The Russellville Democrat., 1880-04-15
Ouray as a Horse Jockey.
 Denver Tribune.

Five years ago, when the Utes and Navajoes were not warning with each other or investigating the firmness with which the white mans scalp was attach ed, they devoted themselves to horse racing, betting blankets, ponies, and their squaws even, upon the results of the contests. Now, although there is no horse-fesh in the world that can leave a Ute pony behind, when climbing the rough and rugged mountain trails or holding out for long journeys is concern ed, they are not fast runners on level ground. So, however mortifying the confession was, after a week of daily races, the Utes were obliged to acknowl- edge that their horses were inferior to those of the Navajoes; but by the time that they were convinced of this fact they were nearly bankrupted. The Navajoes gathered up their spells and departed for their tents, while the Utes went to Ouray with their tale of woe. Sapavanaro, Shavino, and Cojoe were all heavy losers, but, at the council which ouray called, could suggest no plan to retrieve their losses except to follow the victorious Navajoes and by force deprive them of their booty. To this proposi- ton Ouray would not assent, saying that such deed would stain the name of their tribe, and dismissed the council, telling the Utes to challenge the Navajoes to another series of races two months from that time, September, 1874, and he would attend to the rest. Through H. +. Bond, the agent, Ouray, having raised S1 800 by the sale of some of his stock, sent to St. Louis and purchased Mem primo racer, bay, and had him brought to his house. Ouray caused it to be given out that he had brought pony from Utah to contest the races, and the Navajoes were on tip-toe of expectation as he was brought forth. When the blankets with which he was covered from head to foot) were removed, and, painted all over to present the appear ance of a halfstarved pony, the bay appeared, shout of derision rent the air from the throats of the Navajoes, and they began to bet odds against his winning. The Utes said nothing, but, instructed by Ouray. took every bet that was offered, even if they risked their last blanket.
 The course used by them was about threa miles long. level mesa. Wachita was ridden by his owner, and the bay by the son Of Sapavanaro. The word was given, and the horses started amid an anticipating shout of victory from the Navajoes, which quivered away into a groan as they saw their favorite beaten by neck as they crossed the line. But they did not give up. The close race made them think that the defeat of Wachita was due to the bad riding of his owner. In the twinkling of an eye he was pulled off the horse by dozen hands, and Math-o-kan, a sub-chief of the Navajoes, put on the back of Wachita. This time the betting was heavier than at first, the Uses betting eagerly and the Navajoes desperately. Sapavanaro's boy gave the bay his head, and he came across the line nearly quarter of mile ahead of Wachita. The Navajoes were "busted," and the Utes rich. They not only recovered what they had before lest, but their tepees were filled with blankets and buffalo robes, while each Navajoe was the poorer by pony. Sc completely ''broke" were they that the Ntes tell with glee how they rode to their homes, some riding double and others walking. This incident greatly increased OuTay's influence over his tribe, and caused all of them to look uI to him as wise man. The bay is owned now by the chief, who uses him as a car riage horse, and could not be induced tc part with for any consideration.