I determined to do all I could in the summer of 1870 to establish
good feelings among the Indians in the neighborhood of our people, on
the west side of the Colorado, that they might be disposed to favor
us instead of our enemies. I determined to neglect no opportunity of
visiting the Navajos, and endeavoring to get a good understanding with
them.
I visited the Red Lake Utes, spent some time at Fish Lake, east of
Parowan, and visited the Indians along the Sevier. I had many long
talks with them, and believe I accomplished much good, in inspiring
them with the spirit of peace.
I met Professor J. W. Powell, who stated that he had descended
the Colorado River the previous year, and that the Indians in the
neighborhood of Mount Trumbull, southwest of Kanab, had killed three
of his men. He wished to visit them, and prevent the repetition of a
similar calamity the next season; for he desired to descend the river
with a company to explore the Grand Canyon.
He wished to employ someone who understood Indian character, and spoke
their dialect, to go with him, and President Young had recommended
me as a suitable person. He offered me liberal terms, and, as I was
desirous of seeing the same Indians myself, a satisfactory arrangement
was soon made.
We left Kanab for Mount Trumbull in September, 1870, and took two Kanab
Indians with us. We arrived at our destination the third day, and
selected a good camp ground by a spring of water.
We found some natives gathering cactus fruit, which grew there in great
abundance. I requested them to bring in some of the party who took a
part in the killing of Mr. Powell's men the previous year.
Some twelve or fifteen Indians got together the following day, and we
called a council to have a good peace talk.
I commenced by explaining to the Indians Professor Powell's business.
I endeavored to get them to understand that he did not visit their
country for any purpose that would work any evil to them; that he was
not hunting gold, silver or other metals; that he would be along the
river next season with a party of men, and if they found any of them
away from the river in the hills, they must be their friends, and show
them places where there was water, if necessary.
They answered that some of their friends from the other side of the
river crossed on a raft and told them that Powell's men were miners,
and that miners on their side of the river abused their women.
They advised them to kill the three white men who had gone back from
the river, for if they found any mines in their country, it would bring
great evil among them. The three men were then followed, and killed
when asleep.
The Indians further stated that they believed what I told them, and,
had they been correctly informed about the men, they would not have
killed them.
They said Ka-pu-rats could travel and sleep in their country
unmolested, and they would show him and his men the watering places.
Ka-pu-rats, in the Piute language, means one arm cut off. Major Powell
had lost an arm in the late war between the Northern and Southern
States.
I think that a part of Major Powell's description of this affair in his
"Explorations of the Colorado River," would not be out of place here:
"This evening, the Shi-vwits, for whom we have sent, came in, and,
after supper, we hold a long council. A blazing fire is built, and
around this we sit--the Indians living here, the Shi-vwits, Jacob
Hamblin and myself. This man, Hamblin, speaks their language well,
and has a great influence over all the Indians in the region round
about. He is a silent, reserved man, and when he speaks, it is in a
slow, quiet way, that inspires great awe. His talk is so low that they
must listen attentively to hear, and they sit around him in death-like
silence. When he finishes a measured sentence, the chief repeats it,
and they all give a solemn grunt. * * * *
"Mr. Hamblin fell into conversation with one of the men, and held him
until the others had left, and then learned more of the particulars of
the death of the three men. They came upon the Indian village almost
starved, and exhausted with fatigue. They were supplied with food, and
put on their way to the settlements. Shortly after they had left, an
Indian from the east side of the Colorado arrived at their village, and
told them about a number of miners having killed a squaw in a drunken
brawl, and no doubt these were the men. No person had ever come down
the canyon; that was impossible; they were trying to hide their guilt.
In this way he worked them into a great rage. They followed, surrounded
the men in ambush, and filled them full of arrows.
"That night I slept in peace, although these murderers of my men, and
their friends, the U-in-ka-rets, were sleeping not five hundred yards
away. While we were gone to the canyon, the pack-train and supplies,
enough to make an Indian rich beyond his wildest dreams, were all left
in their charge, and were safe; not even a lump of sugar was pilfered
by the children."
After this council with the Indians, Major Powell gave me charge of
the commissary stores and pack train, and directed me to explore
the country east, north and south. This afforded me an excellent
opportunity to carry out my mission to the Lamanites.
I had many interesting talks with them. I labored to have them
understand that there was an overruling Providence that had much to do
with the affairs of men; that God was not pleased with the shedding of
blood, and they must stop killing men, women and children, and try to
be at peace with all men.
These teachings did not appear to have much influence at the time, but
afterwards they yielded much good fruit.