers, and the government
IF the United States will be entirely
ready 10 aid in enforcing such process
without an aggressive movement of state
troops, calculated to bring on disAs-
.rous conflict with Indians. Any pri-
'oner arrested under process Is entitled
% absolute protection against mob vio-
ence, and state authorities accompany
he arrests by adequate guarantees, of
personal safety, to their pri-oners. This
being evident there will be no reason
why the accused should not willingly
obey any lawful process, and if they did
not certainly the government of the
United States would not countenance any
such disobedieRce. must certainly press
upon you to arrest any such movements
Or conduct on the part of the state
militia, which can possibly lead to so
disastrous consequence as an Indian
war would be.
(Signed) G. SCHURZ.
Secretary.