Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-26
u II ra v.

Ouray.
The fatal illness Of that remarkable
aborigine, Ouray, has called attention
to lis eventful career, and from q
lengthy article in the Denver Tribune
we extract the following:
Ouray, in telling the story of his life,
says that he was born in Taos valley.
New Mexico, near the Pueblo village OF
that name, ins 1889. His tribe of Utes
were in the habit of spending much of
their time in the Taos valley and San
Luis park, and along the Sangre de
Cristo mountains. Down in this region
they were accustomed to meet the
Apaches, who came up from the south.
1t is very common thing for the WON.
en- of tribe of Indians to marry out of
their tribe. Ouray's father married
an Apache woman; hence the epithet
which is so often sneeringly applied to
Ouray by those of the Indians who dis.
like him, OF being an ''Apache papoose. {"
The Indians become so accustomed to
associating with the Mexicans that
some of them began to adopt the Gus.
toms OF this people, and when Ouray's
father and mother came to the conclu-
sion that they wanted to be married,
they quietly marched up to the little
adobe church which stands on the hill,
in the village at Red river crossing, and
had the priest perform the ceremony,
just as any good Catholic would. And
when Ouray was born, they took him
to the same adobe building and had
him baptized into the Catholic church
the only instance on record of the
kind.
Ouray has long been chief among the
Utes, but is more renowned for his
wisdom than his bravery. During his
young manhood, however, he was &C.
customed to lead the Ute braves to
battle, and was very brave as we'll as
successful fighter. He generally planned
we'll and fought bravely. During these
times the Utes were engaged in O dead.
ly encounter with the Arapahoes, Chey-
ennes, and Sioux. Itwas war between
the plains Indians and the mountain
tribes, between highlanders and low
landers. Ouray entered into the spirit
which characterized his race with will,
and tOon became renowned warrior.
He was famed for wisdom, and his
counsel was sought by the Utes far and
near. When the white men first began
to settle what is now Colorado, they
found Ouray Chief of the Tabequache
or UEcompahgre tribe, the largest band
Of the tribe and in great favor with the
members OF other bands, so that while
he was not head chief, he was man of
the greatest influence and power among
! his people. He was also disposed to
be friendly towards the white settlers
and soon became known as mediator
between the two races. He continued
increasing his authority and influence
among his people until, as he expresses
it, "the year after Lincoln's DEATH" he
was recognized as head chief by the
Indians. In 1878 he acted as inter-
prefer between the Indians and Com.
missioner Brunot, in the conference
looking to the cession to the Govern
ment of the San Juan country, and in
recognition of his services at that time
and in the past, the Government settled
an annuity Of 81 900 upon him, which
he has since continued to draw regu-
larly. He made q trip to Washington
the same year that he was made head
chief.
Ouray has lived at his present home
and the Uncompahgre and in that vicin'
ity during the past twenty-three years,
having resided, previous to establishing
himself at that point, in New Mexico.
Chopeta, his present wife, is his second,
his first having been the mother of his
boy and also of girl child, now dead.
Ouray lives in good style. He owns q
farm, which is a real garden spot, OF
three hundred acres. OF this he cult
Yates about hundred acres, raising
all kinds of cereals and vegetables.
He lives in neatly-built and commo.
dious adobe house built for him by the
Government and neatly furnished and
carpeted. BE owns great numbers OF
horses and a good many cattle and
sheep, and when he goes out he rides
in carriage which was present from
Ex-Governor McCook. He hires labor
ers from among the Mexicans and In
dams, and also expects his wife to do
her share of the farm work. Ouray's
present wife. Chopeta, is kind hearted
and very much like Ouray in her nature,
being kind and we'll disposed towards
the whites. The chief had become very
much attached to his present manner
of living, and it is said was disposed
to remain on his farm and surrender
the reins of government to some
younger man.
So far as the late difficulty, resulting
in the White river massacre and the
Milk creek fight was concerned, Ouray
continued from first to last friendly tt
the whites and an advocate of peace
As soon as he learned Of the Thornbure
fight he sent runners to White river
ordering that hostilities cease. He soal
did everything in his power to secure
the surrender Of the captive women
aud when there was prospect OF the
Southern Utes breaking out he sent
timely warning to the white settlers
near. He pursued a straightforward
and manly course and deserves the
honor which the Government conferred
upon him in making him member Of
the commission to settle the trouble.
Mr.. and Mrs. - agreed that they