Ute chief of the White River tribes, had passed into
the Happy Hunting Grounds and his sons each claimed the inheritance of
ruler. There were many in the tribes who would gladly have accepted the
distinction, but Ouray was appointed chief over all, the lesser chiefs
being forced to content themselves with such following as their
individual qualities could command. This caused great jealousy and in
1875 many conspired against Ouray. The neglect of the government to pay
the annuities was charged against the big head chief, who was said to be
in collusion with certain white men in depriving the Utes of their
goods, and the question was ofttimes asked, 'How comes Ouray to be so
rich?'

"In 1879, the venerable N. C. Meeker was appointed to take charge, as
agent, of my people at White River. He undertook the task of educating
the Ute warriors to plow. Opposition met him at the start, for the soil
is no more Ute soil when once broken by the white man's plow.

"Aid from the war department was expected to force the warriors to till
the soil.

"Runners carried the news to the agency that a band of Utes who had set
out to hunt had ambushed the cavalry. The final outcome of this outbreak
cost us our home in Colorado, for soon after the relief of the cavalry
the White River agency was abandoned and my people removed to the Uintah
Reservation in Utah. It is too late now to undo the wrong which resulted
in the removal of the Utes from Colorado, but, gentlemen, the land given
over and set apart by your own government in the Indian Territory for
those tribes now occupying the domain should be held sacred. I appeal to
you to keep this land intact and forbid its being thrown into the hands
of speculating spoilers. The Indian is not able to cope with the cunning
of the white brother, and he is unable to endure the conditions by which
his white brother naturally adapts himself to the cultivation of the
soil, the marketing of produce and protection of estate."

The appeal was in vain. The political influence of cattle barons proved
too great, and the concourse of settlers swallowed the territory in
question. The result was very disheartening to Chiquita, but she bore up
and turned her attention to other duties, preparing for the final
establishment of her home for the aged and infirm Indians. This home she
decided to model after a plan of her own, unlike anything in any city,
possibly in the world. Persistent effort among the political le