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Show 92 The Uintah Ute People were most of the Utah People located permanently on the Uintah Reservation. Critchlow was gradually able to improve the relationship between the agency and the People. That relations were improving is demonstrated by the understanding the People showed for Critchlow's problems. In 1876 when appropriations for Utah were so meager that annuities could not be given, Critchlow explained to the People the situation. They replied: "All right; Washington heap poor now; we will hunt more buckskins now and heap farm next year, and maybe Washington give us more blankets."31 The real test came in 1879 when the White River People, who had very close ties to the Uintah People, killed their agent and defeated an army detachment. Critchlow reported: It is exceedingly gratifying to all friends of these Indians that, notwithstanding the outrages committed by the White River Utes, with whom ours are most intimately connected, and the protracted troubles and unrest succeeding them, our Indians, with few exceptions, after the first excitement, remained in a state of almost perfect peace and quiet. . . .32 The People even suggested that Critchlow, his family, and employees leave the agency and join the People in the mountains where they were going for safety. However, despite Critchlow's efforts, major problems continued to plague the People. They were increasingly threatened with trespass on the reservation. Cattlemen were particularly careless in allowing their herds to graze on reservation land, thereby ruining the grazing and water for the People's stock. In 1878 Critchlow reported that the People: . . . are afraid that this reservation will be thrown open to white settlers, they be removed to some other place, and thus lose all their labor. They have for two years heard exaggerated reports on this subject, hence their uneasiness is not strange or unnatural. My own opinion is that any such change would work great injury and injustice to these Indians, yet I know that many in this territory would do anything to bring it about.33 Their fears proved to be valid. Strangers continued to encroach on their lands. The reservation was eventually opened to non-Utes. The next years were ones of frustration and confusion for the Uintah People. |