The Utes of western Colorado and eastern Utah had always been a warlike
people, living by hunting and raiding since they didn't grow much of their
own food. As the white man's civilization took roots and began spreading
through San Juan County and pressure of encroachment built up, the incidents
of Indian depredations increased. The Utes felt that anything owned by
white man was fair game.
Cause of 1915
Indian War
Unarmed and without the slightest show of strength, Hugh L. Scott accomplished what had been predicted he could not do--he talked Tse-nagat as well as Old Posey, the leader of the band of Indians in the 1915 Indian war, Posey's son, Jess, and old Poke, Tse-nagat's father, into surrendering. Scott told the story this way:
 |
| Ute captives, taken during 1915 Bluff skirmish. Men are handcuffed on front row. (Back row) Williard Butt, Gene Powell, Kumen Jones, Joe Hammond, Jackrabbit, Poke, Henry Ince. (Front row) Havone, Bruno Segara, Jackrabbit Soldier, Norey. Though not pictured, Posey was also involved in the War of 1915. (Ray Redd family photo.) |
Jim Boy, a friendly Paiute, was sent out to tell the Paiutes that I wanted to see them. Some of them came near where I was camped but it wasn't until the third day that anyone dared to come to the camp. Posey and four other Indians then came in. We talked a little through a Navajo interpreter. It was in the evening, and I just asked them how they were. I told them I did not feel very well and did not want to talk to them until the next day. They helped us kill a beef and we gave them a good meal, the first they had in weeks. We also gave them some blankets. Posey and his men didn't have any weapons, but I have reason to suspect that they had hidden them nearby.
The next day Poke and Hatch and about 25 others came to see me. I asked them to tell me their troubles. I said that I didn't think they would like to have their children chased by soldiers and cowboys all over the mountains and killed and that I wanted to help them. I didn't try to push the matter with them but asked them what they wanted to do. After they had talked among themselves, they said they would do anything I wanted them to do."
 |
 |
| Anson Cantsee, known as Scotty, Posey, and Governor Mabey, 1913. (Utah State Historical Society photo.) | Anson Cantsee as he appeared in the 1950's. Anson was Posey's half brother. (Bruce Hurst photo.) |
After they arrived in Moab, Utah, on horseback, they rested at the home of Mrs. Garrity. Scott and his prisoners caused a sensation in Moab where they remained until the next afternoon. A band of reporters and spectators came to watch the sideshow affair. The Indians consented to pose for pictures, especially when they were given a few packages of cigarettes and a 50-cent piece. The Indians gazed with amazement at the wagon without horse or mules that had arrived to take them to Thompson. The evening soon set in, and the party bedded down in the Thompson Hotel.
 |
| Ute prisoners arrested in San Juan County and taken by wagon to Thompson, Utah and put on train for Salt Lake City after the Indian War of 1915. Lorenzo Creel (guide), Colonel Michie, General Scott, Aquilla Nebaker with camera, Poke, Posey, Tse-Ne-Gat (Hatch), A.B. Apperson (Superintendent of D&RG Railroad), woman on train is Mrs. Martin. The Indians got up early Wednesday morning March 24, 1915, in anticipation of the train ride, but when it arrived, the four Indians were a bit timid about boarding. Bob Martin, a Navajo interpreter, who trained at the military academy in Hampton, Virginia, served as guide and was the first one on board. (Utah State Historical Society photo.) |
A big surprise came to them when they had breakfast on the diner. They had never dreamed that they could eat in comfort and luxury while moving at such a speed. They enjoyed the huge steaks, which Martin ordered for them, a treat they had never had before.
After breakfast, they were taken to the smoking compartment, where they had their cigarettes. There another treat greeted them. Their eyes were wide open in interest as a passenger was washing his hands and face. The water taps were a great source of curiosity. They were all excited and eager to try the new device. Somehow they did not think they could get the fun of seeing it work without having to wash. One by one they proceeded to remove their coats and wash. As soon as they got through, they repeated the operation. The lavatory soon was becoming a pool from all of the splashing the Indians were doing. They were then escorted to the private car of A.B. Apperson, general superintendent of the railroad. Apperson presented each with a cigar. Although the Indians had smoked cigarettes for years, this was the first time they had tried cigars. The Indians puffed the big cigars with great delight as was shown by their broad grins. As soon as they finished with them, Posey made it known that they wouldn't be offended if the treat were repeated.
All day long, the Indians smoked cigars which Apperson supplied. He carried only the finest 25 cent cigars, and during the course of the day, the Indians each smoked about $2 worth of cigars. One person commented to Scott that if he entertained Indians again on his private car, he would have a box of the nickel variety on hand.
The Indians sat on lavish chairs at the rear of the veranda of the private car, while Martin pointed out places of interest. The Indians were a little afraid of the tunnels at first, but finally got used to them.
Posey's boy (Jess) was a picture of terror when a passing train tooted its whistle. He started to climb over the others to escape this new source of fright.
At 2:40 p.m., the train eased into the station at Salt Lake City to meet a crowd of 5,000 curious people, all anxious to get a look at the Indians.
The Indians were taken to the county jail, where they found four Indian prisoners who had been brought from Bluff a month earlier. After a few days, Tse-nagat was taken out and sent to Denver for trial where he was acquitted. The remaining Indians were persuaded to sign a somber legal document in which they promised to return to the reservation and become good citizens. They were then released to the custody of agents Creel and Jenkins.
For the next two days, the Indians were given the grand tour of Salt Lake. They were taken on rides in electric cars and automobiles. Lights were explained to them and they were taught about telephones. All the witchcraft of civilization was displayed to their wondering eyes. They were taken to the movies where ghosts of men and women walked before them with the realism of life. They were taken to the top of the Walker Bank Building on Main Street and gazed at the small people below. They went to Fort Douglas where they were shown a cannon and machine gun in action.
The Indians went back home, but trouble broke out again in 1923, ending that year when Old Posey led what was to be called "the last Indian War" in America.
Return to Posey's Table of Contents
