The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-09-29
Especial to The Herald.s

Especial to The der3ld-5
Ouray Agency. Utah. Sept. 2S.-Ow-
ing TO the distance Of TT. Duchesne
from the Uneompahgre agency, the
Jeffrays allotment commission. consist
ing Of James JeGreys, Ross Guflin and
s. c. Myton, decided to held the gen
eral council with the Uncompahgres
at the Ouray agency headquarters, and
left the post this morning in a heavy
rain storm.
Indian carriers we're sent out yes
terday TO inform the chiefs of the
change and during the 20-mile drive
the commissioners noted from almost
every high Do.nt OF vantage an In
dian, who made a signal which was
received from point TO point, of their
arrival.
At the agency they were greeted by
the leading chiefs and their followers,
with the exception OF ColoroW and Nc
Cook. Leaders Of The Uncompahgre Utes
on White river. who were unable TO
attend Their absence had 4 tendency
to delay matters, as the Indians said
they could not talk today.
on the arrival of Captain Beck. the
Indian agent, the Inaians were as
seInbled Captain Eecll told them that
they must hold the council today. Fin
ally, after some parleyinG, they con-
scented 10 Captain Beck's wishes and
assembled in the council house TO meet
the commissioners.
All Of the principal chiefs OF the Tn
compahgre Utes. ChaYaneux, Sullivan.
he'd Moon, Alhanre. Eggleston, Panta-
loon. Chipeta widow OF Ouray late
head chief Of All the Utes, and numer--
Gus sub-chiefs, with several hundred
bucks and their squaws. were in at
tendance.
The first speaker was Captain Seek,
who said the commissioners were sent
nom Washington to give them homes.
They are your friends." he said, and
want the Indians to choose their
lands.
REJECTED BY RED MOON.
He was answered by Red Moon, who
seemed not inclined to accept the com
missioners' offer. He said that he did
not want his land cut up, and he want
ed all the Indians 20 live together. lie
was very sullen. He said further that
he would leave the reservation and be
d coyote rather than have allotted
lands.
He was followed by SADLY, a sub
chief. who wanted 20 see the commits
sioners' credentials. which were read to
him through the interpreter. He said:
Il have talked to q Washington man
and have been lied to and now / don't
want 10 be led away from my home
and hunting grounds. If you want you
can 90 home"
MR.. GUFFIN'S STATEMENT.
Then Mr.. Guffin stated the commits
Si0ners' business in detail and said that
they were here to give the Indians the
first choice Of the lands, and if they did
not accept this by April l. 1898. the
reservation would then be thrown open
for settlement This had telling eff
feet.
He was followed by Chief EggIeston,
whose argument was the same as those
who had previously spoken He said
that the government had given them
their land and they did not want TO
give 1t up.
Mr.. Jeffreys then read a copy of the
treaty Of 1850, signed by $40 of the lead
ing Uneompahgre Indians at that time,
10 the effect thai they would receive al
Iotment land from the government.
EGGLEsToN DEMURs.
Eggleston said: we were sent to this
reservation and told this was our home
and hunting grounds. and now we are
told we must not hunt or do anything
but live penned up on our lands. Wash
ingtcn man has broken faith. | am the
white mans brother and friend and
don't want trouble. The other COM
misslonerS have told US the same as
20 believe by Washington when they
put US here and made our lines we were
never to he disturbed and now they
want US to live like coyotes, which we
are MOI going 10 do"
ORATOR PANTALOON.
Pantaloon.- the orator of the tribe.
then followed. He said: L do not want
to play; ] am an old man. and don't
want to be penned up. l want TO be
free. l don't want the all0tments made
1t was not the spirit of the treaty, as
! understood il and as signed in 1880,
and ! and my people want TO be left
alone"
THE COUNCIL ENDED.
Chief CheVaneux here interrupted
and commanded the council TO cease
until Colorow and MeCook could be
present. These two chiefs and their fol-
lowers are Chief CheVaneuxs chief
backing. and he is strongly in favor OF
the allotment. IL was evident to those
present that the speeches of the sub
chiefs were inhammatoly and might in
fiuence the tribe.
The council came to hasty close,
and it was agreed upon by he commits
sioners and Chief CheYaneux that they
would meet again in general council on
Tuesday next
TACT WILL BE NECESSARY.
1t is evident from the proceedings to-
day that the head chiefs and prominent
men OF the tribe are in favor of the
allotment and speedy settlement of the
question. and that the sOreheads and
lesser men are adverse TO the chiefs,
and it is plain to your correspondent
that they VIII not give UP without a
struggle. The government will have TO
use tact TO evade trouble. The Indians
are laboring under the Impression that
they are being defrauGed of their just
rights, but IL the counsel OF Chiefs
ChayenauH. Colorow and McCook is re-
ceNed with weight by the tribe, the
allotment win be made within the spec
fled time If not, il might lead up 10
trouble
Tvnt White Rfve,- WILLOW c,raal, ana