The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-07


Of much military array, 10 think that All officer OF
the government should be thur nenaced while In the
peaceful discharge OF his Official duties could no. l 10
excite in the bosom of any possessed OF spark OF
patriotism feelings Of the most indignant To be
detained By force and used tool in most teasona
bic opposition to the laws of the country occasion
might require, to fall victim to that brutal revenge
which socks qualification only in the sacrifice Of life
too humiliating to contemplate for a moment.
determined to extricate myself die in the attempt,
and turned TO ask TO bring my horse but when
reached the door found that the chiefs son. spght
y boy, had already performed that service While he
was sadding him, gathered my papers and wearing APP
paTel threw them into meal sack, and pitched them
out of doors to the Indians who all seemed eager to
sst in my escape In the presence of armed pop
uace set with three Indian youths whose
Pete Sam, and Shower Shockes. Mr.. Joseph Waters
of Salt Lake City also accompanied Instead OF go
ing east as our enemies expected, took western
but when il discovered that intended to
reach the mountains by circuitous route some half
dozen persons horseback out from the town OF
Payson, tap Just ahead OF We wheeled
short the right but just in front lay small
stream, deep and miry that stock not in the
habit of crossing it.
urged my horse and he attempted to clear it at a
single bound but falling to reach the opposite bank with
his hind feet, he fell buck into water and mud
the top of his hips alighted upon the bank his
head and by pulling at the rens assisted him in exri
eating himself which he did after several desperate strug
giles My comrades spurred down the stream little way
and had better Our pursuers by this time
within three four hundred yards of mounted in
haste and found to my great satisfaction that the
stamina of the noble animal had not been exhausted and
that although had lost my spur in the struggle could
dispense with its service.
At the distance Of about two miles reached the base
of low mountain ranging north and south We gained
its summit just the setting, and debating the
popriety OF pursuing further but just
at this time despatch brought to by two boys
from the old chief telling he return the
farm that night Under these circumstances we deter
tn trv p1ad
only far enough to hide ourselves and then turned north
and continued that course for two or three miles,
til thought pursers about gaining the top
of the mountain Then turned again upon the eastern
SLOPE and dropped into little hollow, where waited
for daylight to disappear This completely foied our
enemies for the ground hard and stony that they
could not discover trail.
When the half-grown moon began to shine upon the
mountain slope, rcmounted and bounded over the
prairie toward the spot from which had set out We
reached the farm at g. p m, and found about hun
dred of our red friends awaiting our return, who mani
tested great JOY at arrival My first inquiry
where the Momons were, when twenty voices shouted
''Cotchcarry Mormon - Not here, Mormon y had
left forty five head of horses and mules, and
about inquirng what had become of them, when dis
covered that most of them had been mounted by the In
dans They then related how they had sailed out du
ring the day. and driven the enemy from the by
threats of what course they should pursue in and
my comrades murdered
Taking some bread and meat that found in the eel
lar, made escape that night up the Spanish Fork
in the direction of the Uina country and before 10
O'Clock the next day had placed ourselves beyond the
reach of enemies Before that hour in the morning
had also passed about 800 Indians of whom had
left the farm the day before and hating know
the fate of the American, they called me. Before
sunset all my papers, clothes SC, werept in my posses
sion.
Hence have been entirely dependent upon these poor
untutored children of nature for life and sustenancc
have shared liberal portion of their meagre hospita
ties and crude sympathes and though they were evil
lapp hat thayv tn
the treatment to which had been accustomed they
manifested devotion to my person and regard for my
safety in advance Of their present knowledge Of Chris
tian civilization
When we left the Indian settlement the season was
mild and saubrious, but early October 9th
countered severe snow storm which pelted without
mercy upon the shiverng skins Of my naked escort Also
October 18th and October 18TH in crossing the Green
subjectng party to the utmost degree of privaton
and suffering Yet, throughout, their attachment
unremittng and they would often, around their camp
fires, that II any attempt made to take
my life they would die in my defence The weather is
now becoming intensely cold. Even early October
10th winter appeared have in with unusual sever
ty while in the time had become short Of pro-
visions and compelled to submit to extreme suffering
from hunger during the last two days of our Journey
Yet through all these prvations, had the satisfaction
OF being frequently assured that my companions would
feel themselves amply compensated If they could only be
the of restoring to my friends, and relieving
from that danger to which they had assured me that
my life was exposed
feel it to BIO duty which owe to the Utahs to make
fair and candid exposition Of these facts, for doubt
whether agent of the United States in the Indian
service has witnessed similar attachment to his person.
loyalty to those laws and regulations which
have been instituted for their government than has been
manifest in this instance
The absence Of any in charge of the superntcn-
dency Of Indian affairs for Utah Territory trust will
constitute sufficient apology for thus obtruding these
facts upon your notice 81.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GARLAND HURT, Indian Agent.