The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-16
Death Of Ouray, Chief Of the Utes.

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 Mountains.
1t is therefore meet and proper that on
the occasion of his death his life should
be remembered. The record Of his
deeds is one of simple parts, yet he has
proved himself elevated so far above
other men of his race aud time that his
acts stand out in bold relief Ouray was
in many respects-indeed. we may say
in all respects-a remarkable Indian; a
man Of pure instincts, of keen perception
and apparently possessed very proper
ideas OF justice and right-the friend of
the white man and the protector of the
Indian, ever standing up and boldly
asserting the rights Of his tribe, and as
continually doing all in his power to
create favor for the white man with the
Indians.
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. His tribe of Utes were in
the habit of spending much of their
time in the Taos Valley and San Louis
Park, and along the Sangre de Christie
Mountains. Down in this region they
were accustomed to meet the Apaches,
who came up from the north. tits avery
common thing for the women of q
tribe of Indians to marry out of their
tribe. Ouray's father married an
Apache women; hence the epithet
which is 80 often sneeringly applied to
Ouray by those of the Indians who dis
liked him of being an apache pa
poose.' The Indians became so ac-
customed to associating with the Mex
leans 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 mar
ried. they quietly marched up to the
little adobe church which stands on the
hill, in the village at Red River cross
ing, and had the priest perform the
ceremony, just as any good Catholics
would. And when Ouray was born,
they took him to the same adobe build
ing and had him baptized into the Cath
Ole Church-the only instance on record
of the kind.
Ouray had three brothers and two
sisters, but he survived all of his BROTH
ers, while both of his sisters still live,
one of them near the home of the chief,
on the Uncompahgre, and the other is
Susan, the wife of Chief johnson, of the
White r YER tribe, who so signally dis
tinguished herself in her kindness to
the Meeker women and Mrs. Price,
while they were captives among the tribe.
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 bat
tie, and was q very brave as we'll as
successful fighter. He generally
planned we'll and fought bravely. Dur
ing these times the Utes were engaged
in deadly encounter with the Arapa-
hoes. Cheyennes and Sioux. It was a
war between the plains Indians and the
mountain tribes, between Highlanders
and Lowlanders. Ouray entered into
the spirit which characterized his race
with q will, and soon became q re-
uowncd warrior. He soon was famed
for wisdom, and his counsel was sought
white men first began to settle what is
now Colorado, they found Ouray chief
of the Tabequache aud Uncompahgre
tribe, the largest hand 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 great
est influence and power among his peo-
pie. He was also disposed to be friend
" toward the white settlers, and soon
became known as mediator between
the two races. He continued increas-
ing his authority and influence among
his people until. as he expressed it,
1.-THE year after Lincoln's DEATH" he
was recognized as head Chief by the
Indians. In 1873 he acted as inter-
prefer between the Indians and Com
missioner Brunot, in the conference
looking to cession to the Government
of the San Juan country, and in recog-
milton of his services at that time and
in the past, the Government settled an
annuity of one thousand dollars upon
him, which he has since continued to
draw regularly. He made his first trip
to Washington during the same year
that he was made head chief.
Ouray has lived at his present home
on 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 a
farm, which is q real garden spot, of
three hundred acres. OF this he culti-
Yates about one hundred acres, raising
all kinds Of cereals and vegetables. He
lives in neatly and commodious
adobe house, built for him by the Gov
eminent and neatly furnished and car