Chief Ouray to Sell Story Rights

     Already blessed with a house and land south of here Ouray will now be able to live independently of his former associates both White and Ute. Europeans are quite preoccupied with the Native Americans and follow their plight with much interest.

The prestigious London paper became interested in Ouray since his tribe was forced to move to Utah, yet he stayed here. His status, improved by the settlement with whites after the Meeker Massacre, has been cemented by the payments but there is still conjecture that the chief sold out. Mears, President Hayes and a host of mine owners vehemently deny this accusation saying that the chief showed good sense when the confrontation with the powerful white folks emerged. They say the Utes would have tasted bitter defeat at the hands of the United States cavalry and that their reservation in northeastern Utah was nice.

Rumors that the paper would pay Ouray an honorarium (forty pieces of silver) were also discounted by Mears.

According to the paper, Ouray was one of the most respected peacemakers by Whites but considered a turncoat by many Utes. History is written by the victors writes the paper and the future of the Utes is uncertain to say the least. Most will engage in a sedentary lifestyle, protected by the federal government.

Along with the first hand accounts the story will include a series of brown tints featuring Ouray and Chipeta sitting for photos with such outstanding Americans as former Interior Secretary Charles Starts and General Charles Adams. Despite the fact that most Native Americans fear the camera the Ute leaders conceded and allowed the photos to be made.

Not only does Ouray have a town in the San Juans named for him but the new reservation in Utah will be called Ouray as well. After the signing of the Brunt Treaty, which effectively turned over Ute lands to mining interests, Ouray continued to negotiate with Whites. Unfortunately his attempts were a dismal failure as treaties were no more than an open invitation for the government to take what it wanted, leaving the Utes to starve. Bribes, threats and broken promises are the legacy.

(Editor’s note: Chief Ouray did not have much time to enjoy the new peace. He passed way August 24, 1880)