(this web page is still under construction)
LETTERS OF JACOB FORNEY
FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
Simonton Correspondence (1858-9) | "The Utah Expedition" (1858-9) | Comments | Home
|
From: 1858 The Utah Expedition, page 198
HEADQUARTERS OF ARMY, FOR U. T.
DEAR SIR: In compliance with a regulation of your department, making it the duty of
superintendents to report annually, I submit the following report:
Camp Scott, Green River County, December 14, 1857. Having been in the Territory of Utah but a few weeks, I have consequently but little to report. I arrived at this camp the latter part of last month, and was informed by Colonel Johnston, the commanding officer, that the army would go into winter quarters at this place. All the civil officers are stopping here, and I am obliged to do the same. I have been busily engaged in erecting a cabin in some degree suitable for an office and dwelling, and will have it finished in a few days.... I herewith transmit to you the report of agent Dr. Hurt. I have examined the report carefully, and have talked with men of unquestionable integrity who have seen the Indian farms, and, so far as I have been able to investigate the matter, justice compels me to bear favorable testimony to the policy of Dr. Hurt, in introducing agriculture among these tribes. Dr. Hurt has undoubtedly given his entire time and energies to improve the condition of the tribes in his neighborhood, and has, by his devotion to their interests, endeared himself much to them, and also stimulated other tribes, who have come many miles to visit these farms, and are asking instructions. Dr. Hurt has accomplished all this without any assistance from those around him, but in many instances had to encounter obstacles thrown in his way. For reasons for which Dr. Hurt abandoned the farms, I refer you to his letter to Colonel Johnston. Permanently locating the Indian tribes of this Territory, and the introduction among them of agricultural and mechanical pursuits, shall be my chief aim. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. FORNEY,
General J. W. DENVER,Sup't of Indian Affairs, U. T. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Note 1: Dr. Jacob Forney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah Territory, arrived at Camp Scott in the last days of November, 1858, when news of the Mountain Meadows massacre was just beginning to appear in newspapers east of the Rockies. He may have read some initial reports of the tragedy before he reached Camp Scott, but it was while in that place that he gained his first detailed knowledge of the massacre. The "report of agent Dr. Hurt," referred to in Forney's letter, contained a summary of the massacre. That report was published in both the 1858 Utah Expedition and the 1860 Message of the President, though the latter printing mis-dated the document to "Dec. 4, 1859." See Juanita Brooks' Mountain Meadows Massacre, p. 65, for the relevant Garland Hurt excerpt, along with a citation of the report's proper date: "December 6, 1857." From Indian Agent Hurt's report, Dr. Forney knew, by the first week in December, "that there were some fifteen or sixteen small children that were not killed, and were in charge of the bishop" at or near Cedar City. Quite likely Forney was told by Hurt that the name of the "bishop" in whose keeping these young survivors were then reported to be, was Philip Klingensmith. |
|
From: 1858 Letters from Nevada Indian Agents,
on-line library
[HEADQUARTERS OF ARMY OF UTAH]
DEAR SIR: -- There is now, no probability of the Army or Civil Department getting
into Salt L. City before May or June or even then.
Camp Scott, Green River Co., U. T., January 1, 1858. In compliance with the special request of the Acting Commissioner Mr. Mix I have availed myself of every opportunity to get reliable information of the true condition of the Indians in this Territory. I have obtained some useful and interesting information. Since my last communication, Five Cheifs and seventy to eighty of their principal men visited me, representing two or the Utah Tribes or Bands. The Utahs claim the country between Salt L. City, Rocky mountains, New Mexico & Sierra Nevada. Those that were here seemed peacefull, but evidently poor, they belong to Dr Hurt['s] Agency, & the Dr. informs me that they have renderred him some service on the Indian farms. These Bands are [anxious] to engage in agriculture & asked me to assist them, and also send a white man to instruct them.... I have received a communication since here, informing that the person appointed to the Agency, at Salt L. City, had declined, & I am consequently requested to continue Mr. Armstrong -- Mr. A. is a Mormon, & untill further instructed, I must decline recognizing him as an Agent. I believe the last Congress passed an Act for an Indian Agency, in Carson Valley, I think it would be advisable to appoint a suitable person to that Agency. Mr John Kerr, is here, in the employ of Mr Livingstone, and who I think would make a very good & reliable Agent. Mr Kerr has lived several years in this Territory, and seems familiar with Indian affairs. I also recommend the appointment of some person in the place of Mr Armstrong, at Salt Lake City. Very Respectfully, Your ob. Sevt.,
J. FORNEY,
Gen. L. W. DENVER,
Superintendent, Indian Affairs U.T. Commissioner of I. Affairs Notes: (forthcoming) |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 44
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY,
DEAR SIR: Your letter dated March 4, and mailed at Fort Laramie June 8, was
received yesterday, with a letter inclosed, signed D. C. Mitchell.
June 22, 1858. It affords me great pleasure to inform you, and the friends of the children in question through you, that I learned to-day where the children are. In my inquiries about the children I met a gentleman who lives at or near the place where the massacre took place. This gentleman, Mr. Hamblin, has one of the children, and informs me that all the children (fifteen) in question are in his immediate neighborhood, in the care of whites. These unfortunate children were for some days among Indians; with considerable effort they were all recovered, bought and otherwise, from Indians. I stated in my letter of last Saturday that I contemplated, as soon as other duties, and political affairs here, would permit, to visit the tribes in the southern portion of this Territory. I am assured that all these tribes live at and near the southern road to California. Within twenty days four Germans, inhabitants of this Territory, going south, were murdered about eighty miles from here by Indians, it is supposed. I have met since in this valley persons who have traveled over the southern route; they all inform me the Indians are troublesome. I am importuned hy many to visit the southern Indians. They are quite numerous, it is said. It is four hundred miles or more to the furthest Indian settlement on this route, and three hundred to where the children are. I will bring them here on my return. I can be ready to start on this southern trip in four weeks. I intend to undertake it without any special escort, with only the persons necessary to drive the several teams I may need, with a guide and interpreter. I will locate Agent Craig, for the present, at or near Fort Bridger, with directions to examine the several small valleys and streams running into Green river, with a prospective view of locating for agricultural purposes the Snake tribe, under chief Wash-A-Kee. Mr. Craig has not relieved Mr. Armstrong yet; this is in consequence of his obnoxiousness to these people, he (Craig) being afraid to visit Mr. Armstrong at Provo until I can go with him, which will be in a few days. Agent Hurt has not arrived from Fort Bridger, and, I am told, will not come unless with the army. These fears are imaginary; I have never been treated kinder than by these people. Dr. Hurt informed me, before I left Fort Bridger, that in consequence of bad health he was desirous of going home at the expiration of his commission, which is in August, I believe. His reappointment, if he should even desire it, is not, in my opinion, for the interest of the Indian department here, as will be manifest, after a full investigation of the condition of affairs of the Indian farms. I have now seen all the Indian officials in this Territory; talked more or less with all; also seen considerable of the Indians, and am forced to the conclusion that Indian affairs in this Territory are in such a mixed and conflicting condition, that the future policy can only be determined after visiting the tribes and ascertaining their condition and locality, and a further investigation of what is pretended to be the present policy if it is possible to get at what the present or former plan is pretended to be. I am forced to the conclusion that heretofore every Indian official had his own platform. No concert of action. This mixed and entangled state of affairs in Indian matters has proved manifestly detrimental to the true interest of the government and the Indians. Some attention has been given to a few tribes; these I have seen, without any visible improvement in any respect. I do not wish to advise the department in relation to the appointment of agents. You will, I sincerely hope, pardon me, for giving my honest opinion. I said to you, in some of my previous letters, that I was fully determined on visiting every tribe, if at all in my power, before next January; this I could have accomplished had it not been for the disturbance here. After ascertaining the locality, condition, and number, and character of the country, I will be better able to tell where and how many agents, or sub-agents, will be required. Whereever I see a necessity to have some one to attend to one or more tribes, permit me to appoint temporarily some good person living in the neighborhood of such tribe. I remain, truly and respectfully, yours, &c.,
J. FORNEY,
CHARLES E. MIX, Esq.
Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Note 1: Dr. Jacob Forney, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah Territory, evidently entered Salt Lake City in company with Governor Cumming (who was returning there following a visit to Camp Scott), "Peace Commissioners" Ben McCullock and Isaac Powell, and a handful of other officials, on June 7, 1858. Remarkably, he was receiving mail there as early as June 21st. Note 2: In an Aug., 1859 communication to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in Washington, D. C., Dr. Jacob Forney says: "July, 1858, I received instructions from the Acting Commissioner, C. E. Mix, in relation to certain children. In pursuance to which, I commenced without delay to make inquiry after the children supposed to have been saved, and living among whites and Indians." Thus, from his first days on the job, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah Territory, Forney labored under an obligation to search out and recover the several child survivors from the 1857 massacre at the Mountain Meadows in southern Utah. It seems likely that Jacob Hamblin was summoned to northern Utah by the LDS Church leaders, in order to gain employment with Dr. Forney and to function as a liason person with him in the repatriation of the survivor children to the States. |
|
From: 1858 Letters from Nevada Indian Agents,
on-line library
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY,
SIR: -- The conductor, drivers, & guard, carrying the U.S. Mail, to California, five in number were
attacked, on Friday night, of August 20th last, at the Humbolt 320 miles, by a party of Indians. They took the Mail,
Mules, Wagon and every thing the men had. They was no attempt made to kill any of the men. I learn that the Indians, on
the Humbolt have been committing depredations for ten years. This is the first outbrake for this season. Our Post
Master [gave] me a letter last Sunday, for the Govenor & myself. On Monday Govenor Cumming requested Genl. Johnston to
send a sufficient military force to the Humbolt, for the protection of the Mail & travelers.
Sep. 3, 1858. I asked General Johnston, through the Govenor, for a small escort, to accompany me, to the Humbolt and as far beyond it as contingent circumstances will allow me to go. The General, has consented to afford me every facility I may need for this or any other trip. I have just learned, that a Military force of 150 will leave next Sunday, for the Humbolt. As much of this force as I may require, will be at my disposal. I will leave in time next week to over take the Military before they reach the Humbolt. I hope Agent Dodge will arrive before we leave, if not I will make arrangements for him to follow us immediately on his arrival. I remain Respectfully, Your ob. Sevt.,
J. FORNEY,
Hon. C. E. MIX,
Supt. Ind. Aff. U.T. Com Ind. Aff., Washington, D.C. Notes: (forthcoming) |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 7
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT
INDIAN AFFAIRS UTAH TERRITORY,
SIR: Your polite note, inclosing a letter from the Adjutant General in regard to the massacre
of Arkansas emigrants near Cedar City, in this Territory, was duly received, and in reply I would say that
I have found ten of the children, who are now in my possession, and am using every endeavor to ascertain
the whereabouts of the others, with prospects of success.
Great Salt Lake City, September 10, 1858. I remain yours, respectfully,
J. FORNEY,
F. J. PORTER,Supt. Indian Affairs Utah Territory. Assistant Adjutant General. Note: For additional information on Dr. Forney, and his 1857-59 dealings with Jacob Hamblin in recovering the survivor children, see the two letters addressed to him, published in the Valley Tan of Feb. 15, 1859. |
|
From: 1858 Letters from Nevada Indian Agents,
on-line library
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, U. T.
SIR: -- I am in receipt of a letter from Dr. J. Forney now en route for the Humbolt, dated Camp on
“Goose Creek” 60 miles from Humbolt sept 21st, 1858.
Sept. 27, 1858. At the time of writing he was one day in advance of the Military Command which accompanied him from this place. It was his intention to push on as rapidly as possible, as he was not apprehensive of any danger from the Indians. He received a letter from Col Lander, who is now engaged in a road survey near Goose Creek, informing him that the Indians in that vicinity were all friendly. The Same day he met a band of one hundred & fifty Indians who were friendly. He thinks the reports of depradations committed by Indians on the Humbolt have been exagerated. I am also in receipt of a letter from Mr. Jacob Hamblin, who lives in the neighborhood of where the “Massacre” was committed last September. He reports having recovered four more of the children, (making (fourteen) in all, which number he has at his residence. I am sir, Your obt. svt.
S. M. STEWART,
Hon. C. E. MIX,
Clerk to supt. Commissioner Notes: (forthcoming) |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 52
PROVO CITY, U. T.,
March 18, 1859.
SIR: I left Salt Lake City last Sunday to visit the southern Indians, and to bring the seventeen
children, remaining from the massacre in September, 1857, to Salt Lake City, or adjacent to it.
I have been detained here to give evidence before the grand jury of the United States district court, in relation to the murder of several white persons last June and October, and also of the Mountain Meadow affair, all within the jurisdiction of this court. I am in possession of the facts of the murders in June and October, and have, within twenty days, received highly important and reliable information of the Mountain Meadow butchering affair. With the facts in my possession now, I may succeed in recovering some of the property. Facts in my possession warrant me in estimating that there was distributed a few days after the massacre, among the leading church dignitaries, $30,000 worth of property. It is presumable they also had some money. I will make such inquiry about this extraordinary affair as contingent circumstances will admit. I know that the Indians are bad enough; I am aware, also, that it is, and especially has been, exceedingly convenient to implicate the Indians in all such cases. It was my intention to have started several weeks ago, but the unexpected and unusual quantity of snow during February made an earlier start impracticable. In my letter, in which I speak of the necessity and my purpose of going south, I alluded to the Indians in the extreme southern part of the Territory. I hinted at the probability that the public interest may require a small military force somewhere in the southern extremity of the Territory to protect travelers and emigration. Very few days after writing the letter above alluded to, the public interest required me to visit a band of the Goo-sho-utes, about 60 miles west, and some of the Shoshonees, over 100 miles north. During my absence from Salt Lake City, the governor received additional information, mainly through my office, of suspected hostile designs among the extreme southern Indians, and immediately made a requisition for a small military detachment to be stationed at the most eligible points for the safety of travelers, &c. The governor, very properly, I think, made public the fact that an efficient military force would be sent south, and that I would visit the southern Indians in advance of the military command. I am anxious to proceed on my journey south as speedily as circumstances will permit. The roads are still bad, and I must also stop a few days at the different Indian farms. I will leave this to-morrow morning for the Spanish Fork reservation. I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. FORNEY,
Hon. J. W. DENVER,
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, U. T. Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C. Notes: (forthcoming) |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 8
SPANISH FORK, INDIAN RESERVATION,
DEAR GENERAL: Thank God that I am this near home from my southern trip. I had
a very laborious and difficult trip, at the same time, however, interesting, and my inquiries of the causes
and final consummation of the awful Mountain Meadow affair, may lead to extraordinary developments.
May 1, 1859. I succeeded in getting sixteen children, all, it is said, that remain of the butchering affair. I have the children with me, they seem contented and happy, poorly clad, however. I will get them fixed up as soon as possible. All the children are intellectual and good looking, not one mean looking child among them, they average from three and a half to nine years old. Most of them know their family names, and a few recollect the place of their former homes, others have some recollection of it. What is more important than all, is, that at least four of the oldest of the children know, WITHOUT DOUBT KNOW, enough of the material facts of the Mountain Meadow affair, to relieve this world of the white hell-hounds, who have disgraced humanity by being mainly instrumental in the murdering at least one hundred and fifteen men, women, and children, under circumstances and manner without a parallel in human history for atrocity. I gave Judge Cradlebaugh, a few days ago, the names of such persons who, I have reason to believe, participated in the affair, and when brought to trial can furnish the evidence to convict them. Some of these men are by this time arrested, I think. With proper caution all the men can be arrested. I send Mr. Rodgers back with the judge, with a business letter to some of the church dignitaries. I met the military command ten miles south of Fillmore, all seemed in good spirits. The country south of Cedar City is poor, but little grass and no grain. The Indians south, at this time, are quiet and peaceable. To the Mountain Meadows there is good grass, that far the command should go, for reasons you will learn by and by. Excuse this hasty and imperfect letter. Very respectfully and truly yours,
J. FORNEY.
General A. S. JOHNSTON,Commander of Utah Department, Utah Territory. |
|
From: 1858 Letters from Nevada Indian Agents,
on-line library
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY,
SIR: -- I returned yesterday from a visit to the southern portion of this Territory.
May 5, 1859. [The] Pey-Ute Tribe inhabit that region: they are divided into ten bands scattered along the southern California Road, from Beaver Valley to the California line, along the Santa Clara, Los Vagos & Rio Virgin Rivers. Several of the bands have cultivated small patches by the assistance of the white settlers. Nearly all the land supplied by nature, with water for irrigation is already occupied. The indians are in great destitution; Every thing growing among these miserable beings, having any life sustaining principle whatever, is carefully collected by them. At present they live on muscal, an nourishing plant. On this they subsist about two months. Their next resort is grass seed. There is scarcely any game, some few fish. When the above articles are got through with, necessity, I fear compels them to steal cattle, mules, horses &c. Begging among the whites is not profitable. Some provisions should be made for these Indians. All the chiefs and people with whom I talked ask for assistance in farming implements. Of them I will write more fully at an early day. I remain very respectfully, Your obt. Servant,
J. FORNEY,
Hon. C. E. MIX,
Superintendent Ind. Affr. Commissioner of Ind. Affr. Notes: (forthcoming) |
|
From: Valley Tan, May 10, 1859
G. S. L. City, May 5, 1859.
Kirk Anderson, Esq.:
Dear Sir: -- I returned yesterday from a laborious trip, through the extreme southern portion of the Territory, at the same time interesting however the purpose of my visit was to see and learn the condition, locality and character of the Pi-ute tribe of Indians, and to bring certain children to this city. The Pi-ute Indians, living in the southern part of the Territory, are divided into ten bands, each band numbering from 60 to 150, which live and roam on and adjacent to the Southern California road, from Beaver to the California line and along the Santa Clara, Los Vegas and Rio Virgin rivers. There is one principal chief whom all the bands recognize as such; each band has one or more sub-chiefs. I saw all the chiefs and many of the Indians, during my recent visit. The Pi-ute Indians are not an exception to the other Indians in the Territory in regard to poverty; these are, if any thing the most destitute. There is less game in the country claimed by the Pi-ute indians than in any other part of the Territory; everything growing with a life sustaining principle: roots, seeds (grass, &c.), and a peculiar plant called umea All these are collected with great care. A few bands cultivate small patches of land already, however, most of the land, which is advantageously located for irrigation is occupied. Begging among the whites, and all sorts of shiftings, these Indians merely sustain life; and I very much fear that necessity has compelled them heretofore to steal cattle, horses and mules, and to commit the crimes too fresh in our memory. I will render them such assistance in future as will be in my power. There was during last winter and is still, considerable travel on the Southern California road; most of the travel consisted in trains with goods from California for Utah Territory. This was during the season of the year when the Indians are most destitute, indeed many in a starving condition. I am informed that some of these trains were severely taxed by the Indians. You are well aware that owing to the entangled condition of affairs here, I could do but little officially until last June; since then I have been constantly engaged among the Indians, endeavoring to ameliorate their condition in different parts of the Territory. It was my desire to have visited the Pi-utes much sooner; this was impossible. The awful Mountain Meadow tragedy was perpetrated in the Pi-ute country. More of this by and bye. I found much of the road on may way south exceedingly bad in consequence of snow, mud, tremendous hills and innumerable rocks and stones. One wheel of each wagon and my carriage "smashed flat," besides minor accidents and occasionally the mules straying away; and always at a place from 10 to 20 miles from any place. Patience being the only help under such circumstances, never having had much to spare, necessity and circumstances, however have furnished me with some. After I got south of Fillmore I found it difficult on my way south to procure a sufficiency of grain for my stock; for what reason I cannot tell. We, however, got to Santa Clara finally. I neglected mentioning that Mr. Rogers accompanied and rendered me valuable assistance. I reached the memorable Mountain Meadow valley 300 miles south of this city wednesday April 14th, and nooned at the spring in the south end of the valley, and where the unfortunate emigrant party was camped from five to eight days. The valley, usually called Mountain Meadows is about six miles long south east and one to three wide, and almost continuous meadow, and already excellent grass throughout the whole valley. The road leading into the valley from the east goes through a narrow kanyon, the road from the valley south turns abruptly north-east, and passes over a considerable hill. There are two narrow out-lets from the valley besides those already mentioned, and through which the water runs. The entire valley excepting the roads, and out-lets above alluded to, are surrounded by high hills, with several small ravines or gullys between broken and abrupt hills. From several points within the valley proper, I could have a distinct view of anything that might be transpiring in the whole valley. There is one house with corrall, &c., in this valley situated in the east end. I have now traveled over much of this extensive Territory, and the Mountain Meadow valley is the most extraordinary formation west of the Rocky Mountains, probably in a higher altitude, than any other valley small or large, on the continent; yet a continuous and handsome meadow furnishing grass for much stock but, in too high an altitude for agriculture of any kind, even if it would admit of agriculture nature has not supplied it with sufficient water, there being but two springs in the whole valley. In about the centre of the valley in what is called the "Rim of the Basin," or point where the water, either finds its way to the Pacific or Lakes of Utah Territory, nature always profuse in making provision for the weary traveler and his stock, has, it would seem, designed this extraordinary and beautiful little valley, in so high an altitude that it can never be dispoiled by the hands of the agriculturalist, for a resting place, and re-susitating the broken down stock of the anxious traveler before reaching the Deserts, that all travelers over the southern California road must encounter before reaching the healthful and rich California climate and soil and on which deserts are now bleaching the bones of thousands of human beings, and of tens of thousands of animals. I fear I have taken up too much space in describing the Mountain Meadow valley. But the terrible "Drama" consumated in this little valley ,hardly eighteen months ago, with the cries of women and children almost sounding in ones ears, must necessarily make this peculiar valley among the clouds, a subject of to the enquiring mind. I informed my then guide and interpreter (Mr. Ira Hatch) that I was anxious to see the spot where the massacre took place, and also where the dead were buried. I saw the three places where the dead are buried. From information received from persons in and out of the Mormon Church, and observations whilst at the place, enables me to say that the emigrant party in question, arrived and camped at the spring in the south end of the valley, Friday, Sept. 7th or 8th, 1857 the amount of property is variously [estimated] from to 200 to 700 head, and ten to thirty wagons My own impression is that they had 600 head of cattle and about 40 wagons. It is said the firing commenced Monday, Sept 10, before daylight, and that the firing was by the indians fighting the said emigrant party then in camp at the spring, as already stated. The firing was continued some say five, others say seven days. During the five or seven days of firing and fighting by the Indians the emigrant party was corralled, that is they made a corrall and temporary fort by their wagons and filled under the wheels and to the bed of the wagon with sand aad earth dug in the centre of corrall. I saw the ditch and other evidences of there having been a corrall. Sept. 17th, 1857, morning, a friendly Indian and who could talk English came in the corrall, the inmates having then been without water from five to seven days; made arrangements or treaty with said Indian. The Indians to have the property and to spare the lives of the whites, and permit them to return to Painter Creek and Cedar City. From the spring and corrall to the place where it is said they were murdered, and where I saw the graves (or imperfect holes) is at least one mile and a half. I walked over the ground where it is supposed they were killed, the evidences of this being unmistakable from skulls, & other bones and hair ladying scattered over the ground. There are there buried as near as I can ascertain, 106 persons, men, women and children; and from one to two miles further down the valley, two or three who, in attempting to escape, were killed partly up the hill, north side of the valley, and there buried; and three who got away entirely, but overtaken and killed at or near the Vegas or Muddy; in all 115. I made strict and diligent inquiry of the number supposed to have been killed and 115 is probably about the correct number. April 15th, arrived at Santa Clara this afternoon and camped in town. Here I met Mr. Jacob Hamblin, who has been in my employ since last fall collecting certain children, and other business among the Indians. Here (Santa Clara) myself and party were kindly treated during our stay, two days. I say in the beginning of my letter that I purposed bringing to this city certain children remaining of the Mountain Meadow massacre. These children, sixteen in number, I have now in my possession. Thirteen I got in Santa Clara, at Mr. J. Hamblin's, who collected them in pursuance to my directions, and three I got in Cedar City on our way home, left there by Mr. Hamblin. I am pleased to say that Mr. Hamblin has discharged his duty in relation to the collection and keeping of those children. The following is all I have been able as yet to collect of the history of these unfortunate, fatherless, motherless and pennyless children. John Calvin, now 7 or 8 years old; does not remember his name; says his family lived at Horse Head, Johnson co., Arkansas. Ambrose Mironi, about 7 years, and William Taggit, 4 1/2 years, brothers; these also lived in Johnson co. Prudence Angeline, 6 years, and Annie, about 3 years; these two are said to be sisters. Rebecca, 9 years; Louisa, 5 years, and Sarah, 3 1/2 years; from Dunlap. Betsey, 6 years, and Annie, 3 years; said to be sisters; these know nothing of their family or residence. Charles Francher, 7 or 8 years, and his sister Annie, 3 1/2 years. Sophronia or Mary Huff, 6 years old, and Elisha W. Huff. A boy, no account of him. Those among whom he lived call him William. Francis Hawn or Horn, 4 1/2 years old. I have come to the conclusion, after different conversations with these children, that most of them came from Johnson co., Arkansas. Most of them told me that they have grandfathers and grandmothers in the States. Mr. Hamblin has good reasons for believing that a boy about 8 years of age, and belonging to the party in question, is among the Navajo Indians, at or near the Colorado River. My communication is already too long, but must ask your indulgence for a few lines more. I will keep the children under my immediate supervision, until the person appointed to take them to Fort Smith arrives. The massacre of an entire train, not one remaining to speak of the "drama" but sixteen fatherless motherless and pennyless children ,supposed probably to be too young to give the affair tangibility, cannot remain long uninvestigated. The cause or reason for the comission of a crime so terrible as that of killing at least 115 persons, must assuredly become a subject of enquiry with the proper legal authorities. The Pi-ute tribe of indians have been, and are charged with the above crime. Last August, my attention was called to the Mountain Meadow affair officially. Since then I have made diligent enquiry, got the written statements of persons living in the neighborhood, and finally visited the southern country; and now after full enquiry and examination, I deem it to be my imperative duty to say that the Indians had material assistance from whites; and in my opinion the Pi-ute Indians would not have perpetrated the terrible massacre without such aid and assistance. Mr. Jacob Hamblin and others, of Santa Clara, expressed much anxiety to bring the guilty to justice. I remain very respectfully yours, &c.
J. FORNEY.
|
|
From: Deseret News, May 11, 1859
G.S.L. CITY, May 5, 1859.
Hon. Elias Smith:
Dear Sir: -- Yesterday I returned from a laborious thoughf interesting trip through the extreme southern portion of the Territory. The purpose of my visit was to see and learn the condition, locality and character of the Pi-ute tribe of Indians and to bring certain children to this city. The Pi-ute Indians living in the southern part of the territory are divided into ten bands, each band numbering from 60 to 150, which live and roam on and adjacent to the Southern California road from Beaver to the California line and along the Santa Clara, Las Vegas and the Virgen rivers. There is one principal chief whose name Tut-se-guv-vit, whom all the bands recognize as their head. Each band has one or more sub-chiefs. I saw all the chiefs and many of the Indians during my recent visit. The Pi-ute Indians are not an exception to the other Indians in the territory in regard to poverty; if there is any difference, these are the most destitute. There ia less game in the country claimed by the Pi-ute Ondians than any other part of the Territory. The vegetation consists in a few scrubby cedars; cottonwoods on the banks of rivers; the cactus, bearing large pods, which, when roasted in ashes are of indifferent taste; a few roots; some grass and weeds, the seeds of which are gathered and a peculiar shrub, called mesquite. A few bands cultivate small patches of land; already however most of the land, which is advantageously located for irrigation, is occuppied. By begging from the whites, and all sorts of shiftings, these Ondians merely sustain life; and I very much fear that necessity has compelled them heretofore to steal cattle, horses and mules, and to commit the many crimes too fresh in our memory. I will render them such assistance in future as will be in my power. There was during last winter, and still is considerable travel on the southern California road; most of which consisted in trains with goods from California for Utah Territory. This was during the season of the year when the Indians are most destitute; many indeed being in a starving condition, and, as I am informed, some of these trains were severely taxed by the Indians. You are well aware that owing to the entangled condition of affairs here, I could do but little officially until last June. Since then I have been constantly engaged among the Indians in different parts of the Territory, endeavoringn with my utmost to ameliorate their condition. It was my desire to have visited the Pi-utes much sooner; this was impossible. The awful Mountain Meadow tragedy was perpetrated in the Pi-ute country. But more of this by and bye.... I reached the memorable Mountain Meadow valley, 300 miles south of this city, Wednesday, April 14, and nooned at the spring in the south end of the valley, where the unfortunate emigrant party was camped from five to eight days. This valley, usually called Mountain Meadows, is about six miles long and from one to three wide, running in a southerly direction, almost a continuous meadow, and excellent grass already growing throughout the whole valley. The road leading into the valley from the east goes through a narrow kanyon; the road from the valley on the south turns abruptly to the eastward and passes over a considerable hill. There are two narrow outlets from the valley, besides those already mentioned, through which the water runs. The entire valley excepting the roads and outlets above alluded to, is surrounded by high hills, with several small ravines or gulleys between broken and abrupt hills. From several points within the valley proper I could have a distinct view of anything that might be transpiring in the whole valley. There is one house in this valley, situated in the east end, where there is a corral, &c. I have now traveled over much of this extensive Territory, and the Mountain Meadow valley is the most extraordinary formation west of the Rocky Mountains; probably in a higher altitude than any other valley, small or large, on the continent, yet it is a continuous and handsome meadow, furnishing grass for much stock, but in too high altitude for agriculture of any kind, and, even if it would admit of agriculture, nature has not supplied it with sufficient water, there being but two springs in the whole valley.... I fear I have taken up too much space in describing the Mountain Meadow valley. But the terrible drama consummated in this little valley hardly eighteen months ago, with the cries of women and children alost sound in one's ears, must necessarily make this peculiar valley among the clouds, a subject of concernment to the inquiring mind. I informed my then guide and interpreter (Mr. Ira Hatch) that I was anxious to see the spot where the massacre took place and also where the dead are buried. I saw the three places where the dead are buried. Information received from persons in and out of the Mormon Church, and observations whilst at the place, enables me to say that the emigrant party in question arrived and camped at the spring in the south end of the valley, Friday, Sept. 7th or 8th, 1857. The amount of property is estimated at from 200 to 700 head, with from ten to thirty wagons. My own impression is that they had 600 head of cattle and about 40 wagons. It is said the firing commenced on Monday, Sept. 10, before daylight, and that the firing was by the Indians fighting the said emigrant party then in camp at the spring, as already stated. The firing was continued, some say five, others say seven days. During the five or seven days of firing and fighting by the Indians, the emigrant party was corralled, that 1s, they made a corral and temporary fort by their wagons and filled under the wheels and to the bed of the wagons with sand and earth dug in the centre of the corral. I saw the ditch and other evidence of there having been a corral. Sept. 17th, 1857, in the morning, a friendly Indian and one who could talk English came into the corral. The emigrants having then been without water from five to seven days, made arrangements or treaty with said Indian -- in which the Indians were to have the property, spare the lives of the whites, and permit them to return to Pinto Creek and Cedar City. From the spring and corral to the place where it is said they were murdered, and where I saw the graves (or imperfect holes) is at least one mile and a half. I walked over the ground where it is supposed they were killed -- the evidences of this being unmistable from skulls, and other bones and hair laying scattered over the ground. There are there buried, as near as I can ascertain, 106 persons, men, women and children; and from one to two miles further down the valley, two or three, who in attempting to escape were, killed partly up the hill, north side of the valley, and there buried, and three who got away entirely, but were overtaken and killed at or near the Vegas or Muddy; in all 115. I made strict and diligent inquiry of the number supposed to have been killed, and 115 is probably about the correct number. April 15th -- Arrived at Santa Clara this afternoon and camped in town. Here I met Mr. Jacob Hamblin, who has been in my employ since last fall, collecting certain children and other business among the Indians. Here (Santa Clara) myself and party were kindly treated during our stay -- two days. I say in the beginning of the of my letter that I purposed bringing to this city certain children remaining of the Mountain Meadow massacre. These children, sixteen in number, I have now in my possession. Thirteen I got in Santa Clara, at Mr. J. Hamblin's, who collected them in pursuance to my directions, and three I got in Cedar City on our way home, who were left there by Mr. Hamblin. I am pleased to say that Mr. Hamblin has Ms discharged his duty in relation to the collection and keeping of those children. The following is all I have been able as yet to collect of the history of these unfortunate, fatherless, motherless and pennyless children: John Calvin, now 7 or 8 years old; does not remember his name; says his family lived at Horse Head, Johnson Co., Arkansas. Ambrose Moroni, about 7 years, and William Taggit, 4 1/2 years, brothers. These also lived in Johnston Co. Prudence Angeline, 6 years, and Annie about 3 years. These are said to be sisters. Rebbeca, 9 years; Louisa, 5 years, and Sarah, 3 1/2 years, named Dunlap. Betsy, 6 years and Annie, 3 years; said to be sisters. These know nothing of their family or residence. Charles Francher [sic], 7 or 8 years, and his sister Annie 31/2 years. Sophronia or Mary Huff, 6 years and Elisha W. Huff, 4 years. A boy -- no account of him. Those among whom he lived called him William. Francis Hown or Korn, 4 1/2 years old. I have come to the conclusion after different conversations with these children that most of them come from Johnson co., Arkansas. Most of them have told me that they have grandfathers and grandmothers in the States. Mr. Hamblin has good reasons for believing that a boy about 8 years and belonging to the party in question is among the Navajo Indians, at or near the Colorado river. My communication is already too long but I must ask your indulgence for a few lines more. I will keep the children under my immediate supervision until the person appointed to take them to Fort Smith arrives. The massacre of an entire train, not one remaining to speak of the "drama," but sixteen fatherless, motherless and pennyless children, supposed be too young to give the affair tangibility, cannot remain long uninvestigated. The cause or reason for the commission of a crime so terrible as that of killing at least 115 persons must assuredly become a subject of inquiry with the proper legal authorities. The Pi-ute tribe of Indians have been and are charged with the above crime. Last August, my attention was called to the Mountain Meadow affair officially. Since then I have made diligent inquiry, got the written statements of persons living in the neighborhood, and finally visited the southern country; and now, after full inquiry and examination, I deem it to be my duty to say that the Indians had material aid and assistance from whites; and, in my opinion, the Pi-ute Indians would not have prepetrated the terrible massacre without aid and assistance. Mr. Jacob Hamblin and others of Santa Clara expressed much anxiety to bring the guilty to justice. I remain, very respectfully, yours, &c., J. FORNEY |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 9
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, UTAH,
DEAR SIR: I informed you sometime ago that I had then sixteen children in my
possession, all (it was then supposed) that were remaining of the terrible massacre in Mountain Meadows valley,
in September, 1857.
Great Salt Lake City, June 15, 1859. Since my hasty letter to you from Spanish Fort, another child has been recovered, and is now also in my possession. I have collected these children in pursuance to instructions from the Indian department, and in compliance with those instructions, they must soon be en route for Leavenworth. Messrs. Russell, Majors, and Waddell offered the Indian department, free of charge, two large wagons, twelve yoke oxen, and the necessary gear, to transport the children to Leavenworth in company with one of their returning caravans. These unfortunate fatherless, motherless, and penniless children certainly demand more than an ordinary degree of sympathy. I have secured the services of four females to accompany them to Leaven worth. I will also provide suitable clothing, blankets, and such appliances as will be deemed necessary. I am also directed to furnish them with provisions, and I presume cooking utensils, fuel, &c. My instructions from the office of Indian affairs plainly indicate the desire that I should send these children by the means of transportation offered by Messrs. Russell, Majors, and Waddell; but I am induced to believe that, was the department advised of the objections so obvious to this mode of transportation, I feel satisfied that my instructions would have been materially modified or changed, and therefore, after mature reflection and consultation with several gentlemen, I am induced to assume the responsibility of changing the direction of this matter, provided I can obtain two or three ambulances, one baggage- wagon, a suitable number of mules, and a proper military escort from the officer in command of this department. I therefore respectfully request that you will advise me whether this arrangement can be made without subjecting the service to any important inconvenience. As the caravan with which it is proposed to send the children leaves in a few days, an early reply is respectfully requested. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. FORNEY,
General A. S. JOHNSTON,
Superintendent Indian Affairs Utah Territory. Com'g Department Utah, Camp Floyd, Utah Territory. |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 11
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY,
DEAR SIR: I received your letter, in answer to mine to General Johnston, in
relation to the transportation to Fort Leavenworth of the seventeen children, and also your two letters on the
same subject.
June 20, 1859. I can hardly find language to express my thankfulness, to General Johnston and yourself, for the favorable consideration of my request. Have the kindness, my dear sir, to say to General Johnston that I appreciate his kindness, and return to him, in behalf of the unfortunate children, sincere thanks for the generosity in aiding me to convey those little ones in comfort and safety to Leavenworth, instead of in two ox-wagons and in company of sundry ox-drivers. I will be at Camp Floyd to-morrow evening. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. FORNEY.
Major F. J. PORTER,
Superintendent Indian Affairs, U. T. Assistant Adjutant General, Camp Floyd, U. T. Note: Between September 1859 and November 1860 Utah Territory had no Superintendent of Indian Affairs, as Dr. Forney was removed from office (for suspected misappropriation of funds) and no successor was appointed for several months. |
|
From: 1860 Message of the President,
page 11
|
|
Transcriber's Comments
|
(this web page is still under construction)
Back to top of this page
History Vault | Bookshelf | Spalding Library | Mormon Classics | Newspapers
HOME unOFFICIAL JOSEPH SMITH HOME PAGE CHRONOLOGY
last updated: Oct. 7, 2007