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Show The Uintah Ute People 83 called them Barbones or the "Bearded Utes." Their physical appearance suggests they had had previous relations with Europeans: . . . [They were] as docile and agreeable as . . . [the Tumpanawach]. Now these ones, more fully bearded than the Lagunas, have their nostril cartilage pierced, and in the hole, by way of adornment, they wear a tiny polished bone of deer, fowl, or some other animal. In their features they more resemble the Spaniards than they do all the other Indians known in America up to now. . . ,12 Gunnison Incident Whites began invading territory occupied by the Pah Vant People in the 1850s. A widely publicized incident between the intruders and the Pah Vant was the Gunnison Massacre. Early in October 1853 a group of settlers on their way to California camped on Meadow Creek southwest of Fillmore. A small group of Pah Vant People were also camped on the creek a few miles up towards the mountains. These People, led by Moshoquop and his father Mareer, went to the camp to trade. The emigrants panicked and opened fire on them, killing Mareer. With threats of revenge, the Pah Vant left their camp at Meadow Creek and moved about twelve miles northeast of Sevier Lake. At the same time Captain John Gunnison, with a small military escort, was exploring for a railroad route through the Rockies. On 25 October Gunnison and several companions traveled to explore the Sevier Lake. Their presence was noted by members of Moshoquop's group. He decided to avenge the death of his father. At dawn the next day Moshoquop and his followers attacked and killed Gunnison and seven of his party. These men were innocent but available. Later six Pah Vants (including one woman) were turned over by Kanosh to military authorities. The Indians were put on trial in Nephi City. The Mormon jurors found three men guilty of manslaughter and acquitted the rest. This verdict displeased federal officials. Colonel Edward J. Steptoe, who had been sent with a detail of soldiers to investigate the murders and bring the guilty to justice, was convinced that the Mormons had manipulated the trial. He concluded that Mormon officials had staged the trial to satisfy |