Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-04-02
OPENING THE RESERVATION.
Whole UucOmpahgre Country May be Located
by Tonight.
st. Louis Syndicate slezes All the Asphal-
tum Lands, and Guards Them
with Armed Men.

vernal, Utah, April 1.-The opening
of the Uncompahgre reservation is
arousinE considerable interest here.
Notwithstanding the fact that the gill
sonite deposits were reserved by the
government, there is stampede in the
direction Of White river. where the
beds are located. The majority OF
Vernals business men has expended
considerable money in the past, and in
good faith, too, in efforts to secure Il
portion Of these vast deposits. They
have been Invariably ruled out hereto
fore, and consider this the last chance
to assert what they think are their
rights.
The whole country will be relocated
before tomorrow night, and there will
in all probability be a lively time over
in the bad Lands the next few days.
1t isthe express intention OF those To-
eating to prove their interest and take
the matter to the supreme court for
interfere.
a number Of parties are also out for
agricultural lands, and more Will fol
low tomorrow Considerable BILE good land
is reported on the east side of Green
river, above the mouth OF White river.
There Is an old canal there, which was
constructed by the government years
ago and since abandoned, which covers
several thousand acres of land. IL If
reported here that this land has never
been allotted and is open for location,
and would-bc farmers are headed that
way.
SYNDICATE GRABS THE Asphalt
TtM
Fort Duchesne. Utah April 1.-The
opening Of the uncompahgre rescrvu-
tion lands was totally unexpected here.
ms II was contrary to the RECOMMENDED
tons Of the secretary of the interior,
the allotment commissioners und the
Indian agent. The opening has been
very quiet. A few families went into
take homesteads. and few prospectors
hurried to pick up a good thing in the
way Of a gold mine. So far as can be
asCertained here this evening no CON
flicts have yet occurred. II is hardly
to be expected that news Of this sort
can he obtained for a few days vet,
owing to the rcmoteness Of the desr-
able locations from communication.
There IN II suspicion here that the
failure to postpone the opening was
due in part to the influence Of the st.
Louis asphaltum syndicate which has
been endeavOring for years to gain
possession Of the asphaltum veins, ca
timated TO the worth n billion dollars.
It IL believed that this syndicate IS
backing the Vernul mon who have made
locations. and has purchased their in
forests. intending to fight the case in
the courts II II understood that the
contention Of the syndicate viii be that
the law reservinE title To the govern
ment to all asphalt lands is invalid
since there Is no clause setting aside
the general mining laws, which now
obtain precedence.
Tonight every foot NJ the Cowboy
Bonanza and Rack Dragon veins is
icnlously guarded by slecpless sentI-
nols. armed With Wholesalers. holding
these veins In the interest Of the ST
Louis syndicate.
II IL feared that the opening will en-
T7uder bad feeling between the Indians
md ailotting commissioners, and that
NO lives OF THE whites will be jeopar-
died.