State Of Colorado,
Executive Department, Denver,
Sept. 16, 1879
My Dear, Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a communication from N.C. Meeker, esq, Indian Agent at the White River Agency, in which he details the feelings of the Utes at that point, and desires me to confer with you for the purpose of securing at least one hundred troops for the protection of the agency.
I also enclosed herewith a copy of a letter just received by Maj. James B. Thompson, special agent of the General Land Office, in charge of government timber of the State, from J.B. Donaldson, superintendent of the International Mining Company at Hahn’s Peak, in Routt County, detailing what he knows in reaction to the forest fires now burning in that locality.
( The Letters referred to in the Paragraph above)
Denver, Colo.
July 5, 1879
To Hon. E.A. HAYT,
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.:
Reports reach me daily that a band of White River Utes are off their reservation, destroying forests and game, near North and Middle Parks. They have already burned millions of dollars of timber, and are intimidating settlers, and miners. Have written Indian Agent Meeker twice, but fear letters have not reached him. I respectfully request you to have a telegraph order sent troops at the nearest post to remove Indians to their reservation. If the General Government does not act promptly, the State must. Immense forests are burning throughout Western Colorado, supposed to have been fired by Indians. I am satisfied that there is an organized effort on the Path of the Indians to destroy the timber of Colorado. The loss will be irreplaceable. These savages should be removed to the Indian Territory, where they can no longer destroy the finest forests in this state.
FRED. W. PITKIN,
Colorado Governor