The Delta independent., 1904-06-10
"A WESTERN MollAncn"
A Very lateressisS Grafton b Mis- Aiaa ~
relI. Delivered Al The Reeeaf csnneaee-
menf Exercises.

.>~0'
true than in the v orld OF romance. The
lives and environments OF others seetn
to US to present an abundance Of ma
terial for literary effort, but we overlook
the possibilities III our own lives and 10
our own communities. From literature
We have acquired a sympathy for the
Ojibway. the Dskotah and the Iroquoia
Indians. but we turn with aversiou from
the dirty ty-fared nstives OF our own state
Seeing them at too close range We -
only their imperfections and overlook
their virtues. Our own Indiaos havs
been slighted because their many bad
traits have not been sofiened by the
haze Of distance. But ue need not looA
either to the history OF the eastern
tribes or to literature for a specimen oa
the red race who was noble charscter;
whose life was filled with ali the romxnce
and sadness OF q nineteenth century
indian.
Nearly forty years ago when the nrsa
settlers came across the snowy noun
iains into the region at the bead of the
uncompabgre river they found them
selves in monarchy, wealthy and
powerful. AT ills head was Chief Ouray.
the greatest diplomat this valley be-
produced. Ris dominion extended ovss
all the territory held by the Utes. He
was reported to be fabulously rich. but
what his wealth vas 10 smount can
| r.v.. ha s.c~.,,;oad TO- IL <.,,.,~t~N ~
ponies. blankets. Indian relics snd many
acres OF land. He lived on his ranch
three miles above the present site oa
Montrose. where his adobe cabin still
stande. a lonely, mournf uI reminder u
tine giories of days gone by.
| Although the settlers we're much TO-
terested in Oursy. they found il difficult
to learn the particulars II his history.
Other Indians told them Chief Ouray
wss part Ute and part Apache and that
highly respected Mexican rsncher had
brought him up Chipeta. his wife, vsl
much younger than her husband and
vss said to be OF pure Ute parentaGs,
The ages OF each we're never sccuratsly
known although it is thought Oursy vas
born about 1892. Various dates are
given for the beginning Of his reign.
The Indisns s.id only that several yssrs
before. the leaders oe the tribss had net
10 council and had chosen The yosag
man. Ouray. 500 q former lesdss. q
their chief. This much the whites learned
thirty years ago and just % much us
know nos. The Indian guards veil his
secrets, especially the secsets Of hiu
tribs. -. z-.
Oarsy vss aala sefsisAt asd usil pro-
portioned. His face vas kiod spd bis
eyes bright. He vas almost modal in
morals. He never drank. except vheu
be slipped little vine 10 courtesy 10 his
host in Denver or In w.shingtoo; be
never smoked. He joined the Methodist
Episcopal church when he wss young
and during all his life he lived up 10 its
principles. How many OF our heroes
have failsn far short OF this exemplary
conduct in their private lives. Chipeia
was OF medium height. plump and merry
looking. Both she and her husband
were dark aud handsome. Their marri
age was very happy one and Ouray
treated his wife with great love and
respect.
Chief Ouray was friend TO the whites
and his never failing sense OF justice won
the hearty respect OF all who knew him.
II is only from the whites that we now
learn anything OF him and they are
unanimous in declaring that he was
always entirely just. Not an old settler
has the slightest word to say against him
Seven very different people upon being
asked il they could recall come proof Of
bis being dishonest or unjust. even in
trivial affairs have replied. mo! I am
sure there were no such cases." or '-Ouray
was always good and just," or "Ouray
was certainly the whitest Indian that
e,cr lived" These commendations are
all from persons who not only we're die
interested. but we're even prejudiced d
against the red race! Can you name in
the annals OF the civilized nations a
sinele great man Whose friends and
enemies agree in praieing him % uncon.
ditionalIy! His life work lay in the re.
forming Of the Ute Indians from eet Of
thoroughly bad savsges into well
organised nation. In = lettor which he
dictated to Governor Ebert he expressed
HE attitude toward the Americans in 4
manner which bresthes the dignity and
unusual foresight OF the great chief. He
cav from the beginning that the red
race would be driven out. but he always
counseiled peace with the new neighbors
His giving up OF parfot the mountainous
lands to miners incurred the diepleasure
Of some OF his tribe, but he explained TO
them that IL they did not peacably give
up their mountains all their land would
eventually be taken by force and as their
valley lauds were covered with many
acres Of grain and pasture for their
hesds OF horses and sheep tho Iudiaue
eoUn saw the wisdom Of his action.
The terriHble Whitewater massacre
In 1879 was tho only one which occurred
during Ouray's reign. He vas 10 Don
yer whom the outbreak came and = coon
- be heard Of Il he ssat = apsedy
nessage tor hostilitiss 70 ceass. The
word reached his wsrr,oss during one Of
their most horeihle engagements, but 20
much was Ouray respected that the
Indians at once ceased their slaughtcr.
Some Of tho victims who had seen the
to0Ahawk already raised ssainst them.
i've .ninutes later found themselves being