2
Early Mission Discourses
All the scenes that Brother Lott has
recounted, I shared in. My brother Benjamin Lewis was killed in Missouri. The second time that I heard a
Mormon preach, he declared, holding up the Book of Mormon, that this was a
record of the red men, and of God's dealings with their fathers; and that we
should one day carry this work to the Indians, and we are now living among
them, to teach them of this work.
We must treat them like children, by
degrees, to quit their savage customs. Shall we have no opportunities? We shall.
No conquest without a struggle. No victory without a fight. Be diligent,
faithful, and patient, and the Lord will reward you when you have been proved.
Ephraim is the battle ax of the Lord.
May we not have been sent to learn and know how to use this ax with skill.
When I was a prisoner, I realized
Paul's experience, “amid perils among false brethren.” Then one who was
considered in peaceful times a good Mormon, became a traitor, and informed the
rebels of all that he knew. They became tired of his information and when
peaceful times came, he became a passable Mormon, and his children seem so too.
T. D. Brown wrote, "Brother Lewis recounted what had occurred in counsel on Sunday the 21st. Each prayed and Brother Allen said that Brother Lewis might now speak and free his mind. He then said, “I think that we ought to take a trip
south and see Toquer, the chief of the Paiede band, and see how Israel lies
scattered in the south. I heard that some Indians there were so poorly covered
they have never ventured out to see a white man. Also, to see that they managed
properly the seeds that we gave them, and to see their condition that we might
do the most good, and know how we could best provide for ourselves if we should
go there.
Our calling requires us to know the
mind of the Spirit of the Lord in all our moves in this mission, and to see and
judge for ourselves and not depend entirely on the testimony of others.” T. D. Brown noted, “Brother Atwood followed and agreed with Brother Lewis.
From President Young’s teachings, he felt the responsibility of this now
greater, being entirely upon us, and desired to accomplish all of the good that
we could. Brother Allen was glad to see that in good spirit and faith we wished
to do our duty and see this mission prosper but felt to defer this trip for a
few days, for our grain would require watering. If we went right off we would
have to hurry back. This he thought would satisfy the company.”
David added, "I would like to take a little corn seed, melon seed, etc., so that if we go again in the fall, we would have something to eat; and it would show the chiefs that we accept their offer to come and occupy their lands." T. D. Brown wrote, "Brother Allen objected to this because he thought it was too late. Brother Atwood was of the same mind. Brother Lewis repeated his conviction that this would be a loud sermon to Toquer that we were his friends." David continued, "Others had promised to come and open his lands and had not kept their word. If we go and take no seed, they would again feel disappointed."
T. D. Brown concluded, "Brother Allen, upon reconsidering, said that it could be done. Others would have to follow and they could attend to the watering of it, and the Indians would also likely help. Brother Brown said a beginning of this sort would please them and fulfill a promise. It was agreed that a company would start on Thursday if all of the missionaries approved."
I,
Samuel F. Atwood, Isaac Riddle, Ira Hatch, and Carlos Shirts started this
morning from camp to go south and visit the Indians, Toquer and his band.
This day, after passing over an
unbroken and rocky road down south, the Paiute Indians were camped on two
springs of good water. There were plenty of grape vines around and we called
these Grapevine Springs
We left an old Indian trail that
probably would have taken us to Santa Clara. Having no Indian guide, we turned
east in search of a trail. We then turned down a dry canyon for several miles
in a southwest direction. Here on the left, we found one mountain intermingled with
Isinglass (Feldspar or Mica?). Farther, we came upon two perpendicular rocks
several hundred feet square.
On this rock were many engravings of an
ancient date from appearance, images of men and beasts, and as it were an army
of men marching with weapons of war toward the West. Opposed to these stood
a man. He had both hands raised above his head as if he was asking for mercy of
these men. A river and a lake were also engraved on this rock, and a serpent coiled
up. This was about 3/4 of a mile off the Rio Virgin.
Finding the mountains too high to ascend and too close to the river to proceed, we turned near Grapevine Springs and took a southwest course following an
old Indian trail on a good road. We went 4 miles and camped for the night.
Today, we traveled two miles farther on and came to Quail Creek. We found some old quails with some young ones here. This creek runs into Cottonwood Creek and with it runs through a gap in the mountains about half a mile from our last night's encampment and empties into the Rio Virgin.
We saw the timber of
the Virgin but the mountain was too broken up here to approach it. We passed on
to it about 10 miles and found no arable land on this side, and from all appearances none on the other. We found the mountains converging southwards and no Indians or late signs of them. We found an Indian patch of one acre planted with wheat and corn, both in the hills. The corn was too thick. Around the corn and among it were many pumpkins, squash, etc., enough to cover the land had there been no corn.
I think farming land is scarce here and though some might be had on the benches, I fear that that water could not be taken to it. There was some cottonwood, a little ash, and low cedar, as well as many grape vines. The ouse, or oose, which the Indians say is very sweet, was mostly killed off by the frost; but some were as big as a large pumpkin.
We found many pieces of earthenware, well-colored and mathematically correct. We also found several petrified trees and wood, and this on top of a high mountain. The trunk, bark, and branches had all fallen and become rock! We started on our way home.
One of
the missionaries, Elder Robinson, wrote the following letter to his parents.
I have
been among the Indians on a mission...with Brother Lewis as our captain.... We
found some Indians who were tilling the earth.... They came up to shake
hands.... We told them what we came for: to learn their language and do them
good.
We sang
a hymn and prayed.... The Indians had heard that we baptized other Indians and
they wanted to be baptized, and to be Mormons. We baptized and confirmed eight,
and laid our hands on one old man for his health. Our captain spoke to them as
well as he could through one of our men, and told them that they were Mormons
now; that they must not steal but do as we told them, and the Lord would bless
them.
The next
morning we bid the Indians farewell and traveled...over rough country...until
we came to the wickiup of the ‘big chief,’ as the Indians call him. He came out
to meet us and showed us where to camp. He is about as large of an Indian as I
have seen in the nation. He is a stern, sober looking Indian, and looks as
though he would be a friend whilst friendly, and a fearful enemy while at
enmity....
We sang
and prayed, which we always did every night and morning. We told them that we
had come to learn their language, that we might be able to talk with them and
tell them many good things. We told them we had a book in our possession that
was the history of their fathers, and was written many years ago, and which
spoke about them; and that we would tell them more about the book when we could
speak to them. This seemed to please them, and gradually the stern and sullen
expression of the chief’s countenance gave way to a smile.
He
wanted to look at it. We showed him what it was; that it was plates of gold and
that this was the writing on paper. He seemed pleased. We spoke through one of
our men, who understands a little of the Indian language, to our guide, and
gave him a few leading items to tell the Indians.
He got
up and told them that the Great Shenowah, which means God, had told our great
captain to tell us to leave our squaws to come to them to do them good, and to
teach them how to work, and to build houses, and to be like Mormons. The chief
got up and said that he was friendly, and believed that we had come to do them
good, and believed that God did speak to our big captain. We sang and prayed,
laid hands on a little child, and then dismissed them.
The next
morning before the sun was up the chief came to us with a child for us to
bless. We did so. They have great faith in the laying on of hands, although
they knew nothing about it until we went among them. We...sang and prayed. They
delight in singing, which art they have lost. They do nothing but hum.
The
chief said he wanted to be baptized with many of his band. We baptized and
confirmed 66 that afternoon. We told them, through our guide, that they were
Mormons now; and that they must not steal from nor fight other Indians but be
good.
The next
day we baptized 15 more and confirmed them. We then formed a circle and Brother
Lewis stood in the middle and addressed them.
All were there that had been baptized
at this place. He said, ‘I wish that I could speak to you in your own language,
and be able to tell you who you are and where you came from.’ He told them to
be faithful and the Lord would bless them; their minds would be enlightened and
they would become like the Mormons, etc. He called for two volunteers to go to
the Muddy and tell the Indians there that we would come among them if they
wanted us to, and spoke many good things to them. We then told our guide and he
got up and told these things to them. They said, ‘Joy’, which means 'alright.'
The
chief got up and spoke very lengthy, exhorting his people to be faithful and
then calling for two volunteers to go to the Muddy. Two readily volunteered to
go. We then administered to a good many and then dismissed them. Night came on
and we were soon locked in the sweet embrace of slumber.
The next
morning, Brother Lewis requested me and another to go up with him to see the
chief. We were received kindly. We told him through our guide that we would
like him to let his children go to our schools, and learn to read and write; to
build houses, make farms, and live like us. He seemed to like the idea and said
that he wanted them to learn to sing, too, which he is very fond of. We left
him in good humor....
The next
morning as we were preparing to go, the Indians gathered around to bid us
goodbye. We shook hands and they looked sorrowful. We mounted and Brother Lewis
said, ‘Be good and don’t steal. Be faithful and the Lord will be good to you
and bless you.’
We rode
down the river, camped another night, and saw more Indians the next day.
Brother Lewis became sick through intense heat. Since our provisions were low,
we started home.... We saw some of the curious carvings of nature and returned
home to our wagons in safety.
5
Official
Indian Mission Journal Record
This
account was dictated by David to the mission recorder and sent to Brigham Young
by letter.
On
Monday, the 23rd of October, at 9 A.M., I, Samuel F. Atwood, Jacob
Hamblin, A. P. Hardy, Ira Hatch, C. Ames, and H. Burges of this mission, also
Peter Shirts and two Indian interpreters – Dick, or Queets, and Naghuts
(Mountain Sheep) – started southward intending to surround a district of
country from the headwaters of the Rio Virgin and the Sevier; from there east
and northward to Fish Lake near Parowan; and from there to return to this
place.
We
traveled from Old Harmony to Chief Toquer’s old wickiup and crossed the Rio
Virgin 20 miles south of there. We then took off in a southeast direction,
ascending a steep hill. Then after traveling on a level for ½ mile, we ascended
a second mountain, which was very steep and rocky. This was topped by a few
rods of level land.
Then
we ascended a third mountain, up all of which we had to lead our horses; and
after traveling 3 miles, we found ourselves at the foot of a mountain, higher
by some thousand feet than the elevated land we now occupied. Directing our
course a little southward for three miles, we came to a small stream of water
and nooned.
From
there, we traveled 10 miles due east and 2 miles south by a spring near the
base of the mountain where we camped. The perpendicular mountains on the north
and the lower ones on the south, between which we passed this day, are most
beautiful (the mountains on the north are Zion National Park) – lofty turrets;
temple spires; elevated ramparts; forts inaccessible; bastions and outworks
impregnable!* I regretted that my daguerreotype apparatus was not by, that you
might behold the likeness of nature’s grandeur in this southern land.
The
valleys are covered with good grass. The land is fertile, but water is scarce.
Pinion pines and scrubby cedar abound, upon the nuts of the former the Indians
at present chiefly subsist. We ate them and thought they were good. The Indians
willingly exchanged these with us for an equal measure of flour.
Rain
and snow fell this evening. Our third day’s journey of 20 miles was in a
similar course, only the mountains on our right declined – these are the
boundaries of the Rio Virgin head waters – and finally on our right, southward,
the landscape opened out to an extensive plain. The tops of our mountain seemed
far off in the south. The lofty mountains on our left divide the head waters of
the Rio Virgin from those of the Sevier. Traveling
this day was sandy, but the grass was good. We traveled 20 miles on the fourth
day over a similar soil. The grass was good, but there was no water. Our course
was southeast by east. We encamped on a good spring.
From
there, the Indians had fled on seeing us. We sent out one of our interpreters,
Dick, to hunt them up and bring them in. After sundown, we went out to look after
our horses and perceived an Indian approaching, apparently actuated by fear. We
encouraged him to approach. He found our other interpreter, Naghuts, his
brother.
Finding
that we were friends, he went out and brought in 7 other Indians. On the
morning following, another Indian and one squaw joined us. Some of our younger
brethren had rolled a few rocks down one of the neighboring mountains. Naghuts
came up to me, whispering as if he was afraid to disturb the dead. He said that
all of their squaws and many of the Indians had died lately, and that up there
among the rocks they had hid them. The disease from their description must have
been vomiting and the bloody flux. Only one squaw left among so many men!
There
was a heavy frost last night. The Indians left us in the morning to hunt up
some more, promising to return. This day, we went 10 miles a little north of
east. We found a little water and camped.
On
Saturday morning, our 6th day out, the weather was fine. Naghuts,
who had tarried with his friends at our last camping place, came up with 4 more
Indians. We traveled 10 miles northeast and came to a little water standing in
a ravine, and there we camped.
On
Sunday, the 29th of October and our 7th day out, I was sick so we
stopped. The morning was fine but cool. At 2 o’clock, we started and traveled
15 miles northeast. We didn’t stop until after sundown. We found a little water
standing in a hole and camped.
On
Monday the 30th, we came near the north end of the Buckskin
Mountains. We traveled 15 miles, mostly among cedars. There were many red
mountains on our left, about 15 miles off. We found some water by digging in a
ravine after we camped.
I,
Jacob Hamblin, and Peter Shirts, with our 2 Indian interpreters, went about 5
miles to a mountain the Indians call Panaker (i.e. iron). We brought back some
specimens, two of which have been sent to the editor of the news. The one seems
principally lead ore. The other perhaps contains antimony, quicksilver, and
lead. Others think they probably contain nickel or silver, as well as manganese
and other fused metals. Your city chemists perhaps have the means of testing
them?
Amongst
these mountains we also saw many specimens of fine earthenware. They were
well-glazed on both sides. They had a red body and were beautifully painted in
black and white in various figures – squares, angles, and circles. Here at some
former period must have been a busy population.
The
external appearance of these fused metals indicated rather the remains of some
extensive metal works than a portion of metallic strata that lies beneath the
surface undisturbed. Could so large a population as these appearances indicate
remain here without water? No. What changes then have occurred in these places?
Here also, we found large
specimens of petrified wood. There were almost entire trees as hard as stone. We
also found fine specimens of green paint; and beautiful red paint, which in my
opinion contains much quicksilver. We were here also near the large rocks of
fine salt – and beautiful marble of light green, dark and transparent, specimens
of which they brought us.
From
this point, we meant to have visited the Upper Colorado, lying southeast of the
Buckskin Mountains – near which the
Moqui tribe live. But having to feed our Indians and others, our provisions
would not hold out. They informed us that many of the Moqui had died. They
wished us to go over and see them.
They
said that they were very friendly to strangers and had plenty of sheep, and that
they would feed us well. They said that they made blankets and grew corn, beans,
pumpkins and squash. They also said that they had plenty of horses but no guns.
We
were but one step off of the bank and the water was up to our armpits. We were
now only about 110 miles from Parowan. On Tuesday, our ninth day out, we traveled
20 miles in a northwest course for the Panguitch, or Fish Lake.
Our
Indians discovered some fresh footprints of other Indians that were coming
towards us but had turned; and from the longer steps, had run backwards. They
went out to hunt them. After traveling many miles, they overtook them. They came
and piloted us to their wickiups. There were 9 Indians, 5 squaws, and 1 boy. Here,
we found water and plenty of grass.
This
day, we found beautiful mineral gravel. It was mostly round and polished and of
all sizes, but mostly of marble size. Some of our lead workers say this is
always found near lead mines.
Wednesday the 1st to
Friday the 3rd of November
We
travelled northwest over a rough and mountainous country. We first crossed
Albatpa, or great water – one branch of the Sevier. Eight miles further on we
came to another branch, the Paguimp, or west fork. The former was about 2 rods
wide and 2 feet deep. The other was a little narrower.
Here
was the finest specimen of tall pines in great abundance that I have ever seen;
and that at some period may be floated down, and the quantity inexhaustible.
Two of the Indians that we saw the day before came to us with venison to trade
for powder and lead.
We
arrived at Fish Lake; and 25 miles onward, after passing over some snow covered
mountains, arrived at Parowan.
Our
instructions to those Indians were different from those given to them on the
Santa Clara. The latter were busily employed cultivating the soil, and were
content only requiring some farming tools and instructions on the use of them.
They also wanted some winter houses to make them happier for the present and
still more content.
Those
on this new route knew nothing of work and could not cultivate land profitably,
water being scarce. We counseled them to gather into settlements, learn to
work, and get good clothing and better food.
*This description was
added by Brother Brown.
6
Monday, October 23rd
Today
at 9 o’clock, I, Samuel Atwood, Jacob Hamblin, Augustus P. Hardy, Ira Hatch,
Clarke Ames, and Hyrum Burgess, and
Peter Shirts started south. We encamped on Ash Creek, near Toquer’s old
wickiup. We traveled about 20 miles.
Tuesday, October 24th
We left our encampment about 9 o’clock and in
about two miles, came to the Rio Virgin. After crossing over, we struck off in
a southeast direction to ascend a steep hill or mountain. We then struck off on
a level for ½ mile and then ascended a second bench of the mountain, which was
very steep and rocky. After we ascended this bench, we traveled on a level for
a few rods.
We
ascended a third bench and in about three miles from the river, we found
ourselves at the summit of a high mountain. Yet, not by some thousands of feet
on a level with many mountains that were around us. We then struck off
southeast for about three miles and came to a small stream of water. We here
alighted and took some refreshment.
We
then traveled about ten miles in a due east direction; then turned south and
encamped in about two miles. Today we passed the most beautiful mountains. On
either side, they were very high and perpendicular. The valley was beautiful
and fertile. It had fine grass, pinion pine timber, and scrubby cedar.
It
rained and snowed at night. Water was very scarce. We found a small spring on
the side of the mountain where we camped. We traveled about 18 miles.
Wednesday, October 25th
This
morning was good. Snow was lying on the mountains around us. We continued our
journey. Our course for a few miles was east. We then turned to the southeast,
traveling over nearly level ground. It was quite sandy and in a large valley.
We
found water on rocks after about twenty miles but no stream. We camped at a
small lake which had formed from the rain of the night before. We killed
several rabbits.
Thursday, October 26th
This
morning was frosty. Today our course was east of southeast. The going was
sandy, and there was no water. We traveled 20 miles through a beautiful valley
with high and splendid looking mountains on either side. We found a good spring
of water where we camped in view of the Buckskin Mountains.
After
we encamped, some Indians came. There were seven in number. They had seen us
and hid in fear. After a while, they ventured up.
Friday, October 27th
This
morning, one squaw and another Indian came to our camp, making nine in number. We
then left our camp and went 10 miles in a little north of east direction. We left
the Indians with good feelings. They promised to come to our camp at night and
said they would go and hunt the other Indians, nine of their group.
There
was heavy frost last night. We found a little water where we camped.
Saturday, October 28th
This
morning, we had fine weather. Our guide, Nahguts, who had tarried with the
Indians the morning before, came to our camp with four other Indians.
We
traveled northeast, going around a peak on our right. In about 10 miles we came
to a little water standing in a ravine.
Sunday, October 29th
This
morning I was very sick, so we lay at camp until two o’clock. We then started
and traveled 15 miles in a northeast direction. It was night when we stopped,
after finding a little water in a hole.
Monday, October 30th
The
morning was fine but cool. We had no water for our horses. We traveled a little
north of northeast. We traveled today mostly amongst the cedars, leaving many
red mountains close on our left. We traveled about 15 miles. We got a little
water by digging in a ravine.
After
we encamped, I, Jacob Hamblin, Peter Shirts and two Indians went about five
miles in a northeastern direction to view a mountain that the Indians call Panaker
Mountain. We brought back some “panaker” to our camp. This is a dark, shiny,
and very mineral substance; but of what value we knew not.
We
also saw among these mountains a large amount of old, broken crockery, that has
been made and used by some other race of Indians than those that now dwell
here. We also found a great deal of petrified wood –
almost entire whole trees that are now hard stone.
Tuesday, October 31st
This
morning, we started and went up a canyon. We were aiming to strike for the
Panguitch Lake. We stopped and baited our poles as soon as we got up the
canyon.
The
guides that were with us went to look for some Indians, as we saw some fresh
tracks as we came up the canyon. We passed on for several miles and came to a
wide and deep canyon. We then ascended a very steep and high mountain. We here
overtook two Indians.
They
piloted us to their wickiups. We here found water and plenty of grass, so we encamped
for the night. Today we traveled about 20 miles in a northwest course. There
were nine Indians, four squaws, and one boy at this place.
Wednesday, November 1st
We traveled northwest over very rough and mountainous
country. It was very cloudy and cool. It snowed a little.
We traveled 20 five miles. We found a little water and encamped.
Thursday, November 2nd
Our course today was northwest. We traveled
about 8 miles and came to Abappah, or one prong of the Sevier. We traveled on
and came upon two Indians.
The stream here is about two rods wide and
two feet deep. It was a rough and mountainous course to the Pahguimp, or west
fork of the Sevier. We here encamped for the night. The stream here was 1 ½ rods
wide and 2 feet deep. We traveled about 15 miles today.
Friday, November 3rd
This morning, the two Indians that we saw
the day before came and brought us some venison to sell for powder and bullets.
We were glad for the chance to buy meat, as we now had none. We continued our
course northwest over rough mountains for 12 miles and came to “Panguitch”, or
Fish Lake. We passed up to the mouth of the canyon leading to Parowan and
encamped.
Saturday, November 4th
Today we passed up a canyon and over a steep
mountain. We arrived at Parowan about three o’clock and stopped at my own
house.
7
Discourse to Cedar City Saints
When Brother Lewis arrived at Cedar
City, he addressed the saints there and told them from our knowledge of the
different and peculiar habits of the Indians it would be pardonable if he
should talk to them of their duties as local missionaries. He said, “We cannot
employ these Indians entirely ourselves. We hunt and fish them out from the
holes and caves of the earth. Though they are the descendants of royal fathers,
through their disobedience they have become degraded; but their fathers
obtained blessings for them and now witness with joy the debt paid, the keys
turned, the door of their Father’s kingdom opened for their admission. Shall we
then treat them worse than our pigs are treated? Or shall we bear with their
ignorance be patient and teach them? Shall we fare sumptuously and throw them
our scraps?
I would advise that you employ them
feed them well and at the end of a week or so give them one of those shirts
which the sisters of the various wards in and around the city made and are now
lying among you to warm them and cheer them on to future diligence. These
without your employing them may lie on the shelves and the Indian remain cold.
Cease playing with them, wrestling, fighting, and threatening them with
instruments of death — and what you will do when your walls are built. No good
Saint would ever circulate among them that we meant to kill the older men and
save the squaws and children!
Can you tell the effects or results
of such rumors among them? Are the heavens pleased? Do their fathers approbate
such a course? No. We do not mean to regulate the churches in this southern
region. You can judge the spirit by which these sentiments are dictated. But
when we see a wrong — or a course of conduct that would be injurious to this
mission and to the remnants of Israel, we shall speak of it for future good. Be
not then stingy in feeding the Indians, oppressive in their labor or penurious
in their hire. And finally, deceive them not in your trading with them. Who
among you could take from them a pair of good boots for an old kitchen knife?”
8
I
went to Cedar City and held a meeting.
Rufus C. Allen returned. I hauled wood.
I
started to Parowan. I stopped at Shirts’ Creek.
I was not well. I wrote to T. Bullock.
I
hauled wood. C. Ricks arrived at Parowan.
I
was summoned on a jury. Later, we had a dance.
November 21st, 22nd, 23rd
I
shelled corn and went to the mill.
I
visited with the Indians.
I
preached in the afternoon.
Benson
Dalton and Jayeson returned from the city.
December 6th, Wednesday
It
was Fast Day. I went to meeting.
I
preached at Cedar City.
I
helped Brother Haights start his distillery.
December 20th, 21st, 22nd
I
left Parowan for the Great Salt Lake City.
January 7th, 1855, Sunday
9
Dear Brother, after nine months
absence from this city on a mission to the southern Indians, I have now
returned and wish to make to you a brief report of matters as they stand, which
come under my own observations.
My time has chiefly been occupied
during the past summer and fall in visiting the Indians in their different
locations. I have visited nearly the entire amount of Indians within one
hundred miles of Harmony. After the fright of our first approach, and many of
them fleeing and only being approached sometimes by means of Indians that went
with us, they became very friendly. I have enrolled the names of one hundred
and fifty five on my journal who were entered into a covenant of peace, and
have this far kept their covenant. I can truly say that it has been beyond my
expectation to see the influence that we have over them, the heed they give to
our counsel, and the comfort they seem to take in our company.
During the fall and winter, I often
visited the camp of Chief Walker, who has until late been encamped in the
canyon of Summit Creek, seven miles southwest of Parowan. After I got
acquainted with Walker and explained to him my business in that country, he
seemed to become much attached to me. He strongly solicited me to accompany him
in the spring on a trading expedition to the Navajos. I told him that I would
go if the big captain would tell me to go. He said that Brigham was a good
captain and always spoke well, and always wanted peace. I told him that I was
going to see the big captain pretty soon. He said that he wanted to talk with
me before I went. He accordingly came to me and said, “For fear you forget, take
your book and write it down.”
He then proceeded, “Tell Brother
Brigham to talk to the Snakes and tell them that I was not mad at them, neither
did I blame them for what they had done; that me and my men had no hand in the
matter; that Squash and a few of the Utahs were not wise, and I did not approve
of the course that they had taken, and I want to be a good friend and never go
to war with them again.
Tell him that I am all the time
preaching peace among the Indians, and the Mormons and Americans may now all
pass as they please, one or two at a time. No cattle or horse shall be killed
or stolen, and all might lie down and sleep well. None need to stand guard or
be afraid.
Tell him that the captains of Parowan
have thrown me away without a cause; that they seem to be afraid of me, and I
am afraid that they have written something bad to you about me.” And, said he,
“I want you to talk to him yourself, and tell him yourself that I am his good
friend all the time, and that I want him to know it. If they have written
anything bad, you tell him that you have been with me, and speak well to him.
Tell him in three moons to send me
ten good rifles; some powder, lead, and caps; some shirts; and a stud colt, two
years old, a good large American colt. Send them to a small stream south of
Fillmore, and I will pay for them in horses; also have him send me some cattle
for beef to last me to the Navajos.
Tell him that I want you to go with
me in the spring, and that my brother Sanpete wants Jacob Hamblin to go with
him, as he had gotten acquainted with him whilst he was among the Santa Clara
Indians.
Take this papoose, and tell Brother
Brigham that I give it to him. I want him to give me a good gun, a coat and
vest, and a white blanket, and send them by you.” Ammon then spoke and said, “Tell
Brother Brigham to send my wife a dress.”
I now have the papoose in my
possession, subject to your orders. It is a small boy, I suppose to be between
three and four years old.
Fort Harmony is in a prosperous
condition. The walls of the fort were nearly completed. They were nine feet
high on the 22nd of December. They expected in a week from that time to have it
completed to that height. The weather was fine. There was no snow until the 1st
day of January, which overtook me at the Sevier. It was about two inches deep
there.
As I passed through Cedar City, the
Iron furnace was nearly ready for a blast. Brother Haight was very energetic
and spirited in the cause of iron. They had found a new bed of coal within four
miles of the furnace; and of a better quality than had been discovered before.
Parowan also seemed in a prosperous
condition. The fort walls were nearly completed to about eight feet high. It is
the best wall I have seen in the mountains, with the exception of Harmony. The
new mill at Parowan was nearly ready for operation. Grain seemed plenty in all
of those settlements, with the exception of wheat at Harmony. On account of the
scarcity of water, the wheat crops fell short; but corn, potatoes, and squash
were plenty.
The snow from Salt Creek to this
place was from six to twelve inches deep.
I remain as ever, your brother
First Counselor to Rufus C.
Allen
of the Southern Indian Mission
10
Dear Brother, I improve this the
earliest opportunity to inform you of the death of Captain Walker, the Ute
Chief, after a sickness of 10 days. He died on the 29th of January, at Meadow
Creek, about 6 miles from Fillmore. His complaint seemed to be a cold settled
on his lungs.
I arrived at Fillmore on the 28th. I
started the next morning for Walker’s lodge. I met the Utes coming with Walker
and supporting him on his horse. He held out his hand and shook hands, and
seemed very glad to see me. He asked me if Brigham spoke well and if I was
going with him to the Navajos. I told him that Brother Brigham spoke very well
and perhaps I would go with him. I showed him your letter and gave him all the
articles that you sent to him. He seemed greatly pleased with them and wanted
me to come the next morning to Meadow Creek, and read the letter for him.
On the next morning, before day, the
Pauvans came running into the fort and said that Walker was dead; and that the
Utes were mad and had killed two squaws and two Piede children. Ka-no-she, the
Pauvan Chief, sent us word to drive up all our horses and cattle, and keep out
of the canyons; that the Utes intended to kill two Pauvans and two Mormons, and
a great many cattle.
About eighteen of our people went out
in the morning, and found that the Utes had killed two squaws, Paiede
prisoners, two Paiede children, and about twelve to fifteen of Walker’s best
horses (the Pauvans said twenty horses.) They buried Walker with the letter and
articles that you sent him.
Yours as ever, in the Gospel of
Christ,
P.S. Walker’s last words to his
people were not to kill the Mormon cattle, nor steal from them. I was with him
until he was struck with death. He was in his senses and greatly desired to
live. He possessed a good spirit and shook hands twice with me. As I was
starting for the fort, he pressed my hand and said, “Come and see me again
tomorrow, for I wish to have a long talk with you; but I'm too sick to talk
now.”