The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-30
STRONG EFFORT TO DEFEAT
THE RESERVATION LEASE
Governor Wells Requests Secretary of the Interior
to Postpone Action.
Citizens Of Vsna Send Strong Protest and Utah Congress
men Are Urged to Investigate

TT IS evident that the people Of
Uintah county are thoroughly
aroused owe the alleged surrepti-
t-ous manner in which a syndicate.
represented by Judge J. T. Mcconnell,
George +. Timms of Washington, ..
C.; a Mr.. Henderson Of New York and
Indian Agent H. P. Myton, has secured
e lease upon a large area Of the min
erai lands IN the Uintah Indian reser-
walton. Yesterday Governor Wells was
in receipt OF a telegram from a delega-
ton of Uintah county settlers. pro-
testing against the leasing of any part
OF the red mans domain. and without
delay the executive telegraphed to
Washington 10 head off the approval
of the lease at least until Utah's rep
resentatives in congress can be heard.
That Senators Kearns and RaWlins and
Representative Sutherland viii be sue
Cessful in defeating the lease can
scarcely be doubted.
It is known that a couple of weeks
ago secret council was held
between the prominent bucks Of
the tribe and the representa-
tives Of the leasing syndicate
named, ~ which the Indians consented
TO lease large areas of their land for
mining purposes for a long period, two
years prospecting being allowed the
lessees to select the mineral bearing
tracts desired. Agent MytOn and
delegation of the Indians are now on
the way TO Washington 80 secure the
approval of the interior department to
the leasing proposition. The settlers
In che eastern part of the state are
opposed to the leasing scheme, for the
reasons that it would give a monopoly
70 a few on the known rich lodges even
when the reservation is opened to set
Element. and moreover tend to indefi-
nitely postpone the time Of negotiating
with the Indians for the REIMBURSEMENT
OF their lands for occupancy by MIN
ers. farmers and livestock growers.
Protest From Vernal.
The first definite advices received by
the governor relative to the activity
of Major MytOn of the Indian bureau
in promoting the mining lease scheme
came yesterday in dispatch dated
Wednesday night at Eernal, from
state Senator Harden BenniOn, Repre-
sentative George Billings and POstmas-
ter Horace COllett, reading as follows,
From authentic reports consent Of
Indians has been obtained through
grcss Misrepresentation TO lease Of
mlneFsL lands ON Uintah reservation.
The agent anu selected Indians are on
way to Washington to confirm the
lease. 1t would delay Indefinitely open
ing of reservation. and citizens of
Uintah county urge your efforts
against it. VIII mail statement Above
telegram sent 10 each Of our members
of congress at Washington. We es-
pecially ask your cooperation"
Governor Wells answered Senator
Bennion to the following effect;
II have wired secretary Of interior,
asking that no action be taken rela-
tive to mineral lands until Utahs rep
resentatives in congress may be heard.
! advise that strong sworn statements,
setting forth situation. be forwarded
10 Senator Kearns and Representative
sutherland at Washington as soon as
possible"
Request For Delay.
In the hope of completing So far as
possible the y ork he had undertaken,
the governor next telesraphed to the
secretary of the interior as follows:
II have the honor to rcdust that no
action be taken relative to leasing the
mineral lands on Uintah reservation
until Utah's representatives in con-
gress may be heard on the subject"
One more Crimp was put by the gov
ernor in the scheme of Indian agent
MytOn and his associates, by sendins
TO Senator Kearns and Representative
Sutherland this telegram:
II have advised the people of Uintah
county TO forward YOU Immediately by
mail sworn statements. giving the
truth about leasing mineral lands IN
Uintah reservation and how consent Of
Indians was obtained. Meantime I
hope you have already requested the
secretary Of interior 10 take no action
toward confirming lease until your