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ing the warning drum. The settlers had to till the fields, build canalsr homes, churches and schools; they now also were forced to construct forts and constantly stand guard over villages and livestock. They sought for aid from Camp Douglas but were denied, so formed a minute "Nauvoo Legion." So many men served in defense that little grain was raised or improvements made during these troubled years. The Indians knew the mountain passes and trails ani could fade out of sight or ambush the whites as they groped rather blindly through this unfriendly wilderness. The pioneers were baffled by this elusive foe whom they would pursue for days, then return home exhausted and empty-handed. The attacks became so threatening and damaging that the Church leaders required settlers to vacate smaller, isolated villages. AH inhabitants were drived from twenty-seven viHages and three entire counties. Parts of others were also temporarily abandoned during the war years. Frequently the pioneers had lost all their horses and oxen and were unable to move until assistance came from neighboring communities or the Utah Militia. Seventy whites were killed and many wounded during the war, The Sanpete area Has given a heavy quota of teams to go east and bring immigrants across the plains. These valiant pioneers met this assignment despite local problems. President Brigham Young had a way with Indians. They said he Spoke "with one tongue," and he used bread and beef instead of bullets. He was farsighted-his emphasis was on righteous living and justice. He turned the minds of the people above revenge, but counselled constant vigilance and adequate preparation. He instructed the ousted settlers to carefully tear down houses and buildings and bury the logs for later use. The timbers had usually been laborously squared, dove-tailed, and fitted at the corners. This labor had to be accomplished in haste, under guard. Chief Black Hawfc left the warpath abruptly in 186?. He had received a severe injury during an assault and had lost his ability, or desire, to continue the war. In that year he travelled to the Uintah Reservation and, half-abashedly, indicated he was inclining toward peace. Jacob Haffiblin was grave and gentle-voiced but fearless and was an important factor in peace transactions. Following negotiations. Black Hawk agreed to call tribal leaders together, for they had appointed Mjh as head chief. Then, in a strange, symbolic gesture, requested that his hair be cut, for he had vowed to never have it touched while he made wax. The first peace treaty was signed in Strawberry Valley. The -S3- |
