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Show 162 this way or not, but any that are have my sympathy. It was not surprising that shortly after his annual report quoted above that J. F. Minniss was replaced as agent for the Ouray Reservation. J. F. Gardner arrived at Ouray on November 15, 1883, and his first report is one of continuing difficulties. Of the 1,250 Uncompahgre Indians in his charge, Gardner reports: This spring I succeeded in getting 23 of my Indians to commence farming in a small way, 11 on Duchesne and 12 on White River, and with the assistance of the agency employes broke up and planted about 118 acres in wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, and garden truck. Just after they had all planted and in good shape the flood came and destroyed everything on the White River farms; the crops on the Duchesne, however, promise well.' There is a strong possibility that those in the Indian Service thought of the Agency as unsure of continuance. In the same letter quoted above, Gardner says: The buildings at this agency are all of a temporary character, built of round logs with mud roofs, insufficient for proper storage and quarters for agents and employes. No schools have been established at this agency or missionary work performed during the year.8 6Ibid., p. 196. ¥ 7J. F. Gardner to Commissioner, August 10, 1884, in RCIA, 1884, p. 199. 8Ibid. |