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Show CHAPTER I. J847 1864 FROM THRILLING EXPERIENCES, By Solomon F. Kimball, The first winter spent by the pioneers in Salt Lake Valley was a quiet one. The surrounding tribes of Indians were on their good behavior, as far as the new comers were concerned, although at war with each other. The victorious parties dur* ing such wars scalped all the warriors whom they captured or killed. Their custom was to hang these scalps on their scalp- poles, which they took great pride in exhibitng. The brave that could show the greatest number was considered the greatest Indian of them all. The young women and children were held as slaves, and sometimes treated in the most cruel man-ner. The red men were not long in learning that the Saints were a tender- hearted people, and could not witness such scenes without sympathizing to the uttermost with those who were being tortured. Among the first accounts given by the pioneers of this barbaric treatment is one found in Mary Ellen KimbalPs journal of 1847, of which the following is a brief extract : A number of Indians were camped near the Hot Springs, north of the Fort. They had with them a little girl who had been captured from another tribe, and they offered to trade her for a rifle. Fire- arms were scarce with the pioneers, and besides it was not good policy to arm these cruel savages who might at any time turn on those who had armed them. The |
