Kindness of Indians in Providing Food--Express from Salt Lake
City--Visit from an Indian Chief--Scanty Food Supply.
The mail company again fitted up with packs, leaving their coaches.
They took Brother Heywood with them. This time making the trip
successfully. They left all the meat they could spare, taking only
scant rations with them.
Brother Heywood, although very weak in body, manifested the spirit of a
hero during the whole time of our suffering. I have always remembered
him with the kindest of feelings. As he sometimes remarks, "rawhide
makes a strong tie."
The Indian went away saying he would tell his people about us, and if
they could find any meat they would divide.
It did not take long for twenty hungry men to eat up our supplies.
About the 4th of March the last morsel had been eaten for breakfast. We
went hunting daily, sometimes killing a little small game, but nothing
of account.
Our provisions were exhausted and we had cleaned up everything before
Jesse Jones came to our relief. We were now in a tight place. There was
a set of harness and an old pack saddle covered with rawhide still on
hand, that some of the boys considered safe to depend upon for a few
days, still we had great hopes of getting something better. Our faith
had been much strengthened by receiving the supplies mentioned.
As usual we went out to see what we could find in the way of game.
After traveling through the snow for several miles at the foot of
the mountains, we saw a drove of mountain sheep. They were standing,
seemingly entirely off their guard. I was in front and saw the sheep,
as I supposed before they did me. We dodged down out of sight. I crept
to a large rock, fully expecting to get meat. When I looked to get
a shot the game was gone, I could see it making for the top of the
mountain. We watched them for a minute or two and they were soon too
far for us to follow. My heart almost failed me, and I could have cried
like a child, for I knew that nothing was in camp when we left and our
comrades expected us to bring something for supper.
We were convinced that nothing could be obtained this day by hunting,
so we started for home. After traveling a few miles we struck the road
below Devil's Gate and here we stopped to hold a council.
As will be remembered, our instructions from Brother Brigham were never
to leave the fort with less than ten men. There never had been a time
when we had that many men able to stand very hard service. Sometimes
I felt like disregarding counsel and going out to try to get food,
or perish in the attempt. But up to this time we had all followed
instructions as nearly as possible. Now here was a trial for me. I
firmly believed I could go on foot to Platte bridge and get something
to save the lives of my comrades. Very few of the others were able, but
all were willing to go with me. I told them if counsel had to be broken
I would risk no one but myself, and would go alone. The boys thought
they could live five days before starving. So it was arranged that I
should start alone next morning for the Platte bridge. I had now been
one day without food, it would take two more to reach the bridge, where
there were traders, as the snow was from eighteen inches to three feet
deep. This looked a little hard, but I had fully made up my mind to try
it.
On arriving in sight of camp we saw a number of horses; we knew some
one had arrived but had no idea who it was. A shout of joy rang out
from our crowd that made the hills ring. All mankind were friends to
us then. I often wonder why people are enemies. My experience in life,
with a few exceptions, has been more of the friendly than warlike
nature. I have been fed and helped by all classes of people, and
mankind in general are not so bad when properly approached.
The new arrivals proved to be the first company of the Y. X. Express,
with William Hickman in charge. This was the first effort of this firm
to send the mail through. Several old acquaintances were along, and of
course we were rejoiced to see them, especially so when we learned they
had a good supper for us. Among the party were George Boyd of Salt Lake
City and Joshua Terry of Draperville.
A day or two before their arrival Brother Terry had killed a large
buffalo and they packed the whole of it into our camp.
I remember about the first thing I did after shaking hands, was to
drink a pint of strong salty broth, where some salt pork had been
boiled.
When Hickman's company arrived, some of our boys were getting the pack
saddle soaked up ready for cooking the hide covering. Boyd always calls
me the man that ate the pack saddle. But this is slander. The kindness
of him and others prevented me from eating my part of it. I think if
they had not arrived, probably I would have taken a _wing_ or _leg_, but
don't think I would have eaten the whole of it. As it was, the saddle
was allowed to dry up again, and may be in existence yet and doing well
so far as I know.
In Hickman's book he says he found us starving with plenty of
provisions in store houses, but did not dare to take them; that on his
arrival he burst open the store houses and told us to help ourselves.
Can anyone believe such stuff? If all his book is like this for truth,
one would do well to believe the reverse. Hickman left about the 6th of
March, going on east.
Ben Hampton and myself started to go on to Platte bridge with this
party, intending to get some supplies if possible. Hickman left us two
animals and with one of ours (the other three had long since been eaten
by the wolves) found nearby we felt ourselves rich.
We had gone but a few miles when we met some men from the Platte
bringing us some beef. They had heard in some way that we were still
alive. I think the Indians must have passed the word. They could not
get buffalo meat, so had killed some cattle and were bringing them to
us. They had been four days on the road, tramping snow and working
through drifts, expecting to find us starving. I often think of these
old pioneers, who were always so ready to help a fellowman in need.
We bade good-by to Hickman and party and returned to the fort with the
meat. We paid for it in goods from Brother Van Cott's boxes, paying
mostly calico and domestic. They charged us ten cents per pound, which
was very cheap considering.
With our animals and meat we felt quite well fitted out; for we had now
become so used to taking what we could get thankfully, that we looked
upon these two mules left us as sure food when all else failed.
While Jesse Jones was in camp, one of his men gave me a small book of
words in the Snake language. I expected the Indians around and studied
hard every day. Soon they commenced coming in to see us. There were
over one hundred lodges of Snakes and Bannocks came in from the Wind
river country and camped about fifteen miles from us. Small bands
camped around us in different directions. They soon learned we were
short of provisions.
The first party that brought meat to us wanted to charge an
unreasonable price for it. I talked with them quite a while before they
would consent to sell it cheaper. They said that they themselves were
hungry, showing us their bare arms, how lean they were. But I told them
it was not just to take advantage of our circumstances. I weighed up a
dollar's worth of meat on a pair of spring balances, marked the scales
plainly and told them I would give no more. They consented, and we
bought hundreds of pounds afterwards without more trouble. In buying we
had to weigh one dollar's worth at a time, no matter how much they sold
us.
We exchanged various articles with them, many of the company trading
shirts, handkerchiefs and such things as they could spare. We had some
coffee, for which the Indians traded readily. This helped us out for
a short season; but game became so scarce that this camp of natives
(several hundred) had to move out or starve. They came up the first day
and pitched their lodges near us. We had but little provisions on hand,
some meat and a few pounds of flour that we used to thicken our broth
was all. We had about lost our appetite for bread. We were a little
uneasy to have all these hungry Indians come upon us at once; the
greatest care had to be taken to avoid trouble.
They were not of the best class, being a party made up of Snakes and
Bannocks, who had left their regular tribes and chiefs and joined
together under an ambitious young fellow named Tabawantooa. Washakie,
the old Snake chief, called them bad men.
There was one little party under an old petty chief, Toquatah, who
kept apart from the main band. From them we had procured most of our
meat. Toquatah had informed us that the main band and his were not on
the best of terms, and that Tabawantooa was "no good." This naturally
made us feel a little uneasy. We had some two hundred wagon loads of
valuable goods under our charge, and only twenty men, the greater
portion of them with no frontier experience.
The store rooms were blocked up with logs, and had been all winter.
By this time I could talk considerable Snake and many of these Indians
understood Ute.
Tabawantooa and his band came in sight of our quarters about noon. They
were all mounted and well armed. The chief with many others rode up in
quite a pompous style, no doubt expecting to be looked upon with awe
and treated with great deference.
I had time to get my wits together before they got to our gate where
an armed guard was stationed. Brother Alexander was to be chief cook.
Knowing that from such as we had we would have to make a great showing
of hospitality, we concluded to make up in ceremony what was lacking in
food. So all the camp-kettles and coffee-pots were filled and put on.
The one for weak soup the other for strong coffee. We had plenty of the
latter on hand.
The company were instructed to go into their rooms, shut the doors,
keep quiet, and not to show themselves unless ordered to do so. Brother
Hampton was to be general roust-a-bout, ready for any emergency; I was
to meet these Indians outside and invite them in the gate, as we knew
the chief and grandees of the band would expect to be entertained.
Soon the chief with some fifty others rode up to the fort, while
hundreds more passed on a short distance and commenced to put up their
lodges. I met the chief, shook hands, and asked him to get down and
come in. He wanted to know if they could not ride inside. I told him
no, and explained to him that we had a lot of men in the fort who were
afraid of Indians; that they had gone into their houses and shut the
doors; but the door of my house was open for them, but that these men,
who were afraid, should not be frightened; they must leave their horses
and arms outside the fort.
This the chief agreed to do and appointed a man to see that no one came
in with arms. Soon my room was full. I explained to the chief that we
had but little to eat and could not entertain many; but half we had
they were welcome to. I talked and acted as though we were glad to see
them, still I, with all my friendship for Indians, would have been
willing for _this_ band to have taken another road.
Brother Alexander soon had plenty of weak soup and strong coffee ready;
cups were filled and the feast commenced. The chief sent word for those
outside to go on to camp, probably seeing his rations would be short if
many more came in.
Brother Hampton kept his eye on things in general and would come in and
report from time to time. All except one respected our arrangements.
Indians, like white men, have their bullies. One fellow in spite of the
guards rode into fort armed. Brother Hampton took his horse by the bit,
and guided him back out of the gate. He was quite saucy but went out
all right.
We were asked how many men were in the houses. I told them _shouts_
(great many). They then wanted to know if the men had guns. We told
them "lots," which was a fact as there were more guns than men.
Indians, when hungry relish anything that tightens their belts, so our
friends filled and emptied their cups many times. Soon all who had
remained were satisfied, bade us good-by, mounted their horses and
started to their camp, the chief inviting us to go up and take supper
with him. Went up late in the day. Some coffee had been given the chief
and at supper we feasted on poor antelope meat and coffee. We were told
that but one antelope had been killed that day and the chief had been
presented with it.
The whole camp were about out of food except thistle roots. These were
not very plentiful, as we had already dug and eaten the most that could
be found for miles around our quarters.
These natives moved on next morning. Toquatah's band being still in the
rear. In a day or two the last band came along and camped near us. We
were glad to see them and wanted them to remain near us, but they were
afraid of the Crow Indians and desired to keep in the vicinity of the
larger band for protection against their common enemy.
We explained to them our destitute condition, telling them that we were
again about out of provisions, and would be sorry to have them leave,
for while they were near they had never let us suffer for meat.
Next morning the old chief said he would go out twelve miles to a gap
in the mountains and camp, and if he could find any game he would let
us have some dried meat he had reserved.
We waited a day and then went to see if our friends were prospered.
Nothing had been found. Ten of us stayed all night with the Indians and
we barely got enough for supper and breakfast. The chief told us to
go back home; he would move on a little farther; if he found anything
he would send it to us. His spirit towards us was something like a
mother's with a lot of hungry children.
Now some might ask why we did not do our own hunting and not depend on
the Indians. An Indian will manage to kill game where it is so scarce
and wild that but few white men would even see it. We were much safer
to depend upon the Indians as long as they were around in the country.
Again, they considered it their business to hunt, and if we had made
the attempt it would have been resented by them.
We went home feeling a little sad. We had our animals, but did not wish
to kill them; still we felt safe as long as mule flesh was on hand. To
our joy, next day some Indians came from their camp, bringing us some
three hundred pounds of buffalo meat and informing us that they had
seen signs of game; and if we would come to them the next morning, they
might let us have some more.
Brother Hampton and I saddled up taking our extra animal, a large
mule, and started for our friends. The weather was still cold, but the
snow was mostly gone from the lowlands, it being now near the first of
April. When we arrived at their camp the Indians were just starting
out to move a few miles further towards where the signs of buffalo had
been seen. Brother H. and I rode along with them, chatting with the
old chief. We had taken a few things with us to trade for the meat.
We camped in the afternoon some thirty miles from home. The old chief
called out and soon the squaws commenced bringing in a few pounds each
of good dried meat. We traded for about three hundred pounds--all our
mule could pack and about all the Indians could spare. This, of course,
was all we could expect, but the old chief said maybe they could do
more for us in the morning.
I think Brother Hampton and I really enjoyed ourselves that night. We
slept in a lodge, ate meat, and drank coffee. The squaws' dirt, or dogs
sticking their noses into the meat dishes, made no difference to us; or
if it did we ate all the same.
Next morning after breakfast, we saddled up, packing our dried meat on
the mule. As we were about ready to start there was quite a commotion
in camp. We thought at first the Crow Indians were upon us, but the old
chief, looking in an easterly direction said, "It is some of the young
men driving a buffalo. Now good-by. You go on your road (our track was
to the north) and you wilt find some more meat ready for you soon."
We started and had gone but a short distance, probably three miles,
when we found the buffalo that was being chased had been run into our
trail, killed and made ready to deliver to us. We gave them some few
things we had left and they loaded both of our saddle animals. This
left us nearly thirty miles to go afoot. We did not mind this on the
start, but did before we got home.