Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-09-22
OURAY, THE UTE.
4 Sketch Of the Famous Idian-His
Birth and Early Career


In the death of Ouray one of the his
torical characters of Colorado passes
away. He has figured for many years
as the greatest Indian of his time, and
during his life has figured quite as
prominently before the country as has
any white man in the Rocky Noun
tains 1t is, therefore, meet and proper
that on the occasion of bis death his
life should be remembered. The record
of his deeds is one of simple parts, yet
be has proven himself elevated 50 far
above other men of his race and time
that his acts stand out in bold relief.
Ouray was in many respects-indeed
we may say in all respects-a remark
able Indian a man Of pure instincts,
Of keen perception, and apparently pos
sessed very proper ideas Of justice and
right, the friend of the white man and
the protector of the Indian, ever bold
ly asserting the rights of his tribe, and
as continually doing all in his power to
create favor for the white man with
the Indian
Ouray's father married an Apache
woman; hence the epithet which is SO
often sneeringly applied to Ouray by
those of the Indians who dislike him,
of being an Apache papoose." :" The
:aGs became so accustomed to asso-
ciate 18th the Mexicans that some of
them began to adopt the customs of this
people, and when Ouray's father and
mother came to the conclusion that they
wanted to be married, they quietly
marched up to the little adobe church,
which stands on the hill, in the village
at the Red River crossing, and had the
priest perform the ceremony, just as
any good Romanist would. And when
Ouray was born they took him to the
same adobe building and had him bap-
tized into the Romish Church, the only
instance on record of the kind
Ouray had long been chief among
the Utes, but is more renowned for his
wisdom than his bravery. During his
young manhood, however; he was ac-
customed to lead the Ute braves to
battle, and was a very brave as well
as successful fighter, He generally
planned well and fought bravely. Dur
ing these times the Utes were engaged
in deadly encounter with the Arrapa-
hoes, Cheyennes and Sioux. 1t was a
war between the plains Indians and
the mountain tribes Ouray entered
into the spirit which characterized his
race with will, and soon became a re-
nowncd warrior He soon was famed
for wisdom, and his council was sought
bv the Utes far and near When the
white men first began to settle in what
is now Colorado, they found Ouray,
chief of the Tabequache or Uncompah-
gre tribe, the largest band of the tribe,
and in great favor with the members
of other bands, so that while he was
not the head chief, he was a man of the
greatest influence and power among
his people. He was also disposed to
be friendly toward 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 express
es it, ''the year after Lincoln's death
he was recognized as head chief by the
Indians" In 1873 he acted as inter.
prefer, and in recognition of his servl'
ces at that time and in the past, the
government settled an annuity OF 81 ,OOC
upon him, which he has since continu,
ed to draw regularly.
The Utes have had five wars with
the Arrapahoes, and Ouray said that
during some of these be led as many
as seven hundred warriors to the battle
field. The second war occurred about
1853, and some Of the battles were
fought just above where Denver stlnds
Ouray had but thirty men with him.
while the Arrapahoes numbered seven
hundred They came upon the Utes
in the morning, just before daylight
and took the mountain Indians com.
pIetely by surprise. However, Ouray
rallied his few warriors, and they hur'
riedly formed in a square, after retreat
ing a short distance, and after fight
which continued fourteen hours, repuls-
ed the Arrapahoes.
1t was during this fight that Ouray
lost his little boy-the only son that
had been born to him. He says that
when he saw the Arrapahoes coming
he threw water in the face of the child
then six years of age, for the purpose
of awakening him, but failing in this,
he threw covering over him and lei
him go and fight the invaders Of the
camp. But the entire day passed be
fore he could extricate himself from tho
entanglements involving him, and when
! he did get away and have an opportu
nifty to return to his tepee, his boy had
disappeared and was never since seer
by his father.
Ouray lived in good style. He own
ed a farm which is real garden spot
of 500 acres. OF this lie cultivated
about 100 acres, raising all kinds o
! cereals and vegetables. He lived in &
neatly built and commodious adobe
house, built for him by the government
and neatly furnished and carpeted He
owned great numbers Of horses and ;
good many cattle and sheep, and when
he went out rode in carriage, which
was a present from Ex-Governor Nc
Cook. He hired laborers from among
TIE Mexicans and Indians, and also ex
pected his wife to do her share Of th'
farm work. Ouray's wife, Chopeta
was kind hearted and very much like
Ouray in her nature, being kind anC
well-disposed toward the whites. Th'
chief had become very much attached
to his present manner of living, and i
is said was disposed to remain on hii
farm and surrender the reins Of govern
ment to some young man.
Although baptized into the Romisl
Church, Ouray did not profess th'
white mans religion. Senoughlbase il
the Ute god, and in him Ouray believ
ed. He said that when good peopl