OCR Text |
Show 160 There was an air of neglect about the agency and reservation after the first flurry of activity with the Ute Commission directing the work.' Agent Minniss, in his first report, reflected some of the apathy. In the way of farming, there has not been any progress made either by white employees or Indians at this agency, and there can be nothing done until ditches are constructed to irrigate the land. There are thousands of acres of as good land on this reservation as can be found anywhere, which is worthless without water, as there is no rainfall here from May to September to speak of, and it would be useless to put in a crop without irrigation. There are quite a number of my Indians that are anxious to commence farming next spring if the necessary ditches are constructed to irrigate the land, and their success will encourage others to follow their example. In my opinion the construction of a ditch to irrigate this land should be commenced at as early a date as possible.^ Some of the second annual report from the same agent was to reverse his opinions about the lands. His opening statement is as follows: OURAY INDIAN AGENCY, UTAH V August 13, 1883. Sir: In accordance with you letter of instruction, dated July 31, I have the honor to submit the following as my second annual report of affairs at this agency. During the last year I have ridden over most of the reservation, and find after careful observation that the bottom lying along Green and White Rivers contains all of the farming lands within the lines of the reservation. There is not a stream outside of the two mentioned that has running water it it two months during the year; the fact of the matter is, it ^J. F. Minniss to Commissioner, August 30, 1882, in RCIA, 1882, p. 209. |