The Meeker herald., 1912-02-17
THE OLD-TIMERS' REUNION
A Large and Much Enjoyed Gathering Of Pioneers
A Great Spread and Regular Old-Time Dance
Temporary Organization Effected.

For the past few weeks, since the
old-timers' dance and reunion was
determined on and talked about, 1t
was forgone conclusion that q great
big time would be the result. And,
this was Just what happened at Odd
Fellows hall, last Friday evening.
Among the committees named to
handle the affair the most important,
to our mind, was that on enrolment
-Messrs. Wildhack and H. J. Hay.
The committee prefaced its work by
the following accurate but brief his
torical sketch:
Summit county was at one time
one of the largest counties In the
state, being bounded on the north by
Wyoming, west by Utah, south by
Lake county, and east by the so-call-
ed snowy range. The southern part
of it was then In the Ute Indian Res
ervation. Encroachments on the part
of the whites caused frequent con-
flicts between the two races, and the
survival Of the fittest eventually re-
suited. Indian agencies were estab-
lished at various places In the reser-
walton, but this narrative will deal
only with those of the White River
valley. The site Of the first one was
located In 1858 by Governor Hunt and
Major Oakes (the latter as agent on
the land now owned by Larkin P.
Craig. III September, 1889, the agen-
cy was built and Lieutenant Parry
succeeded as agent. Then followed
Captain Beck. and later Agent
Brown. In 1875 Rev. r. H. Danforth
was appointed; Danforth did the first
farming on White river. Nathan G.
Meeker was appointed to the agency
In the spring Of 1873 He sought to
interest the Indians in agriculture,
but they sulked. When he tried to
enforce the rules he had formulated
he was met with almost open muttny.
In 1879 affairs went from bad to
worse; Meeker was killed and Major
-.Thcs~hasg's cenansaad wssasasiysn-'
initiated. Powell park was the scene
Of the Meeker homicides, from which
only the women folks were spared.
The soldiers escaping the Thornburg
attack dug trenches in which they
defended themselves for seven days
as best they could till General Mer-
riit came to their rescue. This mem-
orable place is known at the battle
ground and is on the Wolcott ranch,
eighteen miles northeast Of Meeker.
by treaty, the Utes were later re-
moved to eastern Utah and the val
lev opened for settlement. In 1879
military quarters were established at
what was then called Camp on White
River, but in q few years the camp
was abandoned, the final evacuation
taking place on September 6, 1883.
The Town of Meeker then came into
existence.
In 1874 the County of Grand was
created from the northern part of
Summit county. Later, Routt coun-
ty was created from Grand county,
the northern line of the Indian res
ervation being its southern boundary.
In 1888 Garfield and Eagle counties
were created from Summit county,
and In 1889 Rio Blanco county was
created from Garfield county. At the
last session Of the legislature Q9lD
Mofiat county was created from Routt
county.
The settlement of the White River
valley was slow at first, but within
few years the best pieces Of land were
taken up. However, after irrigating
bitches were projected, some Of the
choicest ranches have been located.
After the Indians were removed to
Utah. they came up the river every
summer in punches of from two to q
dozen, camping at many places be-
tween tina state line and the f1at-tops.
In the summer of 1887 an attempt
was made to arrest some Of the Utes
for violating the game laws, with the
result that the "Ute war" is matter
of history, and in which the state
troops took a hand.
In 1885 the town of Meeker was in
corporated, and in 1887 the townsite
was proved up" on by the mayor for
the benefit of the Inhabitants.
- The Agency Park ditch was the first
to be constructed $3.50, and the Pow
ell park ditch was completed to the
foot Of the Mesa In the fall Of 1878.
Among the important bitches built
since are the Highland, Hill or
Rangely, Oakridge Park, Hay Breth-
erton, Niblock (and later Niblock Ex-