The Delta independent., 1904-06-10
the negotiations be was remarkably di.
plpmatic and quick at perceiving the
advantages and disadvantages OF the


plomatic and quick at perceiving the
Advantages and disadvantages OF the
measures proposed by the U. 8. envoys.
Once the representatives OF the general
goye' nment upbraided ouray for certain
srts OF the Indians. He turned on them
with flashing eyes and reminded them
ofinstance after instance of agreements
ofoxen by the whites. All the repre-
sslt tiyes could do was to listen IN
stence and quickly set out for Washing
tor 10 report the failure of their comis-
SION. The terms which the chief Sc
cared were the cause OF the Indians
having never returned to make raid on
tits country. We owe to Chief Oursy
not only the interest which most of US
| feel for him. but our respect. our admira-
| tfoa and our gratitude for the peaceful
homes v hich We enjoy.
| although the chief had signed the
agreement to give up his territory, he
himself was destined never to leave it.
He had lived useful life and bad in-
calculated much OF his love Of justice
aud peace into the lives OF his Indians.
He had been forced to yield to the in
eritabie and to give up their possessions
bpt he had yielded in a mani ner betttlng
10 Western Monarch. All was in readi-
sess for peaceable departure to the
new reservation. Ouray had done his
| work. The settling OF the new lands
lwas second great undertaking which
UAs destined not to be his. Surely, He
Who had planned this noble life knew
when to bring it to an effective close.
His death was probably caused by pneu-
nonia and occurred August %. 1880.
His grave is another of the mysteries Of
the west. He was buried secretly and
the Indians said merely that be was "in
bis ground house. The legend is that
besides the beads and blankets usually
buried with an Indian his whole baud
| Of ponies was killed and buried. with a
| quantity OF money, near him. Several
persons think they have found Ouray's
grave. One of the theories moet interest
| ing 10 US is tina, certain Indian grave
shree miles above Delta is Ouray's be-
cacse it contains an unusual number oil
lndisn trophies.
Chipeta vas less remarkable than her
consort, but the reepect paid her Was
| not due wholly TO her being Chief
Oursy's wife. After he died before the
ilodisns left the reservation they were in
eouDcil three or four days. Superstition
| was strong against womau's attending
| tspuucil and superstition could not be
dhregsrded. but they had Chipeta sit
Iiost outside the door and her opinion of
Iesery proposed action vas considered.
Hot decision vas made contrary to her
fedGment. No othsr woman vas ever
| aecorded this honor. She mourned %
| 6psply over the los OF her husband
tth5ar-SAs q. 8. goyerpmsut dedicated
Oursy's ranch to her. but she did no,
care 70 occupy 1t since the Indians had
left th4 country 90 the government sold
it at auction and gave her the money.
Ourays home had been we'll Furnished
xith lamps. curtains. carpets and stoves.
He bad buggy and drove team which
won the admiration OF both Irdiaus and
whites. But when Chipeta left she did
remove any of Ouray's belongings.
Superstition forbade her touching the
lead chiefs goods. Even the siiverware
presented to Ouray, was left Since
then the property has been scattered by
Ruthless hands. Chipe,a married another
Ute Indian and is now spending an ex-
,reme old age among the Indians In
Southern Utah. Her marriage caused
much comment for her second husband
was = follower Of Colorow. who was
Ouray's rival and enemy. A few years
ago she vas reported to be in the dires,
poverty but the report has never been
su6otantiated. Chipeta falls, in Black
Canon, one OF the most beautiful feat
urea OF our canon scenery, is the only
monuneut to her memory. One more
! fitting can never be raised.
In reversing the life and character Of
Chief Ouray. we who are not old enough
to have known the good mau feel keen
regret that be has left no con TO typity
to this generation. As did his father to
the one past, the highest type OF the
American Indian. He was u man oi
unusual merits TOR any race-iust, tenn
psrute, serious minded and OF beauti.
ful christian character. But Ouray had
only one child. boy who was kidnapped
By the Kiowa lndians in 1863 and was
never heard OF afterwards This son, II
hs i still living. must now be in the