50 YEARS AGO

September 9, 1971 – As any youngster raised on Vinegar Hill can tell you, the “Old Indian Chief” lies buried underneath an ancient boxelder tree. His grave is covered with large stones to assure that no marauding coyote will dig up his bones. Who was the Indian? No one is sure. The story we liked best in our childhood was that this was the grave of Chief Ouray’s father. Ninety to 95 years ago when the white man settled the Ouray valley, he built his homes high on Vinegar ...