Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-20
The Ute Complication.
REPORT FROM GEN. P0PE-TRooPS PowERIESS
ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

REPORT FROM GEN. PoPB-TRooPS PowERLSSS
ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
The War department has received report
from Gen. Pope, transmitting the reports OF Maj
J. s. Fletcher, 23d infantry, commanding can
tonment on Uncompahgre river, and OF Capt L.
r. Stille, OF the same regiment, concerning the
killing OF a Ute Indian by Jackson at
kline1s ranch. General Pope says that it ap-
pears from the reports that several Ute Indians
came into the camp OF the freighters. and. after
some controversy in words with some OF the
men there, one of the Indians fired his gun,
whether with the purpose OF killing or wound
ing any one, is not known. No one was hurt.
The Iadian was then ired On by two whites
once, as he was leaving camp and. as is under
stood, killed. Captain Stilie at the request OF
Agent Berry, proceeded, with detachment,
aud arrested Jackson. who was charged With
killing the Indian. at Berry's request he turned
Jackson over TO The posse The posse started
for GunniSon, but returned 20 klnes ranch
without him. and reported that party OF Indians
had surrounded them and taken Jackson out or
their custody. General Pope says: 1T Is, per-
haps Dot improper for me 10 point out the
anonoous. ii not altogether false, position I'm
which the military forces OF the United States
are placed on these Indian reservations. The
milf airy authorities have neither authority or
jurisdiction OF any Kind over the H.
ervatiols and Indians are solely under the
charge CT the agents OF the Indian Bureau,
and the military can take no action and do
nothing except on demand OF the agent ald
uDoer bis general directions, and are therefore
wholly poWeresS Ia this or any other similar
case TO proceed at all IN the matter, even In The
way Of investigation. AS win he seen from the
report OF Major Beaumont, Indian Agent Berry
declined to call on the military for assistance or
20 make any further Investigation OF the mat
ter unless ordered TO DO so by the Indian buresu.
There are plenty or troops TO eXecute any pro-
cess and 10 give any required protection, but
they sTe rot empowered 10 arrest Indians on
an Indian reservation without the authority OF
the Indian agent This Is an unfortunate posi-
g.
Sponsib,e Tor such transactions 10 the Indian
country by nearly every body; very few people
anything OF their own motion In such cases as
this. IT IL be the purpose TO make any arrests
The military authorities should be notified at
once. The season is far advanced. and it viii
scon be impossible 10 get Into Uncompahgre
country from the east IL the arrest Is deter
mined on Ii Is probable that very serious trou-
BILE with the Utes viii ensue. cannot say (nor
can anything less than judicial inVeSt1ga-
tion satisfy The people, whether or not the
Indian was killed by Jackson In self
defense. and whether the law VIII Justify
the act Either the indian department si1
government should require II 10 be done In some
manner. LynchiDg is not uncommon on the
remote frontiers. and II white men alone are the
actors and victims ii does not create much
excitement. but the moment Indians are In
Volved In such transactions there Is widespread
excitement and apprehension, which are liable
at any moment TO break out Ia Violence whlcn
may embrOil US In open war with the Indian.
With present information DO not undertake TO
pass my judgment on the facts or The respective
responsibility OF the parties concerned. IL VIII
be sufficient to say that there are troops enough
In that region TO enforce any orders which the
government may think Judicfous"
NO FURTHER NEWS AT THE INTERIOR DEPART
MENT.
Up to two O'Clock no additional telegrams
from the Ute Indian country had been received
by Acting Secretary OF the Interior Bell The
danger OF an outbreak among the Indiansit
Is believed has now passed