Jesse Ray Ward
Encyclopedia
Jesse Ray "J. Ray" Ward was a United States Marshal in the closing years of the Old West
period. He was a Mormon
who lived in southern Utah
and was involved in the Posey War
of 1923.
in Ogden
. In February of 1923, two young Ute natives robbed a ranch at Cahone Mesa, Utah. The two boys later surrendered to the local sheriff
at Blanding
but on the first day of their trial, March 20, an incident arose which escalated into the so called Posey War, the last Indian uprising in American history. The Ute boys fled Blanding with the help of their chief
, an old man named Posey
, who led his people to Comb Ridge
. During the ensuing battle and the days immediately afterward, Posey was wounded and his band was captured by a posse
. Chief Posey escaped though, but he died a few days later from his wounds. Marshal Ward was the one Governor Charles Mabey sent to identify Posey's remains when it was found in Comb Wash. Ward buried the chief's body and tried to hide the grave but local settlers exhumed Posey's body at least twice in order to take pictures with it.
Marshal Ward died at the age of forty-two on April 15, 1928. While driving an automobile
to West Jordan
from Bingham, Ward crashed his car at a turn in the road near 4000 West and Old Bingham Highway. Ward's vehicle left the road, struck a utility pole and turned over. Ward died instantly from injuries to his head and chest. He left a wife and four children and is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A bronze name plaque was later created for his memory, sponsored by Ellis and Katie Ivory.
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
period. He was a Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
who lived in southern Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and was involved in the Posey War
Posey War
The Posey War, also known as the Last Indian Uprising and several other names, occurred in March of 1923 and may be considered the final Indian War in American history. Though it was a minor conflict, it involved a mass exodus of Ute and Paiute native Americans from their land around Bluff, Utah to...
of 1923.
Biography
Ward was born in Utah in 1886, then part of the American frontier. He was appointed Marshal of Utah in 1921 after serving as commissioner of public safetyCommissioner of Public Safety
The Commissioner of Public Safety heads one of the departments in those local governments in New Jersey that operate under the Walsh Act form of municipal governance. This is a standalone position in Walsh Act municipalities with a five-member commission...
in Ogden
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
. In February of 1923, two young Ute natives robbed a ranch at Cahone Mesa, Utah. The two boys later surrendered to the local sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
at Blanding
Blanding, Utah
Blanding is a city in San Juan County, Utah, United States. The population was 3,162 at the 2000 census, making it the most populated city in San Juan County. It was settled in the late 19th century by Mormon settlers, predominantly from the famed Hole-In-The-Rock expedition...
but on the first day of their trial, March 20, an incident arose which escalated into the so called Posey War, the last Indian uprising in American history. The Ute boys fled Blanding with the help of their chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
, an old man named Posey
Posey
A posey can be a small flower bouquet.As a surname it is of French and English origins, originating and or derived from the Greek word Desposyni.People whose surname is or was Posey include:*Posey - Paiute chief, lived 1860s to 1923...
, who led his people to Comb Ridge
Comb Ridge
Comb Ridge is a linear north to south-trending monocline nearly 120 miles long in southeast Utah and Arizona. Composed of Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone, it displays massive eolian cross-bedding....
. During the ensuing battle and the days immediately afterward, Posey was wounded and his band was captured by a posse
Posse comitatus (common law)
Posse comitatus or sheriff's posse is the common-law or statute law authority of a county sheriff or other law officer to conscript any able-bodied males to assist him in keeping the peace or to pursue and arrest a felon, similar to the concept of the "hue and cry"...
. Chief Posey escaped though, but he died a few days later from his wounds. Marshal Ward was the one Governor Charles Mabey sent to identify Posey's remains when it was found in Comb Wash. Ward buried the chief's body and tried to hide the grave but local settlers exhumed Posey's body at least twice in order to take pictures with it.
Marshal Ward died at the age of forty-two on April 15, 1928. While driving an automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
to West Jordan
West Jordan, Utah
West Jordan is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. West Jordan is a rapidly growing suburb of Salt Lake City and has a mixed economy. According to the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 103,712, placing it as the fourth most populated in the state. The city occupies the...
from Bingham, Ward crashed his car at a turn in the road near 4000 West and Old Bingham Highway. Ward's vehicle left the road, struck a utility pole and turned over. Ward died instantly from injuries to his head and chest. He left a wife and four children and is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A bronze name plaque was later created for his memory, sponsored by Ellis and Katie Ivory.