[Ira Hatch (as told by to James A. Little), Mission to the Muddy in 1858, Deseret News, June 8, 1870]

 

MISSION TO THE MUDDY IN 1858.

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BY JAMES A. LITTLE.

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Written from the verbal narrative of Elder Ira Hatch.

            Over twelve years ago when the events recorded in this narrative occurred, the region of country watered by the lower Rio Virgen and the Muddy, and for some distance towards California, was not only a lonely, barren desert, but was made still more forbidding from being occupied by marauding Indians who were always ready to attack the weak and defenceless traveler and neglected no opportunity to prey upon the animals of the watchful and strong.

             The brethren, who had been on the mission to the Indians in Southern Utah for several years, had formed an extensive acquaintance with these and surrounding tribes, and when present with them, could exercise considerable influence for the protection of travelers. Of course, they were in some danger themselves, but not nearly so much as strangers.  In the beginning of 1858 there was considerable travel on the road between the southern settlements of Utah and California.  With the hope of making the road more secure and of doing a little good to the Indians, Elder Ira Hatch was sent out there in the neighborhood of the Muddy in January, 1858.  He was here alone, among the savages for two weeks, miles from the nearest settlement – Fort Clara – and also from white men, except the occasional passer-by. He camped in a broken down wagon left by the side of the road by Mr. Crismon, when freighting from California.  He experienced considerable difficulty in keeping his food from the Indians; he cooked it in the evening after they had retired to their own camp, and kept it concealed during the day.  The Indians finally discovered his provisions, and one day, when he was busy interpreting for some travelers, they cut the sack containing them, and stole his bread and meat, leaving him only a little cheese. They endeavored to console him for his loss, by telling him he must not feel bad, for he could beg more of travelers, who would give him food when they would not to them.

            To assist in passing away the lonely hours, Elder Hatch was in the habit of going daily on to a hill in sight of his wagon, to watch for teams crossing the desert.  The Indians loitered round on the hills as well, and would sometimes amuse themselves by trying to arouse his fears, by pointing arrows at him, sticking them in his clothes, and telling him that they would shoot him full of arrows; then they would motion how he would bob up and down when he would run from them.  By way of counter chat, he would sometimes reply that he could shoot six of them through with his revolver while their arrows would only stick in a little ways. There was an Indian, whom Elder Hatch called Sneak – the name sufficiently indicates his character – who bothered him considerably.  One morning when he was washing in the creek a short distance off, he saw an Indian handling over his  things in the wagon, and called out to him to stop it or he would whip him. When he returned to his wagon, he found the Indian to be Sneak, and still at work.  He tried the effect of a cut with his whip, when Sneak instantly drew his bow and Elder Hatch his revolver.  Sneak evidently thought the revolver would be too much for his bow, and suffered his wrath to cool down.  It was running a narrow chance for a serious quarrel, which for Elder Hatch would have been extremely dangerous.

            While Elder Hatch was alone, Elders Ezra T. Benson, O. Pratt, sen., Geo. Q.

Cannon, John Van Cott, Wm. Miller, Samuel Miles and others returning from missions to California passed by.  They considered Bro. Hatch's position not only very lonely but dangerous.  On their subsequent arrival at St. Clara they recommended President Hamblin to send him company, and in due time Bro. Thales Haskell arrived.

            During the winter many interesting circumstances occurred to break the monotony of their lonely duties.  Col. Thomas L. Kane and party, on their way from California to Salt Lake City, remained with them over night and a portion of the following day.  He requested Elder Hatch to make a treaty with the Indians concerning a cave near the Mountain Springs.  In this cave, Col. Kane had placed a number of bottles of medicine and wished it called Dr Osborn's cave.  He desired the treaty with the Indians to stipulate that the contents of this cave should never be disturbed, and that when a sick white man got into it he should be safe. His object was to provide a place of security for white men on this road, to be called the Traveler's Home, and also for the Indians to get the idea that the medicines left in the cave were good only for white men.  He told Elder Hatch to apply to the Indian Agent of Utah, or the Governor, for the articles which he might agree to pay the Indians in the treaty.  He afterwards made the treaty as requested, and applied to Dr. Forney, then Indian Agent for the articles to repay the Indians, but without success.  He never applied to Governor Cummings.

            The manner in which conversation was carried on during Col. Kane's visit was rather novel:  Elder Hatch had spent so much of his time with the Indians that he spoke English very indifferently, while Col. Kane's excellent English was almost too much for his comprehension; and while he acted as interpreter between the company and the Indians, a third person had to interpret between Col. Kane and Elder Hatch. It was a subject for interesting reflection, that here, in this desert and among savages, in a little wickiup made of brush and dirt which served to protect the meagre outfit from the weather, Col. Kane, from his luxurious home in the East, and on a mission of kindness in behalf of a persecuted people, should spend several hours in obtaining information about the characteristics and dialects of the Indians, and the geography of their unexplored country, and laying plans for the benefit of sick and defenseless travelers.  But it is characteristic of the man's life to neglect no opportunity of doing good.  All seemed to regret when the time of separation arrived.

            Elders Hatch and Haskill remained among these Indians until about the first of March when they returned to their homes in the settlements.

            In this desert of burning sand and rock, which a few years ago seemed totally incapable of supplying the necessaries of civilized life, are now several thriving settlements of the Saints. Many of the Indians are being taught to labor, and are learning better than to rob and murder.  In these settlements the traveler finds supplies and protection, and but a few years will elapse before, the past of this difficult and dangerous road will seem like a dream.