The Delta independent., 1888-08-14

COLORADO UTEs.

lGNAcIo, Colo. Aug. 5.-The belief
Is gaining ground that the Ute Commits
sioners have hard task before them.
Ihe Indians do not seem to be anxious
% meet the commissioners for pow-wow.
The agency is practically deserted, the
DUCKS being out on the range with their
stock, and they do not seem to have the
least inclination TO return. Runners have
been out Tor several days to deliver to them
the news that the commissioners were at
the agency awaiting them. OF course they
have been overtaken, but they do not re-
sp"nd to the tidings. Not . single Ute Of
any prominence is within hailing dist ance
OF the agency buildings, therefore there is
every reason to believe that the tribe is not
In any hurry to move, If, indeed, they will
give their consent at all.
The reservation from which 1t Is desired
to remove the Utes embraces strip Of land
fifteen miles wide by 100 miles long, running
from the western border of Conejos county
along the New Mexican line to Utah and
up the Utah line north to Ouray county
an area Of one and one-half millions of
acres.
The agency Is located at Ignacio, thirty
miles from Durango, on the line Of the
Denver q Rio Grande railroad.
The last census of the Indians shows thar
there are LOIS Utes on the reservation.
representing about 427 families. II the land
were divided 1t would give nearly Loo
acres TO every man, woman and child.
Thirty-two farms are under cultivation
tAis year. and many more would have been
had the water supply been sufficient Previ'
Gus to this year seed has been furnished by
the Government This year, however, none
was supplied.
The agency ID under the charge Of Agent
Thomas NcCunnIi &c. s. Holman, clerk
William Z. d. Barnett farmer; W. Won
Brund"nbach and George Rundlett chief
herdeIs; DIR. 4. B. Low, physician; John
Taylor, interpreter; Ars- Mary On, teacher;
Mrs. Connolly, matron.
There arc seventeen Indian policemen
on the reservation, and they arc ali repre-
sentative men and will have great influence
with the balance Of the tribe in inducing
them either to leave or stay on the reservx.
ton.
chief; Buckskin Charlie, Lieutenant;
Peeah, hrst private; Sho-shone. Parinse,
Sevaro, Talean, Tspuche, Jaun-to-C Case,
Padree, Mariana. Red Jacket Quartro,
Nieves, Coonoapiach. Sagxpittoo9oo, Vs.
chuputtooquanone-
Rations are issued to the Indians weekly
and vary somewhat 1t tho discretion Of the
agent The issue Of last week consisted Of
+,+es pounds Of beef. 2.ss4 pounds OF -four
and s. pounds Of soap. Tho beef ID killed
and piled In the issue-h0use by the EN-.
ployes Of the agency and Is weighed and
distributed with the othsr rasaons 10 the
Indians, who pass through . chute running
from one side Of the building to the other,
each Indian presenting . ticket calling for
the number Of rations he II entitled to.
The number OF Indians who drew ntions
last weak was s2A and tho number OF fami-
lies represented 354
The amount Of agency stock now on
hand consists Of 800 head Of stock cattle
hold for distribution to the Indians and $40
beef cattle.
Everything about the agency is con-
Quoted In systematic and orderly man.
ner. One Of the most Interesting sights
for visitor Is the store Of the posttrlder,
Mr.. T. J. Roush- Tho store Is Of rough
pine boards. the counter wide and strong,
running clear around three sides Of II %
that there is no opportunity Of getting at
the goods without climbing over.
The space outside Of the counter 10 gen.
orally crowded with bucks and squaws,
some Infant on buying but the majority
stolidly looking on and signifying their ap-
proval or disapprovai by . grunt OF shrug
Of the shoulders A couple Of young bloods
sitting outside the door playing coon-can
for the bright buttons and beads with
which their necks were plentifully adorned,
receive their share Of attention, and lose or
win with the most stoical indifference.
The agency school, though small. has
been more prosperous this year than ever
before. The number Of children was only
ten, but Ms. Orr has made great progress
With them. II is almost impossible 70 In.
duoe the Utes to send their children to
school. So many have beon taken to the
Indian schools away from the reservation
and have died that they have grown sus.
picious, and II IL with the greatest difiicuity
that they can be induced 70 let the children
attend even on the reservation.