This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: cbliley Surnames: Bliley Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.colorado.counties.rioblanco/14.18.20.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Greetings: (I presume the author from the White River Museum to be Ardith Douglass.) Thank you for the reply and research. over the years, the mystery of my grandfather fighting in the Ute Indian War of 1879 has been slowly lifted. I am not at a point where I can close the door on the research and say I know all of the pertinent facts. I do not, but clarity has been coming along, albeit slowly--measure that in years. In the last year, I have learned there were two conflicts between the Ute Indians and the white settlers of various scales; each was called a "war". I have also found a contemporary reference in a letter written by my grandfather by Frank's sister to him in Aspen, CO in March of 1887 asking on behalf of his mother, not to participate in the campaign. She wrote: "Mother wanted me to write you she don't want you to Volunteer don't join any there company & let the Indians alone you only would be running big chances with your life." [Punctuation as found in letter.] >From reference to this "war" in 1887, it is possible my grandfather joined the forces who went from Aspen to White River to protect the town from any possible Indian attack on the town. An attack did not happen, but apparently he volunteered for that group. Further research is needed. The authors of Frank's obituary did their research and found only one Ute "war" of 1879 and assumed that was the date he was in Colorado. Unfortunately, the newspaper inadvertently transposed the last two digits of the date and presented us with the first major misdirection. I have posted my research and comments on the letter on my family history site at Bliley.net/family/FA_Bliley/Ute/. As it frequently goes, there is always a seed of truth in any family legend, but finding that seed and nurturing it into a real story is another thing. ;-) Thank you for your help. :-) Chuck Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.