| OCR Text |
Show 124 eleventh year. He had indeed been able to make and maintain a reservation in one of the most difficult spots in the United States. His ability had been taxed by a great number of forces, but he was able to prevail for more than a decade. A combination of forces combined to defeat him. The transfer of the more aggressive White River Utes to his agency was accompanied by great disruption. His own declining health and advancing age, combined in all probability with great exhaustion, lessened his effectiveness. In a tenure filled with so much turmoil and so many events, it is fair to end on a note of Critchlow's own words about Uintah, which he had learned to love: Uintah Valley Agency, Utah August 18, 1881 Sir: In accordance with department instructions I have the honor to submit the following as my eleventh annual report of affairs pertaining to the agency and Indians under my charge, and to transmit the accompanying statistics relative thereto. The past yyear has been one of many encouragements to all connected with this portion of the Indian service. The steady progress of these Indians in all matters pertaining to their civilization has been evident and even marked. Their farming operations have not been more extensive than in former years, but more interest has been shown in caring for their crops; they have been more energetic in their work, and have taken more pride in their farms, and this advancement I am pleased to say is mainly due to the disposition of the Indians themselves, although both my employes and myself endeavor faithfully to direct them in matters pertaining to their interests.29 29critchlow to Commissioner, August 18, l88l, in RCIA, l88l, p. 213. |
