Transcript

William B. Pace autobiography, 1904

Author

Pace, William Byram

Title: William B. Pace papers, 1847-1904 William B. Pace autobiography, 1904

Call Number: MS 1658

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William Byram Pace Autobiography 31

410

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Chapter 1

Birth and Boyhood

I William Byram Pace was born Feb 9th

1832 near Murfreesborough, Retherford County

Tennessee. My Father James Pace was the son

of James Pace who was captain of the Light

horse cavalry and went with his company

to the support of General Andrew Jackson

and was killed at the battle of New Orleans

Jan 8, 1815.

My father was a thorough farmer and spent

most of his time on a farm except during the

six years we lived in Nauvoo he was a police

man or life gaurd for Joseph Smith the

Prophet and Brigham Young his successor

My mother Lucinda Gibson Strickland Pace

was the daughter of Judge (Warren Gibson) Strickland of

Murfreesborough she was highly accomplished

and well educated and the source from

which I received my early training in music,

arithmetic, grammar as well as the rudim-

ents of education, when I was two years

old (my parents) with Judge Strickland and others

moved to Shelby County Illinois and

established themselves on farms, where I

grew to be seven years old, my earliest recolect-

ion being mixed up with trying to help

drive a prairie team of five or six yoke of

oxen in breaking up the rolling prairie of

which Illinois was so justly celebrated.

About the year 1838 my parents

joined the church (of Jesus Christ) [word crossed out] of latter Day Saints

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and early in the spring of 1840 they moved

to Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois where I

was baptized into said church in April

1840 being about two months over 8 years old

Upon our arival at Nauvoo we camped on

the outskirts of the town, after dinner my

father proposed going down into town and

call on the Prophet Joseph Smith. I boy like

insisted upon going along too which was

finally agreed upon but we had not gone

far when I heartily wished (myself) back again

in camp for all of the boys of my size and

larger in the neighborhood seemed to be

following us.

I suppose I looked like a “country

Jake”, to them, and they wanted to

pick a quarrel, this did not suite

my idea of right, so I kept close

to my Father and tried to not notice

them, untill their taunts were observed

by my Father

When he stopped of a sudden and pick

-ing out on the largest boys among them

(a crowd of about twenty), told me if I

did not give that fellow a whipping

he would give me one when we got back

to camp, here was a dilema; I had been

raised thus far in the country where

I had been taught that fighting was wrong

yet I did not relish two whippings so there

seemed no other alternative only to “pitch

in" and do my best. By accident I

mannaged to knock or push the fellow

[Page 5 of 80]

down. Then useing my advantage jumped

on him but he soon cried enough and

I let him up This was my first intro-

duction into a town and I had no

further trouble with them after that.

I mention this as showing that

the boys were up to date at that

remote period.

The first two years in Nauvoo were

mostly spent in school after which

there was more or less excitement about mob

violence in the settlements near around.

As a precaution the Legion was inspected,

Silver Greys were reorganized and armed with

slings, haver sacks and cobblestones and

added for defence All the boys from eight

years up (not capable of bearing arms) were

organized into what was called Boy companies

to learn drill and dicipline and attached

to the Nauvoo Legion as “reserves”. This was

no “paper hatboy play” but sober reality the

companies were invaribly uniformed with

white pants a kind of blouse or sailor

shirt. sailor hat and wooden guns made

so they would snap at the command “fire”.

At this organization I was dully elected

captain of one of the companies of “fifty” and

commenced my carreer in the celebrated

Nauvoo Legion when I was ten years old

My father being an expert drill master

I was soon innitiated into all the myster-

-ies of drill and command so (as) soon as I

got over my scare I managed very well.

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I recall the names of a few only of the boys

that figured prominently in these companies

viz Wm H Kimball, Henry P. Richards, Nelson A.

Empy Joseph Smith Jr. (son of the prophet)

William W. Cluff. Benjiman Cluff Abram

Hatch and John R. Murdock most of whom

are or have recently occupied prominent

places in church but now released on account

of old age

In about one year I was taken out of the

company and sent to Edward P Dusettes

drumming school, where I found Jesse

Earl, H. P. Richard, N. A. Empy and others

learning to drum. In a few weeks

we were assigned to the Nauvoo marshall

band and did service there during the

remaining days of Nauvoo much drill

and guard duty was required of the

band such as field playing [words crossed out]

nearly every day or staying at head

quarters and beating the alarm at night

If any, being a boy with no particular

family cares I came in for much of the

latter hence my associates almost from

this time became men and not boys

The summer the Prophet Joseph was

killed I was twelve years old the previous

February yet the scenes of those days ar

vividly fresh to my mind as if done yesterday

During that season I was on [words crossed out] duty

almost the entire time, was present on

the square when the prophet adressed the

Nauvoo Legion on the importance of obeying

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the Governors reqisition for the public

arms on June 22 1844 a synopsis of

which I here with insert for its

preservation.

“Brethren we will give up our arms

as the Governor requires we will give to

them that asketh of us and trust in

the lord for future wellfare I wish to

tender you as soldiers and citizens under

my command, as your general, you have

done your duty faithfully in guarding

this city and in guarding ad preserving

the lives of the people as well as mine

in a special manner for I have seen you

on duty without shoes and comfortable

clothing and if I had the means to buy

or could obtain those necessary things for

you I would gladly do it but I canot

mortgage any of my property to get one

dollar.

But I will say, this “you will be called

the first elders of the church and your

mission will be to the nations of the

earth you will gather many people unto

the fastnesses of the Rocky Mountains as

a centre for the gathering of the people

and you will be faithful because you

have been true and many of those who

come in under your minestry, on account

of their much learning (will) seek for high

places and they will set up and raise

themselves to emminence above you

but you will walk in low places

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unnoticed and you will know all that

transpires in their minds and those that are

your friends are my friends

This I will promise you that when I come

again to lead you forth for I will go to prepare

a place for you so that where I am you will

I now dismiss you with my blessing

to go home

amen.

The last discourse that Joseph Smith

delivered in Nauvoo on the top of a frame

building close to the Nauvoo house on the

twenty fourth of June 1844.

Laying his hand on the head of Levi W

Hancock saying, “This day the lord has shown

to me that which he has never shown me

before that I have thousands of friends

that never pretended friendship while others

have sought to crawl into my bosom on

account of my good feelings toward them

and now are vipers and seek my life and if

they shall take it they will pursue you

they will do it anyhow, when you are obliged

to fight be shure that you do not stain your

hands in the blood of women and children

and when your enemies call for quarters be

sure you grant them the same and then you

will gain [word crossed out] (power) over the world you will be

forever called the nauvoo Legion and as I have

had the honor of being your general and leader

I feel to say a few words for your comfort and I

wish to ascertain your interest and faith in

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your future mission of life that you are

engaged in even the same cause which

[word crossed out] the power of the priesthood sealed

upon you and your callings to minister

life and salvation to all nations on the

face of the hearth although things appear

at the present time bad.

The work of our enemys that they

hold at the present time overwhelming

over us, but I will liken these things to a

wheel of fortune if we are at this time under

the wheel, It is sure to be rolling on and as

sure will the saints be sometime on the top

of this great wheel if they hold on to the

object in view

Our enemies are after me to trust [cross out] myself

amongst them by thier crouching the honor

of the state by the governor and authorities of

Ill.

I will therefore say to you as saints and

elders of Isreal be not troubled nor give

yourselves uneasiness so as to make rash

moves by which you may be cut short in your

preaching the gospel to this generation for you

will be called upon to go forth and call upon

the free men from Maine to gather themselves

in the strong holds of the rocky mountains

and the red men from the west and all

people from the the south and from the north

and from the east to go to the west and estab-

lish themselves in the strong hold of thier

gathering places and there you will [word crossed out]

gather the red men to there centre from thier

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scattered and dispersed situation to become

the strong arm of Jehovah who will be a

strong bulwark of protection from your foes

These things I feel to tell you before hand

that you may always be ready for your duty

for at this time I need the best of friends to

stand by me and on this occasion I would

like to know of you all by your answering yes or

no. Are you willing to lay down your lives

for me”? (pause) when the answer was with a

unanimous voice, “Yes” “I am your father

shall I not be your father?” when all with

one exclamation said, “Yes” when again he

said then “I am willing to lay down my life

for you and if innocent blood is spilt on

this occasion (drawing his sword out of its

scabbard and raised it above his head.) “I will

call upon the gods to bear witness of this

I will draw my sword and it shall never

be sheathed again until vengance is

taken upon all your enemies and I will

call upon the Eternal in your defense,

the winds with the whirlwinds, the

thunders and the Lightenings and the

hail-storms. The heavens shall tremble

and with earth-quakes shall the earth

be shaken.

And the Seas heaving themselves beyond

their bounds, these things shall be

brought to bear against your enemies

for your preservation, as the people

of the Lord.

We have given up our arms, and

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they have taken away our right of

protection, by our City charter; And

now they desire that I shall surrender

myself into their hands, which I have

consented to do.

I only go to return to you again.

With his blessing upon us we were

dismissed to go home.

[words crossed out]

I am indebted to Alfred Bell of

Lehi, Utah for the above two Sermons

taken on the spot by him, and

supposed to be very correct.

The next event of note, was

the arrival of Sidney Rigdon, Brigham

Young and the Twelve who were absent

at the Prophet’s Death, and the struggle

that followed.

Sidney Rigdon spent, what seemed to

me several hours, harrangueing the

people on the importance of making

him their Leader, After which, Brigham

Young arose and said only a word,

when it was observed by the whole

congregation that the mantle of “Joseph”

was upon him, in word, gesture and

general appearance.

The people arose en-masse to their

feet astonished, as it appeared that

Joseph had returned and was

speaking to the people.

I was small and got upon a bench

that I might more fully witness

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the “phenonomia”

There was no longer any question as

to who was the Leader.

Work on the Temple was then completed

by instruction of the Twelve under

Brigham, endowments given to many

thousands, and preperation made

to go west, to appease the mob element

that was rageing around Nauvoo.

In the mean time the mob element

exercised such an influence on the

Governor and Legislature that they

repealed the City Charter of Nauvoo, and

left us without any City government,

or any means of controlling the

rougher element, hence the town was

soon over-run with all manner of

ruffians from the mob camps around

about.

As we had no authority to arrest or

protect the town, the Boys resorted to

whistleing!

That is, every boy generally

could whistle and most of them had

knives from ten to fourteen inches long,

in scabbards, “Al-la-Buoy”, and when

any of those fellows became boisterous,

or showed any signs of meddleing, the

Boy discovered would draw his knife

and commence whittleing and whistleing,

soon a crowd of his pals gathered,

then they would surround the

obnoxious element, be he large or

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small, many or few, and whistle and

whittle in his direction and stick

by him untill he was out of town.

This lasted but a few weeks when it became

apparent that to “go into Nauvoo men must

mind thier own business and not meddle with

the people” or they would get [word crossed out] whistled out.

This was rather an amuseing process not a

word was said but an unearthly whistle (and

generally every one had his own favorite

tune) and an incessant whittleing with

those large-knives was enough to strike terror

to the hearts of the victims and he got out of

town as quick as his legs could carry him

Remember the City Charter was taken away

and there was no law against whistleing or whittleing

and when fifty or a hundred boys got after a

victim there was no protection and he

had to “git”.

==============================

Chapter II

The exodus

On the first of Februrary 1846 the people

began to cross the mississippi River and

rendesvous on what was called sugar creek

about six miles from the river

I think it was the 6th of February that

my parents crossed and camped on the said

sugar creek with a two horse wagon loaded

with such necessaries as we could take

leaving the ballance with good comfortable

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homes (houses and lands) to the mob, for which

no recompence has ever been recovered.

Our camp was made in the snow about 8

inches deep and was a rather (uncomfortable) introduction into

camp life without tent or any shelter save it be a

wagon cover made from common sheeting

Here we stayed for some time waiting

the arival of all those who could

possibly supply them selves with teams.

At length the companies were organ-

ized and began moving west through

mud and slush. Several days were

consumed in reaching Bonaparte on

the Des Moines river a distance of

probably forty miles.

Here we crossed the river and moved

out into hills which were intersperced

with many nice farms

Soon it became apparent that the

camp was getting short of provisions

hence a halt was made and some

went over the Missouri line all however

found work, and were literally paid

in corn, meat, bacon and potatoes

The produce of the country.

As soon as the larder was replenished

the camp moved onto chariton River

where we encountered a series of storms

and were compelled to lay over several

days.

Here I saw the first timber cut down

to brouse the animals in lieu of hay

[Page 15 of 80]

From here we moved on through

rolling hills and wild uninhabited

prairie land to a place called

“Garden Grove”, where it was decided

to make a temporary settlement,

raise a crop, and send thier

teams back to [words crossed out] help

others to leave Nauvoo, a few

were selected for this purpose,

The camp moved on to a place

about forty miles, they designated

Mt. Pisgah and here my parents

stopped with others built some

log houses and prepared to raise a

crop sending thier teams back to

help others while the main body

of the camp moved on to Council

Bluffs on the Missouri river

Here they were overtaken by Capt.

Allen of the U. S. dragoons with

a requisition from the president

of the U. S. for five hundred men

to form a Batallion of Infantry

and march through and be disch-

arged in California at the expiration

of one year. Brigham came back to

Mt. Pisgah called upon my father

and others to volunteer which they

did promptly and on the sixteenth

of July the now famous (mormon) batallion

was mustered into the service of

the United states and started

for Mexico Via Santa Fee.

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In the organization my father

was elected first Leutenant Co. E.

and was therefore entitled to a

servant at $15,00 per month

persueing his usual economy he

concluded to take me to fill that

position as I was too young to

enlist hence he got a furlough from

[words crossed out] Col Allen and came

back to Mt Pisgah for me. and

thus I became indentified with the

Mormon batallion

Crossing the country we overtook

the batallion at St. Joseph Mo.

On approaching Western Mo.

Col. Allen being desirous of showing

off his Mormon boys to the Missour-

ians selected Levi W. Hancock and

Elisha Averott as fifers, and Jessie

Earl and myself as drummers at

the head of the command, being

two of the smallest boys in the

Batallion about 14 ½ yrs old we were

of course very conspicuous. however

I do not recolect of ever feeling prouder

or weighing more in my immagina-

tion in life than on that occasion

tho I have since figured conspicuously

before the people as general, member

of the legislature ect.

The march through the city and

subberbs was about three miles of

continuous beating so when we were

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through we were wet as “drownded rats”

from prespiration yet it paid in

vanity for many callers at Ft. Leaven-

worths the next day requested intro-

duction to those two little boys

that drummed through the city

of Western Mo.

The batallion was fitted out with

teams, wagons, old flintlocks and

bayonets at Ft Leavenworths set out for

Santa Fee a march of over one

thousand miles, on foot.

They had only made a few miles and

camped when it was learned that Col

Allen was dangerously sick in the Fort,

and the next day brought word that he

was dead. Here was unforseen diffi

culty the [word crossed out] (command) legitamately belonged

to capt. Jefferson Hunt of Co A. but after

a council of war it was decided that

Lieutenant James Pace (my father)

was to return to Council Bluffs,

see president Young, report progress,

and ask advice etc

He started alone leaving me in

care of Lieutenant Andrew Lytle.

We moved on to Hurricane Ridge

and camped (so called from a

violent storm that overtook us

here demolishing tents, and spreading

havoc in camp so that we were

compelled to lay-bye a few days for

repairs.

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Here we were overtaken by

Lieut Smith of U. S. dragoons and a

Dr. Sanderson, Smith claimed

the command and a second

council of war gave it to him through

the modesty of captain hunt who

declined.

The next day Smith assumed

command and the batallion moved

forward nothing furthur of note

occuring

At the crossing of the Arkansas

River My Father accompanied by

John D. Lee and Howard Egan

overtook the batallion bringing

news from the bluffs.

Here we shipped water mostly

in vinegar barrels to do us across

the Semirone Desert 90 miles

much suffering followed yet we got

through safe and finally arrived in

santa fee where we lay in camp

several days. Here the batallion was

divided all the sick and most of the

women was sent back to Pueblo on

the outskirts of mexico under

command of captain James Brown

of company “C”. and the Batallion was

placed under Lt. Col. Phillip St. George

Cook, and ordered to make a force

march through to California to the

support of Gen. Kearny who had already

gone there, with only one company of

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Dragoons, with pack mules.

I am at a loss as to dates, but as this is

my History, and not that of the Batallion

I must be excused, for every digression of

positive data.

Memory says, it was some time in October

1846 we left Santa-fee with teams to make a

force march through to Santeago Southern

Cal. When about five miles out of Santa-fee,

(in sight of abundance of Government supplies)

we camped, and were placed on “half

rations.” our line of march took us through

Alberquerke, Socora and many small

Mexican settlements where we could buy onions

and many other garden productions that

added to our half rations, kept us in fair

Spirits, but on the River Del. Norte another

detachment was selected and sent back

to Pueblo under Lieut Willis, leaving the

Batallion only about three hundred strong,

then we soon turned west leaving

civilization, as it were, into the wilds of

the Desert, making our own roads and

letting our wagons down over mountain

sides with ropes as circumstances demanded.

On arriving on the San Pedro River, our

rations, were getting low, in the extreme,

many were actually suffering for want of

supplies, there is a vast difference in

men, as to their ability of endurance under

such circumstances, some can endure

all manner of hardships, on half or

quarter rations, while others require more.

[Page 20 of 80]

Hunting parties were sent in search of

game but the country was so poor little

was accomplished untill after we reached

the San Pedro.

Here we encountered wild cattle, and layed

in an immense supply of Beef, while

traveling down this river, some of us engaged

in fishing a “Battle Royal” seemed to be

raging in the command.

In order to ascertain what was the matter,

we simultaneously took to trees, when to our

astonishment the whole cammand were

engaged in a general “Bull-fight.”

It appears that a large herd of wild cattle

were enjoying a quiet “siesta” in the tall

grass along the San-Pedro, where the command

came in and surprised them, result, an

open battle in which several mules were

killed in the teams, five or six men were

wounded by being gored and tossed up

fifteen or twenty feet in the air, some of them

seriously, and an inumerable number of

wild cattle left dead on the ground.

After the smoke was cleared away, the wounded

cared for, camp was made and a fresh

lot of meat added to our rations.

This was the famous Bull fight of the San-

Pedro and proved to be the only Battle the

Batallion engaged in during their term

of enlistment.

We traveled a few miles farther down the

river when our scouts returned and

reported one of their number arrested and

[Page 21 of 80]

held in custody by the Sonora commanding

officer at Tuscon, also instructions to Col.

Cook to keep around to the north or he would

serve his whole command the same.

Here was an unexpected dilema, we could only

muster about three Hundred men and the

idea of attacking the whole army of the

province of Sonora Mexico, would seem absurd,

Yet Col. Cook made camp, issued a large

supply of amunition, put the men on drill

in the afternoon, then decided to go by Tuscon

and “See if they would put his whole command

under arrest.” Consequently the next day

found en-march for Tuscon distant about

60 miles, teams worn and gaded could not

make much more than twenty miles a day.

At our first camp we were met by an

officer of the Mexican (army) in Tuscon and a posse,

with a request not to come through Tuscon

but keep around and we would not be

molested learning that one of the Generals Son’s

was in the posse, Col. Cook placed him under

a strong guard, then told the officer of the

posse to go back to his General tell him he was

on the road to California, that he should pass

through Tuscon, that if our scout was not

returned to him before midnight he would

execute his Son, then go after his scout. etc.

Hence a little before midnight of the day

specified the Scout was returned, and the Son

released.

On the next day the Batallion marched into

Tuscon and found it evacuated by

[Page 22 of 80]

several hundred cavolry, Infantry and

Artilery.

The people were friendly and contributed

much by way of beans, corn & fruit for

which they took all they could get.

We stayed here one day and replenished

our mules, siezed some Government

wheat, Beans, etc. had a false alarm at

night which aroused the camp, but hurt

no one.

It was learned afterwards that our picket

Guard fired on a herd of cattle in the

night killing one, supposing them to be

cavalry causing alarm.

From Tuscon we crossed a 90 mile desert,

consequently we started in the after-noon,

when fairly on our way the Mexican troops

returned to Tuscon, then followed us I

suppose intending to give us Battle

by night, but Col. Cook marched late

built fires as if to camp, then moved on

3 or 4 miles built another fire, then

moved on and camped without any fire.

From deserters we learned that the

Mexicans, being re-inforced from neighboring

posts, decided to catch us on the desert,

that they came and surrounded the

second “campfire” but not finding us went

back, thus we probably escaped being

annihilated.

Another evidence of divine Providence

in our behalf.

We arrived on the Gila River, safe from

[Page 23 of 80]

the Desert and had a feast of water mellons,

at the Pima Indian village, on Christmas

day 1846

Lieut. Rosecrance said he enjoyed the

luxury of a piece of roasted “Rattle Snake,”

with an old Indian Chief, same day and place.

From here we traveled down the South bank

of the Gila River to the Colorado River without

any particular mishap, save it be toiling

through excessive sands, and an effort to

Boat some of our baggage down the Gila in

some of the Zinc Government, wagon boxes,

that resulted in a failure.

In the stranding of the wagon boxes on some

of the sand bars of the river, and the

loss of boxes and cargo (Provisions) thus

shortening our rations again.

On reaching the Colorado River, a day was

spent in fixing up some more Zinc

wagon boxes, with a view to having to

Ferry the river.

The boats were made ready and loaded,

and run aground, then it was

discovered that by wading the boats could

be got across, then the teams were hitched

up and the river forded before night,

thus saving several days in ferrying.

From here, we entered upon another 90

mile Desert, water was however obtained

in two places by digging, sufficient for

the camp, on reaching the main chain,

or California mountains, we followed up

a wash untill it became too narrow for

[Page 24 of 80]

our wagons, not being able to get out,

there was no other alternative except to

hew our way through which was done,

and we arrived at Warner’s Ranch the

first settlement in California on the

8th of January 1847, got a fresh supply of

beef and fared luxuriously on beef alone.

From this place to Santiago our road was

interspersed with many difficulties but

were overcome.

At San-Louis Rey we had the first view

of the Pacific Ocean, the country was

green with wild oats and mustard, the

hills were covered with fat cattle which

proved our salvation, as there was no

flour in the land untill Commodore

Stocton brought it from the Sandwich

Islands some three months after, hence

our beef rations grew to 7. lbs. per day

before we got any bread, coffee and

accompanyments.

When we reached Santiago, on the coast,

Gen. Kearney was gone to Monteray leaving

orders for the Batallion to retrace their

steps to San Louis Rey Mission and take

up quarters, after one days rest, spent

mostly on the Beach, we took up the

line of march for San Louis Rey where

we were quartered for several months,

with not anything to do, only eat beef,

and drill 2 hours forenoon and 2

hours in the Afternoon

Here, tho’ not required to do any military

[Page 25 of 80]

duty, I found it a pleasure, to borrow a gun

of some sick man, and join in the “drill”

from which I obtained a fair knowledge

of Infantry tactics, that became very useful

to me in after years.

Here, we also demonstrated the fact, that a

man can make way with 7 lbs of beef a day

when reduced to beef alone, as we were for

several months, before supplies came from

the Sandwich Islands.

We had roast beef, boiled beef, fried beef and

every other kind then known at once.

There was some trouble came to the surface

between Gen. Kearney and Fremont resulting

in Fremonts arrest and the Batallion being

moved from San Louis Rey to Los-Angelos and

the taking possession of many pieces of

ordinance in the hands of Fremonts men at

San Gabriel mission 12 miles from Los-Angelos

Fremont was charged among other things with

stirring-up a conspiracy with the Spaniards

against the Mormon Batallion holding forth

some of his Missouri Mobocratic spleen

against the Mormons; But as usual he

signally failed, and was taken back to the

States under a Guard of members of the

Mormon Batallion, Kearneys death, soon

after they reached the States, caused

proceedings against Fremont to cease,

and he struggled hard to become great

during the rebellion but failed, and

died a pauper.

Thus it will be, to every man, who tries

[Page 26 of 80]

to injure the cause, or predjudice the

minds of strangers against the Latter

Day-Saints.

In June, I think, there was a report of

an uprising of the Spaniards through-

out California, whether true or not, the

Batallion was concentrated on the Ben(ch) [letter crossed out]

above Los-Angelos, and breast works

built around the camp, Company “B”

was sent to Garrison Santiago and

every thing prepared for a fight but it

did not come.

The only thing of note I remember, that came

of this, was “John Allen” a “Deserter reputed,”

who joined the Batallion at Fort Levenworth,

was sent out on picket duty during the

most exciting time, Well he left his Post,

came into Town, traded off his gun and

accoutraments for wine, got drunk and

was found next day in an Indian

Rancherie by an officer of the guard.

He was court-marshaled and sentenced to

have his head “shaved” and be “Drummed

out" of the service. Being requested I

joined the Drum Chore and assisted in

drumming him out of camp, and out of

town.

For the information of those that never saw

a man “Drummed out” I will say he was

a tall well proportioned man with

heavy beard, one half of which and

one half of the hair of his head was

shaved off clean, leaving the remainder

[Page 27 of 80]

to show up. He was then brought on the

Parade Ground by the guard (a file of Soldiers)

The band was formed and Sentence of the

Court-Martial Read to him.

Then it became the duty of the Fifers and

Drummers to play the “Rogues March” untill

he was well out of camp, and out of town,

then he was turned loose with instruction

to leave the country and never be seen, or

he would be subject to arrest and be

shot on sight.

About the first of July (1847) we began to prepare

to return to Council Bluffs, or wherever the

main body of the Church was, horses, mules,

Saddles, etc. were being bought.

A good well broke riding horse would cost

from $3.00 to $6.00 Mules less and Broncho’s

for $1.00 Saddles were scarce and cost more.

On the 16th of July 1847 the famous Mormon

Batallion was mustered out of service of

the United States and Honorably Discharged.

A few young men re-enlisted for six

months to help guard the country untill

more troops could arrive by water.

But the main body of the Batallion organized

under James Pace and Andrew Lyttle as

Captains and prepared to return.

========================

[Page 28 of 80]

Chapter III

The Return, Sutters Fort

Sam’l Brannon, Capt. Brown, Fort Hall,

Salt Lake, Trip to the Bluffs. Etc.

Again I am at a loss for dates, but

Memory says about the 20th of July 1847

we set out for the Missouri River or to

find the main body of the Church,

whether it be in the Rocky Mountains,

in Oregon, or yet on the banks of the

Missouri, where we left it.

We journeyed to Gen Pico’s Ranch, about

40 miles, many had wild animals, and [word crossed out]

unbroke and the number of Stampedes and

demolishing of Packs was immense, especially

for the first day, some loosing their entire

outfit and had to replenish at Pico’s.

At Gen. Pico’s we bought two or three

hundred head of Beef cattle thinking

We could drive them, but after a few

days effort and loosing many, it was

decided best to kill them, jerk the meat,

and try to pack it, as our animals we

becoming accustomed to their loads.

Hence camp was made, scaffolds built,

then a wholesale Slaughter commenced which

lasted two or three days.

After the Slaughter, we packed up and

moved by way of Tulare Valley, here

we encountered Hostile Indians, though

by an effort they were brought into

camp where a general Pow-wow ensued,

[Page 29 of 80]

during which Father Brown, an aged

veteran of the Batallion, spoke in Tongues,

at some length, which proved to be

understood by the Indians, after which

they could not do too much for us.

Guarding our animals and helping us across

the San-Joakin River which was [word crossed out] (swolen) and

had to be rafted.

We finally reached Sutters Fort, a trading Post

on the American and Sacramento River.

Here was an american settlement near by and

great inducements were offered for laborers,

consequently those having jaded Animals were

induced to stop over winter, among them

was Henry W. Bigler, Wilford Hudson and

others who during the winter were conspicious

in discovering Gold in California.

From Sutters Fort we took the Trucky River

route across the Sierre Nevada Mountains,

on the summit of which we met

Samuel Brannon direct from Salt Lake

Valley, who informed us that the Church

had established Head Quarters in Salt Lake,

that the Pioneers had returned to the

Missouri River, but several companies were

in the valley and more coming this year

This was the first reliable word we had

received of the Churche’s where-abouts which

was enthusiasticaly welcomed.

Brannon was the man that had charge

of a company of Saints that sailed in the

Ship “Brooklyn” from New York in 1846

to California anticipating that the Church

[Page 30 of 80]

would gather to Oregon, and his visit to

meet President Young was to induce him

to settle in California, failing in this,

he was returning “Solitary and alone”

(and very indignant because of failure)

to his home in San Francisco where he soon

became very rich but refused to gather

with the Saints in Salt Lake and finally

died a Pauper.

The next day, I believe, we met Capt.

Jas. Brown of the Mormon Batallion and

a company of men.

You will remember he was sent to Pueblo

from San-tafee, their term of enlistment

having expired they were mustered out of

service, but he had to go to California

for their pay hence this trip.

From his statement of things in Salt Lake

Scarcity of provisions, etc. many not well

provided were recommended to go back

to California and winter, hence many

went back with Brown.

The next day we struck the head waters

of the Trucky River which we followed to the

Desert, thence to the steam-boat hot springs

on the overland route, thence to, and up

the Humbolt River passing over the

Goose Creek Mountains to Snake River

and Fort Hall.

Here we left the overland route and

struck South (without a trail) for Salt Lake

where we arrived during the last days

of September 1847 finding the people

[Page 31 of 80]

generally engaged in building a Fort which

was at that time about breast high in the

highest place, very little was known about

the surrounding country, at that time, but

all seemed to have an abiding faith in the

words of the Prophet Brigham that “this was

the place he had seen before he left Nauvoo.”

and had gone to work in earnest to

prepare for winter.

The emigration was mostly all in, when we

arrived, many were short of provisions but

all seemed sanguin that they would “pull

through"

Here some of the Batallion Boys found their

families or relatives and stopped over,

others were compelled to stop, for want of

sufficient outfit, to cross the plains, a distance

of over one thousand miles, while we had

traversed over fifteen hundred miles from

Los-Angelos via, Sutters Fort.

Finally a company of between 30 & 40 under

Lieut. James Pace began preparing to brave

the dangers of crossing the plains during

the winter months, provisions being scarce

in the Valley we were told we could get

Supplies at Fort Bridger and at Laramie

reasonable, and it would be a great

help to the people if we would leave our

provisions and replenish on the road.

Having a common interest we unloaded

our supplies, taking only what was

supposed enough to do us to Fort Bridger,

(one hundren and fifteen miles) and moved

[Page 32 of 80]

out, late in October.

At the head of Echo Canyon we encountered

our first snow storm, and the cold

seemed to have a chilling effect on the Animals

as they were from a warmer climate but

before 10 o’clock the next morning it

cleared up the snow soon melted and we

was on our way rejoiceing; arriving at

Fort Bridger we found that they had not

anything to sell.

Here we were (as) it was over 400 miles to

Fort Laramie and nothing to eat, a council

was called, consisting of a committee of the

whole (camp) much time was taken up in

trying to decide whether the party in Salt Lake

who advised us to leave our supplies and

depend on getting more on the road acted from

sinister motives, whether we were to go back

to Salt Lake and fight it out during the

winter with the others, or go ahead without

anything to eat, however no one thought

for a moment but what we could get

what we wanted at Fort Laramie so

it was unanimously decided to go ahead,

and depend on game.

This was made more easy by our

experience “living on Beef alone” when

we first arrived in Southern California

and that Buffalo were supposed to

be plenty for our demand.

Well we started on what proved to be

a 900 mile jaunt in mid-winter

without anything to eat.

[Page 33 of 80]

By scrimping we managed to get over on

Sweet Water where we killed a Buffalo and

fared sumptuously, at length we reached

Fort Laramie where we expected relief but when

only 24 lbs of dried Buffalo meat could be had

at any price, it looked rather blue, we could

not now go back, we could not stay nor

could we cross the prarie land without

something to eat.

Another council was called and decided to

go ahead and depend on the Buffalo, so

away we went.

Near Scots Bluffs, about 40 miles from Laramie

we got a genuine snow storm, freezing nine

mules to death, and generally demoralizing

the balance, besides to add to our trouble

the snow which was about 8 inches on the

level had covered up the grass, and

driven the Buffalo to the hills, where with

our jaded animals we could not reach them,

but we went on, in the course of the day

Wm Maxwell and others succeeded in

wounding an old blind Bull, that was too

decriped to go off with the rest, and after some

time was spent, they finally killed him, camp

was made and Mr. Buffalo utilized, he

was roasted, on Buffalo chips, fried & boiled,

but no matter how cooked he was pronounced

“Tough” in fact a close inspection made

by our scientific man, decided him to

be one of the Buffalo left by “Noah” from

the Ark in an early day, but whether

Noah passed over this region, or not,

[Page 34 of 80]

History is very silent.

We had now left the timber line and

was dependant on, what was termed

Buffalo-chips for fuel, and that under

8 inches of snow, but we lived and

dug out fuel, made fires and roasted

the old Ante-deluvian Bull and moved

on.

After many days of starving and roasted

Bull meat, in frozen snow, we saw

the timber on the head of Grand Island

in the Platte River, here one of D. P.

Raineys Donkeys concluded he would go

no farther. after a hurried consultation,

I was told to drive him into Camp

at Grand Island and they would kill

him and thus draw wolves from which

we would get our supper, the idea of

wolf-meat for supper was a great

inducement so I willingly consented to

try and bring him into camp, the

camp moved on and Mr. Donkey seemed

to change his mind for he pricked up

his ears and took the trail after them,

so I had little to do only follow.

At camp when I arrived, Elisha Averett

and Abram Hunsucker took the poor

donkey from me, put a rope around his

neck and armed with their old flint-

lock Muskets led him off to the nearest

tree where he was shot, hung up and

skinned for the benefit of wolves but

the fact was, it froze as fast as the

[Page 35 of 80]

hide was taken off and no wolves were in

sight to shoot.

About this time D. Q. Dennett, a very aged

veteran getting tired of waiting for wolves,

took his knife and cut off a large

piece from the Donkeys ribs and

threw it on the fire; the stench was

immense, the camp was electrified and

in a few moments “Poor Donkey” was on

the fire roasting and men cutting off

slices and eating as it cooked.

Here was a discovery, no body had

thought of eating Donkeys or mules untill

this experience, but after which we always

had a mule for supper and no questions

asked only that it was the poorest.

A few days brought us to the Loup Fork of

the Platte, and further trouble, the river

(a quick sandy bottom) had frozen over, except

a few feet in the center, and that was

washed out till it was deep enough to

float a steamboat, after testing it, we

decided to keep down on this side to the

Pawnee Reservation and there possibly

get a boat, but after three days hard

traveling through snow and ice we

got opposite the reservation but found

it deserted, and no boat, then we had

to stop and wait for the river to

freeze up.

The weather was intensely cold, and the

river full of floating ice, and by cutting

some cotton wood trees and tieing them

[Page 36 of 80]

in the channel the mush ice was arrested

and began to congeal, but it required a

round week before it was considered safe

to cross.

On the morning appointed to cross a Band

of several hundred “Pawnee Indians” pounced

down upon us, and showed war like

intentions, but after coming into camp and

finding Mules heads and Sights lying around

loose, they seemed to change their minds,

became friendly, took some of the Boys home

with them feasted them on “fat dog meat”

then loaded them with corn, wild Turkey, etc.

From here to Winter Quarters, on the Missouri

River, we had no further trouble, only

wading through snow and slush and

eating mules (Which by this time had become

second nature) where we arrived a day or

two before Christmas 1847.

Here we found all our folks, disbanded,

and settled into quiet life.

Now our troubles appeared to multiply, we

could not eat enough to satisfy our

appetites without being sick, but finally

after a week or ten days, we began to

become naturalized and acted as other

folks.

Having become climated, I took a

stroll about town, which I found nicely

laid of in streets, but the houses were

simply “rude huts” and “Dug-outs” located

on the west bank of the Missouri

River.

[Page 37 of 80]

Everything had the appearance of a camp, yet

all was “Bustle,” and Business” an old fashioned

flat bottomed boat, was flying between

Winter Quarters, and the Eastern shore, and

there seemed to be much travel, on enquiring

I found that the largest part of the Emigration

had located and built the town of Kanes-ville,

Cutler-ville, Keg Creek and many other

settlements on the east side of the river.

In January my parents moved to a little

town called Summer Quarters about a half

days drive above Winter Quarters, where we

put our mules on what was designated the

“Rush Bottoms” of the Missouri River, here we

wintered and in the Spring moved back,

crossed the river and moved on a farm

near Keg Creek with a view to prepare to

move to Salt Lake Valley another year, traded

mules for oxen and sent team across the

plains to help emigration, later it fell to

my lot to go out on the plains and drive a

team for “the after-wards famous” John D. Lee.

We traveled in President Youngs Company and

arrived on the Upper crossing of the “Sweet

Water,” to be near South Pass in September 1848,

where we met teams from Salt Lake Valley,

here we unloaded and started back.

I had three yoke of oxen and a wagon to go

back with, nothing of note occured more than

usual except while encamped at Independence

Rock, on the Sweet Water, some 75 head of our

oxen managed to elude the guard and started

on some time in the night.

[Page 38 of 80]

In the morning great was the consternation

in Camp in yoking-up, some was

entirely gone, and as they did not take the

road, but struck through the Hills, visions

of Indians were seen by Some, while others

thought they had only strayed away, finally

this opinion prevailed, we then divided-up and

moved camp, while a few of the “brave” took the

trail of the oxen.

We traveled on to the North Platte and found

our lost oxen and the men waiting us, they

had simply got restless and started on the

home-ward trip, taken a cut-off through the

hills, while we had several days around, this

proved that their instinct was great for home,

of course we were pleased to get our oxen,

Yoked them up and set out for Missouri in

joy not having lost any.

On getting home, I spent winter in School and

my Father went to St. Joseph Mo. to work for

more out-fit (for) to go to Salt Lake Valley.

In the Spring of 1849, not having the necessary

out-fit my Father deemed it wise to tarry

another year, consequently in the summer of

1849, he moved the family to St. Joseph Mo.,

and settled in an old log house about a

mile out of town where I got a job of

cutting hay and hauling it into Town and

and done well for a boy.

In the winter moved nearer town and

my Father got work at a good salary in

a Pork packing house as civil engineer

while I was employed as a roust-about at

[Page 39 of 80]

$1.25 per day.

I had not long been at this work before two

of the Lard cutters got “drunk” Saturday night and

failed to show up on Monday morning, when the

Boss and owner of the packing house, came

around, he set me to do their work temperarily

so I soon cleared the Block, and kept up easy,

when he came back in the afternoon with two

men to take their places, he asked me where all

that lard was, when I told it was chopped-

up and in the kettle rendering, he enquired

who helped me, finding I had done it my-

self he turned and said I have paid two men

for years, to do that work, if you choose to do

do it alone, your wages will be $2.50 per day,

of course I chose, as it was an easy job to

keep up with the trimmers, and held it

down all winter.

This shows that while working for an out-fit

to gather to the valley, men were often blessed

beyond expectations.

[Page 40 of 80]

Chapter IV

Trip to the valley killing Buffalo,

Bear scarce, Location of Payson.

[sentence crossed out]

In the Spring of 1850 we set out for the

Valley of Great Salt Lake.

Arriving opposite the mouth of the Platte my

Father was elected captain of 100 wagons and

after ferrying across the Missouri River, set

out on our journey, on the South side of the

Platte River with fair out-fits.

About 300 miles up the Platte the Cholera struck

us, and three or four died and were laid by

the road-side.

This struck with terror, the hearts of the people,

but through frequent administrations of a

few brave men, the calamity was averted

and the company moved on.

In the Black Hills, I was appointed hunter

for the Camp, and spent most of my

time supplying Buffalo and Antelope

meat for the hungry, and had many

thrilling experiences during the season, one

which I will mention.

While the company was laying over Sunday

in the Black Hills, Alex. Sessions and

[Page 41 of 80]

my-self, made it up the previous [word crossed out] (night) to go out and

kill an Antelope before breakfast.

Sunday was a day of rest, when the grass was

good, and the camp generally layed over and

held meeting, and we should have stayed, but

our Boy Zeal was too great, so we went off by

day break and tramped over hill and dell

untill about 10 o’clock without getting even a

shot at any-thing, at last we gave up and

started for camp, passing near some currant

brush in a ravine we thought it probable

we would find water to drink, turned down in

that direction and finally got water, on starting

back, I saw a fresh bear track in the sand, and

said to Alex, “we had better get out of this” when

a large Grizzley Bear jumped off the cliff

above us, and landed within 6 ft. of where

we stood, not caring for any Bear meat

just at that time, we took the trail and by a

stupenduous effort beat him running for

some 50 yds. though I had the satisfaction

of punching him several times in head

with my gun, as evidenced by the blood and

hair afterward found.

On reaching the open country Mr. Bear

retreated leaving us master of the field, but

two of the worst scared Boys it was possible to

find any-where, I had been in many Bear

fights and succeeded in coming off victorious

but this one, some how we neither of us,

seemed to want possibly the growl, which was

terrible, and the manner he had of introducing

himself caused us to decide rather quickly,

[Page 42 of 80]

then our legs done the rest, well we told

it in camp, as a narrow escape which was

variously criticised, it is strange how brave

some men are, when there is no possible

danger.

One man in particular “said” if he had

been there he would have taken a Butcher

knife and carved him up, but you see

neither of us wanted him that bad, how-ever

I remembered this man, and a few days later

the camp layed by for a general Hunt of

Buffalo, my special attention was given this

man to go in my crowd and was successful,

on going out we soon came on a few scattering

Bulls.

With mischief predominint, I got them to let

me go ahead when I soon wounded a Bull by

breaking his shoulder, and he stopped for

fight then I insisted, when the company

came up, that my special friend have

the honor of killing him, this being

agreed to, I told him to walk up to within

20 feet of the Bull and shoot him in the

head, well he got within 30 yds. and drew

up his gun to shoot, when the Buffalo made

a lunge for him, my friend dropped

his gun and took to his heels, then the

crowd had the bad taste to yell “run”

“take your knife to him” etc. while the Bull

only made one jump and stood his ground

my friend run 200 yds at break neck speed

without looking back.

The Bull was killed by one shot when the

[Page 43 of 89]

fun was over and many others before the

day was over.

I mention this to show that men who

are so awful brave where there is no

possible danger, will not always do to tie to.

Laying in all the dried Buffalo meat

we could haul, we moved on, with no

unusual incident. Arriving in

Salt Lake Valley near the last of September

1850 and disbanded.

Many went north to Ogden, then known

as Miles Goodyears Ranch, the title

to which was extinguished by Captain

James Brown (of the Mormon Battalion)

about this time, and the City of Ogden

surveyed.

Others went South to Dry Creek (North end

of Utah Valley) where David Evans

established the now famed City of Lehi.

L. E. Harrington and others were sent

to build-up American Fork, while my

Father was sent to Peteetneet creek in

the south end of Utah Valley to locate.

Where I had the satisfaction of helping

build the first house, in what is

known now as the City of Payson. (named

from my Father James Pace, (& Son) by Brigham

Young in March 1851.)

Aaron Johnson and a few others were

sent to locate on Hobble Creek where

the famous City of Spring-ville is

now situated

Settlements were made in Provo and

[Page 44 of 80]

Manti as early as the Spring of 1849.

Provo had some trouble with the Indians

in the winter of ‘49 or ‘50, and the Fort

was moved up on higher land which was

only partly accomplished when I arrived.

We landed on Peteetneet creek about the [word crossed out]

[words crossed out] 20th October 1850 with only three families

viz: James Pace’s, Andrew Stewart’s and

Courtland Searl’s. The trouble seemed to be

that few would go there on account of

Indians although all was peace at that time,

but my Father had been sent by President

Young to colonize this place and so great

was his faith that I presume he would

have went alone rather than to have failed.

However we built a double log house with

a sod chimney in the middle and were very

comfortable. Stewart and Searle’s turned an ell

to the north, then we all set up pickets of

cotton wood and made a nice little Fort so

that we wintered nicely.

In December 1850 George A Smith

with a company, came along on their way to

establish settlements in little Salt Lake Valley

where Parowan and Cedar Cities now stand;

thus settlements were extended throughout

Utah as fast as emmigration would justify

In the spring others came to Peteetneet farms

were laid off and water ditches made, but

the first year there was a scarcity of water

for eight or ten families and much doubt

was expressed as to their being able to

build a permanent town there for want of

water.

[Page 45 of 80]

President Young was appealed to in the

course of the summer to settle their

differences during which he told them to

stop their wrangle, go to work, and the

water would increase as fast as settlers

came. Anybody visiting the City of Payson

now (1904) will be able to tell whether the

prediction was correct or not.

It was in March 1851 that Amasa Lyman

and Charles C. Rich with a large company

came along and rendesvoused at Peteetneet

on their way to California to colonize and

gather the Saints in that land to some

place in Southern California.

President Young, Kimball

and others came up to organize them and

were surprised at the number that were

going. They stoped over a week at my

Father’s trying to turn them back, as they

were weakening settlements previously built

in Utah but no, the most of them would go.

It seemed that it was not the intention

of the Presidency to send only just enough

to be safe on the road from Indians, and

gather from California such as wished to

become identified with the Mormon people,

but they finally organized and moved on.

At this time President Young named Peteetneet

Creek “Payson” after my father “James Pace & Son” I

suppose out of respect for service rendered

in Nauvoo, or maybe, in the Mormon

Batallion.

While trying to settle the “Lyman-Rich”

[Page 46 of 80]

company, we had a dance in a log school

house we had recently built, with frontier

Puncheon floor and I seemed to be the

only chance for music. I had learned to

play the Flute under Elisha Averett while

out with the Mormon Batallion, but while in

St. Jo. Missouri I found it hurt me to blow

the Flute hence I had invested in a

“Six bit” (fiddle) and made some proficiancy as a

puncheon floor fiddler. But it did not

suit President Young who stoped, took my

fiddle, looked at it, said it was no

account, but if I would come to his house

in Salt Lake City he would give me one

he had paid $50.00 for, that I was to

practice and play for the people etc.

Well the ball went on, and I done my

level best during the evening.

When he got home he had the

instrument repaired, so that when I

went down to Salt Lake I found it ready.

This brought me into some

notoriety, and by associating myself with

James Stewart, one of the best violinists

then in the country, we soon had the

run of Salt Lake, and the country from

there to Payson, which I kept up for

years, untill other public matters

made it necessary to quit.

Here I met and fell in love with

the Daughter of Alexander Williams

who at the time was very prominent

in Church matters in Provo, Well to

[Page 47 of 80]

be brief we were married on the 25th day

of March 1852 and two month after I

was on my way to California with my

Father-in-law. “Alexander Williams” and

my Brother-in-law. “Thomas Williams” in

search of wealth. Well I have been in

search of wealth most of my time ever

since but have not found it. I did

not have time to get acquainted with

my wife before I left, all was bustle

after the Almighty Dollar, they seemed

to have plenty, while I was poor,

but I was enthuastic over the prospect

of immense wealth to be got from the

California Gold fields, of course I would

get it, at least so I figured.

To commence with, they managed to

scrape to gather about 300 head of

cattle, and several wagons loaded

with furs, and some thirty men

joined the outfit and went as teamsters,

cow drivers etc. for their board. So great

was their zeal “just to get there”

My position was a kind of “third boss”

I rode a fine horse and was rather

looked up to, as I had been over the

road before. Sometimes I looked out

a camp, or done some trifling job.

Well we got through in June 1852 with

fat cattle generally and established a

butcher shop in Mormon Island on

the American River where it fell to

my lot to deliver beef to various

[Page 48 of 80]

mining camps for ten or fifteen

miles around for 25¢ a pound,

other shops were started at Placerville,

and Nevada Cities, and a thriving

business was the result. Though I

was getting one hundred dollars per

month for riding around in a

buggy it was too slow, I wanted to

get out in the hills and “just scoop

it up” and finally during the

winter months I got away for a

season, and went to Placerville

where I joined some boys from

Salt Lake and went to mining.

The first day, three of us cleared up

$89.00 thus we continued a few days

variously from $75.00 to a $100.00 then I

took the Small Pox and laid up

for repairs for three weeks, at the

end of which my Father-in-law

hearing of my misfortune visited

me. For some reason at this

time I wanted to go home I had,

had enough of California, and

while I had about money enough

left to take me there I wanted to

go at once. I succeeded in winning

over my Father-in-law, and we

agreed to go by water to Santiago

then over land by Los-Angeles and

the Southern route.

Ten days after this we were steaming

down the coast for Santiago.

[Page 49 of 80]

arriving at Santiago, we purchased a

wagon and a pair of mules, got some

supplies and set out for Los-Angeles.

Here we fell in company with Nathan

Adams and Brother bound for American

Fork, Utah. and Abrams the Jew who

wished to put on a pair of Mules

and go through to Salt Lake with us.

Buying some goods we fitted out and

started for San Barnidino, 75 miles distant

and the last settlement untill we reached

Utah.

Arriving at San Barnardino I found

many old friends, among them John

and William McDonald, as we had to

lay here a few days for more company,

the McDonalds, myself and a few

others gave a minstrel concert, to

the no small amusement of the people,

who turned out enmasse.

We finally pulled out of San Barnordino

with Alexander Williams, myself the

Adams’, Abrams the Jew, William

Perkins and his wife who were

returning from a mission to the

Sandwich Islands, and one other

man whose name I disremember

two wagons eight mules and six

riding horses.

With this outfit and a goodly

supply of provisions, we took leave

of the good people of San Barnordino

and wended our way through

[Page 50 of 80]

the Cahone Pass early in April 1853, and

soon reached the Mohave river.

Our trip home ward was without any

incidents of moment untill we

reached the Santa Clara creek in

Utah. On our way we had met

Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich

and a few others, at Mountain Springs

about twenty-five miles west of Los-Vegus,

who were on their way back to San-

Barnordino from Conference in

Salt Lake City. They seeing our

numbers few, cautioned us, as to the

Indians from there on, untill we

reached the settlements.

Hence every precaution that could

be, was taken and we moved on

slowly, but from there to Los-Vegas

across the Vegas Desert and all up the

Rio-Virgin, no sign of Indians until we

began to feel safe, crossing the Mesa

and a chain of mountains we saw

no sign of natives, here we reached

the Santa Clara Creek and stoped

and turned our animals out for

noon taking no precaution for

danger, the cooks went to preparing

dinner, and Abrams the Jew, as

was his custom when oppertunity

offered opened his pack of goods to

give them air I suppose.

I being teamster, was doing

something about the wagon near

[Page 51 of 80]

Abrams, all of a sudden eight or ten Indians

came walking into camp, on looking farther

I saw we were completely surrounded by not

less than four hundred of the blackest looking

Indians nature ever produced.

“Here was a pretty kettle of fish,” we were

eight strong, poorly armed, and one of our

number a woman, it was no use to go

after our animals for most of them were

already in the possession of the Indians,

to say it looked like all was lost, does

not express it. Well to be brief, all seemed

to stand where they were, the Indians on

their way walked into camp, and as

Abrams was all unpacked, they made

him the first call, appropriating some

trifling objects and tucking them under

their clothing, to this he demurred and

drew an old Allen’s Pepper Box pistol as

if he would annihilate the whole tribe.

Standing close by him, it suddenly

occurred to me that this would not

do, hence I grabbed for the pistol and

at the same time gave him such a

shove that he went sprawling over

the wagon tongue, droped the pistol,

which I picked up and proposed to

empty into his carcass if he did

not keep still.

He was a man that weighed

over two hundred pounds, while

I was rather small, this or some

other power changed the minds of

[Page 52 of 80]

the Indians in a twinkling, for before

I had fairly finished with the “Jew”

the old chief was patting me on the

back and saying “Big Captain”, then

he jumped on a big rock close by,

and made a speech to the Indians,

presently our animals were driven

back, and two Indians told to herd them

then all the Natives except the Chief

and the two herdsmen “Vamosed “ up the

road.

This relief from what appeared to

be annihilation, was great, we finally

settled down, got our dinners, fed

the chief and the two Indians, when

our animals were brought in and

we hooked up and pulled out.

The Chief and two Indians going

with us.

About five miles up the Creek

where the road passed under a cliff,

we overhauled the Indians busily

engaged removing the obstructions

they had placed in the road to hinder

our progress. It seemed they had

calculated on our coming past this

place before we stopped for noon,

but having stopped where we first

struck the Santa Clara, they had

concluded they had force enough

to over power us there, and hence

moved down, with the result above

stated.

[Page 53 of 80]

The obstructions removed the old chief

made another speech to the Indians and

they left us, we drove on to about where

the little town of Gunlock now stands

and camped.

The old chief and the two

Indians, came into camp, took our

animals and made us understand

that they would place them on good

feed, and return them in the

morning. We gave them something to

eat and trusted them, the old Chief,

which we now learned, was named

“Tutsagubet” stayed with us, as

surety I suppose, for the safe return

of the animals

The next morning our animals

came in alright, and we drove to

the Mountain Meadow (the place

since famous for the Lee Massacre)

and camped, Tutsagubet” and the

two Indians still with us, they

took our animals as before.

The next day we drove to Antelope

Springs, the Indians still guarding

us, and the next day when we

came in sight of Cedar City

Tutsagubet wanted to go back, said

we were safe now, we gave them

some presents and parted.

In after years I had occasion

to organize a mining district in

that country, which was designated

[Page 54 of 80]

“Tutsagubet” Mining District, in

honor of the old Chief, long since dead,

as the only moments I could make

for his kindness in thus saving

our lives.

At Cedar City one of (the) settlements

established by George A Smith in

1851, we soon traded for some

Butter & Eggs and fared sumptously

from here to Provo the end of our

journey, nothing of note, except

plenty of high water at Beaver,

Sevier and Spanish Fork occurred

which was overcome and we

reached Provo safely in May 1853,

finding all well my wife having

given birth to a daughter on

January 5th [number crossed out] 1853, which added to

my joy in getting home.

At Payson I met my mother and

family. My Father was gone to

England on a mission and every

thing looked like it needed looking

after, so I decided to locate there,

as soon as the Spanish Fork was

passable

[Page 55 of 80]

Chapter V [crossed out]

Moved to Payson, Indian war,

Return to Provo and permantly

locating there. Elk Mountain Mission etc.

In July 1853 I moved to Payson and

intended settling down as a farmer,

I had thirty acres of land, good teams

and everything necessary to start.

My return from California with little or

no money made it hard to start.

On the 18th of July Kiel was killed

by the Indians, and the celebrated “Walker

Indian War” followed. Women and children

were gathered to the School-house in the

night and the men posted on duty to try

and prevent a further disaster, as there

were known to be over four hundred

Indians within five miles under Chief

Walker, but for some reason they did not

come.

The next morning relief came from

Provo with Gen Peter W. Cownover in charge,

who was the commanding officer of the

County. efforts were made, by him, to get

some men away from the Sawmill, some

four or five miles distant, up the Canyon,

and in doing so, they discovered that the

Indians had left in the direction of San-

Pete County.

As the San-Pete settlements were

weak, it became necessary to send them relief,

[Page 56 of 80]

more troops were called from Provo

and Springville, and an expedition

fitted out for San-Pete Gen. Cownover

going in charge, leaving a strong guard

at Payson under Major David Canfield.

I now recall that at the re-organization

of the Nauvoo Legion in September 1851

I was duly elected 1st Lieutenant in

Company A. Payson Cavalry, though

I had not been called for any

particular duty, I found that the office with

all of its responsibilities were expected of me

now that war had broke out, Hence nearly

all of my time for the balance of the season

was occupied in army matters.

Not wishing to give a detailed account

of the Walker War, I simply say, the whole

Territory of Utah was more or less effected by it.

Fort walls were built around every settlement,

requiring an immense amount of labor

and toil. I sent my wife to Provo, which

left me untrameled for whatever was required.

Late in the fall after all was quiet I went to

Provo to move my family back but was

induced to remain over winter, in the early

spring I made arrangements to go back to Payson

and raise a crop, my wife not wishing to return

to Payson I traded my thirty acres of land

at that place, for an old Adobe house and two

City lots worth at the time probably $75.00

though called $250.00, then I arranged a

partnership with one James Smith and

became a “Stone and Adobe Mason,” and as

[Page 57 of 80]

building was the order, I done well that season,

Late in the Autumn of 1854. Smith,

myself and Goddard built the first

music hall in Provo 28 X 64, and

completed it for Theaters and Dancing

that winter and for several years thereafter.

At the April Conference (Apr 6th) 1855, I was called,

with a number of others, to go on a mission

“to the Indians” And was on the 30th of April

ordained a Seventy, and set apart for

my mission by Apostle George A. Smith.

In the following blessing, reported by

John B. Milliner

In the name of Jesus Christ, and in the

authority of the Holy Priesthood and Apostleship

confered upon us, we lay our hands upon

thy head, and we set Thee apart to go

forth as a messenger of the Gospel unto

the Laminites, to be a Savior upon the

Mountains of Israel unto the redemption

of the Seed of Joseph, and we say unto

Thee be humble and the Spirit of the

Almighty shall rest upon thee and thou

shalt have influence and great power

to do good in the redemption of the

children of Israel, thy name shall be

had in perpetual remembrance, and

thousands shall rejoice in thy testimony,

exercise wisdom and faith, and thy

dominions shall increase, thy children shall

increase as the sands upon the Sea shore,

thou shalt be prepared to inherit Eternal

Glory in celestial kingdoms, we seal all

[Page 58 of 80]

the blessings of this mission upon

thee in the name of Christ our Redeemer.

Amen.

The above is inserted for its preservation,

I have had many [word crossed out] Blessings, before

and since the above, all pointing to the same,

but have been lost or destroyed.

On the 14th of May 1855 I bid farewell to

wife and home, and joined the company

that was designated as the Elk Mountain

Boys destined for Grand River, then in the

eastern part of Utah, where we were to build

a Fort and try to civilize the Ute Indians in

that vicinity.

At Payson I tried to sell some land

to help my family, and some things I needed

on the way, but no one seemed to care for

land, seeing I was going away, though in

great demand before I was called, after

spending some time I finally met George

Patten who condecended to give me a $10.00

Rifle and one pound of Powder for seven and

one half acres of land next to the City,

worth at that time, not less than $75.00. Now

it would bring several thousand, but as

I had to have a Rifle, I was compelled to take

it and go as the company had gone ahead

the day before.

Thomas Wilson and Myself, then took the

trail for Salt Creek, on foot, but succeeded

in catching the train at Pungeon Springs

(now Willow Creek) at noon, at night camped

near Salt Creek. Thomas J. Patton and

[Page 59 of 80]

others from Manti, met and camped with

us, I traded guns with Patten and got 100

pounds of flour at Manti for the difference.

When we got to Salt Creek, now Nephi, the

Boys for the Los-Vegas mission parted

company with us, and we took the road for

Manti where we arrived on the 19th of May.

On the 20th got my flour re-packed our

wagon, got a Steer from James Ivie to work

with John McEwan’s cow, making four

yoke to our wagon in which myself, Clinton

Williams, John McEwan and Thomas G.

Wilson were interested.

On the 21st moved out to Six Mile

Creek in a storm, at night the Company was

organized with Alfred N. Billings President,

Joseph Rawlins wagon master, and Oliver

B. Huntington clerk. At South Salt Creek,

now Salina, we turned to the East, left the

road, and crossed the Wasatch Mountains

to Huntington Creek where we met some

Green River Indians who were very friendly

and wished to Pilot us across the Spanish

trail, and save us two or three days, some

of our boys went with them as far as the

ridge and we decided to go that way.

On the 2nd day of June 1855 we

reached Green River, river very

high, valey large, covered with

large cotton wood trees, the next

day being Sunday we held meeting

and in the afternoon met with

some of the Indians of the vicinity

[Page 60 of 80]

who made us welcome.

Fourth to Eighth was occupied in crossing

the river, broke camp at Four thirty P.M.

and started for Grand River where we

arrived on the 10th after a perilous journey

for want of water, river very high, and

wind blowing a gale.

It took untill the 15th of June before

all got across (the river) on account of high winds.

Sunday the 17th President Billings selected

Joseph Rawlins and William Holden as

his counsel, and some arrangements

were made as to farming, joined mess

with James A. Ivie’ [letter crossed out] making a total of seven

men in all.

On the 18th we commenced farming some of the

men pulling (& burning) sage while others plowed & helped

to clear the land, some were called to burn coal;

one to make a grindstone & others to building

a dam across Elk Mountain creek, for the

purpose of turning water for irrigation purposes

as the farming land had to be irrigated previous

to planting & sowing, etc.

On the 23rd we finished planting gardens, etc.

Seven Indians came in & camped (close) by us

the next day being Sunday we called in

the Natives & held meeting. They seemed

pleased to have us among them, after they

were told our business, etc. they became interested

& wanted to learn to farm.

The fort was made at the foot of the East

Mountains near a spring not far from the

dam in the river. Wagons etc. were moved to

the Fort. I was left in camp & worked on a

[Page 69 of 80]

saddle tree. On the 27th we began cutting logs for a

correl which took us two days, we finished the

correl in the afternoon, the Elk Mountain chief

(St John) with three or four of his men came down

to see what was the matter in the north end of

the valley, he saw great smoke (from the boys burning

sage) he did not know we were there untill he

came in sight of the wagons.

After a conversation between himself & the Interpeter

as to our business there on his domains, etc., he

expressed himself as well satisfied & said we were

welcome to a share of his country, that we were the

first white men (or red) that he had ever given any

priviledges to stop on his premisses any longer than

they had time to get away. He told them he had a

dream the other night & that he saw the Mormons

coming here to live on his land. How he went & got

his men togather & was going to drive them off,

but the Great Spirit told him to let the Mormons

alone, that he must be good friends & not fight any

more, etc. he said he knew it was good for us to be

there & wanted us to learn his wild boys how to

plow, raise grain & work like we did etc.

Sunday July 1st I went with Joseph Rolllins & others to

accompany the Chief St. John to his farm, some twelve

miles from our camp. his corn and mellons looked fine

though it had not been irrigated for some time.

We assisted him in getting the water out of the

creek & turned it upon his corn etc. then returned to

camp leaving him well pleased

On the 3rd [word crossed out] (William) Hamlin & James Ivie commenced

cutting hay for our mules. & working on the farm

the next afternoon [word crossed out] a company of St. John’s

Indians came in to trade. In the evening we

[Page 62 of 80]

held a council meeting for the purpose of taking

into consideration the holding a fast meeting on

the morrow & decided we should.

Thursday meeting at 10-o'clock good speaking from

different ones: all voted to hold fast meetings on

the first Thursday of every month (as they do in the Valleys)

The following day the teams commenced hauling

stone for the Fort. I worked on the Fort walls

laying stone.

Sunday the 8th we held meeting in the

afternoon good speaking from the boys.

The following days I laid stone on the Fort walls.

as the wall began to rise Old Nicholas (a relative

of the [word crossed out] Chief St. John) & others did not like our

staying on this land & hauling the [word crossed out] (stones) & piling

them up as we pleased etc. (as they called it) which

was soon settled satisfactorily. The next day

large bands of Indians kept coming from all

directions. The Arropean Chief of Utahs came in with

the mail from Manti. the following 3 days we layed stone

& rested part of the time.

Sunday the 15th I wrote home several letters,

Meeting was held in the afternoon with the natives

Chief Arropean gave them to understand our business

here, with some good instructions relative to how

they should do towards us; he spoke lengthy & with

great power, which seemed to take deep root

in the minds of the leading men of the natives.

On the 17th President Alfred N. Billings, John Lowery

& myself finished laying (our share of the Fort) stone wall.

on the 18 I worked for Oliver B Huntington

Laying stone, about noon a heavy shower of

rain came down which done much good to

our crops. in the evening I wrote home to my family

[Page 63 of 80]

[word crossed out] The 19th Huntington’s men finished their share of

the Fort; In the [word crossed out] (afternoon) Bros. Wm R Holden, John

Crawford, James A Ivie, Wm Hamblin, John Lowry

Wm T Carroll, Stephen Moore & Columbus Perkins

started for great Salt Lake City. with the mail, myself

& others accompanied them as far as the River

& ferried them across.

The next day I went to the river after some

timber for a house. hauling stone the following

day to build a house while the boys finished

hauling hay in the afternoon.

The 22nd being Sunday we held meeting. In the afternoon

several natives came forward for Baptism, we went

to the river where President Billings Baptized 15

including several leading men. among them Chief

St John’s Brother & family, two of St. John’s sons. St.

John was absent at this time. On returning to the Fort

they were confirmed members of the church. Some (were ordained)

Elders & were set apart to preach to their tribe, etc.

23rd hauled stone for the house while 4 men went

to the mountains to look for timber for a gate to

the Fort. I commenced laying stone on our house

in the afternoon. the boys returned from the

mountains the following day reporting there

was an abundence of timber, rather hard to

get (at) a road would have to be made.

On the 26th I finished laying stone on the house

Put the roof on which was made of willows

covered with hay & dirt.

We moved our things into it.

The 29th Sunday we held meetings with the

Indians Brother O. B. Huntington & John Clark

presiding. The native Brothers felt well toward us.

a few visiting strangers seemed to take some

[Page 64 of 80]

100

interest in the work.

The next few days was spent making a

saddle & covering it. I traded one of my oxen

for a horse.

The 2nd of Aug. Being Fast day we held meeting

a good spirit prevailing. the next 2 days we

made fence around our hay & I covered another

saddle.

5th Sunday Held meeting Bros. Moses Draper

& Wm Freeman presided, had a good meeting

On the 6th in the afternoon Spoods one of Arropean’s

Band returned from the navijos reported that they

(the Navegoes) were friendly & that 4 of their chiefs were

coming in with Arropean.

On the 8th Arropean in company with the

Navijos Indians arrived at our Fort, the object of

their visit was to make a treaty with the Elk.

Mountain Utes, that they might travel the road

& visit the Mormon settlement, they seemed well

pleased with us & wished to get acquainted

with our habits & customs. In the afternoon

we killed an ox & gave them that they might

have something to treat upon, etc.

The next day was occupied by the Indians

in making a treaty which I believe was

made satisfactorily by both parties. Arropean

started for Manti & the Navijos for this

country.

12th Sunday meeting was held in the forenoon

in the afternoon I crossed the river with

some of the boys expecting to meet the

mail from G.S.L. City but returned without

success. The next 5 days were spent making

a saddle & a gate to the Fort. [words crosssed out] which was

[Page 65 of 80]

101

[word crosed out] hung (one side was made of cottonwood logs

hewn to 8 inch thick hewn doubled & pinned togather)

[words crossed out] 18th we hung the other side in the

morning, in the afternoon I was shoeing my

horse & fixing for going home with the mail.

the next morning John Lowry, John Crawford

& Stephen Moore returned from G.S.L. City bringing

mail. I received two letters from home.

It being Sunday we held meeting with the

Natives. A number was called upon (all those

that had horses sufficient) to take the mail back to

the Valleys in accordance with the instructions of

President Brigham Young.

I being one of the number, on the 20th we commenced

fixing for a start on the morrow.

I traded another ox for a horse, but in

consequence of it not being [word crossed out] (in) good [word crossed out] condition

I left it with John Clark untill I returned which

I expected would be about 5 weeks.

At half past 12 o’clock I started in company with 15

others for G.S.L. City we traveled 12 miles to Quincy

Rock springs & camped had some little trouble with

some of our animals they being wild, at night I stood

guard with Joseph Rollins & others around the horses.

22nd Packed our horses & traveled 36 miles to Green River

crossed & camped on the west [word crossed out] bank

23rd five of our company took the old trail for Manti

while the remaining ten took the Spanish Fork trail

for Utah Co. & traveled 30 miles to Dushanes Fork on

Green river & camped. muddy water & poor grass.

24th We traveled 24 miles & camped on the Whitbeck

Creek for the night.

25th Traveled through several deep ravines in

Duchesne Fork distance of 24 miles & camped at

[Page 66 of 80]

102

the foot of high Bluffs

26th we traveled 19 miles killing a mountain sheep on

our way & camped in the tops of the mountains.

27.th traveled 31 miles across mountains down canyon

forks reaching the rim of basin then (14 miles) down Spanish

Fork canyon & camped for the night.

28th traveled (on) down the canyon to Springville here

I left the company & rode on to Provo. where I

arrived about 8 o’clock found my family all well

& good spirits remained at home the next 3 or 4

days receiving visits from my friends.

September 1st I went to Spanish Fork after a horse

(I left there on the 28th) hunted all day without

success, spent the night with my Uncle Wm Pace.

2nd I got Wilson Pace to assist me in hunting,

after searching the brush several hours we found

the horse in the field near the river. Being

near Payson where Mother lived we concluded to

go there for dinner. I found my Mother & family

well, spent a couple of hours & started home

arriving about dark.

I spent the remainder of the month at

home settling accounts against the Provo

music Hall of which I was a partner, also

paid Zemira Palmer two hundred dollars for

an adobie house & two lots.

October 1st Began to prepare for going back to

Elk Mountain (in a few days)

2nd an express came in from Manti

stating the Indians had become hostile on

Grand river & drove them from the

mission killing three of our Boys & taking

possession of the Fort, provisions, Cattle,

[Page 67 of 80]

103

clothing & everything, the Boys barely escaping

with animals enough to get away on, that they were

in a bad condition & was not able to get home,

having drove without eating for several days.

On the 3rd I got Joseph Clark to take his wagon

& horses & go with me to their assistance, we started

about noon; I rode out on horse back for the purpose

of assisting in driving their loose animals.

Called at Springville & got Bro. J. G. Metcalf to

accompany me on horse back, arrived [letters crossed out] at Payson

after dark & stayed all night at Mother’s.

4th We were prepared to start early, when Brothers

Orson Miles & Brigham Lamb came in from Manti

& informed us the Boys were getting along well &

would not need the assistance of a team.

I then selected Brother Joseph Clark, J. G. Metcalf &

myself we went on horseback with some

provisions for them & met them about two miles

beyond Summit Creek Bros. Clinton Williams

Stephen Moore & [word crossed out] (John) Clark. gave them some

refreshments & returned to Payson [word crossed out]had

dinner at Mother’s & came on to Provo in the

evening.

6th I went to Great Salt Lake City with [letters crossed out] Stephen

Moore arrived about dark.

7th & 8th attended Conference & was informed

that we would not go back this season,

returned home on the 9th staying at home

untill the 16th I went to Payson with my

wife to get my corn down from there

which I had raised on my land.

18th returned home, this afternoon C. A.

Huntington, Wm W. Sterret & Richard James

[Page 68 of 80]

104

of the Elk Mountain mission arrived in Provo

they having undertook to come on the

Spanish Fork trail from Green River, but

lost their way, was out twenty four days having

eaten one dog & the greater portion of a horse

in consequence of lack of provisions.

19th assisted in getting a team to take the

boys home. & get Clinton Williams to

take them down to Great Salt Lake City.

Chapter VI

Re-Organization of the Utah County Militia etc.

20th I attended a re-organization of the Utah

County Militia & was elected Colonel of the

1st Regiment of Cavalry by a unanimous

vote.

22nd Drilled the Regiment on horse in

forenoon, in afternoon inspection of

Arms etc.

The remainder of the month at

work laying adobies for different

individuals

On November 4th my Father James Pace

arrived from England having been

gone over three years on a mission.

At home untill the 8th. I went to

Payson with my Family on a visit to

see my Father & family spent the 9th

& returned home on the 10th & continued

laying adobies untill December 20th when

[Page 69 of 80]

105

I had to leave off in consequence of bad weather

Dec. 25th I made a party at an expense of Seventy five

dollars for supper, etc. & had my Father & family, C. B.

Hancock & others to attend it at the music hall.

Dec 26 I commenced doing business for Alexander

Williams Sen. selling goods untill Feb 4th I went to

Salt Lake City in company with my wife, Father & Mother

for the purpose of attending the Mormon Batallion

festival, we stopped at the home of Thos. S. Williams.

On the 6th we attended the Ball & enjoyed the entertainment.

7th I bought a lot of merchandise from Levi

Stewart & Co. in exchange for the Music Hall

$750.00 for my interest, & returned to Provo on the 9th

putting goods in store & selling them continued

in the store untill the latter part of February,

about the middle of this month a band of

Utah Indians under the command of Tintic &

Squash-Head & their chiefs, became somewhat

troublesome in killing Cattle, stealing horses etc.

and upon the same being made known to

the United States Judges; Writs were issued for

their apprehension & a posse summoned of

some 40 persons under the direction of

the U. S. Deputy Marshall Thos. S. Johnson to

take their chiefs & some others & bring them

up for trial, and on the 21st of Feb. a

detachment of the above Posse under George

Parish came upon Tintics camp with the

intention of taking him. but the Indians

arose in arms to defend him, whereupon

a fight persued which resulted in killing

one White man, one Indian & a squaw, the

remainder of the Indians getting away

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106

without any serious injury.

This only helped to kindle the flame in the

ignorant Lamenites, & they likewise went to

a herd ground from that place, & on the

morning of the 22nd they killed 2 Carson (Bros) & his

Comrad (Young Hunsucker) who was there herding cattle & horribly

mutilated their bodies, drove off a number

of cattle & horses to the mountains, this day

an express was sent to the Governor. to know

what was best to do in regard to the matter.

Consequently orders were issued to Brigadier

Gen’l. Peter W. Cownover to Call out the Malitia

of Utah, County. & follow the Indians into

the mountains, & return the Cattle to their

owners. And on the 26th I received the

following orders from General Cownover.

(Head Quarters Brigade Secretary

Orders (office Provo City Feb 26th 1856

(To Col. Wm B. Pace.

You are hereby ordered to

call out from your Regiment one hundred

men well armed, mounted & Provisioned

with ten days provisions, to march at

9 o’clock on the 27th the remainder to be ready

to march at a moments notice to any

point where their services may be required

By order of Peter W. Cownover.

Brig’d Gen’l. Com’d.

John McEwan

Brigade Sec’y & Quarter

Master)

Persuant to the above order I made

the following selections

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107

twenty five men from Co. A. twenty five from Co. B.

fifteen men from Co. E. ten men from Co. C. &

twenty five from Company D.

After issuing the above order an express came in

from Cap’t. Willis’s command (that were in search of

some cattle that were scattered on the west side

of Utah lake) of being surprised by some Indians

& three of their men killed (two, Carson brothers & young Hunsucker) & several of their horses

taken from them, & that Utes drove off one hundred

& fifty head of cattle at the same time to the

mountains. The Gen’l ordered me to send Cap’t

Sords Co. D. around the north end of the Lake

to scour the county & if possible find where the Indians

had gone & check them intill the main command

overtook him. [sentence crossed out]

We crossed the lake on ice & camped in the

canyon west of Goshen, the baggage was sent

to Cedar Fort for want of roads, we followed the

Indians (who killed Hunsaker & the Carson brothers

& stole their cattle) to Homansville & Eureka canyons,

through snow from 4 to 6 feet deep, on a biscuit

a piece for breakfast or what could be found

in our scant supplies. That night we camped

at Shivery Point without supper or blankets.

We must either catch stock next day or starve.

We caught the stock next night near

Seveir Lake, the Indians took fright & left

the stock behind, except a few saddle

horses & the expedition returned with

the stock.

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108

The following was in a diary of Wm B. Pace

Was Col. of Nauvoo Legion 1st regiment

Cavalry, Utah Militia District Nov. 1855

Aug 1st 1857 was given notice Soldiers from

the East were coming to invade the Territory.

Nov. 9th 1857 was given orders from Colonel

Commanding N. V. Jones to march immediately

with forces under his command for

& defense in Echo Canyon.

May 1st 1864 was granted a license with

Haws to work as butchers in the state for

1 year.

Copy of (part of) a letter written to James Jack Esq.

by William Byrum Pace while

confined in the Utah Penitenuary for

unlawful Cohabitation.

Utah Pen.

Jan. 26th 1891.

James Jack Esq.

Dear Bro:-

Enclosed, please find

memoranda of Sentence of Henry Sudweeks,

James H. Jenkins, Hans Jespersen, Rasmus

Justesen, Albert G. Slater, Charles A Terry,

John A Powell and Thos. Sterland.

If not sufficiently explicit, will endeavor

to make them so later on.

Personally, I have the next longest time,

yet to serve, on the list, hence will submit

the following--”tho’ not to be used, if in

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109

any manner, liable to check, or hinder the

release of older men.

I first entered the service of the United States,

when about 15 years of age, as servant to

Lieut James Pace Co. E. Mormon Batallion in

July 1846 (Mexican War) and marched on foot

from Ft. Levenworth Missouri to Los-Angeles

California.

Upon the organization of the Territory of Utah

I became identified with the Militia, grading

from a 1st Lieut. to Brig. Gen’l in a few

years. During the Walker Indian war of

1853 & 4 I was in active service the most

of two summers and in two regiments.

In the Tintic war of 1856, was Col. Of

Cavalry and with part of my Regiment

succeeded in rescueing a large herd

of stock from Tintic’s Band of Indians

near Sevier Lake.

From the opening of Black Hawk

war in 1865, I was in active service

over 3 years, rendering aid, and protection

to the settlements of Utah, Sanpete, Sevier,

Piute and Juab counties, for all of

which service, in Utah, covering a

period of many years I never

received any remuneration.

balance of letter was lost or burned

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110

Copy of a letter written by William

B Pace to his Comrads.

My dear Comrads:

I am pleased to meet you,

on this the 12th Annual anniversary of

the Veterans of “Utah Indian wars”.

While I am not quite as active or

able to move around, as I would wish,

yet I retain a vivid memory of the

Past, of the many hardships endured,

and difficulties surmounted, in the

various efforts to Establish and maintain

settlements in the Rocky Mountains.--

Which has made it possible for the

present and future development of the

Great State of Utah.

For this the country is immensly indebeted

to you and your associates. You, through

the dictates of that Devinely Inspired man

Brigham Young, Subdued the Savage

and warlike Indians, and made it possible

for flourishing Towns and Cities to be

built and occupied in peace, throughout

all the Vallies of the mountains, you are

virtually responsible for the settlement or

Colonizeation of Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho

and many other flourishing mountain

States, while they may have encountered the

Savage, Government came to their rescue,

put the Indians to flight and left them

in peacable possession of the country

priviledged to mine, raise stock, Farm

or follow the vent of their own

inclinations.

You were quite differently situated,

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111

were in the middle of the Desert, near one

thousand miles from aid in any direction,

surrounded by the most savage and unscrup-

ulous Indians all determined on your

extermination--

Did Government come to your aid, No,

You were poor, destitute of clothing and

suitable arms and outfit needed, with no

resource, but you had to simply furnish

your own Horse, Saddle & Bridle, or go on

foot, your own gun, amunition, and rations

or go hungry, if you had any blankets, you

were supposed to take them, or sleep without.

You were minute men then and moved at

a moments notice to the aid of any

settlement no matter how remote.

This you done without Pay or reward, or

even the hope thereof, so far as this

world goes, truly you aught to be

remembered.

Thus it was, that through your efforts,

under a devine providence the first

Settlements were established and maintained

in Utah.

Now had you failed, had the efforts to

colonize what is now known as the

State of Utah failed, when would the

surrounding Mountain States come into

existance, probable not in this age,

hence you are entitled to the credit of

being the means of populating this

whole mountain region.

Well there is some satisfation in this,

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112

if you never get any recognition or

pay from government.

While I do not wish to censure [word crossed out]

Government, the fault properly belongs to

ourselves for not sending the right

kind of men to Congress who have the

“Poor-mans” interest at heart, and are

willing to devote at least three minutes,

of their term to the men who made it

possible for this mountain region to

be occupied.

Beware of those Congressmen who on

the eve of an Election get a bill before

either House of Congress, in behalf

of the “Poor Soldier” that is only filed

to catch votes, it will not be called up

again only to be laid aside, even if

re-elected, if they meant business, they

would commence earlier in the term.

Now all is Peace, you may travel from

the Colorado River on the South, to the

northern extremities of the State and

not be molested by an Indian, (if you

behave yourself.)

How was it in 1853, when Keel was

shot down by Indians at Payson

while on guard, and Chief Walker with

400 or 500 warriors known to be camped

within three miles up Payson canyon.

Payson had but few in numbers then,

families were rushed to the School house

and men distributed to protect them,

expecting an attack before day light,

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113

but you came to the rescue, and Walker

drew off into San Pete county.

Then came the rush to protect the weaker

Towns and Ranches of San-Pete; the

engagement of Major Nowlan with the Indians

on San Pete mountains--

When Walker again drew off, threatening the

most Southern Settlements and you were

sent home to “Build a Fort wall”, for the

protection of your families or parents,

Stand guard and hold yourselves in

readiness to go to the relief of Cedar City,

Parowan or Fillmore and Probably the

next day or two would see you on your

way leaving home and all that was near

and dear to the watch care of a kind

providence and a few [word crossed out]

decriped old men.

This many of you will readily [word crossed out]

call to mind

Then in the Tintic war of 1855 & 6 and

especially in February 1856 when you

crossed Utah Lake and the “Ice”, sent

your Baggage from near where Goshen

now stands, to “Cedar Fort” and follow

the Indians who had killed the Carson

Boys, Hunsucker and others and fled

with the stock on the west side of

Utah Lake through, what is now known

as Homansville & Eureka canyons,

through 4 to 6 feet of snow.

This you done on a Biscuit a piece

or what ever you could snatch from an

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114

exausted or nearly depleted Breakfast

table in camp.

As you could not make connections

with Baggage (for impasible mountains)

you were compelled to “Bivouch” on

what was named “Shivery Point,” in

west Tintic, without supper or Blankets.

The next day, it became a question

of “catching the stock” or perishing

on the Desert.

Well you got the stock at night, near

the Sinque of the Sevier, then you

had Beef alone, broiled on Sage Brush

fire, without any Salt, until you got

back to Nephi, when the People there

came to the Rescue, many incidents

Similar could be mentioned, but will

not detain you.

Black Hawk war was prolonged from

July 1865 until May 1872 when a

treaty was finally made with the

last band of Utah Indians at Fish

Lake.

Many of you served through the war

and certainly are entitled to some

remuneration, but if you never get

it, console yourselves with the fact,

that you have aided in paving the

way for flourishing Towns, Cities,

States and Railroads to be built up

throughout this entire mountain

region.

I am proud to be numbered with

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115

you, to see the prosperity that follows your

labors through we may not enjoy an

abundence of its results.

Thanking you for your kind attention

I am truly yours

W. B. Pace.

Some of the activities of William B. Pace.

He was appointed assistant assessor for division

No. 4 of the territory of Utah 9 Oct 1866.

Assistant assessor for [crossed out] Internal Revenues

for 4th division of District of Utah 11 Oct. 1866.

Appointed assistant Assessor in Utah,

Wasatch, Juab and Sanpete Counties 6th May 1868.

Council man 10th Feb. 1874 of Provo (1 term)

“ “ 15th Feb. 1876

House of Representative member

from Aug. 1865 to 1878 inclusive.

Elected delegate to help draft State

Constitution 9th Feb 1872.

In City Council

From 1861 to 1877

Elected Brig. Gen’l 8 May 1866 1st Brigade.

Militia of Utah Military District.

In 1880 William B. Pace was called to go to southern Utah to help

develop the Iron Mines.

Emma A. Empey speaks of William B. Pace as being active in

mining and a leader in many activities in St. George Utah and in the

vicinity during his sojourn there. He led the Orchestra and directed

many plays and entertainments.

The Pinafore was the most successful musical entertainment

ever staged in St. George up to that date. He wrote much of this music

to suit the people whom he had to train for it. He gave freely of his

time to develove the resourses of the community in which he lived.

He married Maria Empey Gould 20 Feb. 1880, by whom he had four

children. She died 3 May 1891. [words crossed out]

He returned to Provo to live. He made another trip [word crossed out] to

St. George and while there, suffered a paralytic stroke 18 July 1900

As soon as he was able to travel he came back to his home in Provo.

In 1902 (because of the care he needed, due to his infirmity,)

he came to live with his son, Sidney A. Pace and family on Provo

Bench, now Orem City. He died there 18 June 1907, five years and

eleven months after his first stroke. During this entire time his

right hand and arm was useless. He learned to walk, with the aid

of a chair or a cane, about the house and yard, dragging his “game

leg" as he called it, slowly about.

He was the father of nineteen children. He was a kind and [crossed out]

affectionate father and friend.. He died, as he had lived, a faithful

member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, honored

and respected by all who knew him.

His first wife, Epsy Jane Williams died 16 Jan. 1910 at her old home

in Provo. She was the mother of fifteen children. As the development

of the Iron mines and other projects for the development of Southern

Utah demanded her husband’s time and attention, it fell to the lot of

this good mother to rear, educate and care for her family. She did this

faithfully with the help of her children, eleven of these she raised to

maturity.

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