OCR Text |
Show A? statea that he would not pay a cent for crossing, that the amount asked($125.00) was absurdly large, that he crossea upon a public road ana that he was ready to stand a suit in t'tte matter. Mr. Darling gave the number of his bona of sheep as 4200 which at the established rate of five cents per head would amount to $210.00. In consideration of the .fact that MR. Darling proposed to follow closely the travelled roaa ji^om Price to Vernal over the reservation, a distance of not exceeding 25 miles, and that not over three days would be consumed in crossing, I deemed the charge of $125.00 to be quite reasonable ana just and do so yet. The question dt issue, which is of much importance to these Indians, is whether.fines for crossing the reservation can be collected dfter the crossing has been accomplished. If so, I desire to be instructed as to the manner of proceeding to bring the case into the courts. It is ^aite impossible to prevent cattle and sheep from crossing until after the payment of a fee, and there is always the temptation to steal across without payment. If a fine can be collected t'.rough the courts, ana cattle and sheep men become aware of the fact, it will put a stop to most trespassing of this kind and aid materially in making collections. x x |