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Show The Uncompahgre Ute People 109 and the intruders. In order to prevent open hostilities, Fort Lewis was established in 1878 near Pagosa Springs, where Indian and military trails crossed the San Juan River.14 Los Pinos (Uncompahgre) Agency During the summer of 1875 the Los Pinos Agency was moved. This move had been discussed for some time since the old agency was not on the Ute Reservation. The new agency was located in the Uncompahgre Valley where the village of Colona now stands. The move, over seventy-five miles of mountainous terrain, was no small task. It took twelve men, four wagons, nine yoke of oxen, and one mule team three weeks to remove just the sawmill. Not until November was the move finally completed.15 During the 1870s the Taviwach, who occupied the Uncompahgre Valley area of the Confederated Ute Reservation, came to be called after that area. Eventually they came to call themselves Uncompahgre, and the name Taviwach disappeared from public use. The next few years were difficult for the Uncompahgre. Their resources continued to be depleted. Most agricultural attempts failed. The supply of buffalo on the Plains was being destroyed by white buffalo hunters. A series of agents were appointed, none of whom remained long at their assignment. The Reverend Henry F. Bond managed the removal of the agency to Uncompahgre. He was requested to resign after 200 head of agency cattle were stolen by whites.16 Major W. D. Wheeler replaced him in the fall of 1876. He, in turn, was replaced by Joseph Abbott who was followed by Leverett M. Keeley, Wilson M. Stanley, and William Berry. Such rapid turnover of agency personnel did not help to bring order and efficiency to the conduct of relations with the Uncompahgre People. Supplies continued to be delayed, treaty provisions continued to be unfulfilled, and the Ute lands continued to be trespassed. Agent Wheeler reported in 1877 that: The Indians hold the opinion that the Government has broken faith with them, and there is danger of them taking the matter of the removal of the settlers into their own hands unless measures are taken by the proper authorities to prevent such a catastrophe.17 |