My Marriage--Peaceful Life Among the Savages--Dr. Bowman Seeks
Trouble-He is Killed by the Indians--The "Walker War"--Its Cause--A
Thrilling Situation.
On the 29th of January, 1852, Miss Harriet Emily Colton was united to
me in marriage. All I will say at present is, that her life and labors
are as much a part of mine as is possible for a wife's to be. She was
my heart's choice from first sight, and so continued till the day of
her death. We lived on a farm quite a distance from the settlement for
some time after our marriage. My wife's father, Philander Colton, went
to California the spring we were married, leaving me in charge of his
farm and affairs. The farm was near the Indian camping ground; hundreds
of them were often around us. Sometimes they were more or less saucy,
but we treated them kindly. My wife seemed to have the same spirit as
myself in regard to the Indians, feeling friendly towards them and
wishing to see them taught and helped out of their degraded condition.
Nothing occurred in my experience during the remainder of the year
worth recording. All of the Indians around were friendly toward us, but
frequently spoke of being dissatisfied with the treatment received from
some others. Many will say, and with some truthfulness, that Indians
visit their revenge upon whites indiscriminately. Yet if one treats
them so as to get their real friendship, they are not apt to harm him.
I went as interpreter for President Young in the spring of 1853, to
Sanpete county, where some disturbance was threatened by Mexicans under
the leadership of a certain Dr. Bowman from New Mexico who seemed
inclined to make himself a name by committing some violent act in
defiance of law. There seemed to be a determination on his part and
those with him to revive the slave trade. He threatened anyone that
might interfere with him, saying he could bring all the Indians in the
mountains to help him. I was acquainted with this man while in New
Mexico. I met him while on a trip to Sanpete valley a few days before
I went with President Young's party. The moment Bowman saw me he began
to curse me for being a Mormon, saying he had power at his back to use
all the Mormons up. I felt some little friendship for him as is natural
for me to feel for anyone I have formerly known, and advised him to act
more careful, or he would get into trouble. I tried to reason with him,
but to no purpose, he went on down to Utah valley and there acted in
an insulting and threatening manner. Bowman's Mexicans were encamped
on the west side of the Sanpete valley. It was deemed prudent to bring
them in and keep an eye on them, until it could be decided what their
intentions were, for at this time it was seen that a growing spirit of
war was upon the Indians, and almost anything would stir them up.
Several little fusses of a private nature had lately occurred.
At this time many of the settlers, contrary to the counsel of President
Young, had settled on farms and were much exposed. This had a
tendency to make the Indians aggressive. Many times the settlers were
sorely annoyed by the Indians' horses getting into the fields. When
remonstrated with they would ask, "Whose lands are these you are on."
The continual advice of President Young was to build in towns, fence
their lands and be kind to the Indians; that it was cheaper to feed
than to fight them, etc. Some heeded this counsel, while many did not.
I was one of a party of four or five who went out and brought in the
Mexicans. They were a little suspicious, asking a great many questions
about Bowman, where he was, etc. But I finally persuaded them to
go with us. We had no authority to arrest them, neither was it the
intention to do so, if it could be avoided. In the meantime Bowman got
into some trouble with the Indians by deceiving them in some of their
promised trades, and he was ambushed and killed by some of them. Owing
to his manner and threats, it was rumored the Mormons had killed him. I
was actively engaged as interpreter and was continually around during
this time. I never had the least suspicion or proof that Bowman was
killed by any Mormon agency, and I believe I would have heard something
of it, if such had been the case. I know in those days it was no
uncommon thing for a man to be killed whether a Mormon or not by the
Indians, either for revenge or plunder. The Mexicans soon left in peace.
In the summer of 1853, about harvest time, the war broke out. The
immediate cause of the Indian war was the striking of an Indian with
a gun by a white man at Springville. This Indian was whipping his
squaw, when the party interfered to stop him. The Indian drew his gun
to shoot, it was wrenched from him. The man using the gun as a club,
broke both stock and Indian's head. I believe the Indian died from the
effects of the blow; he was one of Walker's band, and the latter at
once painted for war.
The same day A. J. Stewart and I were returning from Payson. When about
a mile from there some twenty-five warriors painted black, came from a
ravine, approaching us in flank with guns and bows ready. Mr. Stewart
remarked, "We are in for it; that means war." We had no time to turn
and run as they were within one hundred yards of us. I knew I had never
wronged them, but had always been a friend, and I believed if we went
straight along they would not hurt us. Brother Stewart agreed with me.
We never halted or gave the road, but drove along as though nothing was
in the way.
As we went they parted and allowed us the road, never speaking or
making any sign of recognition. This same party went on up to the
Payson mill and in less than an hour commenced killing our people.
This was the commencement of what is known as the Walker War. It caused
a general moving in of those who had settled out on farms, making towns
and villages spring up like magic. I remember President Young remarking
in public that the people seemed readier to obey Brother Walker's
invitation to live together in towns, than they did his counsel.
Brother Brigham always gave Walker great credit for helping to build up
Utah. There was plenty to do as soon as the war commenced. An attempt
was made to follow and chastise the Indians, but nothing that resulted
in much good was ever done by fighting them. The counsel was for all
to move in, gather the stock together, and in every way possible
guard against attacks or surprises. There was a general move in this
direction; cattle were gathered and herded under strong guards. Guards
were also placed at the different trails leadings into the valley. This
had a much better effect than following the Indians, getting shot at
and having to retreat in good order.
There was quite a band of Provo Indians who took no part in the fight;
they were camped on the bench near the river bottom. I had not yet
moved into town; the Indians were around me daily and I believed them
to be friendly. An order was issued by some one in Provo to have them
taken prisoners and brought in. Accordingly a company of militia was
called out for the purpose. Happening along just as they were starting
on the expedition, I was asked to go and help take the Indians, but
declined, and protested against the move, well knowing that they would
not be taken, as they had done nothing to justify any harsh measures
against them. My remonstrance was in vain, the Indians had to be taken,
and I was ordered to go as interpreter. So we marched over in good
militia style, every man keeping step with himself. I felt much amused
at our turnout going to war. The flower of our army was then out after
Walker. As we neared the camp of Indians I asked permission to go
ahead and tell them what was wanted. I was on horseback and unarmed;
the Indians were up at once and ready for fight. They said that
taking them prisoners meant to kill them, and they would not go. The
company numbering some twenty-five men--about the same number as the
Indians--had now come up and stood about fifty yards off, facing the
camp. I went and told the captain what the Indians said. He replied,
"Then we have got to take them by force." At the same time ordering his
company to load their guns. I now became frightened, for I knew if they
commenced loading, the Indians having their guns ready, would fire the
minute they saw the whites making such a movement; but as long as they
did not know that the guns were not loaded we were safe. I asked the
captain to hold a minute and let me ask a few questions. He agreed.
"How many of you have loads in your guns?" I asked.
No one had. Several spoke and said they had nothing to load with,
while some of the guns were out of repair. I never before or since saw
anything so ridiculous. Some of the members of the company are still
living in Provo, and will remember the incident. I asked the captain
what he thought best to do; he said he would take my advice under the
circumstances. I told him I would say to the Indians that it was all
right; that they were friends; and we did not think it right to take
them but would go back.
This made them suspicious. They moved off up Provo canyon and committed
various petty thefts from time to time, annoying the people for several
months.