The White River Museum has a collection of letters that Meeker founding father Thomas Baker kept for many years. There are letters from Nathan Meeker and prominent figures like Chief Ouray, ex-Indian Agents, and the violently anti-Indian Colorado Governor Pitkin, as well as various Army officers from 1874-1879. The letters tell a compelling story from a dramatic period of local history to be shared here.
White River
Agency, Colorado
Dec. 23, 1878
Sir: Fully half the Indians belonging to this agency have been absent at least two months. A part of these are hunting, the rest are off the reservation, and some have gone north of the railroad into the Sweet Water country hunting buffalo. I advised the commandant at Fort Steele of their coming, and requested that “Washington” be arrested, but I have no response. I sent to those on Snake River to return. Only a few have done so. The other portion are in Powell Valley. They come hither once a week for supplies, and immediately return.
Four families, and with them Douglas, are living near the agency. Those who are away are not likely to return till next summer. I think all the Muaches are at Powell or out hunting. Until I can make proper improvements, and where the Indians can be comfortable, I do not see that things will be different,
Respectfully yours,
N. C. MEEKER
Indian Agent
Hon. E. A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D.C..
White River
Agency, Colorado
Dec. 23, 1878.
Sir: Having received funds from you for this quarter, and having made a request of you last week (16th) to purchase certain agricultural implements in Chicago, I now find that I have on hand money to purchase the same authority having been previously granted, and therefore no response to that request of 16th Instant would seem necessary. If, however, you have a purchasing agent in Chicago, I would like it if he could buy the goods, and in this respect I wish a reply.
Now we need a heavy four-inch wagon for hauling logs and other like things. All the wagons here are either light or old and the only heavy wagon (never on the property roll, I understand) is almost ready to drop down; still it is used and we have nothing for lumbering purposes that can be depended upon. As I am not quite certain whether such a wagon can be called an “agricultural implement,” I ask an appropriation not to exceed one hundred and fifty dollars to buy the same.
Respectfully, yours,
N. C. MEEKER
Indian Agent
HON. E.A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
Washington, D.C.
Special to the Herald Times
