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Show The Coming of the Mormons 59 and squash vines all in a very good state of cultivation, ditches for erigation was [sic] made. . . ." " In Beaver Dam Wash on the 7th, the Flake-Rich Company found "a corn field, good feed, some wheat sowed, looked well, corn, pumkins [sic], broom corn etc., had been raised here." V1 One immigrant remembered seeing corn, morning glories, beans, squash, and other vegetables all being grown. The fields were well cultivated. "Large ditches had been made for irrigating purposes, which gave evidence of industry and perseverance." " This was an uncommon recognition of the effort which the Nuwuvi had made in raising crops at every opportune place in the largely unproductive southwestern desert. The Nuwuvi were indeed an industrious people. They knew what was necessary to live a life in harmony with the land. The Indians soon had a better opportunity to acquaint themselves with the Mormons. It is surprising after their previous encounters with Americans how hospitable they were to the newest strangers. Late in 1849, an exploring expedition was sent under Parley P. Pratt south from Salt Lake City to examine natural resources and possibilities for settlement. On December 30th the party reached Ash Creek, and was soon approached by three Nuwuvi. These Nuwuvi had been convinced by the Utes' positive description of the Mormons. They saw the trading and protective advantages of having friendly settlements in their midst. They "said they were glad we had come into their country and wanted us to settle here and teach them to farm and make clothing. They had heard of us from the Utah Indians." 14 The Nuwuvi didn't abandon all caution though. While camping above the mouth of the Santa Clara, the Mormons were visited by more Nuwuvi who left at night. Moreover the explorers failed to see any Nuwuvi homes. Also missing were women and children, only men were seen. This was attributed to the slave trade.15 Within a year, the settlers had organized an expedition to be sent under George A. Smith to settle in Little Salt Lake Valley on a site chosen by Pratt. On their journey south in December of 1850, they expressed an interest in what had become one of the more common forms of Great Basin commerce, the slave trade. On December 27th, Smith accused an old Indian of shooting and killing an ox. Smith had no proof, but accused the man angrily and finally |