The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-03-05

One night, more than thirty years
ago, a party of Ute Indian braves at
the White River agency, Colorado,
swept down upon the agency build
ings, murdered the agent, Meeker'
and every man they could find; looted
the reservation stores, and carried
away captives to the mountains three
women and two children, says the
Washington Post.
The nation was Mortified at the
suddenness of the tragedy, as the Utes
had been known up to that time as
peaceful tribe. and had never given
any trouble under the former agent,
Sen. Charles Adams, who was on the
most friendly terms with their great
Chief Auray and others of the tribe.
But under Agent Meeker the Indians
had become discontented and threats
were made. Meeker asked the gov
ernment to send soldiers for his pro-
lection. The Indians learned they
were coming and on that very night
the murders occurred.
Panic seized the settlers in that
part of Colorado and they fed to
Denver. The governor of Colorado,
instead of urging that the troops BE-
hurried forward, asked that they be
halted and that Gen. Adams be sent
to mediate with the Indians and Sc
cure the release of the captives. The
Indians would murder them if the
soldiers came, he said.
Gen. Adams, then stationed IN
New Mexico, was ordered to go to the
scene with all possible haste. Ac-
eompanied by Count Doenhoff, Ger
man nobleman visiting the West, ne
made forced ride of 100 miles Oh
horseback to the Indians camp in
the mountains. Here after camp
FIRE parley in the dead of night
among the pines he succeeded in Sc
curing the release of the prisoners
and the promise of the Indians to
surrender those guilty of the mur-
ders for punishment. 1t was haz-
ardous undertaking. as a number OF
the braves in the council wanted TO
kill Gen. Adams, his companion, and
an the prisoners on the spot.
Gen. Adams's Graphic Story.
The story of the conference as told
by Gen. Adams, afterward appointed
limited States minister to Bolivia In
recognition of this service, follows:
riding up to the tent of Chlef
Johnson, I found Mrs. Meeker, and
little farther on Mrs. Price and her
two children. The women were pitt
full looking spectacles. Wasted and
wan and worn, with clothing torn al
most into ribbons, hair streaming
and eyes dim with weeping they rush
ed toward me imploring me to take
them out of their captivity. l pro-
missed them that would not leave
without them, and that they should
soon be restored to their friends.
"some extra blankets, which the
party had brought with them, were
hastily fashioned into some kind OF
feminine apparel, and leaving them
these rude garments, with soap, wa
+er and towels, l went back to my
companions, leaving the women to
nrenare for their return to civlllza-
tion t
..The children, who were playing
about the encampment, looked we'll
and healthy and said they had peen
kindly treated by the Indians, who
seemed fond of them and onereo
many ponies for their purchase. At
. noon Chief Douglas arrived with a
delegation of his warriors, but 1t
was nightfall before the council hres
were kindled and the chiefs ready for
the council.
THAT scene shall never forget. 1t
is stamped upon my brain in ineffaca-
BILE colors, as 1 fully realized that 1t
was quite likely to be the last l
should see with mortal eyes. The
council was to be held in a little
clearing in the midst of deep pine
forest about mile from the camp.
The night was dark, and the deep
blackness of the vast pine forest
stretched away indefinitely, except
where the little circle of the coun-
Gil fire threw it's ruddy glow. Around
it sauatted the Indians, some 25 or
80 in number, their faces grim,
watchful, and immovable, while l,
with Count Doenhoff, sat apart and
looked at them reproachfully.
"They talked among themselves
in the Ute language, of which 1
knew but a few scattering words, all
hor hoinO