

INDIAN RAIDS. 97 



In Wyoming depredations by Indians occurred in Natrona County 

 in 1894 and in Uinta County in 1895. The latter raid, made by a band 

 of Bannocks from the Fort Hall Reservation, was quelled by the troops 

 and ultimately resulted in the celebrated case of Ward v. Race Horse, 

 which was carried up to the Supreme Court in 1896, and to which 

 reference has already been made. (See p. 94). One of the most serious 

 raids which has occurred in the State took place as late as 1906 

 and required the calling out of troops before the Indians could be 

 controlled. 



Regarding this raid the State warden says: 



About the most exasperating occurrence of the year connected with our game 

 interests was the invasion of our State by bands of Indians from Colorado or Utah — 

 exasperating because we were utterly powerless to prevent their lawless acts or to 

 have them punished. These Indians (Utes or Piutes) were in such strength that all 

 the wardens and peace officers of the State (if they could have acted in concert) 

 would have been absolutely unable to control them. Indeed, I am positively certain 

 that the total militia strength of the State could not have arrested these Indians, and 

 any attempt by an inferior force would have resulted in a conflict and consequent 

 bloodshed. 



From the time they entered the State until they were removed, these Indians 

 violated our game laws with impunity, killing every live wild thing that came their 

 way. Hundreds of sage hens, scores of antelope, and many deer were slaughtered. 

 The Indians were well armed and apparently fully conscious of their ability to laugh 

 at local officers. At a personal conference with the governor in August concerning 

 the acts of these Indians, I was advised not to act in such manner as to precipitate a 

 conflict that might result in the loss of scores of lives. 



From information furnished by reputable ranchmen of the Whisky Gap section 

 it appears that two bands of Indians passed through that country; the first, about 

 500 in number, claimed to be Utes; the second, almost as numerous, called them- 

 selves " Piutes," both bands giving White Rock Reservation as their starting place. 



Special Assistant Warden Guy Signor, of Hailey, who made personal investigation, 

 reports as follows: "On or about July 20 about 500 Indians (Utes) came to Har- 

 per's ranch. They camped on Whisky Creek for five days, using Harper's fence 

 posts for fuel. From this camp about 50 Indians made a circuit of the surrounding 

 country as far as Ferris Mountains, Sweetwater, and Sharp's ranch, rounding up about 

 fifty antelope. * * * 



"About the 4th of August another band of 52 tepees, claiming to be 'Piutes ' passed 

 through that country. These Indians (the Piutes) were also painted and were armed 

 with modern smokeless rifles." * * * 



Leaving the Whisky Gap and Splitrock country these Indians went, by way of 

 Douglas, through Converse, Weston, and Crook counties, stripping the country of 

 wild game wherever they traveled. In the latter part of August, Special Assistant 

 David O. Johnson, of Newcastle, complained to me that the Indians were killing ante- 

 lope by the score in the Pumpkin Butte section, and that he was powerless to deal 

 with the situation, suggesting that I appeal to the governor. Being without funds 

 at that time, any attempt by this office to call out a posse (under section 2101, Game 

 Laws) strong enough to arrest the Indians would have been utterly farcical. Every 

 pioneer in the W T est knows by experience that a mere show of authority has no effect 

 upon a band of armed Indians, except to call forth contemptuous insult. Numbers 

 and equipment must be sufficient to overawe them, or a conflict is the inevitable 

 result. * * * 



