White River
Agency, Colorado.
January 6, 1876.
Sir: It is reported to me that the relations between some of our Indians and certain white men on Snake River, at and around Perkin’s store, are disgraceful, and so leading to great demoralization. For I am told that there are several Indian women who sleep at night with shite men; that one of the Indian men is a procurer, getting what may be called “commission” in this business; and that one of the Indian women is already in the family way. I sent a messenger sometime ago, to have the Indians return to their reservation, but they failed to do so, while others have gone north of the railroad hunting, though I requested the commandant at Fort Steele to arrest them; in short, though I have abundant supplies, fully half are off the reservation.
I know that as there is no store here, nor can be any so long as the sale of ammunition is forbidden here and allowed on Snake or Bear Rivers, the Indians, in apparent necessity, will go thither to trade; but, inasmuch as these storekeepers are subject to no kind of regulation, the inducements are increased to keep the Indians away from home, and thus are they made more and more unfitted to enter upon steps toward civilization.
What is to be done further on my part I do not know; but it seems to me that Mr. Wilcox, the United States marshal at Denver, would be the proper authority to regulate these stores, not only in regard to the selling of ammunition, but also in regard to purchasing of the Indians various kinds of annuity goods, of which I am told abundant proof can be found in the goods offered for sale and lying on the shelves.
Respectfully yours,
N. C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent.
HON. E. A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D.C.
