Owner and Submitter
Gladys Tovrea-Brandstoettner
wbrand@gj.net
Photo History
CAPTION:
Reburial of Chief Ouray, Chief of the Utes-photo taken 1925 by
Leland Carl Tovrea age 9.
Dad took this in Ignacio, La Plata County, during
the reburial of Chief Ouray with his newly purchased brownie that
he worked so hard for. Chief Ouray's body was originally
buried, wrapped a blanket, in a cave in 1880. Only three
people knew where he his body lay. Forty five years later
the US Government wanted to create a memorial to the great leader
and, Chief Colorow, the only survivor who knew where his body
was, informed the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the location. The
US Government retrieved the remains and held a
"Christian" funeral with many dignitaries
attending. Since Chief Ouray was raised Catholic, but
converted to Protestantism in his later life, his body was laid
to rest "half on the Catholic side, and half on the
Protestant side' in Ignacio Cemetery, Ignacio, La Plata County,
Colorado.
On the back of the photo it names the following as
being in Chief Ouray's cortege:
Tony Buck (son of Charlie), Chief Buckskin Charlie
and wife, and Chief Colorow.
Click on Full Photo below for the enlarged photo.
Colorado
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