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Show 110 The Uncompahgre Ute People Wheeler attempted to evict the trespassers. He gave the trespassers written notice to leave the reservation. When it was not heeded, he sent for troops to force them off. However, about all that the troops accomplished was to remove the trespassing cattle. As soon as the troops left, the cattle were back on the reservation. Although Wheeler failed, his attempts to expel the trespassers incurred the anger of the citizens in the area. They petitioned for his removal which was accomplished in December.18 Non-Utes continued to settle on Indian land. Agent Abbott also confronted the trespassers and ordered them to leave. They threatened to shoot some Uncompahgres and start an Indian war. Abbott backed down. During this time the Uncompahgre remained remarkably calm. This was largely due to Ouray's influence and to their own respect for agreements they had made. Agent Abbott explained: The chiefs and headmen, with two or three exceptions, are earnest in their desires to preserve friendly relations between their people and the whites and to remain at peace with the government, notwithstanding the feeling that most of them have that 'Washington' has broken faith in treaty obligations and had given encouragement to the white intruders upon their reservation.19 However, the intruders acquired all the Uncompahgre land after the 1879 Meeker incident. When the White Rivers revolted against their agent and the intrusion of military troops, some of them rode south to enlist the Uncompahgre to join the fight. However, the Uncompahgre declined. Ouray even sent a message "requesting and demanding" that the White Rivers cease their fighting.20 Ouray also sent a message to the Southern Ute advising them to remain neutral. The Southern Ute held war dances and councils for two days. But, the nearby cavalry force convinced them to stay out of the conflict. Thus, the Meeker incident was not turned into a general Ute protest of their treatment by whites. Uncompahgre Reservation Nevertheless, as a result of the uproar caused by the Meeker incident, the leaders of the Uncompahgre (Ouray, Shavano, Galota, Jocknick, Wass) were forced to negotiate and sign the |