OCR Text |
Show 143 of Colorado, which duties were "to remove said Indians from White River, Colorado, to Uintah Agency, Utah Territory, and to enroll them and superintend the payment of them of the sum of $12,500. Also, the further duty of reporting upon the probability of finding suitable lands for them, in compliance with the provisions of the agreement approved June 15, 1880." I have to report that the removal has been accomplished after much difficulty and the employment of two assistants, acting as messengers, Eugene Taylor and John H. Collum, both of whom rendered valuable services to the commission, and without which it is doubtful if the White River Utes could have been removed without resort to military force. Upon meeting the Utes on White River, in May and June, I assured them that the government would provide subsistence for them immediately upon their arrival at Uintah Agency, and all necessary supplies of clothing and other goods would be ready for them. They were very much opposed to the removal, and it was only by persistent and continuous efforts extending over a period of seventy days, that they were brought to Uintah and enrolled in accordance with the requirements of the agreement, which duty was performed as nearly as possible, under the peculiar circumstances, according to law. Following the enrollment the payment was made of the money provided for in the agreement to the 665 White River Utes, whose names were entered on the census list, being a per capita of $19. There was no outbreak or breach of the peace during the summer's work. Much credit is due to the efficiency of Capt. R. Y. Young, U.S.A., who commanded the small guard sent to Uintah by order of General Crook, commander of department, as an escort, and to the Indian police organized by Agent Critchlow. Unfortunately, the subsistence promised was not at hand, nor had it arrived at the time of my departure, September 19, except beef and flour. I was informed that coffee would be added to the subsistence issue at an early day. This failure on the part of the government to provide subsistence almost defeated the commission in their efforts |