Resarch often turns up stories or information that is not related to the search subject but is too good to pass up. Such is the case with this story adapted from Ralph C. Taylor’s book Colorado, South of the Border (Sage Press, 1963).
In 1868, W.T. “Tom” Sharp built an adobe trading post near the mining town of Malachite in Huerfano County, Colorado Territory. Sharp’s Post became known as Buzzard’s Roost Ranch for the large birds that frequented the cottonwood trees nearby. Ouray and Chipeta, along with their family group, often visited the area in late summer to hunt and to trade with “Sharpy.” The two men and their wives became friends. On one visit, Chipeta gave Mrs. Sharp a gift of beaded moccasins made from fawn skin with elk hide soles.
Taylor tells about a horse race that took place after a hunt near Buzzard’s Roost. Ouray sent word as far away as Pueblo that there would be a horse race at the Francisco Manzanares Ranch. The Utes would pit one of their horses against the best horse the white men could bring.
Manzanares asked Tom Sharp to serve as judge for the race. When Sharp agreed, Manzanares offered him a cow if he would decide the race in favor of the Utes. It was sure to be a popular event with heavy betting. If the Utes won, they would have money to spend in the trading post. Sharp said “no”. Manzanares offered two cows. Sharp was so offended he threatened to whip Manzanares for trying to bribe him.
On race day, people came from long distances to bet cash and property. When it was time to choose a judge, the white participants suggested a man called Baldy Scott. Ouray said, “I want my friend Sharpy.” The surprised white crowd happily accepted Ouray’s choice of one of their own. The race was run and the two horses crossed the finish line almost neck and neck. The white crowd called for a “tied” decision. But Sharp had watched carefully and called the race as he saw it. “It is the Indian’s race,” he said.
Afterward, Sharp learned that Ouray had put Manzanares up to the bribery attempt in order to test Sharp’s honesty.
An Honest Man
Most Influential Coloradoans
In 1999 the Rocky Mountain News, NEWS4 and the Colorado Historical Society jointly sponsored a project to identify the 50 most influential people in Colorado History. The Rocky’s Research Librarian, Carol Kasel, compiled the names in consultation with a panel of specialists assembled by the historical society. The list was published December 19, 1999.
Here is the entry (although Ouray gets the attention):
Ouray (1833-1880) — Ute chief, man of peace. He and wife Chipeta personified destruction of Indian way of life in Colorado. They sought good relations between Indians and whites but were spurned by both groups. Ouray died same year Utes concluded agreement with U.S. government that resulted in their forced relocation to reservations.
A Family Character Becomes A Book
Gayle Gresham offers a guest post that follows the theme of genealogy as research training ground for writers.
Thanks for inviting me, Cynthia. I caught the genealogy bug at a young age when my parents drove to Fairplay, Colorado searching for tidbits in newspapers about my g-g-grandfather, Wilburn Christison, who was a judge there in the 1880’s. Later, I wrote a paper for my Colorado history class about his son, Ernest Christison, who was a cattle rustler. Another history class taught me how to research primary sources and I was hooked for life.
Tracking down the elusive ancestor gives me a thrill, but what I really love is getting to know that person. To me, it’s not about how far back I can go or how many charts I can complete. Instead, I want to put flesh on the bones; I want to know everything about that person and what made him or her tick. Perhaps this is where genealogy tips over into historical research.
I’m fascinated with connections. For example, Wilburn Christison had an Indian trading post at Cash Creek and his obituary mentioned that Chief Colorow and Chief Saguache were his friends. These connections weren’t just a one-time deal, but lifetime relationships. They experienced good times and bad times together. I want to know more.
My years of genealogical research resulted in a desire to share what I’ve discovered. I am writing a book about Ernest Christison, the cattle rustler, and I have plans to write one about Wilburn Christison. I will also be presenting a paper, “The Cash Creek Miners” at the Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium in Colorado Springs on Saturday June 6, 2009. Visit my blog http://ColoradoReflections.blogspot.com to learn more about my family history journey and to find research tips for Colorado family history.
