National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-17
OURAY, THE UTE CHIEF.
Iuterestina and Renssstic sketch Of His
Life and Espieiis-Bc IL n Firm Friend 10
a.. xgAt.--

Lilo and ENpieits-He IL Firm friend 20
the whites.
An at,achs Of the REPUBLICAN yesterday paid q
visit TO General Charles Adams and Colonel
Thomas A. Doan, agents In charge Of the dele
CATION OF Ute indians mentioned In the last issue
OF this paper. lie was Hospitality received, and
introduced formally to the great chief ouray and
each one Of his companions, all OF whom he
found bright and Intelligent, although but few
could speak the English language. Several
trophies OF the chase and the war path were ex-
hbitod, among which were an Ar apshoo scalp,
taken by Coho, and grizzly skin OF great
beauty.
The following romantic Incidents In the life Of
Ouray, the chief who Is now here upon business
with the Government, were cleaned from the
reader. All the indians have donned citizens
costumes, and present very neat aud tidy ap-
pearance. The boy, Antelope, had his feet en-
evidently anything hut comfortable. All were
engaged 10 smoking cigars, and seemed quite
happy and contcntcd, except the Apache, who
was complaining Of chlls.
The chief says the general translation Of his
namc--the wnrl--to mean an arrow, IN not quite
correct; that " cannot he translated, and was
only, as II were, a hap-hahsrd name, given him
by his mother, tho nrst syllable OF which slgni.
mes an arrew. Although born In Taos, Taos
county, New Mexico, about the year 1884, amid
scenes OF civilization aud comfort, no trace Of
anything but Indian blood Is In his veins. His
father Tabeguache Ute, and mother, Hkrae
Apache, were Catholics, aud titled the soil.
When quite young, Oufay was sent to school
with the Mexican boys for a short time, learning
nothing, as he now believes, but the alphabet.
While living at Taos the noted massacre Of
Americans IN that place by Mexicans occurred.
Ouray declares that the ties were not In any
manner connected with the affair, but that the
Apaches were implicated. About this time his
tho Utes and engaged In all their predatory
excursions against hostile tribes. Being thor
oughly acquainted with the spanish lan-
guage, and having a more than ordinary
| education FOR q Ute, and proving brave With
| al, the then chief decreed him q sub-chlef,
| and thus at the age OF twenty began his elevs.
Inc ladder was reached, and he stands to-day
| the acknowledged head OF the Ute nation. At
the age OF twenty-five he took his nrst wife, who
boy and cir, the latter soon following her mother
to the happy hunting ground. Tue year follow
ing his marriage occurred the battle TO which
OF his life. 4 band Of thirty.eleht krrspshoc,
and Chcycnnes, wandering In the vicinity oil
their camp, stole forty horses from Colorow. Al
soon as the theft was discovered Ouray, CoiorOw,
Nawave and other braves started IN pursuit.
They followed the fleeing thlrty-sight day aud
night when Just a. dawn the hostile camp was
discovered. Lest they might escape, Ouray and
his band passed around the camp and stationed
themselves In the road directly In front, anil
AWAITED their arrival on the open prairie, ten
against thirty-eight. On coming up they gave
light, and terrific contest ensued. IL was q
hand to hand struggle. Ouray says inst after ne
had discharged his gun he threw u away and
went IN with his pistol and knife. one incident
in particular; Nawaye dragged a Cheyenne from
hts horse by the hair OF nis head, and before tht
Cheyenne could get his weapons In play, OuraJ
came up and blew his brains out Colorow uset
the knife almost exclusively. one hour told the
story and found the Cheyennes fleeing, leaving
In the hands OF their enemies eight scAlps, IN,
| horses stolen, and tho extra ones they brought
with them. Ouray claimed three scalps oil NJ
: own taking. but In fact took all OF them 10 hi
wigwam; The scene OF this conflict was IN
south side of tho Arkansas, Just below its Juno
ton with the Huerfano.
III When this boy was about four years OF age
, 0uray. with Unkatosh and Tour other warriors
, were encamped In Platte canon, about forty
. eight miles from Denver. Soon after daybres
4 the little fellow wandered from camp, and Oura
, | went In search OF him. lie had not proceede
, half a mile when he was surrounded by ban
|, OF Arapahoes and Cheyenues, VINO were scat
' tered among the rocks. For nearly an hour h
Q fought them single handed, until Unkatosh, wit
e the other braves, came to his assistance. tn
battle lasted until late In the day, when the Ute
!: scalps, 0uray taking four, but losing his onl
; child, who WAS seized by the hostile tribes. Thu
| captive has been traced from place to place unit
4 discovered among the Cheyennes, and the con
) sequent visit OF Commissioner Brunot to tina
8 tribe few days since to obtain his restoration
, after an absence Of twelve years from his fathe
and native band. OuTay did not remain singl
long, for he nxes thirteen years as the period h
, has been married to his second wife, who Is reT
resented by the Interpreter as q tall, rather sin
woman, OF about twenty-six years Of age, an'
, possessed OF singular beauty for Ute, They hay
no children.
Coming down TO is6s,we md Ouray among tn
chiefs sent to Washington TO treat concerning
on this mission lis y father died. In 1851 h
> secured to the White man sSsuschs and III
san Luis valleys, and established the Los Pino