River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-06-23
THE UTES TO BE MOVED.
Firm Measures by the Commission
i'm spite of Indian Talk.

Los PINos AGENCY, June 13.-Satur-
day the Ute commissioners met in con-
ference with the head chief, Srponor-
anora, of the Utes, and his sub chiefs,
Sharano, Piah, Atahandra and others.
There were at least twelve hundred
Utes about the agency and the scenes
within Agent Berry's Office were excit-
ing, dramatic, and perilous in the ex-
treme. The Ute Indian commission
Messrs. Mears. Russell, and McMorris-
were present. Each Indian was heavily
armed, and when the talk began, the
building was surrounded by Utes who
occupied every available spot to listen
to the conference. 1t being regular ra-
ton day, together with the widely cir
culated information among the Utes, a
larger number were present than usual.
The Utes were told by the commits
sioner, through the interpreter, that
the commissioner had come to the
agency for the purpose of carrying out
the terms of the treaty entered into
last year; that it was the wish and in
tention of the government to accom-
plish the terms of this treaty as expe-
ditiously as possible, and to remove the
Utes upon a new reservation. This an
nouncement had perceptiby unfavor-
able impression upon Chief Saponor-
anora. as we'll as upon Sharano and
other sub-chiefs. The Utes were
furthermore informed bv the commits
sioners that it was decided to expedite
matters with them and permit very
little talk They were further told that
the government was disposed to treat
them fairly and justly, but the enforce
ment of the stipulations of the treaty
was absolutely paramount to everything
else. They were to be located upon
new reservation, and no deviation from
this dete termination was possible.
Sharano, the leading sub-chief, ex-
claimed lowly: "There never was a
treaty made-neither this one under
consideration or any other" and boldly
demanded to know who signed a trea-
ty. He was soon informed that every
Indian present signed. To this Shara-
no made no answer. The chiefs we're
informed that they could select five
Utes to accompany the commissioners
to the new reservation. Should they
decline to make a selection the COM
missioners would proceed without
them, locate their reservation and re-
move the agency thereon. Five Utes,
among whom is head chief Saponoro-
marc have been selected by Agent Ber-
ry and ordered to report to the agency
Wednesday. Sharano was very bold in
his talk. He claimed that himself and
Chepeta, Ouray's widow, owned the
Uncompahgre valley.
The chiefs were given to understand
that steps would be pursued to success
fully accomplish the mission of the
commission. The presence of the mil
itary kept the Utes under submission.
The presence of reinforcements of mil
itary has clearly demonstrated that,
were they absent, the Utes would have
refused to go to the new reservation.
Agent Berry's influence with them, on
Saturday, prevented more exciting
scenes, and they gracefully accepted
the inevitable. Matters are quiet to-
day. Very few Indians are lowering
about the agency. They may return
Monday for another pow-wow, which
will be refused. The Ute Indian COM
missioners have been here nearly two
weeks. No orders for an escort have
been received from Washington
Time is passing awaiting these orders.