New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-19
THE UTE COMMISSION.

A PICTURE OF THE GREAT COUNCIL.
LOVELY SCENERY AROUND THE SOUTHERN AGENCY
THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE INDIAN CHIEFS
AND wARRIoRs-A SKETCH OF oURAf, The
GREAT CHIEF WHO HAS JUST DIED.
IFpoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE
SOUTHERN UTE AGENCY, La Plata Co., Col,
Sept. 1.-There are many Thousand thought1ul
men and women among the readers of The TRIBUNE
who would have found real good fortune in the scenes
which it has been my pleasure to witness during
these last two weeks. The Secretary OF the In
terror has determined to seek way out OF the con-
stantly recurring Indian complications and troubles
by the brelkng up of tribal relations and the COM
mon occupancy of large tracts of country, and sub
stitutmg therefor the family and the holding OF
lands IN severaty with the view TO citizenship, and
the more direct accountability to law well as its
surer protection. To this end he proposed the in
auguration of this reform with the confederated
Irtes who in Their several "bands,' roam the
mountains and valleys OF Southwestern ColOrado-a
tribe of Indians probably far removed from CIV
izatiOn as any left on the Continent, hut Indians
by no means lacking the native qualities upon
which may he based sturdy and genuine enlght-
eminent Congress, during the last session, gave
Mr. Schurz the necessary legislation. and he has sent
out Commission to begin the good work, and 1t Is
the interesting beginnings of this new departure
which have been witnessing for the past fort
night
First as 10 the place of council, for il Is spot of
rare beauty Tae Southern tie Agency is located
IN Colorado, near where Colorado. Utah. New
Mexico ard Arizona Join boundaries. The Agency
buildings three logcabins. built upon the
western bank of the Los Pinos. a river that comes
out OF the snOw-cappcd mountains thirty or forty
miles to tie north. and in the early summer Is q
raging torrent and ut this season still respectable,
swiftnowing stream Of the sweetest of mountain
water and the haunt OF spccked trout Of two three.
and four pounds weight. Along the banks OF the
stream are broad meadows; either hand the
country rises into succession of table-lands, from
half a mile TO a mile in width, and stretching far
10 the south and north; then come the othiils,
and fifty mules " the north and northwest ranges
of the erandcst of Colorado mountains. 1t Is IN
,uch q country that these Southern Utrs have their
home whenever they gather az their Agency, and 1t
is here that this Commission pitched It's tent in a
fine grove Of you II cottonwoods in the meadows
on the east bank of the river; while the Indians
teepces are scattered over the higher abcands for
miles up and down the valley. and their iiocks OF
ponies sheep and goats 60 yer the hlll-sides.
The councils are held in the grove near the Com
missioncrs' tent. Bat a word to the CommIs-
sionors: President Hayes and Air. schurz wisely
placed mt the head of this important Commission
the venerable George W. Manypenny, Of Columbus,
Ohio-a gentleman who won honorable distinction
as Commissioner of Indian Affairs nearly thirty
years ago. and who, during the intervening time,
has given intelligent thought and humane labor to
the Indian question The new departure" IN
Indian treatment could not have been intIusted to
a more enlightened or conscientious custody. With
Colonel ManypenBy are associated the HonJ Rus
sell Of Iowa. lawyer Of that stat for many years
L no md ana a. lp
and upright gentleman: Mr.. John B. Bowman OF
Kentucky. for many years Chancellor Of the Uni
yersitv of that State Otto Mears. of Colorado, a
leading business citizen and OF long and influential
acquaintance with the Indians; and Colonel \. B
Meachlm. of Washington. gentleman who has
given the labor OF lifetime TO the welfare and
Improvement OF the red man. The secretary and
dispnrsing officer OF the Commission is Mr. John r.
French. also of Washington. and for many years
the Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate
Such is the personnel of the Commission.
1t is a pleasant sight when the Commission and
Indians are III council. In the centre is the secre-
tary by his table. and IN circle are the Commits
-,,-r- and, or either hant the chiefs of the several
hands the circle extending by the presence of the
head men and older Indians. Then, IN outer circles
are the young warriors and n few OF the squaws :;
and outside in complete cl-ce abe Ut all, are the
ponies. ike their owners gayly dressed for the
Grand occasion. lgnaco, head chief of the
We.minuche band usually takes his place by the
side of Chairman Manypenny-anda noble specimen
of the indian he is ak feet and two or three inches
tall of fine proportions. very erect, and with the
dignity and bearing of n king. Alexandra and
! Mariana sub-chlefs of the same band, who with
Tgn.cjo ot first sternlv opposed all the arguments
ana entrcatles OF the Commission, are always close
| by while at the left of the Commission are the OH
| Chief Iagua, of the CapOtes. ceyarO, me young
I fsltf nf fla
| Nugches who were friendly 10 the new agree
msnt from the first. As tue high August sun mas
| here and there openings throu ~ the young tree-
| tons and lets down great patches q ntchs" Hehu
uuon this hlg-colOred group 1t Is picture oi gpr-
! geons beauty. sometimes the central inquire Is me
| larue manly form OF Chairman Many penny. MS
fulI white beard and DcnIgnant face whiie III ear
nest entreaty with the Indians, marking hlm for a
patriarch. Again II was 0ne OF the red-blahAeted
! Indians repiyIng in more iery words
AT first the more influential Indians would give
no heed to suggestions about families, or homes or
| schools, or farms, or lands III seVeralty ana WINE
! tbsy had many and grlefOus complaints 10 nldhe
of the eucrOachmrnt OF white men. OF Jhe snort
| cOmincs of the Government. amt deception or COhl-
rnIssioners IN former treaties, Their ON desire now
| yas IN he left entirely alone. But the COmInIs-
| siOuers were patient rs well as persistent, ana
finally the Indians learned to trust them as Iehis
| ard by and By to comprehend and appreciate the
! new ideas. Now the large majority OF them ale
| heartily signing the ratification of the agreement
! which their chiefs made at washington Iast WIN
| ter and the Commission has good promise OF COM
| plcte success. .-.
| The American people should be more acquainted
! with the noble qualities oil the tie CheI OuVa9
! who recently died at this Agency. Among cap
! tains he was the brayest; with counsrliors the
wiscst: of diplomats the shrewdest; the most non
| Lille If men : and A. gentle and humane
| yynmau With the NavaiOs, the Apaches; and the
| les his slightest wish was supreme law lie
ruled not SCI much by the power OF MS Will whlch
rns Of IRON when necessary not so much by the
fore of lus superior brain but by the confidence OF
ali i'm his answering uprightness. He was true
alike 10 the Indian and the whtc man. ana away
"niclx TO throw himself with all bis power between
| either and any Threatened danger.
| During his late years Ouray won his honors as 4
peace Indian" but for years tine tics were III
deadly strife with tnc Arapahoes CheyenIes and
sioux and Ouray was known and feared IRON tnt
Canadian border to the Gulf. Ii was IN 0he oil MS
terrific tig hts with the Arapahoes near where now
stands the beautiful City OF DENY err, when with