Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-19
The Ute Trouble.

SECRETARY sCHURz To GOV. PTTKIN.
Secretary SchuTz, before leaving Washington
yesterday, telegraphed as follows to Governor
Pitkin at Denver, Col. 1.-The Associated Press
reports that two companies OF militia have
started for the Ute reServ alton TO arrest Agent
Berry, and that conflict between them and the
INDIANS Is anticipated. 1t seems almost ineviJ-
able that II this proceeding goes on the c1nfi II
VIII come. Such force is not necessary g So
cure obedience TO the state process on the part
OF government Officers, aud the government OF
the United States viii be entirely ready ID ala
In enforcing such process without al asgre ssive
movement OF state troops, Calculated TO bring
on disastrous conflict with the Indians. Any
prisoner arrested under process is entitled CO
absolute protection against mob violence AMI
the state authorities should accompany any
ar ests by adequate guarantee of personal safety
to q cir prisoherS This being evident there
VIII ce Eo reason why the accused should not
Willingly obey any lawful process, and IL they
dlo not certainly the government OF the United
states would not countenance any such diSoOe-
oiehce. 1 most earnestly press upon you TO
arrest any movements or conduct on the nart
OF the state militia which can possibly lead to
so disastrous Il consequence as an Indian war
would be-
GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE EXCITING SCENES AT
TIE AGENCY.
letter dated Los Pines, Colorado October
%, written by A. b. Meacham TO Dr. t. A.
Bland, OF this city, says: We have passed
through forty-eight hours of the most exciting
peril have ever experienced. For an hour we
expected every moment that the carnival would
beg1n. The Utes With loaded guns and stripped
for fight demanded the murderer or Young
Johnson, who was in charge OF citizens. Finally
Pe-ah said TO me: "White man all TALK too
much talk; no more talk Ute; he fight, he die all
right: johnson die all right; white man die all
right; all Ctes fight all white mans; no more
talk." 1t was moment OF great peril | can
not make you understand the condition OF
things In the few moments lef. me to write. In
trlef, an OK teanSter, upon liStle or no provoca-
uoD, shot and killed young johnson, son OF
Chief ShayanauX, thirty miles from the agency.
This occurred at dark Thursday evening. Friday
morning at sunrise or little later there were
perhaps fifty armed Utes before the agents door,
demanding the blood or The murderer every man
with uncovered arms, and the wife and mother OF
the dead boy filling the air with the widest
gIief ever heard Berry and / assured them
I'll at the man should be caught We then put
out for the scene OF the murder, followed by
the mad human tigers. To satisfy the Utes
and one officer Joined us. We reached CIiDe,s
at dark, and found the murderer In charge
OF citizens. We had him guarded all night
by soldiers, Indians forming an outer guard
The whole scene was one beyond description
until almost a. NJ, when all became quiet,
with the entire army squad on guard. There
We're two elements fernienting-the white
citizens, who realized the situation and desired
TO wre ak vengeance and justice upon the
murderer, aid the Indians. who sat like
hyenss, watching every movement At sun
rise the Whole thing seemed on the point of eX-
ploslos. Berry worked as never man worked
before to hold the Indians back. at a m. the
UteS prepared for general slaughter. mo
use; White man no die; all UueS die; white man
10 care" The citizens understood the perii.
Berry consented to return the prisoner TO their
charge, and they started with him TO Gunni5an.
The UteS appeared to agree that the prisoner
might be taken to GunDlson. The army escort
then left for camp. Berry and remained until
everything seemed settled, and every Ute had
started home. Last night the three white men
good, SOBER men-came into the agency and re-
ported that white men and Utes had SURPRISED
them and taken the prisoner. They were terri
bly excited. The fate OF the murderer is only
con jectured at this time The ties are conntnr
in as close this. They seem quiet | think
the peril is over, unless some attempt should be
made TO discover the reScuerS OF yesterday. IL
that is done cannot see the end. The only
thing that Will save the treaty save blood and
secure peace, Is TO let the matter rest where it
is and make payment without delay.