OCR Text |
Show 128 The difficulty was only found after the goods had either spoiled or the government had abandoned them because the freight charges were too high. D. J. McCann, the freighting contractor, had gone bankrupt and had failed to notify the various parties of his inability to complete the contracted delivery to White River Agency. Real distress came to the Indian people, and more than three hundred left the agency and went into Wyoming to await the arrival of their goods. The residents of southern Wyoming made complaints to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs about the situation. Information concerning the starving Utes was called to the attention of General George Crook who telegraphed General Philip Sheridan with details. Sheridan ordered Crook to feed them, but by the time the order was received, the Utes were eighty miles away on the Sweetwater hunting for game. Since they were promised food, and the season was late (November), the Utes were persuaded to return to the White River Agency. The stored goods were never delivered to the agency, and the winter of 1877-1878 was long and difficult for the Utes. An additional controversy arose over the killing of game for the sale of hides. The whites complained bitterly of this practice. Although it is probable that s<jme of this was done, it is unlikely that it was very extensive inasmuch as the Utes were so desperately in need of food. Danforth and the Utes were near a point of serious conflict |