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Show THE ZEPHYR JAN-FEB.199- PAGE 11 1 streets. When the letters made their way Into the hands of total officials, both counties' leaders became Increasingly alarmed, believing that a clash with the Utes was Inevitable. When word of the Impending "showdown made. Its way to the Governor's office. West dispatched 5 cases of rifles and 7,000 rounds of ammunition to Grand and San Juan and called a meeting for December 6 In Monticello. Present at the meeting were West, Agent Day from Ignacio, the Inspector General of the Utah National Guard, and local Ute leaders. The Utes had Just traveled a long distance under harsh winter conditions. They were not Inclined to make another winter Journey. They had, after all, come on good faith and proclaimed themselves to be Innocent of any Incidents resembling an "uprising. The press had already sniffed out the controversial situation In San Juan County, It but was the professional and personal clashes between West and Day that entertained them, casting a political smoke screen over the facts at hand. The debate lasted another week, until finally on December 12, Agent Day advised the Southern Ute chiefs that they would have to go home. The Ute families left slowly. There was anger, there was frustration, there was misunderstanding. Well Into the winter, conflicts with settlers and Utes flared and died. Area cattlemen blamed the Ute "Invasion for high losses of stock through theft and starvation, attributed to the Increased resource pressure brought on by the Ute and their stock. But, the established popularity of southeaster Utah to rustlers and the growing dominance of sheep have also been Just as readily credited with the ultimate failure of many large-sca- le cattle operations. For the Ute, It was the end of any hope for a major land acquisition In the heart of what was once a Ute stronghold. (Area Navajos did add to their holdings within the county, the last addition being In 1958.) Scattered populations of Ute and Palute continued to live outside of their reservation and area settlements continued to grow beside them. The events of 1894 shadowed relationships In the county well Into the 21st century, but San Juan County retained Its distinction as "Indian Country, one of the few places In America where Native Americans were able to continue to live without being forced onto established reservations. Now, It Is almost one hundred years later and there are new shadows that have resulted from the election of 1990. But this time, perhaps, there Is a chance that the face of power In San Juan County can begin to reflect all of Its citizens. It Is another turning point, one that might well be remembered one hundred years from now as the beginning of a new direction. EXPEDITIONS 497 North Main 259-788- 2 o bike rentals business office for O MAfcavflS NEW YEAR HAPPy Nichols Expeditions information and reservations for Canyon Country Bed and Breakfast,' as well as other B and Bs. WHY AM I SptiurfG5. K . al mcleod electrical contractor 259-709- 0 po box 1423 moab happy new year from My NEW YEAR GFT -You 1$. . THERE WILLIE FLOCKO tfo Puns -- in mis Ar it ad Happy New Year GREAT T6S6 AL'VE. . Itlafn Street Gjlouiers & Caifts WESTERN PLAZA 259-292- 9 THANK YOU MOAB FOR YOUR PATRONAGE AND SUPPORT FREE MYLAR BALLOON WITH EVERY PURCHASE PAID FOR BY A GRANT FROM THE WILLIE FLOCKO FOUNDATIONS Delivery and satisfaction guaranteed. All charge cards accepted. Locally owned and operated |