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Show 104 The Uncompahgre Ute People No treaty had been signed allowing the intruders to mine and settle on Ute lands. Friction developed and some miners and People were killed in fights between them.4 The miners killed or drove the game from hunting grounds, forcing the People to seek food from the government. Conejos Agency The non-Ute population increased so rapidly that by 1861 the Territory of Colorado was organized. That year an agency was established at the Conejos River for the Taviwach. LaFayette Head was appointed the first agent, but inadequate funds hampered his efforts, and he himself was accused of mismanagement. Head was the leading citizen of the area. He had remained in Santa Fe following the Mexican War and had married into a wealthy Mexican family. In 1854 he helped establish a settlement of fifty Mexican families on Ute land on the Conejos River. He kept Indian slaves in his household. While Indian agent he promoted the settlement of the San Luis Valley. Taviwach leaders accused him of taking supplies meant for them. Despite continued rumors of his dishonesty and fraud, Head remained agent for ten years. This long tenure was not for the service he gave the Taviwach but for his popularity with intruding settlers. Head had a major role in negotiating the 1863 Treaty with the Taviwach. He escorted the delegation of Ute leaders to the East where they were impressed by United States military power. He brought funds from Washington, D.C. and purchased goods in Denver, then had them freighted to Conejos. These were distributed to the People as gifts to convince them to sign. After the 1863 Treaty was ratified, the Taviwach Agency remained in the San Luis Valley at Conejos. This was on land that had been ceded in the treaty. Thus, although theoretically they were to be encouraged to settle on the reservation, in fact the Taviwach had to leave the reservation in order to collect their annuity supplies. Even so, very few supplies were distributed. Food and clothing were given to the People only when they were starving and destitute. Then federal and military officials feared the People would be forced into raiding and fighting in order to survive. |