Year: 1875

AND GANNErs DIvIsIoNs-BAD FAITH OF THE.
WASHINGTON AUrHoRITIEs AND THE REVENGE
OF THE UrEs-How TO AVOID AN INDIAN
WAR.


In CAMP ON THE Ia PLATA RIVER,


PARRoTT CITY, Sept 9, 1870.


Much excitement has probably been raised ere this by
the outrage perpeated upon the two divisions
Of the United States Geological Survey by a band or
renegade Utes, Pah-Ute, Navajo and Apache Indians
the Sierra Ia Sal in Utah. Great Indignation has
been felt and exhibited at the in which these
parties were attacked, plundered and driven out or
the country, with only sufficient provisions to
last them until they reached a point
of safety. But could the whole truth and
all its facts be known it would OCCASION
no surprise that such thing had occurred This state
Of affairs has been brought about by the dlaory action
Of the government in regard to the fu1ment Of its
tracts with these Indians its failure that of its
employees, TO meet the requirements of its treaty with
them These Indians claim that they were promised
by the treaty annuities amounting to $50 900 per
mum, and that out of $50 600 previously owed them
they have received but s25 OOO For more than year
they have been trying in peaceable obtain
their rights, but not succeeding being unable to
obtain any satisfaction, they have dissatisfied
and suspicious. II cannot be supposed that unedu-
Gated savage will understand the delay OF prompt full
hment of promises made them and when they sell their
land to "Washington Amercats" and receive nothing
for the blame likely to fall upon the heads of inno
cent parties. Thus when they meet party Of men
their reservation and upon inquiry told that they
are Washington men, these Indians reason


''You are Washington Amercats; therefore you are
the men who bought land now pay us what yos
u.s."


The two divisions of the survey in charge of Mr.
Gardner and Mr.. Gannet, running a band
these dissatisfied Indians commanded to settle
the debit and because they unable TO 40 So fell
prey the wrath of the band and escaped mracuousy
with barely their lives 1t the intention here
uphold the conduct of these Indians shield them
from the punishment they deserve but justice least
is due them. In not recognizing their rights the gov
ernment withdraws its protection from all whites,
those whom sends into the country and rritaes the
feeling of animosity which exists between the two
races. To show how peaceful these Indians are dis.
posed to be toward all those who not concerned in
defraudng them may take illustration the
Photographic party OF the survey in charge of Mr. W.
Il. Jackson, which has just returned to the La Plata


HOSTILE INDIANS.


Scarcely week after the fight approached ths
Sierra Abajo from the ruins in Arizona and encamped
in those mountains for three days. A side trip was
made of two days north to the foot Of the Sierra SAL
and the very ground passed which the other
parties had been attacked Descending into the Montes
. yuma canyon we drove unconsciously into the verv
camp Of these identical Indians numbering about 100
men, women and children. The first sight they OBJ
tanned OF Us approach brought them armed and
mounted toward us. AT first we startled by tho
sight OF twenty savages galoping toward U.s. whoopng
yelling and with drawn guns; but suspecting any
harm, rather enjoyed the sight Beng asked from
whence replied, California" and
Immediately taken into their camp and
to the wick-e-up of Po-co-nar-a-guint the
captain of the band, where we were
treated Hospitality and we'll Here were three men,
hundreds of miles from any settlement, surrounded by
band of renegade Indians in their own wds, who had
only few days previously raised their hands against
the representatives of the United States government
In the camp at this very time secreted all the
captured cargo OF the other parties although
pectcd nothing for they conveyed in circuitous
way up TO the captain lodge Had told them thai
we had como from Washington things probably
would have terminated in more serious manner.
Upon the arrival of the plundered parties the La
Plata River two men, well acquainted with thu
country and known to the Indians, were despatched
in search of u.s. it was feared that some
aanger might have befallen u.s. especially as wa
to pass through this section in the vicinity
of the Sierra Abajo and Sierra Ia Sal Trailing us down
into Arizona and back as far the first mentioned OF
these mountains in Utah. the fell short of pro-
visions and compelled to to the La Plata
with no satisfactory OF They had been out
fifteen days, and could have been but day or two
behind when they gave up the hunt and the very
time when unconsciously camped within a distance
of three four miles of the Indians, who had pre-
ceded down the canyon Of the Montezuma two days
at the furthest, could see by their trail their
return from the battle This incident will show


THE PEACEFUL DISPOSITION


ofthe Utes generally, taking this most dangerous band
example Much surprise manifested ON both
sides on our return All were astonished TO see US
come in safely, and equally surprised to hear
Of the events of tho past two weeks We
arrived just in time to stop another party
which to start out for the next morn
ing and the three parties ofthe survey tho
camp fires that night the banks of the La Plata the
time passed in recounng the events OF the battle
with much merriment at the expense OF some of the
participants.


This is but the prelude to Indian unless things
satisfactorily arranged This seems inevits-
bic from the general feeling of tho whole tribe and to
fight 900 Ues in their country whero water only
long intervals, hidden in unlikely spot
only known to. them, would cause much suffering and
Inconvenience There should be at least an immediate
inspection OF affairs here and whatever wrong should
be righted as speedily as possible