Museum Musings are a collection of letters compiled by Tom Baker that were found in the White River Museum. They highlight the situation and conditions locally and nationally during the time that Nathan Meeker was the Indian Agent in this area.
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs.
Washington, July 12, 1879
Sir: In reply to your letter of the 13th ultimo, stating that the contractor for carrying the United States mail desires to have his horses shod at your agency, there being no other blacksmith shop within seventy-five miles thereof, I have to inform you that it is not customary to allow work to be done in the agency shops for the accommodation of the public, but the case to which you refer appears to be one of necessity, authority is hereby granted to have such work done for the mail-carrier, as may be needed for the proper expedition of the United States mail therefor. All moneys received for said work and for materials furnished must be taken up and accounted for under the head of “Miscellaneous receipts, received from United States mail contractor” and deposited to the original certificate of deposit to be transmitted to the Secretary of the Treasury and the duplicate to this office.
A copy of this letter should accompany your accounts.
Respectfully E.A. HAYT,
Commissioner.
N.C. MEEKER, Esq.
Indian Agent White River Agency, Colorado.
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs.
Washington, July 15, 1879.
Sir: the reply to your letter of the 30th ultimo, asking for authority to employ some of the Indians under your charge to haul flour from the old agency to the new location, as they have learned to work their horses quite well since the harness have been issued to them, you are advised that the requisite authority is hereby granted to to employ the Indians, and to pay them twenty cents per sack there for.
With reference to the employment of the Indian teams in freighting government stores from the railroad to the agency, I have to state that this office entered into contract with Nathan W. Wells, of Schuyler, Nebr, under date of April 23, 1879 for the transportation of all supplies and goods purchased by the Indian Department during the fiscal year ending June 30,1880, to be by him delivered at the agency. You are, therefore, directed to endeavor to obtain employment for your Indians from the contractor for such transportation, at a reasonable rate of compensation.
Respectfully,
H.A. Hayt,
Commissioner
