The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-09
GEN. MBRRIAM'S REPORT.
lie Discusses the Affairs Of the De
partment of Colorado.
Disposition of Troops Mainly In
nueHced by the Location of the
Different Tribes OF TndiHns-Con-
duct Of Rcdmcu for Year Good.

nucnccd by the Location of the
duct Of Redmen for Year Good.
The Adjutant General to-day made pub
lie the annual report of Brig. Gen II. c.
Merriam, commanding the Department of
the Colorado. including Colorado. Wyo-
ming. Utah. Arizona. and New Mexico
with headquarters at Denver General
Merriam says:
The distribution Of troops has been in
fucnCed mainly by the locations OF the
different tribes OF Indians, their reserva-
lions and agencies, within the department
The conduct Of an these tribes during the
past year has been such that troops have
been called out but once on their account
This action was taken on tho call Of In
dian Agent Myton Uintah and Ouray
Agencies. at White Rocks. Utah. or De
Cember T. 1890. On the arr. ST OF an Indian
named Black Hawk by the troops further
disorder was ayerted AT that time. but a
number Of Indians representing these
tribes called on Major Hughes Ninth
Cavalry. then commanding Fort Du-
Chesne. and requested his aid in procur-
ing "A fun investigation OF various com
plants concerning the management Of
their affairs. which they did not enumer-
ate at that time. I believe, but expressed
the desire 10 have the investigation wit
messed by the military commander.
Major Hughes report Of this request
was forwarded by ne December 81. 1870.
and Major McLaugh in. Indian Inspector.
visited Fort DuChesne for the DurDose. of
hearing and investigating their com
plants, and made his report dated March
p. 1901. a copy of which was furnished
me through the War Department. To this
replied in letter 20 the Adjutant Cen
eraI
The complaint most generally made Is
that against sheep herdIng and gilsonite
mining on the Uucompahgre reservation
To these complaints Mr.. McLaughlin
seems to have accorded but little signid-
canoe. on page 6 of his report he says.
4 then explained the status Of the TN
COmpahgre reservation as being open TO
settlement by whites for agricultural and
grazing purposes but not for mining:
that had learned that the Eilsonite min
ing they referred 20 was the annual as
seSsment work that was being done by
certain owners of mineral claims who
had located them some time ago. and
that such assessment work was. as ! un-
derstOod IL, not in violation Of law. and
was being done TO maintain right 20
the claims etc.
This question is perfectly natural for
the Indian 10 ask from his standpoint Of
interest I'm that reservation. which is his
last acknowledged home. He also uatu-
rally desires 70 know when and how the
CnCOmpahgre reservation became open
y settlement by whites for agricultural
ana gTaZlng purposes 1t is 10 be re-
GREETED that Mr.. Mclaughlin did not
make his explanation on this point com
plete, Tor the satisfaction Of the Indians
FEl into 1rTfna
imply a want Of such knowledge I find
nothing at these headquarters from which
can answer such question, and yet
the military authorities would be called
to action at once should these causes Of
friction lead on TO open h0stiiities, as
they did on the Umtah reservation only
two years ago.
The Indian. by sad experience. has
been taught 10 look with suspicion upon
any encroachment by white men upon the
lands conceded to him by the Government
under cur reservation system. This fact
alone suggests the necessity for the full
est understa nding on his part OF the pur-
poses and limitations under which white
men are permitted 20 enter and act on
such reservations.
The complaint that the agent requires
Indians 70 purchase by labor wagons
and implements furnished by the Govern
ment for issue 60 these Indians, in com
pliance with treaty obligations. etc, as
the consideration for transfer Of lands,
etc, does not seem as yet 20 have pro
duced degree OF friction dangerous TO
peace. and need not be discussed at this
time by the military Authorities
General Merriam then quotes as follows
from recent report Of Lieut. Col J. N.
Lee:
1t may be remarked that a return TO
the issue Of ratiOus once per week would
materially lessen an apparent cause Of
general dissatisfaction. Beef issued for
two weeks does not hold out due either
u spelling or loss in quantity OF uutri-
meut from Jerking process. Requiring
Indians 10 work for general benefit Of
tribe fer certain articles such as wagons.
implements. etc, ISSUED 10 them appears
10 be a departmental r. neutrality-suspicious.
10 law. but does not seem 10 be clearly
understood by such Indians
1T rs certainly unfortunate that so
much land here t0fOre cultivated is now
lying idle because Of lack Of seeds tfrum
whatever cause for this seasons plant
ing and sowing This results In idlen,sS
amOng many Indians. and very naturally
causes more OF less discomfort among
them. a similar thing is reported TO have
occurred last year. which was partially
met by Mr. Carter. clerk in Mr.. Moore
store, HhO furnished. on credit. 10 a num-
Der OF ArapahOe Indians the needed seeds
His voluntary act no doubt aided prog
Tess and thus lessentd dissatisfaction.
The Suu-dance, from which. I am re-
liatHy informed. Is eliminated land has
been for years. the Objectionable features
Of the old time barbarism aud torture OF
bodily liberation and mutilation. is an an
nual religious festival or celebration OF
considerable duration. ten days 20 two
weeks IL appears that both the ShO-
ShOnes and ArapahOes have held this
dance. and that there IS no hostile intent
Whatever involved in the practice But
Tor years this dance has been prOhi bited
by the Indian Department and is cIassed
as an Indian offence, punishable By the
Indian Court. among other offences, such
as plural marriages, medicine making.
etc
This is a subject Of police regulation
under the Indian agents charge Wheth-
er the United States troops should be used
upon call Of the agent Co enforce such no
lice regulation Is a matter for superior
authority 10 determine. In nv opinion
the use Of the troops on any or an such
occasions would be unWise unless the case
should be an imminent one Of manifest
hostile antagOnism. and Of this the officer
fu command should be fully informed and
held responsible Tor his action accord
ingly.
Should these Indians attempt to hold
the prohibited Sun-dance, and should such
attempt clearly indicate a purpose 10 pro-
mote disorder and preecipitate trouble
then he officer must act with care and
fore stated. whether the troops should be
required 20 fOrcIbly stop the Sun-dance or
any other dance or Indian practice devoid
or any dangerous or hostile intent. be
cause prohibited by the Indian Depart
meUt is for the proper authority 10 de-
eide
In this case here 81 IS believed that the
Indians as "a body would stop short and
avoid any possible conflict with the
ABANDONED II.