Chief Ouray – A Man of Peace
Chief Ouray, a prominent figure in 19th-century American history, stands as a testament to diplomacy, leadership, and the tragic collision of cultures in the American West. Born around 1833 near Taos, New Mexico, he rose to become the chief of the Tabeguache (Uncompahgre) band of the Ute tribe in western Colorado. His life, a complex tapestry woven with threads of Ute tradition, Spanish influence, and the relentless advance of American expansion, offers a compelling glimpse into a pivotal era. This article delves into the life of Chief Ouray, exploring his upbringing, his leadership qualities, his tireless efforts to secure the best possible future for his people, and the ultimate heartbreak of displacement.
Oral tradition within the Ute community paints a vivid picture of Ouray’s birth. Elders recount a spectacularly clear winter night illuminated by a breathtaking meteor shower. This celestial display was interpreted as a powerful omen, a divine message foretelling a future of great fortune and significance for the newborn child. This auspicious beginning seemed to foreshadow the extraordinary role Chief Ouray would later play in the history of the Ute people.
Ouray’s lineage was itself a blend of cultures. His mother belonged to the Uncompahgre Ute band, while his father, Guera Murah, was of mixed Jicarilla Apache and Ute heritage. Growing up in the vicinity of Taos, a region heavily influenced by Spanish and, increasingly, English settlers, Ouray was immersed in these languages and cultures. Interestingly, he did not learn the Ute and Apache languages until later in his life. His early years were spent working alongside Mexican sheepherders, gaining practical skills and exposure to a different way of life. He also participated in skirmishes against rival tribes like the Sioux and Kiowa, experiences that undoubtedly shaped his understanding of intertribal relations and the importance of defense.
Around the age of 18, Ouray journeyed to Colorado and joined the Tabeguache Ute band, the same group to which his father, despite his Apache background, had ascended to leadership. In 1859, he solidified his place within the tribe by marrying Chipeta, a woman of Kiowa Apache origin who had been adopted by the Utes as a child. This union further emphasized the blending of cultures and the interconnectedness of different Native American groups in the region.
The year 1860 marked a turning point in Ouray’s life. Upon the death of his father, he became the chief of the Ute Indians, including the Uncompahgre band. His leadership was immediately characterized by remarkable patience, diplomatic skill, and a genuine desire for peaceful coexistence with the encroaching white settlers. He earned the moniker "The White Man’s Friend," a testament to his willingness to negotiate and find common ground, even as the pressure on his people intensified. The legacy of Chief Ouray is inextricably linked to his pursuit of peace.
One of the defining aspects of Chief Ouray’s leadership was his involvement in treaty negotiations with the U.S. government. In October 1863, he negotiated a treaty that assigned a reservation to the Tabeguache Ute. However, this treaty, like many others that followed, resulted in the loss of vast tracts of Ute land east of the Continental Divide. Undeterred, Ouray traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1868 to represent his people’s interests. The government, recognizing his influence and standing, appointed him "head chief of the Ute," a symbolic gesture that acknowledged his leadership over multiple Ute bands. A subsequent treaty established reservation lands in Colorado for several Ute groups, including the Tabeguache, Moache, Capote, Wiminuche, Yampa, Grand River, and Uinta. Despite these efforts, each new agreement seemed to chip away further at the Ute’s ancestral lands.
Although Ouray remained committed to securing the best possible terms for his people while maintaining amicable relations with the whites, the constant land concessions fueled resentment among some Ute. Several attempts were made on his life, a stark indication of the internal divisions and the growing desperation within the tribe. Yet, he persevered, holding fast to his conciliatory approach and continuing to advocate for peaceful solutions. The story of Chief Ouray is also a story of resilience in the face of immense pressure.
The discovery of gold in Colorado dramatically altered the landscape for the Ute. A massive influx of miners poured into their lands, escalating tensions and straining relations between the two groups. The appointment of Nathan Meeker as the Indian Agent at the White River Agency in the spring of 1878 further exacerbated the situation. Meeker, described as "dictatorial" in his management style, attempted to force the Ute to adopt farming practices, raise livestock, abandon their traditional pony racing and hunting activities, and send their children to schools designed to assimilate them into white society.
Meeker’s relentless efforts to transform the Ute from what he perceived as "primitive savages" into "hard-working, God-fearing farmers" were met with increasing resistance. Despite warnings that his actions were infuriating the Ute, Meeker pressed on, even ordering the plowing under of a horse racing track to convert it into farmland. He also suggested reducing the Ute’s horse population. This direct assault on their cultural practices and way of life ignited a confrontation. When the Ute resisted the plowing, a physical altercation ensued.
In response, Meeker sent a telegram requesting military assistance, falsely claiming that he had been assaulted, driven from his home, and severely injured. The government dispatched 200 troops led by Major T.T. Thornburgh. This military response was perceived by the Ute as an act of war, leading to a full-scale revolt. On September 29, 1879, before the troops arrived, the Ute attacked the agency, setting fire to the buildings and killing Meeker and nine of his employees. This tragic event became known as the Meeker Massacre. Meeker’s wife, daughter, and another young girl were taken captive for 23 days. After the massacre, relief forces from Forts Fred Steele and D.A. Russell in Wyoming defeated the Ute in the Battle of Milk Creek, effectively ending the uprising.
Although Ouray had ordered the Ute band involved in the attacks to cease their actions, his commands were disregarded. In the aftermath of the Meeker Massacre, he worked tirelessly to restore peace, but the damage was irreversible. Settlers in the region clamored for the Ute’s removal, with one headline in the October 30, 1879, issue of Harpers Weekly declaring, "The Utes Must Go."
Ouray found himself in the agonizing position of having to explain to his people why they had to leave their ancestral lands. On March 6, 1880, the Southern Ute and the Uncompahgre reluctantly agreed to settle on the La Plata River and the Grand River near the mouth of the Gunnison, respectively. The White River Ute were forced to relocate to the Uinta reservation in Utah.
In the summer of 1880, Ouray, accompanied by his wife, Chipeta, traveled to the Southern Ute agency at Ignacio to engage in further negotiations with the white man. The journey took a heavy toll on his health. He arrived a sick man and succumbed to Bright’s disease on August 24, 1880.
He was buried in a secret location at Ignacio. The Denver Tribune’s obituary for Chief Ouray paid tribute to his legacy:
"In the death of Ouray, one of the historical characters passes away. He has figured for many years as the greatest Indian of his time, and during his life has figured quite prominently. Ouray is, in many respects, a remarkable Indian with pure instincts and keen perception. A friend to the white man and protector to the Indians alike."
Forty-five years later, Ouray’s remains were reinterred in the cemetery southeast of the White River Agency, and a proper grave marker was erected.
Chipeta, Ouray’s wife, continued to advocate for the Ute people. When it became clear that sufficient agricultural land was not available for the Uncompahgre in southern Colorado, a new reservation was established in northeastern Utah in 1882. Chipeta relocated to this reservation, where she was highly respected and regularly participated in the chief’s meetings. She passed away in 1924, leaving behind a legacy of strength and dedication to her people.
The town of Ouray, Colorado, stands as a lasting tribute to this remarkable leader. His story serves as a reminder of the complexities and tragedies of the American West, and the enduring importance of seeking peaceful solutions in the face of conflict. The life of Chief Ouray is a powerful reminder of the human cost of westward expansion and the resilience of the Native American people.