The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-09-05
FEDERAL TROOPS
TO QUIET S00NERS
SAID PROJECTORS AND SQUAT
TIERS ARE OVERRUNNlNG THE
UlNTAH RESERVATION.
CAVALRY is ON THE WAY
Boys in Blue Will See That the Whites
Keep OF the Reservation Until
1t Is Thrown Open.
SPECIAL TO THE INTER MOUNTAIN.

SPECIAL TO THE INTER MOUNTAIN.
Lander, Wyo Sept s--Conflct between
United States troops and "sooners" on the
Uintah Indian reservation seems imminent,
though the authorities hope for peaceful
solution OF the difficulty.
Yesterday large detachment Of troops
from Fort Washable passed through here,
ell route TO the reservation. 1t consisted
OF platoon of cavalry. The officer in
charge declined to discuss the matter at
all, saying that he was ignorant of the
situation and that all he knew was that
Agent Mercer at the White Rocks agency
had called for troops and he was to report
to the agent. The soldiers are travelling
on their own mounts, in heavy marching
order, and every man has large supply
of ammunition. They arc making fast
time.
"Sooners" on Grounds.
While il is entirely probable that the rich
lands of the Uintah reservation will not lie
thrown open to settlement until October
OF next year, 'sooners' are endeavoring TO
take advantage of its remote location to
get on the land carly, in open violation of
the law. Some of these are spying out
agricultural land but by far the greatest
number are prospectors.
Certain portions of the reservation are
said to be rich in mineral Gold. silver,
copper and also glsonite are said to exist
in large bodies. These rumors can be
traced to former federal officers Who by
nature OF their employment, had the priv-
lege not accorded to the ordinary citizen
OF exploring the reservation. The condi-
tion is the same as that which preceded
the opening OF every Indian reservation
known to contain mineral.
These prospectors are reported by the
Indians TO be overrunning the hills and
spying out the advantageous spots for legal
location. The law, however positively pro-
hibits such exploration prior 10 the open
ing.
Troops Ordered Away
These are the circumstances that have
moved Agent Mercer to call for troops.
Formerly he had troops at his command,
those stationed at Fort Duchesnc, but they
recently were sent to the Philippines and
their departure was the signal for the be-
ginning of operations by the "sooners."
Hence the call on Fort Washakie.
Inspector Mclaughlin of the interior de-
partmcnt recently concluded the work OF
securing the signatures OF the Indians to
the plan Of allotment. Each head of a
family is to be allotted land in severaty,
with added land for each member OF his
family, and then the remainder will be
thrown open to entry by citizens of the
United States. The surveys preliminary
to allotment are now being made, but the
actual opening is yet more than year dis
tant.
1t is believed that the show of force
by the authorities in sending troops to
guard the lands and uphold the law will
drive the "sooncrs" off without actual con-
ilct. There are many among the soon
ers," however, who arc said to be vicious
and desperate and armed. A fight accord
ingy is not impossible. though the authori-
ties profess TO believe that it is improb-
able,