History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 8

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791

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It is unnecessary to dwell upon the architectural beauty of this great edifice, or upon the adornment of the grounds along the east frontage. There are few institu- tions of its class in any of the large cities of the county more eligibly located for con- venience both of the railways and the public, nor do we know of one which has more attractive surroundings .*

THE PIONEER LADIES' AID SOCIETY.

Among the numerous charitable institutions with which Denver is blessed, and one whose object is so entirely worthy of the hearty commendations of her people, The Pioneer Ladies' Aid Society deserves especial mention. Its object is the care of indigent pioneers and their families, a class who formed the vanguard of that continuously moving throng who left their comfortable homes in the East in 1859-60, braved the dangers of the American Sahara, and courageously pitched their tents upon the remote border of civilization. Like the old battle-scarred heroes of the war, they are now rapidly passing away, and because of their deeds and sacrifices, done and suffered at a time "which tried men's souls" such of them as now survive, and have been unfortunate, should be cared for. Who so well fitted to aet the part of "ministering angels" as the pioneer ladies composing, as they do in part, the remaining contingent of Colorado's early settlers? An organiza- tion was effected in September, 1889, at a meeting held by the following ladies, each of whom may be classed as a pioneer: Mesdames Alvin McCune, Andrew Sagendorf, A. G. Rhoads, W. N. Byers, Augusta Tabor, L. W. Cutler, Birks Corn- forth, R. Moseley, D. Mitchell, J. T. Henderson, Justina Trankle, H. W. Michael, C. H. Mclaughlin and R. Sopris.

* The greater part of this building was destroyed by fire in 1894, and at this writing has been completely rebuilt.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

At a meeting held for the election of officers, the result was as follows: Presi- dent, Mrs. Birks Cornforth; first vice, Mrs. Wm. N. Byers; second vice, Mrs. A. Sagendorf; third vice, Mrs. Augusta Tabor: fourth vice, Mrs. R. Mosely: secretary, Mrs. L. W. Cutler; treasurer, Mrs. D. Mitchell. From its initial meeting, the society had the good will and sympathy of the "old timers," and grew in numbers until in January, 1894, the membership had increased to 148.

Up to this date, there had been expended $1,935.52, which was about $500.00 each year since the society was organized. Although this was not a large sum, it was generously paid as emergencies required, and its judicious bestowal has helped to bridge many little chasms, and aided in driving "the wolf from the door" of a number of families. Through the efforts of these ladies, a home for the home- less was established in March, 1893, and one year later, the society was incorporated. The present officers are: President, Mrs. F. D. Hardin; first vice, Mrs. Birks. Corn- forth ; second vice, Mrs. C. H. MeLaughlin ; third vice, Mrs. Sarah Stanton; fourth vice, Mrs. H. N. Sales; secretary, Mrs. A. E. Mclellan: treasurer, Mrs. H. M. Mitchell. The author bids The Pioneer Ladies' Aid Society "God speed" in its work. The names of its members are worthy of a place on the fairest page of Colorado's history, and will be embalmed in the hearts of not only the old pioneers who still linger upon the shores of time, but will be remembered with gratitude by their descendants.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

THE UTE INDIANS.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEIR ORIGIN, RESERVATION, TREATIES, HABITS AND CHARACTER, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF PRESENT CHIEFS-INFLUENCE EXERTED BY SUPREME CHIEF IGNACIO-DANCES AND SUPERSTITIONS-HOW COUNCILS ARE HELD-SUPPLIES ISSUED-AMOUNT OF FARMING DONE BY THE INDIANS, ETC.

Before considering the present status of the small remnant of Ute Indians leit in Colorado, let us inquire briefly into the antecedent history of the changes in their condition effected by the settlement of white people, and by the several treaties concluded with the various tribes and divisions, and the different reservations allotted them. It is not my purpose to enter upon anything more than a rapid digest of matters relating to these red men, but to present a terse review of such facts as will lead to a comprehension of how they came to their present allotment of lands in the southwestern corner of the state, with a few observations upon their condition. In the histories of Rio Blanco, Grand, Conejos, Mesa and Gunnison counties will be found some further details, which it is unnecessary to repeat in this summary.

From time immemorial the Utes, or Utahs, have made their homes in the larger parks and valleys of the Rocky Mountains. It is probable that they originally came from the south and west, and it is known that for many generations they were closely allied with the Apaches of Arizona and New Mexico. Linguistically they are Sho- shones, or Snakes. They, with the Apaches, were long the scourge of New Mexico and Utah. The shelter afforded them by the mountain fastnesses, and the abundance of game found there, made it an attractive place for them. Prior to 1863 they claimed all of the Rocky Mountains now within the boundaries of Colorado, ex- cepting a narrow strip on the north and west, while the Arapahoes, Cheyennes and Kiowas asserted their ownership to all the plains region east of the mountains. How and when their rights were extinguished has been narrated in preceding volumes.

The Utes are much like the Apaches in physical stature and general character- istics, short, hardy, muscular, warlike and cruel, but of darker or more dusky color. These two nations appear to have been in hearty sympathy and accord, visiting one another, exchanging hospitalities, sometimes inter-marrying and frequently joining forces against their enemies, when bloody work was done.

All the territory of Colorado, west of the foothills, from north to south, down to the conclusion of the treaty of 1863 belonged to the Utes. The first township survey west of the foothills, undertaken by the government, began in 1867. October 7th, 1863, at the Tabeguache Agency in Conejos, Governor John Evans, ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs for Colorado, Michael Steck, Simeon Whitely and Lafayette Head negotiated a treaty whereby the Indians surrendered all of the mountains except the following territory:

"Beginning at the mouth of the Uncompahgre river, thence down the Gunni-

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

son river to its confluence with the Bunkara (now Grand) river; thence up the Bunkara or Grand to the Roaring Fork of the same: thence up the Roaring Fork to its source: thence along the summit of the range dividing the waters of the Arkansas from those of the Gunnison, to its intersection with the range dividing the waters of the San Luis valley from those of the Arkansas river: thence along the summit of said range to the source of Sandy Creek (now the Rito Arena) of the San Luis valley; thence down the Sandy or Rito Arena to the place where its waters sink at low water: thence in a right line to the point where the channel of the Rio Grande del Norte crosses the 106th line of longitude west from Greenwich; thence up the center of the main channel of the Rio Grande del Norte to the line of the 107th degree of longitude west from Greenwich; thence south along said line to the summit of the range dividing the waters of the Rio Grande del Norte from those of San Juan river; thence along said summit westerly to a point due south of the source of the Uncompahgre river; thence to said source and down the main channel of said Uncompahgre river to its mouth, the place of beginning."

This, as we trace the lines, covered all the country now embraced by the eastern part of Mesa, the southern part of Garfield, nearly all of Pitkin, all of Gunni- son, part of Chaffee, nearly all of Saguache, the northwestern part of Costilla, the northern part of Rio Grande, most of Hinsdale, the northern part of Archuleta, the castern half of La Plata, all of San Juan, most of Ouray, parts of San Miguel and eastern Montrose. All this innense region was then a sort of terra incognita, unoccupied and practically unexplored by white men. It was a vast area, but only a fraction of that relinquished. This was the first definite treaty concluded with the Utes, and embraced only the territory owned by the Tabeguaches and their allies. Under this treaty the Mouache bands were settled upon the reservations thus de- fined, with the Tabeguaches.

March 2nd, 1868, a treaty was concluded by and between Nathaniel G. Taylor, Alexander C. Hunt and Kit Carson. U. S. Commissioners, and Ure (Ouray) Ka-ni-ache, and other chiefs of the Tabeguache, Mouache, Capote, Weeminuche, Yampa, Grand River and Uintah bands, whereby the following reservation boundaries were established :

"Commencing at that point on the southern boundary line of the Territory of Colorado where the meridian of longitude 107 west from Greenwich crosses the same, running thence north with said meridian to a point 15 miles due north of where said meridian intersects the 40th parallel of north latitude; thence due west to the western boundary of said Territory; thence south with said western boundary line of said Territory to the southern boundary line of said Territory; thence east with said boundary fine to the place of beginning.'

This very large tract was then set apart for the absolute and undisturbed use and occupation of the Indians named, and of such other friendly tribes as from time to time they should be willing to admit among them. Two agencies were to be established, one for the Grand river, Yampa and Uintah bands on White river (in the present county of Rio Blanco), and the other for the Tabeguaches, Mouaches, Weeminuches and Capotes on the Rio de las Pinos, or Pine river, but, as we have shown in the history of Gunnison county, this latter agency was actually established on Cochetopa creek in Saguache county, 60 miles north of Pine river. They were to be provided with houses, agency buildings, saw and grist mills, cattle, sheep and agricultural implements, with the usual annuity goods, and an carnest attempt made to reclaim them from savagery. That founded on White river (see Rio Blanco county) has been noted as the Meeker agency.

In 1872, by authority of Congress, a commission consisting of Hon. John D. Long, Gen. John MeDonald and Governor E. M. MeCook was appointed, with instructions to negotiate a treaty with the Southern Colorado Utes for a reduction of their reservation, which then covered a tract nearly 300 miles long by 200 miles

Edward L.Salisbury

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

wide. Prospectors had entered the San Juan mountains and there discovered valuable mines of silver and gold, but as it was a part of the Indian reservation, they were in danger of conflicts with the savages. Hence, they appealed to delegate Jerome B. Chaffee, who introduced the resolution providing for the commission. This negotiation failed, as related in Vol. Il, pages 190 and 508.

September 13th, 1873, Felix Brunot came out from Washington, and at length after much argument (see Vol. II, 508) succeeded in perfecting a treaty whereby the Indians relinquished all their rights to the following part of their reservation :

"Beginning at a point on the eastern boundary of said reservation, 15 miles due north of the southern boundary of the Territory of Colorado, and running thence west on a line parallel to the said southern boundary to a point on said line 20 miles due east of the western boundary of Colorado Territory; thence north by a line parallel with the western boundary to a point 10 miles north of the point where said line intersects the 38th parallel of north latitude; then east to the eastern boundary of the U'te reservation: thence south along said boundary to the place of beginning: Provided, that if any part of the Uncompahgre Park shall be found to extend south of the north line of said described country, the same is not intended to he included therein and is hereby reserved and retained as a portion of the U'te Reservation."

They were permitted to hunt upon said lands "so long as the game lasts and the Indians remain at peace with the white people." The United States agreed to set apart and hold as a perpetual trust for the Utes a sum of money or its equivalent in bonds, "which shall be sufficient to produce the sum of $25,000 per annum," the same to be disbursed or invested at the discretion of the President, for the use and benefit of the Indians; agency buildings, etc., etc., to be provided as before. This treaty was ratified by the Senate, April 29th, 1874.

June 15th, 1880, the year following the massacre of a part of Major Thorn- burg's command, and Agent Meeker and his employés by the White River U'tes, the chiefs and head men who were taken to Washington for the purpose entered into an agreement to sell to the United States their reservation on White river, and also to surrender for trial, and punishment if found guilty, the Indian leaders who were engaged in the massacre. It may be stated in passing that the guilty Indians were neither surrendered nor punished, but the main object-the removal of the tribes to Utah-was at length accomplished. The southern L'tes agreed to locate upon the unoccupied agricultural lands on the La Plata river in Colorado, and. should there not be a sufficiency of such lands on the La Plata or in its vicinity in Colorado, then upon such other unoccupied agricultural lands as might be found on the La Plata or in its vicinity in New Mexico. Allotments in severalty were to be made to each head of a family, one-quarter section with a like quantity of graz- ing land; to each single person over 18 years of age, one-eighth of a section with a like 'quantity of grazing land; to each orphan child under 18 years of age the same. and to each other person then living, or born prior to said allotments, one-eighth section each of agricultural and grazing land. Provision followed for the appoint- ment of a commission to select the lands they were to occupy and make the allot- ments in severalty, but the latter stipulation has not been executed. It was under this agreement that the present strip, 15 miles wide by 110 miles in length, came to be occupied by the Southern Utes. All former reservations were ceded to the United States. A glance at any recent map of the state will define its boundaries.

By the same act the Uncompalgre L'tes were required to remove and settle upon agricultural lands on Grand river, now in Mesa county, and the White river bands to be absolutely and finally settled upon a new reservation provided for them in Utah, called the "Uintah Reservation."" All were thus relocated, but as shown in Volume III, page 54, Chief Colorow and his band soon afterward escaped and

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

made their way back to White river, where they fell into somewhat violent collision with the state authority.

To compensate them for these concessions, the Indians were to have, in addi- tion to the annuities and benefits provided in the act of 1873, a certain sum of money sufficient to produce the sum of $50,000 per annum, to be distributed per capita annually forever. This agreement was signed by Ignacio, Chavaneaux and other chiefs.

To complete the north boundary line of the southern reservation, a small strip of 20 miles having been left out and forgotten when the original lines were run, a contract to survey that part of the line west from the southwest corner of the ceded lands was let January 26th, 1888.

By an act of Congress of July 28th, 1881, all the U'te Indian lands in Colorado, save those just mentioned, were thrown open to settlement in September following. as related in the history of Mesa county.

While there have been numerous petty depredations upon white settlers by roving bands of Utes, and a few men killed here and there in the mountains, the two races dwelt together in comparative amity until the outbreak on White river in September, 1879. Although we have had many alarms of uprisings and slaughter, that was the only serious conflict. When we look back over the years when these savages were very numerous and powerful, and recall the many occa- sions when bloodshed was averted by the influence of their agents and a few lead- ing men like Ouray, Nevava and Ignacio, it is a matter of wonder that we escaped with so little loss of life and destruction of property. Only a mere fraction of the great U'te nation now remains within our borders, and it is to their condition and prospects that we now invite the reader's attention. Most of the facts subjoined were obtained from their agent, Hon. Charles A. Bartholomew, whom I met at the agency in August, 1891, the notes being taken down at Durango.

About 1,000 Indians are settled upon the reservation, under one supreme chief-Ignacio. There are three bands, divided as follows: One-half Weemi- nuches, one-third Mouaches, and the remainder Capotes. The Mouaches and Capotes occupy the eastern end of the strip. These bands were formerly located in New Mexico. The Weeminuches formerly occupied parts of southern Colorado when all together, prior to this combination or consolidation. There are 35 farms of 160 acres each, mainly owned by the Mouaches and Capotes, the only tribes that have manifested much inclination toward farming. There are only three farmers among the Weeminuches. A majority of those engaged in cultivating land dwell in frame houses, with shingle roofs and plank floors, built by the government. But 500 acres all told were tilled in 1801, which defines the scope of the effort made to en- gage these people in the ways of civilization and render them self-supporting. They raise by irrigation very good crops of oats, hay, wheat, barley, and all vegetables. for which they have a special fondness. The government furnishes implements, wagons, harness, seeds, etc., everything except horses. What little farming is done is well done, but very few take kindly to the work. They prefer to lounge about, permitting others to do the labor while they enjoy the proceeds thereof. The government supports them by issuing rations sufficient for their needs. Hav- ing no flouring mills, the small amount of wheat harvested is sold, but they consume the vegetables. Except when engaged in hunting, the Indian is habitually indolent. despising all forms of manual labor. Those who have reconciled themselves to it manage to cultivate their lands in a languid, perfunctory way. There is but slight prospect of reducing them to the self-supporting stage. The children, if rightly directed and trained, might be made tolerable farmers, but the young bucks, the middle class and the aged can not well be broken to the yoke. All their tastes and traditions are against it. They have a few sheep, but no cattle of their own. yet they could readily adapt themselves to stock-raising if given the opportunity.

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

All save the farmers live in tepees after the manner of their fathers. They do not like cabins. The rations issued at stated periods consist of flour, beef, sugar, coffee, soap, salt and baking powder; their furniture of tinware, knives, forks, coffee-mills, washboards, etc., but no household furniture. The farmers are pro- vided with all kinds of agricultural implements. There is an agency herd of beef cattle, maintained by the government. For want of proper attention the herds do not multiply, but rather diminish, suffering decimation from hard winters and the depredations of thieves who plunder them at every opportunity. Only a rem- nant of the herds furnished is left, and it is believed that in a short time this fraction will be turned over to the Indians to manage according to their pleasure.

By an act of Congress of 1888, a commission was appointed to investigate the expediency of removing these Indians to a new reservation in Utah and settling them upon a tract about three times the area of that now occupied, and said to be much better suited to their tastes. The line of this tract begins at the southwestern corner of Colorado, runs 75 miles north along the line which divides Utah from Colorado, to the east bank of the Colorado river; thence down that stream to the junction of the San Juan river with the Colorado; thence southeasterly along the north bank of the San Juan to the place of beginning. This proposed reservation is fairly watered, but the principal attraction to the Indian is the abundance of game in the Blue Mountains. There are innumerable springs and large areas of fine grazing land, the climate very favorable. For some time past it has been one of their favorite resorts in hunting seasons. In due course the commission concluded a treaty for the change, it was submitted to the Senate, but meeting with violent opposition from the Indian Rights Association of New England, and also from certain cattle companies, it has not yet been ratified. The Utes are as anxious to locate in Utah as the whites are to have them removed. The leaders of the Indian Rights Association are strongly favorable to allotting the lands on Pine river in severalty, upon the misguided theory that the Indians may then be induced to general engagement in agriculture. They are wholly opposed to the present system of reservations, and firmly adhere to their proposition that if the red men are placed upon farms of their own they will readily embrace civilization with all that it implies, including the elective franchise and the higher duties of citizenship, hence their remonstrances against the treaty. We do not propose to argue the question, but will simply cite the fact that no similar attempt of the many undertaken has been successful with wild Indians. The failure of Mr. N. C. Meeker is a case in point.

In our judgment the only way in which it can be accomplished is to separate the children from the families, educate them in training schools, and by compulsory methods adapt them to agriculture and the mechanic arts. As a rule the old bucks and the young warriors and hunters are so deeply convicted against the "dignity of labor" as to be wholly intractable. The Cherokees, Choctaws, Osages and others in Kansas have been brought under civilization only after the oldler gen- eration of warriors and hunters were buried and their children gradually forced into present ways. The same process of gradual inoculation must be applied to the wild tribes of the West. We have seen that after ten or twelve years of experi- menting with the Southern Utes, how little has been accomplished. Mr. Bartholo . mew tells us that less than 500 acres are tilled, and these only by a few attached to two of the several bands. To render the better lands of the present reserva- tion tillable, extensive irrigating ditches must be constructed, involving great ex- pense. Owing to the influence of the Conejos range on the east and the La Plata Mountains on the north, the lands are not especially suited to grazing. The strip is traversed by a number of streams running south into the San Juan, the Navajo. Piedras and Pine, while the Florida empties into the La Plata, and it in turn into the San Juan ; then the Animas, Mancos and La Plata, all coursing southerly, render

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

the San Juan navigable. The latter is an affluent of the Colorado. Along the margins of these streams there are strips of fine arable land. While the proposed reservation in Utah is not so well watered the Indians prefer it because of the game which abounds there. They care not a fig for the farming, and will neglect it so long as the government furnishes rations. Again, the Colorado reservation is long and narrow, constantly subject to incursions by outlaws and thieves. It contains no game whatever. Except that they are permitted to hunt outside wherever game may be found, life would be intolerable to them.

Again, the white settlers in La l'ata and Archuleta counties adjoining find the presence of this reservation a serious obstruction to their plans for the enlarge- ment of agricultural and other enterprises. The various streams are needed to supply irrigating canals, the choice lands for farms, towns and cities. Hence the irreconcilable conflict. As we write, the Senate of the United States is wrestling with the problem, with what result remains to be seen.

4 The annuity goods issued consist of blankets, stamped U. S. I. D., coats, vests and trousers, all of duck or the best quality of jeans; overcoats of cassimere or duck, shoes, hats, caps and stockings, but no underwear; suspenders; flannel, grey, blue and red: muslin, calico, canvas for tents, skirts for the women, shawls, linsey, gingham, combs, butcher-knives, pots, kettles and tinware.

Supreme authority in all matters of local government and direction is vested in the principal chief, Ignacio, a Weeminuche, who stands six feet two in his moccasins, of well-knit, robust physique, aged 50 years, and weighing 225 pounds. He is extremely intelligent, realizing to the fullest extent the responsibility of his headship, the ultimate destiny of his race, the importance of maintaining peace and concord with their neighbors, and thereby deferring as long as possible the date of their final extinction. He is lavishly generous, and to an unusual degree self- sacrificing. On annuity days he gives away most of his own share to others who may solicit or need the goods allotted to him. He is kind and fatherly always when not aroused by disobedience to his commands, like a devoted priest to his flock, dividing his money and goods with them and giving wise counsel and direction. Mr. Bartholomew pronounces him the best Indian he ever knew or heard of. Like his great predecessor, Ouray, he is always for peace. The utmost confidence and respect subsists between them, and in all the affairs of government they are in perfect accord. Ignacio, though amiable and kind, is a strict dis- ciplinarian, enforeing exact obedience to his orders. In early manhood he was a mighty warrior and hunter. While yet a young man, Indians from another tribe slew certain members of his family. He instantly declared war against them and in pursuit of his vengeance killed twelve men of that band. In the field he was brave, bold and skillful. In stature and physical proportion he is incontestably the finest Ute now living. These Indians live in harmony with those of the north, the Jiccarilla Apaches of the southeast adjoining the reservation, and also with the Navajos to the southwest. They have frequently been solicited by the Navajos to join them in raiding and depredating the white settlements, but Ignacio held them to their allegiance. But should these Utes ever be provoked to a serious conflict, they would be effectively supported by all their allies. They are well armed. and confederated would be very formidable.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 8

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company Publication date: 1889-95 Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co. Number of Pages: 791

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791