Page 155

REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH. 
155 
vious year within my knowledge. Four deaths have taken place and three births.
There being no physician here authorized to treat the sick, they are forced
to rely 
upon their own medicine men, and, to do the latter justice, they sometimes
perform 
seemingly wonderful cures by means of their medicines. There is a slight
increase in 
the number of ponies, cattle, and poultry over the number reported last year,
but the 
gain was not as great as it might have been had the Indians possessed a fixed
place 
of abode. Before the time comes again for the report of the condition of
these In- 
dians I trust a change will have taken place for the better. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
ELIAS CHANDLER, 
Second Lieutenant Sixteenth infantry, Acting Indian Agent. 
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 
OURAY INDIAN AGENCY, UTAH TERRITORY, 
August 10, 1884. 
SIR: In compliance with instructions contained in circular from office of
Indian 
Affairs dated July 1, 1884, I have the honor to submit the following as my
first an- 
nual report: 
I assumed charge of this agency on the 15th day of November, 1883, relieving
my 
predecessor, J. F. Minniss, since which time I have endeavored to perform
the duties 
of the office in accordance with instructions received. 
The agency is located at the junction of Green and White Rivers, near the
western 
line of the reservation, about 35 miles southeast of Fort Thornburgh and
160 miles 
from Green River City,'Wyo., the nearest railroad station. 
The Indians belonging to this agency are known as the Tabequache band of
Utes 
and number, as shown by the last census, taken January, 1884, 652 males and
598 
females-l,250 in all. They are remarkably peaceful, quiet, and temperate
in their 
habits. I have never seen one of them under the influence of intoxicating
liquors 
since I came among them. 
This spring 1 succeeded in getting 23 of my Indians to commence farming in
a small 
way, 11 on Duchesne and 12 on White River, and with the assistance of the
agency em- 
ploy6s broke up and planted about 118 acres in wheat, oats, corn, potatoes,
and gar- 
den truck. Just after they had all planted and in good shape the flood came
and 
destroyed everything on the White River farms; the crops on the Duchesne,
however, 
promise well. 
The buildings at this agency are all of a temporary character, built of round
logs 
with mud roofs, insufficient for proper storage and quarters for agents and
employds. 
No schools have been established at this agency or missionary work been performed
during the year. 
There has been no crime committed on this reservation during the year punishable
by law. 
The sanitary condition of these Indians is good. During the past year there
have 
been 13 deaths and 32 births reported. There are only three cases of venereal
disease 
among them and they are of long standing. 
A new survey of this reservation is very much needed in order to settle beyond
dis- 
pute the boundary line. This unsettled question is a source of constant difficulty
be- 
tween the Indians and the whites, especially upon the eastern boundaries.
The unparalleled severity of the past winter and the floods this spring and
summer 
have told heavily on the stock cattle on this reservation, many of them having
been drowned. I estimate the loss at from !20 to 25 per cent. 
The annual statistical report of the agency is herewith inclosed. 
Very respectfully, 
J. F. GARDNER, 
Indian Agent. 
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 
UINTAH VALLEY AGENCY, UTAH TERRITORY, 
August 21, 1884. 
SIR: In compliance with Department instructions I have the honor to submit
the 
following as my second annual report of affairs pertaining to this agency
and the 
Indians under my charge. 
===MR