The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-05

The delegation of San Juan citizens,
appointed by the people of Grand and
San Juan counties to present to Gov
ernor West the exact condition of af-
fairs with reference to the southern
h Ute invasion, called at the capitol
! building yesterday morning and were
cordially received by his excellency.
The delegation, consisting of Mons
Peterson, Bishop of Moab; Jack Sill
vey. selectman of San Juan county; j.
B. Decker, of Bluff; Lester Taylor, of
Moab, and J. NJ. Cunningham, of La
Sal, met with Governor West in the
latter's office, Mr.. Peterson acting as
spokesman for the visitors. He told
the story of the invasion and described
The situation in a simple, but earnest,
manner and the whole ground was
thoroughly covered.
The Colorado Utes, said Mr.. Peter
son. had made up their minds to stay
in Utah. They had emphatically sta
I ted during the last few weeks that
they had no intention of returning to
their reservaion-that they would not
90 so, even on an order from the gov
eminent; that they We're now in a
choice land and proposed to occupy it.
The whole number of the 900 Utes
were now on this side of the line with
their stock. They, however, do not OBJ
!. tain their meat from their own ami
a mals but prey upon those of the white
ISetuerS. They have already killed a
great many cattle and sheep and are
e,laughtering them daily and are en-
kgaged in drying and curing immense
F1Gantities of meat for winter use
There are, say the members of the del
egation, probably 10000 head of cattle
and $4,000 or 10000 head of sheep, be-
sides a. large number of horses, in San
Juan county. Just how many cattle
have been killed it is impossible to
state as they are scattered over a vast
area of country.
INSOLENCE OF THE INDIANS.
These invading Utes are daily be
coming more obnoxious, insulting and
demonstrative. All are armed with
rifles and revolvers and have plenty of
ammunition. As an Illustration as to
how they now behave Mr.. Peterson
cited an incident which occurred only
few days ago. An Indian chief rode
up to the house of Bishop Jones, of
Monticello. accompanied by a band of
braves. The bishop has always been
on good terms with them and offered
them flour, baking powder and bacon,
telling them they could go into the
yard, kindle a fire ans cook their sup
per, at the same ting informing them
that they could sleep under the shell
ter of the hay and straw stacks near
the stable and corrals. The chief drew
himself up to his full height, looked
indignant and said, pointing to the
kitchen stove: white mans squaw
must cook for u.s. Then turning about
he directed attention to a bed Ghe
bishops in another room, and added:
''Me sleep in that. This country is
ours; you no like il, you move out"
THE NAVAJOES.
In addition TO the Utes there are
about 200 Navajoes, who have also left
their reservation in Colorado and come
into Utah. They are in the Blue and
Elk mountains. The citizens have sent
out delegations to move them back,
but up to date have not met with
much success. They have brought
from 5000 to 10000 sheep and about
200 head of horses with them. To-
gether with the Utes, they have taken
possession of the choicest grazing
ground in the county The white set
tiers are losing a. good many stock
from the effects of the drouth. AS re-
CARDS the Navajoes an unknown agent
of that tribe few days ago promised
have them driven back inside of two.
"r7eks-by troops, if necessary. The
identS of Bluff look for this to be
re.
DAVE DAY INDIFFERENT
]. B. Decker. of Fluff City,
fold OF an interview he had with Indian
Agent Dave Day, in which the latter
was informed that the Utes were killing
the sheep and cattle of the settlers.
This information was received with in
difference by Day, who said, Il really
don't see what I can do about it. 1t
looks to me as though you had better
30 to killing the Indians"
That expression, said Mr.. Decker,
gives the whole situation In a nutshell.
1t is precisely what the Indians want,
and it seems to be just what Day is
Ndesirous of bringing about. But, says
Decker, further that would be suicidal
and would result in the whole settle
ment Of Bluff being depopulated. The
Indians say that Day advised them to
come to Utah and that they propose to
do his bidding in remaining here.
MEETING OF CATTLEMEN.
The cattlemen of San Juan held a
meeting at Hatch'S ranch on Saturday
night and resolved to open hostiiities
On the 18th inst. providing the Indians
MI not commenced to move back be-
fore that time. Information to this
effect has been circulated among the
whites who, for the welfare of them
selves and families will probably gather
at some central point of safety where
unitedly they may resist an attack by
the Indians.
THE GOVERNOR INTERESTED.
Governor West was deeply interested
in the statements and said he was
pleased TO receive this additional in
formation as to the situation and would
make every effort, to bring about a
speedy settlement of the difficulty. His
excellency informed the delegation as
TO the steps previously taken by him.
He had given the secretary of the in
terror all OF the information obtaihable.
The secretary had turned the matter
> over TO the wer department, and it had
n been referred to General McCook
(, In regard to calling upon the militia
Tor aid. his excel1eney thought this was