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| Blacksmith Fork Canyon from Hyrum |
Showing posts with label cache valley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cache valley. Show all posts
Friday, November 10, 2017
Logging Up Blacksmith Fork Canyon
I came upon some history of Blacksmith Fork Canyon, and Hyrum which I didn't know. This is from an article in "An Early History of Cache County." Apparently a lot of trees were taken out of the canyon, along with other canyons for railroad ties. they would be floated down the river in the spring, which in turn lead to the Logan River and then the Bear River. They were removed from the river in Corrine where they were used for railroad ties. Also much wood was removed for home construction as well as the other buildings in Cache Valley. This article tells the story of logging, including the deaths of several loggers. There is also a story in the Herald Journal. They are looking for more information about James Smyth, one of the loggers who was killed in a snow slide in 1877. This is a memorial to him just below Hardware Ranch. He is from Kansas. He was in the canyon logging with others from Kansas. More than that is not known. His companions from Kansas gave up after the slide and returned home to Kansas.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Native Americans of Hyrum, Utah
Cache Valley was the home to the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Indians. Chief Bear Hunter was leader of the division which inhabited Cache Valley. He was considered the chief leader of the Northwest Shoshone. There were two other divisions under Chief Pocatello and Chief Little Soldier.
It is interesting to note that Cache Valley was plentiful with buffalo at one time. However, the buffalo met a terrible fate before the 1800s. "This is the story told by an Indian Chief, Sagwich, to the first settlers of Cache. At the time of the telling, Sagwich was seventy-five or eighty years old, thus making his birth about 1780. He says that when he was in his fourth year, the snow began to come early in the fall to such a depth that the Indians became alarmed and began to move out of the Valley into the Valley west. By doing this, they saved their lives, for all winter the snow continued to pile up in the two Valleys until even in Salt Lake Valley it reached the depth of about fourteen feet and in Cache Valley it was worse. In the spring when the Indians returned to this Valley they counted but seven live buffaloes. These they gave chase to, killing some, and the others fled and disappeared out of the Valley to the north."
http://www.mendonutah.net/history/cache_county/02.htm
It may have been, that before having access to the horse, the inhabitants were a framing people. However the plentiful supply of buffalo, and the ability to kill them from the horse, lead to the abandonment of agriculture.
The coming of the Mormon pioneers to Cache Valley starting in 1859 alarmed the native population. They retaliated to the incursion by driving away and stealing the settlers cows and horses. A local militia was set up to combat the threat. There were conflicts in Richmond and Providence. In 1863, the Bear River Massacre took place. Colonel Patrick Connor attacked the encampment of Chief Bear Hunter with about 200 California volunteers. As a result, 23 soldiers, and over 250 Native Americans, including at least 90 women and children, were killed. Chief Bear Hunter was among the killed. After this, there were really no major conflicts with the Shoshone in Cache Valley.
http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/american_indians/shoshoniindians.html
There are a few stories of Indians in Hyrum from "Home in the Hills of Bridgerland. When they first arrived, while the men wee working on the canal, the women where confronted with a group of Indians. However they only demanded provisions and were satisfied. During the years of the fort, a group headed by Chief Pocatello came to town demanding provisions, and they were supplied. The only year "trouble" occurred shortly after the Bear River Massacre. Twelve horses were stolen from the joint corral. The militia headed out in search of them. A couple days later they came upon the camp of those who had stolen them, and stole them back.
Chief Washakie was a frequent visitor with a group of Indians. He would come in watermelon season and was allowed to pick a few. Annually, the Indians would come through, and the squaws would go door to begging for flour, while the men would visit the Bishop for meat. The general policy was it was better to feed them than to fight them.
There was an Indian Princess who became ill and died in Hyrum and was buried west of town close to the river.
For the most part, there were no hostilities in Hyrum. Many years the Indians would camp just out side of town, and Indian children would play with white children.
It is interesting to note that Cache Valley was plentiful with buffalo at one time. However, the buffalo met a terrible fate before the 1800s. "This is the story told by an Indian Chief, Sagwich, to the first settlers of Cache. At the time of the telling, Sagwich was seventy-five or eighty years old, thus making his birth about 1780. He says that when he was in his fourth year, the snow began to come early in the fall to such a depth that the Indians became alarmed and began to move out of the Valley into the Valley west. By doing this, they saved their lives, for all winter the snow continued to pile up in the two Valleys until even in Salt Lake Valley it reached the depth of about fourteen feet and in Cache Valley it was worse. In the spring when the Indians returned to this Valley they counted but seven live buffaloes. These they gave chase to, killing some, and the others fled and disappeared out of the Valley to the north."
http://www.mendonutah.net/history/cache_county/02.htm
It may have been, that before having access to the horse, the inhabitants were a framing people. However the plentiful supply of buffalo, and the ability to kill them from the horse, lead to the abandonment of agriculture.
The coming of the Mormon pioneers to Cache Valley starting in 1859 alarmed the native population. They retaliated to the incursion by driving away and stealing the settlers cows and horses. A local militia was set up to combat the threat. There were conflicts in Richmond and Providence. In 1863, the Bear River Massacre took place. Colonel Patrick Connor attacked the encampment of Chief Bear Hunter with about 200 California volunteers. As a result, 23 soldiers, and over 250 Native Americans, including at least 90 women and children, were killed. Chief Bear Hunter was among the killed. After this, there were really no major conflicts with the Shoshone in Cache Valley.
http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/american_indians/shoshoniindians.html
There are a few stories of Indians in Hyrum from "Home in the Hills of Bridgerland. When they first arrived, while the men wee working on the canal, the women where confronted with a group of Indians. However they only demanded provisions and were satisfied. During the years of the fort, a group headed by Chief Pocatello came to town demanding provisions, and they were supplied. The only year "trouble" occurred shortly after the Bear River Massacre. Twelve horses were stolen from the joint corral. The militia headed out in search of them. A couple days later they came upon the camp of those who had stolen them, and stole them back.
Chief Washakie was a frequent visitor with a group of Indians. He would come in watermelon season and was allowed to pick a few. Annually, the Indians would come through, and the squaws would go door to begging for flour, while the men would visit the Bishop for meat. The general policy was it was better to feed them than to fight them.
There was an Indian Princess who became ill and died in Hyrum and was buried west of town close to the river.
For the most part, there were no hostilities in Hyrum. Many years the Indians would camp just out side of town, and Indian children would play with white children.
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| Chief Pocatello |
Thursday, January 31, 2013
David H. Smith Visits Cache Valley
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-debate-in-cache-valley-1899.html
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/joseph-smith-iii-visits-cache-valley.html
David H. Smith, posthumous son of Joseph Smith, made two missionary trips to Cache Valley. On the first trip, in 1871, he was accompanied by Josiah Ells. They were able to reorganize a branch of the church in Providence which had been subject to emigration, and organize a branch in Logan. The branch in Providence was among the Swiss people and the meetings were held in German. David Smith returned to the Midwest from this trip due to "brain fever." He was traveling with his brother, Alexander, who had mostly served in the Salt Lake area and had returned home as his wife was sick.
In 1872 David H. Smith was accompanied by Amasa M. Lyman, ex-Mormon apostle, to Cache Valley. Meetings were held in Brigham City, Providence, Logan and Franklin. Lyman at this time was practicing spiritualism and séances were held by the group. The strain of the mission, accompanied by the effect of the spiritualist séances lead David Smith to a physical and spiritual break down. David H. Smith was returned to the Midwest by Josiah Ells.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Great Debate in Cache Valley, 1899
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/joseph-smitt-iii-visits-cache-valley.html
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-is-third-articles-about.html
The Great Debate in Cache Valley, 1899
After 1890 the presence and influence of the Reorganized Church in Cache Valley was very small and insignificant. The 1890 census showed 33 members in Richmond and a handful in Logan. Most of those who had earlier converted had left the valley, returning to the East. By the turn of the century very few members remained.
However 1899 marked a significant event which was recorded in the Journal under the title “The Great Debate.” For a week, January 17-22, the great debate took place in the second ward meeting house in Logan. S.D. Condit, missionary for the Reorganized Church, and Melvin J. Ballard. Melvin J. Ballard was a young man of 26, the son of a bishop, had been on a couple of missions, and twenty years later would become and apostle.
The debate was moderated by Reverend Newton Clemenson. The debate lasted six days, and each day the church was packed and people had to be turned away. The first three days covered the truthfulness of the Utah church and the last three days the veracity of the Reorganized Church. Reverend Clemenson thought S.D. Condit the winner. The local paper proclaimed Elder Ballard the victor. The paper concludes, “Thus ended one of the most important events of a religious nature that has ever taken place here. Elder Ballard in the opinion of his hearers had far and away the best of the argument, although Elder Condit made perhaps as good a showing for his church as anyone could have done. People generally will do considerable thinking on the matter.”
A history of Melvin J. Ballard describes this event. “In January, 1899, he held a week's discussion with one of the ministers of the Reorganized Church upon the question of succession, and succeeded in establishing in the hearts of the hearers the fact that the authority of the Priesthood is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” http://www.gapages.com/ballamj1.htm
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-is-third-articles-about.html
After 1890 the presence and influence of the Reorganized Church in Cache Valley was very small and insignificant. The 1890 census showed 33 members in Richmond and a handful in Logan. Most of those who had earlier converted had left the valley, returning to the East. By the turn of the century very few members remained.
However 1899 marked a significant event which was recorded in the Journal under the title “The Great Debate.” For a week, January 17-22, the great debate took place in the second ward meeting house in Logan. S.D. Condit, missionary for the Reorganized Church, and Melvin J. Ballard. Melvin J. Ballard was a young man of 26, the son of a bishop, had been on a couple of missions, and twenty years later would become and apostle.
The debate was moderated by Reverend Newton Clemenson. The debate lasted six days, and each day the church was packed and people had to be turned away. The first three days covered the truthfulness of the Utah church and the last three days the veracity of the Reorganized Church. Reverend Clemenson thought S.D. Condit the winner. The local paper proclaimed Elder Ballard the victor. The paper concludes, “Thus ended one of the most important events of a religious nature that has ever taken place here. Elder Ballard in the opinion of his hearers had far and away the best of the argument, although Elder Condit made perhaps as good a showing for his church as anyone could have done. People generally will do considerable thinking on the matter.”
A history of Melvin J. Ballard describes this event. “In January, 1899, he held a week's discussion with one of the ministers of the Reorganized Church upon the question of succession, and succeeded in establishing in the hearts of the hearers the fact that the authority of the Priesthood is with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” http://www.gapages.com/ballamj1.htm
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Joseph Smith III Visits Cache Valley
Joseph Smith’s son visited Cache Valley on three occasions. He was eleven at the death of the prophet, and took over leadership of the Reorganized church in 1860 at the age of 27. He would serve as the president of the church for 54 years.
His visits to Cache Valley were generally proselyting visits. His first visit however, was more recreational. He passed through the northern corner of the valley, traveling from Malad. He and his companions took a swim in Swan Lake. This was 1885.
In 1889 Joseph III entered the valley a couple of times during his missionary labor. He first made an appearance in Oxford, Idaho. He was accompanied by A.J. Anthony, head of the mission in Utah. He was granted permission by Bishop Lewis to use the meeting house for one service. (This was with the condition that an Elder from the Utah Church, Milo G. Andrews be allowed to speak after he had finished.) Several hundred people attended the meeting, most of them women.
After spending a few weeks in Malad (where the reorganized Church had a group) he returned to Logan. The group was able to use the basement of the tabernacle for three consecutive days. The upper floor of the building was still under construction. President Smith addressed himself to the major conflicts between the two churches—claim to authority and polygamy. He addressed the first question the first night, and the question of polygamy the second. This night he and Apostle Thatcher of the Utah church engaged in a shouting match for some time. This ended when one of the brethren on the stand stood up and said, “Do not interrupt the son of the Prophet again.” After the service Apostle Thatcher asked for Joseph Smith’s apology. The Logan Journal reported on the meeting, “Joseph Smith Jr. President of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saint gave a series of lectures during the past week—the last of which concluded Thursday evening—in the basement of the tabernacle. He drew good attendance most of the time and particularly on the nights when he dwelt upon the marriage relation. He did not leave a very profound impression and it would be no difficult matter to beat him to death in discussion by nailing his own weapons.”
From Logan he traveled to Richmond where he was able to present three meetings in the tabernacle. From Richmond he traveled to Hyrum where they held one meeting. He met Bishop Molen of the Utah Church and James Unsworth, minister of the Church of England over the Hyrum congregation. From Hyrum he traveled South.
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-debate-in-cache-valley-1899.html
http://bwardlehistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-is-third-articles-about.html
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Cache and Cachians
This is publication put together by the Special Collections at Utah State. It is subtitled Twenty Publications Important to the Study of Cache Valley. It is dated 1976. These items are from Special Collection, Merrill Library Utah State. The twenty publications it lists, which would have been on display are:
1. Northeastern Utah and South Eastern Idaho, 1877 George M. Wheeler Cartographer. This is the first map showing the valley floor of Cache Valley.
2. The History of a Valley: Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, Joel Ricks Editor 1956. I have this book in my possession.
3. A Detective's Experience Among the Mormons or Polygamist Mormons: How They Live and the Land They Live In. Fed E, Bennett, 1887. A look at polygamy from the side of the law. Detective served mostly in Franklin area. Available from Cornell University online http://archive.org/stream/cu31924031249455#page/n31/mode/2up or through Amazon for over $100
4. A Soil Survey of Cache Valley Area, Utah: Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties, United States Department of Agriculture, 1974.
5. Intermountain Railroads: Standard and Narrow Gauge, Merrill Beal, 1962. AMazon has for $10. A review on line at
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/merrill-p-beal/intermountain-railroads/#review
6. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Hafen, LeRoy R., editor 1965-1972
“From at least 1824 to 1834 Cache Valley was the center of the Rock Mountain Fur Trade. The great rendezvous of 1826 was held here, probably near the present city of Richmond. There are numerous books dealing with the trapper era, but the ten volume work of trapper biographies edited by Prof. Hafen probably contains the most comprehensive data on Cache Valley’s roll in the fur trade.
Available through Amazon Books and excerpts online:
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/wwdl-neh/id/3767
7. Corianton, and Aztec Romance: A Romantic Spectacular Drama, in Four Acts. Bean, Drestes, SLC 1902
A four-act play…is Cache Valley’s principal contribution to American drama. The play was first produced in Logan’s Thatcher Opera House and was taken on several successful nation-wide tours by a Cache Valley company.
Online: http://archive.org/stream/coriantonanaztec00beanrich#page/60/mode/2up
8. The History of Smithfield: Olson, Mr and Mrs. Leonard, Smithfield 1927
“The Olson history is in every sense a “commissioned” history. It was requested by the Smithfield City Council on August 5, 1925, and published by the city two years later… While this work uses many commonly available sources, it was partially derived from interviews with Smithfield pioneers still living in 1926 and thus may be considered a primary account of Smithfield history.
I could not find this book on the web but this article cites this book:
http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/s/SMITHFIELD.html
9. The Mormons, Wishard, Samuel E. New York Presbyterian Home Missions, 1904
“Gentile History is the great unknown in Cache Valley history…Wisard’s little book outlines the early history of the Presbyterians in Cache Valley.
I tried to find ebook but not successful. Copies (reprinted?) are available through Amazon, Alibris, ebay.
10. Ten Years Before the Mast. Shipwrecks and Adventures at Sea! Religious Customs of the People of India and Burmak’s Empire: How I Became a Mormon and Why I Became and Infidel, Metcalf, Anthony, Malad City, Idaho 1888.
“:Only one copy of this book is known to exist. The autobiography of Anthony Metcalf it records the difficulties of being a member of the Reorganized LDS Church in Cache Valley in the 1860s and 70s.”
I have been unable to find any ebook, but there is internet discussion of a quote from David Whitmer and being a witness to the Book of Mormon, which people seem to use to try to disprove the witnesses.
11. Newspaper Supplements: Special newspaper editions The Journal New Years 1892 devoted to La Plata and the Cache mining industry, The Herald Journal Centenial 1956, Golden Spike Centenial 1969 Ogden Standard Examiner.
12. Ground Water Supply in Cache Valley, Utah Available for Domestic Usr and Irrigation, Peterson, William, Logan Bulletin Utah Cooperative Extension Service 1946.
13. Brigham Young College Bulletin: Final Volume, Final Number, Logan 1926
“This bulletin is the last published work of Logan’s BYC, an LDS College which operated from 1878 to 1926. This publication contains the proceeding of the 48th annual commencement with the tests of the addresses on the history of the institution.”
14. Hometown Album: a Pictorial History of Franklin County, Idaho—Horse and Buggy Days and early Auto Era, Hart, Newell, Preston Idaho 1973.
“This magnificent volume with 843 illustrations of all phases of life in northern Cache Valley is probably the finest book yet to be published on Cache Valley history. Mr. Hart has fathered and laboriously identified each photograph and compiled as an appendix a basic chronology of north Cache Valley from 1860 to 1930. The volume is superbly indexed.”
15. History of Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, Tullidge, Edward W. Salt Lake City 1889
“Volume II of Tullidge’s Histories. This volume is the first historical account of Cache Valley.”
http://books.google.com/books?id=V9yNdroBfdgC&pg=PA137&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false
16. The Trail Blazer: History of the Development of Southeastern Idaho, Danielsen, Marie, Compiler, Preston, Daughters of the Pioneers, 1930.
“This little volume remains the basic history of Franklin county, Idaho. Compiled in the 1920s, at least partially from pioneer interviews, it is the primary source for all subsequent histories of northern Cache Valley.”
17. Cache County: The Eden of Utah, Logan, the Logan Republican, 1916.
“This “chamber of commerce” guide to Cache County was published by the Logan Republican in the spring of 1916. It is apparently the first such publication in Valley history, a special promotional brochure designed to encourage investment and new population growth.
No ebook
18. Logan City and Cache County Directory, 1905-1906, Polk R. L. & Co Salt Lake City 1905
19. Geologic Atlas of Utah: Cache County, William, J. Stewart Salt Lake City 1958
20. The Story of Old Ephraim, Crookston, Newell J. Logan 1959
“Cache is a valley-oriented society. Very little has ever been published about the mountains surrounding us or the wildlife therein. Crookston’s booklet is one of only two works on the bears which once roamed the mountains and the valley floor.
1. Northeastern Utah and South Eastern Idaho, 1877 George M. Wheeler Cartographer. This is the first map showing the valley floor of Cache Valley.
2. The History of a Valley: Cache Valley, Utah-Idaho, Joel Ricks Editor 1956. I have this book in my possession.
3. A Detective's Experience Among the Mormons or Polygamist Mormons: How They Live and the Land They Live In. Fed E, Bennett, 1887. A look at polygamy from the side of the law. Detective served mostly in Franklin area. Available from Cornell University online http://archive.org/stream/cu31924031249455#page/n31/mode/2up or through Amazon for over $100
4. A Soil Survey of Cache Valley Area, Utah: Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties, United States Department of Agriculture, 1974.
5. Intermountain Railroads: Standard and Narrow Gauge, Merrill Beal, 1962. AMazon has for $10. A review on line at
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/merrill-p-beal/intermountain-railroads/#review
6. The Mountain Men and the Fur Trade of the Far West, Hafen, LeRoy R., editor 1965-1972
“From at least 1824 to 1834 Cache Valley was the center of the Rock Mountain Fur Trade. The great rendezvous of 1826 was held here, probably near the present city of Richmond. There are numerous books dealing with the trapper era, but the ten volume work of trapper biographies edited by Prof. Hafen probably contains the most comprehensive data on Cache Valley’s roll in the fur trade.
Available through Amazon Books and excerpts online:
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm/ref/collection/wwdl-neh/id/3767
7. Corianton, and Aztec Romance: A Romantic Spectacular Drama, in Four Acts. Bean, Drestes, SLC 1902
A four-act play…is Cache Valley’s principal contribution to American drama. The play was first produced in Logan’s Thatcher Opera House and was taken on several successful nation-wide tours by a Cache Valley company.
Online: http://archive.org/stream/coriantonanaztec00beanrich#page/60/mode/2up
8. The History of Smithfield: Olson, Mr and Mrs. Leonard, Smithfield 1927
“The Olson history is in every sense a “commissioned” history. It was requested by the Smithfield City Council on August 5, 1925, and published by the city two years later… While this work uses many commonly available sources, it was partially derived from interviews with Smithfield pioneers still living in 1926 and thus may be considered a primary account of Smithfield history.
I could not find this book on the web but this article cites this book:
http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/s/SMITHFIELD.html
9. The Mormons, Wishard, Samuel E. New York Presbyterian Home Missions, 1904
“Gentile History is the great unknown in Cache Valley history…Wisard’s little book outlines the early history of the Presbyterians in Cache Valley.
I tried to find ebook but not successful. Copies (reprinted?) are available through Amazon, Alibris, ebay.
10. Ten Years Before the Mast. Shipwrecks and Adventures at Sea! Religious Customs of the People of India and Burmak’s Empire: How I Became a Mormon and Why I Became and Infidel, Metcalf, Anthony, Malad City, Idaho 1888.
“:Only one copy of this book is known to exist. The autobiography of Anthony Metcalf it records the difficulties of being a member of the Reorganized LDS Church in Cache Valley in the 1860s and 70s.”
I have been unable to find any ebook, but there is internet discussion of a quote from David Whitmer and being a witness to the Book of Mormon, which people seem to use to try to disprove the witnesses.
11. Newspaper Supplements: Special newspaper editions The Journal New Years 1892 devoted to La Plata and the Cache mining industry, The Herald Journal Centenial 1956, Golden Spike Centenial 1969 Ogden Standard Examiner.
12. Ground Water Supply in Cache Valley, Utah Available for Domestic Usr and Irrigation, Peterson, William, Logan Bulletin Utah Cooperative Extension Service 1946.
13. Brigham Young College Bulletin: Final Volume, Final Number, Logan 1926
“This bulletin is the last published work of Logan’s BYC, an LDS College which operated from 1878 to 1926. This publication contains the proceeding of the 48th annual commencement with the tests of the addresses on the history of the institution.”
14. Hometown Album: a Pictorial History of Franklin County, Idaho—Horse and Buggy Days and early Auto Era, Hart, Newell, Preston Idaho 1973.
“This magnificent volume with 843 illustrations of all phases of life in northern Cache Valley is probably the finest book yet to be published on Cache Valley history. Mr. Hart has fathered and laboriously identified each photograph and compiled as an appendix a basic chronology of north Cache Valley from 1860 to 1930. The volume is superbly indexed.”
15. History of Northern Utah and Southern Idaho, Tullidge, Edward W. Salt Lake City 1889
“Volume II of Tullidge’s Histories. This volume is the first historical account of Cache Valley.”
http://books.google.com/books?id=V9yNdroBfdgC&pg=PA137&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false
16. The Trail Blazer: History of the Development of Southeastern Idaho, Danielsen, Marie, Compiler, Preston, Daughters of the Pioneers, 1930.
“This little volume remains the basic history of Franklin county, Idaho. Compiled in the 1920s, at least partially from pioneer interviews, it is the primary source for all subsequent histories of northern Cache Valley.”
17. Cache County: The Eden of Utah, Logan, the Logan Republican, 1916.
“This “chamber of commerce” guide to Cache County was published by the Logan Republican in the spring of 1916. It is apparently the first such publication in Valley history, a special promotional brochure designed to encourage investment and new population growth.
No ebook
18. Logan City and Cache County Directory, 1905-1906, Polk R. L. & Co Salt Lake City 1905
19. Geologic Atlas of Utah: Cache County, William, J. Stewart Salt Lake City 1958
20. The Story of Old Ephraim, Crookston, Newell J. Logan 1959
“Cache is a valley-oriented society. Very little has ever been published about the mountains surrounding us or the wildlife therein. Crookston’s booklet is one of only two works on the bears which once roamed the mountains and the valley floor.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
The Battle of Bear River or Bear River Massacre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_River_Massacre
The Battle of Bear River is an almost forgotten battle, except to the descendants of the Northern Shoshone whose way of life changed drastically as a result. The battle took place January 29, 1863. For more detailed information please refer to the Wikipedia link above.
There had been conflict between the Mormon settlers and the Shoshone people for some time. There had been minor skirmishes, and some thievery. In Smithfield an Indian had been hung as he was accused of stealing a horse.
Colonel Patrick Connor finally decided it was time to teach the Shoshone a lesson. Colonel Connor commanded a force out of Fort Douglas. These were made up mostly of Stockton Volunteers. Stockton is in California. The volunteers weren't all from Stockton, but enlisted there. Many of them were disgruntled, having been stationed far away from the Civil War fighting taking place at the same time. Their petition to be moved East had been denied.
Colonel Connor sent a smaller force of infantry, taking traditional routes North to where the Shoshone were camped, near present day Preston, Idaho in Northern Cache Valley. He took a larger force of Calvary over trails in the tops of the mountains, thus keeping their journey North more secret from local residents, and the Shoshone.
The Shoshone had heard of their coming, and had made some preparations, cutting trails through the snow, and trenches from which they could fire. When the U.S. forces first came to the Bear River Valley opposite the camp, the Shoshone sent an envoy to them, thinking they could still negotiate a peace. However they soon discovered that Colonel Patrick Connor had already moved past this stage and they were fired upon.
The initial frontal assault by the U.s. forces failed, and they sustained significant casualties. However they regrouped, and flanked the Indian forces, who were soon routed. It was then that the affair turned into a massacre. The U.S. forces were taking no prisoners among the some 300 warriors involved in this affair. A few escaped; some by swimming into the Bear River, where there was a warm spring which kept them from freezing. Man of the women and children were also killed. Some of the troops lost control and many of the women were raped.
The official casualty accounts of the Shoshone vary, ranging from 160 to almost 500 . Colonel Connor indicating 224 warriors killed and 160 woman and children taken prisoner. Hans Jasperson, Danish Mormon immigrant indicated he walked the field and counted 493 Shoshone dead.
On the other hand, their were 14 soldiers killed and 49 wounded, seven fatally. Residents of Franklin, Idaho opened their homes to the soldiers, taking the wounded in and provided blankets to protect them from the cold.
Bear River, or Bear River Massacre has been almost lost to history. It represents one of the most tragic Indian massacres in our history. However events taking place in the East kept the focus of our nation. The month before this massacre had been the Battle of Fredricksburg in which the Union lost 13,000 casualties. A few weeks before the action in the Bear River Valley was the infamous "Mud March" in which Burnsides efforts bogged down after several days of rain. He was replaced as commander in chief Jan. 25, 1863.
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