Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1879 — How Indians Conduct Races in Colorado. [ARTICLE]

How Indians Conduct Races in Colorado.

Correspondence of the Little Bock Gazette. Learning from Charlie and Ingler, Chiefs of the Menacbe and Capote bands of Ute Indians, that they were going to run their horses against the Weinmanuches of the same tribe, I accepted their invitation and rode out to their track one pleasant afternoon about three weeks ago, and became a spectator of some of the fairest and most quietly-conducted horse-racing I ever witnessed. The track is a straight stretch of perhaps a mile in length. On opposite sides of the outcome the head men of the opposing bands seat themselves upon the ground in a circle, pass from hand to hand the pipe, from which each in suooeeeion putts a blue wreath of smoke. And while this fa going on a horse fa ridden from one side by a nearly naked Indian boy and slowly guided down the track, and as he leaves the stand one of. his backers rises from the group in council, and brings forward close to the track such articles as he desires so wager on the horse—blankets, skins, furs, fancy clothing and ornaments, guns, saddles and silver dollars—throwing all together on the ground in plain view of of the other side who at once advance , a like number of articles in a pile on their side of the track. Another barelegged Indian boy fa mounted and started down the track. The two riders turn at a point designated by the owners at the head of the track, and without any one to give the word the start fa made, and if both are satisfied the race fa ran, otherwise both go back, and when both are satisfied the first out fa the winner. The man of the winning side walks across the track, gathers the stakes and returns unquestioned. Four times I saw the Weinmanuche man walk to the side of the Menaches and Capotes and bear off their most valuable prises, while no word of complaint arpse from the losers, and but few signs of exultation were exhibited by the winner*. These contests have been renewed every week since, until the Menaches and Capotes have lost nearly all their valuables, and they are now looking for a horse with which to win back their goods and chattels. If you would relish food, lab n r for it before you take It; If to eojo " clothing, pay for it before you w.f ar It; If you would sleep soundly, tak clear conscience to bed with you.