History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

TREATY WITH THE SHOSHONES. 477
Utahs. On the 7th of August, 1855, a treaty was
negotiated by the Indian agent with the Shoshones,
whereby, for a consideration of $3,000, peace and
friendship were to be confirmed with the United
States, and the passage of United States citizens
through their territory without molestation was to
be guaranteed. 71
In January of this year the chief
Walker died, 72 at peace, as it seems, with the Mor-
proceed to the camp with two howitzers and 29 men of the sixth infantry,
and arrest the offender, if it could be done without unnecessary risk. This
at the instance of a Sioux chief named The Bear, who stated that the culprit
would doubtless be surrendered. Arriving at the outskirts of the camp,
Grattan sent for The Bear, who said that his people had determined not to
deliver up the accused; whereupon the lieutenant resolved to enter the camp
and arrest him at all hazards. Thus far the statements of witnesses agree,
but from this point there is a conflict of testimony. It can only be stated
with certainty that a tight ensued, in which the lieutenant and his entire
command were killed. The whole matter wears the appearance of a wellplanned
attempt on the part of the Indians to gain possession of Fort Laramie,
and of the warehouses of a trading company near by, where the Sioux were
awaiting the arrival of the Indian agent to distribute their annuity goods.
In the latter attempt they were successful. Various reports of the massacre
will be found in House Ex. Doc., 33d Cong. 2d Sess., viii. no. G3. See also
Rept of Sec. of lute?:, in Id., i. pt i. 224-5. Toward the end of the year a
party of Crows captured the mail from S. L. City, destroyed the mail-bags,
and secured plunder to the amount of $12,000. S. F. Alia, Jan. 1, 1S55. In
Sept. three Mormons were murdered near the Elk Mountains. For particulars,
see Deseret News, Oct. 10, 17, 1855; S. F. Alia, Nov. 8, 1855; S. F. Bulletin,
Nov. 9, 1855. In Feb. 185G there was some trouble with Indians in the
Utah and Cedar valleys, during which a Mormon named George Carson was
mortally wounded, and two herdsmen killed. Deseret Neivs, Feb. 27, March
5, 1856. In May of this year Carlos Murray and his family were massacred
in Thousand Spring Valley, hid. Aff. Kept, 1S56, 227-30. It is probable
that this massacre was caused by the misconduct of Californiad>ound emigrants.
In House Ex. Doe., 34th Cong. 1st Sess., i. pt i. 519, Garland Hurt, then
Indian agent, in his report to Brigham dated Sept. 30, 1855, says: 'On our
return trip we were exceedingly anxious to meet with some Indians whom we
had reason to believe were haunting the road between the Humboldt and
Bear Biver. In Thousand Spring Valley we saw but one, and had to chase
him on horseback before we came up with him. I asked him why he and his
people were so wild when I came so far just to see them and give them presents.
He said they were afraid we were Californians and would kill them.
71 Id., 2G7. The treaty was not ratified, and only a copy of it was received
at Washington.
72 At Meadow Creek, near Fillmore. In a letter to Brigham, dated Fillmore
City, Jan. 29th, David Lewis says that on the previous day he met
Walker, who was so feeble that he had to be supported on his horse. He
asked whether Brigham 'talked good.' Lewis replied that he talked very
good, and gave him a letter and a number of presents from the goveraor. The
chieftain then went his way, asking Lewis to visit him at Meadow Creek the
next morning. Before daybreak a number of Indians came running into the
fort (at Fillmore) with news of Walker's death. Walker, in his last words,
asked his people not to kill the cattle of the Mormons or steal from them.
Dexrret News, Feb. 8, 1855. For biography and portrait of Walker, see Linforties
Route from Liverpool, 104-5; for mention of his death, Incidt'its in
'