Alan Todd

In September 1879, the White River Ute Indians, a group coalesced from the Yampa and Parianuche tribes, were encamped at the White River Agency under the direction of their fifth U. S. Indian Agent, Nathan Meeker. Previous attempts to “civilize” and transform the Utes from hunters to agriculturalists had failed, yet Meeker was certain he could achieve the goal. This is Part Four of the bloody incident known as the Meeker Massacre that accelerated the forfeiture of Ute land and their removal from Colorado.

In September 1879, the White River Ute Indians, a group coalesced from the Yampa and Parianuche tribes, were encamped at the White River Agency under the direction of their fifth U.

In September 1879, the White River Ute Indians, a group coalesced from the Yampa and Parianuche tribes, were encamped at the White River Agency under the direction of their fifth U. S. Indian Agent, Nathan Meeker. Previous attempts to “civilize” and transform the Utes from hunters to agriculturalists had failed, yet Meeker was certain he could achieve the goal. This is Part Six of the bloody incident known as the Meeker Massacre that accelerated the forfeiture of Ute land and their removal from Colorado.

Ute Chief Douglass, who took Indian Agent Nathan Meeker's wife, daughter and several other prisoners after the Utes massacred the Agency whites at White River, was the only Ute to serve any punishment at the hands of the U.S. government. He developed a sullen and irritable nature due to the way he was treated by whites and Utes after the massacre in 1879.

Of the early western mountain men whose names are more recognizable, such as Kit Carson, Jim Baker and Jim Bridger, Col. Albert Pfeiffer is a lesser known figure. His story is one of survival, revenge and, perhaps, embellishment. This is Part Three of the story of the man who they say died serving his country, yet spent many of his days fighting any Indian he could other than a Ute. Note: I have not cleansed any of the language of the day.

The demographic of the western Kansas Territory (eastern Colorado) during the gold rush of 1859 was wide and varied in background with one exception: a lack of women. Frank Hall wrote about it in his four-part “History of the State of Colorado,” first published in 1886. It's a self-explanatory description of the makeup of the non-native population of the westward intrusion on the high plains.

Immigrants into eastern Colorado in 1859 - what was then western Kansas Territory – were attracted by the flourish of reports of gold! gold! gold! Agricultural prospects were slim, it was determined, except for the few slivers of promising soil along river beds.

The town of Rico, Colorado, like many mountain mining towns, was considered to be the next El Dorado. Incorporated in 1879, the town blossomed like wildflowers after a summer rain. Following are newspaper reports on the early days of Rico.This is Part One of early newspaper accounts of the rapid growth of Rico.

Musings From Ouray by Alan Todd The town of Rico, Colorado, like many mountain mining towns, was considered to be the next El Dorado.

Musing From Ouray by Alan Todd Gus Begole and the founding of Ouray