Volume 10 , Issue 36

The Winning of the Spring

The following was found in the book, Pioneers of San Juan Country, page 130, by the Sarah Platt Decker Chapter NSDAR. It is entitled, "The Winning of the Spring," arranged by Josie M. Crum, and referring to Pagosa Springs

"Near the Pagosa Hot Springs in 1866 a clash took place between the Utes and Navajos over possession of the great spring. The battle was a stalemate, so it was decided that each side should choose a representative -- the two to settle the issue by personal combat. The Navajos produced a powerful man, but the Utes had no warrior to equal him.

Finally, Colonel Albert H. Pfeiffer, who was with the Utes, offereed himself but, in order that there might be no concealed weapons, stipulated that both combatants should enter the ring stark naked, each armed only with a bowie knife. Colonel Pfeiffer was much the smaller of the two, but with the skill of an expert, cast the deadly bowie and killed his opponent. The Navajos withdrew and the spring was won for the Utes."
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