Posey: A Leader of the Witapunuche Utes (continued)

A Tribute to Posey: He Was a Good Man

This is the sign erected by the Boy Scouts which marks the beginning of the Posey Trail. (Janet Wilcox photo.)

Some people would have called Posey an ecologist. He was strongly concerned about the preservation of the Ute lands. (McPherson 234) He died in defense of his people and their homeland. Shortly after his conflict--called by many "The Last Indian Uprising in America"--the Utes were granted permission to remain in Utah. The Utes were allowed to stay in the sacred homeland they had fought for, for more than fifty years. They defeated every foe who threatened to remove them. The Avikan Utes had won the war, even though their leader was dead. (Bronson, The Victory Trail Utes)

In most accounts written of "The Posey War," Posey is seen as a culprit, whether he was or not. He was blamed if anything was stolen, killed, or molested. He was often involved in skirmishes involving Anglos and Indians. Despite his reputation, many white settlers had something good to say about him. Albert R. Lyman, the first settler of Blanding, stated, "In spite of his unorthodox notions and habits, I did not regard him as a bad man. he was not bad at heart. Deep in his...soul were the intrinsic elements of manhood--courage, loyalty, and love." (Lyman Epilogue) However, in the eyes of many Anglos, Posey was regarded as a bad man, primarily because he was not afraid to fight for what he wanted and what he believed in. (Bronson, interview 8)

Many interviews conducted with those who knew Posey described him as a "caring" individual. The following statements gathered through oral interviews with Ute people over the past three years describe Posey this way:

Arthur Dutchie: "Posey raised me. He was like a father to me. He taught me to be a good person." (Dutchie)

According to Chester Cantsee, a nephew of Posey: "Posey was not a trouble maker like white people say he was." (Cantsee, Chester)

Myers Cantsee added, "He was like a Moses and a Savior of his people." (Cantsee, Myers)

Posey's heritage began with pride in learning about his Indian culture, skills, and traditions. Throughout his life he was looked upon as a leader of the Utes. He not only received the respect of his people but in turn gave respect and support to his people. (Bronson, The Victory Trail Utes)

The battles in which he was involved, both in his early years and in adulthood, including the one which ended in his death, were participated in by Posey because of his love for his people and his love for his homeland. He was feared by the white settlers in San Juan County because he aggressively tried to hold on to the land which he claimed for his people in order that they could continue to live there for future generations. The love he had for his people seemed to stand out over all other characteristics. (Bronson, The Victory Trail Utes)

Tonya Morris says,

"I am proud to say that Posey was my great-great-grandfather. He was an honorable and great warrior. He had a tremendous amount of power and influence and used that to defend his people and their lands. The white settlers could not understand why Posey refused to go to the reservation of Colorado, but he refused to relinquish his freedom of movement for the '$15 plus rations promised to the residents of the reservation.' (O'Neil) Through his persistence and determination, he won for his people their sacred homeland. The war was finally over!"