Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-09-08
Is OoMsrock) CkNP,
UNcoNpAHGRE, COLORADO,
Awruaf "a 1881

August q; 1881. J
DEAR BRorHER: | wrote you a let
ter about the 31st day of July, while
in camp over on the Cimarron (WilC
Horse1 river. Have failed to receiv,
any reply up to date, l suppose j
has been misplaced in the mails. VIZ
moved from there shortly afterward
over to the Uncompahgre river, about
eight miles northwest Of the Can.
tenement (this place., the government
post on the Ute Indian reservation
and about two miles from Chiel
Ouray's decd rancho. We we're in
camp there a week, and then moved
lower down the river, about twelve
miles. | suppose We we're there
about two weeks, when ordered by
the United States officers to come
into the post, as the supposition was
that the Utes were going on the war
path. At least the indications were
good. The bucks were separating
from their squaws, and the squaws
we're driving their stock, ETC., of for
the purpose of ~concealing them. They
camped near us several nights, and
then were ordered back to the agency
by General Mckenzie, who has orders
TO move them over 10 Utah, to their
new reservation. The majority Of
the bucks didn't care to move over
there, and wanted to hang back so as
to have a little fun. They are all
we'll armed with Winchester repeating
rifles. They own very large herds of
cattle and stock. They won't dispose
of any of their ponies, only in one
way, i. e., for Winchester rifles, and
they will trade anything they have Tor
one of them. There were several
chiefs in here yesterday, and they
pledged themselves 10 start to-day for
their new quarters, without the least
trouble. General Mckenzie told
them if he caught a Ute in here after
Tuesday he would certainly kill him:
They are all afraid OF Mckenzie, and
say hesis brave man, s. OF G.. We
are running a line for the Denver Il
Rio Grande Railroad Company, toward
Salt Lake City, Utah, and we're about
seVenty-fve miles from the line of
Utah, and about $50 miles from Salt
Lake City, when we left our old camp.
We have orders to move tomorrow
below the old camp, about ten miles.
There were several engineer corps
ordered in, and we are all camped
close to each other here. After we
leave here tomorrow to go below, we
will hardly ever see any one except
our own crew, which consists Of four
teen men. We are outside OF civili-
cation altogether. We will bid fare
well to society and civilization after
to morrow for a few months. 1t has
been quite a while since | cOnversed
with q lady. There are a few women
around the pOst-oficers' wives.
1t is rather warm here during the
middle of the day, but cool at night.
| sleep under three plirs of blankets.
There are several things we miss out
here-fruit and vegetables. We live
principally on canned goods, such as
Boston baked beans, tomatoes, corn,
corn beef, dried apples, etc. | think
this winter will settle it with me for
this State. Business is too dull, and
the State is overrun with people.
Work was scarce all summer, and it
was hard to get employment. A great
many will walk out of here this fall,
disguised with the country. | have
seen a great many working for their
board. How is everything in Mem
phiS | guess it is fearful dull.
BARNEY.