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Posey: The Last Indian War
The exciting historical account of the 1923 Indian war in southern Utah
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2007
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 2, 2022
The repeated use of the term "squaw" is extremely irritating. Pictures are great, running narrative gets as boring as the biblical "begats" in places. A very obvious bend toward the white view.
December 25, 2014
My grandfather was a young boy living in Bluff, Utah during the time when Posey was shot. He told me he had limited memory of the event. I always wanted to find out more about the story, so when I saw this book at Arches National Park bookstore I bought it.
This book tells of the events from around 1879 to the last skirmish between the settlers and the Indians in 1923 in the four corners area (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona) of the Western United States. It deals specifically with the relationship between the white settlers (Mormons, cattleman, and law men) and the Indians (Paiutes and Southern Utes) and depicts the many conflicts between these two groups.
I loved the many pictures and newspaper articles in the book that added to the narrative of the story. The quality of some of the pictures was lacking and might have been to the age and condition of the original pictures (I hope it was not do due poor quality of printing.) I thought the topic of the book was well researched by the two authors. A thorough knowledge of the area and people was displayed.
I thought at times the writing was lacking with two much reliance on newspaper articles to tell the story rather than using the research to supplement the story narrative. Also, I felt that one of the authors (Dr. Lacy) placed too much importance upon his ancestors in the area, which did not add to the overall development of the story.
Overall I enjoyed this book about a time and area that has been of interest to me. I appreciate individuals like the authors who create fine regional histories of interesting and culturally significant events.
I recommend this history to those who have an interest in the west and specifically the area of Southeastern Utah and the four corners areas during the late 19th and early 20th century. Also, to those who are interested in relationship between white settlers and the indigenous people of the area including the role that United State government played in establishing reservations and trying to support the Indians (which I might say was a great disservice to the Indians and has brought about many of the issues that Native Americans are dealing with today.)
This book tells of the events from around 1879 to the last skirmish between the settlers and the Indians in 1923 in the four corners area (Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona) of the Western United States. It deals specifically with the relationship between the white settlers (Mormons, cattleman, and law men) and the Indians (Paiutes and Southern Utes) and depicts the many conflicts between these two groups.
I loved the many pictures and newspaper articles in the book that added to the narrative of the story. The quality of some of the pictures was lacking and might have been to the age and condition of the original pictures (I hope it was not do due poor quality of printing.) I thought the topic of the book was well researched by the two authors. A thorough knowledge of the area and people was displayed.
I thought at times the writing was lacking with two much reliance on newspaper articles to tell the story rather than using the research to supplement the story narrative. Also, I felt that one of the authors (Dr. Lacy) placed too much importance upon his ancestors in the area, which did not add to the overall development of the story.
Overall I enjoyed this book about a time and area that has been of interest to me. I appreciate individuals like the authors who create fine regional histories of interesting and culturally significant events.
I recommend this history to those who have an interest in the west and specifically the area of Southeastern Utah and the four corners areas during the late 19th and early 20th century. Also, to those who are interested in relationship between white settlers and the indigenous people of the area including the role that United State government played in establishing reservations and trying to support the Indians (which I might say was a great disservice to the Indians and has brought about many of the issues that Native Americans are dealing with today.)
August 9, 2010
When I was a young girl my family owned an Album by Utah Folk Singer Stan Bronson. He wrote and sang songs about life in the Four Corner's area. One of my favorite songs was one about Posey a renegade Paiute and his bride Toorah. At the end of this ballad Posey is shot, he takes a rather rugged trail into the mountains and hides until he dies. As he passes from this life he hears his Toorah call his name. I loved this song because of the romantic story between Posey and his Bride. It also helped that this story takes place in my native state of Utah. (A Jeep Safari is available to ride Posey's trail and see the place where the famous Paiute died)
My father-in-law was reading this book about Posey one day at his house so I asked him if I could borrow it. I must say that the life of William Posey was not near as romantic as the ballad, but it was interesting to read the factual accounts, newspaper clippings and look at the pictures. It was a lot different than my young girl romantic mind imagined. Apparently the war with Posey was the last one fought in this area. During this last disagreement that Posey had with the settler's in Southern Utah he was shot in the buttocks, gangrene set in and that's what he died of. Some of the rider's from the Posse were sent out to make sure Posey was really dead. They found him and buried him out there on the hillside. I found the book quite interesting.
My father-in-law was reading this book about Posey one day at his house so I asked him if I could borrow it. I must say that the life of William Posey was not near as romantic as the ballad, but it was interesting to read the factual accounts, newspaper clippings and look at the pictures. It was a lot different than my young girl romantic mind imagined. Apparently the war with Posey was the last one fought in this area. During this last disagreement that Posey had with the settler's in Southern Utah he was shot in the buttocks, gangrene set in and that's what he died of. Some of the rider's from the Posse were sent out to make sure Posey was really dead. They found him and buried him out there on the hillside. I found the book quite interesting.
July 16, 2012
Well researched and full of great photos and details. This was for research, for a future book. Well worth the time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews