Page 139

REPORTS OF AGENTS IN UTAH.                           139 
STOCK. 
These Indians now own five good blooded stallions, of about 1,200 pounds
weight 
each, that will have the effect of improvin their stock wonderfully in the
next three 
or four years; they are better pleased with this purchase than by anything
that has 
been done for them. In the coming October they will have 800 good American
cows, 
which is one of the best investments ever made of Ute money. If they are
branded 
with the I. D. brand and their calves branded the same so the Indians cannot
sell 
thein, it will not be many years before they would have a herd so large that
the sale 
of the steers every year would keep theta in blankets and provisions. And
if the 
Ute Indians of this tribe are ever to become self-supporting, it will be
by making 
them rich in the increase of stock in spite of themselves. But there will
have to be 
some measure adopted to keep them from selling their young stock, as there
are 
plenty of white men standing ready to rob them, and if an Indian wants money
he 
will sell his shirt if he can. 
MISSIONARY. 
There has been no missionary work done here except by the Mormons, and that
was of a very practical kind, consisting of helping some of the Indians take
out a 
water ditch for the purpose of irrigating their crops. The Unitarians are
very anx- 
ious to do something for these Indians, but I am obliged to answer all their
inquiries 
with there can nothing be done here now, as there is no place for a missionary
to 
stop, which is much to be regretted, as I know that a good minister would
have a 
good influence over the Indians as well as the white employds. 
SANITARY. 
The sanitary condition of these Indians is remarkably good. There have only
been 
five deaths reported during the year. There is very little venereal disease
among 
them and no new cases at, that.. They receive and use a great deal of medicine
from 
the agency physician, in whom they have great confidence. The medicine men
have 
very little power among them now. 
THE INDIANS. 
The Indians on this reservation are what are known as the Tabequache band
of 
Utes, and consist of 720 males and 640 females. 
STATISTICS. 
The annual statistical report of the agency is herewith inclosed. 
In conclusion, I will say this is not a rose-colored report, but it is a
true report of 
affairs at this agency. 
Very respectfully,                                  J.F. MINNISS, 
United States Indian Agent. 
The COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 
UINTAH VALLEY AGENCY, UTAH, 
August 14, 1883. 
SIR: In compliance with Department instruction, I have the honor to submit
the 
following as my first annual report of this agency and the Indians under
my charge. 
I assumed charge of this agency on the 21st of July. Owing to the short time
1 have 
been here, my report will be based more upon the condition of the agency
and the 
habits of the Indians than upon the progress made during the last year. 
This reservation consists of a table -land 6,300 feet above sea-level, sloping
gradually 
toward the south. and containing over 2,000,000 acres, of which over 300,000
is arable. 
It is well watered by the Du Chesne and the Uintah rivers with their numerous
tribu- 
taries. It is one of the most healthy and fertile districts in this section
of coun- 
try. From its natural slope, its many rivers, and its fertility, much more
of the land 
is available for cultivation than the Indians in their present state of civilization
and 
slow progress will be able to cultivate for many years. The cafions on the
outskirts 
of the reservation produce plenty of wood and timber for the use of the agency
and 
for the Indians. The streams afford good fishing and the mountains good hunting.
Its natural facilities make this a wise location for an Indian reservation.
The agency 
buildings are situated near the upper part of the reserve, commanding a view
of a