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Show CHAPTER XVI ABANDONMENT Despite the proclamation of peace in Salt Lake, little had changed for the settlers on Snake Creek, Meadow Valley, and Cave Springs. Their mission was unimportant now-the remnant of an old, disregarded policy. Nevertheless, their struggle for survival was just as real now as the day they left their homes. Little is known of the progress at Snake Creek other than the fact that the mission was still functioning under David E. Bunnell's care. We also know that Hopkins's men put in some crops near Cave Springs in Clover (Badger) Valley. But because of James H. Martineau, one of those peculiar individuals who kept accurate records under the most adverse conditions, we have a near complete history of the Meadow Valley settlement. There was no let-down in the work when President Dame left the valley on June 9. Indeed, the success of tbe mission, as well as their own well being, depended on their work and constant vigilance. The day following Dame's departure, the remaining forty-nine men turned out to finish the corral. On Sunday the 13th, it was voted to sustain Lyman Curtis, James H. Martineau, and Jabez Nowland overseers of the ditch. William C. Stewart, Silas Harris, and John Topham were elected watermasters. The following Tuesday a tremendous rain storm, called "a perfect deluge" by Martineau, left water standing "several inches deep on level ground" and washed out the ditch in several places. On Wednesday all hands turned out to make the necessary repairs. In addition to their labors on , the public works, the men bad their field work to attend to. There was little time for idleness at Meadow Valley. 264 |
