Chico Velasquez facts for kids

Chico Velasquez (died 1854) was an important leader of the Jicarilla Apache and Ute people. He was first closely connected with the Jicarilla Apache. Some people blamed him for attacks on Americans during the early Jicarilla War.

In 1850, Velasquez met with American leaders. He promised not to fight against Americans or Mexicans. By 1854, he was working with David Meriwether, who was the American governor of New Mexico. Velasquez helped him find stolen American livestock. As a reward for helping to find a person wanted by the law, Velasquez received a special embroidered coat. However, that coat and blankets given to the Ute people were infected with smallpox. This disease sadly killed Velasquez and many other Ute people. It was also one of the reasons for the Fort Pueblo Massacre.

Who Was Chico Velasquez?

Chico Velasquez is often called a Ute leader. But some historians think he was actually Jicarilla Apache. He spent the first part of his life closely linked with the Jicarilla. Governor David Meriwether knew Velasquez well. Meriwether believed Velasquez was of Jicarilla origin. Also, taking a Spanish name like Velasquez was not common among the Ute people.

The Jicarilla War started in New Mexico in 1849. Americans saw Velasquez as a strong and active Native American chief. He was accused of being involved in the 1849 killing of an American doctor, Benjamin J. Kern. However, Mexican muleteers were also blamed for this. American army officer Major John Greiner also blamed Velasquez for attacks on two groups of settlers traveling in wagon trains. American Major Benjamin Lloyd Beall and his scout Kit Carson tracked Velasquez's group twice. But they never managed to fight them.

In 1850, Velasquez met a Canadian trader named Auguste Lacome near Culebra Peak. Lacome said that Velasquez's clothing was decorated in a way that showed his past conflicts. Lacome thought Velasquez had been raiding wagon trains with the Apaches.

Working with the Ute and Fort Pueblo

By 1850, Velasquez became more connected with the Ute people. He and seven Ute chiefs met with American leaders. They promised not to fight against American or Mexican citizens again. Velasquez met with Governor Meriwether several times in the early 1850s. He was promised food and supplies.

However, these supplies often did not arrive. Velasquez was also upset because American authorities encouraged settlers to move into the San Luis Valley. In 1853, Velasquez's group was involved in the robbery of some Americans. The American Indian agent for the Utes, a Mr. Graves, complained to Meriwether. He believed a war against the Ute was unavoidable. Meriwether agreed and even thought he might have to kill Velasquez.

Despite these tensions, Velasquez later worked for Meriwether. He helped to get back stolen horses and cattle. On March 5, 1854, Velasquez returned 200 cattle that had been stolen from Fort Union. This was the same day Lobo Blanco was killed fighting US Dragoons. Some people at the time thought Velasquez had left the Jicarilla at the right moment. This helped him avoid being targeted by the Americans. After this, he became chief of the Jicarilla. By this time, Americans saw the Utes, whom Velasquez had led in a policy of "peace, justice and trade," as mostly peaceful compared to the Apache.

Velasquez and Ute leader Tamouche searched for a wanted person. They turned him over to the Americans. As a reward, Velasquez received a gray coat with red and yellow trim. This happened at a meeting in October 1854 at Abiquiú. The coats, and blankets given to other chiefs at the meeting, were infected with smallpox. The disease severely affected the Ute people in the San Luis Valley. All the chiefs who had attended the meeting at Abiquiú, including Velasquez, died from smallpox.

The smallpox incident at Abiquiú was likely an accident. But the Ute people who survived believed they had been targeted. This led to more aggressive leaders gaining power. The smallpox also caused starvation. The Utes then started raiding cattle. One American trader was killed near Apache Creek. The Utes then attacked Fort Pueblo on December 25, 1854. They killed many people living there. Attacks continued for about a year after the attack before peace was made. Velasquez's successor as chief of the Ute was Ka-ni-ache, who was also a moderate leader. It is possible that a Miguel Velasquez, listed in Ute Indian Agency records, was Velasquez's son.