Chief Sapiah was the leader of the
Southern Ute tribe from 1880 until his death in 1936. He was born around
1840 in the Ute lands before settlements. He was recognized as Chief of the
Mauche and Servero Bands and Principal Chief of the Capote. He
succeeded Chief Ouray as the official treaty negotiator. He learned English and
took the "white man's name" Charles Buck, but he was best
known as Buckskin Charley. He led the rescue of women and children who were
abducted during the Meeker massacre. In 1890, he was given the Rutherford
Hayes Indian Peace Medal by President Benjamin Harrison. He rode with Geronimo
in Theodore Roosevelt's 1905 Inaugural Parade. His son, Antonio Buck Sr.,
succeeded him as hereditary chief and became the first elected chairman of the
Southern Ute tribe. Fred sent
this wonderful card to me. Thank you Fred for the nice stamps on the card. They have an historical background too.
