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Show sssat. re * : ^."* • ' xagr^ sif- MONTEZ SAYUTES PETITION While nothingf now. hot.' da^ lopearl regarding the Ute trouble wislch threatened by their presumable © imposition to the'coming r © glste^; io » Had draft laws which - are expected to be' passed. by congress the $ » &£** part of this week, feat the followiiig, from Moaticello source, may fe » w considerable light upon the discontent, which the Indians are camouflaging under- the opposition to registration and draft: ' The bands of Ute Indians under 014 Polk and Posey which have for yo$ v$ used the lower . Montezuma' canyon for their - summer camping ground' have finally become so overbearing tow& f< d the settlers of that section thai , » petition is being circulated asking that they be confined © a - the reservation. : Th « - lower Montezuma both in Colorado and Utah is beginning to be pretty well settled up, and of late the Indians have begun to resent the encroachment of the whites to such an extent that it is feared that clash can not be avoided much longer unless the government removes its wards to the reservation. The. Indians have carried their bluffs Intimidating the settlers • about as - far- » s wiil* f)€ r . permitted. They have t u r n e d some fences, ordered other settlers not to build fences, and have burned fence posts in the timber. This the settlers have been loath to regent knowing, that a clash' would cause bloodshed, consequently they are asking- the government to keep the. In- . d$ aita'; 0& ground provided for them. U$$ m petition, is being signed by al- • i « ^ t ' ' ^ f y ' cftf* § &-' Of the section' * f- . feeted. and if fe. hoped- that the govera- "" mojdfc'wlli take'the matter " in. hand at • axiee,- If complaint is made to the civil authorities and arrests are made, there is sure to be bloodshed, as the Indians think they are under the special protection of the federal government and the peopja, hope to avoid consequent trouble and notoriety by iNCHERS SOME AND REMOVAL | :^ Mng the government iflt ItefiM& e- $ w ] J matter. I Following is the petition: s Toi the Honorable Commissioner of I Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior, Washing- | ten, D. C. {{ Sir: ! The undersigned settlers and per- I sons interested In the development of | the agricultural and grazing resources I of that part of southwestern Colorado land southeastern Utah in the vicinity lof Montezuma creek, would respect- | fully represent, that certain roving bands of Ute Indians belonging to the southern Ute Indian reservation in • . the southern part of Colorado are infesting the region in. the neighborhood of said, creek' and ' iBterferring. with the improvements being made of and upon the same in the way of fences, building and daring land for cultivation, and with the grazing of live stock thereon; that request has been made on the part otf the settlers and others so interested as aforesaid to the agent in charge of the southern: Ute agency that be take the proper action to prevent such unlawful acts on the part- of . said Indians, and'that he has failed or refused to act in • the matter, claiming - that he has no aU* f thority in thepremises as the actscom- 1 plained' of are not committed on' said! reservation; and your petitioners for-* ther show that unless the matter is taken up promptly in hand and dealt with, a clash is liable to arise at any time - between said settlers and © their parties interested, and said Indians, which will result in hostilities. The undersigned' would therefore- ft-; spectfoly and1 urgently reg nest that such action be'' taken at once. by your office as will prevent any such further molestation and interference with the quiet and peaceful enjoyment by said settlers' and others interested as afore said of their rights in the premises. Dated at Dolores. Colorado. |
