Massacre: The Tragedy at White River (Colorado, 1879) recounts the violent events surrounding the White River Massacre, a critical and tragic episode in the history of the Ute people and their interactions with Euro-American settlers in Colorado. The book examines the circumstances leading up to the attack, including tensions over land, resources, and federal policies toward Indigenous populations, as well as the broader context of Ute displacement in the late 19th century.
Through a combination of historical records, eyewitness accounts, and analysis, the narrative reconstructs the events of 1879, highlighting the human cost of conflict, the vulnerability of the Ute communities, and the social and political forces at play. The book also explores the aftermath, including the impact on survivors, subsequent U.S. government actions, and the legacy of the massacre in regional memory.
Intended for historians, students, and general readers, this work provides a detailed and sobering account of a pivotal moment in Colorado and Ute history, emphasizing the consequences of colonial expansion and the struggles of Indigenous peoples to preserve their lands and lives.