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Show 72 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. Special Agent Reynolds next visited tue place where the killing occurred (150 miles from the agency) and took the testimony of all but one of the wardens connected with the affair and also of a few others, examining each one by himself. Prom their state~uentist appeared that W. E. Wilcox, game warden of Routt County, had been notified by the chief game wafden of Colorado that Indians from Utah were probably killing game in violation of law and should he arrested nuless they left the State. Proceedi~lgw ith a Mr. McGormack toward Bear and Snake River Valley, Mr. Wilcox was informed at Maybell that the Indians numbered probably 100. Re therefore sent back for an additional force to assist him. Two days later, October 24, teu wardens, all but Thomp-son and Armstrong armed, with two others, decided to visit the Indian camp, but before doing so Thompson and a mau named Templeton were sent ahead to try if possible to indace the Indian men to come to Thompson's ranch to meet the wardens and talk over matters. On tlieir way thither they met Star and another Indian, had some conversation, and went on. Meantime the wardens had concluded to follow slowly, and soon came in sight of the two Indians which the advance party had met. One of them turned immediately and started in the direction of the camp. The other was overtaken and disarmed and taken to the camp, which the party reached about 10 o'clock in the morning. There they found six Indian men, eight or ten women, and a few children. All the men were armed, and some of the women had arms in their tents. Two deer, still undressed, many deer hides, with some beef hides, and a quantity of deer hair, were found in the camp. The Indians were notified that they must leave the State or be arrested. After some time, attempt was made to disarm and arrest them, which the Indians resisted. Then, to quote from the report of the special agent: In the final attempt to arrest the Indians, an Indian, nnexpeotedly to all, fired his gnu at one of the wardens, A1 Shaw, and es he was about to fire, B warden, Mr. Kim-berly, standing near SShw, etrook the gun to oneside, and the shot missed Shaw and hits woman. At thin moment the firing waaoommcnced by thewardens sndIndium, which wes partioipstad in by about only five or sir of the wardens and lasted hut a few minutes, and when it had oeased, it was fonnd that some Indiana had beenkilled and some wounded, and Shaw was lying on the gronnd in a senseless condition, hevlng been atrioken down by the Indian who had fired the first shot. The wardens then went away to Thornpaon's ranch. The wardens deny that they fired the first shot or that they drew their rifles on the Indians before the firing commenced, and on the whole the special agent is inclined to accept their version of the affair as against that of the Indians, and to acquit the posse of anything deliberate or malicious in the killing. Some of them have homes on the Bear and Snake rivers and have lived there for years. The affair created great turmoil in that vicinity, and women and children weye taken to Lay, 25 miles distant, and remained there nntil the excitement subsided |
