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Show 2 - APATHY TIMES - AUGUST 15, 1997 HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT OF NORTHERN SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH ——from the writings of Frank Silvey (This continuing series is from the Silvey writings which capture much of the color and feeling of the early settlers in the general Moab area of southeastern Utah.) THE BIG GIVEAWAY J. M. Clmningham, Harry Green and Jack Silvey, left for Salt Lake City to see Governor West and get the people stirred about our troubles here in San Juan County if possible. Utah, at that time, was still a territory of the U. S. and West was governor by appointment by President Cleveland. Governor West had been an ex-confederate officer in the civil war and truely made a real far-seeing and statesmanlike governor of Utah. Govenor West asked many questons of Cunningham. "What is your occupation?" "I am general manager of the Pittsburgh Cattle Co., with about 12,000 head of cattle ranging on the La Sal mountains and Dry Valley," was the In 1894—1895, when Congress passed a bill giving the southern Utes, San Juan County as a reservation, David F. Day, then Indian Agent without authority from Washington, told the Utes to move in. Some of the settlers got busy and organized in protest against this unjust act. Early in November, 1894, one branch of our congress, voted by a majority to cede San Juan County, Utah, to the Southern Ute Indians in exchange for their own reservation consisting of a strip 15 miles wide and 70 miles long bordering on the Colorado-New Mexico line and extending from the Utah line east. The eastern portion near Ignacio and Durango was a fertile, well watered district. The Durango people had long looked with longing eyes on this part of the Ute Indian Reservation. The southern Utes had long wished for San Juan County as their own, with at that time its herds of deer, good grass, thousands of acres of natural meadows at La Sal with fine clear water and many springs. Indeed, it was their HAPPY HUNTING GROUND on earth. A number of poineer families who had struggled along for many years, had their all invested in their land and, as a rule, only a few head of cattle or at most, a few hundred head, lived in San Juan Co. There was the Carlisle Cattle Co., The Pittsburgh Cattle Co., and the L. C. Cattle Company. Few took newspapers of any kind, mail service was very poor compared to the present and many of us would not see a paper in weeks or for maybe months at a time. We did not know what congress was doing in Washington. The majority of us did not know until the greater part of the Utes were in Dry Valley that San Juan County had been given away. Then we began to investigate a little, but did not think it so very serious. This was about December 20th, 1894. We of the northern part of the country, were more interested at that period than the others as the Indians were in camps at all the water holes and springs in Dry Valley. reply. "Mr. Green what is your occupation?" "I am a rancher and own some cattle and they range in Dry Valley," was the reply. "Mr. Silvey, what is your occupation?" "I am a rancher and own some cattle and they range in Dry Valley," was the reply. "How many ranchers and small cattle owners are there in San Juan County?" was asked. "At Monticello. Bluff City and La Sal perhaps about 50 families in all," was the reply. "How long have they resided there?" was asked. "Some families have been there since 1880 and 1882," was the reply. "Who are the largest cattle owners?" was asked. "The Carlisle Cattle Co. with 20,000 head, the Pittsburgh Cattle Co. with about 12,000 head and the L. C. Cattle Co. with about 10,000 head." was the reply. "And a majority of the Southern Ute Indians absolutely refuse to go back to their reservation?" was asked by the governor. "Yes," was the reply. "Gentlemen, I have learned from your replies that that district is not all just a cattle country, but have a number of homesteaders with families who want to make their homes there. As to the large cattle interests there, it's a question with me who are the trespassers, the Indians or the cattlemen as it's all government land. The homesteaders must and shall be protected at all costs. I will get in communication at once by wire to Washington and will call a mass meeting tonight here in Salt Lake so the people may know the facts,“ said Governor West. Thousands attended the mass meeting that night and Salt Lake City was aflame with the sentiment that the Indians must go back to theirreservation. Col. Tatlock, head of the State Militia, and Iieuenant West (the governor's son) stated that one thousand well drilled soldiers Hart Draw, Hatch Point and Silvey's Pocket. The Southern when needed will be at the disposal of and protection of the Utes at that time numbered about 800, and the greater part citizens of San Juan County. Two hunderd Springfield rifles and 10,000 rounds of amunition were at once sent to Moab. of this number camped in many different places, with thousands of head of ponies and goats. It was an open dry winter during this period. Cattle must have water but were so scared by the Indian camps that they got but little water. As the ranges were already overstocked before the coming of the Utes, cattle prices were low (10 to 12 dollars per head). The Durango people feeling sure the Indian bill would pass the Senate and with President Clevelands's In the meantime, about ten of us, not thinking much of the 'red tape' method and getting impatient, held a meeting at the Hatch ranch. Neils Olson as chairman and spokesman suggested we had to start a fight in order to get quick action San Juan County, it was theirs, the Washington City Man had given it to them. The Indians were honest in this matter, and were overjoyed. Very little beef was killed by and Federal troops in and a Federal investigation. Each one there, would act as a committee of one, and get all the help we could and meet again at Hatch ranch in ten days prepared for war. Letters should be written to all parts of the country warning people to stay off the roads; that all people living in isolated districts move to a place of safety as there was liable to be trouble with Indians. This plan was adopted and a number of letters mailed them at the start, and they wanted to make friends with the settlers. out as quickly as possible. We had one queer old scout More Silvey, p. 3 signature, would become a law in a few weeks, the Indian Agent at Ignacio, David F. Day, told the Indians to come to |