White River Agency, Colorado. April 14, 1879 Sir: I apprehend that in my accounts of last fall, and perhaps of this spring, a discrepancy will be found, indicating an excess of some supplies issued considering the number of Indians reported. If such excess should appear, it will arise from issuing[Read More…]
Tag: Museum Musings
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 33
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, April 9, 1879. Sir: I have the honor to transmit for your information copy of a communication from Mr. N. C. Meeker, Indian Agent at White River Agency, stating that a large part of White River Utes are about to start north, probably for the scene[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Live and let live
If you haven’t been reading the heretofore unpublished letters between Nathan Meeker and his contacts in Washington, D.C., you should be. Meeker, an ill-suited idealist sent to the area as Indian agent — maybe the original “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help” tale — who had a[Read More…]
Museum Musings: Letters from history, No. 32
White River Agency, Colorado, April 7, 1879 Sir: In this quarterly report I have to say the health of the Indians has not been so good as hitherto and there have been some deaths, while some have recovered from pneumonia, though the tendency now seems toward consumption. A serious fighting[Read More…]
Museum Musings: Letters from History, No. 31
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, Washington, March 31, 1879. Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, in which you state that the chiefs and headmen of your agency, in [counsel] assembled, fully indorse the action of their representatives while in Washington last[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 30
Special to the Herald Times Sir: Your circular No. 27, as to the appointment of relatives, is received, and shall be shortly regarded. Respectfully, N. C. MEEKER Indian Agent HON. E.A. HAYT, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C. White River Agency, Colorado. March 24, 1879. Sir: In response to “remarks[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 27
Special to the Herald Times White River Agency, Colorado. March 17, 1879 Sir: I have now not less than twelve Indians regularly at work on the farm, and it is likely that the number will be considerably increased. They are engaged in fencing, in grubbing a large bottom for potato[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 27
Special to the Herald Times White River Agency, Colorado, March 17, 1879 Sir: I am informed that some thirty White River Utes and about to start for the north, having heard of the fighting in the Upper Missouri country. Their object probably is to supply ammunition to the hostiles, and[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 26
White River Agency, Colorado. March 3, 1879. Sir: The first part of the last month was stormy and cold, and with deep snow covering the whole country. During the latter part warmer weather prevailed; snow disappeared from most of the valleys, and the roads settled; upon which our wheat was[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 25
White River Agency, Colorado. February 17, 1879 Sir: Yours of the 3d instant, (Colorado, “M. 132, T. 237, ‘79”,) giving me authority to purchase three span of mules, and a ton of grain for “seed”, is received. I wish you would correct by dropping “for seed” as I asked simply[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from history, No. 24
Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, Washington, February 10, 1879. Sir: By office letter of January 24 last (R) you were advised of the remittance of certain funds for the current expenses of your agency during the present quarter, and your attention was invited to another letter of[Read More…]
Museum Musings – Letters from History, No. 23
White River Agency, Colorado. February 3, 1879. Sir: I have yours January 20, 1879 “A” Colorado, “M” 2413 1878, in reply to mine of December 2, 1878, in regard to furnishing wagons to Indians in exchange for horses, and I agree with you that difficulties might arise. My suggestion arose[Read More…]
