Special to the HT
MEEKER | The information that follows was taken from the ANNUAL REPORT OF 1879. The contents of this book are the reports from the Indian agents from coast to coast. In browsing the contents there is a common thread from coast to coast. The agents are assigned to reform the Indians to give up their free ways and become like the white man. From growing livestock, growing crops, staying in one area, building homes, giving up the large herds of horses, becoming educated and converting to the white mans’ religions, learning white man skills etc. The Indians were not wanting to change their ways and fought hard to resist this way of life. The Meeker Agency was one of the agencies that was envied because of location, weather, fertile land, natural resources, water etc. This time of history was not just one tribe but all that were being pursued to become more like the white man.
Annual report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secretary of the Interior for the year 1879
Washington: Government Printing Office
White River Agency, Colorado,
August 16, 1879
Sir: Agreeably to your directions, I herewith submit to you my second annual report.
Upon looking over the ground on my arrival in May, 1878, it was seen necessary to remove the agency to a more suitable location, for the reason that there was no land that could be cultivated in the vicinity. You granted my request to this end early in July, and arrangements were made forthwith, by setting a force at work in Powell Valley, 15 miles down the river. Here are several thousand acres excellent land, lying favorably for irrigation, and since then the work performed has been devoted to making this settlement; and as the land was a heavy sod, and as the Indians had never worked before, my account must be considered, in one sense, as that of an agency not exceeding a year old.
Last fall 40 acres were plowed and two log buildings erected: one moved from above. Great delays arose from old and insufficient agricultural implements, and from the opposition of the Indians to the occupancy of this valley, since its use to them had been for winter grazing for their horses.
Further work was done in constructing and irrigating the canal, which was laid out 14 feet wide at the head gate, 10 feet wide for the first half-mile and 6 feet wide for one mile, where it stops at present, since sufficient water is furnished for several years to come. The survey was made, however a mile farther to an extensive plateau, and acres of fertile, choice land can be watered. The cost of this improvement was less than $2000, and it was found so complete in its survey and construction, that not an hour’s work has been required to correct mistakes– a thing quite unusual; and all the season an abundance of water has been furnished.
This spring a number of the old agency buildings, all of logs, were hauled down and re-erected; 80 acres of land were fenced with cedar posts 8 feet apart, which were sawed off at a uniform height, and heavy poles were spiked theron, and 2 strings of barbed wire were strung on two sides and three strings on the two other sides, making a first class fence. Early in March, 20 acres of wheat were sowed on government account and 3 acres on account of and for Indians, they having brought the seed from Uintah Agency. Their seed, however, caused much trouble, as it was foul with cockles.
In these works considerable labor was performed by the Indians, in constructing the canal about 15 Indians worked well, and they were paid over $300 in cash, and this spring they dug many fence-post holes, while a large force grubbed 8 acres of bottom land for potatoes. Further, they planted several acres in sweet corn and garden vegetables. A great deal of talking and entreaty were required all the time; once in about a week all would stop work without apparent cause, though evidently in bad humor, but after a few days they would be at work again. When the crops were planted they ceased to have interest in them, while some went off hunting, evidently expecting that I would direct the employees to cultivate and bring their plantings to maturity. A few however, were induced to irrigate and hoe their grounds. Others did so in a most imperfect manner, while those who went away have not yet gone into their fields. I judge that half have done reasonably well. The total number who have worked has been about thirty; the number of “able-bodied” men is over 200, and of this whole number, 900, not more than a quarter have remained on the reservation.
Considerable success had attended the dairy business, as the Indians are now milking over 20 cows; but as they have no conveniences for making butter, though they would like to do so, they use the milk and make cottage cheese. One Indian has had a house built; he keeps three cows and he raises the calves; he has purchased a stove, and his case is promising. Others would like to have houses, but as I have not sufficient force to build them, and as the Indians will not work themselves to go ahead, they live in their tents. Three wagons have been sent on this year for their use, and they are much pleased with them, and they make good use of them, while they borrow all the agency wagons we can spare. They readily engage in hauling from the old agency, and they have learned the mysteries of harnessing their horses and of managing on the road.
As to education, they care nothing for it and refuse to send their children to school. Their idea, is as they express it, that their children will cry and feel bad. The few children that have been obtained are to be treated with the utmost care, for if their parents hear of their being subject to any kind of discipline they take them away. The truth is, the Indians have no idea of the use of discipline or of persistence in mental effort, and they have traditions, habits and methods of thinking to which they firmly adhere. They are weak, both in body and mind, while their needs are so few that they do not wish to adopt civilized habits, unless to wear a vest, seeing no kind of use for them; and what we call conveniences and comforts are not sufficiently valued by them to cause them to undertake to obtain them by their own efforts. This applies in a great degree even to those who have labored, while the great majority look upon the white man’s ways with indifference and contempt.
This general statement shows how difficult, if not hopeless, is the task of civilizing these Utes. And yet it should seem that, inasmuch as progress has certainly been made during the past year, more may reasonably be expected next year, and so on. Whether five, 10 or 20 years will be required to bring them even to a low state of civilization I do not presume to predict. Civilization has been reached by successive stages: first was the savage, clearly that of these Utes: next the pastoral to which a few have now entered; next the barbaric; and finally the enlightened, scientific, and religions.
I am all the while conscious that temporary though powerful obstacles to advancement stand in the way, and that if these could be removed the condition of the Indians would be more hopeful. First, is the facility presented for their leaving the reservation. They have long been in the habit, after receiving their annuity goods in the fall, of leaving for the frontier white settlements, trading off their clothing at the Indian stores, and of rambling hither and thither over a vast extent of country, half as large as their reservation, living by hunting, trading horses (perhaps horse stealing), racing gambling, and begging. It is true that the whites having families dread their appearance, but other whites make them welcome, that they may barter and associate with them, and while this state of affairs lasts I cannot bring influences to bear on them.
In close connection with this is the fact they have large bands of horses, which they carefully increase; and to find fresh and wide pastures they are induced, perhaps compelled to roam. While they possess these horses, the care of them prevents their working, and it calls for the help of all the children who can be of service. Twenty or 30 lodges are under my control, because there is pasturage for their horses in the vicinity, but no more can occupy the ground. At the same time, these horses, worth not exceeding an average of $15 a head, crowd out the cattle, and make their care more expensive and difficult. If government would take away all the horses except such as could be useful, the Indians would not go abroad: and if cattle were given instead they would, or could or should engage in a profitable industry, and one to which they take readily and naturally. To permit any class of human beings to do as they please, and at the same time to be supplied with food, inevitably leads to demoralization. After I get hold of these Indians I can tell a great deal better what can be made of them. I should like to have plenty of land in cultivation, with tools all ready; take away their horses; then give the word that if they would not work they should have no rations. As to how much they would work and produce in such a case, and as to how fast they would adopt a civilized life, is merely to speculate, but my impression is they would not starve.
This reservation comprises about 12,000,000 acres. Within 20 miles of this agency are at least 20,000 acres of excellent land that can be irrigated and made to yield bountifully of vegetables and grain, while the adjacent area is well suited for summer and winter grazing. The agency herd numbers nearly 1,000 head, and notwithstanding the Indians have full supplies of beef the increase last year was over 200 head. Coal is in such vast quantities, and in visible outcrop, as to astonish the beholder. The winters are milder that on the eastern slope, and although the elevation here is 6,000 feet, we now have all kinds of vegetables in profusion, tomatoes, included, and our wheat crop, though on sod always a short one, is fully up to the average of the crop of the wheat-growing States. So great is my confidence in this section for fruit-growing that apple, peach and plum trees have been planted, and all the small fruits are growing. If these Indians will only half improve their opportunities they may become rich and happy.
Respectfully,
N.C. MEEKER,
Indian Agent
THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.