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Show 64 Unfulfilled Promises: Negotiations with the Intruders, 1849-1882 However, Otto Mears, who had been appointed a member of the commission, began bribing the Uncompahgre. He privately paid each Ute who signed $2.00 which cost him $2,800. Ute Commission Chairman George W. Manypenny, on hearing about it, refused to endorse the agreement. He brought charges against Mears to Secretary Schurz. Mears was ordered to Washington, D.C. for a trial before the Secretary on a charge of bribery. However, Schurz was replaced the next year by Samuel S. Kirkwood. Kirkwood not only paid Mears for the money he had spent, he also complimented Mears highly.39 Curiously, Ouray did not sign to ratify, although he had negotiated and signed the agreement in March. He did work to encourage other People, including the Southern Utes, to sign, but he did not. In fact, he abandoned white-style clothing and resumed traditional Ute wear. He put himself in the care of his own People before he died in August.40 The history of negotiations with the Ute People is a history of intimidation and bribery. It is a history of broken promises. The Ute People usually complied with their part of the treaties and agreements. Often they had no other choice. However, the government seemed to forget its part of the bargains. And treaties and agreements were changed and even put aside by other statutes. It would be many years before the Ute People were paid for their lost lands and their disrupted lives. |
